Chapter 33

Editor: Henyee Translations

The Wild City Yamen was very particular about rules; they would act immediately upon receiving money.

The eight members of the Wei family were instantly registered as residents and were issued identity certificates, with the archives recording that the “Wei Clan” had been doing business in the Desolate City for generations.

Wei changed his surname to Wei, and he also chose a homophone for his name.

Zhou Yi wondered, “Isn’t such direct forgery risky for potential errors?”

“Mr. Zhou, please be at ease. In the arid climate of the Northern Border, documents easily get damaged.”

Steward Sun explained, “These archives are burnt clean every year, so no one can find anything upon investigation. Besides, who are the people managing household registration, and who would dare to check?”

Zhou Yi slightly nodded, acknowledging that this method was somewhat similar to that of the Sky Prison.

The Sky Prison also had means of substitution and was extremely secretive and careful, unlike here where things were done blatantly without regard for consequences.

The power of the emperor doesn’t reach into the villages, not to mention the far-off Desolate City.

The Desolate City didn’t even have a tavern, so the Yamen’s kitchen prepared a table full of dishes, with more game than vegetables. Drinking the strong liquor unique to the Northern Border and boasting of various true and false exploits, the atmosphere was quite lively.

During the feast, the County Magistrate also made an appearance, after all, a business dealing over ten thousand silver taels doesn’t happen many times a year.

The County Magistrate’s surname was Zhao, his given name was Tai, with a plump and prosperous appearance, shiny and polished, not resembling a scholar at all.

Even in poverty, one must not let officials suffer; even in hardship, the scholar-officials must be comfortable. Zhao Tai, a man from Jiangnan, had built a garden with flowing water in the Back Office and bought many beautiful slaves, living each day in leisure and pleasure.

Once the Yamen was closed, it truly bore no difference from the imperial palace!

Recalling bygone days in the Divine Capital, Zhao Tai couldn’t help but sigh, “I still remember when I went to the capital to take the exams. I was at the Spring Breeze Building reciting poetry and painting, and I took the lead. I shared my heartfelt feelings with Miss Rui Rui. I wonder how she is now?”

“She married a wealthy merchant from Jiangnan. It’s said that Miss Rui Rui wanted to see the scenery of Jiangnan, to see if it’s as lovely as depicted in paintings.”

Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, unexpectedly encountering the protagonist from the strange tales.

Miss Rui Rui had been the Oiran back in the day and had also been famous in the Divine Capital, bound to be noted in some unofficial history books in the future.

Her most famous trait was her obsession with men of the Zhao surname, to the point where she rejected the advances of a Princely Heir of a marquess’s house. Some said she was involved with members of the Imperial Clan, others said with sons of illustrious families. She waited in the Divine Capital for two years but in the end, disheartened, she left to marry far away in Jiangnan.

Who knew that the heartbreaker would turn out to be a chubby fat man, whose eyes vanish into mere slits when he smiles!

Zhao Tai lamented the vicissitudes of fate, downing several cups of strong liquor before heading back to the Back Office to ease his sorrows.

The meal ended with both hosts and guests in high spirits.

After the feast,

Steward Sun ordered a servant to lead Zhou Yi and the Wei family to look for a residence.

“Mr. Zhou, there were rich households in East City before, with some possessing large estates with three to five courtyards.” The servant stroked the silver in his hand, impressed that the guests from the Divine Capital were indeed generous with their money.

The Wei family quickly chose a house, not far from the County Government Office, with front, middle, and back courtyards.

The sign on the gate had much of its writing worn off, but from the half-remaining “bow” character, it could be inferred that it once belonged to the Zhang family.

Most of the rooms in the courtyard were still in good condition, only empty of furniture inside.

It was getting late and they were all rough men, so they casually tidied up a few rooms to get through the night.

Zhou Yi activated a Dust Clearing Charm, and the room was instantly clean. He sent a telepathic call for Wei Jun to come for questioning.

Wei Jun bowed and said, “Benefactor, what orders do you have for me?”

Zhou Yi asked, “Do you know which Cultivation Technique Hero Wei relied on when he was renowned in Yuzhou?”

Wei Jun’s gaze became focused, instinctively thinking that Zhou Yi had rescued the Wei family possibly for his father’s Cultivation Technique legacy, but still obediently answered.

“My father depended on an unnamed chanting formula and the Flying Rainbow Sword Technique.”

Cultivation Techniques were vital but not as crucial as one’s family members’ lives. Digging in the iron mines for a few more years, and the Wei clan would be eradicated.

Zhou Yi nodded and said, “It seems you truly are the descendant of Hero Wei.”

“Benefactor, do you want that chanting formula?”

Wei Jun recited word by word, “Heaven and earth give birth to Yin and Yang, changing all things…”

Zhou Yi verified the authenticity and waved his hand to interrupt Wei Jun’s recitation, then asked, “Have you ever thought of revenge?”

