Divine Incense Cult

Meanwhile, Heidan and He Erya had already scrambled to their feet, their faces full of shock as they stared dumbfounded at Wang Sheng, who was exchanging greetings with the constable captain.

Hadn't Wang Sheng said there was no end in sight to martial arts training?

Hadn't he accomplished nothing in martial arts?

Then how was he qualified to befriend someone like the constable captain?

Thinking of how they had pointed fingers at Wang Sheng before, He Erya and Heidan suddenly felt both regretful and frightened after the fact.

A constable captain might sound like a minor figure, but his authority was no small matter. Even ordinary wealthy households had to stay on good terms with him and send him silver from time to time.

Servants like He Erya and pig butchers like Heidan would have to fear even one of the constable captain's underlings threefold.

Wang Sheng knew that, in modern terms, a constable captain was like the head of a squad in a bureau—a true local tyrant with well-informed connections, someone who could sometimes play a major role.

"Brother Wang, is Brother Yumu your friend?"

Constable Captain Shen Huan smiled as he glanced at Yumu.

Yumu forced a smile, though beads of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

"Yes."

Wang Sheng nodded, saying nothing more.

Yumu immediately let out a breath of relief. Fortunately, Wang Sheng did not hold past grievances against him.

However,

Shen Huan had reached the position of constable captain; he had long since become a shrewd old hand.

From that single word alone, Shen Huan could tell that Wang Sheng and Yumu were not especially close.

"Yumu, make yourself at home."

Shen Huan said indifferently.

"Yes, yes. Constable Captain, call for me if you need anything!"

The discomfort in Yumu's heart flashed past, but he was not sharp enough to notice the difference between the two times Shen Huan had addressed him—"Brother Yumu" before, and merely "Yumu" now.

Still, Yumu had already made up his mind. From now on, he would find every possible way to curry favor with Wang Sheng, and he would make sure Mother Yu stopped endlessly arguing with Old Master Wang.

Afterward,

Luo Zhengwen led the way as Wang Sheng and Shen Huan chatted their way up to the third floor.

The third floor of Songding Tower was arranged with exceptional elegance and offered excellent privacy. The view in every direction was broad, and women were constantly playing zithers and performing music.

The three men took their seats, and the prepared wine and dishes were swiftly brought out.

"Come, come. Today, Junior Brother Wang has emerged from seclusion, and Constable Captain Shen has joined us as well. I propose we drink three cups together first!"

Luo Zhengwen said.

Naturally, Wang Sheng and Shen Huan had no objections.

After three consecutive cups of wine went down,

the atmosphere gradually came alive with the music, the scent of wine, and the fine dishes.

Luo Zhengwen first asked about Wang Sheng's seclusion. After learning that his progress had been fairly good, he began discussing recent events in Ershui City and Jiangling Prefecture with Shen Huan.

Wang Sheng had happened to want news of the outside world, so he listened from the side, occasionally cutting in with a question or two.

Before long,

Wang Sheng learned several important pieces of news from their conversation.

The rebel army had massed at the border of Jiangling Prefecture, demanding one hundred thousand dan of grain and fodder, one hundred thousand taels of gold, and a thousand head each of pigs, cattle, and sheep. If Jiangling Prefecture refused, they would launch a full-scale assault.

But the problem was, even if Jiangling Prefecture agreed, who could guarantee that the rebel army would not attack anyway?

The barbarians of Han Country to the north had definitely begun mustering their forces and preparing to march south.

Jiangling Prefecture was urgently conscripting soldiers to join the existing Jiangling Prefecture army and rush to several key passes to resist the enemy.

Once the passes were breached, the barbarian army would sweep straight in. Mountains of corpses and seas of blood would lie before Jiangling Prefecture.

There was also news from the martial world of Jiangling Prefecture.

Jiangling Prefecture stood at the turning point of troubled times. Both the authorities and the common people lived in constant fear. At a time like this, some famous martial artists wanted to rise with the tide—whether by offering up pledges of allegiance, forming their own factions, or other means—throwing Jiangling Prefecture into great unrest.

Quite a few things had also happened within Ershui City's jurisdiction.

Several major bandit groups from the wilds had joined together and actually named themselves the Son of Heaven's Army. From time to time, they plundered the countryside and expanded their ranks; their intentions spoke for themselves.

