Chapter 385: Qianyuan Mountain & Lingdong County
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Pang Feiyun was a spoilt disciple of a famous sect, who was not worthy of Zhou Bao’s worry. By teaching him a lesson and kicking him out of his room, Zhou Bao already showed his stance to School of Five Virtues. Whatever would happen next was none of his business.
“Now, it’s time to think about Qianyuan Mountain. Master of Golden Lights Cave, do you think that you can easily plot against me? Hum, Golden Lights Cave, what a well-known place! I’ll see what’s so special!”
After giving a snort, Zhou Bao moved and disappeared with a gushed wind.
To be precise, instead of a mountain, Qianyuan Mountain was just a hill near the edge of a mountain range located on the mainland of Jin, Pingzhou. This small mountain range was known as Cui Mountains. Therefore, Qianyuan Mountain was in Pingzhou. Originally, it was very desolate. Although it was in Pingzhou, it bordered on the junction of four provinces. Without anyone managing, there were hordes of thieves robbing ordinary people. Thus, people here lived a miserable life. However, since Master of Golden Lights Cave established a sect here, everything had changed. This master was a well-known powerhouse all over the world. No matter how many thieves were there, they were just a joke to him. Furthermore, he was a sword pract.i.tioner, who emphasized killing. Hence, mercilessly, he exterminated all the thieves within a 100-mile radius from Qianyuan Mountain in just a few days. Besides, he occupied their stronghold and established a new sect there.
Because of him, this place became prosperous within a few years. Many commercial routes were created, and people all gathered here. These changes were similar to what happened to Zhou Bao’s Wuyang Region these years. The only difference was that this place was smaller than the Wuyang Region.
Master of Golden Lights Cave got along well with the people of Mingyi School. They cooperated with each other. Therefore, he was very influential in the court. Unlike Zhou Bao, who had obtained the rank of n.o.bility, he had been taken good care of by local officials. The government even established a new county here, called the Lingdong County, which meant it was an area to the east of Cui Mountains. The government sent officials to manage government affairs here. This place used to be a junction with the worst public order. However, with Master of Golden Lights Cave here, it became the most peaceful and well-ordered place within these four provinces. No one could find any fault with this place, even the pickiest people.
After dozens of years of management, the Lingdong County became a famous big county in Pingzhou. It was prosperous, and people here were making a good living and were contented. You could even describe it as a paradise on earth.
As was known to all, because of Master of Golden Lights Cave, they could make a good living and enjoy a good environment. In the Lingdong County, Master of Golden Lights Cave enjoyed an unparalleled prestige. Even Emperor of Great Jin could not obtain such respect like him. People in the Lingdong County all wors.h.i.+pped the longevity memorial tablet of Master of Golden Lights Cave. They prayed to G.o.d and hoped that Master of Golden Lights Cave could have many happy returns. These prayers came from their hearts. Only those whose cultivation reached a certain phase could see a faint layer of golden light above Lingdong Country. Ordinary people could not see anything. It was deposited on the peak of Golden Lights Cave slowly, like a layer of fog.
“Master of Golden Lights Cave is by no means an ordinary person. He has gathered so much Power of Wish. Perhaps he’s a Buddhist sage rather than a sword pract.i.tioner?!” thought Zhou Bao.
The effect of combined Power of Wish was mysterious, but only members of Buddhism could really make full use of it in this world.
Zhou Bao now wore a simple but clean cyan robe and a cyan headband. He looked like an ordinary young scholar, with no outstanding features.
Walking along the prosperous West Avenue of Lingdong and watching the busy people around him, he suddenly felt excited but guilty.
Although he was not interested in Master of Golden Lights Cave, he had to admit that because of him, people here could lead good lives. However, now he was going to destroy everything here. It was truly an unpleasant thing.
West Avenue was the business street of the Lingdong County, where a.s.sorted shops gathered, resulting in prosperity and also chaos.
Yeah. Chaos. It could be easily figured out from the surrounding sounds.
“Eggs, selling eggs! One penny for three eggs…!”
“Steamed stuffed buns, hot steamed stuffed buns! One penny for two…!”
“Fish, freshly-caught fis.h.!.+ Ten pennies for three…!”
…
…
Similar calls were all over the place. West Avenue seemed like a busy bazaar. It was also somewhat similar to an outdoor market in the past, utter disorder.
“Only in such places can I realize the benefits of urban management!”
After stepping into a pool of wastewater, Zhou Bao lifted his foot with a wry smile and began to walk along the street more cautiously. Of course, it made him more determined on establis.h.i.+ng a qualified urban management team in the Wuyang Region. Its combat power may not match the professional urban management team in his previous life, but, at least, it could act as a deterrent.
