Chapter 888
The Most Elite
“Sir, thirty copies have been made.” Guo Shouzhen placed the lacquer box on the table. “Distribute one copy to each of the major ward owners, street chiefs, and school teachers in the city.”
Zheng Yi nodded, gesturing for them to sit down.
Master Kulian was the last to enter.
The old man wore a thick, grey-blue Taoist robe, the half-withered lotus embroidered on the cuff now a deeper color, damp from the snow. He held a celadon teacup in his hand, the hot tea still steaming within. He sighed as soon as he entered:
"The snow was falling heavily outside, and the snow in that narrow alley in the east of the city was already above ankle level. I took some people to sweep it up, and thankfully the children didn't slip and fall."
Zheng Yi looked up: "Is the roof of that Wang family at the end of the alley leaking snow?"
Master Kulian was taken aback, then burst into laughter:
“Sir, you even remember this? I’ve already had someone cover it with an oilcloth and sent over two new cotton quilts. Mrs. Wang cried for half the night while hugging the quilts, saying it was the first time in her life she’d ever had such a thick quilt.”
The hall was quiet for a moment.
Zheng Yi tapped the table:
"Everyone's here, let's begin."
Guo Shouzhen was the first to speak, pushing the lacquer box to the center of the table:
"Sir, we carefully reviewed the third draft of the 'New Laws of Prosperity' last night. The core articles are the most severe: cultivators who injure mortals will have their arms severed or their dantian destroyed and be exiled. Other articles, such as 'cultivators are not allowed to forcibly buy mortals' land,' 'the rental of cave dwellings must be clearly priced,' and 'mortals' children can study in city schools for free'... are all practical."
Zhao Sanhuai continued, his voice rough and hoarse:
"What I admire most is this rule: 'When a cultivator and a mortal are in conflict, the cultivator must not use magic first.' In the past, those rogue cultivators from outside would often brandish magic weapons to scare people. Now that this rule is in place, anyone who dares to make a move will have to cripple themselves first."
Lady Bixiao sat on the left, her voice clear and melodious:
"There's also the rule that 'ordinary people can report cultivators for bullying them to the city lord's mansion under their real names. Once verified, the reporter will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver, and the cultivator will have all their property confiscated.' This rule... will make ordinary people dare to look cultivators in the eye."
Iron-Armed Marquis slammed his fist on the table:
"I want to see if those snobbish cultivators will still dare to use their flying swords to steal eggs in the market!"
A low chuckle rippled through the hall.
After Zheng Yi and the others stopped laughing, he slowly spoke:
"The law is set; the next step is to implement it."
He looked at Guo Shouzhen:
"From the city guard, fifty elite soldiers of mortal origin were selected to form a separate 'Law Patrol Division'. They are only responsible for cases reported by mortals. If cultivators are involved, all cases must be reported to the city lord's mansion and cannot be settled privately."
Guo Shouzhen clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes."
Zheng Yi then looked at the withered lotus immortal:
"Senior, can we use that vacant lot in the east of the city—the site of the original Li family business after it burned down?"
The withered lotus master stroked his beard:
“It can be used. The land deed is still in my hands. It’s a document left behind when the Li family forcibly occupied the land. I found it in their warehouse later. The land is three and a half acres, next to the irrigation canal in the east of the city. It’s high up and won’t be affected by flooding.”
Zheng Yi nodded:
"Construction will begin tomorrow. Dormitories will be built."
Everyone was taken aback.
Zhao Sanhuai was the first to react:
"Sir, you mean... a house for mortals?"
Zheng Yi hummed in agreement, pulled a sketch from his sleeve, and spread it out on the table.
The sketch was drawn with charcoal pencils; the lines are simple yet extremely clear.
The building is ten stories high. The ground floor is spacious and used as shops and a communal kitchen. The second to ninth floors are residential floors, with twenty households on each floor, each household having one bedroom, one kitchen and one bathroom. The top floor has a communal drying platform and a water tower. The water tower is marked "Rain Gathering Array", and the ground floor is marked "Solid-Bearing Array + Foundation Stabilizing Talisman".
