Chapter 639
The Forbidden City is a Hidden Gem
Having resolved this pointless provocation, Jiang Xuan remained completely unmoved.
He knew that this was just the first wave of probing from the four collateral branches, their purpose being nothing more than to find out his true strength and capabilities as this suddenly appearing "young master".
Sending Lin Yingzhen, a "top performer" at the Heavenly Gang Realm, not only showed the importance attached to him, but also revealed a condescending contempt—they felt that a Heavenly Gang Realm expert was enough to deal with him, a "lucky" young man who had returned from outside.
Unfortunately, they miscalculated.
Jiang Xuan responded to this test in the most direct, domineering, and humiliating way. He not only severely injured Lin Yingzhen with a single blow, but also used the almost insulting method of stripping and ransacking her to declare to all the Lin family members who coveted Xixin Peak or had doubts about him.
Jiang Xuan is not someone to be trifled with, much less someone to be manipulated at will. Anyone who tries to test him will have to pay the price.
Ignoring the commotion behind him, Jiang Xuan walked along the wide and clean streets and truly entered the Forbidden City in the early morning.
Last night, he rode in the Obsidian Sanctuary's palanquin and entered Xinxin Peak directly through a special passage, without having a chance to carefully observe this renowned imperial capital. Now, strolling alone, he truly felt the grandeur and extraordinary nature of this city.
The street beneath our feet was extremely wide, enough to accommodate ten carriages side by side. The ground was paved with a kind of solid and wear-resistant "black stone" that had a faint bluish sheen and was kept spotless.
The streets are lined with buildings of all styles, each exuding refinement and grandeur. Shop signs gleam in the morning light, and enticing aromas waft from restaurants and teahouses. The number of pedestrians and vehicles gradually increases, yet the order is impeccable, with no sign of chaos.
To Jiang Xuan's slight surprise, eight or nine out of ten passersby on the street carried varying degrees of spiritual energy fluctuations, and most of them were actually cultivators!
Cultivators at the True Martial Realm, Human Gang Realm, and Earth Gang Realm are everywhere, and there are quite a few at the Heaven Gang Realm as well. Occasionally, one can even sense the obscure yet powerful aura of a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator. On the other hand, ordinary people are few in number, and most of them are in a hurry, engaged in some low-level service jobs.
"As expected of the heart of the empire, the density of cultivators here far exceeds that of other places."
Jiang Xuan thought to himself. Here, cultivation seemed to have become a kind of "standard requirement." Without cultivation, it would be difficult to move an inch.
Rumble...
A deep rumble came from the middle of the street.
Jiang Xuan turned his head and saw several uniquely shaped "spirit pattern shuttles" that were shimmering with spirit patterns, driven by spirit stones, and without horses or animals but moving at great speed, speeding by and stirring up a slight airflow.
This type of transportation is extremely rare in places like Yanxia City, but it seems quite common here.
Looking up at the sky, although one or two black dots could occasionally be seen flying quickly at extremely high altitudes, most areas, including those between the floating "mountains of powerful clans," were off-limits to unrestricted flight.
This is the rule of the Forbidden City. Even experts at the Spirit Sea Realm must walk or ride in carriages in the main areas of the city to maintain order and uphold the law of the empire. Only those at the higher "Cave Heaven Realm" might have certain privileges, but such beings are rarely seen on ordinary days.
On the streets, besides the usual imperial monks, one could also see some foreigners in strange attire. Among them were monks from the Kingdom of Baoxiang, wearing bright yellow robes, with ordination scars on their heads, holding prayer beads, and exuding a peaceful aura.
There were Yunlan Kingdom warriors dressed in tight-fitting samurai outfits, carrying two swords of different lengths at their waists, with sharp eyes; and even dark-skinned, strangely totem-covered, arrogant-looking shamanic envoys from the Dark Court... They walked alone or in groups of three or five, and did not seem particularly out of place on the street.
Jiang Xuan asked an old cultivator who was selling breakfast at a roadside stall.
The old monk glanced at him, probably finding him unfamiliar, and then explained.
"Young man, you're new to the capital, aren't you? Those are all members of foreign missions stationed in the empire, or cultivators here for business or travel. As long as they abide by the imperial laws and don't cause trouble, they are allowed to live and move around in the Forbidden City. Our empire is a celestial nation, embracing all rivers!"
Jiang Xuan nodded his thanks, his impression of the Forbidden City deepening once again.
This place is not only the center of power, but also a grand stage where the forces of the entire empire and even the surrounding regions converge and clash. It is a melting pot of all sorts of people, a place where hidden talents abound.