After Zhou Bao walked for some time, the road condition gradually changed. West Avenue was divided into three parts. The first part was the chaotic market he walked through just now. When he reached the middle section of West Avenue, he found a crossroad. Several restaurants were over there. Their huge billboards were waving in the wind, and the fragrance of dishes poured into his nose. Suddenly, he felt hungry.
His gaze swept around and he chose a restaurant whose dishes seemed to attract him the most. He walked slowly into the restaurant.
“Sir, this way please!” Everything was the same as he had thought. Bowing and sc.r.a.ping outside the door, the waiter hung a white towel on his shoulder and wore a flattering smile.
“Not bad. It’s just like the first time I went shopping in the Qingyang Town!”
This environment made Zhou Bao feel at ease. Following the waiter, he entered the restaurant, known as Yunkelai Restaurant. He sat down behind a clean and available table on the first floor. The waiter cleaned the table diligently with the white towel on his shoulder and poured tea for him. He asked, “Sir, what would you like?”
“I’d like the three best dishes and a bottle of good wine!” Zhou Bao ordered gently.
“Okay!” The waiter smiled upon hearing his words. He may be young, but he has already been a waiter for five to six years. He really had a discerning eye. Though the young scholar in front of him was not well-dressed, he absolutely did not lack money. Of course, he may have a free meal here. But if he really had a dine and dash, he would not have done it so confidently.
The waiter served dishes and wine very quickly. Zhou Bao sat there and ate slowly. Meanwhile, he listened to other diners’ chat. Although they were talking about minor affairs that happened in the Lingdong County, their words acted as a refresher to him.
“Rumor had it that Golden Lights Cave is going to accept disciples again. I wonder whether it’s true!”
A m.u.f.fled voice came into Zhou Bao’s ear and attracted him.
“Of course it’s true. My cousin told me this news. He’s an inner core disciple of Golden Lights Cave and is qualified to have a say in front of Seneschal. He told me about it in person!”
“But it has already accepted some disciples last year. Golden Lights Cave only accepts disciples every three years. It’s a rule that has never been broken. Why are they breaking that rule this year?”
“Alas. You don’t know that its Patriarch has broken through another phase and has now become a listed immortal. From now on, Golden Lights Cave becomes a school of immortals. Recently, people from Golden Lights Cave are purchasing materials without any restraint. They seem to be enhancing the formation surrounding Qianyuan Mountain. Before long, it will become a strong sect, the same as Tian Long Taoism and Mingyi School!”
“Really? That would be nice. We’ll live a better life under the protection of Golden Lights Cave in the future. Haha. Its Patriarch has become an immortal, from which we can benefit. Good. It’s really wonderful!”
“Pa!”
A gentle sound was heard as if a dish had shattered on the floor.
Though the restaurant was very noisy, this sound was particularly sharp.
All of a sudden, the restaurant became quiet. Everyone turned their gaze toward the source of the sound. It came from Zhou Bao, who had crushed his wine gla.s.s. When he heard that disciples of Golden Lights Cave were purchasing materials rampantly to enhance their formation, he was enraged by this formation. He guessed that they did this to set up Yin and Yang Dust Formation rather than to enhance their formation.
“Master of Golden Lights Cave really considers me as a pushover. Does he think that I’ll give him Yin and Yang Dust Formation because of Divine Wind Palace’s words?” thought Zhou Bao.
He clenched his fist and broke the wine gla.s.s. Little did he expect that he would attract others’ attention.
He left after giving a cheeky smile and threw a gold ingot onto the table. Then he said, “Waiter, check out. No need to give me the change!”
He was here to cause trouble for Master of Golden Lights Cave, not to act like a monkey and amuse others.
Looking at that gold ingot and hearing Zhou Bao’s words, the waiter’s eyes smiled into a thin line. He held it in his hands and thanked Zhou Bao for his kindness.
Zhou Bao just smiled and prepared to leave.
“Wait!” A voice came to Zhou Bao’s ear. However, he acted like that he had not heard this voice and directly stepped out of the restaurant.
“I’m asking you to stop!”
Obviously, the owner of the voice did not expect that Zhou Bao would walk out of the restaurant without stopping. He felt humiliated and jumped from upstairs without a second thought, aiming for Zhou Bao’s back.
However, he was just a Level Five Junior Master. Zhou Bao did not even dodge his attack. He slightly leaned his body forward just when the Junior Master’s hand was about to reach his back. When that man realized he had caught nothing, he felt something was wrong. But before he fought back, he felt great pressure on his forehead, making him unable to move.
“Are idiots from Golden Lights Cave all so rude? How did your master teach you?”