Next to the picture is a line of smaller text:
"Each floor's exterior walls are inlaid with blue steel frames and internally embedded with thermal array patterns, ensuring warmth in winter and coolness in summer. The rent is one tael of silver per month, with a maximum lease term of ten years."
The hall was so quiet that you could hear the soft crackling of the firewood in the charcoal brazier.
Iron-Armed Marquis glared with his one eye wide open:
"Ten...ten stories? Sir, can this building hold up?"
Zheng Yi pointed to several marks on the map:
"The bottom floor is supported by twelve black iron piles, which are driven three zhang deep into the earth's veins. The outer walls are made of cast steel and have a 'thousand-pound earth-solidifying array' embedded inside. Every three floors, there is a 'force-dissipating array' that can disperse 70% of the force in the event of an earthquake or external impact. The entire building uses 'layered load-bearing talismans'. Even if mortals live in the ten-story building, it will be stable."
The eyes of the withered lotus master lit up:
"I understand! This is no ordinary building, but a magic array building! Using a cultivator's array to build a house for a mortal... This is truly eye-opening, sir."
Lady Bixiao said softly:
"The rent is one tael of silver... For ordinary families in the east of the city, the monthly income is only two or three taels. They can afford to live here and it's warm enough. This will allow so many people to sleep soundly."
Zheng Yi looked at everyone:
"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), construction will begin on the open space in the east of the city. Each of the twelve seniors will lead three disciples to be responsible for inscribing the array. The Guo family will provide craftsmen and steelworkers, while Zhao Sanhuai will lead a team to guard the construction site."
Everyone responded in unison.
Zheng Yi paused, then added:
"Tell the craftsmen and array masters that their wages will be doubled. Ordinary people who participate in the construction will receive an extra half tael of silver per day."
Zhao Sanhuai grinned:
"Sir, are you trying to turn all the idle men in the city into workers?"
Zheng Yi nodded:
"If they're idle, they'll go astray. Only when they have something to do, money to earn, and a place to live can this city truly be considered stable."
Suddenly, the sound of a little girl crying came from outside the hall.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was very shrill.
Zheng Yi got up and pushed open the side door.
In the courtyard, a little girl of seven or eight years old was squatting in the snow, crying, clutching a broken clay figure in her arms—the very same one he had seen in the alley a few days ago. The paper crown on the clay figure's head was askew, and the sword was broken in half.
The little girl cried even harder when she saw Zheng Yi:
"Sir...my beloved...is broken..."
Zheng Yi walked over and squatted down.
Snowflakes landed on his hair, quickly turning into water droplets that slid down his temples.
He picked up the clay figure, which had broken into three pieces, and gently ran his fingertip through it.
Golden threads seeped from his fingertips, like needle and thread, stitching the three pieces of clay back together.
The clay figure is complete again.
However, the wooden stick sword had a thin golden mark at the break, as if it had been reforged by sword energy.
Zheng Yi handed the clay figure back:
"It's not broken."
"Only the sword is broken."
"It can fight again in the future."
The little girl stopped crying and smiled, hugging the clay figure and nodding vigorously.
"I'll keep it safe! When I grow up, I'll make an even bigger one for you!"
Zheng Yi patted her head:
"it is good."
"Wait until you grow up, sir."
The little girl ran away, clutching the clay figure.
The snow is still falling.
It landed on Zheng Yi's shoulder.
He didn't brush it away.
He simply looked up and gazed at the city wall under construction in the distance.
Looking towards the dye house that was emitting smoke.
I looked at the breakfast stalls in the alley that were gradually becoming lively.
Looking at this city... which is gradually warming up.
He spoke in a low voice, as if addressing someone, yet also as if speaking only to himself:
Take your time.
"Things will always...get better."
