fifth form

Chapter 3283 The Kindhearted and the Angry

"So many people!"

"Don't move!"

Accustomed to the speed of travel, the fastest mode of transportation for ordinary people was somewhat torturous for Zhang Xuezhou. If there were restless characters on the carriage, it would be an even more painful experience.

Seeing Kong Ning roll over and lie face down, Zhang Xuezhou had to reach out and pull him to prevent the carriage from overturning halfway.

The great demon possesses the ability to transform its body, but its weight cannot be completely eliminated, making it somewhat different from ordinary people.

Kong Ning appears to be slim, but she weighs at least 300 pounds.

Perhaps it was his first time riding in a carriage, or perhaps it was his first time entering a populous city up close; Kong Ning's face was full of curiosity, completely unlike the dejected person he had been lying in Maoling.

“You have to follow the rules when you enter the city. You know we two brothers vouched for you and pulled some strings to get this ‘save’ permit for you. Don’t cause any trouble and drag us into it,” Zhang Xuezhou warned. “If we don’t get the better of you, you won’t be able to stay in Chang’an City!”

"Okay, I won't ride in a carriage pulled by a small horse anymore!"

Kong Ning reluctantly withdrew her head from the commotion, and as she twisted her body, she heard a creaking sound coming from under the carriage. She was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to sit or not.

As a powerful demon, she needs to change if she wants to integrate into the human community. This change is a necessity, otherwise she will find it difficult to find another place to live.

She could be a little more unrestrained in Maoling, but she gradually restrained and adjusted her decadent heart. In Chang'an, she needed to abide by human rules to avoid revealing her identity as a great demon.

“You can stay at my residence for now. If you need anything, you can ask Yi Shuo for help. You can eat whatever you want,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “If you get into any trouble, go to Yi Shuo immediately. She will tell you how to resolve it!”

Zhang Xuezhou didn't suggest asking Kong Ning to contribute, but instead dragged Yi Shuo into everything. Whenever Kong Ning relied on Yi Shuo, he would inevitably protect Yi Shuo's safety.

Although Zhang Xuezhou beat Kong Ning twice, making Kong Ning seem like he had no ability, Kong Ning was actually quite strong back then, as he was able to chase after Jin Chang, fight with Emperor Jing, and defeat Zhu Shiyin who had transformed into a Bashe.

While he is difficult to compare with older, more accomplished cultivators, Kong Ning is exceptionally strong among the young cultivators of the last hundred years.

"Which one is the righteous wife?"

"You'll see it soon!"

Kong Ning was curious about who Yi Shuo was, while Zhang Xuezhou lay in the carriage, occasionally glancing at the city of Chang'an outside to pass the time.

Kong Ning felt that there were many people in Chang'an City, and Zhang Xuezhou also felt that there were more people after comparing.

This "more" doesn't refer to just one or two more people, but rather a significant increase in population density.

One agricultural official policy forced a number of wealthy families to relocate. These families were not like Zhang Xuezhou's family of three or four, but rather a large clan.

These families range in size from a hundred to several hundred or even a thousand people.

The agricultural official policy was only one part of the government's policies. In addition to agricultural officials who had little real power, various other official positions with real power were opened up, leading to a large number of people without connections coming to Chang'an.

Most of these people were illegitimate sons of families like Han Yan and Chen Zhang, who lacked power and influence within their families but had received a good education and even possessed considerable cultivation abilities.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhang Xuezhou encountered at least thirty cultivators along the way.

Thirty cultivators may not seem like a lot, but the proportion of such cultivators is very high.

For cultivators who are rare in Chengdu, Chang'an City is as insignificant as roadside flowers and grass.

Young cultivators from other places would pale in comparison upon arriving in Chang'an, finding themselves surrounded by peers with similar abilities.

The influx of a large population will inevitably disrupt the existing local system of Chang'an.

This is similar to how young people from various provinces of the Red Alliance entered Xijing City. The young sequencers who had performed well in Xijing City encountered a strong impact, and only a few were able to maintain their leading position.

