From a carp to a dragon god

Wuyang Town, ancient locust tree.

Several fox spirits were brewing medicinal soup. They were invited by Wood from Fengtian City to help distribute the soup to the people.

After Wood's explanation, Yu Shuyang finally understood that the root cause of the plague in Fengtian City was a divine calamity.

The calamity fuels the disease, and the evil healer emerges in response, releasing the plague in accordance with the calamity.

The powerful families in Fengtian City and the North Freight Yard were well aware of this matter. In order to successfully survive the "plague calamity," the starving people outside the city became the victims.

The core of a calamity is death. As long as enough people die, the calamity will dissipate, and powerful families can remain in their blessed lands, living carefree lives as before.

Wood was a disciple of a physician, how could he endure this? He came here voluntarily to treat the sick. When the noble families in Fengtian City saw this, they immediately cut off the relief food for the starving people.

This posed a real challenge for Wood. Herbs could be gathered in the mountains and fields, and even if one or two herbs were missing, they could be replaced. But food could not be conjured up.

"Poverty" has always been the number one ailment for doctors!
"Master, you are truly a timely help, saving the lives of people in the surrounding villages!" Wood exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

Yu Shuyang never expected that his act of compassion would actually help Wood solve his food crisis.

"Dr. Wu, according to what you just said, a calamity is about to strike and people will die. If you treat these starving people, the powerful and wealthy families in the city will surely cause you trouble, right?" Yu Shuyang asked.

Considering the prominent families in Fengtian City, Yu Shuyang couldn't help but worry about Wu De. After all, this doctor had saved his life, and he couldn't just stand by and watch him die.

Wood laughed and said, "Daoist Master, you don't need to worry about me. Zhao Shihou in Fengtian City wouldn't dare to harm me."

Since ancient times, doctors have been dedicated to saving lives and healing the wounded; this is the medical ethics of physicians. Whenever a plague rages, it is also the time for us, the disciples of doctors, to step forward.

That being said, how many people in this world can guarantee they won't get sick? Even if someone has profound spiritual cultivation and is immune to viruses, what about their family?

All the great doctors in the land come from the medical profession; no matter how bold Zhao Shihou was, he wouldn't dare to cut himself off from the medical community.

When several white foxes saw Yu Shuyang and Wood approaching, they all gathered around. They were all branches of the Great Snow Mountain White Foxes, and they had come specifically to help Wood treat his illness and save his life.

Menzhou was inhabited by the Baiyi people. In order to govern this area, the Rendao Dynasty enfeoffed several hereditary marquises specifically to guard the Baiyi people of Menzhou.

Fengtian City is the gateway to Menzhou and the intersection of three prefectures. The fact that the former dynasty's royal family was specially enfeoffed in Fengtian City is nothing more than a case of driving away wolves to devour tigers.

Whether the Baiyi people or the previous dynasty's royal family suffers losses, it is beneficial to the current dynasty's royal family.

In order to prevent the nobles from uniting with the Baiyi people, the royal family supported thirty-six royal merchants, which are now the Menzhou Chamber of Commerce.

The Menzhou Chamber of Commerce is like a bloodsucking insect, feeding on the warlords and the Baiyi people. Now that they are facing a bloodbath, they have begun to reduce the sale of grain in the market in order to incite conflict between the warlords and the Baiyi people.

The five powerful lords of Menzhou secretly joined forces in an attempt to expand the scale of the plague in order to reduce the number of Baiyi people. The Menzhou Chamber of Commerce also secretly cooperated with them.

This was not done in secret, and the Baiyi tribe naturally found out, so they asked the Snow Mountain White Fox for help.

"Are you all snow mountain white foxes?" Yu Shuyang asked with considerable curiosity.

Before coming to Menzhou, Yin Chenzi had told him about the origin of the Snow Mountain White Fox.

Before the destruction of the six sacred lands of the Fox Clan, the Divine Fox lineage had three branches. Among them, the Moon Fox and the Ghost Fox cultivated the divine path, and therefore, they were most affected by the changes at the end of the ancient era.

