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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 19 (46): [A Visitor from Changlin]
(19th of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi stood straight at the prow of the ship, gazing at Jiu Li City in the distance. The city walls were black and towering, and dozens of observation towers, several times taller than the walls, stood on the vast plains outside the city. Soldiers in armor, riding flying beasts, periodically soared from the towers and vanished into the clouds.
Along the banks of the river below, various cave dwellings and grand mansions clustered together for dozens of miles, forming Jiu Li City's suburbs, where the population rivaled that within the city walls.
The Shui River split into four tributaries here, flowing into the city through the Cang Li Gate, Chi Li Gate, Mo Li Gate, and Qing Li Gate. A twelve-zhang-wide moat had also been dug, drawing river water to encircle and defend the city.
The moat, the city walls, the observation towers, and even the entire main city of Jiu Li were shrouded in layers of gauzy lights, like a veil.
These light veils varied in depth and shimmered like the aurora borealis and australis seen only at Earth's poles. Rising from the ground to meet the sky, they served to repel large-scale invasions by Dead Spirits and Malevolent Demons.
.....
The pier was crowded with vessels of all sizes, their masts and pennants forming a dense forest.
After disembarking...
Li Ling was surrounded by a crowd of admirers, most of whom she knew well.
Laughter and lively conversation filled the air.
Some inquired anxiously about her dangerous journey, others showered her with praise and compliments, while still others suggested a welcoming banquet at the Heavenly Pavilion that night.
These young heroes and heroines represented the pinnacle of their region's elite - a select few with either profound spiritual power, extraordinary Psychic (Telekinesis) Power, or Pure Immortal Physiques. None were ordinary; each was attended by a retinue of servants and maids.
Li Weiyi observed the old servants accompanying these celestial favorites.
Each one has a piercing gaze, and their pores exuded wisps of Spiritual Qi, a sign of spiritual power overflowing, only seen in cultivators who reaches the Seventh Spring of the Surging Spring realm.
These were no ordinary servants; they held considerable status within their families.
After searching the crowd, Li Weiyi couldn't find Gao Huan and Cai Yutong.
Cang Li noticed Li Weiyi from afar and nodded in greeting. He had intended to approach and offer his concern, but his companions, caught up in their lively chatter, playfully jostled him toward the city gates.
He could only instruct an old servant to go and receive Li Weiyi.
Li Ling had already been lost in the bustling crowd, gradually disappearing in the direction of the city gates.
The old servant sent by Cang Li to greet them wasn't particularly old, only in his fifties. His name was Li Qi, and he was an old acquaintance of Zhao Zhizhuo from their youth, though Li Qi had already reached the Seventh Spring cultivation level.
He said, "Tonight, the Young Clan Leader and the others are sure to go to the Heavenly Pavilion to celebrate Fourth Miss's return. It's the most luxurious and decadent place in Jiu Li City, only affordable for the young masters of great clans and top-tier Martial-Mystic Cultivators. Brother Zhao, you've been there before, so you should know what it's like. The Young Clan Leader just instructed me to invite all of you to join them."
Li Qi didn't know that Li Weiyi had once done a favor by saving the Cangli Tribe. He simply assumed the Young Clan Leader was being overly generous and friendly.
However, sometimes, bringing the wrong people could lead to considerable embarrassment. So, while he was nominally extending an invitation, every word was actually a subtle attempt to dissuade them from going.
As a mere servant, he had to be tactful, avoiding directness.
Li Weiyi had no desire to become too entangled with the Cangli Tribe. He also knew that the decadent luxury of the Heavenly Pavilion was far beyond his current means. Trying to force himself into a social circle he didn't belong to would only lead to humiliation.
Zhao Zhizhuo understood social etiquette.
When Zhao Zhizhuo glared at him in anger, he waved his hand with a smile: "We can't go. We're just a bunch of commoners in plain clothes. We wouldn't dare show our faces at such a grand event. Wouldn't that just embarrass the Young Clan Leader?"
