Chapter 53: Find Him!

The battle had ended, and the fires at the city walls were no longer burning, but outside Jinwu City, the roadsides were still ablaze.

Countless corpses of evil creatures were piled into mountains, doused in lamp oil, and burning continuously.

The charred remains and flying ash were swept high by the wind and scattered into the distance.

At first, they drifted toward the city, and the massive amount of smoke made people afraid to go outside.

But soon, the wind direction changed.

The north wind rose, also signaling the arrival of a Cold Wave for the autumn and winter seasons.

Wen Gu had people keep an eye on the movements at the city gate; as soon as he heard when the gate would open, he had his team prepare to leave.

Lin Biao and his men wanted to stay for another day or two, not knowing if the evil creatures outside had been cleared away.

But Wen Gu insisted, "We must leave as soon as possible; delay brings change!"

"The areas outside have been scorched by fire and choked with smoke, which greatly reduces the risk of evil possession, and those evil creatures have also avoided these places. With the temperature dropping and the Cold Wave approaching, even if we encounter them, their threat will be greatly reduced."

After the escort agency discussed it internally, they agreed.

However, some people in the escort agency wanted to stay behind.

Rumors among the common folk said that this place was protected by the Golden Crow Divine Bird, which could suppress evil.

Some felt that this place was actually quite good, and if they worked hard, perhaps they could enter Neicheng to live.

Having survived until today, they were not too naive and knew that life would be very difficult, but they really did not want to take risks outside anymore.

If not for Wen Gu this time, if it had been just them, they might have been swallowed by a group of evil creatures without even knowing it.

It was safer to stay here.

Those who had sprained their limbs or fallen ill during the journey—both escorts and employers—were the most easily swayed now.

They had headed north to seek survival and a future; since this was the territory of the Northern Six Great Factions and a god-protected city that even a gathering of evil creatures could not conquer, they preferred to stay here to make a living.

They did not want to flee outside anymore.

They had strength and had inquired about ways to earn food: doing manual labor or joining the City Defense Army would work. This place was protected by a divine object, and one could even be promoted for meritorious service.

The times were difficult, and no one knew if the next city would be better than this one.

Even He Da and Yu Er were swayed for a moment.

But then they remembered that there were quite a lot of street ruffians in the Outer City District, and they lived quite crazily.

They would fight in times of crisis just for a mouthful of wine, snatching the merits of the City Defense Army; they lived for the moment, not caring whether they lived or died tomorrow.

He Da: Do I covet that mouthful of wine?

He licked the corner of his mouth.

... Still... still very tempting!

But!

I still have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of revitalizing my family!

A hundred years from now, when I meet my charming ancestors in the underworld, I will tell them that I have carried the He family on my shoulders!

Of course, there was another important reason: there was no one here to protect them.

A single lighthearted word from the nobles could crush all your efforts!

Following Wen Gu meant they could still cling to some powerful figures; having backing made one feel more at ease.

In the end, twelve people from the team decided to stay, all of them from the escort agency.

No one could be sure if the choices ahead would be better. Wen Gu could not be sure either.

"Then we shall respect everyone's choice, but I have a few suggestions that I hope you will listen to."

Wen Gu looked at them, his expression serious:

"The city is still a bit chaotic right now. Use this opportunity to hide your identities. Do not mention the escort agency in the near future, and do not say you came with the escort agency or a large group. Just act as if you are ordinary refugees and know nothing else."

These dozen or so people listened carefully.

After this experience, they valued Wen Gu's words even more. Although they did not understand why Wen Gu said this, regardless of the reason, they would follow his instructions first; even if they had other thoughts, they would make their choices later.

Their share of the supplies was distributed, and Wen Gu had the team pack up as quickly as possible, preparing to slip away.

The burning had produced a large amount of smoke; although the wind direction had changed and the flying ash floating over Jinwu City had decreased, many people still covered their faces when going out.

The city gates opened; some people went out to work, some to cut firewood for emergencies, and some small or large teams went to other places.

Everyone entering or leaving the city gate covered their faces with cloth, coming and going in a hurry.

Wen Gu's group was the same as them. No extra fee was needed to go out, and they left the city quickly.

The main road outside the city had already been cleared, with high mounds of burnt remains piled on both sides. In the winter, laborers would come one after another to clean them up.

After walking along the main road outside for a while, Wen Gu looked back at Jinwu City.

Only a blurry shadow remained at the edge of his vision, and the corners of Wen Gu's mouth curled up.

One cannot underestimate the vigilance and keenness of that young scion of a noble family who holds the heavy responsibility of a city.

To prevent his group from being detained, it was best to slip away as quickly as possible.

Finally, this ordeal is over; next, I shall head toward my dear aunt and uncle!

