The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 316 - 203: Yunyang Prefecture in the Whirlpool_2

Chapter 316: Chapter 203: Yunyang Prefecture in the Whirlpool_2

However, the timing had to be right.

If it were really to involve such matters, the Cao Gang would likely be in trouble.

"No way!"

Han Kun stood up and shook his head, "Even if it weren’t for this crucial information, even if there were no such matter, we would still need to entertain you properly."

"I have already booked the largest room at the Smoke Rain Tower, the most famous brothel in Yunyang Prefecture, to welcome you. My young friend, feel free to enjoy yourself; it’s all on my account."

Li Yan was dumbstruck, "Welcome me at a brothel?"

"Aren’t you fond of that sort of thing?"

"Who told you I liked that?"

"Ha ha ha, the whole pugilistic world of Shan State knows it."

"I..."

...

In the end, they did not go to the Smoke Rain Tower.

Firstly, the situation in the city was complex, with the Three Religions and Nine Sects converging at the brothel, a place of potential trouble; going there would only invite difficulties...

Secondly, having just arrived in Yunyang, rushing off to a brothel would cement Li Yan’s reputation as the ’Brothel Scholar,’ a title he wouldn’t be able to shed...

The group ended up having a simple meal at the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Guild Hall.

The dishes were modest, comprising authentic Huiji Cuisine: Shao Sanxian, stewed salted vegetable with meat, Xishi tofu, Shaoxing Drunken Chicken, and more.

Having had their fill of meat and wine at lunch, Li Yan and his companions were not particularly hungry, so they ate a little and went back to their rooms to rest.

Unbeknownst to them, as they turned off the lights, the window of a room opposite them silently opened.

It was the room of the scholar who had been reciting poetry earlier.

Behind the window, a short and stout figure stood, his eyes gleaming bright as he murmured, "Such strong aura of treasures, what is the background of these people..."

...

The next morning, Li Yan awoke early.

After getting ready, he and Wang Daoxuan stepped out, planning to go to the City God Temple, while Sha Lifei and Lv San stayed in their rooms.

They had no choice; their luggage was truly valuable.

Yunyang Prefecture held a special position, thus it had two City God Temples: one for the county, and another for the prefecture.

Naturally, they were headed to the Prefectural City God Temple.

Registering there would allow them to travel throughout Ezhou, and Lv San’s Daoist certificate also required processing there.

The Prefectural City God Temple was located west of the city, a mile away from the Small Western Gate, which was also the gateway they had passed through yesterday.

Daytime brought out another side of Yunyang Prefecture.

As a critical hub for north-south transportation, commerce thrived, hence even the common people on the streets were always in a hurry.

Ox carts, horse-drawn carriages, camels... would often block the streets.

The people of Ezhou had fiery tempers, and when congestion occurred, they would start cursing each other, sometimes escalating to physical fights.

Spectators were always plentiful.

The only thing that could make them stop was to witness a spectacle.

While Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan were not ones for crowd-gathering, along the way, they noticed many oddities.

There were too many pugilistic factions in Yunyang Prefecture!

Hidden among the crowd, they went unnoticed by the common folk, but anyone with experience in the pugilistic world could tell.

Especially traditional elements like the Five Elements, Carriage Shops, and brokers.

Here, not only were there horse caravans from the North, mule and horse caravans from the Southwest, but even fleets from the coastal areas...

As for waterborne transportation, the Pai Sect and Cao Gang were already at odds with each other.

Unlike the Cao Gang that set up branches with local gang leaders in various cities, the Pai Sect operated under a leader, each commanding a substantial team.

And these leaders were far from ordinary; they were all from the Mystical Sect.

In the North, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect was considered the orthodox, with the Magic Veins being relatively weaker, but in the South, they were more successful, with countless large and small Magic Veins.

Thus, each leader of the Pai Sect came from different Magic Veins.

As Han Kun mentioned yesterday, within Divine State, all the major and minor forces intertwined with each other in a complex situation.

Li Yan had begun to sense it.

The stand-off between the Pai Sect and Cao Gang in the North and South matched the current Mystical Sect’s circumstances, and it was difficult to say whether the conflict was backed by the orthodox sects and Magic Veins.

The shops go without saying, obviously affiliated with powers from both north and south, what people, in what shops, if one couldn’t figure it out, they would definitely be fleeced...

Foot travel was likewise; they had already experienced this at the docks yesterday.

As for brokers, they were even more dependent on various sides...

Logically speaking, in this kind of ferry city that connects north and south, such a situation was also within reason.

