Volume One: Chaos in Yan and Yun Chapter One: The Winds Rise
Sixteen years later.
North of Yanbei, beyond the frontier.
While the skies above Yanbei were filled with yellow sand, the grasslands beyond the border were lush and green, an unexpected sea of emerald. The setting sun hung low in the west, its blood-red light filtered through drifting clouds.
The sounds of horses neighing and wagon wheels rolling echoed across the plain. Wild grass as tall as a man bent in the wake of the passing caravan.
The convoy came from the north. Each carriage bore a large banner emblazoned with a wildly calligraphed “Dragon” character, and in the lower right corner, a simple depiction of a white dragon.
This was the Wang family’s caravan. The white dragon symbol was unique to third-tier guards of the Longmen Escort Agency; above it were the purple and golden dragons.
“Chang Si, those two young masters still refuse to eat?” On the lead wagon, a burly man with a face full of scars sat atop the roof, frowning deeply.
Chang Si grunted in affirmation.
The man’s brow furrowed even more. “How long have those two been traveling with us now?”
Chang Si thought for a moment. “Counting today, it’s been five days.”
The man’s expression grew heavier. “Five days… and they’ve only asked for a little fresh water.”
His face suddenly changed. “Could it be that, at their age, they’ve already reached the Luminescence Realm?”
“That’s impossible!” Chang Si cried out. “Judging by their faces, they’re no more than fifteen or sixteen. There’s no way such prodigies exist in this world!”
The burly man stroked his chin, hesitating. “Has there been any clue in the latest ranking released by the Wandering Pavilion?”
Chang Si replied, “Based on their age, they should be on the Flowing Talent List. The top spot is the Prince of Yanbei, Feng Qi, followed closely by Crown Prince Dugu Zhe… But even those two have only barely reached the Supreme Mysterious Realm.”
The man’s expression darkened further. “Then… could they be from other clans?”
Chang Si paled.
The barbarian tribes were physically similar to them, differences so slight as to be negligible. But if those two youths belonged to the demon or monster clans, age could not be judged by normal means. After assuming human form, their true age was impossible to tell—a youth of fifteen might well be a monster who’d lived for centuries.
“Probably not.” Chang Si frowned. “Their clothing suggests they’re natives of Yanbei.”
Still, attire was hardly convincing; a true master spy could mimic not only dress, but also habits and speech so perfectly that no one would suspect a thing.
The burly man suddenly slapped his forehead. “Damn it! If I’d known this, why did I bother being kind? If they’d been killed by the Green Bandits, it’d just mean two nameless boys dead! Now look, nothing but trouble!”
Chang Si shot him a sidelong glance. “Boss Qi, I did warn you. If you’re angry now, don’t take it out on me.”
The man booted Chang Si off the wagon. “Warn me? All you said was these two looked unusual—what else did you say?”
Chang Si vaulted right back up. “Boss, you didn’t have to kick me!”
The man rolled his eyes. “Stay alert. We’re close to Yanyang Pass now, and the Green Bandits are rampant. As for those two, once we cross into the Dugu Dynasty’s territory, we’ll have someone check them out. Since they haven’t made a move, I doubt they mean us harm.”
Chang Si pouted. “So what? When has Longmen Escort Agency ever feared a bunch of Green Bandits? Don’t forget, both you and I are Supreme Mysterious Realm experts. When it comes to top-tier strength, is there any Green Bandit gang that can rival us?”
Speak of the devil.
Suddenly, the thunder of hooves sounded from afar, mixed with the excited shouts of the steppe barbarians.
The burly man shot Chang Si a look. “Next time you jinx us, I’ll tear your mouth off!”
Chang Si shrugged innocently.
Longmen Escort Agency lived up to its name as the top escort bureau of the Dugu Dynasty. Even though this was just the White Dragon convoy, the well-trained guards set up a defense in mere moments.
A crisp sword-song rang out.
Everyone drew their weapons.
