Chapter 87: The Hero Offends the Prohibition with Martial Arts

"What is it, Young Master?"

Wei Fangsong noticed a trace of abnormality in Lin Chao.

"It's nothing."

Lin Chao shook his head; the battle behind them naturally did not escape his perception.

Lin Chao sighed; it seemed his identity as the son of the Wu'an Lord had likely been discovered by someone.

However, Lin Chao did not care.

That person should be someone who knows the Old Blind Man.

To Lin Chao, they were a friend, not a foe.

Moreover, even if his identity as Qi Lin were exposed, so what?

Lin Chao did not care in the slightest.

Along the way, it was calm and peaceful, with no major events occurring.

Ding Yi, however, was uneasy in her heart: "Miss Ping, our journey has been too quiet. With the strength of the Wind and Rain Tower, it stands to reason they would have found us long ago."

"Isn't it better that they haven't found us?" Miss Ping spoke up. "I am actually not afraid of the Wind and Rain Tower now. I feel this escort agency is truly eerie; I feel that apart from us few people, there are no living souls."

Since childhood, she had been tainted by an Immortal Corpse, giving her extraordinary perception, and she could discover things that others could not.

At first, upon entering this escort agency, she thought it was an illusion.

However, with so many days having passed, she knew this was no illusion.

It was real.

This escort agency was far from as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Of course, even if she said this, Ding Yi would not believe her.

Not many people knew that her perception was extraordinary.

"Miss Ping, you are overthinking it. On the contrary, I feel quite safe in this escort agency." Ding Yi glanced at Wei Fangsong.

This sense of security came from Wei Fangsong.

With Wei Fangsong present, if the assassins dispatched by the Wind and Rain Tower were not too strong, then they would still have a way to survive.

The group of over a hundred people did not encounter any other incidents along the way.

Up ahead, a towering, massive city appeared in everyone's field of vision.

The great city stood upon the vast earth, with three large characters above it.

Jubei City!

"We have arrived at Jubei City." A trace of joy appeared on Wei Fangsong's face.

Arriving at Jubei City meant that they were not far from Fenglan.

Jubei City was the final city in the northernmost reaches of Great Yan Dynasty.

Beyond Jubei City, there were three countries: Wei, Jing, and Fenglan.

Wei was a formidable rival to the Great Yan Dynasty.

However, Wei had once been crushed by the army led by the Wu'an Lord, suffering heavy damage to its national strength, and was still in the midst of recovery.

Jing Country had a vast land area, but Martial Arts did not flourish there, and it was governed by scholars.

This country hid wealth among the people, but because Martial Arts were in decline, its military strength was weak.

Soldiers from Wei would often disguise themselves as bandits and horse thieves to invade Jing Country and plunder wealth.

As for Fenglangguo, its area was not large, and its population was only a million or so.

This country was the weakest in national strength among the four.

However, a Heavenly Human had once appeared in Fenglangguo.

No one knew if this Heavenly Human was still alive.

Other countries were very wary of Fenglan.

Moreover, Fenglan was located in a remote area and did not have many gold and silver treasures.

The only thing that could attract other countries was the Immortal Corpse.

Or rather, the men and women of Fenglangguo.

Population was a resource.

It was precisely because of this that Fenglangguo had been able to continue to exist.

At this moment, Lin Chao stepped off the carriage: "This is Jubei City, the premier majestic city of the north."

This was also the most stable line of defense for the Great Yan Dynasty.

Here, it possessed the most powerful border army of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The only force capable of contending with the border army of Jubei City was the Qi Family Army led by the Wu'an Lord.

However, when the war ended at that time, the Qi Family Army was disbanded and integrated into other legions.

Wei Fangsong looked at Jubei City and sighed: "This is my first time coming to Jubei City."

The group entered Jubei City.

Inside Jubei City, there was none of the desolation of the north; instead, there were many martial arts heroes.

On the main streets, soldiers of the Jubei Army wearing armor patrolled from time to time.

Although there were many martial arts heroes within Jubei City, these heroes all showed expressions of awe when looking at these soldiers.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, individual prowess could play a significant role in major battles, but this did not mean that military formations were useless.

On the contrary, soldiers in the army practiced special military killing techniques, and by practicing Martial Arts according to the army's methods, they could achieve quick results.

These military formations composed of martial artists were extremely powerful.

Even a Grandmaster expert would find it very difficult to escape if trapped within the formation of a strong army.

