In the future, Earth becomes a relic of the mythical era.

Chapter 196 Sudden
"Who are you!"

Seeing this, the sword-wielding girl glanced at Xie Lingxin and shouted warily.

Su Zhen called out, "Sister Fang!"

"Sujin?"

The night was pitch black, and the girl's attention was focused on Wangcai and Xie Lingxin. Only then did she see Suzhen clearly, and she was both surprised and delighted.

"You're okay!"

"Sister Fang, this is my husband. He saved us!"

Although Suzhen is young and kind-hearted, she is not without brains or cunning.

She accompanied "Li Rui" from Jiannan Road to the capital, handling all the big and small matters around him, and she was actually aware of many things.

Knowing that His Highness's situation was such that his identity should not be revealed to others.

With a single sentence, he not only revealed his identity but also reminded the two of their mistake: It was my husband who saved you!
Upon hearing this, the two lowered their guard somewhat and glanced at Xie Lingxin a few times.

He was young, thin, unsteady on his feet, and weak in breath.

He was an ordinary person, or even less than an ordinary person.

His clothes were unremarkable, unlike those of a wealthy family's son.

How could such people save them from that monster?
But when he saw Wangcai at his feet, he felt relieved.

This thing is really powerful.

Even when the siblings teamed up, they couldn't gain the slightest advantage.

With this little thing around, it's indeed possible to deal with that monster.

I just don't know how something so powerful could submit to this ordinary person.

What incredible luck!
"I am Xia Ming, and this is my younger sister, Fang Zhaoshuang. Thank you so much for saving my life! We siblings will definitely repay your kindness!"

Fang Xiaming clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly.

Fang Zhaoshuang bowed and thanked her.

Then, unable to resist pressing further, he asked, "May I ask, brother, how is that demon...? Also, besides my sister and me and the person in the room, are there any other people...?"

"The monster is dead."

Xie Lingxin casually remarked, but upon recalling the hellish scene in the cellar, she didn't immediately answer the second half of the question. Instead, she asked, "Who are those people? Are they important to you?"

Fang Zhaoshuang looked at her elder brother, Fang Xiaming, who said generously, "This brother saved us, so we shouldn't hide it. Besides, there's nothing that can't be told to others!"

“Brother, my brother and I are members of the Canal Gang. Those who were abducted with us by the demons are all members of our Canal Gang, as well as porters and common people from Mengjin.”

"So that's it..."

Canal gangs?

Historically, the Grand Canal of the Sui and Tang Dynasties connected the north and south, and Luoyang was located at the hub of the canal.

Merchants and travelers from various countries, as well as those transporting grain, salt, and iron, all traveled north and south via the Grand Canal, giving a glimpse into its prosperity.

Against the backdrop of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the influence of the Grand Canal was likely even more pronounced.

The power of this canal gang should not be underestimated.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "The only people who are alive are you. The rest... there's a cellar here, they're all in there."

Although the Fang siblings had expected this, they still found it hard to accept.

After asking Xie Lingxin where the cellar was, they wanted to go in and take a look.

Xie Lingxin advised, "I advise you not to watch..."

However, his advice had no effect.

Soon, the Fang siblings ran out in a disheveled state and squatted in the corner, retching.

Those who live in the martial world live on the edge of a knife.

The fact that they were reduced to this state speaks volumes about the terrible situation inside.

After they calmed down, they realized...

If we hadn't met Xie Lingxin, we would have been skinned alive and turned into chunks of flesh.

At this moment, a hint of dawn was appearing on the horizon.

The survivors in the room also woke up one by one.

At first, they were panicked, but gradually they realized their situation and all came to pay their respects to Xie Lingxin.

After dealing with the situation, Xie Lingxin learned from the Fang siblings that they were transporting a batch of grain to Hebei.

On the way back, Fang Zhaoshuang wanted to see the prosperity of the capital, so she went ashore and played for a while. She bumped into Suzhen and rescued her.

Back on the ship, intending to return to the headquarters of the Canal Gang, they unexpectedly encountered a monster.