Besides the Moon Fox and the Ghost Fox, there is also a Divine Fox who specializes in the path of good fortune, aiming to be promoted to an auspicious beast.

Ultimately, the Snow Mountain White Fox was promoted to a first-class noble family, which was much more prestigious than the Qingqiu Island Fox Clan at the time. After all, the Qingqiu Foxes were all remnants of the six holy lands, and the two sides looked down on each other.

Later, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan produced a ruler who reformed Qingqiu Island and created a new island outside of Qingqiu Island to isolate it from the control of the Six Great Fox Elders.

Taking advantage of the Eastern Yi Emperor's campaign against half-demons, he seized the opportunity to establish the Fox Kingdom, including the Six Pillar Kingdoms and the Hundred City Foxes.

Since the establishment of the Fox Kingdom, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan has been trying to restore relations with the Snow Mountain White Fox, since they are both of the same lineage.

The two sides had already reached a consensus after several contacts, but then the "Bihu" family split up, and several branches of the snow fox and white fox also took the opportunity to leave.

Lady Lonely and her branch are a branch of the Southern Foxes, which, in essence, are descended from the Xiutu lineage of the Bihu.

The division of the Snow Mountain White Fox clan shook the very foundation of the clan. If it weren't for a first-rank fox immortal presiding over the clan, the Snow Mountain White Fox clan might not have existed at all.

"Master, isn't it obvious?"

The white foxes chuckled and tugged at each other's white fur, as if showing it off to Yu Shuyang.

The white foxes were not highly skilled, and they all appeared in the form of white foxes, without using magic to transform into humans.

"I've lived in the East China Sea for a long time and have heard of the Snow Mountain White Fox, but I've never had the chance to see one in person," Yu Shuyang explained casually.

Yu Shuyang knew that Mr. Gu and Mrs. Dugu had moved back to Daxueshan, but he didn't want to rush over to claim kinship, since the two sides didn't have much of a relationship.

"So that's how it is! No wonder you had all that grain! It came from the East China Sea. So you're in cahoots with the treasure ships from the East China Sea?"

The smallest of the white foxes tilted its head and looked at Yu Shuyang with great joy.

Yu Shuyang looked over, puzzled. Before he could ask, Doctor Wu offered an explanation.

"This is Liu Jinu. He is the fox keeper of the Liu family of Niaoshan. He is considered the young clan leader of the Liu family!"

"The Menzhou Chamber of Commerce has stopped selling grain because of the plague. The Liu clan of Bird Mountain has a large population and has been short of food for more than half a month!" Wood said with a sigh.

The Baiyi people have a custom of raising foxes. If a newlywed couple does not have children in the first year of their marriage, they will go to the snowy mountains to adopt a young fox that has not yet developed its intelligence.

Liu Jinu was a fox breeder in the Liu clan of Niaoshan. According to the tradition of fox breeding, once a fox was awakened and transformed into a demon, it was considered the eldest in the family, and the children born afterward were ranked as the second eldest.

Yu Shuyang knew a little about the Snow Mountain White Fox, but he knew nothing about the Baiyi tribe and was unaware of the status of the Bird Mountain Liu family.

"Daoist Master, do you have any more grain? Could you sell some to us? Our people are almost starving!" Liu Jinu asked expectantly.

Yu Shuyang said with a smile, "There's still plenty of grain left, selling it to you is no problem at all. However, there are a few things I need to clarify first."

Besides resolving the issue of the local deity, he also came to Menzhou to support a Baiyi force. The humane weapons contained in the Qiankun Long Serpent Bag were prepared for this purpose.

"Master, how about this? Let's head to Bird Mountain now, and I'll answer your questions along the way!"

Upon hearing Yu Shuyang's agreement to sell grain, Liu Jinu grabbed him and tried to run away, but Yu Shuyang pulled him back. "No rush, I have a magic weapon for teleportation, I'll be at Bird Mountain soon. Now, answer my questions honestly."

