Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yan Liqiang’s party received special treatment upon their return this time. Besides Yan Liqiang, everyone in the party realized it too.
By nightfall on the very same day, Yan Liqiang and the others arrived at Su’an City under the cavalry’s escort and stayed the night at the best inn in the city.
The atmosphere in Su’an City was a bit tense. Although it was snowing, there were very few pedestrians on the street and many shops and restaurants were closed. However, there were many law enforcers and soldiers on patrol instead. Yan Liqiang only found out that the entire Lai Province was like this when he asked the cavalrymen who escorted them here. After the Divine Sword Sect took control of Lai Province, night curfews, as well as food and control over resources were implemented in every city within the borders. This was implemented in order to prevent the White Lotus Society from exploiting the situation by starting a rebellion and causing further chaos.
On their way back to Lai Province, Yan Liqiang and the rest had seen chaos in many places. Putting aside those who were heavily affected by the White Lotus Society, the unaffected places weren’t that peaceful either. Because of the chaos, the local wealthy households started hoarding food for self-preservation. The food prices in many places that Yan Liqiang’s party passed by could be said to change three times on the same day. The food price they saw in the morning would usually change by noon, rising steadily. At a time like this, the situation was still a bit better in the countryside since every household still kept a surplus of food. Meanwhile, a sense of crisis had set in for those living in big cities as they didn’t have much food stored at home. Everyone grew worried at the rising food prices and started buying as much as they could. However, the more they bought, the faster the prices rose. Subsequently, the wealthy households got to store more food because the rest could no longer afford much with the money on hand. Not only that, some unscrupulous merchants even exploited the situation and deliberately inflated food prices. As a result, chaos descended in many places. The citizens who couldn’t buy food began attacking the stores, causing great disorder. If White Lotus Society members were inciting violence, bloodshed or accidents could easily happen, and this could cause more disorder in the city. Yan Liqiang and the rest saw such scenes on more than one occasion along the way back.
The Great Han Empire was currently in a vulnerable state. In addition to the White Lotus Society’s uprising, ambition stirred in many hearts. Every province was thinking of a way to protect themselves as the chaos set in.
The Divine Sword Sect and its headquarters were based in Lai Province. Therefore, the sect had always heavily influenced the local powerful clans and bureaucracies. Not only that, its disciples could be found all over the province. Under such circumstances, the sect naturally didn’t have to spare much effort to declare that the Lai Provincial Governor appointed by the imperial court was on ‘administrative leave’. With the assistance of various influential clans and their disciples, the sect was swift to take control of Lai Province and restore order.
The prefectural governor of Su’an City was also replaced by a newly-appointed prefectural governor who wasn’t appointed by the imperial court. Instead, this person was a ‘locally appointed highly esteemed individual who could stabilize the situation in Su’an City’.
This ‘highly esteemed individual’ was none other than the head of the Wu Clan, the most influential clan in Su’an City. The head of the Wu Clan and his children were all disciples of the Divine Sword Sect. Likewise, the other influential clans which were in favor of the Wu Clan assuming the prefectural governor’s role in Su’an City were all closely affiliated to the Divine Sword Sect. Meanwhile, the military governor in Su’an City remained unchanged because he was originally a member of the sect.
Over the past month, bureaucrats who were previously appointed by the imperial court without good reason and were not on close terms with the Divine Sword Sect were all made into mere figureheads or declared to be on ‘administrative leave’. Within the borders of Lai Province, the Divine Sword Sect now had the final say in everything. Decrees were no longer issued by the Provincial Governor’s Office but by Divine Sword Sect’s Tiankui Peak.
Yan Liqiang couldn’t really say if such separation of a province was a good idea or not, because the Great Han Empire’s current situation had gone beyond the limits of his foresight and judgment.
After settling down in the inn, everyone could finally enjoy a hot meal. For the past few weeks, they were surviving on the minimal amount of stir-fried husked rice they carried with them.
The dinner prepared by the inn wasn’t a grand feast, but there were still some meat, fish, and hot soup. At this point in time, everyone was satisfied as long as they could have something hot to eat.
By the time they returned to their room after dinner, the servants at the inn had prepared a hot bath. Yan Liqiang took a nice bath in the wooden tub in his room and felt as though he had finally come back to life again.
