Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple, Evil Armament

"South of the city? What was there to be careful about?"

Lu Li was somewhat puzzled. He unobtrusively handed over a copper coin. The passerby took it, and a few more smiles appeared on his face as he said:

"The south side of the city isn't some dragon's den or tiger's lair, but all sorts of people gather there. Do you know what happened in Yunzhou?"

Lu Li's expression shifted at those words.

"What happened in Yunzhou? I've heard a little about it, but Yunzhou is a hundred li from here. What does that have to do with the south side of the city?"

The fall of Cloud Province City had not affected certain forces in the slightest. But a city had fallen, after all, and the impact on ordinary people's livelihoods had been enormous.

"Then, young hero, you don't know."

The passerby shook his head.

"Many major trading houses in Qingzhou City have shops in Yunzhou. Some time ago, quite a few people came to the city to seek justice. They all settled in the south of the city, demanding a thorough investigation into what happened in Yunzhou."

"But why would the officials care about that? Those outsiders gathered together with resentment in their hearts, and the south side of the city is unsettled now. Even the yamen barely patrols there anymore. I heard someone died there a few days ago!"

After speaking, the passerby sighed.

"I heard it from a friend who works at a shop. Rumors are everywhere now, and there are all kinds of stories. Some say Cloud Province City was struck by a plague, and the army slaughtered everyone and buried them alive."

"And some..."

The passerby looked around. Once he saw no one nearby, he lowered his voice. "They say some important figure met with disaster, and all of Cloud Province City was buried with them."

After hearing this, Lu Li was speechless. He shook his head slightly.

In this age of sealed-off information, it was only natural for such rumors to arise when the three great sects had covered up what happened in Cloud Province City.

Besides, people could not imagine things that had never happened. Every one of those rumors had truly occurred in the Jing Dynasty before.

After cupping his hands in thanks, Lu Li took Liu Yueling toward the south side of the city.

At the center of the city stood a nine-story tower, grand and luxurious. Glass lanterns cast a hazy glow beneath the dusk.

A refined-looking man stood by the railing with a feather fan in hand, taking in the sea of lights across the city.

At that moment, a beautiful maid approached in small steps with her head lowered and said:

"Mr. Yin, the young master asks for you."

Yin Duanyue folded his feather fan at those words. Smiling gently, he said, "Lead the way."

Following behind the maid, he soon arrived at a lavish private room. A young man sat amid a cluster of beautiful serving girls, his unrestrained laughter ringing without pause.

Yin Duanyue glanced at him. The young man was handsome, but his eyelids were darkened from excessive indulgence. His aura was effeminate, and his entire person looked listless.

"I heard Thousand Theater has appeared near Qingzhou City. I wonder who will die this time?"

Yin Duanyue spoke.

Xue Shaokan raised his wine cup and smiled carelessly.

"Thousand Theater? They're merely a pack of sewer rats. Even if someone dies, it won't be anyone from the Xue Household. They don't have the nerve."

Thousand Theater? Mysterious and unpredictable in their methods?

They were merely putting on a show.

There was no shortage of oddballs in the martial world. Even the fiercest-looking and strangest-tempered members of the Myriad Life Sect were nothing more than dogs of the Xue Household.

"Ah."

Yin Duanyue looked at Xue Shaokan's appearance and shook his head. Seemingly recalling something, he said seriously:

"Thousand Theater naturally would not dare provoke the Xue Household. But half a month from now is the time set by the Thousand-Eyed Bodhisattva Temple for forging weapons. The Hidden Heroes Alliance may come to stop the forging of the Evil Armament."

"Your family sent you here to oversee the work as a test of your ability to handle affairs. The forging of the Evil Armament concerns whether you can become the next head of the family in the future. There can be no carelessness."

Upon hearing the words "head of the family," Xue Shaokan's hazy eyes cleared somewhat. He shoved aside the serving girl beside him and sat up straight.

