Secrets

Qingya County, recovering after the war, was slowly regaining vitality. Although the population was still sparse, some people were already doing business on the streets. The sense of stability brought by the army gave many common folk confidence, and those who had fled earlier were also returning one after another. It was harder to survive outside the county town.

Mountain bandits and wild beasts were deadly dangers for ordinary people, not to mention the houses their ancestors had left behind in the town. Although many houses had been burned down, the land deeds were still there.

With some hardship, they could eventually rebuild, and the common folk were best at enduring hardship.

Chen Luo, who finished his Qi Circulation early in the morning, left his home.

When he realized he couldn't make any further progress, he didn't waste time staying in the village but prepared to look for other avenues. For example, his Master, Crippled Ma, might have connections to find some better secret manuals.

He was the only high-level Martial Artist he had a connection with.

Although Crippled Ma was crippled, the people he knew in the past must still be alive. People connecting with people, a network would be established, just like when Third Uncle brought him to Master Ma to practice martial arts.

Initially, Chen Luo planned to go to Yanhu County, but he received news two days ago that Crippled Ma and his group had returned.

Yanhu County wasn't easy either. Every city had its Local Insiders. As an external Gang, the Sha Lake Gang faced resistance from local gangs when they tried to develop there. Although they managed to gain a foothold, it was still difficult to support so many people.

During this time, everyone who went there had a hard time. After hearing about the new Prefect of Qingya County's policies, the Gang Leader decided to send some people back first to see. At the very least, they couldn't let others occupy the rights that belonged to their Sha Lake Gang.

As for killing Prefect Lou, so much time had passed, who would still remember! Even if someone asked, it was done by rebels, what did it have to do with their law-abiding Sha Lake Gang? However, judging from the reaction above, it didn't seem like they were going to pursue it. As soon as the new Prefect Zhou took office, he began to build his own team and make a fortune. He hadn't asked a single question about Prefect Lou's matter from beginning to end. He probably had already forgotten.

When a person leaves, the tea gets cold. This saying was especially applicable in Officialdom.

County Road main entrance.

The loess path stretched from the forest all the way to the foot of the city wall. The city wall, which had been burned by war, was no longer so miserable after being repaired during this time.

On the official road, some sallow and emaciated common folk were carrying bundles, leaning on crutches, and rushing towards the county town with their families. These were the Qingya County residents who had fled to the surrounding countryside to avoid the war and were now rushing back after receiving the news.

Some slightly wealthier families had also rented donkey carts, carrying their belongings, wives, and children, traveling by cart.

Looking from afar, it was like ants moving house, quite lively.

Chen Luo was also mixed among these people.

The house Chen Laosan rented was also in the countryside outside. After leaving in the morning, he got on a donkey cart and traveled slowly with these fleeing common folk.

"Move aside! Move aside!"

The scene was broken. A luxurious vermilion carriage was approaching from behind in the distance. The driver was shouting loudly, and the horse whip in his hand was flying. Some common folk who were slow to get out of the way were whipped. However, these ordinary people were used to it. Even if they were whipped, they quickly rolled aside to avoid being hit by the carriage and suffering secondary injuries.

The owner of the donkey cart Chen Luo was on was very discerning. As soon as he heard the sound, he controlled the donkey cart to pull over.

They couldn't afford to provoke those riding horses.

This was common sense for the common folk. No one would find trouble with the other party over such a small matter as making way. What the common folk cared about most was their own lives. Only those who had solved their basic needs and pursued spiritual matters would care about such 'face'.

In the carriage, a young man in luxurious clothing and a black-bearded Scholar sat opposite each other.

The middle-aged Scholar sat cross-legged in meditation, closing his eyes to rest, very composed. The young man was different. From his expression, it was clear that he was currently angry. Pulling open the carriage curtain, he glanced at the poor and backward scene outside, and the dissatisfaction in his heart grew stronger.

"To actually throw me to this poor and remote place, the old man is getting more and more biased." The young man finally couldn't help but speak his mind.

This young man was none other than the nineteenth illegitimate son of Prince Ning.

A Prince's son.

The biggest beneficiary behind the Qingya County incident was Prince Ning. The dead Qingya County common folk were just numbers on Prince Ning's list of achievements. Including the current Prefect of Qingya County, they were all part of the faction that profited from the people's suffering. What was even more ridiculous was that the Imperial Court had issued an official document some time ago, concluding the Qingya County rebellion.

Prince Ning's faction was credited with quelling the rebellion and gained many benefits.

Such absurd things were happening openly in this country.

Imperial Authority and the local areas were completely disconnected.

There were already signs of a Late Dynasty.

"Heir Apparent, be careful with your words."

The middle-aged Scholar opened his eyes and looked at the resentful young man. A hint of disappointment couldn't help but flash in his eyes.

This was the person he was assisting.

With such a temperament, he was too far behind the other few sons. They were completely on a different level. The most crucial thing was that he didn't have the help of his mother's family behind him. It could be said that from the beginning, the fate of this nineteenth son was already sealed. It would be fine if he didn't have ambitions, he could still live a life of wealth and status. If he had improper greed, his final outcome would definitely not be good.

This could be seen from being ostracized to Qingya County this time.

The things in the Qingya County valley had already been dug up by Prince Ning's people a few days ago. What was left were some scraps, basically worthless.

But even so, Prince Ning was not prepared to give up.

Sending the nineteenth son here was also a way to squeeze out the remaining value and, incidentally, send away this not-so-smart son, indirectly saving his life. Unfortunately, the nineteenth son couldn't see these things. All he had in his mind was complaining, a complete idiot.

"What's there to be careful about? The resources on the surface were all given to Big Brother and the others by the old man. I, this illegitimate son who is neither loved by my father nor my mother, can only come to this Grade C Resource Point to try my luck."

The young Heir Apparent's face was full of unwillingness.

"If it weren't for my insufficient Bloodline Concentration... Hmm? Stop the carriage!"

The nineteenth son, who was complaining, suddenly changed his expression and then quickly shouted at the driver.

The galloping carriage quickly stopped under the driver's control.

"What's wrong?"

The middle-aged Scholar looked over in confusion.

The nineteenth son didn't reply to him but jumped down from the carriage and carefully looked around.

Just now, the jade pendant in his embrace had grown warm!

This jade pendant was a gift from his father, the Prince, and each of his children possessed one. Ordinary people would simply see it as a sign of the Prince's deep affection, but the Nineteenth Prince knew the secret behind it.

Immortal Destiny!

As long as there was "the power of Immortal Script" nearby, the jade pendant would heat up. This involved the secrets of Immortal Cultivation and was the Ning Prince's family's ultimate secret. Only those direct descendants "with the talent" were privy to this secret.

His father dared to harbor ambitions for that position precisely because he had made contact with an "Immortal."

Strength breeds ambition.

This was a truth that had remained unchanged throughout the ages.

The Nineteenth Prince was keen to make a good impression; it wasn't entirely without the thought of using his father's contact with an "Immortal."

After all, living in this world, who wouldn't desire immortality!