No matter what, the goods could not be lost.
The hoofbeats grew nearer, and soon the Green Bandits had surrounded the convoy.
The burly man called out, “May I ask which heroes have stopped our caravan? I am Qi Hu—perhaps I know your leader.”
The Green Bandits fell silent for a moment before one, mounted on a tall steed, stepped forward.
Qi Hu raised an eyebrow, cupping his fists with a chuckle. “So it’s Chief Wang. I’ve had many drinks with you passing through here in the past—why block my path today?”
“Old Qi, I’d give you face if I could, but orders from above—I can’t ignore them,” the man replied sincerely. “You know I, Wang Bo, am a man of principle. Just hand over the Star Iron, and my brothers won’t harm a hair on your heads.”
Qi Hu blinked. “Star Iron? Longmen Escort Agency never takes on materials above the Heaven Realm. What are you talking about?”
Wang Bo snorted. “Don’t play dumb, old friend. Orders from above: return the Star Iron Longmen is escorting to the Imperial Palace. Take my advice—this time it’s not just me. Huang Xu is ten miles away, and Mu Ruqing is hurrying here as well.”
Chang Si’s face turned grim at once.
With a few casual words, Wang Bo had invoked the three strongest Green Bandit factions of the frontier.
Qi Hu’s expression was equally sour, but he quickly composed himself.
“But I really don’t have any Star Iron. Where did you get your information?” he asked.
Wang Bo picked his nose. “Who commissioned this escort?”
Qi Hu replied, “Our jobs come direct from the Dynasty. We only deliver. Who cares whose business it is?”
“Then let me have my men search the wagons?” Wang Bo suggested.
Qi Hu’s voice grew cold. “You want to ruin my reputation? What escort dares show his goods to outsiders?”
Wang Bo shrugged. “If you’re not honest, I can’t help you.”
He waved his hand.
The Green Bandits grinned wickedly, stepping forward as the blades gleamed, reflecting the resolve on the guards’ faces.
“Help me? You really think I’m a fool?” Qi Hu sneered. “You all live at the edge of the blade, putting life and death in these man-high wilds. Three bandit gangs wouldn’t come together just to scare me. If there’s no profit, not even you could command them. So you have only one purpose.”
Wang Bo’s smile vanished. He waved a hand, and the bandits retreated a step.
Another wave of hoofbeats approached.
The other two bandit leaders had arrived.
“Old Qi, scarred face and all, you’re sharper than you look,” someone laughed as the crowd parted.
Huang Xu and Mu Ruqing rode forth together.
“Qi Hu, Chang Si, it’s been a while.”
Chang Si and Qi Hu exchanged a glance, drawing their weapons from their spatial pouches.
They’d crossed paths with these men before, but both knew that old acquaintances couldn’t outweigh profit.
Three bandit gangs, no path but blood.
Wang Bo spoke. “Old Qi, you really won’t hand it over?”
Qi Hu shot back, “You sure you want to start a fight with us? Do you know who backs me?”
Two questions, two stances.
Wang Bo smiled lightly, summoning his weapon from his spatial pouch.
“What’s going on here?” Suddenly, a youthful voice interrupted.
Wang Bo and Qi Hu both froze.
An unfamiliar voice—here, at this time, unfamiliar meant danger.
All eyes turned to the speaker.
A young man in a plain robe, a cloak over his shoulders, sword brows and starry eyes, handsome-featured, black hair flowing loosely down his back—a figure of lean strength.
If Qi Hu remembered right, this was the elder of the two mysterious youths. Though they looked almost identical, the elder was cold and proud, the younger shy and reserved.
“So many people—planning a fight?” The youth smiled nonchalantly.
A fight?
Again, everyone paused in confusion.
Qi Hu started to scold, but Chang Si quickly held him back.
The youth, seemingly surprised, shot Chang Si a glance and strolled over to stand before the Green Bandits.
“Isn’t all this violence unnecessary? Why not just let it go?”
