Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Taiyu City

Qing State.

Taiyu City.

The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was founded over five hundred years ago, but Taiyu City’s history stretched back even further. The city was established during the reign of the previous Great Yu Imperial Dynasty, making it ancient.

During the zenith of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty, it was an ordinary city. But as the Imperial Dynasty began to decline, its prominence grew—especially after the Three Major Sects made their move against the Cyan Yuan Sect.

This was due to the city’s proximity to the Three Major Sects: Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and the Nanhua Sword Sect. Taiyu City had previously been under their control, though they were required to give a portion of their annual tribute to the Cyan Yuan Sect.

This year, however, they ceased all tribute and even instigated rebellions among some of the factions protected by the Cyan Yuan Sect. This delayed the Cyan Yuan Sect’s response, resulting in the instantaneous deaths of countless people.

Aside from the Zhao Family of Anyu City, which created significant trouble for the Cyan Yuan Sect, these rebellious factions caused little disruption before being ruthlessly purged by the Sect’s iron fist.

This incident prompted many other protected factions who had delayed their tributes to hastily deliver their annual offerings to the Cyan Yuan Sect. They even increased the amount, desperate to avoid incurring the Sect’s displeasure.

For families, gangs, and the like, as long as their faction survived, lost resources could be recouped elsewhere. But if their entire clan was annihilated, they would have nothing left.

The treasures they had accumulated over years would simply be taken, with nothing left behind.

Thus, the choice was simple.

By the time Yang Chan arrived in Taiyu City on horseback with the other members of the Cyan Yuan Sect, they had already been riding for several days, and dusk was beginning to fall.

The Three Major Sects—Lingyu Palace, Taiyu Valley, and the Nanhua Sword Sect—had attempted to expand their influence, only to be systematically crushed by the Cyan Yuan Sect. They had now retreated to their respective Sect headquarters, while Cyan Yuan Sect members, based in Taiyu City, continued their assault.

This time, the Cyan Yuan Sect Leader, Liu Xuan, was personally leading the charge to annihilate the Three Major Sects. His goal was to make every power in Qing State understand the price of provoking the Cyan Yuan Sect.

Complete annihilation. Not one would be spared.

These ruthless tactics were intended to deter any other faction from daring to challenge the Cyan Yuan Sect and to uphold its status as the region’s overlord.

Upon entering Taiyu City, he found that despite the tense atmosphere, conditions within the walls were far better than in most other places. At the very least, the people here had enough surplus food to survive.

After the great rains had fallen upon Qing State, signs of life were slowly returning everywhere. As long as they could endure this difficult period, things would eventually return to normal.

The city had its share of beggars, but they didn’t dare approach the members of the Cyan Yuan Sect, instead observing from a great distance. They had clearly learned a harsh lesson in the past.

After entering Taiyu City, Yang Chan and his group headed toward the city center. The Cyan Yuan Sect Leader, Liu Xuan, and his retinue were stationed there, working with the local Government Office and using items brought back from the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s Capital City.

These newcomers from the Cyan Yuan Sect were here to either reinforce their combat power or to help treat the wounded and prepare medicines.

The Elder leading them stopped before a tall building. After presenting an Identity Token, he led Yang Chan and the others inside. They passed through a series of pavilions and verandas before a guide led them through a hidden door. They continued onward, navigating several turns within the complex.

Partway through, their group was divided. Someone from the estate led the Pharmacists and Pharmacist’s Assistants in one direction, while the remaining disciples were taken elsewhere. Clearly, their destinations were different.

Seeing this, Yang Chan realized the situation in Taiyu City was even more grim than he had imagined. ’Otherwise,’ he thought, ’the Elders wouldn’t have been so vigilant, constantly scanning our surroundings, from the very moment we entered the city.’

Ever since his Tai Chi Health Cultivation Skill had reached Tier Three, his five senses had sharpened considerably, giving him an ability to perceive danger. He had naturally noticed the subtle shifts in the Elder’s demeanor.

’They appeared nonchalant, but they were actually on high alert. If anyone tried to launch a surprise attack, they could draw their swords and kill in an instant.’

He also noted the guide’s obvious tension after they entered the estate. ’Even within the manor’s walls, he’s being extremely cautious, and he’s secretly observing our group.’

Yang Chan guessed that something major must have happened before their arrival to warrant such caution.

By the time Yang Chan’s group reached their destination, the sky had turned completely black.

“We’re finally here. We’ve been eating dust this whole journey.”

Sun Qi Wu slapped the dust from his robes. When you traveled by horse in a group, those in the back were bound to get coated in it, from their hair to their clothes.

“Well, next time, you can ride up front,” someone next to him joked.

Yang Chan listened with a small smile.

Sun Qi Wu was the Pharmacist’s Assistant who had replaced Li Junhao after he was taken away by the Law Enforcement Hall. Shu Yu had called him the dumbest assistant she’d ever trained, and he had nearly been dismissed by Xu Gaocen.

But he was hardworking and earnest, always greeting everyone enthusiastically. He had struck up a few conversations with Yang Chan as well.

He had stuck close to Yang Chan for most of the horseback journey, and they had developed a slight camaraderie.

It wasn’t just Sun Qi Wu; the others were the same. Traveling together gave them plenty of time to talk. Although Yang Chan preferred to keep a low profile, he wasn’t one to refuse conversation. ’A few words here and there is fine,’ he thought. ’The best way to be inconspicuous is to blend in with the crowd. That’s how you look ordinary and achieve a true low profile.’

’Standing apart, on the other hand, just makes you conspicuous and can even attract trouble.’

Understanding this, Yang Chan didn’t mind making a few friends.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Sun Qi Wu quickly shook his head. “Elder Lü’s gaze is sharp enough to kill. If I rode at the front, I’d probably end up dead for real.”

He wasn’t that foolish. The front of the formation was the most dangerous position, a spot usually reserved for a specially assigned disciple to lead the way.

He knew he didn’t have the skills for that.

“Alright, let’s not waste any more time,” Yang Chan spoke up. “Let’s get settled, then we can go get a good meal together.”

’On the road, all we ate was dry rations, with no medicinal soups to supplement my diet. My Potential Point gains have plummeted because of it.’

’Now that we’re in Taiyu City, I need to eat well and get some medicinal cuisine.’

’Potential Points are crucial, no matter where I am. The more I accumulate, the stronger I’ll become.’

“Senior Brother Yang Chan is right! I’m starving. Let’s go, quick!” Sun Qi Wu chimed in, his enthusiasm renewed.

The dry rations on the road were nothing compared to the food back at the Cyan Yuan Sect—the difference was like heaven and earth. Now that they were in Taiyu City, he was eager to eat something decent and recover his strength.

Hearing this, the others wasted no more time. They quickly stowed their belongings and left together.

Yang Chan looked up at the night sky. A crescent moon hung high, surrounded by a cluster of stars that seemed to vie with it for brilliance, each one fighting to be the brightest.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep