The year was drawing to a close.
“It’s been three years since I went home. I wonder how father and grandfather are doing.”
Standing atop a mountain peak, he surveyed the outer sect, now quieter than before. The once-vibrant surroundings seemed somewhat deserted, creating a sense of unease within him.
Aware that many had left the sect to celebrate the new year with their families and clans, only to return later to continue their cultivation, Chen Fan felt a tinge of isolation.
Chen Fan hadn’t visited his family for the past three years because he used to be martial trash. The fear of disappointing his father and grandfather had kept him within the confines of the sect, avoiding the sadness he believed he would bring to his family.
Now, however, he was no longer a martial trash.
He was now a Qi Grandmaster capable of slaying first-level Yuanfu realm powerhouses, so he would be the deserved number one person even if he returned to his clan.
He envisioned surprising his family upon his return with newfound strength and confidence.
After bidding Qin Changkong and Qin Yao farewell, Chen Fan left the sect, riding a Golden Horned Horse. [1]
In the Great Chu Empire, only one imperial city existed, which was directly controlled by the royal family and served as the empire's largest city.
The royal family's influence extended throughout the Great Chu Empire. It was divided into 36 counties and 588 cities, radiating outward from the imperial city like stars surrounding the moon.
Each county fell under the governance of a prince's mansion, with cities and towns dispersed like chess pieces across the counties.
The counties were further categorized into upper, middle, and lower tiers, determined by the influence of affluent clans, powerful families, and the prince's mansion in each county.
Take an upper-tier county, for example. That county's managing prince’s mansion needed to have a Core Formation realm powerhouse overseeing it.
The counties located closest to the imperial city were upper-tier counties, and those further away were middle-tier counties. Those at the edges of the empire were all lower-tier counties.
Apart from the 36 counties, the 588 cities were similarly divided into Grade-1, Grade-2, and Grade-3 cities.
The comprehensive strength of a Grade-1 city affiliated with upper-tier counties rivaled that of a lower-tier county.
Qingyang County was a middle-tier county.
Chen Fan's clan resided in Xuanyang City, a Grade-3 city located tens of thousands of miles from Qingyang County City. Even though the Golden Horned Horse could travel ten thousand miles a day, Chen Fan needed several days to arrive home.
In the next few days, Chen Fan’s journey went smoothly.
He alternated between pushing forward and taking necessary breaks.
After four days, in the evening, he entered Zhuxian Town, a town under the jurisdiction of the Grade-2 city Yunfeng City. Though smaller and less bustling than a Grade-3 city, Zhuxian Town was still considered a sizable urban center.
Despite its designation as a town, Zhuxian Town resembled a small city.
Chen Fan settled down at the Sunset Inn. He planned to rest for the night before continuing on his way tomorrow.
Though it was merely an inn in a town, he was surprised to discover that it was almost full. Thankfully, he arrived just in time to secure the last available room.
Chen Fan sat by the window on the inn's second floor, looking at the setting sun and the bustling street below. He ordered some wine and the inn's signature dishes, enjoying his meal alone.
“Brother Wang, what's the latest in town? I've noticed a lot of unfamiliar faces lately. What's going on?”
A group of youths dressed in silk clothing at a nearby table caught Chen Fan's attention.
A black-robed youth addressed a figure known as Brother Wang, the apparent leader of the group. He belonged to one of the top clans of Zhuxian Town and was better informed, so the others asked him.
“Brother Wang” swept his gaze around and gestured for his buddies to come closer, and whispered, “You know about our Zhuxian Town’s history, right?”
“What history?” replied the others, skeptical.
Brother Wang said, “The Zhu family, the number one clan of our Zhuxian Town. Rumors have it that they were a large clan in Yunfeng City a hundred years ago, with a Yuanfu realm powerhouse overseeing their clan. However, their Yuanfu realm powerhouse perished in an incident. Without a backer, the Zhu family had no choice but to move here.”