A flicker of satisfaction flashed in Li Qi's eyes, unnoticed by the others. He found this young man's sense of propriety much more endearing.
Li Weiyi said, "But since the Young Clan Leader has invited us, Old Li will have a hard time explaining our absence. How about this? We'll take the equivalent in silver coins and find our own place to eat and stay for the night. Old Zhao, how much would it cost for all of us to go to the Heavenly Pavilion?"
Zhao Zhizhuo immediately understood: "If all of us went? It would cost at least... a thousand silver coins!"
Li Weiyi smiled at Li Qi.
Though they received a silk pouch containing a thousand silver coins from the displeased Li Qi, no one felt any joy.
"Respect the clothes first, then the man! I clearly understand," Zhao Meng said, his upper body still bare. Given his physique, he could only have clothes custom-made, "We'll all get better clothes tomorrow."
Zhao Zhizhuo thought of many past events and sighed deeply, "It's not just about clothes."
On the ship, Li Weiyi had discussed the matter with Senior Coffin, who advised:
'Don't move into the City Domain yet. Until your funds are more substantial, avoid buying a mansion. Instead, rent a large mansion in a bustling suburban area near the City Domain. The concentration of Law there is only slightly less than within the City Domain, but the price is far lower.'
When Li Weiyi shared this idea, Zhao Zhizhuo wholeheartedly agreed.
"Within the City Domain, we won't be attacked by Dead Spirits or Malevolent Demons, making it seem safer," he said, "But it also makes us easier targets for people we can't afford to offend."
"The suburban areas are slightly more dangerous and more chaotic, but who among the truly powerful would choose to live there? So even if we are targeted, we'll have a fighting chance."
"And even if we face a large-scale Dead Spirit attack, as long as we live close enough to the City Domain, we can retreat into the city immediately."
Zhao Zhizhuo understood that Li Weiyi was wary of becoming too entangled with Cang Li and Li Ling, unwilling to rely on the Cangli Tribe's influence. He was making the best decision based solely on their own strength.
Over the next two days, Zhao Meng and Zhao Zhizhuo scoured the southern district of the suburban area, finally settling in a suitable house.
The front and back courtyards combined covered three acres, with over a dozen rooms. The house was located just a few hundred yards from the moat, in a bustling part of the suburbs. Everyone was satisfied in every aspect except for the price.
The monthly rent was a staggering 1,300 Silver Coins.
All the money Li Weiyi possessed combined wouldn't even cover a year's rent.
There was no alternative. With Zhao Meng's six-meter frame and the two Aberrant Humanoids, Lao Liu and Lao Guan, a smaller courtyard would have been completely impractical for martial arts practice.
Li Weiyi hadn't been idle either. Over the past two days, he had made three trips to the City Domain, visiting three different locations to purchase three Spring-Breaking Needles for a total of 3,000 Silver Coins.
The price was utterly outrageous.
If it weren't for his urgent need to suppress the Evil Camel Bell and break through to the Fifth Spring, he would never have wasted his money on such an exorbitant expense.
As Zhao Zhizhuo returned with Lao Liu and Lao Guan, laden with household goods and food, Li Weiyi was sitting under the Old Tree in the front courtyard, counting his coins. He had propped up a chair and sat beneath the tree, which took two people to encircle. His brow furrowed in concentration as he occasionally paused, lost in thought.
"Knock, knock!"
A knock echoed from outside the courtyard.
Lao Liu hastily set down the various items he was carrying and went to open the door.
When he opened it, he was stunned to see three figures standing outside. Unable to speak the same language, he didn't know how to address them.
The leader, a man in his forties or fifties with a pale complexion and no beard, resembled a scholar. Even though time had taken its toll, it was still evident that he must have been exceptionally handsome in his youth.
"I, Shi Chuan Yu, Banner Leader of the Changlin Gang, has come to pay his respects to the master of this residence," the scholar said politely, a warm smile on his face.
He even clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Lao Liu.
Li Weiyi quickly pocketed the coins and hurried to the door, smiling: "The master of this residence is my Senior Brother. May I ask what brings you here?"
