Chapter 326: Arrival at the Capital (Requesting Monthly Votes)

The capital of Liang!

This was Lin Chen's first time coming to the capital.

The city wall, built of grayish basalt, stretched for dozens of li, its bricks pockmarked with sword and dagger scratches and charred burn marks, silently testifying to the battles it had endured.

Arrow towers stood like bone spines along the wall's ridge, cold iron siege crossbows glinting in the morning light, each bolt as thick as a grown man's arm.

The only difference from Lin Chen's expectations was that the capital had no moat.

"Senior Lin, does the capital differ from what you imagined?" Kong Qing asked with a smile, standing beside Lin Chen.

After returning from Yan State to Lord Lingxiao City, disciples from all martial academies went back to their own academies; the Canglan Wu Yuan's disciples also returned under Vice Principal Chen Shan's leadership.

But Lin Chen was called back by Hou Ziantian—someone of importance in the capital wished to see him and required his presence, so Lin Chen traveled to the capital alongside disciples from Qingyun Wu Yuan and the Capital Wu Yuan.

"In terms of prosperity, it seems less vibrant than Lord Lingxiao City, but it carries more depth."

Lin Chen answered honestly: Lord Lingxiao City felt overwhelmingly prosperous—its gates and distant towering buildings were magnificent and grand; by comparison, beyond the capital's imposing gates, Lin Chen had yet to see any structure rising above the walls.

"Your judgment is accurate. Lord Lingxiao City, due to its coastal location, gathers warriors and merchants from all nine states—it's the most prosperous city in Liang. The capital, because of its position, cannot match Lord Lingxiao in prosperity, but Lord Lingxiao was gradually built up to its current state under the First Emperor, and in terms of depth, it still falls short of the capital."

"The capital has been the seat of six dynasties; with our Liang, it's the seventh."

"As for tall buildings… the entire capital has only two structures taller than the walls: one is the watchtower, located within the military camp; the other is the Wuzheng Force."

Kong Qing, walking as he spoke, explained to Lin Chen: "When the First Emperor overthrew the previous dynasty, he demolished all the grandiose towers built solely to glorify the imperial family, retaining only these two. The watchtower's purpose needs no explanation; the Wuzheng Force tower rises above the walls because the First Emperor intended to emphasize its status."

"The Wuzheng Force governs martial affairs across the land and cultivates Liang's young martial talents—its responsibilities are far more critical than those of the imperial family or the court, equal in importance to defending territory and expanding borders."

Lin Chen nodded; he understood the First Emperor's intent.

One watchtower symbolized Liang's security, tying the Wuzheng Force's importance directly to the nation's foundation, ensuring that after his death, no unworthy successors or traitors would dare alter state policy.

As long as only these two structures rose above the walls, no one would dare challenge this—because it would be an act of supreme heresy.

The capital's citizens saw these two buildings daily, and through constant exposure, the Wuzheng Force's importance became deeply ingrained in their hearts; those beyond the capital who came here would naturally learn of it from the capital's martial disciples or common folk.

The First Emperor used this method to make every warrior and citizen in Liang recognize the Wuzheng Force's significance—truly a masterstroke.

To this day, Lin Chen admired the First Emperor more and more—he was an emperor surpassing every founding monarch Liang had ever known.

"The First Emperor came from the Yan Emperor's dynasty; he knew that the nine states were but a tiny island compared to the Yan Emperor's realm, so he never held the notion of ruling as a family's private domain."

Reflecting on the First Emperor's origins, Lin Chen now understood why he differed from other founding emperors: all previous dynasties, including those of other states, regarded the nine states as the entire world, their vision confined within these borders, thus clinging to the idea of family rule to preserve their dynastic power.

Soon, after entering the city.

Lin Chen parted ways with Kong Qing and the others.

"Senior Lin, be sure to visit Qingyun Wu Yuan—I must properly host you as a local."

"Alright." Watching Kong Qing return to the Capital Wu Yuan, Lin Chen also bid farewell to Zhang Ming from Qingyun Wu Yuan; the senior disciples from both academies warmly invited him to visit their schools.

After the Yan State ranking match, Lin Chen had firmly secured the top spot on the Dragon's Ascension List's Heavenly Tier—these disciples no longer saw him as a rising talent.

And in the Jiefeng Valley battle, if Lin Chen hadn't begun shooting arrows to kill many Zheng State disciples, their own losses would have been far greater.

After parting with the disciples of both academies, Lin Chen declined the vice principals' offers to escort him and decided to go to the Wuzheng Force alone.

The Wuzheng Force lay midway between the two academies, just one street away, and as the tallest building in the capital, he didn't even need to ask for directions to find it.

…

…

Walking while admiring the capital's streets, Lin Chen felt unusually at ease.

As he walked through the capital, he had no fear for his safety.

After a while, Lin Chen was drawn by the noisy commotion ahead—many people had gathered before a shop. Curious, he walked over and glanced at the shop's sign.

Dai Family Pharmacy.

"My brother took your pills and ended up like this—your Dai family must give an explanation!"

"Impossible. Our Dai Family Pharmacy has operated in the capital for thirty years—our pills have never had issues."

At the shop's entrance, a young man wore an expression of fury.

"Just because there were no problems before doesn't mean there aren't any now. Everyone knows your Dai family's Sanhuo Pill's main ingredient is Half-Month Lotus, and Half-Month Lotus grows only in Zhao State. Since Zhao State cut off trade with our Liang, your Sanhuo Pills must lack this ingredient—that's why my brother suffered."

"Zhao State only recently severed trade with Liang—we stockpiled abundant Half-Month Lotus last year and have no shortage. Don't spread lies. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to our warehouse to inspect it; if you still don't believe me, we'll hand over our pills to the government for testing."

"You planned this all along—producing good pills for those with connections, and inferior ones for those without. You knew my brother wasn't from the capital, so you sold him the bad ones."

Dai Dai Yuze was furious—he had never adulterated his pharmacy's pills; this man was deliberately damaging his family's reputation.

On the second floor of the pharmacy, behind the street-facing window, a woman's face was cold and composed. Soon, a middle-aged man entered.

"Uncle Chen, what did you find out?"

"Miss, these two are not from the capital. They bought one Sanhuo Pill here and returned to their inn. Soon after, the innkeeper heard screams. According to the waiter, he rushed into the room and saw one man lying on the bed, foaming at the mouth, while the other was crying for help."

"Did this man truly take the Sanhuo Pill?"

"We cannot verify that. The Sanhuo Pill dispels internal fire toxins—the man on the ground had red eyes and clear signs of fire poison inside him. Are you suggesting he didn't take it?"

Dai Dai Yuxi sneered: "Our Dai family has sold Sanhuo Pills in the capital for twenty years—never once had an issue, never once adulterated them. Last month, someone tried to buy our pharmacy. This month, three similar incidents occurred. Is such coincidence possible?"

(End of Chapter)