Chapter 421: A special existence among the southern nations, the Ling family royal clan?

The Tasha Kingdom had a large land area among the southern nations, but its development level was very low, the country was relatively poor, and it was easy for such robbers to appear.

Although Li Chen often visited in disguise, this was the first time he had encountered robbers blocking the way.

There was no help for it; in the Tian Ce Dynasty, not only would the City Defense Army manage these, but nearby sects wouldn't allow the existence of robbers either.

In their eyes, these were all so-called "merits."

If they didn't deal with them, someone would deal with these officials.

Zhu Zhuying beside him frowned, not expecting to encounter such a thing just after crossing the border, fearing that it would displease Li Chen.

This team of robbers had more than twenty people, and the leader, a thick-browed man, had a fierce aura, and the machete in his hand flashed with cold light.

They could even perform simple meridian array coordination; they were clearly not ordinary rabble.

At the very least, they didn't look like those ordinary robbers.

"Hand over all your valuables!" the robbers clamored and surrounded them.

According to convention, they only robbed money and didn't harm lives, so even if they were retaliated against later, it wouldn't be too miserable.

Just as Li Chen was about to make a move, the thick-browed leader suddenly raised his hand to signal his subordinates to be quiet.

He carefully sized up Li Chen and asked cautiously: "May I ask where the young master is from?"

Li Chen was slightly startled, not expecting these robbers to be quite polite, and answered casually: "From the Imperial Capital of the Tian Ce Dynasty."

As soon as this was said, the robbers were in an uproar, as if they had heard some terrible ghost story.

The thick-browed man reacted first and hurriedly bowed: "A misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! This little one had eyes but didn't recognize Mount Tai and offended the young master!"

Cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and his voice trembled.

The other robbers also put away their weapons one after another, each of them as silent as a cicada in winter.

The Tian Ce Dynasty's army had just crossed the border, and in the eyes of the southern nations, they were an invincible army.

Although they weren't targeting any country at the moment, no one could guarantee whether this iron cavalry would suddenly turn direction.

The thick-browed man knew clearly that if he offended people from the Tian Ce Dynasty, and the news spread, it would be easy for the army to wipe out their mountain stronghold by the roots when they passed by.

Not to mention that this young master was from the Imperial Capital of the Tian Ce Dynasty; his status was even more extraordinary.

Zhu Zhuying looked at this scene with slight surprise.

The southern nations had chaotic public security, not only with such robbers but also with larger rebel forces.

She didn't expect that the prestige of the Tian Ce Dynasty would be something even these desperadoes wouldn't dare to offend.

Li Chen hadn't intended to haggle with such small characters like ants anyway, and seeing them being sensible, he simply rode away.

The thick-browed man even sent a little brother: "Hurry up and notify the brothers behind; don't provoke people from the Tian Ce Dynasty during this time!"

Watching Li Chen's receding back, the robbers finally let out a long sigh of relief.

The thick-browed man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered: "Almost caused a big disaster."

But what he didn't know was that the person in front of him was the Emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

This scene was a true portrayal of the Tian Ce Dynasty's deterrent power in the southern nations.

Even the most lawless bandits didn't dare to offend them; what kind of panic must the monarchs of those small nations be in?

Passing through the cities along the way, Li Chen felt that the development of the Tasha Kingdom was indeed very poor, and he saw many refugees starving in these cities. However, arriving at the capital of the Tasha Kingdom, it was indeed somewhat surprising, because it was very prosperous.

The wide streets were paved with neat bluestone slabs, shops lined both sides, and various banners fluttered in the wind.

Merchant caravans from various countries came in an endless stream, and the sound of camel bells and hawking intertwined into a prosperous movement.

The jewelry stores flashed with brilliant light, clouds of silk were piled up in front of the silk shops, and there were even magic tool shops for cultivators, with talismans floating at the door emitting a faint spiritual light.

The pedestrians on the street were dressed elegantly, many cultivators wore the costumes of various sects, and the jade pendants at their waists jingled.

Several Gu cultivators in colorful clothes were coming out of a tavern, and the insect pouches hanging at their waists emitted faint rustling sounds.

Seeming to see Li Chen's puzzled thoughts, Zhu Zhuying explained: "Young master, the wealth gap in the southern nations is large, and wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. Don't look at the Tasha Kingdom's overall level being poor; the prosperity of the capital is not inferior to my hometown, the Star Fall Kingdom."

Li Chen's gaze swept over those Gu cultivators, and he said softly: "Why do I feel a familiar feeling about the cultivators here? Are those Gu cultivators?"

Zhu Zhuying looked in the direction of his gaze and nodded: "If the cultivators of the southern nations want to get ahead, they have to go to the big countries for advanced studies. Many come back to open sects. Those few are indeed Gu cultivators, but their level is very average."

She paused and added: "When I was studying at the Chensha Dao Sect in the Tian Ce Dynasty, I saw many such southern cultivators."

In fact, to put it another way, Zhu Zhuying's cultivation level, placed in the Tian Ce Dynasty, was just a passerby level.

But placed in these countries, they were all local prodigies who were famous for a time.

Still remembering before she went to the Tian Ce Dynasty for advanced studies, she thought she must stand out and make a name for herself with her talent.

As a result, she only knew after going there: make a name for herself? Not being killed by demon beasts and being able to survive coming out of the mystical realm was already considered an ability.

With Zhu Zhuying's explanation along the way, Li Chen gradually understood this country.

It was getting late, and the two decided to rest for a night before setting off.

They came to a three-story inn called "Yunlai Pavilion," with noisy carriages and horses in front of the door, and various merchants coming and going.

The lobby was brightly lit, dozens of sandalwood round tables were almost full, and the waiters shuttled between them with dishes.

Li Chen chose a seat by the window on the second floor.

Through the carved window lattice, one could overlook the entire prosperous street.

Zhu Zhuying pointed to a team of young people in gorgeous clothes passing by downstairs: "Young master, please look, those are the royal children of the Tasha Kingdom. The golden python patterns embroidered on their dark purple brocade robes are the unique costumes of the royal family."

Just as she was speaking, a commotion suddenly came from downstairs.

Only to see a team of people dressed even more gorgeously walking slowly. The leader was a man in a moon-white long gown, with a crystal-clear jade pendant hanging from his waist, emitting a faint blue light under the lamp.

The surrounding civilians retreated one after another, and even those royal children just now respectfully stepped aside.

Li Chen couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: "Able to make the royal family avoid them, who are these people?"

Zhu Zhuying lowered her voice and said: "Young master, that is the Zhao family, an existence with special privileges in the southern nations."

Li Chen's confusion deepened: "Can the special privileges of the Zhao family override the royal family?"

Zhu Zhuying explained: "The Zhao family is a huge consortium spanning many countries, controlling the economic lifelines of salt, iron, and grain transport in more than a dozen small countries. It is said that there are many cultivators in their clan who have achieved success in big countries, so even royal children have to avoid their edge."

Just as they were talking, the Zhao family's team had already stepped into the inn.

The shopkeeper hurriedly greeted them, his waist bent almost to the ground.

The leading man's gaze swept across the lobby, and when he passed Li Chen's table, he suddenly paused slightly, a flash of strangeness in his eyes.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 422 =====

(End of this chapter)