Shi Chuan Yu bowed again, chuckling: "We live in this neighborhood as well. From now on, we'll be neighbors. Since you've just moved in, we naturally had to come and offer our congratulations. This small gift is a token of our sincerity."
Shi Chuan Yu gave a subtle signal.
The two gang members behind him, each carrying a gift tied with a red ribbon, walked directly into the courtyard.
.....
Beneath the Old Yang Tree, Zhao Meng, the master of the mansion, began conversing with Shi Chuan Yu.
The two men spoke cordially.
When the time seemed right, Shi Chuan Yu adopted a serious expression: "You newcomers may not be aware, but life outside the city walls is far more dangerous than within. We're constantly under attack by Dead Spirit Fiends. During the worst times, hundreds or even thousands of residents can die in a single night. Fortunately, we have a group of powerful Martial-Mystic Cultivators who quickly united and formed gangs to defend against these external threats."
"The safety of this area falls under the responsibility of our Changlin Gang."
"However, running a gang costs money. Fighting Dead Spirit Fiends inevitably leads to casualties among our members, and we must cover medical expenses and provide compensation to their families."
"Therefore, all residents of this area, whether merchants or ordinary citizens, contribute a monthly sum of money and supplies to support our operations and enable us to better protect everyone."
Zhao Meng understood. This was a protection racket: "When we rented this mansion, we paid for the City Defense. Shouldn't the City Defense Camp be responsible for dealing with Dead Spirit Fiend attacks?"
Shi Chuan Yu chuckled: "The City Defense Camp is primarily responsible for the City Domain. If they were truly dedicated, how could the suburbs be in such chaos? In truth, all these gangs owe their existence to the support of the City Defense Camp or powerful families. By the way, Brother Zhao, how long are you planning to rent for?"
"Let's start with a month," Zhao Meng replied.
"Since it's a short-term rental, let's skip the formalities. Times are tough for everyone. Come to Changlin Gang for tea tomorrow. I'll treat you."
Shi Chuan Yu and his two gang members took their leave, waving goodbye and repeatedly urging Zhao Meng not to see them off.
After they left and the gate was closed, Zhao Meng felt uneasy. He turned to Zhao Zhizhuo, his brow furrowed, "Are all local gangs this polite? I have a bad feeling about this."
Zhao Zhizhuo's expression was grim: "He didn't come to collect protection money. He was likely here to scout us out, to gauge our strength."
"Old Zhao, are you saying that the Changlin Gang thinks we're outsiders, without any backing, and plans to take us down in one fell swoop?" Li Weiyi asked.
Zhao Zhizhuo nodded: "That's my assessment. They came here in person, which means they've already investigated us. If they had collected protection money, we could sleep soundly tonight. But since they didn't, I won't be able to close my eyes."
....
The three members of the Changlin Gang walked through the bustling, crowded streets.
Behind Shi Chuan Yu, a Fourth Spring gang member couldn't help but ask, "Banner Leader, are you really not accepting their Silver? Those gifts aren't worth much, but the Changlin Gang isn't a charity."
Shi Chuan Yu muttered to himself, "Both of those men have heavy accents. They must be refugees from another province, with no roots in Li Province. They can afford a monthly rent of over a thousand silver coins, so they definitely have some wealth. What a plump sheep!"
Another Fourth Spring gang member added, "That Zhao fellow is six meters tall. His combat strength must be formidable."
Shi Chuan Yu scoffed: "All show and no substance. I touched his palm earlier. He hasn't cultivated any spiritual power. No matter how big he is, he's just a brute. Tonight, we'll give them a proper send-off, disguised as a insect attack. The Changlin Gang will have nothing to do with it."
"From now on, anyone who leaves that mansion must be controlled. We can't afford any accidents."
A Six Springs elder approached them, bowed deeply to Shi Chuan Yu, and said, "Banner Leader, Young Miss Yang of the Yang Family has arrived. The Gang Leader wants you to come immediately. It seems to be a matter of great importance."
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END OF CHAPTER
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