Chapter 136: Identities Revealed, the Whole City is Astounded

The morning sun rose, casting a warm glow over the land.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!" exclaimed Xiao Yan, her voice filled with wonder.

At this moment, Lu Qing and his companions had left the forest and were traversing a vast plain. Stretching out before them were expansive fields, with numerous huts scattered throughout.

Lu Qing's ox-drawn cart traveled along a wide official road that cut through the heart of the fields.

It was late autumn, and the fields were awash with golden hues, creating a stunning sight that prompted Xiao Yan's exclamation. Compared to the scattered rice paddies back in Jiuli Village, this vast, interconnected landscape was truly breathtaking.

"Brother Lu Qing, just a bit further ahead lies the county town," Magus said, pointing at the distant towering walls.

Lu Qing gazed at the distant city, a sense of surprise washing over him. He had expected the county town to be smaller, but he was wrong. Just judging by the height of the walls, the town seemed far larger than the ancient cities he had visited in his past life.

No wonder his master had said that the city was like another world.

Just the sight before him was already a stark contrast to the area around Jiuli Village. The county town exuded a level of prosperity and vibrancy that was lacking in the rural areas.

"Master, we're almost at the town. What should we do once we arrive?" Lu Qing asked, his gaze fixed on the distant walls.

The previous afternoon, they had set off from Jiuli Village, but their ox-cart traveled slowly, and the journey of over a hundred li was not a short one. As they covered most of the distance, dusk began to fall.

Traveling at night was difficult, and the town closed its gates after sundown. So, when night fell, Lu Qing and his companions decided to spend the night outdoors, seeking shelter in a dilapidated kiln. They resumed their journey at daybreak, as the sky lightened to a pale fish-belly white.

"We'll just enter as we are. Once we're inside the city, we'll be safe," the old physician said.

Lu Qing nodded in agreement. His master was a Precelestial Realm warrior, and as long as they could enter the city, even if Wang Cang discovered their presence, there was little he could do. Unless, of course, he was willing to throw caution to the wind and engage in a Precelestial Realm battle within the city walls.

Thus, Lu Qing and the others concealed their auras and stowed their blades and swords in the ox-cart, doing their best to appear as ordinary farmers heading into town for the market.

Wei Furen and Wei Zian, with their fair complexions, smeared dirt on their faces to disguise their features, transforming themselves into a typical farmer's wife and son.

The old physician also donned a bamboo conical hat, shading his face from view.

Following the other villagers who were also heading into town for the early market, their ox-cart slowly made its way forward.

As they drew closer to the county town, the tension among the group gradually rose. Wei Furen, in particular, felt her heart pounding in her chest. She held Xiao Yan tightly, striving to calm her nerves and ensure she didn't give anything away.

Lu Qing's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the dozens-of-meters-high walls, now understanding why Magus hadn't suggested sneaking into the town under the cover of night. Scaling these smooth, towering walls would be a challenge even for a Muscle-Bone Realm warrior, let alone doing so without attracting attention while also escorting Wei Furen and her son.

The walls loomed larger as they approached, and their ox-cart left the fields, entering the large open buffer zone outside the city.

However, when they were still about a hundred meters from the gate, the old physician brought the ox-cart to a halt. Simultaneously, a slight disturbance emanated from Lu Qing's backpack.

"Master?" Lu Qing asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

"Ah, it seems we can't keep this a secret any longer," the old physician sighed.

Magus and the others were taken aback, and just as they were about to ask what was happening, a loud laugh rang out from the walls above the gate.

A figure appeared on the wall, and at the same time, a large group of people emerged from the city, dispersing the crowd and blocking the gate.

The people at the front who had intended to enter the city scattered in fright, some slower ones getting knocked about and their belongings scattered on the ground.

Fortunately, the perpetrators seemed to have some restraint, mindful that this was the county town, and they didn't dare go too far. In the end, no lives were lost.

Lu Qing watched the scene unfold, a cold glint appearing in his eyes. "This is too much. Where are the county officials? Are they just going to let these people act with such impunity?"

Even Magus, standing beside him, couldn't help but feel indignant at the sight.

As for Wei Furen and her son, their hearts were filled with a mix of sorrow and anger. If these people were this brazen, they dared not imagine what the Wei Manor must have endured these past few days.

Soon, the crowd attempting to enter the city was dispersed, leaving only Lu Qing's ox-cart stranded in the open.

"Which Precelestial Realm fellow is it that has been so kind as to lend Wang such a great helping hand, personally delivering Wei Xinghe's wife and child to me? I am truly grateful," the figure on the wall called out.

As these words rang out, the entire city was astir.

Even without this proclamation, the grand display by the Heaven-Piercing Sect, blocking the city gates, would have been enough to attract the attention of the various forces within the city. Now, everyone wondered what this overbearing sect was up to.

