Li Weiyi stood upright at the prow of the ship with the river wind billowing around him as he gazed into the distance toward Nine Li City. In the far-off view, the city walls were as dark as ink and towering, while dozens of enemy-observing towers—each several times higher than the walls themselves—lined the vast plains outside the city.
Soldiers clad in armor and riding winged beasts would occasionally sprint from these towers, disappearing into the drifting clouds. Beneath the towers by the great river, on both banks, clusters of dwellings and grand houses spread out for dozens of miles.
These were the suburban areas of Nine Li City, where the resident population was no less than that within the city walls. At this point, the Sui River split into four tributaries, each flowing into the city from one of the four gates: Cang Li Gate, Chi Li Gate, Mo Li Gate, and Qing Li Gate.
In addition, a moat, twelve zhang wide, was dug to channel the river’s water around the city in defense. The moat, the walls, the enemy-observing towers, even the entire main city of Nine Li were enveloped by layers of shimmering, gauze-like light.
These tendrils of light, varying in depth and constantly shifting, resembled the auroras seen near the Earth’s Arctic and Antarctic. Rising from the ground and merging with the heavens, they were capable of repelling large-scale onslaughts by the departed spirits and evil spirits. …
At the dock, countless boats of all sizes were moored, their masts and wind flags thick and abundant like a jungle. After disembarking from the ship, Li Weiyi saw that Li Ling was being surrounded as if she were the moon cherished by all the stars. Most of those gathered were familiar faces, chatting and laughing amongst themselves.
Some inquired with concern about the dangers along the journey, others showered compliments and praises, while some proposed that that very night they should head to the Sky Pavilion to “receive the wind and wash away the dust.”
These young heroes were among the very best in the region—be they powerful cultivators with vast reserves of magic power, extraordinary spirit sense masters, or those with Pure Immortal Bodies—and none of them were of ordinary stock. All around them stood devoted servants and handmaidens. Li Weiyi cast his gaze about, noting the old servants trailing these illustrious people.
Each of these servants had eyes sharp as torches, their skin exuding ripples of the magical Qi like misty clouds—a sign that one had reached the peak of the Spring Surge Realm, the seventh spring.
That those who served these chosen few were not just ordinary servants spoke to the fact that even within their families they held a certain status. After a brief search, Li Weiyi found no sign of Gao Huan or Cai Yutong and their group. Cang Li naturally noticed Li Weiyi and nodded from a distance.
Originally he had intended to approach and show some care, but his friends, laughing and chattering, jostled him along as they made their way into the city. Left with no choice, he ordered one of his old servants to go and receive Li Weiyi.
Li Ling had already been swallowed up by the riotous crowd, gradually disappearing in the direction of the city gate. The old servant dispatched by Cang Li was not particularly aged—only around fifty years old—and his name was Li Qi.
In his youth he had been an old acquaintance of Zhao Zhizhuo, though Li Qi himself had already reached the seventh spring cultivation level. He said, “Tonight, the young clan leader and his fellows are surely headed to the Sky Pavilion to offer a welcoming feast for Fourth Young Miss.
That place is the most extravagant and indulgent in Nine Li City—only the scions of great families and top-notch martial cultivators can afford it. Brother Zhao, you went there in your day, so you must be familiar with it. The young clan leader already gave instructions.
Everyone, you are welcome to join him.” Unaware that Li Weiyi had once done a favor for the Cang Li Tribe, Li Qi merely assumed that the young clan leader was simply generous and amicable. Yet in some circumstances, those who should not go may end up in embarrassments.
So, while his words came off as an invitation, every sentence was also a subtle caution to those present not to involve themselves too deeply. As a servant he could only speak in veiled terms, without being too blunt.
Li Weiyi himself had never wished to entwine his fate too deeply with the Cang Li Tribe, and he well knew that such extravagant, indulgent display of luxury was not something he had the right to partake in at this moment. For someone of a lower echelon trying to mingle with higher circles, only humiliation could result.
Being well-versed in worldly affairs, he smiled and waved off Zhao Zhizhuo’s angry glare as he said, “We can’t go. That kind of grand event is not fit for a group of humble, simplefolk like us. If we went, wouldn’t it only bring disgrace upon the young clan leader?”
