Chapter 19: Upper Valley City

Imperial Capital, Imperial Palace.

Great Zhou Dynasty Emperor, Zhou Wen Huang.

Zhou Wen Huang bore a stern stature and dignified appearance; his pupils shot cold stars, his arched brows lofty…

Clad in a pale gold dragon robe, wearing a purple gold hair‑binding crown, he sat upon the gold‑lacquer carved dragon throne in the high hall; his anger was innate, his imperial aura natural—he was the foremost person of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In the empty imperial palace hall stood a person.

"Old Man Zhang, do you understand the trick Thousandfold Gate pulled this time?" The emperor's imperial might showed.

"This old official also doesn't understand." Old Man Zhang hunched his back, looking seventy or eighty years old.

"Go on."

"Cough cough, that old official will speak plainly: Thousandfold Gate's history is even longer than that of our Great Zhou Dynasty; for thousands of years its recruitment method has never changed. This time it's unprecedented—reducing the number of admissions undoubtedly aims to change history. Our court must firmly grasp this, stay vigilant, lest unpredictable events occur… This concerns the continuation of the Great Zhou Dynasty's princes; since ancient times, the dynasty's princes must undergo tempering in Thousandfold Gate before they can ascend the throne." Old Man Zhang hesitated a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, you yourself trained in Thousandfold Gate for ten years, so you naturally know the situation inside; my meaning is clear: no matter what, we must send the crown prince in, even if they only take one disciple, we must secure that sole slot! This is the custom of our Great Zhou Dynasty! It's also a matter of face!"

Zhou Wen Huang propped his elbows on the dragon throne's armrests, supporting his forehead with his palms; the ten years he spent inside Thousandfold Gate were experiences he never wished to recall. The moment one walks out of Thousandfold Gate, one must sign a poison oath: in this life, never reveal any of Thousandfold Gate's secrets to outsiders, or else face pursuit by its elders—even the emperor is no exception.

No one could estimate the strength of those elders.

Back then, someone loose‑lipped after too much drink recounted an experience in Thousandfold Gate; that very night he died a gruesome death at home, together with everyone who drank with him and his entire family—over seventy people.

Thousandfold Gate is an existence even the Great Zhou Dynasty dares not provoke; on the contrary, the dynasty spares no effort to send its princes there for training, so that it may have heirs worthy of the throne.

"What does the Xiao family say?" Zhou Wen Huang asked again.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xiao Feng seems intending to send Xiao Xiao Yu." Old Man Zhang replied.

"Such a once‑in‑ten‑years opportunity—who wouldn't want a share of the glory?" Hehe.

"I heard that a few months ago Xiao Xiao Yu was pursued by unknown black‑clad assailants, which made Xiao Feng resolve to send her to Thousandfold Gate. Since Your Majesty is unwilling, why did you dissuade Xiao Feng? He dare not defy your orders. Could it be Consort Xiao's wish?" Old Man Zhang speculated, "Earlier, over four hundred youths competed for Thousandfold Gate; I have dissuaded two hundred seventy, assassinated ninety‑six, leaving about thirty. With a bit more effort, we'll be set—after all, there are still three months until August fifteenth."

"Really annoying! If Long Kui's son isn't settled, fine, but Xiao Xiao Yu also wants to stick her hand in!" Zhou Wen Huang grew angry but held back; he pointed at Old Man Zhang and said, "You—no matter what, you must settle this; the crown prince must enter Thousandfold Gate!"

"This old official will obey the edict." Old Man Zhang felt troubled; he knew Zhou Wen Huang's anxiety stemmed from the crown prince.

Crown Prince Zhou Yu was born to the emperor's favorite Consort Xiao; from childhood he was doted on by her. This crown prince had the conditions but lacked learning and skill, only indulging in drink and lust, obsessed with gambling. Apart from his status, he had nothing to compete with others.

But everything must prioritize the interests of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

……

Chen Yi He and Long Wang rode hard for a month before reaching the southernmost point of Bei Du—Upper Valley City.

Passing through Upper Valley City means entering the South Border region.

"Damn, finally seeing living people!" Chen Yi He exclaimed. Along the way he had seen hardly anyone; even before reaching the South Border, people were already scarce to the point of pity.

Upper Valley City is tiny, not yet as big as Mountain Group City, but in this remote place having a city to welcome and cleanse travelers is truly a godsend for the two youngsters on the road.

"Cherish it, have a drink! The next city we enter will be the location of Thousandfold Gate—South Border City, the sole city in the South Border." Long Wang drove the carriage slowly, turning his head to point at the map and answer Chen Yi He.

"Such a vast place, only one city? How much longer until we get there?"

"Few people, no choice… heading south, it will take at least a month."

"Damn, hurry up and eat! Pack the dry rations fully—I don't want to finish the day's trek and still have to hunt." Chen Yi He urged.

On Upper Valley City's streets, passersby came and went, dressed in the attire of their own families or localities, none appearing to be locals.

"How is it that as soon as we enter the city I feel we're being watched?" Upon entering, Chen Yi He felt a chill down his spine… he sensed many pairs of strange eyes fixed on their carriage.

Long Wang reined in the carriage and whispered to Chen Yi He, "We must be careful—this is the sole road from Bei Du to Thousandfold Gate, and with just over a month until August fifteenth, there may be experts in Upper Valley City now; we must be on high alert!" He added, "It's not only people our age; there are also elders escorting juniors or family retainers, all experts. If we're targeted, it'll be tough to handle."

"I get it—just stay low‑key, right?"

"Right! Let's quickly find an inn and tidy up our belongings."

Ten million taels of gemstones are most important.

All of Upper Valley City has only three or four inns; the one Chen Yi He and Long Wang came to is the only one with vacant rooms.

The inn's first‑floor hall was packed with guests, gulping down wine and devouring meat.

"Come, come, come—let's drink our fill today!"

"Sure, sir, come, have another drink, keep them company with another cup…"

Chen Yi He noticed a scantily clad beauty accompanying an extremely ugly man in drinking, pouring drink after drink into him until he was a mess, then the beauty helped him upstairs.

"Don't bother looking—that woman is a shill; her gang has its eye on that man's ten million taels of gold, waiting for him to pass out drunk before striking. Heck, with this lot still vying for Thousandfold Gate, they're practically begging to die." Long Wang told Chen Yi He, "People die for wealth, birds for food—many capable hands, each harboring ulterior motives; it's not only those who seek Thousandfold Gate."

"Ulterior motives?" Upon hearing Long Wang's words, Chen Yi He suddenly had a brainwave: "Aren't I still short ten million taels of gold? Why not take it from these people?"

"Exactly what I was thinking—come, let's hurry into the room to work out a plan!"

After the two discussed for half a day, aside from stealing and robbing there was no other way—it simply wouldn't work… The youngsters ultimately couldn't resist their loneliness; after feasting heartily, they again wanted to go out for a stroll on the streets.

"Looks like I was wrong—there aren't few ordinary folk in Upper Valley City either!" Long Wang remarked, watching the passersby and vendors.

"What are those people crowded together doing?" Chen Yi He, sharp‑eyed, spotted from afar a crowd huddled head‑to‑head, packed tight, very lively……