Chapter 84: This Young Master Enters The City Of History

Chapter 84: This Young Master Enters The City Of History

The journey was smooth, for Zumulus standards at least, from there on out. They cut their way through thick walls of vines, traveled down roads fighting against the jungle's encroachment and rowed down two blessfully normal rivers. All that while fighting heat, humidity, and the odd spider that decided to crawl down Chen Haorans back, although he was pretty sure Xie Jin was responsible for that last one.

I can see why this place was so difficult to invade, Chen Haoran said as they traveled down a road so overgrown they were stepping on more roots than solid ground. Pain in the ass for us, though.

The jungles of Zumulu are always growing, Xie Jin said. The roads are hard fought to carve out and easily lost if not maintained. Its why we rely on the rivers instead for the bulk of transportation. Were just headed to Stonebridge from an awkward direction, so we couldnt take advantage of them.

Some guide you are.

Dont make me drop another spider down your robes.

I knew that was you!

Phelps at least enjoyed the jungle. Being born in the Spa Cavern with its endless steam meant he tolerated the humidity better than either of them. To be fair he also got carried everywhere. It was hard to get mad when you didn't have to move.

With Xie Jins help, Chen Haoran found various delicacies of the forest to also stuff Phelps with. Light blue fruits hidden under large leafy bushes, gourds growing in tall trees that, when opened, revealed maroon-colored nuts, bright pink flowers that had to be pulled out from underground by the vine.

Received Hundred-Fold: 200-Year-Old Blue Shadow FruitsThis chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

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Phelps responded well to some things, and Chen Haoran made a mental note to seek out more of them in the future, even if the rewards werent fantastic. Not all of them were good for Phelps; however, although Xie Jin swore they were safe, some things left the sloth feeling sick. Nothing debilitating, it would take more than an upset stomach to lay Phelps low with his cultivation, but Chen Haoran had to throw away more than a few robes because of it. Suffice it to say, when they finally arrived in Stonebridge, Chen Haoran was thoroughly miserable and filthy compared to Xie Jin and Phelps, who both looked fresh as daisies.

Finally, Chen Haoran groaned as they lined up to enter the city's gates.

That was impressive. He was no political science student, but he recognized the kind of power a ruler could wield if they could effectively project their will without error. He could see why the Empire would want to co-opt some of that reputation by taking over the Snake Kings old courthouses.

You sound like you admire him, he said.

Xie Jin sighed. I do, as do many youths.

Chen Haoran hesitated. When you say the last king

He disappeared long before the Empire decided to turn their ambitions south. None of the petty kings and warlords who came after him could claim his throne.

Why rivers and lakes, though? It seems like a strange thing for a king to associate with his authority when there's the jungle and Gu.

He who masters the Jungle is a Warrior. He who masters the Rivers and Lakes is King. Xie Jin smiled as he recited what seemed like a fond memory. The jungles are home, but it's the water where the real power is born.

Im feeling a bit lucky to be a Water Spirit root now. Seems like it's the element to be.

Xie Jin rolled his eyes and snorted. Reach Liquid Meridian Realm before you start comparing yourself to bodies of water.

Thats the plan.

Then what, pray tell, is the next step of this plan supposed to be? Ill help as I can, but theres only so much I can do now to help you get settled. I dont have that much gold after all-

Xie Jin stopped short when Chen Haoran pulled out a shining gold necklace inlaid with a ruby so red it burned like fire.

The next step is to get rich.