Li Qi’s eyes flickered with a secret satisfaction. Young people who knew when to advance and when to retreat were far more endearing. Li Weiyi continued, “But since the young clan leader has invited us, if we don’t go, old Li may not be able to explain himself.
How about this: let’s break the payment into silver coins, and we’ll go find somewhere to eat and stay for the night. Brother Zhao, how much silver do you reckon it would cost for all of us to go to the Sky Pavilion?” Zhao Zhizhuo immediately grasped the matter and said, “If all of us go?
That would easily run up to … a thousand silver coins!” Li Weiyi smiled and looked towards Li Qi. From Li Qi’s displeased expression he received a silk pouch containing one thousand silver coins.
Yet the mood of the assembled did not lift in the slightest.
“First honor the robe, then the person! I understand, tomorrow we’ll all dress in finer clothes,” Zhao Meng declared openly, his bare upper body visible.
Given his stature, his clothes had to be specially tailored. Zhao Zhizhuo recalled many events of the past and sighed deeply, “It’s not just about a piece of clothing.” Aboard the ship, Li Weiyi had already consulted with Senior Brother Qian, who advised him: Do not move into the city domain just yet.
Until sufficient funds are gathered, refrain from purchasing a residence; instead, rent a large mansion in the nearby bustling suburban area. In that region, the density of magical laws is nearly as potent as within the city, yet the price is much more affordable. After Li Weiyi mentioned the idea of renting a mansion, Zhao Zhizhuo agreed wholeheartedly.
“Within the city, though the departed spirits and evil entities seldom attack, it is easier for us to become targets of those we cannot afford to offend.”
He continued, “Even though the suburbs are somewhat more dangerous and a mix of all sorts can be found there, the truly powerful figures do not reside in the suburbs. So even if we are targeted, we can still face them with adequate measures.”
He added, “Even if by some misfortune there were a massive assault by departed spirits, as long as our rented place is close enough to the city, we could escape there at once.”
Zhao Zhizhuo knew that Li Weiyi had no intention of engaging too deeply with the Cang Li or Li Ling, nor did he wish to rely on the might of the Cang Li Tribe; their plan was based solely on their own strength as they contemplated the best course of action.
In the next two days, Zhao Meng and Zhao Zhizhuo scoured the southern suburbs until they finally settled on a mansion. With front and back yards covering a total of three acres and more than ten rooms, and located only several hundred zhang from the moat within a bustling suburban area, it was satisfactory in every regard—except for the price.
A monthly rent of as much as 1,300 silver coins meant that all the money Li Weiyi had on him would not suffice for even a single year. There was no other choice.
With Old Meng standing tall at six meters and accompanied by two oddly-born figures, Old Liu and Old Guan, a small courtyard simply would not do when it came to practicing martial arts; there was no room for everyone to move about freely.
Li Weiyi himself kept busy over the two days, making three trips to the city domain to buy, at three separate places, three broken Spring Needles.
Their price was outrageously high, but if it were not for the pressing need to suppress the Evil Camel Bell and quickly surge into the Fifth Spring, he would never have spent such extra money.
When Zhao Zhizhuo returned with Old Liu and Old Guan after purchasing various household items and food, Li Weiyi was seated on a chair in the front yard under the ancient Old Yang tree where two people shared the shade. He was busy counting his coins, his brows occasionally furrowed and then fixed in deep thought.
“Dong dong!”
Suddenly, there came a knocking at the door. Old Liu quickly put down the assorted items he had brought and went to open the door. Upon opening it, Old Liu was taken aback to see three figures standing outside.
Their language was unfamiliar, and he had no idea how to begin asking questions. Leading the group was a man in his forties or fifties with a white face and no beard—a scholar type. Even though age had not wholly diminished his features, one could still tell that he must have been strikingly handsome in his youth.
“I am Shi Chuanyu, the Flagbearer of the Changlin Gang, here to pay respects to the master of this residence,” he said, speaking with refined courtesy and extending his hands in greeting to Old Liu.
Li Weiyi put away his coins, hurried to the door, and greeted him with a smile, “The master of this house is my senior brother. May I ask what guidance you have for us?” Shi Chuanyu once again bowed politely, smiling, “We, too, reside in this area.