Half a month later, Hongyun City had been washed clean by the light snow of early winter. The new blue bricks on the city wall were a deeper color from the snowmelt, and every ten steps atop the wall was an iron spear, its tip adorned with tiny icicles that reflected a cold glint in the afternoon sun. Icicles hung from the eaves of the houses on both sides of the main street, like rows of transparent short swords, clanging and clattering in the wind with a crisp yet chilling sound. At the corner stall selling roasted chestnuts, the charcoal fire burned brightly, and the chestnuts in the iron pot crackled and popped as they tumbled, their sweet aroma mixed with the scent of caramel filling the air, making the passing children's steps falter.
When Zheng Yi emerged from the back gate of the city lord's mansion, he was only wearing a dark fox fur coat, the white fur trim at the collar trembling slightly in the wind. He wasn't wearing a straw hat, and a few strands of his hair were lifted by the wind, revealing the sword scar on his forehead that hadn't completely faded. The thin golden line on the web of his right hand had mostly disappeared, leaving only a very faint mark, like an old scar burned by sword energy. Shen Changyuan followed three steps behind him, wearing a gray cloak over his white robe, the hem of which trailed on the snow, leaving a shallow mark. His voice carried its usual languidness, yet couldn't hide a trace of concern:
"Your injuries haven't fully healed, and you're already thinking about the secret realm?"
Zheng Yi didn't stop walking, his voice calm:
"Four hundred miles upstream of the Blackwater River lies Broken Sword Valley on the southern slope of the Azure Cloud Mountains. Three days ago, a rogue cultivator passed by and said he saw a purple-gold glow shooting into the sky from the bottom of the valley, which lasted all night. The next day, thirty or forty forces gathered at the valley entrance, mostly small and medium-sized sects and families, as well as several black market mercenary groups."
Shen Changyuan chuckled:
"Sounds like a no-man's land. You're going alone?"
Zheng Yi finally stopped and turned to look at him:
“Take twenty men. Choose six of the twelve seniors who are fast. Zhao Sanhuai will lead ten swordsmen, and Guo Tianyou will be in charge of logistics and support.”
Shen Changyuan raised an eyebrow:
"Is that all the people you have? Aren't you afraid of being surrounded?"
Zheng Yi's gaze swept towards the city wall, where several squads of city guards were practicing with spears, their battle cries ringing out in a clear and deep voice.
"Too many people will only create chaos. The entrance to the secret realm is narrow, and no one will benefit from a fight. I'm going to see if we can negotiate."
"Talk?" Shen Changyuan scoffed. "Cultivators get greedy when they see benefits. What do you have to talk about?"
Zheng Yi did not answer immediately.
He simply turned around and continued walking forward.
A string of shallow footprints was left in the snow.
Shen Changyuan followed, his voice lowered:
"At least take me with you."
Zheng Yi paused and turned to look at him.
Shen Changyuan shrugged:
"I'm just idling around anyway. With my half-step Tribulation Transcending cultivation, I can at least keep things under control for you."
Zheng Yi remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded:
"Alright. But senior, you should only stay on the periphery and not make a move unless absolutely necessary."
Shen Changyuan snorted and said nothing more.
The two walked one after the other through the ginkgo grove in the backyard.
The snow under the trees had been cleared away, leaving only a few withered yellow ginkgo leaves spinning in the wind, as if chasing something.
Council Hall of the City Lord's Mansion.
The charcoal brazier burned fiercely, its light reflecting off the twelve vermilion pillars, making the cloud patterns carved on the pillars seem to come alive. A map of the upper reaches of the Blackwater River was laid out on the long table, its edges weighed down by a paperweight made of black iron, which kept the map perfectly flat.
Zhao Sanhuai was the first to arrive. His broken leg was now able to walk normally, though it would still tremble slightly when he walked quickly. As soon as he entered, he slammed the short knife at his waist onto the table, his voice hoarse:
"My lord, I have already selected the men I brought. Ten of them are orphans who escaped from the Zhao family back then. They are fast with their swords, ruthless, and willing to risk their lives in critical moments."
Zheng Yi nodded and pointed to the location of Broken Sword Valley on the map:
"The valley entrance is narrow, allowing only three people to walk side by side at most. Once inside, the terrain is complex, with mist, poisonous miasma, and possibly natural formations. Your mission is not to fight for treasure, but to protect me."