This shock will inevitably change the existing order, and the government's departments of authority are very likely to undergo fundamental changes in just one or two years, or even less.

"Is that woman at the door Yi Shuo?"

"It should be... Oh, that's Princess Pingyang. She's very powerful and delicate. Don't mess with her!" The carriage entered the imperial city and sped along the wide road.

When the familiar scene came into view, Zhang Xuezhou thought that Yishuo had come to greet him. It was only when Kong Ning pointed that Zhang Xuezhou saw Princess Pingyang returning to her residence.

Upon seeing Princess Pingyang extend her hand in greeting, Zhang Xuezhou gave an awkward laugh.

The carriage sped past, weaving along the horse path reserved for the Marquis of Pingyang's residence, quickly leaving the entrance of the residence behind.

"She has shielded His Majesty from disaster; I wonder if Marquis Pingyang can hold on!"

Zhang Xuezhou was approached by the Nine-Headed Lion, while the new emperor used the identity of the Marquis of Pingyang to shield himself from disaster, which frightened Princess Pingyang.

Marquis Pingyang is hard to find, but going through Princess Pingyang might be a completely different story.

Zhang Xuezhou was not capable of handling this matter, and such things should be left to the new emperor to clean up; it was not his place to meddle.

"This is Yi Shuo; she is arranging the food you need!"

Half an hour later, the carriage arrived at Zhang Xuezhou's residence.

At this moment, Yi Shuo was directing several temporary laborers to carry pork at the entrance of the mansion.

Zhang Xuezhou mentioned that Kong Ning had a large appetite, and Yi Shuo had also obtained the food order from the eunuch's office given by the new emperor, which allowed her to go to the eunuch's office to get food every day. Yi Shuo didn't stand on ceremony and directly brought back two whole pigs that were half-cooked.

"This woman looks beautiful inside and out!"

Kong Ning exclaimed in surprise, feeling as if he had encountered a truly kind person.

Although it seems that Kong Ning ate several kilograms of meat at a time in Maoling, he was never actually full and could only reduce his activities and sleep.

It was rare to find a place where food was so plentiful, and she instantly fell in love with it. She also felt a special connection with the maid who provided the food and drink.

“You can follow her from now on,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “She’s a physician, and if you have any health problems, she can examine you!”

"Of course I'll go with her!"

As soon as the carriage stopped, Kong Ning jumped off and ran over with a happy expression before Zhang Xuezhou could even introduce him.

Zhang Xuezhou shook his head and greeted Yi Shuo. Yi Shuo winked at Zhang Xuezhou and then gestured to the back.

When Zhang Xuezhou turned his head, he saw Princess Pingyang being helped over the wall not far away, choosing the most direct route to Zhang Xuezhou's residence.

"Your matter has nothing to do with me. I need to go to the palace to see His Majesty!"

After Zhang Xuezhou exchanged two sentences, Princess Pingyang stopped in her tracks.

"That Taoist priest learned of the Marquis's whereabouts from me. Is there any hope for the Marquis?" Princess Pingyang asked from afar.

"You should ask the Marquis about this!"

Zhang Xuezhou replied with a word of evasion, which made Princess Pingyang's face darken, clearly indicating that she had considered the bad consequences.

"I want to know who that person is?" Princess Pingyang said, "You are knowledgeable and surely know his identity. This request is not unreasonable!"

"I wasn't even in Chang'an at the time, so I had no idea... That person might be a Dao Lord. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

Zhang Xuezhou made a polite refusal, but when he saw a pleading look appear on Princess Pingyang's usually domineering face for the first time, he uttered a name.

The name filled Princess Pingyang with fear, but in a short moment, that fear turned into anger.

As Emperor Jing's daughter, Princess Pingyang was quite capable. Although she was not assigned to focus on developing her cultivation, which made her cultivation a weak point, Princess Pingyang was proficient in many unorthodox skills and even managed several teams for forging, alchemy, and medicine making.

"I will forge the finest swords and armor, and sooner or later someone will be able to cut off his head!"

She said something softly, and then used the momentum to climb back over the wall.