207 The Revelation (1/2)
Regardless if it was Descending Star City, the Vast Deserts, or the Death Corridor... all these places were not meant for humans to survive.
They were forced to have so many villages.
All the village ancestors were people who have been defeated during fights in Da Qian, and had no choice but to emigrate.
The path here from Da Qian was only possible with the sacrifice from many ancestors before them.
However, the fact was that the ancestor of Descending Star City was also like the rest; stuck and denied entry by the chilly winds and icy gorge!
'This is not right...'
Fang Yuan looked at the city master of Descending Star City and suddenly thought of something else.
'It seems that everything has been set in stone. After all, no matter how much the citizens or villagers are suffering, those at the top are already leading a comfortable life. Therefore, they had no motivation to risk their lives and head South... Rather than gambling their lives away to risk it through the icy gorge, why not head back to Da Qian Empire!;
Even Yuan and Wu Country of the mainland were considered slums when compared to Da Qian Empire.
With Yang Fan's memories, Fang Yuan was extremely clear about this.
This could be described as how the people from poorer countries might risk their lives to immigrate to a more prosperous country, and rarely would you see people going the other way round.
'This is true... Who knows if he was the nth generation of city masters. Since the enemies they made in Da Qian Empire did not track them all the way here, it must mean that they must have given up. If they change their names and secretly return to Da Qian, they might have a good chance of living their entire lives there... However, they would surely prefer to be king and rule over the city here...'
Fang Yuan thought of something else. He felt that he now had a deeper understanding of the people who gave up their initial plans of migrating to the South.
With a smile, he continued. ”Does it matter if I come from the South?”
”That's true...”
The city master of Descending Star City stroked his beard without another word. It was obvious that he would not take the risk to explore the mainland South of the icy gorge.
”City master, are you here to discuss what happened at Red Leaf Village?”
Fang Yuan changed the topic. ”Everyone in the village disappeared without a word, and the village was soaked in their blood. There were no corpses lying around, and this phenomenon is mysterious!”
”You might not know about all these since you are not from our region. However, this is a common sight...”
The city master sighed. ”It has been an annual affair for these mysterious things to happen. If it's a small scale event, it would affect 10 people. If it's of a bigger scale, it might affect te to hundreds of people, or even the entire village! Even so, we would not find it unusual at all...”
”Where do you think this curse had come from, city master?”
Fang Yuan looked down to avoid eye contact.
”Based on my predictions... It comes from a higher being!”
The city master appeared serious. ”Our existence is miraculous. The only explanation which might sound illogical is the existence of a higher being...”
”Even if the higher being was to be destroyed, a simple thought of hatred and anger from it would linger around for eternity. If it meets a storm, it would transfigure into a poisonous dragon!”
”Their souls would never die...”
Fang Yuan's eyes glittered. ”City master, you are guessing that there is a vengeful soul lingering around?”
”Does it matter if there is or there isn't?”
The city master laughed. ”With the Four Elements Spiritual Array, be in a vengeful soul or a curse, nothing can come near us!”
What about the villages?
The villagers were lowly. Would he even care?
”Indeed...”
Fang Yuan gave out a long sigh.
In this world where power means authority, it would be too naive to place hopes on the powerful.
”Then what is the purpose of your visit, city master?”
”I have heard of the arrival of a Wu Zong and found it to be interesting, which is why I paid a visit!”
The city master examined Fang Yuan with much interest. ”Do you want to contribute to Descending Star City? If you agree, I will treat you as well as how I treat Kongming the Godly Monk!”
””Master Kongming is a spiritual array master!”
Fang Yuan was shocked. ”City master, why do you think that a small Wu Zong can be compared to a powerful spiritual array master?”
”I have my own plans!”
The city master smiled, brimming with confidence. ”What do you think?”
”I'm sorry!”
Fang Yuan rejected him without hesitation. ”My dreams lie in Da Qian…..”
”What a pity...”
The city master did not feel dejected. Instead, he cautioned him out of goodwill. ”The Vasts Deserts, Hell of Thousand Ghosts and the Death Corridor are places that are not easy to traverse through. Only patches of areas in these places are suited for survival, and the rest of the region is filled with dangers. If you regret at any point in time, feel free to return here. The doors of Descending Star City will always remain open for you...”
”Thank you!”
Fang Yuan thanked him and ended their short meetup.
'This city master is too helpful. I'm sure that he has an ulterior motive!'
It was suspicious that he offered Fang Yuan a high position despite the fact that Fang Yuan contributed nothing to them!
Human nature was the same everywhere.
The next day, the city master had ordered a servant to deliver a piece of map carved on an animal's hide. Although the lines drawn on the map were thick and not detailed, it could accurately depict the general shape of Descending Star City, the Vast Deserts, Death Corridor and more. It was indeed a sincere act on the part of the city master.
”Please thank the city master on my behalf!”
After getting the map, Fang Yuan wasted no time. He bade farewell to Kongming the Godly Monk and walked out of Sambhogakaya Monastery.