19 Three-way Night Battle (2/2)

”How would you know...” Meng Fuyao grumbled, but before she could finish her sentence, she opened her eyes wide in realization. ”An Mei? That's An Mei? The world's most bloodthirsty killer? He's here?”

Yuan Zhaoxu turned his head slightly toward the two fighters, and at that moment, his eyes seemed to contain something a little strange. Some time later he added, ”What should've arrived has long arrived...”

Since shrugging Zhan Beiye off that night, peace returned to the following few days. Yao Xun did deliver his word and followed honestly by their side. Meng Fuyao believed that his obedience was due to the fact that Yuan Zhaoxu had reliable skills and would be able to shelter him for a bit.

They arrived at the outskirts of Taiyuan that day and found an inn to rest for the night. The moment Meng Fuyao settled in, she urgently started practicing her skills. For the past few days, she had been diligently consolidating her abilities. She was convinced that she was about to consummate the fourth level of Cleaving Nine Heavens.

The sand in the hourglass rained down silently. Meng Fuyao opened her eyes three hours later and was graced by a flash of extraordinary splendor.

She retrieved the sword on her table and channeled some energy into it. A jade-colored light enveloped the sword. It was the light ray of the fourth level and compared to that a few days before, the ray that day was softer and brighter, and carried a purer luster.

”Completed!” Meng Fuyao jumped off her bed gleefully. ”Who should I offer a celebratory kiss to?”

Upon spouting that out, she slapped herself. ”Control yourself, woman!”

She laid back down onto her bed and made herself comfortable, feeling the three treasures in her clothes and stroking them.

It was the medal that she had gained possession of after much effort.

A secret legend had been circulating within the Five Region Continent, that there were seven kinds of passes and the person with all of them could travel through all countries connecting the five regions. Heading northward would lead one to Evergreen Shrine, the most mysterious and inaccessible place in Qiongcang imperial court, Di Region, where a sage with magical abilities could solve all doubts and sufferings resided above.

Meng Fuyao had no need for such assistance, but there was something she simply couldn't understand and could use some guidance.

To reach that destination wasn't an easy feat. There used to be only five nations, each occupying a region. A territorial war began, and countries fought for close to 30 years to gain land. As a result, the five nations had split into seven nations, and the five regions had been broken into smaller pieces. Each nation guarded their own territories, and while they maintained a peaceful coexistence, it was only a surface act. They were, in fact, eyeing one another covetously, and the majority of national troops had been dispatched to prevent other nations from crossing into their borders. It was said that if a feather belonging to Tiansha fell into its neighboring nation, also Xuanyuan's territory, it would be instantly crushed into powder.

The good thing was that there were admirable and formidable people who made things much more convenient. 30 years ago, apart from Qiongcang, the other six nations had an alliance with Wuji Nation of Heng Region. They signed their own symbolic medals and handed them over to the ten strongest contenders of all five regions at that time. The ”Six-Nation Medals” ensured a smooth entrance into any location of the involved nations, aside from Qiongcang and the respective imperial palace of each nation.

Actually, it was all for civility. With their abilities, the ten formidable players could easily go wherever they pleased even without a medal.

In fact, having the medal meant that it would no longer be appropriate for them to visit the inner palaces to watch the eunuchs doing laundry for the concubines.

Of course, with her current skills, Meng Fuyao needn't think about the medal.

If one route did not connect, there would be an alternative one. Because each region had their own manufacturing sector, the merchants and military forces of each nation possessed an interdependent relationship. Over the past few years, respective nations gradually realized the importance of business trading in a growing economy. Five years ago, under the facilitation of the most excellent and reputable prince of Wuji Nation, all seven nations started to release medals, granting reasonable entry into their territories. This move had allowed for business dealings and the strengthening of political ties.

The medals were effective even in time of war, so large merchants in possession of them would be ushered out politely before the nations involved continued their fights.

As a measure of prevention, however, the release of medals was strictly controlled, and they were only distributed to the biggest of monopolies and merchants, and the highest of officials. Also, they required a guarantee issued by the imperial court in order to ensure the safety of their travel.

WIthout these things, stepping into another nation would mean a lot of trouble, and it was as good as trespassing. Because there wasn't anything like repatriation during that time period, trespassers would immediately be beheaded.

The state of affairs between each nation was highly complicated, and there were many checkpoints to clear. The route to Evergreen Shrine was long and arduous, and there was no way Meng Fuyao could kill her way there. She needed as much protection and shelter as possible, in order to proceed further.

As soon as she realized this, she started plotting to collect all medals.

Two months ago, a big merchant from Xuanji imperial court expanded into the wood business. He had tens of trucks of material with him, booked the whole inn and engaged the most renowned and formidable Wu Lin Sect disciples to protect him. That night, the corridors of the inn were occupied by rows of burly guards and the lamplights in the room did not go out. Nevertheless, by morning time, the merchant had been robbed clean, and his medal had gone missing as well.

A month after that incident, an important minister cum ambassador of Xuanji imperial court, Sima Rui, was sent on a diplomatic mission and traveled by sea. He had a beautiful, massive ship with multiple decks, where beautiful women danced along to traditional music. Throughout his flamboyant journey across Yuan river, he received endless envious glances from passing vessels.