Wei Jun initially shook his head then nodded, “When my father was being hunted by the Jinyiwei, he came home to tell us not to seek revenge for him. However, the blood feud of the Wei family is as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky, how could we easily forget!”

“If the Wei family wishes for revenge, then don’t forget this mantra,”

Zhou Yi advised, “If the descendants of the Wei family can master this technique, they will surely rise again, and if they can reach the Great Achievement Realm, then they will have hope for revenge.”

“I will remember the guidance of the benefactor.”

Wei Jun hesitated for a moment before saying, “My benefactor is unaware that I adopted a son at the mine, who has cultivated the Nameless Technique.”

After Wei Jun explained, Zhou Yi finally understood the situation.

The Wei clan members all had martial arts foundations and were much stronger than the other prisoners, thus they held some prestige in the mining camp. Some prisoners who were alone and didn’t want to be bullied joined under the Wei clan, gradually forming not a small group.

“Take this silver, and in a few days, redeem that adopted son of yours.”

Zhou Yi took out the last two silver notes, “Since he has cultivated the mysterious Nameless Technique, do not treat him like an ox or a horse. Remember, only with sincerity can you effect lasting change.”

These words were heartfelt, enough to repay the debt of gratitude from Wei Chang!

Tears filled Wei Jun’s eyes as he respectfully accepted the silver notes and knelt to offer thanks.

“Thank you, my benefactor, for an enormous kindness the Wei clan will never forget. Should we ever become ungrateful, may heaven’s punishment befall the nine clans of the Wei family!”

…

The next day.

Zhou Yi arrived in front of Gathering Generals Platform.

Li Hong had been sitting there in meditation for an entire day and night, both for cultivation and remembrance.

“It’s time to leave.”

Zhou Yi transmitted his voice, “Find a place of Spiritual Mountain Blessed Land and go into seclusion to practice the Guiyuan Technique. Your progress will be much faster.”

“Elder, I have decided to stay here,” Li Hong said as he got up. “My father was once unchallengeable in the Northern Border, and I intend to follow in his footsteps. The first step to doing so is to restore the former prosperity of Wild City.”

Zhou Yi cautioned, “The energy of man is limited, do not neglect your cultivation!”

“Don’t worry, elder. I had some insights yesterday and have already condensed the first strand of Mana.”

Li Hong’s fingertips flickered with a spiritual light, faint but visible, a genuine flutter of Mana.

“…”

Zhou Yi was suddenly at a loss for words; Mana’s quality and rank were equivalent to the Innate True Yuan. Now Li Hong could be considered to have stepped into the Innate realm, although he was not yet fit for fighting and battling.

As they spoke,

The ground faintly trembled, and a barely discernible commotion could be heard.

Li Hong stood on the Gathering Generals Platform and looked into the distance to the north, where a noisy crowd was approaching.

“Elder, it seems that an army has come to Wild City!”

The army was moving fast, or rather, running away quickly. As they approached the city gates, it became clear that they were a few hundred to a thousand defeated soldiers.

Each one was disheveled, having discarded helmets and armor, with only half a flag remaining.

The commander bellowed, “Open the city gates! Quick, open the gates!”

The gate official asked, “What soldiers are you, and from where have you come?”

The Dutoi replied, “I am from Yizhou Wei, under General Chai’s command, Liang Ying. Half a month ago, without a declaration of war, Great Yong invaded, and over half of Yizhou has fallen. The attack on us is imminent!”

“Do not deceive me.”

The gate official reprimanded, “The thirty thousand Northern Border troops are known for their battle prowess. Five years ago, they swept through Great Yong with ease. Aren’t you just bandits or thieves trying to deceive us into opening the gates for plundering?”

“Nonsense! There’s nothing worth taking in Wild City; even bandits are too lazy to come here to loot,” Liang Ying shouted. “There are no thirty thousand troops in the Northern Border now; we cannot even muster fifteen thousand to stop Great Yong’s million-man army from pushing southward!”

Seeing that the city gates remained closed, the other soldiers became noisy and chaotic.

“Those officials from Divine Capital just drain money and soldiers’ blood…”

“Those nobles have no clue about military affairs; they have us farming, hauling, and building houses every day…”

“I heard Great Yong’s soldiers disguised as merchants easily infiltrated the northern guard post and, with internal and external collusion, took it down in just one day…”

“Hurry and open the gates, or we’ll force our way in!”

“…”

Hearing this, the gate official was frightened and quickly calmed them down, ordering the servants to report urgently to the County Government Office.

“The defeated army from the Northern Border…”

Zhou Yi muttered to himself, looking at Li Hong on the Gathering Generals Platform, feeling that their meeting was bound to cause a change.