The Beginning of a Legend, a Plan of Gradual Encroachment

"After yesterday's reconnaissance, I have basically gathered all the information about the surrounding area."

Wang Chen quickly explained the information he had seen in the Ye Clan's study the previous night.

Hearing Wang Chen's words, Queen Medusa and the others gained a basic understanding of the place.

After explaining the general information, Wang Chen spoke again.

"This is my plan: start from Hanshan City and expand outwards in all directions."

Let's first investigate the forces within Hanshan City and see who best suits our needs.

"Then we'll use this force as a front to expand outwards."

"This way, we can increase our strength the fastest, without worrying about exposing ourselves and attracting unnecessary attention."

Upon hearing Wang Chen's words, Queen Medusa and the others nodded in agreement with Wang Chen arrangement.

After all, they understood what Wang Chen meant by not needing to pay attention.

Before heading to Central Plains, Wang Chen had specifically explained this to Queen Medusa and the others.

In Central Plains, there is an enemy— the Soul Hall, or rather, the Soul Clan.

There is no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides; it can only come down to who is stronger.

Therefore, it is very important not to stand out too much in the early stages.

Otherwise, if the Soul Hall's top experts were to come out and deal with him, that would be a huge problem.

Wang Chen has now transmigrated and is no longer just reading novels.

No one can guarantee that the people from the Soul Hall will come one by one to their Huohuo, just like they did with Huo Huo.

If a powerful expert were to rush over directly, Wang Chen would be in a difficult situation.

If we can't win, then the journey ends immediately.

Even if we win, the trouble will be even greater.

It's possible that experts from the Soul Clan will come looking for trouble.

That's why Wang Chen specifically chose to act under an assumed identity.

It's all to delay revealing their existence.

Once you have the absolute strength to protect yourself, it doesn't matter if you're a little high-profile.

The Soul Clan members aren't fools. If Wang Chen reveals too terrifying a talent beforehand, he will inevitably suffer a blow.

After all, no one would know about the enemy's extraordinary talent, so why would they deliberately leave him to cause trouble?

"Later, everyone can go and explore Hanshan City, and while we're at it, find out which forces can meet our needs."

Wang Chen made the arrangements directly.

Wang Chen was quite confident in the current strength of Xiao Yi Xian and her companions.

Moreover, after a year of training in the Northwestern Continent, their experience in various aspects has increased considerably.

In Hanshan City, where the strongest player is only Dou Emperor) on the surface, Wang Chen wasn't worried about making a mistake.

Moreover, they all have a guaranteed Half-Saint Heavenly Demon Puppet.

Even if some unexpected events occur, one's own safety can be ensured.

Upon hearing Wang Chen's arrangements, Qing Lin and Zi Yan were both quite excited.

After all, they were the youngest, and they loved to travel and wander around.

Now that I can legitimately travel around Hanshan City, it couldn't be better.

As dawn broke, Queen Medusa and her entourage had already left the tavern to explore and gather information within the Hanshan City.

Of course, Wang Chen, the main character, couldn't slack off, so he also went out.

The group each chose an area and began exploring while also gathering information.

Having just experienced a Spatial Storm, it would be good to take a good rest and relax now.

Wang Chen chose to wander around in relatively poor areas.

After all, only in places like this can one more easily find out who the lower classes of Hanshan City truly prefer.

A force that cares about the lives of ordinary people at the bottom of society is a relatively good cooperation target.

After all, this kind of person doesn't have to worry about the other party easily betraying them and stabbing them in the back.

Although Wang Chen wasn't afraid of such things, it would be better to have fewer of them.

His ability to suppress these things doesn't mean he chooses to experience them.

After all, it's very easy to accidentally expose one's presence.

Before his strength is absolutely guaranteed, Wang Chen has not yet revealed his intentions.

"Hey sir, get me some local snacks."

Wang Chen spoke up at a food stall.

He had also disguised himself specifically for this trip to gather information.

They were wearing relatively ordinary clothes, nothing too eye-catching.

"Okay, please wait a moment."

Before long, a special snack consisting of three dishes and a soup was served.

"Hey buddy, do you guys make money doing this kind of business?"

After taking a bite of the side dish, Wang Chen asked directly.

