Stranger Danger
Chapter 1370: Canglang City

Chapter 1370: Canglang City

Meanwhile, the sinful man Fang Zhiyong was lambasting had arrived at the Canglang City of Qi.

Canglang City was located at the south of Qi. Bordering Nanjiang, it was one of its most famous settlements.

Canglang City was famous not because it was strategically located, nor because it was wealthy in natural resources. Its geography was anything but accessible or convenient as well.

No, Canglang City was famous because it was where the Canglang River was located, and the Canglang River was famous because it was ruled by a river deity called Lady Canglang.

Canglang River was neither long nor wide. There were at least eight hundred other rivers that were similar to it in terms of size and shape. In and of itself, there was nothing special about it whatsoever.

However, a mountain was famous not because it was tall, but because a celestial lived in it. A river was spiritual not because it was deep, but because a dragon lived in it. The Canglang River was one such river.

Neither celestial nor dragon was living in the Canglang River. There was a deity, however. A river deity. She was none other than Lady Canglang.

It was impossible to discern Lady Canglang’s origin or background. However, her legend had existed from the moment people began inhabiting Canglang River.

Most mountain deities or wild gods were violent, brutal, or bloodthirsty. However, Lady Canglang was kind and good. She was the defender of all living beings who lived in the river and on the rivershores.

Canglang River did not freeze during the winter or dry during summer. It did not dry out during a drought or flood during a high tide either. Everyone living by the Canglang River enjoyed favorable weather, a plentiful life, and good health. The Strangers living in this land were kind, gentle, and good as well. They never threatened innocents.

This was all thanks to Lady Canglang’s protection and blessings.

Because of this, Qi conferred Lady Canglang an official title and made her a first rank official god during its founding. They allowed the people to build temples and shrines for her and pray to her. They allowed her to receive the wishes of the people and the offerings of the empire.

That was how Canglang City came to be. Thanks to Lady Canglang’s protection, Canglang City was one of the most stable and bountiful cities in Qi.

When Ye Qing, Papersmith, Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang and more arrived at Canglang City, they saw a society of people living and working in peace and contentment. It was dramatically different from the dire straits and misery of the people of Chu.

Long before Ye Qing traveled to the All Is Well Forest, he had already ordered Papersmith to prepare an escape route from Chu. As soon as he completed his trade with Fang Zhiyong, they immediately used the Vast Expanse Talisman they prepared beforehand and teleported all the way to the border between Qi and Chu. After crossing into Qi, they traveled straight to Canglang City.

But why did they choose to head to Canglang City instead of Bei You? For one, nearly the entire world had figured out that he was based at Bei You at this point. Two, he had made plans that, whatever the outcome might be, would paint a bright rainbow target on his back and turn him into the sworn for of Emperor Jing Run. If his friends and their families had gone to Bei You, then chances were they were going to suffer a tragic fate.

In fact, he had already messaged Yi Pin and other allies to leave Bei You as soon as possible. He did not want them to drag them into his mess. Luckily, he did not need to do the same for Chen Wuxin and Xue Beikun. After all, no one knew that they were his secret allies.

Three, Canglang City was peaceful and stable. It was a good place for his friends and their families to live temporarily.

And finally, Feng Qingyou was the one who suggested that they escaped to Canglang City. This was also the place where he would meet up with her.

Obviously, Fang Xiaoman, Gu Suitang, Chu Nianjiu and Lin Yuhuai were reluctant to leave their homeland behind. That said, they weren’t foolish. They were aware that they no longer had a place in Chu after this entire fiasco. Had they chosen to stay, they would be doomed even if they could elude capture for a time.

No one here was a coward who was afraid to die, but their lives did not belong to them only. They needed to take care of their own family as well. That was why they all agreed to Ye Qing’s suggestion.

“Are you Ye Qing; Scion Ye?”

Not long after they entered the city, a beautiful woman in white dress blocked Ye Qing’s way and asked in a gentle voice.