He continued onward, passing through several bustling streets, where he saw various large shops selling cultivation resources, magical artifacts, elixirs, and talismans. He sensed the spiritual energy in the air, which was far richer and purer than outside, and also saw the city guards patrolling by, clad in standard spiritual armor and exuding a powerful aura…
Prosperous, bustling, orderly, yet turbulent beneath the surface. Powerful figures abound, and influence is deeply entrenched.
This is the Forbidden City, the place where he is about to "turn the world upside down".
Standing on the bustling street, feeling the immense vitality and unfathomable depth of this ancient metropolis, Jiang Xuan took a deep breath. The confusion and heaviness in his eyes had long been replaced by determination and composure.
The road ahead is long, and the enemy is numerous. But since we've come this far, there's no turning back.
He discerned the direction and, heading towards the approximate area where "Lingjiu Residence" in the western city was located, stepped into the vast sea of people.
Jiang Xuan strolled around the bustling streets of the Forbidden City for about half an hour, familiarizing himself with the surroundings while secretly inquiring about information about "Lingjiu Residence".
This capital city is so big, with complex regional divisions, that in many places, simply asking for directions is not enough.
He visited several teahouses and taverns that seemed to have good connections, spent some spare change, and finally got a fairly accurate address from a local errand boy who had been running errands for years—Lingjiuju was located in the "Qingshifang" area in the northwest of the Forbidden City.
That area was a commoner's neighborhood. Although it wasn't as prosperous as the central area, it was still a diverse and vibrant place with a strong sense of everyday life.
After finding out the specific street and alley, Jiang Xuan stopped an ordinary carriage waiting for passengers on the street.
This precious carriage was pulled by a sturdy and docile "armored rhinoceros." The carriage was simple and the speed was average. It was a common means of transportation for commoners and low-level cultivators.
"Go to Qing Shi Fang, Ling Jiu Ju."
Jiang Xuan got into the car.
The driver, a dark-skinned middle-aged man, quoted a price upon hearing this.
"Sir, Qing Shi Fang is not close. You'll need one gold coin."
One gold coin? Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow. In Yanxia City and even smaller cities, one gold coin was enough to hire seven or eight such precious carriages to run for a whole day.
Prices in the Forbidden City are indeed shockingly high. No wonder people say that without sufficient wealth and resources, it's difficult to establish oneself here; daily expenses alone are a considerable sum.
Without haggling, he tossed over a gleaming gold coin. The driver caught it, a smile spreading across his face. With a shout, he spurred the armored rhinoceros, and the precious carriage swayed and wobbled towards the northwest.
Wandering through the crisscrossing streets, watching the cityscape and crowds rushing past the window, Jiang Xuan gained a more direct understanding of the Forbidden City's vastness and distinct social hierarchy. The further northwest he went, the less ornate the architecture became, and the narrower the streets, but they remained bustling with activity.
Restaurants, inns, general stores, small shops, and even brothels with suggestive lanterns hanging everywhere—it was all there, full of the hustle and bustle of the city.
About half an hour later, the carriage stopped at the entrance of a slightly old alley. "Sir, the alley ahead is narrow and the carriage can't go any further. The Lingjiu Residence you mentioned is inside the alley. Walk about a hundred steps and you'll see the sign on your right."
The driver pointed ahead and said.
Jiang Xuan paid the fare, got off, and walked into the alley. The alley wasn't long, and it was somewhat crowded with low-rise houses and small shops on both sides. The air was filled with the mixed smells of food, herbs, and cheap cosmetics.
After walking about a hundred steps, sure enough, on the right, I saw an inconspicuous two-story building. The building was gray and had a wooden structure, looking quite old. Above the door hung a black sign with gold lettering, which read "Lingjiu Residence" in ancient script. The characters were vigorous and exuded a refined charm.
However, the sign, like the entire building, was covered with a thin layer of dust, making it look somewhat forlorn.
The storefront of the small building was not large, and the door was half-closed at the moment. The light inside was dim, and a few tables and chairs could be vaguely seen. There were only about ten customers, and business was quite slow.
Jiang Xuan stood in front of the door, looked up at the sign, and was slightly surprised. Was this the "friend" that Chief Instructor Xu Sanqi had mentioned?
Lingjiu Residence looked like one of the countless ordinary restaurants in the Forbidden City, far removed from the mysterious stronghold or hermitage of masters that he had imagined.
But he immediately suppressed this slight disdain. Someone like Xu Sanqi, who specifically instructed him to seek help here, must have a deeper meaning. True masters often hide in the ordinary amidst the bustling city. Perhaps, this Lingjiu Residence, like its signboard, holds a secret within.
Composing himself, Jiang Xuan took a step forward, preparing to enter Lingjiu Residence.