Fang Xiaming said, "We've heard before that evil spirits often haunt the canal area and harm people; many merchants and cargo ships have suffered as a result."

"I initially thought it was just a rumor, but who knew there really were monsters harming people?"

The Fang siblings were filled with lingering fear.

It's true that there are demons in this world, but the Great Zhou Dynasty still has some means and capabilities.

Ordinary demons dare not openly harm people, and few who have seen demons survive.

Therefore, the number of people who have actually seen demons still alive is actually not very large.

Ordinary people are skeptical about the existence of demons.

"Brother Xie, may I ask what that monster is?"

After Fang Zhaoshuang recovered, she returned to her true nature, becoming mischievous, playful, and full of curiosity.

Xie Lingxin interacted with them using her original identity.

Su Zhen thought he didn't want to reveal his identity, and she wasn't surprised.

"Those are two rat demons."

"Huh?! Rats can become demons?"

Su Zhen covered her mouth and gasped in surprise.

Fang Zhaoshuang asked excitedly, "Do all monsters have three heads and six arms? Brother Xie, how did you deal with them? Was it this little dog? How is it so powerful? Could it be a monster too?"

A barrage of questions burst from her mouth.

Fang Xiaming couldn't stand it and pulled her back, saying, "Little sister, don't be rude."

Xie Lingxin glanced at Wangcai, who stood tall and proud beside her, looking at them with disdain, and casually said with a smile, "It's it, it... it can be considered a demon, right?"

"Ow!"

Master! I am a god! How dare you, a mere monster, compare yourself to me?

Xie Lingxin reached out and gave it a good pat on the head.

Isn't this just appeasement? Besides, you're not a god now. If you're not a god, you're a demon. Is there a problem?

"Ow..."

Wangcai immediately wilted.

It already knew that there was an emperor here.

Human dynasties have rulers, unless the world falls apart, dynasties change, and humanity's fortunes collapse.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be so easy for the owner to bestow divine status upon it again.

Regardless of whether it will succeed, this kind of behavior is definitely courting disaster and death.

Xie Lingxin asked, "By the way, where are you planning to go?"

Fang Xiaming said, "The headquarters of the Canal Gang is located at Tiger Crouching Gorge at the mouth of the Yellow River. If Brother Xie has some free time, why not visit Tiger Crouching Gorge? It would be a good opportunity for us to repay your life-saving grace." Xie Lingxin replied, "That's not necessary. I need to find a friend. How far is it from here to Mengjin?"

Fang Zhaoshuang said, "Mengjin? It's about a hundred li away. Brother Xie, are you going to Mengjin?"

Xie Lingxin remained silent upon hearing this.

No, how come I've walked for two days and gotten further and further away?

"Uh...yes, I'm going to Mengjin."

Fang Zhaoshuang clapped his hands: "That's perfect! We'll be passing through Mengjin on our way back to Tiger Leap Gorge, so why don't you come with us, Brother Xie!"

"Isn't this... bad?"

Xie Lingxin hesitated for a moment.

"What's wrong with that? It's settled then!"

Fang Zhaoshuang said smugly.

Xie Lingxin readily agreed.

The fact that I have no sense of direction must never be revealed.

They didn't linger for long; after a short rest, they set off again.

This time, Xie Lingxin followed them by water.

The Fang siblings, true to their reputation as members of the Grand Canal Gang, managed to acquire a large ship in less than half a day.

They loaded the more than twenty people they rescued onto a truck and sent them back along the canal.

These people, apart from some who were members of the canal gang, were mostly porters and local people who made a living on the canal.

They were on their boat because the Fang siblings had hired them.

As Xie Lingxin sailed down the Grand Canal, she had expected to witness its magnificent and historic splendor.

But unexpectedly, despite the prosperity...

It's no exaggeration to say that there were countless ships coming and going.

Hundreds and thousands of boats of all sizes shuttle back and forth on the canal, creating a lively scene.

But what of a prosperous era?
If it weren't for some "spectacular sights", it wouldn't be so bad.

Boats that collided frequently, and two groups of people wielding knives that clashed together.

