Free Web NovelChapter 567: Chapter 567: Trouble Arrives
Daqian, Anlo City.
Anlo City, located on the banks of the Luo River, has stood on this vast and fertile land for over a thousand years.
Over a millennium has passed, molding the unique character of this mighty city.
It has thus become the secondary capital of Daqian, gazing across several hundred miles at the Imperial Capital.
At sunset, a small building in Anlo City glows with light.
Inside the room, a middle-aged man with an elegant appearance stands in front of a desk, lifts a brush, and writes four large characters on xuan paper.
Serenity brings clarity.
But these four characters are bold and imposing, devoid of any sense of peace or tranquility.
On the contrary, they exude a sense of killing intent!
The middle-aged man admired for a moment, then set down the wolf hair brush and said lightly, "Cancel Zhang Yuan’s transaction from West Plain City, and according to the rules, refund double the deposit to the client."
The man in black hesitated for a moment and said, "Master, but the client has already increased the deposit by twice, refunding would lead to a great loss."
The middle-aged man replied expressionlessly: "Let it be a big loss, a message has already come from Upper Scenic Celestial, we must give some face, otherwise our loss will be even greater."
The man in black bowed: "Yes, master."
Although unwilling, he could only comply.
Clearly perceiving the other’s thoughts, a flash of cold severity passed through the middle-aged man’s eyes as he continued, "When Heaven reveals a killing intent, stars shift and lodgings change; when Earth reveals a killing intent, dragons and snakes rise from the land!"
"The world will change, and our restraint is but temporary, one day..."
What might happen one day, he did not continue.
Instead, a sense of cold austerity suddenly pervaded the room, causing the man in black to shiver involuntarily.
At the same moment, thousands of miles away in West Plain Dao City, Zhang Yuan, who had just sat down in the cultivation chamber, felt something stir within.
He vaguely sensed something.
But it was elusive.
After some thought, Zhang Yuan adjusted his emotions, then took out the spoils obtained today from his storage space.
Although the Huqin Rapier left by that old man in plain clothes was mysterious, this strange Profound Soldier was entirely unsuitable for Zhang Yuan’s Martial Arts, so he released the Godslaying Flying Knife, devouring it cleanly.
After the Red Blood Saber evolved into the Godslaying Flying Knife, its "Devouring Artifact" ability greatly enhanced.
This High Tier Profound Soldier was completely consumed in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, leaving behind only some useless remnants.
After devouring the rapier, the Godslaying Flying Knife had almost no reaction.
Without a doubt, the appetite of this Divine Soldier had also grown greatly, and ordinary one or two Profound Artifacts are merely appetizers, not even considered a main course.
But Zhang Yuan is very aware that the Godslaying Flying Knife can continue to raise its rank.
As for what it will transform into again, Zhang Yuan cannot know.
It may far exceed his control!
However, Zhang Yuan would not give up feeding it.
Because this Divine Soldier had long been his trump card, and his true confidence in facing powerful foes in the future.
As for the other black, lightless dagger, Zhang Yuan played with it for a moment, ultimately not feeding it to the Divine Soldier.
This dagger has sinister attributes, extremely sharp, even poisonous, making it a top-notch blade for treachery.
Of course, it could also serve as one of Zhang Yuan’s aces.
He put it back into his storage space.
Then Zhang Yuan lit a stick of sandalwood with the effect of Concentrating and Calming the Mind, sat cross-legged on the ground, and began cultivating.
His retreat lasted for a whole ten days.
He could have continued indefinitely, but after ten days, Zhang Yuan had to leave the cultivation chamber.
Because a sect order had just arrived!
The recipient was Sun Yujiang, who had come to wake Zhang Yuan from his meditation.
"Sir."
Sun Yujiang handed the talisman to Zhang Yuan, speaking in a deep voice: "The Daoist Government Office also sent people over to explain the situation."
It turned out that three days ago, a caravan heading from West Plain City to the Western Regions encountered bandit attacks.
The caravan’s strength was quite formidable, including three Tier Four experts.
In the end, only one Tier Four expert narrowly escaped, while the rest, along with a large amount of goods, were completely wiped out.
And the caravan owner belongs to a branch family of the Wu Family from Daqian, which is deeply entwined with Upper Scenic Celestial, so the news was relayed back, eventually falling on Zhang Yuan.
The current order Zhang Yuan received was to immediately dispatch people to investigate the matter.
The first task is to uncover the identity of these bandits, and if possible, eradicate them.
Then retrieve the looted goods!
Sun Yujiang added, "The Wu Family members are already on their way, likely arriving in West Plain this afternoon."
Zhang Yuan nodded.
Holding the talisman, he felt a sense of "trouble descending despite sitting at home."
West Plain City is a pivotal point for trade between Daqian and the Western Regions, and throughout history, this trade route has never lacked banditry; caravans being attacked is quite a common occurrence.
Zhang Yuan’s predecessor was demoted precisely due to failing to eradicate bandits, leading to heavy losses and an unfortunate demise.
Previously, to pacify the area and hone the Daoist Soldiers under his command, he had frequently launched attacks, destroying numerous bandit groups.
But this only ensures safety within West Plain County—the Western Region trade route is long!
To identify the culprits and reclaim the goods obviously will not be an easy task.
It could even be said to be very troublesome!
Unless Zhang Yuan abandons his current position, there is no possibility of defying the order.
After thinking it over, he said, "Let’s wait until the Wu Family arrives and then decide."
"Understood."
Sun Yujiang hesitated, then murmured in a lowered voice: "Sir, I have a feeling these bandits might be linked to an episode of Desert Wind Army’s activity; we must proceed cautiously."
Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, without speaking.
Desert Wind Army is known as sixteen episodes of turmoil, with multiple episodes active near the trade routes between West Plain and Western Regions, repeatedly harassing caravans.
Previously, the Tudah Tribe’s Jia Jide had even sought Zhang Yuan’s assistance.
Intending to join forces to crush the Desert Wind Army.
But due to the West Plain Dao Camp’s limitations, Zhang Yuan was not keen on this issue, opting for a cold approach.
Unexpectedly, times changed, and the Desert Wind Army begrudgingly returned!
Now Zhang Yuan found avoidance impossible.
Intuition told him that Sun Yujiang’s judgment was correct.
Zhang Yuan surmised, at this moment, Fei Hongming was likely at the Daoist Government Office, waiting to see him falter.
If Zhang Yuan fails to resolve this matter, being removed and sent back to the sect is highly possible!
Despite the trouble, Zhang Yuan was not overwhelmed.
Near evening, three visitors arrived at the Dao Camp.
They were none other than the aggrieved members of the Wu Family!
