Ancient Spring Town (Part 1)

Ancient Spring Town (Part 1)

On Hanyang Road, a carriage sped along.

A carriage galloped down the main road, crushing the muddy surface and splashing countless sprays of mud into the air.

A light rain had just fallen over Nanyue River, making the road difficult to traverse. After driving for a while longer, the coachman had to dismount to clear the mud from the axles, taking the opportunity to let the horses rest.

While wiping away the mud, he muttered, "Ten more miles ahead, and we'll reach Wangchuan Prefecture, young master."

Inside the carriage, Ning Ye gave a hum of acknowledgment: "We aren't entering Wangchuan Prefecture. Bypass the prefecture and take the western road."

The coachman was startled: "Why didn't you say so earlier, young master? I could have turned off back there."

Ning Ye leaned back against the carriage wall: "Do as you're told, and I'll add to your fare."

"Oh." The coachman didn't dare say anything else, though there was no joy on his face.

Those who drove carriages, sailed boats, or ran shops were all people who had seen the ways of the world. The coachman could tell at a glance that his passenger was a cultivator.

It was rare for a cultivator who could fly to choose to ride in a carriage, but it did happen. Most importantly, such people usually tried to stiff him on the fare.

Ning Ye said he would pay extra, but the coachman didn't believe him, nor did he dare to.

He had seen people beaten to death for demanding their carriage fare, and he had seen cultivators fly into a rage and kill someone just because the ride was too bumpy.

Having seen so much, he knew that a cultivator's word could not be trusted, yet their business could not be refused.

If they gave you money, you should kowtow in gratitude; if they didn't, you should still be grateful—thanking the heavens for their mercy in not being bloodthirsty.

Ning Ye knew he didn't believe him, so he took out some silver and tossed it out.

The coachman picked up the silver, yet there was still no sign of happiness on his face.

Seeing this, Ning Ye was puzzled: "What is it? You still don't believe me?"

The coachman offered a fawning smile: "How would I dare, sir? It's just that I've passed the age where money brings joy. Being able to meet a kind person like you is a blessing, as it means I can live a few more days."

The subtext was that it was merely a few more days of life.

Hearing this, Ning Ye was left speechless.

He had wandered the world for a long time himself; how could he not know the suffering of the common folk?

Facing the high-and-mighty immortals, the people had no way to resist and had long since lost all hope. Even if they had any, it was only the hope that someone in their family might become a cultivator and bring them prosperity.

They were like livestock kept in a pen, without hope and unable to see a future, struggling daily just to put food on the table.

If they encountered an immortal, they didn't even dare to dream of the means to survive.

Yet, precisely because of this, these mortals were less afraid of immortals, simply because they were always prepared to die at any moment.

When one has no desire to live, what is there to fear in death?

This was the state of the world, and even Ning Ye could do nothing about it, ultimately able only to let out a sigh.

His consciousness had already re-entered the Thousand Mechanism Hall to check the Kunlun Mirror.

Reluctant to use the Soul-Lodging Token, Ning Ye could only perform a standard divination. Even so, he could sense that his opportunity lay not far from here.

Withdrawing from the Thousand Mechanism Hall, Ning Ye asked: "What place is twenty miles west of Wangchuan?"

The coachman thought for a moment and replied: "That would be Ancient Spring Town, I believe."

"That's the place. We aren't changing our destination again."

"Understood."

Just then, a voice came from behind: "Ancient Spring Town? You're going to Ancient Spring Town? That's perfect, take me with you!"

Ning Ye lifted the carriage curtain to see a woman walking toward them.

The woman looked somewhat familiar, and after a moment of thought, Ning Ye finally remembered.

She was the blue-clad woman who had performed well in the Trial Killing Field.

The blue-clad woman saw Ning Ye as well, looking slightly stunned: "Ning Ye?"

"You know me?"

The blue-clad woman smiled: "The top performer of the Trial Killing Field, a disciple of the Seven Kill Heavenly Blade Zhang Liekuang—you have quite a reputation among the newcomers. Besides, your appearance is quite distinct; it would be hard to forget."

Ning Ye felt a bit embarrassed: "My apologies, I don't know your name, senior sister."

The blue-clad woman walked over: "My name is Yue Xiuxiu, of the Five-Sheep Sect."

Ning Ye had been unconscious after the battle, so he hadn't known which disciples the various Human Demons had taken in. Only now did he realize this woman had been taken as a disciple by Young Master Five-Sheep, Gongsun Ye.

Right, Young Master Five-Sheep was known for his lust and only took beautiful women as disciples.

Yue Xiuxiu was gifted in both appearance and talent, so naturally, Gongsun Ye wouldn't let her pass.

Judging by her gait and posture, she had likely already been deflowered by Gongsun Ye, though Ning Ye would certainly not mention that.

Yue Xiuxiu looked at Ning Ye, puzzled: "I've already accepted a mission in Ancient Spring Town. Why are you going there?"

"There's a mission in Ancient Spring Town?" Ning Ye was stunned.

He had been searching for his opportunity via the Kunlun Mirror and had determined that a treasure was emerging there, which was why he was heading that way. He hadn't expected to cross paths with Yue Xiuxiu.

So, she had actually come here to accept a mission.

Observing his reaction, Yue Xiuxiu also began to understand: "So you didn't come for the Ancient Spring Town mission?"

"Just a coincidence," Ning Ye replied.

Seeing that he wasn't here to compete for credit, Yue Xiuxiu breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes darted around, and she smiled, "Since that's the case, let's go together. If we encounter demons later and this little sister is outmatched, I'll have to ask you to help me, Senior Brother."

Are you trying to find free labor?

However, since they were both heading to Ancient Spring Town, there was no way to refuse, so Ning Ye nodded: "Very well."

