Chapter 77: This Young Master Witnesses A Difference In Opinion

Chapter 77: This Young Master Witnesses A Difference In Opinion

Xie Jin made good on his word of not staying long in the city. They detoured only for a moment to purchase supplies, a terse affair with price-gouging vultures where they leaned more on their superior cultivation to get a good deal than any real haggling skill. Chen Haoran noted how quickly the price rose when it was Xie Jin doing the purchasing versus when he did. Xie Jin handled it with aplomb but it was an exhausting effort all the same and they hadnt even hit the road yet.

It did allow him to get a better look at the city and its people however. They kept their business to the lowest tier where most of the public markets were pressed up against the docks. It was the city's largest area by far in terms of size and population, hosting the majority of the working-class citizens. It was also the only area of the city to not be directly carved into the mesa and its buildings reflected that with their patchwork materials. Wood and grey stone constructions lined bluestone slab streets that rose in quality and switched over to white brick the closer they were to the walls of the second tier.

Higher up in the city were the people of means and valued professions. Each ascending height having stricter requirements on cultivation and wealth than the last before one could be allowed to live there. Those were where the cultivators of White Ridge lived and was where the choicest resources percolated up. Had they the time Chen Haoran would have liked to go see for himself the resources of the second-best city in the Empire had to offer.

Unfortunately wisdom, and Xie Jins impatience, prevailed and they sped out White Ridges singular land-facing gate and onto another of the Empires meticulously maintained flagstone roads.

Xie Jin looked visibly relieved once they were out from the shadows of the giant stone fingers that loomed over White Ridge, and Chen Haoran finally had the heart to ask him his most burning question.

Who is the Mountain General?

Xie Jin looked like he just chewed a lemon. Fortunately he still answered. The Grand Marshal of the Empire. Well former marshal. He was the highest military commander and the second strongest after the Sunset Emperor himself.

That answered the first. Now for his second most burning question.

Are those his actual fingers?

Xie Jin stumbled on the smooth stones of the road and looked at Chen Haoran with a mixture of stunned disbelief and exasperation. No, he slowly said. Theyre not his actual fingers. Why would you even think that?

Chen Haoran threw up his arms. Youre the one who said it was his hand. How was I supposed to know you werent serious? Its not like Ive ever seen a Star Core realm before.

Just because theyre a higher realm doesnt mean theyre not human.

Chen Haoran would beg to differ on that by virtue of the giant hand they just walked through. Not to mention his own experience seeing the White Tyrant split clouds for miles with a single sword. For a brief second, he felt his sword tremble, but when he touched the scabbard, there was no change in it.

Is there a problem? Xie Jin asked, sweeping his eyes across the open fields surrounding them.

Just thinking. Chen Haoran put the phantom sensations out of his mind. Could you tell me why you were so bothered in White Ridge? Was it because of the Mountain General?

Who could be calm when standing under the shadow of the conqueror of your people?

That made sense. Chen Haoran couldnt imagine the feeling, his homeland was the one that tended to do the conquering, but with such an overwhelming reminder, it was no wonder Xie Jin was uncomfortable.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

How long ago did this happen? If you dont mind me asking?

Four hundred years ago.

It was Chen Haorans turn to trip over nothing.

Any news from White Ridge? the leader asked.

Xie Jin shook his head. The generals grip is still the same. We didnt stay long enough to learn anything. He took one of the legs of pheasant and offered it to the leader. How goes things in Reservoir Town?

The Pacification Commissioner released new bounties for bandits but business hasnt been affected much. The leader took the drumstick with a smile. How did you know we were from Reservoir Town? Youre from the Basin arent you?

Xie Jin snorted. I can smell the peach blossoms.

Chen Haoran looked on in confusion. He didnt smell any peach blossoms, the Seventh-Layer seemed to understand what Xie Jin meant however. He turned to Chen Haoran.

Are you two traveling together, young master?

My brother here has praised Zumulu so much that I had to come see it myself, Chen Haoran said.

The Seventh-Layer did a double take before laughing loudly. Then by all means please accept another drink from me as a welcome to our home!

Xie Jin laughed with him and under their pressure, Chen Haoran found himself finishing half the leader's bottle. It wasnt anything that could get him drunk, but the sudden cheer caught him off guard.

Zumulu is beautiful, the leader said. Our women, even more so, when you get to Reservoir Tow-

Reservoir Town is no place to introduce my brother to Zumulu, Xie Jin forcefully interrupted, his good cheer gone.

There was an awkward silence.

The Seventh-Layer was taken aback and looked at Xie Jin unkindly. My apologies. He stood up and clasped his hands. Ill take my leave now. Safe journeys. Then he turned and walked back to his group, leaving the wine bottle behind.

Xie Jin, what was that? Chen Haoran demanded.

A difference of opinion.

Are you serious?

Xie Jin sighed. I want to show you my homeland properly. You wont be able to see it going along the Empires damned road.

Doesnt this road lead directly south?

Thats the Empires way, not my people's way. Xie Jin reached over and picked up the bottle the man left behind, downing the rest of it in one go.

Ill die before I let Brother Chen enter any way but the Snake's Mouth.