What is the current situation of the Baiyi people? I heard about the Murong clan of Yanshan at the North Goods Market, and now I've heard about the Liu clan of Niaoshan. Tell me about the Baiyi people first.

Yu Shuyang used magic to manifest a cloud chariot as a demonstration, which made Liu Jinu and several white foxes turn their heads. They were all from the Snow Mountain White Fox Clan, so how could they tell that this was a manifestation of supernatural power?

Liu Jinu reached out and touched the cloud chariot, startled by the solidity of the cloud energy; it felt just like white jade, which demonstrated the power of magical abilities.

"Master, I don't know how to answer your question right now. Most of the people in Menzhou are Baiyi people, but there are no Baiyi people."

The Baiyi people followed the Snow Mountain White Fox Clan and fled north across the sea to this place, where they have multiplied and thrived ever since, with their various branches becoming increasingly distant.

The people in Fengtian City, because they live near Niaolu Mountain and have the most people with the surname Liu, are also called the Niaoshan Liu Clan.

The Murong clan of Yanshan that you just mentioned is an old Baiyi clan from the Greater Yanshan Mountains. The Murong clan once established a kingdom on the grasslands, but was suppressed by successive dynasties.

The Murong clan has now split into four or five branches, one of which has sought refuge with Zhao Shihou in Fengtian City.

"I suppose you met the Golden Knife Hall at the North Goods Yard. And only their branch of the Murong clan lives within the territory of Bird Mountain."

Liu Jinu harbored deep resentment towards the Murong clan of the Golden Knife Hall. Among the Baiyi people, only Yanshan and Niaoshan were renowned, and they had always supported each other.

Speaking of which, the Murong clan of Dayan Mountain is more like a powerful and noble family of the Baiyi people. They have always been admired by the Baiyi people, but unexpectedly, a traitor like the Golden Knife Hall has emerged from them.

Yu Shuyang nodded secretly, feeling quite pleased. However, to prevent Liu Jinu from praising himself, he asked again, "Now that the killing has begun, I heard that the Bafu Divine Army is coming to Menzhou."

What are the plans of the Toriyama Liu family? Surely you're not unaware of this yet?

Liu Jinu was indeed surprised, clearly unaware of the situation. However, not wanting to show weakness, he still stubbornly retorted, "Daoist Master, you're looking down on people!"

Our Liu family of Niaoshan has lived in Niaoshan for so many years, witnessing countless dynastic changes!
"It's not uncommon for the Heavenly Army of the Overlord's Mansion to march north and break through the pass. But then again, there's a plague raging around Fengtian City right now. I wonder if they'd dare to come?"

Yu Shuyang chuckled upon hearing this, finding Liu Jinu's adorable appearance rather endearing. He stopped teasing him and turned to bid farewell to Wu De, saying, "Dr. Wu, I'm going with him to Bird Mountain."

This is my fish-scale flying talisman. Feel free to send me one if you need anything. However, I won't be staying in Menzhou for long, and I might not be able to find the talisman later. You can send me a message instead.

After Yu Shuyang finished speaking, he reiterated the location of the five islands in the desolate sea. Due to the obstruction of the East China Sea, the flying talisman could not transmit sound across the sea.

Wood was deeply moved by Yu Shuyang's actions. He didn't recognize Yu Shuyang at all and treated him as a kind-hearted philanthropist.

Liu Jinu gave a few instructions to the white foxes, telling them to stay and continue helping Wood rescue people, and then followed the long snake boy onto the cloud chariot.

Yu Shuyang maneuvered the cloud chariot, which was pulled by three wind horses, allowing it to travel directly on the wind at lightning speed.

Along the way, Yu Shuyang asked many questions. The Baiyi people had been suppressed in Menzhou for an entire era, especially during the period when the human dynasties changed hands, they were never able to turn the tide.

"Master, what you said is incorrect. If the Baiyi people had always been suppressed, the Murong clan of Yanshan would never have been able to establish a kingdom."

