Chapter 185 - 183: Land of Spiritual Energy
"Kill!"
At the same time, Liang Zhao Long swiftly drew his long blade, leading the core members of the Changming Association straight towards the group of backstabbing traitors.
First kill the traitors, then the members of the Sanhe Gang!
Due to the transformative powers of the Dragon Transformation Pearl, Liang Zhao Long had reached the Seventh Realm of Body Refining years ago, his strength gained through experience far exceeded that of Song Ping’an, who was by his side.
Even Meng Baihu possessed Seventh Realm Cultivation, yet now under the fierce bite of Dahuang and White, he was quickly overwhelmed.
Against such a gang in the city, Song Changming did not even need to make a move.
White bit on a wide saber, rendering Meng Baihu incapable of drawing it out.
Dahuang took the opportunity to pounce on him, its massive paws slammed into his chest, crushing the inner armor he wore, leaving several bone-deep wounds.
The once-famous and illustrious leader of the Sanhe Gang was so easily subdued by Song Changming’s two loyal watchdogs.
This sudden battle ended quickly.
The elite members of the Sanhe Gang were thusly silenced at the celebratory feast, with none escaping.
"Satisfying!" After dealing with the traitors, Elder Hu exclaimed, feeling enlightened.
"Hurry up, reclaim what is ours, and empty out the Sanhe Gang!" Liang Zhao Long quickly ordered.
As the government’s lackeys, the Sanhe Gang boasted plentiful spoils, enough to recoup the losses suffered by the Changming Association, with considerable profit still left.
An opportunity to turn losses into gains, of course he intended to seize it.
The fall of the Taiching County City Public Security Bureau, the prison break, quickly reached many ears, causing uproar throughout the city.
Massive military forces entered the city, occupying streets and alleys, beginning a search operation for criminals.
Meanwhile, Song Changming and others had long left the county city.
In a residence within Hengyang County.
"Sir, not only was the Public Security Bureau prison raided, but the Sanhe Gang was also annihilated. Based on the injuries observed, it’s the same group responsible." A guard reported the news gathered.
Before the guard stood a white-bearded scholar, who, holding pen and ink, was absorbed in practicing calligraphy at the desk.
"Who was rescued?" the scholar inquired.
"Members of the Changming Association."
"Oh?" The scholar showed surprise, saying: "Behind this Changming Association is a Qi Refining Cultivator, why was this not reported previously?"
"This..." The guard couldn’t answer right away.
"Forget it, I thought it was just another ordinary Jianghu gang, but since there’s a Qi Refining Cultivator backing them, issue a bounty for those fugitives and let’s leave it at that."
The scholar casually instructed, unfazed.
"Sir, this incident has left a negative impression, wouldn’t ignoring it harm the government’s authority..." The guard hesitated, asking.
"Also, the Sanhe Gang was working for you, now even they..."
"Silence." The scholar’s tone grew heavier.
The guard immediately bowed and fell silent.
"Hmph, what do you know? The court is declining, the situation grows delicate, every force under the Great King’s command is valuable.
A Changming Association is insignificant, but overlooking the Qi Refining Cultivator backing it is unwise.
We captured Changming Association members, and offended him, his forceful prison break to rescue his people and demolish the Sanhe Gang was his reply. Let this matter end here.
Otherwise, we’ll only make more enemies, hindering the Great King’s grand ambitions!" The scholar lightly snorted, speaking unhurriedly.
The scholar named Tao Qiucheng held a high position as a strategist under Second Prince Chu Jing’s Mansion.
He was also the hidden manipulator of the Sanhe Gang, now strategizing for the Second Prince’s funds and resources.
"The gentleman is right..." The guard dared not speak further.
"Prepare the carriage, I need to visit the Prince’s Mansion." With the final stroke completed, Tao Qiucheng rose, tidying his appearance, and spoke.
"Yes!"
...
Wangyue Prefecture, amidst the mountains.
The carriage traveled alongside the winding Changhe.
Song Changming, seated within the carriage, cultivated Inner Qi, undisturbed by the vehicle’s jostling along the way.
Throughout the journey, he never allowed his cultivation to lapse.
Song Ping’an continued to serve as the accompanying driver, while beside him, two big dogs happily darted about.
Sometimes chasing butterflies and insects among the mountains, sometimes jumping into rivers for a swim, they played without a care.
When the carriage moved far away, they quickly caught up.