Henceforth we are neighbors. Since you have moved into a new home, it seems only right to come and congratulate you with a small gift as a token of respect.” With a subtle glance, he signaled, and the two subordinates behind him, each carrying a gift bound with red ribbons, stepped directly into the courtyard. …
Under the Old Yang tree in the yard, Old Meng, the master of the mansion, and Shi Chuanyu engaged in a pleasant conversation. Once the moment was ripe, Shi Chuanyu’s expression grew solemn as he said, “You all are new to these parts, and perhaps not familiar with the situation.
Outside the city, conditions are far different from within the walls. We are frequently hit by attacks from departed spirits and evil entities. During particularly violent times, hundreds or even thousands of residents might perish in a single night.
Thankfully, a group of formidable martial cultivators quickly banded together to form various gangs to resist these external dangers.” He continued, “The safety of this city domain falls under the jurisdiction of our Changlin Gang. However, operating a gang costs money.
When contending with the departed spirits and evil entities, many of our members may be injured or even lose their lives, and the costs for treatment and settlement are considerable. Therefore, residents—be they merchants or ordinary folk—contribute a small sum every month so that we can maintain operations and better protect everyone.”
Zhao Meng, having understood, asked, “When we rented the mansion, we paid the city defense silver. Shouldn’t the City Defense Camp be responsible for the attacks by departed spirits and evil entities?” Shi Chuanyu laughed heartily, “The City Defense Camp mainly looks after those within the city.
If they were truly diligent, the suburbs wouldn’t be so chaotic. In fact, the formation of our gangs has the support of either the City Defense Camp or prominent families. By the way, Brother Zhao, how long do you intend to rent your place?”
“Just for one month,” Zhao Meng replied.
“Since it is a short-term lease, you can forego paying the silver for departed spirits and evil entities. Life is hard for everyone. Come by the Changlin Gang tomorrow for tea—I will treat you.”
Shi Chuanyu then took his leave along with his two subordinates, bidding Zhao Meng repeatedly not to see them off. After seeing them off and closing the door, Zhao Meng felt that something was amiss. Unease filled him as he asked Zhao Zhizhuo, “Do all the local gangs speak so politely?
I have a bad feeling about this.” Zhao Zhizhuo’s expression turned rather grim as he replied, “He is not here to collect protection fees. Perhaps he is merely scouting us, testing our strengths.”
Zhao Meng added, “Are you saying that the Changlin Gang considers us outsiders without any backing, and intends to wipe us out in one fell swoop?” Zhao Zhizhuo nodded, “That is indeed what I suspect. Their coming here to pay respects shows that they have done their research on us.
If they did not collect any protection fee, I would not sleep tonight. But since they did, at least we can sleep peacefully.” … Later that evening, three members of the Changlin Gang strolled along a bustling street filled with ceaseless traffic.
Trailing behind Shi Chuanyu, a gang member from the Fourth Spring couldn’t help asking, “Flagbearer, are you really not taking the protection fees? Even if the gifts aren’t worth much, the Changlin Gang isn’t some charitable temple.”
Murmuring to himself, Shi Chuanyu mused, “Those two speak with heavy accents—they must be refugees from another prefecture with no real foothold in Li Prefecture. Yet, they can afford to pay up to a thousand silver a month for rent. They are definitely wealthier than they appear—a fat sheep ripe for the taking.”
Another gang member from the Fourth Spring remarked, “That Zhao fellow is no joke. Standing six meters tall, his martial prowess must be formidable.” Shi Chuanyu scoffed, “He is all appearance.
I once assisted him, yet he failed to cultivate any magical power. A man may be tall but can only do manual labor without true ability. Tonight, let’s see about sending him away properly.
We shall stage an incident—pretending that he was attacked by some monstrous creature, making it clear that the Changlin Gang has nothing to do with it.” He added in a low tone, “From now on, anyone who leaves that mansion must be brought under our control. Under no circumstances are we to allow any accidents.”
Moments later, an elder of the Sixth Spring approached, bowing as he said, “Flagbearer, Miss Yang from the Yang Family has arrived. The gang leader wants you to go over immediately, as she appears to have important matters to discuss.”
(End of Chapter)