The main reason is that the forces within the Great Wall are too powerful. Neither the Baiyi nor the Quanyi can break free. Even if they unite and invade the Great Wall, they will eventually be driven back!

Liu Jinu complained, somewhat discouraged.

The Baiyi people and the Snow Mountain White Fox are not without the habit of recording history; it is precisely because of this that they feel a deep sense of powerlessness, as if they are locked up outside the Great Wall.

No matter how fiercely the seven prefectures within the pass fight, as long as the Baiyi and Quanyi tribes march south into the pass, they will eventually join forces to defeat them.

It can be said that the human dynasties took turns ruling, and even if a fool eventually came to power, it had nothing to do with the Baiyi people.

"All these years, the Snow Mountain White Foxes haven't offered any help? Logically speaking, the White Fox Clan is a first-class demon immortal family, how could they just stand by and watch the Tyrant's Heavenly Army enter the pass and slaughter people?"

Yu Shuyang couldn't help but ask curiously.

Liu Jinu, the white fox, looked up at the sky and sighed, which was quite inconsistent with his appearance as a white fox. He said with a sad expression, "The human race inside the pass is powerful. There are nine great saints stationed in the five capitals, and the five prefectures of troops are always in order."

If it weren't for the support of the Snow Mountain White Fox Clan, the Baiyi and Quanyi peoples would have been wiped out by the government troops long ago.

The White Fox Clan also suffered a lot of suppression. Back then, when the Murong Clan established their kingdom in the Dayan Mountains, they gave birth to the Bihu, which represents the dragon's fortune.

Unexpectedly, with the fall of the Murong clan, the White Fox clan was also affected, especially the Bihu lineage, which later degenerated into lewd foxes!

Behind this lies the instigation of the sacred sites of military strategists and Confucian scholars. If it weren't for the White Fox Ancestor's intervention, causing the heavy snow to seal the mountains, the Bai Yi and Quan Yi tribes would have been wiped out!

The lessons of the past are constantly being brought up in order to warn the people and prevent them from repeating the same mistakes.

The three groups of people—the white fox, the white barbarian, and the dog barbarian—supported each other and had the North Sea Dragon Palace as their backing, which allowed them to barely establish themselves.

Menzhou is a bitterly cold place, with half the year spent in the dead of winter. Anyone who has the means would not want to stay in such a place.

Huzhou was unsuitable for farming; the land was only suitable for growing grass. As a result, people could only make a living by herding livestock. In order to herd livestock, they had to move from place to place, following the water and grass.

At the same time, Huzhou is often hit by "white-haired winds," which are extremely cold icy winds that cause ice crystals to form on the body, just like white hair.

If it weren't for these reasons, the human dynasties within the pass would never have allowed the Baiyi and Quanyi to live there; they would have simply driven them all out to sea, just as they had done with the Dongyi.

As Liu Jinu narrated, Yu Shuyang gained a deeper understanding of the Baiyi people and came to fully grasp their situation.

For a long time, the human dynasty occupied seven of the nine provinces, while the Eastern Hegemony and Northern Profound Prefectures held the Men Province and Hu Province hostage, periodically devising ways to slaughter them.

It's like cutting leeks; you cut one crop after another, and they grow back one crop after another. If it weren't for this, the Baiyi and Quanyi would have been wiped out long ago.

Following Liu Jinu's directions, the cloud chariot arrived at Bird Mountain. The place was indeed extraordinary, with a majestic and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Bird Mountain is rich in red jade. In addition to white foxes and yellow leopards, there are also many red deer in the mountain. The three kinds of mythical beasts live together in harmony.

The Baiyi people in the mountains mostly wear deerskin clothing, and their hats are decorated with either fox tails or deer antlers, making them look very savage and primitive.

Yu Shuyang stepped down from the cloud carriage and followed Liu Jinu all the way to Beizhen Peak at the top of the mountain, which was the core of the Liu family of Niaoshan.

(End of this chapter)