"Go, go to the inn to eat some hot food and replenish some dry rations," Wei Fangsong said.

"Alright."

The group of over a hundred people went to the inn in a grand procession.

The buildings in Jubei City were built large and spacious, very rugged, lacking the delicacy and compactness of those in the south.

The group of over a hundred people split into several waves and entered different inns.

Lin Chao sat in a restaurant, and a familiar feeling washed over him.

Drinking wine, eating meat, and listening to the wanderers of the Jianghu boast.

"Recently, there has been quite a bit of explosive news in the Jianghu.

Li Huanyun of the Two Yang Finger fought a battle against the Sacred Maiden Qingrou in Lin'an City, won a great victory, and entered the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking."

"This Li Huanyun of the Two Yang Finger is quite interesting; every time he challenges someone, he only seeks out women at the top of the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

It's as if his Two Yang Finger has a bonus against women."

"Hahaha."

"What kind of explosive news is that? I heard that an Electric-level Assassin from the Wind and Rain Tower has defected."

"Ah? An Electric-level Assassin, how could they defect!"

"I heard the Wind and Rain Tower obtained an Immortal Corpse Bone; that Electric-level Assassin snatched the Immortal Corpse Bone, eventually fled, and disappeared. The Wind and Rain Tower has offered a reward of one million taels of silver just to obtain that Immortal Corpse Bone."

"This Electric-level Assassin is bold, daring to defect even from the Wind and Rain Tower."

"Many major events have happened in the Jianghu recently.

Tianji Laoren of the Tianji Pavilion attained the Dao at Dongyang Hu and entered the realm of Grandmaster.

As for small matters like Li Huanyun, they are not worth mentioning."

Listening to this news, Lin Chao's expression was very calm.

Beside him, Miss Ping's expression changed slightly.

She was interested in anything related to the Immortal Corpse Bone.

Lin Chao continued to eat his meal.

Just then, a scholar in green robes walked over: "This young master, are you Qi Pinggui of the Ping'an Escort Agency? My master invites you over for a chat; would you be willing to do him the honor?"

The scholar in green robes had a handsome face, looked to be in his forties, and gave people a feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

Beside him, Wei Fangsong's expression changed slightly; he lowered his voice and said to Lin Chao: "Young Master, this is an expert."

Although he could not discern the strength of the scholar in green robes, there seemed to be immense energy hidden within the scholar's calm body.

Lin Chao looked up at the scholar in green robes.

He naturally saw that this scholar in green robes was a First-Grade Expert.

In Jubei City, there were only a few people who could be called "master" by such a First-Grade Expert.

"Alright." After thinking for a moment, Lin Chao agreed.

After all, he was highly skilled and bold.

"You all continue eating, then meet at the usual place."

"As you command." Wei Fangsong glanced at the scholar in green robes, his expression full of wariness, and ultimately said nothing.

A quarter of an hour later.

Lin Chao arrived at a courtyard.

This courtyard was quite different in style from Jubei City, instead possessing more delicacy and subtlety.

The courtyard was very large.

Walking inside, there was surprisingly even a lake.

An old man with a vigorous spirit was dressed in silk and was fishing.

Seeing Lin Chao arrive, a gentle smile appeared on the old man's face.

"Lad, sit down quickly, sit next to me."

Beside him, a look of suspicion appeared on the face of the scholar in green robes.

Ever since the heir died unexpectedly a few years ago, the Prince had always been sorrowful and had almost never smiled.

Moreover, the Prince had always been solemn and stern; where would he show such...

Today, seeing this young man from the escort agency, why was he so amiable and kind? Could it be...

Lin Chao sat down, his heart also carrying a trace of doubt.

He did not know this old man.

At this moment, seeing the old man, he also had certain guesses about the old man's identity.

He was likely that Jubei King.

Lin Chao had never had a good feeling about people from the Royal Family.

However, he did not show it, but instead sat down beside the old man.

"Lad, what is your view on this world of Dayan?" the old man asked.

"It's quite good," Lin Chao answered casually, but then thinking of something, he paused and said, "It's a pity, it is hard on the commoners."

In this world, ordinary commoners had a great mountain over their heads.

The powerful, the wealthy merchants, and the martial artists.

In Daxia, there was a saying that the wealthy practice martial arts.

To practice martial arts and achieve some results, one at least needs to know how to read.

Furthermore, one also needs to consume enough food every day.

Where would ordinary commoners have the money to buy so much food to eat?

