Defeated Soldiers

The Barren City yamen was very particular about rules: once they took the money, they immediately got to work.

The Wei family's eight members had their household registrations recorded on the spot and were issued identity documents. The files stated that the "Wei family" had made their living as merchants in Barren City for generations.

Wei had changed their surname to Wei, and their given names had been replaced with homophones as well.

Zhou Yi asked doubtfully, "Isn't forging things so directly bound to leave loopholes?"

"Mr. Zhou, please put your mind at ease. The northern frontier is dry and arid, so fires break out easily."

Steward Sun explained, "These files get burned clean every year. No matter who comes, they won't find anything. Besides, what sort of people come here to register their households? Who would dare investigate?"

Zhou Yi nodded slightly. This method was somewhat similar to the Heaven Prison.

The Heaven Prison also had methods of switching beams for pillars, but they were exceedingly secretive and cautious, unlike this place, where they acted with complete abandon.

Even imperial authority did not extend into the countryside, let alone Barren City, where the emperor was high in the sky and far away.

Barren City did not even have a tavern. The yamen kitchen prepared a banquet, with plenty of game but few vegetables. They drank the northern frontier's distinctive strong liquor and boasted of all sorts of true and false experiences. The atmosphere was quite lively.

The county magistrate also made an appearance during the feast. After all, a major deal worth over ten thousand taels did not come along many times a year.

The county magistrate was named Zhao Tai. He was fat and prosperous-looking, his face shining with oil, hardly resembling a scholar.

No matter how poor one was, one could not let officials be poor; no matter how bitter life became, one could not let scholar-officials suffer. Zhao Tai was from Jiangnan. He had built little bridges over flowing water in the rear compound and bought many beautiful slave girls, living every day in carefree indulgence.

Once the yamen gates closed, it truly was no different from an imperial palace!

Thinking back on his days in Shenjing, Zhao Tai could not help sighing. "I still remember traveling to the capital for the examinations. At Spring Breeze Pavilion, I recited poetry and painted pictures, winning first place. Rui Rui and I poured out our hearts to each other. I wonder how she is now?"

"She married a wealthy Jiangnan merchant. Rumor has it that Rui Rui wished to see the scenery of Jiangnan for herself, to find out whether it was truly as beautiful as it was depicted in paintings."

Zhou Yi raised his brows. He had not expected to encounter the real subject of those strange anecdotes.

Rui Rui had been the courtesan queen back then, and her name had once shaken Shenjing. Someday, she might even appear in some unofficial history.

What she was most famous for was her obsession with a man surnamed Zhao. She had even rejected the heir of a marquis's estate for him. Some said he was of the imperial clan, while others said he was the son of an aristocratic family. She waited in Shenjing for two years, but in the end, her heart turned to ashes and she married far away in Jiangnan.

Who could have known that the heartless man was actually a fat, bloated fellow whose eyes shrank to slits whenever he smiled!

Zhao Tai lamented the twists and turns of fate, downed several cups of strong liquor in succession, then returned to the rear compound to drown his sorrows.

The host and guests all enjoyed the meal.

After the feast.

Steward Sun instructed the runners to lead Zhou Yi and the Wei family to find a residence.

"Mr. Zhou, several wealthy households once lived in the east of the city. There are large estates there with three or five courtyards." The runner rubbed the silver in his hand. As expected of a wealthy guest from Shenjing—his generosity was truly remarkable.

The Wei family quickly selected an estate not far from the county yamen, with front, middle, and rear courtyards.

Most of the writing on the plaque above the main gate had worn away. Judging from half of the character for "bow," it had likely once been the Zhang Residence.

Most of the rooms in the courtyard remained intact, though they were empty inside, stripped of all furniture.

It was already late, and they were all rough men, so they casually tidied a few rooms and made do for the night.

Zhou Yi activated a Dust-Cleansing Talisman, and the room instantly became spotless. He then sent a voice transmission to summon Wei Jun for questioning.

Wei Jun bowed. "Benefactor, what instructions do you have for this humble one?"

Zhou Yi asked, "Do you know what cultivation method Hero Wei relied upon when he swept through Yu Province in his day?"

Wei Jun's gaze tightened. He instinctively assumed that Zhou Yi had rescued the Wei family because he wanted his father's cultivation inheritance, yet he still answered obediently.

"My father relied on a scroll of the Nameless Incantation and the Flying Rainbow Sword Art."

No cultivation method, however important, could compare to the lives of one's family. If they had continued digging iron mines for a few more years, the Wei lineage would have been wiped out.

Zhou Yi nodded. "It seems you truly are Hero Wei's descendant."

"Does Benefactor want that incantation?"

Wei Jun recited word by word, "Heaven and earth gave birth to yin and yang, which transformed all things..."

After confirming its authenticity, Zhou Yi waved a hand to interrupt Wei Jun's recitation, then asked, "Have you ever thought of revenge?"