There were no other customers at the stall, so the young man didn't refuse Wang Chen's question.

He sat down to the side and replied.

"It's alright."

"Being extremely wealthy is impossible, but supporting a family is definitely achievable."

"That's not bad."

Upon hearing the deliveryman's answer, Wang Chen also said something.

This is not a compliment.

In this world where cultivation is possible, ordinary people at the bottom of society lead a rather tough life.

Take Wutan City back then, for example. The markets and workshops run by the Xiao Clan were all geared towards mercenary groups with cultivation skills.

Those ordinary people who engage in business are all subordinate forces of the three major families.

The taxes they collected were even more outrageous than those levied by the three major families.

Later, as the three major families expanded their power and gained control over the buying and selling of ordinary people, they began to collect taxes ranging from 30% to 50%.

Even so, ordinary people at the bottom of society felt that things were better than before.

It is easy to imagine how much oppression ordinary people at the bottom of this world suffer.

This is actually normal.

Often, those high-ranking figures look down on the meager income of ordinary people at the bottom of society.

On the contrary, those lackeys who cling to powerful figures are completely indiscriminate in their pursuit of any kind of benefit.

Now, opening a small stall here is enough to support a family, which is really quite good.

After all, this young man was just an ordinary person, not some kind of cultivator or Dou Zhe.

"Sigh~~"

Upon hearing Wang Chen's words, the young man sighed instead.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing this, Wang Chen immediately inquired.

After all, this looked like it had inside information, so Wang Chen naturally couldn't miss it.

The young man glanced around before pouring out his grievances to Wang Chen.

"Life used to be pretty good, but things have changed recently."

"The Wang Clan used to control this street, and their taxes were fairly reasonable."

"But afterwards, the two major families in Hanshan City launched a coordinated expansion, and the Ye Clan took over the area."

The initial tax rates have not changed.

However, it rose again in less than six months.

There have been rumors lately that taxes will be raised again.

The young man sighed twice and told Wang Chen about his complaints.

"This is just hearsay; nothing concrete has been decided yet, has it?"

Upon hearing Wang Chen's words, the young man shook his head.

"You don't understand."

This is called a rumor, but it was actually spread by those people.

Let's test our reaction first.

If anyone is dissatisfied, they can resolve the issue beforehand to avoid chaos when the order is officially issued.

"That's how it was during the first tax increase."

"The scene..."

"Sigh~~"

The young man complained a few more times, then another customer arrived, so he stopped talking to Wang Chen.

After gathering some useful information, Wang Chen didn't waste any more time. He finished eating the local snacks and left immediately.

His destination was very simple: the Wang Clan, who had previously controlled the area.

A force that can be fondly remembered by ordinary people at the bottom of society must have some extraordinary qualities.

While the current state of the Ye Clan is partly to blame, it also demonstrates that the Wang Clan was relatively fair back then.

This kind of power barely qualifies Wang Chen to give it a slightly higher regard.

If the other party is truly good, then Wang Chen will consider the Wang Clan as one of his options.

Dusk.

"So, did you manage to gather any useful information this time?"

In the room of the restaurant, Wang Chen asked Queen Medusa and the others a question.

Wang Chen had previously gone to the vicinity of the Wang Clan to inquire about their situation, and the other party's conduct and character were quite in line with Wang Chen's expectations.

This time, however, the entire team went out to gather information.

Wang Chen would naturally not arbitrarily determine a target without prior discussion.

This would be slightly disrespectful to the efforts of Queen Medusa and her contemporaries.

What if there are other, more suitable factions?

Having been together for so long, Wang Chen had long regarded Queen Medusa and the others as his family.

Under these circumstances, he would still choose to respect his family's efforts.

Upon hearing Wang Chen's question, Xiao Yi Xian was the first to answer, "I went for a stroll in the south of the city this time and found out that the forces there are not very powerful."

Like the Ten Thousand Medicine House of yesteryear, most of them are a group of bloodsuckers who only care about profit.

I don't think cooperating with those forces is a good choice.

Xiao Yi Xian quickly recounted the information she had gathered and offered her own opinions.

Queen Medusa then gave Wang Chen the same reply.

Similar to Xiao Yi Xian's situation, the Zhang Clan in the east of the city wasn't doing well either.