Chapter: Turbulence in the County Town

"So, it turns out that Lady Wei Furen and Young Master Wei have returned?" came Wang Cangyi's voice, filled with surprise. "And among them is another Precelestial Realm warrior?"

This declaration caused a stir among all the forces in the city, and they immediately dispatched their experts toward the city gate.

"Yet another Precelestial Realm warrior?"

County Magistrate's Residence

The County Magistrate, who had been playing chess, was taken aback by Wang Cangyi's words. Wondering when this remote small town had become so attractive, he mused about the rare appearances of Precelestial Realm warriors, one after another.

"Let's go take a look," said the young man in plain clothes, standing up and speaking indifferently.

"Zhiru, do you know something about this?" The County Magistrate asked his friend in a hurry.

He recalled that his friend had disappeared for a while yesterday.

However, the young man in plain clothes ignored his question and walked out directly.

"Hey, Zhiru, wait for me!" The County Magistrate quickly followed.

It was a rare occasion for excitement, and Zhiru didn't stop him, as he didn't want to miss out on the action either.

Wei Residence, a quiet small courtyard

"Nian Yan and An'er are back?" Wei Xinghe asked, hearing the voice that had spread throughout the city. He was initially overjoyed but then his expression changed drastically.

"Another Precelestial Realm warrior? Who is it? Have Nian Yan and An'er fallen into his hands?"

"Master Wei, what should we do? Old Patriarch hasn't come out of seclusion yet! Should we notify him?" asked Wei Daguan, the chief steward, anxiously.

"No need," Wei Shanhai's figure appeared in the courtyard. "I've already heard it."

"Patriarch!" Wei Xinghe and the others were delighted. "How is your injury?"

"It's not healed," Wei Shanhai shook his head, giving an answer that disappointed the two. "I've contemplated for several days, but still to no avail."

However, Wei Xinghe soon cheered up. "Patriarch, Wang Cangyi said that Nian Yan and An'er have returned and are in the hands of another Precelestial Realm warrior. Is that true?"

"Their qi and blood are too weak, and the distance is too far, so I can't be sure yet. But outside the city, there is indeed the aura of another unfamiliar Precelestial Realm warrior," Wei Shanhai said gravely.

He, too, was surprised that the small and remote Cang County had attracted a third Precelestial Realm warrior.

Was this new arrival a friend or foe? Had they arrived by coincidence, or had Wang Cangyi invited them as reinforcements? For a moment, even Wei Shanhai, with his composure, felt his heart stir.

However, he knew that no matter what, he had to go out and figure out what was going on.

Inside the city, the various forces were in an uproar due to Wang Cangyi's statement.

Outside the city, Lu Qing looked up at the figure on the city wall. At that moment, in his vision, the figure on the wall was emitting a faint golden light of supernatural power.

[Wang Cangyi: Second Elder of the Tiancang Sect of Beijiang, hypocritical and suspicious, good at disguise, and very protective of his shortcomings.]



[Cultivation: Peak of the Initial Precelestial Realm, gold-attributed true qi.]



[Possesses various innate secret arts and is especially skilled in sword techniques.]



[In his youth, he traveled with Wei Shanhai and they were once close friends. Later, due to differences in temperament, disputes over the distribution of treasures, they became enemies.]



Seeing the information displayed in his vision, Lu Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Wang Cangyi's cultivation was only at the peak of the Initial Precelestial Realm, not much stronger than his master.

Their side wasn't at an absolute disadvantage.

However, what surprised him was that Wang Cangyi and Wei's old patriarch had once been friends in their youth.

This explained why the Tiancang Sect, located far in the north, knew about the Wei family in this remote small town and their possession of treasures, going so far as to come here to take them by force.

"Master, how did he discover us?" Lu Qing asked.

"It's also our bad luck. It seems that the Precelestial Realm warrior ahead has been waiting near the city gate for a while. As soon as we got close, he sensed the Precelestial qi on me," the old physician said with a frown.

"It's not that we're unlucky, but that he's probably never left the area near the city gate, always on guard for Wei's old patriarch," Lu Qing said with a cold smile.

From the information revealed by his supernatural power, Lu Qing could tell that Wang Cangyi was a typical hypocritical and petty person.

Such people were often relentless in pursuing their goals.

Lu Qing guessed that since the attack on the Wei family failed, Wang Cangyi had probably been guarding the area near the city, waiting for any movement from the Wei family.

"Master, do you have the confidence to defeat this Wang Cangyi?" Lu Qing asked in a low voice.

"I'm afraid not," the old physician shook his head. "This Precelestial Realm warrior has powerful qi, and I'm not good at fighting. If it comes to a real battle, I won't be his match."

"What if you add the cultivation technique left by Senior Li?" Lu Qing asked again.

