Zheng Gaojue laughed. "So it's Defeated Dog Village. Then it makes sense."
Yu Ping said, "I'd only heard of it before. They say the martial world runs deep; after some sects decline, they can neither remain in the city nor maintain their own mountain gates. Yet unwilling to see their sects dissolve, they can only settle in villages near the city and wait for a chance to revive. Though Defeated Dog Village has an unpleasant name, its courage is commendable."
"True. This Divine Bow Sect still has some backbone. Many sects simply scatter and disappear," Li Qingxian said.
Zhou Hen moved his lips but said nothing.
The four turned and left the city, heading for Wang Family Village.
As they reached the outskirts, they saw from afar patches of grave mounds overgrown with wild grass lying along both sides of the road.
Li Qingxian glanced at a nearby tombstone. "Most of those buried here were probably martial artists."
The four entered the village and proceeded through the sky-filling yellow sand.
A broad gravel road ran through the village. On either side stood courtyards enclosed by stone walls, one after another. Broken lanterns swayed before the gates in the wind, while horizontal plaques bearing sect names clattered on the lintels.
Heavenly Saber Sect, Five Tigers Mountain, Divine Fist Gang, Ten Swords Society...
At first glance, the houses on both sides looked quite imposing. But upon closer inspection, the sect plaques were peeling everywhere, and weeds covered the tops of the walls.
Looking farther down the streets and alleys on either side, beyond the stone houses stood neat rows of earthen-walled, thatched-roof cottages, with sect plaques hanging from their doors as well.
People came and went through the village, dressed much like those in the city: straw sandals and rough cloth garments,