Wei Jun first shook his head, then nodded. "When my father was pursued by the Brocade Guard, he returned home and told us not to avenge him. Yet the blood debt of over a hundred Wei family members is as high as the heavens and as deep as the sea. How could we easily forget it?"

"If the Wei family wishes to take revenge, then do not forget this incantation."

Zhou Yi instructed, "If a Wei descendant can cultivate this art to completion, the family will surely flourish once more. If one can cultivate it to the realm of great mastery, then there will be hope for revenge."

"I will remember Benefactor's guidance."

Wei Jun hesitated for a moment before saying, "Benefactor, there is something you do not know. At the mines, I took in an adopted son, and he has cultivated the Nameless Incantation."

Only after Wei Jun explained did Zhou Yi understand the reason.

The Wei family members all possessed martial foundations and were far stronger than other prisoners, giving them considerable prestige among the mine prisoners. Some isolated prisoners, seeking to avoid being bullied, joined the Wei family's ranks. Over time, they had formed a sizable group.

"Take this silver. In a few days, redeem that adopted son of yours."

Zhou Yi took out his last two banknotes. "The origins of the Nameless Incantation are mysterious. Since he has cultivated it, do not use him like an ox or a horse. Remember: only sincerity can move him, and only then will it last."

These were heartfelt words, enough to repay Wei Chang's kindness from years ago!

Tears filled Wei Jun's eyes. He respectfully accepted the banknotes, prostrated himself, and kowtowed.

"Thank you, Benefactor. The Wei family will never forget your immense grace and great virtue for all eternity. Should we ever betray you, may Heaven exterminate the Wei family's nine clans!"

The next day.

Zhou Yi arrived before the Gathering Generals Platform.

Li Hong had sat cross-legged upon it for an entire day and night, both cultivating and mourning.

"It is time to leave."

Zhou Yi sent a voice transmission. "Find a spiritual mountain or blessed land and enter seclusion to cultivate the Origin Returning Art. Your progress will be much faster."

"Senior, I have decided to remain here."

Li Hong rose to his feet. "My father once strode across the northern frontier, looking down upon all beneath heaven. As his descendant, I should follow his example. The first step is to restore Barren City's prosperity."

Zhou Yi reminded him, "A person's energy is limited. Do not delay your cultivation!"

"Please rest assured, Senior. Yesterday, I gained a slight insight and have already refined my first strand of Mana."

Spiritual light flickered at Li Hong's fingertips. Though so faint it was nearly imperceptible, it was genuine Mana fluctuation.

"..."

Zhou Yi was immediately left speechless. In terms of quality and rank, Mana was equivalent to Innate True Essence. Li Hong could now be said to have stepped into the innate realm, though he could not yet fight or kill.

As they spoke.

The ground trembled faintly, and indistinct clamor drifted over.

Standing atop the Gathering Generals Platform, Li Hong looked into the distance. A disorderly mass of figures was approaching from the north.

"Senior, it seems an army is coming to Barren City!"

The army advanced quickly—or rather, it fled quickly. Once it neared the city gate, they could see clearly that it was actually several hundred, perhaps a thousand, defeated and scattered soldiers.

Every one of them was disheveled, having cast aside their helmets and armor. Only half of their military banner remained.

The commander shouted loudly, "Open the gates! Open the gates now!"

The gate officer asked, "Where are you soldiers from?"

The commandant replied, "I am Liang Ying, commandant under General Chai of the Yi Province Guard. Half a month ago, Great Yong launched a war without declaration. More than half of Yi Province has already fallen, and they will soon reach here!"

"Do not try to deceive me."

The gate officer rebuked him, "The northern frontier's three hundred thousand troops are seasoned in battle. Five years ago, they swept through Great Yong. Are you bandits or mountain brigands from somewhere, trying to trick us into opening the gates so you can plunder the city?"

"Bullshit! This Barren City does not even have a single hair worth taking. Even bandits cannot be bothered to rob it."

Liang Ying shouted, "Where would the northern frontier find three hundred thousand troops now? We cannot even gather one hundred fifty thousand! We cannot stop Great Yong's million-strong army from marching south!"

When the other soldiers saw that the gates remained shut, they immediately began shouting in disorder.

"Those lords from Shenjing know only how to rake in money and drink soldiers' blood..."

"What do those noblemen know about military affairs? Every day, they make us farm, haul goods, and build houses..."

"I heard that Great Yong's soldiers disguised themselves as merchant caravans and easily infiltrated North Suppression Pass. Working inside and out together, they broke it in a single day..."

"Open the gates! If you do not open them, we will storm the city!"

"..."

Hearing this, the gate officer panicked and repeatedly tried to placate them, ordering a runner to report to the county magistrate at once.

"Defeated troops from the northern frontier..."

Zhou Yi murmured to himself. Looking at Li Hong atop the Gathering Generals Platform, he had the vague feeling that their meeting would inevitably bring change.