Huang Xu cursed, “Whose witless brat is this? Didn’t your elders teach you when to hold your tongue?”
The youth considered. “My father never taught me that, actually.”
Huang Xu spurred his horse, spear raised. “Then let me teach you some manners!”
Qi Hu frowned, about to intervene, but Chang Si restrained him again.
Qi Hu snapped, “What are you doing?”
A spear-shadow whistled past his ear, followed by the thud of a heavy body hitting the ground.
Qi Hu turned—his pupils contracted.
Huang Xu lay on the grass, a cold iron spear protruding from his chest. His mount, spooked, vaulted over the guards’ defensive line and bolted into the distance.
The youth walked over, gripped the spear, and wrenched it free, stepping back to avoid the blood. He jabbed the spear into the ground, gazing at Wang Bo and Mu Ruqing with interest. “Anyone else want to teach me manners?”
Wang Bo and Mu Ruqing said nothing, their eyes wary.
To slay a Supreme Mysterious Realm expert with one strike—this youth must be at least his equal.
So young, yet already Supreme Mysterious Realm?
He must surely rank among the top ten on the Flowing Talent List!
“Who are you?” Wang Bo asked darkly.
The youth glanced at him. “Who are you?”
“Wang Bo, chief of the Fang Bandits. And you, young hero…?”
“Bandit? You, too, are Supreme Mysterious Realm, yet chose this path?” The youth cleaned his ear, sounding puzzled. “How much spirit crystal do the bandits provide? Is it enough for your cultivation?”
Wang Bo raised a brow. “And you? How many spirit crystals can you offer me?”
The youth flicked his nails, feigning confusion. “Now that’s a question. Truth be told, I’m broke these days. But even if I had any, I wouldn’t give them to trash like you.”
Wang Bo’s face darkened. “Are you playing with me?”
“I heard you mention Star Iron just now?” the youth interrupted. “The Star Iron is with me. If you’ve got the guts, come and take it.”
Wang Bo was stunned, glancing at Mu Ruqing.
The youth continued, “I came out alone this time—no family following. No need to worry.”
Wang Bo stared, still wary.
At his age, with such cultivation, he had to be the scion of some great clan or sect—such youths were never without a guardian. And a Supreme Mysterious Realm bodyguard… would be at least a Heartfelt Realm master!
No one believed any sect would let such a future pillar wander alone. For a moment, the bandits hesitated.
The youth sighed impatiently. “Are you going to fight or not? If not, get out of the way—I’m in a hurry.”
Wang Bo laughed. “No need to be so anxious, young hero. Judging by your clothes, you’re from Yanbei. In the future, we’ll surely—”
The youth’s figure flickered like a phantom.
A flash of silver.
Two heads hit the ground.
“So tedious. Grown men, yet so indecisive.”
Sheathing his sword, the youth frowned at a bloodstain on his sleeve.
“Little brother, bring me another robe—some blood got on this one.”
A voice answered from within the caravan.
The youth turned, impatient. “Why are you still here? Waiting to die?”
The Green Bandits, already a band of desperadoes, were held together only by the authority of their chiefs. Now, with all three leaders slain by a single youth—and none of them able to withstand even one strike—who dared linger? In moments, they vanished without a trace.
It had all happened so quickly, even the White Dragon escort guards seemed stunned.
“Young hero, is your surname Feng?” Chang Si asked cautiously.
Wang Bo and Mu Ruqing might not have been famous, but they were still Supreme Mysterious Realm experts. To kill them so effortlessly—this youth had to be among the top ten on the Flowing Talent List. Combined with his attire, there was only one possibility.
“I am Feng Qi—Feng as in wind, Qi as in rising.” The youth smiled lightly.
Feng Qi.
Top of the Flowing Talent List.
Chang Si’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly knelt with a fist to his chest. “Chang Si, adjutant of the Wind Rest Battalion, pays his respects to the young prince!”
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