The white blade plunges in, the red blade emerges; brains and bile dance with the waves.

There were also corpses that were frequently thrown from the ship.

I don't know if they were boatmen, porters, or merchants and travelers.

Corpses can often be seen floating on the river.

Along the coast, one can often see skeletons.

The Fang siblings said these are called "tan bones".

Feuds and gang fights in the martial arts world often result in death.

At first, Xie Lingxin had the idea of ​​meddling in other people's business, but after seeing it so much, she became a little numb to it.

How much can he manage?
Fang Xiaming told him, "Many people make a living off the canal. Not to mention the smaller gangs, there are three that can rival our canal gang: the 'Gate Gang,' the 'Hong Gang,' and the 'Pai Gang.'"

“Our Caobang is active in the Luoshui area, the Menbang is mainly in the Bianzhou area, the Hongbang’s base is in the Huaiyang area, and the Paibang is in the north.”

"Our major gangs have had their share of infighting."

Xie Lingxin didn't understand: "Doesn't the imperial court care?"

Fang Zhaoshuang sneered: "The imperial court? The imperial court is the biggest 'gang'! They take everything!"

“Boats passing through the area have to pay a tax to the canal transport office, that’s the official tax. In addition, they also have to pay a ‘release fee’. If they’re lucky, they can get through.”

Xie Lingxin asked curiously, "What if you had bad luck?"

Fang Zhaoshuang coldly said, "Then you're out of luck. You won't be leaving without being tortured to death."

Xie Lingxin remained silent.

He had gained a general understanding of the shady dealings on the canal.

If a canal is like this, what about the imperial court?

"We've arrived in Mengjin, Brother Xie. Are you really not coming back with us?"

Two days later.

The Fang siblings saw him and Suzhen off the ship, said goodbye at the dock, and tried to persuade them to stay.

In just two days, Xie Lingxin encountered all sorts of troubles on the road.

The various tests and covetousness of people in the martial arts world.

The harassment and exploitation by government officials.

Numerous obstacles and difficulties lie ahead.

It took them two days to travel over a hundred miles.

"No, I already have plans with a friend, and I can't break them."

"In that case, Brother Xie, you must come to Tiger Leap Gorge in the future!"

"Okay, definitely."

Fang Xiaming turned to a burly man with bare arms and said, "Old Qiao, I'm entrusting my brother to you. You must take good care of him!"

"Alright! Young master, you are also my savior, so please rest assured, young master!"

This man is called Old Qiao, and he is one of the people Xie Lingxin rescued.

He was from a small fishing village near Mengjin. Knowing that Xie Lingxin was coming to Mengjin and had nowhere to stay, he volunteered to invite Xie Lingxin to his home.

Xie Lingxin was also worried about having nowhere to go, so naturally she wouldn't refuse.

"Brother, who exactly is this Brother Xie?"

After Xie Lingxin and the others left, back on the ship, Fang Zhaoshuang asked with some doubt.

"He doesn't seem to come from a wealthy family, yet he has a maid like Suzhen with him, and a powerful demon following him. Moreover, he seems to know nothing about the world, unlike someone who has ever been out in the world."

“You saw the government’s inspection earlier. He seemed to completely disregard those officials. To me, he seemed like some important figure, while those officials were like nobody to him. He was very arrogant.”

Although she was a woman and not very old, she had traveled all over the country since childhood and had a very sharp eye.

But she couldn't see through Xie Lingxin at all.

He doesn't resemble any of the three religions or nine schools of thought.

Fang Xiaming laughed and said, "You're still too young. Who said he doesn't look like someone from a wealthy family?"

"Although he was dressed simply, a person's demeanor and bearing cannot be hidden."

"He has a kind of composure that I have never seen in any great person. This person is not an ordinary person."

"is it?"

Fang Zhaoshuang looked doubtful.

"Alright, no matter who he is, he is our savior, that much will not change. Instead of thinking about that, you should think about what happened before."

"I always felt that there was something strange about our encounter with the monster; it wasn't a coincidence..."

"who are you?!"

Just then, a series of shouts and screams came from outside the ship.

(End of this chapter)