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Chapter 346: Repaying Kindness
🕑 Added 2024-09-28 06:49:34 +0000 UTCIn Shunshui Prefecture, neighboring the Liujian Prefecture of the Shuangji Palace, the largest city closest to the border is Yushui City.
As part of the Qin Dynasty, Yushui City, even at the border, is comparable to sect cities like Jin Haimen in the former Linhai Prefecture. The city's design resembles a fortress, exuding an aura of war.
At the city gates, a line of people slowly moved forward, each being rigorously inspected. Those who could not prove they were residents of the city had to pay an entry fee.
Among the crowd was a young man dressed in simple linen robes, steadily advancing with the queue. This person was none other than Lin Qian.
As Lin Qian observed the long line ahead, he turned to an old man standing behind him and asked, "Old man, are you a resident of this city?"
"Of course, young man. I've lived in this city since I was a child," the old man replied with a cheerful smile.
"Old man, I have a small favor to ask. Could I borrow your proof of residence for a quick look?" Lin Qian asked, rubbing his hands together and smiling sheepishly.
The old man, being quite straightforward, didn't hesitate. The proof of residence couldn't be faked or used by anyone else, so he generously pulled it out from his robe.
The proof was a seemingly simple piece of paper, but it had been refined using special techniques and bore the old man's unique aura.
After carefully examining it and sensing it with his soul power, Lin Qian gratefully returned it to the old man. "Thank you, old man. I'm truly grateful."
"No problem, young man," the old man replied with a smile, then asked, "You don't seem to be from Yushui City. Are you from elsewhere?"
"Yes, I've been living in Bishui Town, but I wanted to come to Yushui City to try my luck and see if I can join the city guard," Lin Qian nodded as he explained.
However, upon hearing Lin Qian's words, the old man's cheerful expression suddenly changed. He took a few steps back, looking at Lin Qian with disdain.
The old man's warm demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, indifferent stare.
The sudden shift surprised Lin Qian. Why had the old man suddenly shown such disdain? Was it because he mentioned wanting to join the city guard?
"This is getting interesting," Lin Qian thought as he stroked his chin. "The old man, a city resident, seems to harbor deep resentment toward the city guard..."
As the line gradually moved forward, Lin Qian soon reached the city gates.
The city guards stationed at the gate impatiently gestured for him to approach. "Proof of residence."
Quickly complying, Lin Qian handed over a document.
After comparing it with a soul artifact, the guard said, "Ten lower-grade soul crystals. Hurry up!"
After taking the crystals, the guard roughly grabbed Lin Qian by the shoulder, trying to push him into the city.
Cooperating, Lin Qian subtly applied force, making it appear as though the guard had successfully shoved him inside.
If Lin Qian hadn’t done this, there was no way the guard would have been able to move him with his meager strength.
Once inside, Lin Qian glanced back and noticed that even the old man had to pay five lower-grade soul crystals to enter the city. This puzzled him.
Weren’t Yushui City’s residents exempt from paying entry fees?
But when he saw the guard pocketing the crystals into his own storage pouch instead of placing them into the formation behind him, Lin Qian immediately understood what was happening.
As the old man entered the city, he passed by Lin Qian, casting him a disdainful glance.
Lin Qian shrugged it off, not taking offense. After all, the old man had helped him get into the city, so there was no point in holding a grudge.
Without the old man’s proof of residence, which had allowed the Fireworks Department to craft a replica, Lin Qian wouldn’t have been able to enter Yushui City so easily.
Once inside, Lin Qian didn't immediately find a place to stay. Instead, he wandered leisurely through the city, all the while discreetly releasing scouting insects that spread out around him.
In Yushui City, Lin Qian couldn’t use his soul power to move quickly. He had to remain low-key. To swiftly understand the city's layout, he relied on his scouting beasts.
As he strolled through Yushui City, Lin Qian observed the city's inhabitants and gradually noticed something troubling. The citizens seemed to wear pained expressions, their faces dull and lifeless, as if drained of all vitality.
Upon closer inspection, he could see that their eyes were devoid of spirit, and they moved through their tasks with a mechanical, numb routine.
Not everyone in this world was born with the talent to cultivate. Many ordinary people would spend their entire lives stuck in the Basic Three Stages, never advancing beyond the Initial Stage until their death.
Those slightly more fortunate might reach the Gathering Stage in their middle or later years, allowing them to live a few more years.
But these ordinary people formed the backbone of society. While soul warriors fought and cultivated to grow stronger, acquire more resources, and expand humanity's territory, preventing them from becoming slaves to other races, these common folk provided the labor that allowed the warriors to thrive. They built and maintained the foundations of society.
Under normal circumstances, these ordinary citizens should be protected. But why did they appear so downtrodden?
After wandering through Yushui City for two hours, Lin Qian suddenly felt something and turned in a specific direction, quickening his pace as he went.
In the city’s slums, the area where ordinary citizens lived was filthy and chaotic. Narrow alleys were filled with sewage, and small houses were packed tightly together. The stench permeated the air.
In this area, the old man who had entered the city with Lin Qian was squatting in front of a small house, holding his head and crying. "I’m sorry, I couldn’t protect Yan’er. I couldn’t protect Yan’er!"
As the old man sobbed and let his tears fall, he suddenly noticed a shadow looming over him. Looking up, he saw the young man he had met at the city gates—Lin Qian.
"You..." the old man began, clearly surprised to see Lin Qian.
"What are you doing here?" the old man asked gruffly, his tear-streaked face showing his irritation. Especially thinking about his grandson, his fists clenched tightly.
Lin Qian looked into the old man’s eyes, which were filled with the light of desperation. With a sigh, he solemnly said, "Old man, you helped me get into the city, so I’ve come to repay that kindness and save your grandson."
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