Chapter: A Powerful Ally

"It's difficult. Your master, I, am dull-witted. I've only practiced two of Senior Li's cultivation techniques, and I've only comprehended three to four-tenths of the profundities of each. How can I compare to these true Precelestial Realm experts?" The old physician admitted candidly.

"So, it seems we can only stall for time and wait for the Wei family's old ancestor to emerge," Lu Qing said, feeling a bit helpless.

He trusted that Wang Cangyi wouldn't dare to act rashly. After all, Wang Cangyi had no idea that his master was not skilled in combat.

With the Wei family's old ancestor watching from the shadows, the opponent probably wouldn't easily make another enemy of a Precelestial Realm warrior.

Ma Gu and the others, who were listening to the conversation between master and disciple, were left stunned.

"Old, Old Physician, are, are you a Precelestial Realm expert?" Ma Gu stuttered in disbelief.

"I was just lucky enough to break through to the Precelestial Realm, I can't be considered an expert." The old physician shook his head.

Ma Gu's mouth hung open in shock.

He never would have imagined that the usually friendly and gentle-mannered old physician was actually a Precelestial Realm powerhouse.

Although he had known that the old physician was an Inner Bulwark Realm warrior, he never expected that he had quietly reached the Precelestial Realm.

Wei Furen and her son were also incredulous. They couldn't believe that the elderly man who had been driving their cart was actually a legendary Precelestial Realm master?

Just as Ma Gu and the others were shocked, Wang Cangyi on the opposite side was growing displeased.

He hadn't expected that after his friendly gesture, the other party wouldn't even bother to respond. This was like blatantly looking down on him.

However, thinking of Wei Shanhai in the city, he suppressed his anger.

"Sir, regarding my previous proposal, what are your thoughts? If you hand over Wei Furen and her son to me, my Heaven-Piercing Sect will definitely express our gratitude." Wang Cangyi said, revealing his sect's name for the first time.

This was the first time Wang Cangyi had openly stated his sect's origins.

Obviously, facing the mysterious Precelestial Realm master, Wang Cangyi was still cautious before understanding his background, and he wanted to use the power of his sect to pressure the old physician into submission.

Unfortunately, the old physician had no idea what the Heaven-Piercing Sect was.

He shook his head, "I'm sorry, but I cannot obey your command. Your superior has murderous intentions, and if these two children fall into your hands, I fear they won't have a good end."

"So, you've decided to help the Wei family?" Wang Cangyi's eyes turned cold, and the aura around him gradually intensified.

Having confirmed that the old physician and his companions were indeed the Wei family's helpers, he recalled the deaths of his three personal disciples, and his eyes turned even colder.

His tone became harsh, "Old man, I'm asking you, did you kill my disciples?"

Feeling the surge of Wang Cangyi's aura, Lu Qing's heart trembled, and he stepped forward, shouting loudly, "Are you planning to defy the Holy Mountain's edict and make a move against us?"

"How audacious!"

Wang Cangyi's eyes flashed with anger as he saw the young Lu Qing daring to shout at him. His powerful aura immediately crushed down on Lu Qing.

The others on the ox-cart, including the ox, were caught in the wave of his aura.

The might of a Precelestial Realm expert was not to be underestimated. Even if they weren't the main targets, just being brushed by the edges of his aura was enough to make Wei Furen and the others feel uncomfortable, almost to the point of fainting.

Fortunately, the next moment, the old physician waved his hand, and a gentle aura emerged from him, enveloping them and blocking Wang Cangyi's oppressive aura.

Even so, Wei Furen and the others still coughed violently.

Even Ma Gu, who had reached the initial stages of the Muscle-Bone Realm, wasn't spared. His face turned red, and he looked terrified.

This was his first time experiencing the might of a Precelestial Realm expert, and he never expected it to be so terrifying.

"Auntie, are you alright? Are you hurt?" Xiao Yan, held by Wei Furen, looked at her with concern and gently patted her back to help her catch her breath.

"I'm fine..." Wei Furen shook her head, but soon she felt something was amiss, "Xiao Yan, are you not feeling unwell?"

Xiao Yan shook her head, her face filled with concern. "No, but that uncle over there is so scary. Xiao Yan doesn't like him."

Xiao Yan shook her head, her brows furrowed, and she looked displeased.

Wei Furen stared at her, dumbfounded.

"Hmm?"

Wang Cangyi was shocked to see his Precelestial aura being so easily dissolved by the old physician.

What surprised him even more was that Lu Qing, who was at the forefront and had borne the brunt of his aura, stood there with clear eyes and a calm expression.

It was as if Wang Cangyi's aura was nothing more than a gentle breeze, leaving Lu Qing completely unaffected.

"Impossible!"

Everyone who witnessed this scene was astonished.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end