The two of them then shared a carriage toward Ancient Spring Town.

On the way, Ning Ye learned that demons were wreaking havoc in Ancient Spring Town. Because the locals claimed they were only common, minor demons, the Black and White Divine Palace had issued a mission for a disciple in the Cang Xiang Realm.

However, for missions involving slaying demons, disciples usually accepted them in groups. The fact that Yue Xiuxiu dared to take this mission alone showed she had a fair amount of confidence.

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at Ancient Spring Town.

Upon arriving in town, they saw that every household had their doors bolted shut. Many people peeked at them through door cracks, but not a single person came out to greet them.

This made Yue Xiuxiu somewhat dissatisfied, and she shouted: "Disciples of the Black and White Divine Palace have arrived under orders to slay demons. Where is the person in charge here? Why haven't you come out to welcome us yet?"

Yet, even the people peeking vanished instantly; not a soul stepped outside.

Yue Xiuxiu was stunned, but fortunately, at this moment, she finally saw an old man rushing over. He was dressed in rags, his face sallow, and he prostrated himself on the ground, crying: "This humble citizen, Feng Jiu, welcomes the Immortals! I have already prepared wine and food for you, please follow me."

Seeing him act this way, Yue Xiuxiu's anger finally subsided.

Following Feng Jiu, they walked to the town government office, where several servants had already hurriedly set out wine and food.

Yue Xiuxiu took only a single sip before spitting it out, cursing: "What kind of swill is this? And this food—you actually use wild vegetables to entertain us? You are simply courting death!"

Feng Jiu was so terrified he pressed his face to the ground: "Demons are running rampant and the townspeople are being slaughtered; there is truly nothing left to entertain you with."

Hearing him say this, Yue Xiuxiu became even more incensed: "Knowing full well that demons are rampant and the people are being slaughtered, you didn't report it for half a year. And when we finally arrive, you keep your doors shut, chilling our hearts. What exactly are your intentions?"

Feng Jiu was trembling so violently he dared not speak.

It was Ning Ye who said: "Naturally, it is because they fear the Immortals even more than the demons."

"What?" Yue Xiuxiu looked at Ning Ye in surprise: "They would rather be slaughtered by demons than report it?"

The fact that there were demons in Ancient Spring Town had not been reported by this place, but rather learned by travelers passing through; otherwise, it wouldn't have dragged on for so long.

Ning Ye didn't answer. He casually blasted open a nearby door, and several villagers rolled out from behind it, each one sallow and emaciated.

Ning Ye said: "Go look in their houses now and see if you can find a single grain of rice."

Hearing this, Yue Xiuxiu rushed into the house and rummaged through cabinets and chests, but indeed, there was not a drop of water or grain to be found.

Yue Xiuxiu was utterly bewildered: "Why is this? They have already been harmed by demons to this extent, yet they still fear the Immortals more than the demons?"

Ning Ye sneered: "Do you think the lack of food and water is the work of demons?"

"Isn't it?" Yue Xiuxiu retorted.

Ning Ye replied: "Demons eat people; when have they ever eaten rice?"

Yue Xiuxiu opened her mouth, unable to find a response.

The town head, Feng Jiu, just kept kowtowing, not daring to utter a word.

Yue Xiuxiu finally understood: the water and grain in this town had likely been exploited by others.

Yue Xiuxiu shook her head: "I don't understand. Don't the Immortal mountains have spirit fields? I don't need the water and grain of mortals."

Ning Ye sneered: "But the government does. And besides, it's not just water and grain. Wealth, goods, and labor all have value. While Immortals possess heaven-reaching abilities, who would use such methods for the sake of mortals? Throughout history, Immortals have cultivated the arts of slaughter, seeking only to be the strongest. How many have cultivated the arts of fertile land and abundant harvests? Any cultivator who was truly that kind would likely fail to compete with other Immortal sects and would have been wiped out long ago."

The Heavenly Mechanism Sect was a kind sect, which is why they were wiped out.

To survive in this world, if you are not strong, you die. And the ability to be strong is the ability to kill, the ability to plunder.

Are demons terrifying?

Of course they are.

But when a demon strikes, it only eats one or two people.

When an Immortal strikes, it might leave nothing but scorched earth.

Precisely because of this, even when demons are wreaking havoc, the common people dare not report it, and instead feel a sense of relief—with a few less people, there are a few less mouths to fight over food.

Facing the Immortals, what can the powerless do to survive?

Only death!

If enough people die, those who remain can live.

Yue Xiuxiu considered herself kind, yet she never stopped to think that the moment she arrived, she was shouting about killing, and when faced with the meager food the townspeople had scraped together, she only complained that it was trash.

Is she a villain?

Not necessarily, but she is powerless to resist this grand trend and can only acquiesce.

This is reality.

Those who had the heart to change all of this have already been wiped out.

The powerful ones among them simply enjoy their peace of mind.

As for the middle-tier ones who still have a shred of conscience but lack the power to change anything, all they can do is go with the flow.

That was why Ning Ye told her the truth; she had awakened to the reality, yet she could do nothing about it. She would still walk her own path, and to her, not actively harming others was the greatest form of conscience.

But even so, perhaps just a moment of carelessness or a single casual action could lead to the suffering of the common people.

Like right now.

Just as Yue Xiuxiu was lost in her realization, a cold, sinister voice laughed out: "So, it's just a fledgling who understands nothing."

"A demon?" Upon hearing these words, Yue Xiuxiu had already charged out, her magic power surging like a torrent, causing the town office to collapse and turn into a pile of ruins.

The town mayor stared blankly at the scene, having been prepared for this in his heart, feeling absolutely nothing at all.