“That’s all? If a declining family like the Zhu family had continued to stay in Yunfeng City, they would have been divided up and swallowed by the other clans sooner or later. That’s just the self-preservation method of most declining families,” said a black-robed youth, casually dismissing the story.
Brother Wang said, “Yes, that is indeed nothing much, but do you know where that Yuanfu realm ancestor from the Zhu family perished?”
The black-robed youth and the others immediately grew interested. “Could it be...”
Brother Wang smiled and nodded. “That’s right. It’s right here, in Zhuxian Town. Your clans have only moved to Zhuxian Town in the last few decades and aren’t as established as our Wang family. We have always been in Zhuxian Town from the times of our ancestors and know quite a lot of things.
“A hundred years ago, Zhuxian Town faced a calamity that led to the ruin of many martial clans. The Wang family, still weak at that time, narrowly escaped the disaster.”
“What calamity?” asked the black-robed youth hurriedly.
They didn’t know any of those things, as their background wasn’t as deep as the Wang family’s.
Brother Wang continued, “A Thousand Year Corpse King appeared in Zhuxian Town about a century ago. Can you even grasp the concept? A Thousand Year Corpse King cultivating for a millennium, possessing Yuanfu realm strength.
“At that time, the martial clans in Zhuxian Town had no Yuanfu realm powerhouses. When the Thousand Year Corpse King appeared, the entire Zhuxian Town plunged into a bloody calamity. Countless lost their lives.
“It's not clear whether it was a coincidence, but the Zhu family's Yuanfu realm ancestor happened to be passing by Zhuxian Town. Seeing the bloody scene, he immediately engaged in a huge battle with the Thousand Year Corpse King.
"I don't have all the details, but what I know is that the Zhu family's ancestor ultimately suppressed the Thousand Year Corpse King by sacrificing himself to resolve that blood calamity. Our Wang family rose to power from then on.”
“Zhu family’s old ancestor sacrificed himself to suppress it?! That Thousand Year Corpse King was that powerful?” exclaimed the black-robed youth in shock.
Brother Wang shrugged and said, “How would I know? I only learned all this from my clan’s records. Despite sacrificing himself, the Zhu family could only suppress the Thousand Year Corpse King and not kill it. He mustn’t have been that strong, I guess. He was very likely only a first-level Yuanfu realm expert.
“Otherwise, even if the Zhu family lost a Yuanfu realm ancestor, they wouldn’t have declined overnight and had to move to our Zhuxian Town hastily.”
“Brother Wang, what does this history lesson have to do with the recent changes in Zhuxian Town? Could it be related to that old ancestor from the Zhu family?” asked the black-robed youth.
Zhuxian Town had witnessed an influx of foreign experts, including several Qi Grandmasters. It had spread unease among the town's various clans, including the one to which the black-robed youth belonged.
Brother Wang raised his head and looked around again. Seeing as no one was paying attention to their side, he nodded slightly and said, “That’s right! That old ancestor from the Zhu family practiced a Buddhist cultivation technique. It's possible that his inclination toward Buddhism led him to intervene when he encountered the Thousand Year Corpse King, causing havoc in Zhuxian Town.
“Fast forward to three days ago, and strange changes were reported in the rear mountains of the Zhu Clan, where the Thousand Year Corpse King was subdued. Witnesses claim to have seen a golden Buddhist light. Considering those who follow the path of Buddhism often leave behind a Buddhist Bone Relic upon their death, the implications are significant.
“You all are aware of the Buddhist Bone Relic’s efficacy, right? It could create at least one Yuanfu realm powerhouse.”
The black-robed youth and the others were astonished. They lowered their voices and cried in shock, “So, these outsiders are likely here for the Buddhist Bone Relic!”
“That’s right!” Brother Wang nodded.
1. During the mini auction arc Chen Fan killed the arrogant guy and rode his horse back, it might be the same horse. ?