Shen Xiu and Liu Qingyan flew slowly, like two leisurely migratory birds gliding through the sky. Mountains rose and fell beneath their feet, rivers gleamed silver-white in the sunlight, and villages and towns lay scattered like pieces on a chessboard, orderly and peaceful. As they passed over a small town, they saw a brand-new plaque hanging from the archway at its entrance. The words "Peace Town" were written upon it in vigorous, forceful strokes, like a calligrapher's treasured work. Children's laughter and vendors' cries drifted from within the town, brimming with the warmth of everyday life—ordinary, yet comforting.
"Peace Town." Liu Qingyan repeated the name, then turned to Shen Xiu. "This place wasn't called that before, was it?"
Shen Xiu shook his head. His divine sense wandered between heaven and earth, reading the memories that had settled into this land. Several decades ago, this had still been a place called Black Wind Pass. Its terrain was perilous, and mountain bandits often appeared there, leaving the people in unspeakable misery. After Murong Zhan ascended the throne, he dispatched troops to wipe out the bandits, renamed the place Peace Town, and relocated many people here to settle. It gradually developed into a flourishing market town.
"This used to be a bandits' den," Shen Xiu said. "Murong Zhan sent men to quell the bandit scourge, changed its name, and let the people live and work in peace."
Liu Qingyan blinked. "How do you know all that so clearly?"
Shen Xiu pointed at his forehead. "Within the thunder lies this continent's memories. I slept for decades, but that does not mean I knew nothing. Every bolt of lightning between heaven and earth carries the events that have taken place upon this land. As long as I wish it, I can read those memories at