Chapter 932: Suhang Countrys Yi Chuan (2/2)

Right outside the desert was a land full of water. There were rolling green hills and rivers all around. One could see boats setting sail and rowing on the currents. Under the sparkling waves, the fat fishes jumped out of the water while heron swept by across the surface. On both sides of the river were green puffs of smoke as if this was a paradise.

The contrast between a desert and a land with a great river made it seem like two different worlds meeting here. It gave the sensation of stepping from an arid land to a prosperous location that could only exist in a painting!

Anyone would become relaxed while walking in this land of paradise.

Li Qiye emotionally commented: “Jiangnan River, Southern Border.” This was indeed a nice and refres.h.i.+ng location. Each time he came by here, he would stay for some time due to his adoration of the place.

The desert was next to the primal ground while the Southern Border was next to the desert, a rich land full of water. Anyone would feel that creation was such a magical thing. A land with a mighty river and a desert separated by only one path — this was quite difficult to believe.

The Southern Barren Earth was huge and contained many things. The entire place was quite fertile, especially the most southern region. This southern region was called the Southern Border or Land of the Southern Tang. [1. Southern Tang was also known as Jiangnan, the river listed above. The author is using real locations for names right now, so I’m keeping the pinyin.]

The reason why it had this name was that it was under the jurisdiction of a nation named Southern Tang. The Southern Border didn’t only consist of the Southern Tang. In fact, there were more than ten different nations here along with countless other small sects.

However, all of these nations were tributaries of Southern Tang, the biggest lineage in the Southern Border.

The weak being subservient to the strong, smaller sects being under great sects — such things were too common in the world of cultivation. However, it was different in this region. Southern Tang did not bother with managing their tributary states or interfering with their affairs.

To a large extent, the status of tributary was only in name. The smaller nations didn’t need to pay tributes or act as va.s.sals. At the same time, they were very supportive of Southern Tang as well. There were very few disputes, so the citizens in this region were able to lead peaceful lives, just like living in a paradise.

Li Qiye made it to an ancient city after a little walking. This particular city was different compared to the others in this region. There were no high walls or huge pathways, just a clear lack of magnificent architecture. Surrounding this city was a river that branched to each corner of the premises.

As long as one had a boat, they would be able to go anywhere in this city. There were many huge trees here offering their shade. Flowing water was everywhere and gave a pleasant yet all-encompa.s.sing feeling.

Li Qiye was quite tattered at this moment with dirt all over his face. He looked like a mortal in the city. At best, people would only consider him to be a beggar.

Cultivators wouldn’t give him a second glance, only mortals would throw him a few coins at times.

Li Qiye didn’t have to go too far before receiving a lot of coins. The reason was quite simple, this was a land of plenty. People had homes and jobs so the mortals here were quite well off. They were willing to give to a beggar like Li Qiye.

Li Qiye couldn’t help but smile while looking at the coins in his hand. He put them away anyway.

As he walked by a huge tree that blotted out the sky, a familiar voice rang out: “Little friend, care to come for a drink?”

This towering tree grew near the river. There was a finely-crafted winehouse in its shade. It was clear that not just anyone could come here to drink.

There were more than ten cultivators next to the street of the restaurants. They could be considered Li Qiye’s acquaintances since they were all part of Yi Chuan’s group.

Yi Chuan held a wine cup and greeted Li Qiye in a polite manner.

Li Qiye smiled back and strode inside before sitting down confidently before Yi Chuan. This forced the disciples sitting next to Yi Chuan to make some room.

A few disciples were very unhappy to see Li Qiye acting so disrespectfully before their royal lord. However, Yi Chuan didn’t mind at all. He had taken quite a liking to this young man ahead of him.

“Deference is no subst.i.tute for obedience.” Li Qiye sat down and said with a smile. [2. This phrase means that it is better to say yes than to say no in a respectful manner. It’s more of a polite, conversational tool.]

Li Qiye’s downtrodden look and his confident att.i.tude conflicted with each other. However, it seemed so natural when it was Li Qiye doing it.