What They Saw

Time was a good thing. It tested people's hearts and bore witness to human nature.

Time was also fair. Whether one was royalty or a common peddler, it cared for no one and only continued moving forward.

A month later, in Rochester Province on the Northern Border of the Heaven Dou Empire, an ordinary carriage was slowly making its way toward Lahe City.

Inside were the members of Spirit Hall's group—more precisely, Qian Ningshuang's group.

They had originally planned to head straight to Heaven Dou City, but Qian Renxue had sent word that she was no longer there. She was currently overseeing disaster relief on Heaven Dou's Northern Border—the very drought Qian Renxue had mentioned to Qian Ningshuang in her letter half a year ago.

Perhaps Qian Ningshuang had guessed correctly: there were too many vermin. Or perhaps the drought had spread too widely. Or perhaps it was both. In any case, the Heaven Dou court could no longer treat this drought lightly. They had even sent Qian Renxue, the fake Crown Prince, to oversee the relief effort.

Of course, Qian Ningshuang could have chosen to wait for Qian Renxue in Heaven Dou City. But after thinking it over, she had decided to come directly to Heaven Dou's Northern Border. She could see Qian Renxue sooner and also find out just how severe this drought truly was.

Qian Ningshuang stood outside the carriage door, gazing over the drought-stricken land.

As a transmigrator, she had truly never seen a drought this terrifying. The worst drought she had personally experienced had merely required people to store water in advance.

The cracked earth resembled the wrinkles on an elderly face weathered by time—so clear, so deep, so helplessly sorrowful.

By the roadside stood withered trees, their bark long gone, along with scattered groups of refugees.

There were also corpses that could collapse by the roadside at any moment, left uncollected.

Everything before her showed her just how terrifying a drought could become in a feudal society.

Qian Chongling, who was serving as the driver, saw Qian Ningshuang silently staring at the land. He too remained quiet for a long while before finally speaking. "Shuang'er, get back in the carriage. We'll reach Lahe City soon."

"Mm."

After taking one more deep look at the land and engraving that tragic scene into her mind, Qian Ningshuang turned and returned to the carriage.

"...Sigh."

Watching Qian Ningshuang enter the carriage, Qian Chongling sighed. He had seen scenes far more tragic than this. Something at this level could no longer stir much emotion in him.

But Qian Ningshuang was different. Leaving aside the fact that she was still a child, her thoughts were so unlike those of her peers—and far too kind. This sight had probably shaken her deeply.

Though he always said Qian Ningshuang was the support he would rely on to resist the God Realm, and that she could not be spared from hardship, it was better to ease off for now.

Besides, the fact that Qian Ningshuang could keep this scene in her heart already satisfied him greatly.

Tian Yao, Gu Yuena, and Gu Qiu'er were all inside the carriage. But Qian Ningshuang had no mood to fool around with her companions today. She merely closed her eyes and began meditating to cultivate.

Tian Yao and the others understood that Qian Ningshuang had something on her mind, so they did not disturb her. Following her example, they began cultivating as well.

By the time they had eaten two meals, they had arrived at Lahe City.

The city gate was not as bustling as those of other cities. There were only two guards, slumped crookedly against the cool shade of the city wall as they rested.

A young man hung from the city gate, obviously dead. Perhaps a Spirit Master had used some method, for despite the scorching weather, his scar-covered corpse showed no signs of decay.

There was no cliché confrontation, nor any attempt at extortion. The two guards merely rose, respectfully bowed, and let the group enter the city.

Anyone who could come to Lahe City at this time, traveling by carriage no less, was not someone two ordinary guards could afford to offend. Qian Chongling's clothing, along with Qian Ningshuang's increasingly mature appearance, made it clear that this group was no ordinary party.

Qian Ningshuang had stepped out of the carriage again at the city gate. She said nothing as she looked at Lahe City, only memorizing the young man hanging from the wall.

If she had not judged incorrectly, he had been a Spirit Master—a three-ringed Soul Elder, at that.

In Douluo, those who remained hanging from city walls even after death had usually committed some grave crime. They were displayed as a warning to the public.

