Defeated Soldiers and Generals

The Desolate City yamen was very particular about following rules; once they received the money, they immediately took care of business.

The eight members of the Wei family were registered on the spot, and identity certificates were issued. The files recorded the "Wei family" as having made a living in the Desolate City through generations of commerce.

Wei changed his surname to Wei, and his given name was also replaced with a homophone.

Zhou Yi asked doubtfully, "Won't there be any oversights in such a blatant forgery?"

"Mr. Zhou, please set your mind at ease. The Northern Frontier is dry and prone to fires."

Steward Sun explained, "These files are burned clean every year, so no one can investigate anything. Besides, who are the people who come to register their households? Who would dare to investigate?"

Zhou Yi nodded slightly. This approach was somewhat similar to the Heavenly Prison.

The Heavenly Prison also had methods of substitution, but they were extremely secretive and cautious, unlike the unbridled way things were done here.

Imperial power didn't even extend to the countryside, let alone the remote Desolate City, far from the emperor's reach.

The Desolate City didn't even have a restaurant, so the yamen's kitchen prepared a table of food, with more game than vegetables. They drank the Northern Frontier's unique strong liquor, boasting about various true or false anecdotes, creating a lively atmosphere.

The county magistrate also made an appearance during the banquet, after all, a large transaction of over ten thousand taels of silver was rare, only happening a few times a year.

The county magistrate's surname was Zhao, given name Tai. He was fat and prosperous-looking, with a greasy sheen that didn't resemble a scholar.

No matter how poor, officials couldn't be impoverished; no matter how difficult, scholar-officials couldn't suffer. Zhao Tai was from Jiangnan. He had built a small bridge and flowing water in the back yamen, and bought many beautiful slave girls, spending his days eating, drinking, and enjoying himself in leisure.

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

Zhao Tai recalled past events in Shenjing, and couldn't help but sigh, "I still remember when I went to the capital to take the imperial examination. This official won first place in the Spring Breeze Pavilion for composing poetry and painting, and exchanged heartfelt words with Rui Rui. I wonder how she is now?"

"She married a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan. Rumor has it that Rui Rui wanted to see the scenery of Jiangnan, to see if it was as good as depicted in paintings."

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, never expecting to meet the real person from the anecdotes.

Rui Rui was the most famous courtesan of the year, and was once famous in Shenjing. In the future, she might be written about in some unofficial history.

She was most famous for being infatuated with men named Zhao, and even rejected the son of a marquis for this reason. Some said it was a member of the imperial clan, others said it was a young master from a noble family. She waited in Shenjing for two years, and finally, disheartened, married far away to Jiangnan.

Who knew that the unfaithful man was actually a fatso, with eyes that narrowed to slits when he smiled!

Zhao Tai lamented the changes in fate, drank several glasses of strong liquor in a row, and then returned to the back yamen to dispel his sorrows.

A pleasant meal was had by both host and guests.

After the banquet.

Steward Sun ordered a yamen runner to lead Zhou Yi and the Wei family to find a courtyard.

"Mr. Zhou, there are several large mansions with three or five courtyards in the east of the city that used to be inhabited by wealthy households." The yamen runner touched the silver in his hand, truly worthy of being a generous guest from Shenjing, so generous with his money.

The Wei family quickly chose a good mansion, not far from the county yamen, with three courtyards in the front, middle, and back.

Most of the writing on the plaque on the main gate had fallen off. Judging from half of the character for "bow," it used to be the Zhang mansion.

Most of the houses in the courtyard were still intact, but the rooms were empty without furniture.

It was late, and they were all rough men, so they casually cleaned up a few rooms to get through the night.

Zhou Yi activated the Dust-Cleansing Talisman, and the room instantly became clean. He used sound transmission to summon Wei Jun to ask him questions.

Wei Jun bowed and said, "Benefactor, what are your orders for me?"

Zhou Yi asked, "Do you know which technique Wei, the great hero, relied on when he roamed Yu Province?"

Wei Jun's eyes narrowed slightly, subconsciously thinking that Zhou Yi had saved the Wei family perhaps for the sake of inheriting his father's technique, but he still obediently replied.

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

Even the most important technique was not as important as the lives of his family. If they were to dig iron ore for a few more years, the Wei clan would be cut off.

Zhou Yi nodded, "It seems you really are a descendant of Wei, the great hero."

"Does benefactor want that incantation?"

Wei Jun recited word by word, "The heavens and earth give birth to yin and yang, transforming all things..."

Zhou Yi confirmed its authenticity, waved his hand to interrupt Wei Jun's recitation, and asked, "Have you ever had the thought of revenge?"

