Chapter 352: Chapter 321 Taking Office in Tangshan! (Extra) Chapter 352: Chapter 321 Taking Office in Tangshan! (Extra) In Zhao Nanshan’s narration, the situation in Tangshan was indeed more chaotic than some other state governments, and there were also more powers compared to the typical state.
However, there was a reason for this, mainly because Tangshan’s geographical location was excellent, located at the bridgehead of Qingzhou, bordering both Shuzhou and Blood State, known as the Tang Triangle.
Furthermore, Tangshan Prefecture’s cultivation resources were abundant, with many rare mineral veins converging, and numerous spirit grasses that could only grow in Tangshan Prefecture, which led to Tangshan’s wealth.
And this chaotic atmosphere was mostly spread from Blood State.
According to Chen Yuan’s understanding, although Blood State was one of the Great Jin Thirteen States, the imperial court’s control over it was extremely weak.
For hundreds of years, whenever someone committed a crime, their first reaction was to flee to Blood State, obviously treating it as a sanctuary of the Demon Dao.
The imperial court was helpless in this matter.
The further south one went, the weaker the imperial court’s control became. For instance, South State, located near the Southern Border’s vast mountains, required a garrison of several hundreds of thousands of troops to maintain stability.
Both the military and political powers were in the hands of Prince Zhen Nan, who was said to not be easily provoked even by the imperial court.
Moreover, with ten Immortal Sects and two major Demon Dao forces present in Blood State, the court was unable to suppress them, significantly increasing the arrogance of the martial artists of Blood State.
Chen Yuan, due to his status, had a deeper understanding of these matters than Zhao Nanshan, but he did not voice it, maintaining a listening pose instead.
This was also decades of martial arts life advice from Zhao Nanshan.
“Rest assured, Zhao, Chen always prioritizes caution,” Chen Yuan said.
Chen Yuan picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
With a chuckle, Zhao Nanshan suddenly realized, thinking of the past favor he had done for Chen Yuan, and said,
Chen Yuan’s character was steady, his actions cautious, and he was very independent. His going to Tangshan Prefecture was surely for a reason, it’s just that some reasons prevented him from telling.
“Your strength now has already reached a realm that’s currently unattainable for me, me advising you on matters, …heh heh..”
Zhao Nanshan smiled wryly.
“Old Zhao, your blade is yet to age, you’re in your prime, and it’s not impossible you’ll advance further in the future.”
He wasn’t actually much older than Xu Lingtian, only a few years senior, and was indeed in his prime. However, due to injuries and other reasons, his spirit was deflated, which made him age so quickly.
“To live the rest of my life in peace is already a blessing from the heavens.”
After a long casual conversation, Zhao Nanshan shared his insights and interesting incidents from his past travels in Jianghu with Chen Yuan, which might not be of much use to Chen Yuan now.
But he still spoke of them.
Chen Yuan showed no impatience, receiving the words with a smile.
He was youthful and full of vigor, sometimes indeed in need of some seasoned guidance. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel⸺fire.net
After spending half a day at Sanhe Boxing Club, Chen Yuan and Zhao Nanshan had a few drinks together, with Zhao Beishan’s four brothers keeping them company, and Wang Ping shared many interesting stories.
As they drank and chatted, Zhao Nanshan suddenly brought up Dragon Tiger Sect, his expression somewhat distant, mentioning that ‘Zhao Nanshan’ was an assumed name, chosen to avoid Xu Lingtian’s detection.
Over the years, he had also secretly supported many martial artists with talent, but either they died or forgot the grace upon gaining strength, with only Chen Yuan steadfastly keeping his promise.
He hadn’t misjudged the man, it’s just that now he had nothing left that could attract Chen Yuan’s attention, only hoping with his old and decrepit body to see the day when Chen Yuan would awe Jianghu.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan smiled and looked towards the distant horizon, a flame named ‘ambition’ burning within him.
That day, Zhao Nanshan got drunk, the first time since he had been severely injured.
Outside the South Gate of Ping’an County, Chen Yuan and his group changed into ordinary clothes, which would certainly lead those unaware to believe they were a wealthy young master and his retainers, traveling through Jianghu.
This kind of sight was not uncommon, many young men were spirited, wishing to carry a three-foot sword, pacify Jianghu, and help the weak whenever they saw injustice, sadly,
most of them met gruesome ends.
Jianghu is cruel, it devours without spitting out bones, far from the boundless freedom that storytellers speak of.
“The journey through Jianghu is long, this is as far as I go,” Chen Yuan said while sitting on his horse, as he clasped his hands towards Wang Ping and his father in farewell.
After dinner at Sanhe Boxing Club the previous day, he first asked Guo Xu to help Zhao Nanshan to bed to rest, and then he left some cultivation resources and two Primordial Crystals at Zhao Nanshan’s bedside.
Once, Zhao Nanshan had provided Chen Yuan with cultivation resources, now it was time for Chen Yuan to repay him.
Two Primordial Crystals might be a vast fortune to others, but to Chen Yuan now, they truly weren’t much, after all, his trip to Tangshan Prefecture,
was not only to fulfill Jiang He’s mission.
With Tangshan being so wealthy, how could he, as a Green Envoy, not partake in the spoils?
In addition, Chen Yuan left behind a letter, telling Zhao Nanshan there was no need to see him off, as rivers and mountains are eternal. They would naturally meet again in the future and urged him to take care of his health,
to live to the day he would awe all of Jianghu!
Later, Chen Yuan took Wang Ping and left. On a rooftop of the Wang Family’s establishment, they ordered dishes to accompany their drinks, and as they chatted while the sun set, it felt as if it were just half a year ago.
“Brother Yuan, have a safe journey,” said Wang Ping.
“Have a safe journey,” echoed Wang Ping’s father, Wang Dafu.
Since Wang Ping had become the arrest officer of Ping’an County, his father also rose in prestige, acquiring an eminent status within the county. Who wouldn’t address him as ‘Elder Wang’ upon seeing him?