This is normal, after all, there are only individuals who betray their class, not classes that betray their interests.

How could the powerful forces in Hanshan City possibly care about the lives of ordinary people at the bottom?

They only care about how much profit they make.

As for the deaths of a few ordinary people from the lower classes, that's nothing to them.

Wang Chen then turned his gaze to Zi Yan.

Seeing Wang Chen's gaze, Zi Yan's eyes darted around.

He stammered and couldn't give a clear answer.

As soon as Wang Chen saw this, he knew that Zi Yan was being playful.

However, Wang Chen didn't say much.

After all, she's still young, so it's normal for her to be a little playful.

Besides, he already had a backup target, so it didn't matter if he didn't succeed with Zi Yan.

The last one to answer was Qing Lin.

Although she's just a young girl, she's much more reliable than Zi Yan.

Although she also enjoys traveling, she cares more about Wang Chen.

Therefore, after she went out, she spent some time specifically gathering information.

However, it's similar to Xiao Yi Xian's.

There are no satisfactory goals.

Hearing this, Wang Chen completely understood.

It would be quite remarkable if a power like the Wang Clan could emerge.

How could there possibly be multiple forces like the Wang Clan?

Even if it existed, it has long since disappeared.

Just like the Wang Clan now, they are suppressed by other forces within Hanshan City and can only barely maintain the family's inheritance.

To think that it can be carried forward and developed is simply wishful thinking.

The two major families in Hanshan City would absolutely not agree to this.

After all, the Wang Clan's development model is essentially digging their own grave.

Although those powerful and influential groups look down on ordinary people at the bottom of society.

However, without ordinary people at the bottom of society, those powerful forces would not fare any better.

After all, it's not appropriate to make those high and mighty cultivators do such menial tasks.

Without certain benefits, why would those traitors come to curry favor with us?

That's why the Wang Clan developed rapidly, even rising to become the third largest family in Hanshan City.

However, they were ultimately suppressed by the combined forces of the Zhang Clan and Ye Clan.

Now, all they can do is guard their Headquarters in the north of the city; all the territories they had previously expanded have been swallowed up by other forces.

If it weren't for the two old fogies in the Wang Clan holding things together, they probably wouldn't even have the chance to eke out a living in the north of the city.

After the Zhang and Ye families suppressed the Wang Clan, they were not absolutely certain they could eliminate all of the Wang Clan's top experts.

This is what gives the Wang Clan a chance to survive.

After all, the alliance was only formed to deal with the Wang Clan, and the Zhang and Ye families have not let their guard down against each other.

If dealing with the Wang Clan results in significant losses for themselves, then the other side will definitely not show any mercy.

This mutual obstruction has created space for other forces to survive in Hanshan City.

If they could truly cooperate perfectly, they would have swept through Hanshan City long ago.

"Since you haven't found a suitable candidate, let me tell you what I've found out."

Wang Chen didn't hide anything and directly told everyone about the Wang Clan's situation.

Finally, after a democratic vote, it was decided that the Wang Clan would act as the front man.

Of course, this is just Wang Chen and his team's decision at this point.

It's still uncertain whether the Wang Clan will accept it.

However, Wang Chen was still quite confident that he could get the other party to accept his good intentions.

After all, the Wang Clan must have some ideas after being suppressed to this extent.

For a family's power to rise, the other party must be willing to pay a certain price.

Moreover, Wang Chen wouldn't ask for an exorbitant amount, so it's a win-win situation.

The Wang Clan might even gain a significant advantage.

Wang Chen simply couldn't think of a reason why the Wang Clan refused.

It was midnight.

After having a quick meal, Wang Chen quietly left the restaurant again.

This time, he plans to make a trip to the Wang Clan.

Even if you are very confident, you still haven't received an answer.

If the other party is willing to cooperate, that would be ideal.

This can be considered the beginning of Wang Chen's legendary career in Central Plains.

If the other party is unwilling to cooperate, then Wang Chen will have to think of other ways.

Of course, Wang Chen wasn't in a hurry.

After all, the initiative was entirely in his hands.

If the Wang Clan is unwilling, they can choose other forces.

Even without Butcher Wang, we still won't eat pork with hair on.