But "All under heaven are brethren, the pugilistic world is one family," this saying wasn’t just for show.

The pugilistic world itself is a sort of rule, no matter whether one came from the ends of the earth, they all need to compromise with one another to make a living and establish rules, to avoid mutual destruction.

So, some also say that the pugilistic world is all about human relationships and worldliness.

And now this balance had been disrupted.

The source was the strife between the Pai Sect and the Cao Gang, after all, this was a ferry city, where the two powers were the greatest, and other gangs more or less depended on them.

"Yunyang has become a land of contention..."

Seeing the situation, Wang Daoxuan felt emotional and said in a low voice, "This sort of pugilistic strife will eventually cause big trouble, this place is not suitable for a prolonged stay."

Li Yan also nodded in agreement and, along with Wang Daoxuan, they quickened their pace and soon arrived at the Yunyang Prefecture City God Temple.

The City God Temple of Yunyang Prefecture was no less grand than that of Chang’an.

Moreover, the aura here was even more substantial.

In the five directions, east, west, south, north, and center, flags were set at the gates, anchored on stone platforms, rising to a height of three Zhang, along with the Mystical Yellow banners erected within the City God Temple, there were five colors in total, precisely the Five Directions Cloud Banners.

Common folks couldn’t detect it, but Li Yan could smell it; atop the banners dwelled deities, with five strands of Divine Astral Astral Bane Energy circulating, forming a vast situation, enveloping the entire City God Temple.

Li Yan exchanged a look with Wang Daoxuan, their expressions grave.

Such methods, it was the activation of an Array for protection.

If it were in Chang’an, such measures would only be used when Evil Spirits invaded, but here in Yunyang Prefecture, it had become habitual?

No wonder, that night when they encircled the stronghold of the Heavenly Saint Sect, the Taixuan Orthodox Sect mobilized troops without any hesitation.

What appeared to be the prosperous Yunyang Prefecture, was actually fraught with crises.

Li Yan, pensive, approached the side gate and said to the gatekeeping Daoist with a cupped fist, "Daoist, we are magicians from other states, here to register."

"Show your Daoist certificates!"

The gatekeeping Daoist’s gaze was full of vigilance.

And the two Daoists behind him had already quietly placed their hands on the hilt of their swords.

Li Yan kept a calm demeanor and along with Wang Daoxuan, each took out their Daoist certificate.

Upon seeing the black Daoist certificate Li Yan held, the gatekeeping Daoist appeared quite astonished. After opening it and inspecting, a smile immediately spread across his face, and he said with a cupped fist, "It turns out to be Mr. Li from Chang’an."

"Brother Gu Hanzi mentioned that Mr. Li would be visiting Yunyang Prefecture soon. I am Feng Yuanzi, please, come in."

With that, he raised his hand.

Li Yan was slightly startled and on alert inside, but on his face, a smile appeared, "You are too kind, Daoist, I’m but a nameless minor player."

"Mr. Li is being too modest."

Daoist Feng Yuanzi replied with a phrase, and with a smile on his face, personally led the two into the City God Temple.

While another young Daoist hurried away, clearly to inform Gu Hanzi.

Brought to the Priest of the Mystical Sect, Feng Yuanzi personally took care of their registration.

Li Yan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Daoist, I have another companion who would like to apply for a Daoist certificate in Yunyang Prefecture, may I know..."

"Mr. Li, do not hurry. Brother Gu will be here shortly."

Feng Yuanzi gave a slight smile, interrupting him, and raised his hand, "Why not go have a cup of tea in the quiet room first."

Damn it, if someone offers unwarranted help, they must have an ulterior motive...

Li Yan felt an ominous sensation rising inside, but the situation being such, he had no choice but to adapt and followed Feng Yuanzi into the quiet room.

Feng Yuanzi was very courteous, personally pouring tea for the two, and said with a smile, "Tuanhuang, Qi Sect, Huang Ya, collectively known as Huai’an’s three famous teas, the best of each year are sent to Yunyang Prefecture, please Mr. Li, taste and appreciate..."

"Good tea."

Li Yan casually took a sip; unable to identify which variety, even though the fragrance was overwhelming and the aftertaste lingered, his heart felt increasingly uneasy.

Just about to ask, he saw a Daoist walk in from outside, tall in stature with flowing white beard, it was the lead figure from that night, Gu Hanzi.

"Brother, I’ll go back to guarding the gate, Mr. Li please make yourself comfortable."

Seeing this, Feng Yuanzi immediately rose with cupped fists and left.

Obviously, to leave the two here was Gu Hanzi’s intention...