“I am. May I know who you are?” Ye Qing asked while observing the woman closely. It wasn’t because she was beautiful, but because she smelled of worship and divinity despite boasting a mundane level of energy and no martial aura. Not only that, everyone around them was ignoring the woman as if she didn’t exist. Clearly, she was anything but normal.

“This humble servant is one named Qing Lan. Miss Qingyou had commanded me to wait for you and your friends here,” Qing Lan replied evenly after giving Ye Qing a small bow.

Ye Qing clasped his fists and returned the salute deferentially, “Thank you, and sorry for burdening you with my troubles, Miss Qing Lan.”

Although Qing Lan treated him with deep respect and called herself a humble servant, Ye Qing wasn’t stupid. He did not dare to treat her like an actual servant.

At the same time, he was very curious. How on earth did Feng Qingyou have acquaintances everywhere?

“You’re welcome, scion.”

Qing Lan gave everyone a warm smile that resembled a gust of spring wind before beckoning them to follow her. “Come with me. Miss Qingyou has already prepared your lodgings.”

The group quickly arrived at an alley entrance. The alley was quiet, peaceful, and smelled of osmanthus flowers. Standing on both sides of the alley were many refined and exquisite-looking detached residences.

Qing Lan looked at Fang Xiaoman and the others and said, “This is the Flying Osmanthus Alley. It has twelve residences in total. Since Chief Fang, Chief Gu, Scion Chu, Scion Lin, and your families are staying in Canglang City for the foreseeable future, it is necessary for you to have a comfortable place to stay. Feel free to select any residence or residences to settle yourselves and your families.”

“Er... We...” The group looked astonished and uncomfortable, though it wasn’t because the residences were terrible. It was the opposite.

Canglang City was one of the most stable and bountiful cities in Qi. Adored by the people, it enjoyed a massive population and tremendous prosperity[1]. Because of this, every inch of land in Canglang City was measured by gold. For example, a one-bedroom house near the city walls cost a couple hundred silvers at the minimum. As for a property situated inside the inner city and especially near a shrine of Lady Canglang, the price started from ten thousand silver and shot up infinitely. Despite this, every property in the inner city was sold out ages ago.

Flying Osmanthus Alley wasn’t just located in the inner city, it wasn’t far away from a Lady Canglang shrine. That was why every residence at Flying Osmanthus Alley cost between tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands silver each. However, not only was Qing Lan allowing them to stay here, she specifically mentioned that they could pick any residence or residences, meaning that they could pick more than one residence if they wanted to. Just who on earth was this girl boss?

“Are you sure this is okay?”

Even Ye Qing was raising his eyebrows. He was a wealthy man if he said so himself, but even he could not give away twelve residences—each one ranging between tens of thousands of silver to hundreds of thousand—without batting an eyelid. Hell, he was the recipient, and his heart was racing like he did something wrong.

By now, Ye Qing had had an inkling about Qing Lan’s background. Judging from the thick scent of worship and her seemingly bottomless wallet, the woman was most likely affiliated with Lady Canglang.

Lady Canglang did not know him or his friends. The only reason she would bestow them such a massive gift right from the get go could only be because of Feng Qingyou. Ye Qing did not know what kind of relationship Feng Qingyou and Lady Canglang shared, but he did know that there was only one way such a huge gift could be repaid: favor.

Ye Qing did not mind owing Feng Qingyou favors. What was another one when he already owed her so many favors? He simply needed to repay them all in the future.

He was concerned about the favor Feng Qingyou owed Lady Canglang, however.

After all, there was nothing more troublesome and difficult to repay than favors.

“Do not worry, scion. This is what Miss Qingyou intended.”

Seemingly guessing Ye Qing’s thoughts, Qing Lan shot him a reassuring smile. “In fact, these residences all belong to Miss Qingyou.”

“I see!”

Ye Qing relaxed immediately after he heard that. He then looked at his former colleagues and declared, “Qingyou’s my friend, so there is no problem. Feel free to stay here for as long as you please, everyone.”

1. Also the first sacrifice if Chu and Qi ever go to war LOL. ☜