After showering, he waited for a while and figured that the rest were probably about done with their business. He thought about it for a moment, then left his room to look for Wang Hui and instructed him to complete some tasks. After seeing Wang Hui thumping his own chest while telling him it was no problem, only then did he go to Yu Qing’s room and gently knock on her door.
“Who’s there…?” Yu Qing’s voice rang out from inside the room.
“It’s me!” Yan Liqiang replied softly.
Creak…! Yu Qing’s door opened and her lovely flushed face peeked out from behind. She must have just finished washing up because the soap fragrance clung to her skin and her hair was still slightly wet. Despite not wearing any makeup, her face was akin to a delicate flower glistening with fresh water. Her natural beauty was enough to seckill all those so-called celebrities wearing thick makeup in Yan Liqiang’s previous life. At this moment, her vibrant youthfulness was undoubtedly unleashed. If it wasn’t for her beauty, she wouldn’t have been assaulted by the group of thugs back in Jinling City. During their journey, Yu Qing had to put on a male disguise in the end so that she could blend into the party and avoid troubles.
When Yan Liqiang’s gaze landed on Yu Qing’s face, it naturally traveled downward. His heart couldn’t help but sway a little when he saw the mounds in front of her chest.
“Young Lord… How may I help you?” Yu Qing’s cheeks were tinted red. She had her head slightly lowered as she asked softly.
“Ahem, ahem…” Yan Liqiang coughed twice shyly and averted his gaze. “I’m just want to inform you that we’ll be returning to the sect tomorrow. Due to the strict sect rules, I’m afraid that outsiders will not be permitted in the sect…”
The moment those words left Yan Liqiang’s mouth, Yu Qing’s flushed cheeks were immediately drained of color. Her body tottered as her eyes turned moist, but she tried to fight back her tears. Yu Qing clenched her teeth and forced a smile at Yan Liqiang. “I… I understand. Don’t worry, I will leave tomorrow, Young Lord. I will take care of myself and make sure I won’t cause any more trouble for you. Thank you for taking care of me throughout our journey from Jinling until here. If I cannot repay you in this life, I, Yu Qing, will be sure to repay your kindness and grace in the next life!”
Yu Qing was about to get on her knees before Yan Liqiang.
Yan Liqiang quickly grabbed her arms and lifted her up without thinking. “You misunderstood me. Don’t make it sound so sad, it’s not like we won’t meet again. I only said I can’t bring you back to the sect. I didn’t say we weren’t going to see each other again. You’re a lady, so it’s not safe for you to be in an unfamiliar place. I just had a discussion with Wang Hui — we’ll split up tomorrow, and he’ll find you a place in the town outside the Divine Sword Sect’s mountain gate to stay for the time being. I’ll return to the sect first to report back on the mission. After that, I’ll come back for you. Hopefully, I’ll be able to either get you into the Divine Sword Sect as an external disciple or find you a job in this town!”
“Alright…”
Looking at the glow that had returned to Yu Qing’s face, and the way her head was still lowered while she was looking at his hand that was holding onto her arms, Yan Liqiang finally reacted. His action was probably a little too intimate for the ladies of this world, so he quickly retracted his hands. “The journey has been exhausting, you should rest earlier…”
“You too, Yong Lord!”
“Will do!”
Yan Liqiang made his way back to his room. Yu Qing stared at his disappearing silhouette in a daze with her adorable pink cheeks, before she finally bit her lips and shut her door.
…
Yan Liqiang and the others from the escort agency were quite tired. Hence, everyone hit the sack early and the night passed by uneventfully.
While resting, Yan Liqiang could finally breathe out a sigh of relief upon ending his day in the Heavenly Realm. He returned to reality and spent the entire day cultivating in Deer Villa. At nighttime, he went back to the Heavenly Realm and resumed his journey…
……
Early the next morning, the cavalry which escorted them yesterday arrived after everyone was done with breakfast. Yan Liqiang’s party was escorted back to the Divine Sword Sect. After traveling the entire morning away, the mountain gate of Divine Sword Sect appeared before Yan Liqiang’s eyes before it was noon…
