The Legend of Fangren

Having made some gains, and seeing that it was getting late, Fang Shi set off for Qingye City.

Unexpectedly, as they traveled along the road, they saw many disaster victims, weeping and wailing.

Upon reaching the city gates of Qingye City, they found a large gathering of disaster victims, making it difficult to enter the city.

Having experienced this before, Fang Shi was no longer surprised to see this situation. Upon further reflection, he realized that if these refugees were allowed to enter, the city would surely descend into chaos.

Those refugees who turned to banditry are examples of this.

Although the disaster victims were outside the city and could be considered protected by the city, they still had nowhere to settle down.

Looking around, one can see people fighting over food, and others using their strength to act as accomplices to evil.

"Hey, where are you from? No disaster victims are allowed into the city."

The city gate guards stopped Fang Shi because his body was covered in broken branches and leaves, making him look like a man in distress.

But when Fang Shi took out the sect token, the guards immediately made way and politely invited him in.

The status of cultivators at the foot of the mountain was undoubtedly much more prestigious than that of ordinary people. When Fang Shi walked through the city gate, he glanced back and saw many envious eyes, all of which came from the disaster victims.

As you enter the city, there are few pedestrians on the neat stone-paved roads, making it seem desolate compared to the outside.

After finally managing to ask a passerby for directions, he arrived at the inn and finally met Luo He and the others, who were sitting on the first floor waiting for their meal.

He Qisheng and He Lin were nowhere to be seen, presumably they had gone to the City Lord's Mansion, so Fang Shi sat down at Luo He's table.

Qu Mei, who was sitting at the same table, immediately led the other senior and junior sisters to exclaim, "Junior Brother Fang, how did you end up sitting among a group of us women?"

"There aren't many empty seats elsewhere, so I had to squeeze in with my friend."

Ignoring the empty seats around him, Fang Shi shamelessly took out a few fresh spiritual fruits and won over his senior and junior sisters. Then, he casually asked, "Isn't Qingye City a major city in the Eastern Boundary? How many merchants come and go? Why haven't we seen a single one today?"

Luohe replied, "In the past month, there have been frequent beast attacks, and many villages around Qingye City have suffered. It's in complete chaos, so merchants naturally avoid it."

"Sigh, why talk about this?" a junior sister said. "The city lord of Qingye City and the sect elders will take care of this. We came down the mountain for training, so let's worry about what we need to do tomorrow."

"That's true." The others nodded.

Qu Mei added, "I heard my older brother say that when we go down the mountain to train and arrive in the city, we stay for six or seven days. During this time, the junior elder will take us to the wilderness outside the city to train and learn some methods for finding spiritual objects."

"But outside the city, beast attacks are frequent..."

"Wouldn't that be perfect? ​​We in the Nourishing Realm desperately need spiritual flesh to replenish our bodies. Fresh spiritual flesh is incomparable to that from the mountains. Even the taste is completely different."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to fantasize about a feast of spirit and flesh again.

Just then, two more people came in from outside the door. They were He Qisheng and He Lin, who had come home to visit.

As soon as they entered, they announced loudly, "Everyone, starting tomorrow, I'm afraid I'll have to entrust some tasks to you fellow disciples."

The Grand Elder asked, "Young City Lord, what is the situation in Qingye City lately?"

This title is a respectful way of addressing He Qisheng within Qingye City. The fact that He Qisheng spoke directly without consulting the elders clearly indicates that he was acting as the young city lord.

He said, "In the past month, many mystical beasts have emerged in Cangmu Valley, most of which come from the Eastern Wilderness. My father has been leading troops to hunt in various places for the past few days. Most of the city's troops have been sent out, resulting in heavy losses. Even the cultivators and retainers in the city lord's mansion have been killed or injured. Therefore, I am here in the name of the young city lord, hoping that you can help me."

His words were already very polite. In fact, based on the fact that Qingye City provides materials to the Longhe Sect every year, he could have made a legitimate request.

The Grand Elder immediately nodded: "We came down the mountain to gain experience, so it is only right that we do it."

He Qisheng nodded, then said to Feng Zhonghua, who was sitting to the side, "Junior Brother Feng, your Feng family has done a good job in hunting beasts these past few days. I thank you on behalf of my father."

Unexpectedly, Feng Zhonghua was not grateful and instead mocked, "The He family has become too comfortable these past few years and has neglected the training of their troops. How come they are having such a hard time even when hunting down the Xuan Beasts? They have to ask my Feng family for help."

"Hey! What are you showing off for? It's just killing a few mystical beasts..."

He Lin was displeased upon hearing this and wanted to step forward to ask for advice, but He Qisheng raised his hand to stop him and did not say anything more.

He led Helin away from the inn, and on the way, Helin couldn't help but say, "Young Master, you know perfectly well that our old city lord led his troops to hunt down the most ferocious beast packs, including many third and fourth-tier monsters. Every single one of them was killed by sheer numbers of lives. Even the Feng family, by taking shortcuts, managed to capture a few lone mystical beasts, dragged them back to the city, and then publicized it extensively, making the people think they had done great deeds..."

"But the several mystical beasts they captured did indeed bypass my father's military defenses. If no one kills them, the refugees outside the city will suffer heavy casualties, and our Crane family will surely lose the hearts of the people."

He Qisheng remained calm, and even though he knew that the Feng family, as the second largest family in Qingye City, did not usually like the He family, he did not deny their contributions.

"But young master, I think those few mystical beasts that bypassed the defenses are really not strong, and their location seems... suspicious? Young master, you must have noticed it too. I think the Feng family is definitely not so kind. They probably want to overshadow the master and then come to fight for power with our He family after the beasts have suffered."

"well……"

He Qisheng was well aware of this, but could only say, "Now we can only wait until my father returns to ask about the details."

If there is no conclusive evidence, then the Feng family's plan is an open conspiracy. Although it has a hint of taking advantage of the people's misfortune, it is a real benefit to the people. Even if they use this as a basis to make demands afterward, it will be in line with the will of the people.

The next day.

Several elders led their disciples out of the city. As they passed the city gate, they heard cries of agony everywhere, and some people even climbed up to them, trying to beg for food.

Some disciples, who were originally from ordinary families, couldn't bear to see this scene, but the things they carried in their bags were only enough for one person to eat and drink, and spiritual items were not necessarily good for mortals... Alas.

I had no choice but to harden my heart and walk away.

"Hey, hey, hey... what are you doing grabbing my pants leg! Let go of my dirty hands!"

Hearing the sound, everyone turned around and saw Zhao Ba at the back of the line being dragged by an old man who was starving and cursing.

He swung his leg, causing the old man to fall to the side, and quickly followed, coming to Feng Zhonghua's side, saying obsequiously, "Oh dear, if it weren't for the young master's instructions, I would have kicked that old man in the face long ago."

"Yes, I remember that." Feng Zhonghua nodded. "My Feng family needs to build up public support, and we need to be careful about some things during this period. Since you're coming to my family to be in charge, you should be aware of that."

"Yes, yes, I understand." Zhao Ba nodded repeatedly, recalling his poor family background, and how fortunate he was to be able to climb up to this wealthy family.

He glanced at the group of refugees again, and instead of feeling pity, he was extremely grateful for the difference in their circumstances.

"He's a bastard."

Fang Shi, who was ahead of the group, commented as follows.

Looking at these disaster victims, he did not take immediate action, but seemed to be deep in thought.

He then walked a few steps quickly to He Qisheng's side, wanting to ask him something.