This world has a jianghu, which sounds like it has a lot of chivalrous spirit.

But in reality, the lives of the common people at the bottom are not even as good as those of the ancient people of Daxia.

"The chivalrous use martial arts to violate the law"—that is not just empty talk.

Hearing Lin Chao's answer, a trace of a smile appeared on the old man's face, and he said slowly, "Back then, Wu'an Lord also said this to me."

He said that because of Martial Arts, our Dayan has become strong.

But the lives of the people of Dayan are not even as good as those in Jing Country.

Do you know that every year, thousands of Dayan citizens enter Jing Country through Jubei City?

The small Jing Country is actually more liked by the people of the world."

Lin Chao was slightly stunned.

It seems this old man knows his identity; otherwise, he would not have mentioned Wu'an Lord.

Moreover, what this old man said is the truth.

The national power of Dayan is indeed strong.

However, due to the existence of Martial Arts, the common people at the bottom live like slaves.

Above the heads of the people are the powerful and noble, as well as the great mountain that is the martial artists.

In the laws of Dayan, there is even such an absurd provision: all high-grade martial artists seeking revenge are not restricted by the law.

In fact, this is just giving martial artists the right to kill.

Therefore, the lives of the common people at the bottom are very bitter, and their most basic survival cannot be guaranteed.

Jing Country, on the other hand, governs the country through civil administration; martial artists do not have such great power, and the common people live relatively good lives.

"The chivalrous use martial arts to violate the law. You tell me, if a ban on martial arts were issued, imitating Jing Country, would the lives of the people of Dayan improve?" the old man asked.

Lin Chao shook his head: "No. If that were the case, how would our Dayan be any different from Jing Country? We would eventually be reduced to a vassal of Wei."

Moreover, issuing a ban on martial arts is simply impossible to achieve.

Whoever dares to propose a ban on martial arts in the imperial court would likely see the corpses of that official's entire family by the next day."

"Sigh..." the old man let out a sigh, "You understand such a simple principle, so why doesn't Wu'an Lord understand it?"

"Perhaps... he is more idealistic," Lin Chao said slowly.

He had never met Wu'an Lord, his father.

But over these many years, he had heard a lot of information about Wu'an Lord.

Wu'an Lord came from a poor background, having lost his mother and father at a young age, and he grew up eating food provided by the hundred families.

A private school scholar saw that he was naturally intelligent and took him as a disciple, and eventually, Wu'an Lord gradually became powerful.

Wu'an Lord has a very good reputation among the common people at the bottom.

"If you were Wu'an Lord, what would you do?" The old man looked at Lin Chao with a smile on his face.

"A ban on martial arts? I certainly wouldn't issue one, I wouldn't even mention it," Lin Chao said with a smile in his eyes. "Then, I would store up grain, delay claiming the title of king, cultivate factions, purge those around the throne, and hold the emperor hostage to command the vassals."

"Haha." The old man laughed, "You are truly bold!"

Regarding Lin Chao's answer, he could not say he was satisfied, nor could he say he was dissatisfied.

This could be considered the easiest way to satisfy ambition, and also the most correct answer.

"However, this method does not solve the problem of the people's suffering."

Lin Chao glanced at the old man, slightly surprised.

Generally speaking, those who are vested interests will protect their own class.

How does this old man seem like he wants to betray his own class?

This is very rare and very precious.

Generally speaking, those with less wealth and lower status are more likely to betray their own class, hoping to become people above others.

And those who are already above others rarely betray their own class, as that would mean their own interests would be damaged.

"It's very simple. Once power is controlled,

then I would gather the resources of the world, refine myself to be invincible in the current age, and suppress the world for a generation.

If I say that is a horse, then it is a horse!

I issue a ban on martial arts; whoever dares to disobey, I kill!

I am the big picture!"

Lin Chao pointed at the small deer in the distance, a smile appearing on his face.

He thought of Cang Jun.

Cang Jun likely has the same thoughts as he does at this moment.

He is the big picture; he is the mandate of heaven.

"What a fine 'pointing at a deer and calling it a horse'." The old man smiled.

Lin Chao's words had quite a bit of youthful spirit.

However, if a youth had no spirit, then he would not be a youth.

"But what will you do after you die?"

"If I have to worry about things after I die, that would be too tiring.

After I die, if floods overflow or stars fall, what does that have to do with me?" Lin Chao said calmly.

(End of this chapter)