The Jiangbei Wasteland bordered the sea to the north and the desert to the south.
To the east lay Northbank City.
To the west lay Flat City.
Farther south, beyond the desert, the Great River flowed down from the distant heavens, running along the desert's edge before emptying into the sea.
South of the Great River lay Jiangnan.
North of it lay Jiangbei.
North of the Great River, all one could see was a desert piled high with sand and a wasteland of cracked earth. To its south, however, lay fertile plains and vast forests brimming with life.
In terms of resources,
Jiangnan was far richer than Jiangbei.
In terms of cities, Jiangnan had several famous ones, while Jiangbei did not have even a single decent city.
Thus, Jiangnan had always looked down on Jiangbei, calling it a poverty-stricken backwater.
And at that moment—
Two people stood atop the highest treetop in a forest in Jiangnan.
One wore green robes, the other hemp robes.
"What should I call you?"
"Jiangbei Old Devil?"
"Or... do you have a name you can tell me?"
The elderly man in hemp robes had a head of silver hair, and the wrinkles covering his face spoke of years of hardship. He gazed toward the horizon and spoke calmly.
The Jiangnan rainy season had not arrived early.
The breeze was gentle, the sun bright.
Yet on the distant horizon, great banks of black clouds loomed over Jiangbei like punishment sent down by a god.
Without waiting for the green-robed man to reply,
the elderly man slowly continued.
"The city below is called Hidden City. Our ancestors won this foundation for us. Its name signifies that we must preserve ourselves in this world and remain hidden until eternal night passes."
"Eternal night descended several hundred years ago.