This was the freedom they could not experience while confined to the estate grounds.
Occasionally encountering fierce beasts in the wilderness, they frightened them away with ease.
Only when Song Changming craved wild game would the dogs spring into action, bringing back the beast for a feast in the woodlands.
Having resolved the crisis involving Liang Zhao Long and the Changming Association, Song Changming was now truly enjoying an exploration of the mountains and rivers, pausing to relish the beauty of the world, rather than simply rushing through day and night.
After a long absence, Liang Zhao Long had hoped to spend more time with Song Changming, but the gang needed to withdraw from the northern prefectures under the Second Prince’s rule, with many matters requiring his attention as the leader, leaving him no choice but to bid a hasty farewell.
Song Changming did not linger afterward but continued his journey to Wangyue Prefecture where Liu Dingsheng resided.
That was his pre-set plan.
While visiting his elder, he also wanted to inquire about the Body Refining Martial Technique. If he could gain insight into it, this journey would be considered fruitful.
Wangyue Prefecture is named after the Wangyue Mountain within the prefecture, located at the eastern edge of the Da Han Dynasty’s northern border, surrounded by mountains and great rivers, with treacherous terrain leading there.
It’s unclear if Wangyue Prefecture is too remote, with inaccessible terrain, or if it’s simply due to fear of the hidden sect Wangyue Pavilion on Wangyue Mountain.
Despite years of external warfare, no ambitious individuals or powers have ever dared to occupy Wangyue Prefecture and bring it under their rule.
Thus, Wangyue Prefecture remains untouched by external chaos, like a secluded utopia!
"This place is indeed suitable for retirement..." Song Changming remarked as he noticed the narrow official road appearing along the route, knowing they were nearing Wangyue County City.
Traveling through this land of mountains and rivers, there was no sight of disarray or scattered bones along the roadside.
Liu Dingsheng changed his mind, abandoning thoughts of returning home to retire, and coming here was indeed a wise choice.
Ahead, he saw two towering cliffs standing erect, resembling a slightly opened celestial gate, leaving only a narrow path a few meters wide between.
He heard the thunderous sound of a waterfall cascading on the other side of the cliff, with mist enveloping the cliffside like a place for an immortal family to contemplate.
A line through mountains and rivers!
Such scenery would have undoubtedly been a top-tier natural attraction in the past life.
Just watching and listening to the sound of the waterfall made one’s heart feel at ease.
"I remember in the Secret Chronicles, there was mention of an exotic beast here, the Mountain and River Qilin!
I wonder if it’s true..." Song Changming muttered.
But that was many years ago, just like the dragon once sighted in Donglai Prefecture.
Such exotic beasts often quickly depart for uninhabited places and disappear.
Encountering them again would be quite difficult.
Therefore, Song Changming didn’t plan to search for it here, as the carriage passed through this gateway, the scenery suddenly opened up.
In the distance, countless peaks could be seen, towering into the clouds.
"Brother Song, is that Wangyue Mountain?" Song Ping’an pointed to a distant massive mountain.
The huge mountain stood out prominently, with clouds swirling around, while numerous white cranes and birds circled playfully.
Its uniqueness grabbed attention amid the mountains, making it easily distinguishable.
Inexplicably, it seemed infused with spiritual and immortal aura, inspiring admiration.
"It looks like the right place. Seeing Wangyue Mountain means Wangyue City is not far away," Song Changming nodded.
However, although Wangyue Mountain is renowned and evokes imagination, ordinary people cannot ascend it.
The hidden sect Wangyue Pavilion resides on the mountain, reputedly with ancient traditions dating back a thousand years, just as ancient as the Da Han Dynasty!
Wangyue Pavilion clearly stipulates that only its disciples may enter and exit the mountain; outsiders must obtain permission to do so.
This rule is quite usual, as most hidden sects are generally forbidden territories to the outside world.
Without it, Wangyue Mountain would have long become a popular tourist destination, losing its mysterious allure.
The carriage slowly traveled through the mountains, appearing diminutive against this vastness.
The mountain roads were winding and intricate, yet fortunately, road signs were engraved on large stones at intervals, guiding outsiders to find human settlements among the mountains.
Approximately half a day later, Song Changming observed patches of fields and farmhouses, confirming they were near the city.
Indeed, soon afterward, on a flat terrain among the mountains, a human city rose abruptly, appearing somewhat unexpected before his eyes.