Also, many unfamiliar martial artists had recently appeared in Ershui City. Some wanted to make a name for themselves amid the chaos and win the attention of powerful figures, going from door to door to challenge martial halls, with casualties on all sides.

Others committed wicked deeds in secret, becoming flower-plucking thieves and ruining the chastity of many daughters from families with modest wealth.

It had also been discovered that some people were secretly cultivating demonic arts. They had already drained the essence of several people, whose deaths were too horrible to look upon.

Shen Huan even stated plainly that a Divine Incense Cult had suddenly appeared in Ershui City recently. It had actually gained the support of certain important figures in the authorities and was expanding rapidly, encroaching upon the interests of many factions. It had already fallen out with the Martial Alliance.

In just half a month, Wang Sheng felt as though half a year had passed. He had never expected so many changes to occur.

"Ah! Some things had long been happening in the shadows. It's only that the Jiangling authorities are now caught between the rebel army and the barbarians, with the will but not the strength. How could they have any spare energy to manage what lies below? That is why those people's problems erupted within such a short time."

Luo Zhengwen sighed.

"Brother Luo is right. Honestly, I think this Great Jing Dynasty is finished!"

Constable Captain Shen Huan's words startled Wang Sheng considerably.

"Hahaha, Junior Brother, don't be surprised. Constable Captain Shen is one of us."

Luo Zhengwen said with a smile.

"Then, Senior Brother, Constable Captain Shen, have you considered a way out?"

After hearing their news, Wang Sheng immediately began thinking about fleeing.

Luckily, he had made this trip out.

If he had stayed inside any longer, then once the chaotic army reached the city walls, even reaching the great completion of Dark Force would be useless. Unless he could reach Transforming Force.

"Not yet."

"Jiangling Prefecture covers vast lands. Even if the prefectural city falls, Ershui City is close to Tian'nan Prefecture. We would still have time to head there."

Luo Zhengwen shook his head.

Until the critical moment came, who would be willing to leave their homeland and abandon a family legacy built over a hundred years?

"Brother Wang need not worry. If that day truly comes, we can stay together and look after one another."

"Besides, opportunities only emerge in troubled times. Methods for reaching Transforming Force have always been tightly controlled by those great figures, without even the smallest leak. But now, some of them are considering whether to offer Transforming Force methods as rewards to attract experts."

Shen Huan said with a smile.

"Transforming Force methods!"

Luo Zhengwen gave a faint laugh. "Even if one were qualified to obtain one, those great figures would likely control one's life. What meaning would there be in reaching Transforming Force then?"

"Those great figures truly have cut off the road for those who come after them completely. They really want to sit at the very top forever, refusing to allow anyone below to emerge who can challenge their authority!"

Wang Sheng thought.

Clang, clang, clang...

Suddenly,

the sound of bells drifted over from the distant streets, followed by faint cries.

"Divine incense has emerged, safeguarding peace in the world!"

"The Way of Incense and the Way of Gods are both our way!"

Luo Zhengwen's face turned cold. "This is the Divine Incense Cult. Today is their first street procession. They want every citizen in the city to make offerings to them!"

"Brother Luo, don't be hasty. The Divine Incense Cult must not be provoked."

"And Brother Wang, you should remember this as well. If you encounter anyone from the Divine Incense Cult in the future, it is best to buy a stick of their incense. Otherwise, even the Martial Alliance cannot make them see reason."

Shen Huan warned solemnly.

Wang Sheng nodded at his words.

But he had already formed a judgment of the Divine Incense Cult in his heart.

The Divine Incense Cult was a fusion of the government offices and vicious forces. They had people in both the black and white worlds. With the state apparatus joined to the underworld powers, many factions would likely be driven out!

"Hmph. If I advance to Dark Force, I won't fear them striking from the shadows."

"But the Dark Force threshold is so difficult. I don't know when I will ever advance to Dark Force!"

Luo Zhengwen first snorted angrily. Then, thinking of the force he had been stuck at for years, endless sorrow welled up within him.

Wang Sheng said nothing. If Luo Zhengwen learned that he had advanced to Dark Force, it would probably drive the other man mad with envy.