Wei Jun first shook his head and then nodded, "When my father was hunted down by the Brocade Guard, he returned home to tell us not to seek revenge for him. However, the Wei family's blood feud of over a hundred lives is as high as the sky and as deep as the sea, how can we easily forget it!"

"If the Wei family wants revenge, then don't forget this incantation."

Zhou Yi instructed, "If the descendants of the Wei family can cultivate this method, they will surely prosper again. If they can cultivate to the Great Accomplishment realm, they will have the hope of revenge."

"I will remember benefactor's guidance."

Wei Jun hesitated for a moment, and said, "Benefactor, you may not know this, but I took in an adopted son in the mine who has cultivated the Nameless Incantation."

After Wei Jun's explanation, Zhou Yi understood the reason.

The Wei family members all had a foundation in martial arts, and were much stronger than other prisoners. They had a good reputation among the prisoners in the mine. Some prisoners who were alone, in order to avoid being bullied, joined the Wei family, gradually forming a considerable group.

"Take this silver, and redeem that adopted son in a few days."

Zhou Yi took out the last two silver notes, "That Nameless Incantation has a mysterious origin. Since he has cultivated it, don't treat him like a beast of burden. Remember to use sincerity to move him, and that is the way to lasting friendship."

These words were already heartfelt and sincere, enough to repay Wei Chang's kindness back then!

Wei Jun's eyes were filled with tears, and he respectfully accepted the silver notes, prostrating himself on the ground in worship.

"I offer my deepest gratitude, benefactor. The Wei family will never forget this immense kindness. Should we ever betray you, may Heaven strike down all nine generations of the Wei family!"

The next day.

Zhou Yi arrived at the muster platform.

Li Hong had been sitting there for a full day and night, both practicing his cultivation and reminiscing.

"It's time to leave."

Zhou Yi transmitted his voice, "Find a blessed spiritual mountain and seclude yourself to cultivate the Origin Returning Art. Your progress will be much faster."

"Senior, I've decided to stay here."

Li Hong stood up and said, "Back then, my father dominated the Northern Frontier. As his descendant, I should emulate him. The first step in doing so is to restore the prosperity of this desolate city."

Zhou Yi reminded him, "A person's energy is limited, don't neglect your cultivation!"

"Don't worry, Senior. I had a slight epiphany yesterday and have already refined the first wisp of magical power."

Li Hong's fingertip flickered with spiritual light, faint and almost invisible, but it was a genuine fluctuation of magical power.

"..."

Zhou Yi was speechless. The quality and grade of the magical power were equivalent to Innate True Essence. Li Hong could now be said to have entered the Innate stage, even if he couldn't yet engage in combat.

As they spoke, the ground faintly trembled, accompanied by a faint, indistinct clamor.

Li Hong stood on the muster platform and gazed into the distance. To the north, a chaotic mass of figures approached.

"Senior, it seems an army is coming to the desolate city!"

The army advanced quickly, or rather, they were fleeing at a fast pace. As they approached the city gate, it became clear that they were hundreds, even thousands, of defeated and routed soldiers.

Each one was disheveled, discarding helmets and armor, with only half of their military banner remaining.

The commander shouted loudly, "Open the city gate! Open the city gate quickly!"

The city gate official asked, "Where do you come from?"

The commander replied, "I am Liang Ying, a commander under General Chai of the Yi Province Guard. Great Yong launched a surprise attack half a month ago, and more than half of Yi Province has already fallen. They'll be here soon!"

"Don't try to deceive me."

The city gate official scolded, "The Northern Frontier's 300,000-strong army is skilled in battle. Five years ago, they swept through Great Yong. Are you just some bandits or mountain brigands trying to trick us into opening the city gate for looting?"

"Bullshit! This desolate city doesn't even have a blade of grass. Even bandits wouldn't bother to rob it."

Liang Ying shouted, "The Northern Frontier doesn't even have 300,000 troops anymore. They can't even muster 150,000, and they can't stop Great Yong's million-strong army from advancing south!"

Seeing that the city gate remained closed, the other soldiers began to clamor in a chaotic manner.

"Those lords from Shenjing only know how to line their pockets and bleed the army dry..."

"Those nobles don't understand military affairs at all. They make us farm, transport goods, and build houses every day..."

"I heard that Great Yong's soldiers disguised themselves as merchants and easily infiltrated North Suppression Pass, breaking through it in a single day with inside help..."

"Open the gate quickly, or we'll attack!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, the city gate official was frightened and repeatedly tried to appease them, ordering the runners to quickly report to the county magistrate.

"The Northern Frontier's routed army..."

Zhou Yi muttered to himself, looking at Li Hong on the muster platform, feeling that their meeting was bound to bring about change.