Jinwu City.

The residence of Ren.

Recently, several more families from the South had come to seek refuge, along with well-known physicians, and he attached great importance to them.

Families coming from the South were classified by rank here. The important ones were met first, and the others would be dealt with when there was time.

The times had changed; it was those people who had requests of the Ren Clan!

Supplies, beauties, and labor—without him having to ask, those families would offer them with both hands.

After finishing the urgent matters, he discovered a problem.

At this moment, on the desk in front of him.

Two jars of fine salt were placed together.

One was contained in an exquisite gift box, while the other was just an ordinary jar. Both were high-quality goods provided after being screened by those below.

But the fine salt inside the latter was even purer and finer!

After confirmation by the craftsmen, Ren Qigongzi ordered his subordinates: "Find him!"

In such times, what kind of status could produce so much high-quality fine salt?

To pay the fee upon entering the city with such a jar of fine salt meant it was a large group!

He might not necessarily care for large groups coming to Jinwu City, but he had to determine the identity of anyone with unusual circumstances!

What if there were important figures from the other five clans...

The Six Great Clans were not of one mind!

He ordered personnel to investigate, and a subordinate came in to report.

Ren Qigongzi's sharp gaze swept over: "Where are the people?"

That subordinate lowered his head: "The courtyard is already empty; they left shortly after the city gates opened today."

"A group of a hundred people, and not a single person was left behind?"

"No one was found left behind."

"Impossible!"

Ren Qigongzi did not believe it.

After witnessing the divine artifact of my Ren Clan, surely someone would be tempted!

The subordinate said: "The identities of the refugees in the outer city are complex now; it is difficult to confirm which ones were left behind by their group."

Ren Qigongzi did not speak and looked toward the desk on the other side.

On the table were some other small paper packets, all containing salt.

This was the viewing fee collected at the Neicheng city wall.

After several craftsmen surrounded the desk and screened them for a while, one of the packets was brought over.

"Young Master, this one."

The paper wrapping the salt was the same as the one from the outer city guard leader; the difference was that this paper packet contained coarse salt mixed with fine salt, and at first glance, while the quality was acceptable, it was not outstanding.

Ren Qigongzi tapped his fingers on the desk and sneered: "Hidden quite well!"

He looked at another subordinate: "Where is the person I told you to find?"

"Already found!"

A short while later, a young man was brought over.

It was the very one who had watched the battle from the same platform as Wen Gu and the others.

Upon seeing Ren Qigongzi, this young man was very agitated and nervous, and also somewhat bewildered.

He answered Ren Qigongzi's questions honestly, and while speaking, he even mentioned that those people had come following a bodyguard agency.

Ren Qigongzi: "..."

???

His shrewd eyes rarely held confusion.

A bodyguard agency?

What is that?

What exactly was the identity of those people?!

He told his subordinates to keep an eye on refugees in the city who mentioned the term "bodyguard agency."

Ren Qigongzi was very regretful now; he had very likely let a big fish from another clan slip through his fingers!

When he was looking over there from the city tower, he should have brought them over!

Among the Six Great Clans of Beidi, there was a competitive relationship; what they snatched, besides supplies, was talent!

Go intercept them now?

Too late!

Once they left Jinwu City, who knew which road they would take or which clan they were actually defecting to?

On the small path leading to the Zhao Clan.

Wen Gu held his Notebook to make records.

There had been non-combat attrition in the group, but it didn't matter; it was a small problem.

He was considering other things now.

The Six Great Clans of Beidi each must have their own extraordinary aspects; their reputations were all earned through strength!

Take the Ren Clan, for example; how many battles had they fought to summarize such experience in confrontation?

"The Ren Clan here is truly a good place!"

Favorable timing and geographical advantage—not just anyone could occupy them. The Ren family indeed had a bit of destiny on their side.

He didn't know what features the Zhao Clan had; he hadn't managed to find out much useful information this time.

The powerful and wealthy of each family, those who truly controlled information, would not answer questions for Wen Gu.

Wen Gu marked the region where Jinwu City was located in his Notebook.

The area where Jinwu City was located did not look like it had oil. With the technological level of this era, it should only be in the preliminary exploration stage, mainly utilizing surface oil seeps.

Where exactly was the Ren family's oil mine?

When he arrived at the Zhao Clan later, he must ask his dear uncle-in-law.

That was an oil mine!

Noted, noted, when there is an opportunity...

Having marked the mission, Wen Gu became curious about the Zhao Clan once again.

To be able to become one of the Six Great Clans, the Zhao Family must certainly have something to rely on.

Coal?

Iron?

Some other secret weapon?

It surely wouldn't be fine moral character, would it?

(End of chapter)