For a Soul Elder's corpse to be hung on the city wall, the situation within Lahe City had to be severe.

After entering the city, they did not go to the Martial Soul Branch Hall in order to conceal their identities. Instead, they found a fairly decent inn.

In times like these, having guests come to stay was already rare. On top of that, the group paid generously, so the owner was naturally delighted. He eagerly ran around arranging rooms for them.

Once the rooms had been arranged, the owner brought them to the dining hall for a meal and had some ingredients delivered for their use.

"Please wait a moment, honored guests. I've already sent someone to inform the kitchen to prepare more dishes," the owner said respectfully. "Later, just order whatever you wish. If you need any assistance, feel free to ask."

Looking at the fairly lavish spread before them, Qian Ningshuang asked in confusion, "Isn't the drought on the Northern Border supposed to be severe? Owner, do you not have to worry about food supplies here at all?"

"You don't know the situation, honored guest. Other inns might have to worry about food, but mine certainly doesn't."

At the mention of this, the owner's face filled with pride.

"Why?" Tian Yao could not help asking as well.

"Not to mention that in times like these, we may not see more than a few guests in ten days or half a month, so we can save up plenty of food.

"Even if we have many guests and use up more food, there's no need to worry. My son works at the Martial Soul Branch Hall. As long as we spend a little more money, we'll have all the food we need."

The owner still wore that proud expression.

"Does the Martial Soul Branch Hall have a lot of food now?" Qian Ningshuang asked again, while Gu Yuena also looked at the owner curiously.

Qian Chongling, however, realized something. He took out five Gold Soul Coins and placed them on the table.

"More than a lot. Since you guests have been so generous, I'll tell you something in secret."

At that, the owner lowered his voice. He leaned toward the table and casually slipped the Gold Soul Coins into his sleeve.

"The Martial Soul Branch Hall does not merely have plenty of food. It has an enormous amount—enough to feed the refugees around Lahe City for half a month, and enough for them to eat their fill at every meal."

"Where did the Martial Soul Branch Hall get so much food?"

Qian Ningshuang was confused. Though she had guessed there were vermin involved, enough food to feed the refugees outside the city for half a month was still frightening. What was more, Spirit Hall was the one leading this corruption.

"This..."

A troubled look appeared on the owner's face. This time, Qian Chongling took out a money pouch and placed it directly on the table.

After opening the pouch and taking a look, the owner swallowed. He then walked to the dining hall entrance and looked around before returning to the table.

"Part of the reason is that the city lord hid away some of the disaster relief grain. At the same time, there is also the grain the wealthy families of the city had stockpiled over the years.

"Then it was all handed over to Liu Jing, the master of the Martial Soul Branch Hall and the strongest man in the city, for safekeeping.

"I'm risking execution by telling you this today for the sake of those Gold Soul Coins.

"Please don't tell anyone else."

Upon hearing this, everyone except Qian Chongling exchanged looks. Then Qian Ningshuang could not help asking again, "Wasn't the Heaven Dou Crown Prince sent here to oversee disaster relief? Doesn't he care?"

The owner merely shook his head with a bitter smile.

"His Highness is in Linshi City. The mountains are high and the emperor is far away—how could he manage this?

"Besides, the food is stored in the Martial Soul Branch Hall. Even if His Highness learns of it, he cannot investigate it.

"More importantly, Lahe City is not the only place doing this. Many cities on the Northern Border are doing the same. With so many people involved, His Highness cannot simply take action and deal with them all."

Qian Ningshuang fell silent. Qian Chongling, however, took out another pouch of money and handed it to the owner.

"The child was merely curious. Sorry to trouble you, owner. We certainly won't speak of today's matter to anyone else.

"You should get back to your work."

This time, the owner did not take the money. He withdrew. He could tell that this group was not ordinary. At first, he had spoken for the money, but after mentioning those filthy matters, a hint of anger had risen in his heart as well. He hoped these important people could truly do something about it. Even he was frightened when he looked at the refugees outside the city. But his words carried little weight, and he could only take care of his own family.

Qian Ningshuang's group had lost all desire to speak as well. They silently finished their meal and returned to their rooms to rest.