Just then—
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a series of rapid, muffled hoofbeats, like thunder, echoed from the distant street corner, causing the ground to tremble slightly! This was followed by harsh shouts, the cracking of whips, and screams of panic from pedestrians!
A group of about twenty riders came charging from the other end of the alley! These were no ordinary horses.
Instead, it was a type of demonic beast called the "Rhinoceros-Horned Wolf," with a single horn on its head, its entire body covered in scales, and its eyes gleaming with ferocity. It was extremely fierce and fast. Riding on the back of the Rhinoceros-Horned Wolf were a group of cultivators dressed in uniform black outfits, with imposing expressions.
They paid no heed to the pedestrians on the street, and the leaders brandished long, black whips, lashing them out at the crowd blocking their way while cursing.
"Get out of the way! All of you get out of the way! Don't block the way!"
"Get out of the way if you don't want to die!"
"Giddy up! Quickly!"
"Crack! Crack!"
"what--!"
"my leg!"
The sound of the whip striking flesh was crisp and piercing, accompanied by screams of agony. Some slow-reacting pedestrians were struck by the whip, their skin torn open, and they rolled to the side screaming.
An old man carrying a load was unable to dodge in time and was hit head-on by the charging rhinoceros wolf. He and his load were sent flying several feet away, and he fell to the ground, his life hanging in the balance.
Arrogant! Overbearing! Treating human life like dirt!
The streets were in chaos, with pedestrians scattering in fear as if they had encountered a plague.
Jiang Xuan frowned, standing still as the group of thugs charged closer.
He noticed that behind the group of rhinoceros-horned wolf riders, there was an even more magnificent bronze chariot. The chariot was pulled by four even more divine and swift "black dragon-scaled horses," whose bodies were covered with black scales, whose heads resembled dragons, and whose hooves emitted flames. The chariot was carved with ferocious animal patterns, exuding a chilling and fierce aura.
It was clear that the group of fierce riders was about to rush into the relatively narrow alley in front of Lingjiu Residence.
"Waaah—! Mother! Mother, where are you?!"
A little boy, about four or five years old, who was standing frozen in the middle of the road, suddenly burst into tears.
He was clearly stunned by the sudden and terrifying scene, forgetting to run away, and just cried out helplessly, his small body trembling in front of the huge rhinoceros wolf.
The rider at the very front was a fierce-looking man with a scar on his face.
When he saw the little boy blocking his way, instead of slowing down, a cruel sneer flashed in his eyes. He raised his black whip high, infused it with spiritual power, and with a piercing shriek, he was about to lash it down on the little boy's head!
If this whip were to strike solidly, with its power and the spiritual energy attached to it, it would be enough to smash the little boy's head like a watermelon!
A close call!
Jiang Xuan's eyes turned cold, and he moved abruptly! Like an arrow released from a bow, he vanished from his spot in an instant and appeared next to the little boy! He scooped up the terrified boy and held him in his arms, while simultaneously shifting his feet swiftly and narrowly to the side of the road!
"Snapped!"
The long, black whip lashed down hard across Jiang Xuan's back! Despite Jiang Xuan's best efforts to dodge, the tip of the whip still struck his back!
"Sizzle—!"
Jiang Xuan's ordinary blue cloth shirt ripped open with a snap, and a bloody whip mark stretched diagonally from his shoulder blade to his waist, the flesh torn open, and a searing pain instantly shot through him! Fresh blood quickly soaked through the tattered clothes.
Fortunately, the little boy in his arms was not injured, except for being frightened and crying loudly.
The scarred rider's whip missed its mark, only striking Jiang Xuan. He reined in his mount, and the rhinoceros-horned werewolf reared up, letting out a furious howl.
He glanced at Jiang Xuan, who was holding the child and had retreated to the side of the road. His gaze lingered on the bloodstain for a moment, and a disdainful smile curled at the corner of his mouth, as if he had only swatted a fly in the way.
He didn't even bother to look a second time, let alone apologize or ask any questions. He simply cracked his whip impatiently, urging his mount forward with the main group.
"Boom!"
The fierce cavalry, billowing with dust, came to an abrupt halt in front of Lingjiu Residence.
The bronze chariot, pulled by four black dragon-scaled horses, came to a steady stop in front of the gate.
The carriage door opened, and a young man wearing a scarlet cloak and black armor strode out.
The young man was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he had strong features, with sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples, a high nose bridge, and thin, tightly pursed lips.
His eyes were cold and stern, exuding an aura of battle-hardened iron will and brutality. Standing there, he was like a bloodstained battle blade drawn from its sheath, sharp and menacing, radiating a heavy killing intent. His cultivation level was clearly at the Spirit Sea Realm! Moreover, he was definitely not a novice in this realm; his spiritual power was solidified and faintly carried the scent of blood. (End of Chapter)