Entering the City

Entering the city

These three branches are respectively called the Impermanence Sect, the Drought Kui Sect, and the Thousand Eyes Sect.

In addition, another force has risen in the past two years. This force, led by Shi Tiankai, integrates more than a dozen mountain bandit groups to form the Heavenly King Army, which plunders and kills all over the Shu Region, causing war to break out everywhere.

All of these forces are powerful entities capable of stirring up trouble in the Shu Region.

Beneath this backdrop, martial arts schools, gangs, and powerful families, large and small, are deeply intertwined, creating an extremely complex situation. The things depicted on the silk scroll are merely the tip of the iceberg.

Lin Qing flipped through the pages, where the records of forces across the country were even more brief, often consisting of only a few words.

However, he quickly found the Black Ice Platform by flipping through it casually.

"Black Ice Platform, the world's top assassin organization, operates in the shadows, specializing in intelligence gathering and assassinations."

Lin Qing closed the silk scroll, having made up his mind.

If it's an assassin organization, then it's worth checking out. These organizations are difficult to infiltrate, but their internal management is loose, and you can obtain intelligence from them. Joining them would be more beneficial than harmful.

Half a day later.

Inside the Wei Family, Wei Shaogong held a teacup and blew on it to warm it. It wasn't ordinary tea, but salted milk tea.

He took a sip, frowned slightly, and placed it on the table beside him.

"You mean Wei Dong has more than just Wei Hai providing protection?"

"Yes, young master, there is another expert in the shadows, with extremely strong abilities, most likely at the late stage of the Divine Wheel. He's the one who severed my arm." Shan Chunlai stood to the side, the wound on his arm no longer bleeding, but the pain was still coming in waves, making his face pale.

"If what you say is true, Wei Dong may have a hidden force supporting him, and he will become my biggest competitor."

Wei Shaogong frowned slightly.

"Young master, be careful. However, there is another possibility: that expert is Lin Qing's bodyguard. Because when this person made his move that day, Wei Hai was also suppressed by him, which means the two do not know each other," Shan Chunlai added.

"Don't provoke Lin Qing for now. We'll investigate him secretly when he arrives in Shuzhou City. If he really has a powerful protector, then try to win him over. If not, just eliminate him while we're at it," Wei Shaogong said coldly.

"Although he is a genius of the Soul-Calming Office, he has no one to rely on, so eliminating him is not difficult." Shan Chunlai nodded.

"This man is close to Wei Dong, and he also has extraordinary martial arts Talent. Keeping him around will inevitably cause trouble. I will only feel at ease if he is eliminated," Wei Shaogong said coldly.

"Young Master acts with prudence; the position of head of the family is rightfully yours," Shan Chunlai flattered.

"Go down." Wei Shaogong waved his hand dismissively, his expression cold.

"Yes."

Two days later.

Lin Qing and his group finally arrived at the foot of Shuzhou City. Looking into the distance, the city walls were tall and constructed entirely of reddish-brown rocks, stretching to the left and right to the horizon.

In terms of city size, Shuzhou City is indeed larger, housing a million households, and is bound to be more prosperous.

However, Lin Qing had anticipated this, so he wasn't too surprised to see this scene.

After entering the city, the group parted ways. Commander Cao his troops to report to the eastern camp, while Wei Dong went straight to the Wei Family.

He did not invite Lin Qing to go, because the Wei Family was in a state of chaos, and it could even be said that there was danger everywhere. If Lin Qing were to get involved, he might even lose his life.

When they parted, Wei Dong patted his chest and said that once he became the head of the Wei Family, he would definitely treat him to a meal at the best restaurant in the city and to the most beautiful girls at the biggest brothel.

Lin Qing just smiled and didn't take it to heart. On the contrary, he was very worried about Wei Dong's safety. He didn't know how many members of the Wei Family were involved in the struggle, but Wei Shaogong must be a ruthless character.

However, his worries were useless. At present, his strength was weak, and his priority was to gain a foothold in the state capital.

According to intelligence, the situation in Shu Region is currently chaotic, with undercurrents surging within Shuzhou City, making it extremely difficult to gain a foothold.

That night.

Lin Qing sat cross-legged in the inn room, swallowed an Essence-Replenishing Pills, and began to inherit the power from the Unity Heaven Art.

The Unity Heaven Art has a total of over 11,000 types of internal energy. It can be inherited by consuming pills and consuming qi and blood. Currently, he only has about 400 types of internal energy, which is still far from enough.

Just as he was engrossed in his thoughts, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Lin Qing got up and opened the door, and saw an old man dressed in brocade robes with a goatee standing outside.

"May I ask if you are Lin Qing, young friend?" the old man asked with a smile.

"It's me," Lin Qing replied.

"That's right. I am the steward of the Zhao Family. I am here on the orders of the patriarch to invite you to a banquet at the Zhao Family. If I heard correctly, you are my wife's younger brother, right?" the old man asked again.

"It's me." Lin Qing nodded.

"Very well, young friend Lin, staying at this inn is quite inconvenient. Why don't you come with me to the Zhao Family?" the old man said slowly.

"Okay, I'll be going now." Lin Qing replied, went back to his room to pack his things, and then followed the old man straight to the Zhao Family.

He wasn't worried about any problems. Firstly, he was a member of the Soul-Calming Office, so no one in the city would dare to openly attack him. Secondly, although he hadn't seen his sister in recent years, a recent letter mentioned that his sister was doing quite well in the Zhao Family.

Before long, he arrived at the gate of the Zhao Family. In front of him was a tightly closed vermilion gate with many bright copper nails the size of a palm. On both sides were a pair of tall stone lions and more than ten guards with swords.

"Young Master Lin, this is the Zhao Family!" The old man's address changed; after confirming Lin Qing's identity, his attitude became much more respectful.

"Okay." Lin Qing nodded, and then saw a group of people come out. The one in the lead was a woman wearing a snow-white fox fur coat. She had an elegant temperament, a beautiful face, and fair skin, but the lines at the corners of her eyes revealed that she was quite old.

"Ah Qing, that's great! You're finally here! Come in quickly." The woman's eyes lit up when she saw Lin Qing, and a bright smile appeared on her face.

She is Lin Qing's older sister, Lin Qingqiu; the two share some similarities in facial features.

"Sister." Lin Qing called out, feeling a little awkward. Firstly, he was a time traveler, and secondly, he hadn't seen her for many years, so his memory of his sister was actually very vague, like a familiar stranger.

"Let's go inside and talk. Your brother-in-law has arranged a dinner for you and said he has a big gift for you," Lin Qingqiu said with a smile, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

"Okay," Lin Qing said with a smile.

The two chatted as they walked inside.

"Why didn't you come to the Zhao residence to find me after arriving in the Prefectural City? Why did you go to stay at an inn instead?" Lin Qingqiu asked, puzzled.

"I'm just afraid of causing you trouble," Lin Qing said with a smile.

"What trouble could I possibly cause? I'm your own sister, what trouble could I possibly have? Even if there is, I'll help you sort it out," Lin Qingqiu said with a smile.

"Sister is right." Lin Qing nodded.

As they talked, they arrived at the center of the courtyard, where there stood a five-story Pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, illuminated by lanterns, exuding grandeur.

Just as he was about to go in, a man in a moon-white robe came out first. He was handsome and dashing, a truly beautiful man.

"My lady, this must be Xiao Qing? He is indeed a handsome young man. Come, come, come in and have a seat. I have prepared a sumptuous meal for you. After we finish eating, I have a big gift for you."