Zhao Sanhuai grinned:
"Understood. Anyone who dares to mess with Mr. [Name], I'll be the first to chop him up."
Guo Tianyou was the second to enter, followed by two young cultivators carrying large bundles filled with dried rations, medicine, tinderboxes, and luminous pearls. He placed the bundles on the corner of the table, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said:
"Sir, the logistics are ready. Seven days' worth of compressed rations, three hundred specially made rockets, two hundred bottles of antidote pills, and ten 'wind-stabilizing beads' borrowed from the cave area, which can help you stay still in the fog."
Zheng Yi looked at the two young cultivators:
What are your names?
The dark-skinned young man on the left spoke first:
"Sir, my name is Shi Niu."
The tall, thin young man on the right had a clear voice:
"My name is Liu Qing."
Zheng Yi nodded:
"This journey is dangerous. If you do not wish to go, you can still turn back now."
The stone ox scratched its head and chuckled:
“Sir, you’re joking. My family has lived in Hongyun City for three generations. If the city falls, we will fall with it. You saved the whole city, sir. My life, Shi Niu, has long been yours.”
Liu Qing's voice was even more resolute:
"My father was pierced by a sword from a Li family cultivator on the city wall years ago. It was you, sir, who personally collected his body. I don't want the treasure; I only ask to protect you, sir."
Zheng Yi looked at them.
a long time.
He nodded:
"Okay. Keep up."
The twelve cave dwelling cultivators arrived one after another.
Master Kulian, Lady Bixiao, Marquis Tiebi, Old Man Guiying... they didn't bring many magical treasures, only handy weapons and a few bottles of life-saving pills.
Master Kulian placed a small celadon bottle on the table:
"These are my newly refined 'Cleansing Jade Dew Pills,' six in total. They can be used when bewitching the mind or when evil spirits invade the soul."
Lady Bixiao placed her short flute on the corner of the table:
"If we encounter a sonic attack formation, I can lend a hand."
Iron-Armed Marquis slammed his black iron warhammer into the ground, causing the floor to tremble slightly.
"I don't care about any formations, I'll just smash it with my hammer!"
Ghost Shadow Old Man sneered:
"I will scout ahead. Anyone who dares to plot against you, sir, I will make sure they die without a sound."
Zheng Yi listened to everyone's conversation, but his gaze remained fixed on the map.
The location of Broken Sword Valley was circled in red with cinnabar.
Next to the red circle, he wrote a line of small print by hand:
"Be stable when entering the valley, and don't compete for opportunities."
He looked up at the crowd:
"The primary objective of this trip is to ascertain the truth of the secret realm."
"Not for the sake of treasure, but simply to... give Hongyun City another way to survive."
Everyone responded in unison.
Zheng Yi finally looked at Shen Changyuan:
"Senior, I'm entrusting the city to you."
Shen Changyuan stood with his hands behind his back, his white robe gleaming faintly in the glow of the charcoal fire.
"Go."
"I will guard it."
"Anyone who dares to take advantage of the chaos, I'll show them what the wrath of a half-step Tribulation Transcending Realm is like."
Zheng Yi clasped his hands in a fist salute.
He turned and went out.
The snow fell even heavier.
Snowflakes landed on the top of his hair.
It instantly turned into water droplets.
It slid down along her temples.
The team assembled at the North Gate.
Twenty-three people.
not much.
But they were all the most elite.
Zhao Sanhuai led the way, the swordsmen wearing gray-black cloaks, their short swords gleaming coldly in the snow.
The twelve cultivators stood in the center, their auras intertwined, forming an invisible wall.
Guo Tianyou led two young men at the back, carrying large packages filled with supplies.
Zheng Yi walked in the middle of the group.
He wore a greyish-blue cloth shirt with a fox fur coat over it, and his right hand rested on the hilt of a sword.
Snowflakes landed on his shoulder. (End of Chapter)