"The Hidden Heroes Alliance? Those rabble think they can stop the Evil Armament from being forged?"

Yin Duanyue did not reply. Instead, he tapped his feather fan and pointed out the window.

"Look. All sorts of people in Qingzhou City have gathered in the south of the city. The Hidden Heroes Alliance is an organization made up of such common folk, and it has earned quite a name for punishing evil and championing justice."

"The forging of the Evil Armament is difficult to conceal. Some forces in this city fear the Xue Household's name and may not dare intervene, but those common folk are different. They mean to punish evil and champion justice."

"If the Hidden Heroes Alliance makes a move and gathers people of 'like mind,' then with one call answered by a hundred, they may truly cause the Evil Armament's forging to fail."

Xue Shaokan fell into thought.

He was only from a collateral branch of the Xue Household, but he possessed considerable talent in martial cultivation. He had already reached the Tenth Layer of Meridian Opening.

In three years at most, he would surely enter the Astral Condensation Realm before reaching thirty.

Within the Xue Household, any martial artist who achieved Qi Solidification could be adopted into the main branch and gain the chance to compete for the position of family head.

Yin Duanyue was his adviser. The two had met three years ago, when Yin Duanyue had come to seek his patronage, claiming that he would help him contend for the position of family head.

Xue Shaokan had found him to be truly capable. Yin Duanyue often offered plans and strategies, and he had helped manage many trivial matters. For that reason, Xue Shaokan had long since caught the notice of the elders of the main branch.

Still, he had yet to enter Qi Solidification and remained only a collateral descendant. He had obtained this assignment of overseeing the Evil Armament's forging solely through the elders' favor.

Xue Shaokan had originally thought it would be an easy assignment, merely a chance to build experience. He had not expected risks to be involved.

The Evil Armament was of great importance. If he ruined this matter, he could forget about competing for the position of family head.

Xue Shaokan put away his frivolous manner and asked solemnly:

"Since Mr. Yin has said this, do you have a way to flush out these hidden commoners and wipe them out in one stroke?"

Yin Duanyue opened his feather fan and waved it lightly. He did not deny it, merely saying:

"This method may be rather vicious. I fear it may offend Heaven's harmony."

Upon hearing that, Xue Shaokan burst into laughter.

"Ha ha... What does offending Heaven's harmony matter? As long as it doesn't harm me!"

In the south of the city.

Lu Li carried Liu Yueling as he stepped over grimy stone tiles. They had walked from the west gate where they entered the city all the way to the south side, and the farther south they went, the more apparent the changes became.

Around the west gate were taverns and tea houses everywhere, with songs and music without end. It was bustling and lively, and most passersby wore long robes and appeared fairly well-off.

But once they entered the south side of the city, there were vendors and small eateries everywhere. From time to time, they could even see martial artists in ragged clothes, carrying sabers and swords.

Lu Li strolled calmly through them, while the Weapon Lord's senses within his mind never ceased.

No wonder that passerby had specifically mentioned this place. This was not merely a mixed gathering of people and creatures. It was clearly a gathering place for gangs.

Lu Li glanced around. Most of the martial artists wore vicious expressions and carried a baleful air. Some even looked faintly hostile when they saw him with a little girl.

Lu Li did not pay much attention to the gazes falling upon him.

Because as far as he could see, most were only at the first or second layer of Meridian Opening.

Even ants could kill an elephant only when facing an ordinary martial artist.

With Intransigent Qi circulating through him, even blades, spears, swords, and halberds might not be able to harm him.

After wandering around for a while, Lu Li finally spotted a shop in a corner with the words "Peng's" hanging outside.

Yet this shop was not a blacksmith's forge, but a noodle shop.

At first, Lu Li thought he had found the wrong place. After circling around several times, he confirmed that this was the only Peng's shop in the area.

Thud, thud.

Footsteps sounded as Lu Li entered the noodle shop. Before he could look around, he heard a weak, listless shout:

"What would this guest like to eat?"