The Fairy: From the Traveling Merchant

Chapter 996 Wang Daoyi's Reflections

After parting ways with Su Xuanbing, Zhao Chen did not linger long in the secret realm of "Yaochi Chess" before returning to Yingzhou.

Because he had spent too much time in that "otherworld," and the date he had agreed upon with Ming Hongyue was approaching, Zhao Chen stopped "traveling" and instead flew to a city called Changbin in the north.

This city is built according to the regulations of a prefecture, backed by a large lake. It not only has convenient transportation and a developed economy, but also extremely beautiful scenery.

The reason Zhao Chen flew here first was because Wang Daoyi, the great hero he had sent to "make way," was waiting for him in the city.

County towns are usually guarded by masters of supernatural powers. Not wanting to attract attention, Zhao Chen descended from the clouds when he was still dozens of miles away from the city and walked the last part of the journey into the city.

As evening approached, the streets were quite lively, and the shops along the street turned on their colorful lights, illuminating their signs.

"Speaking of which, Yingzhou is probably the region that keeps up with the trends of the Central Plains and the Nine Provinces the most. Although it is not as developed as the Nine Provinces, it is quite quick to accept all kinds of new things... I remember that this kind of lamp was only introduced in the capital a year or two ago..."

"In comparison, the northwestern states, as well as Shu State controlled by 'Jian Ge', seem very 'retro'."

Zhao Chen strolled along, quickly turning into an alley surrounded by entertainment venues, because the meeting place Wang Daoyi had reported was in a restaurant ahead.

However, he had only just passed a building when his brow furrowed slightly. In the shadows behind the building, three men had surrounded a grandmother and grandson, the leader of whom was brandishing a knife and threatening them.
“Old man Sun, if you know what’s good for you, sell your shop to our East Lake Gang. You should know that you are a ‘True Qi’ cultivator. Even if you die mysteriously, the Six Doors won’t investigate you seriously.”

"And once you die, your little grandson won't be able to protect your inheritance... You don't really think your so-called relatives will treat him well, do you?"

The man looked fierce, but he spoke quite logically, clearly indicating that he was educated.

Upon hearing this, the old man at the True Qi Realm gritted his teeth and said, "That's my family's ancestral property... and the price you offered is too low!"
"If you really want it, go to the Chamber of Commerce and bring up the 'commercial war,' and I'll take care of it..."

Although once a "business war" is initiated, he will have no choice but to fight back, even if he loses, the compensation price is still acceptable to him.

However, the Donghu Gang was unwilling to launch a "commercial war" because the handling fees were too high, and it would be a losing proposition to start a "commercial war" for such a property.

Secondly, there is a limit to the number of times you can apply for "business competition" each year. Using it on an industry of this level would be a complete waste. Not only would it make you a laughing stock, but it would also earn you the reputation of bullying the weak.

"Old man Sun, don't be so shameless. You're old and don't care, but don't you think about your grandson? Have you ever thought that if you really die, no one will pay his tuition at 'Qingyun Martial Arts Academy'?"

"And once your clansmen obtain guardianship, they can reasonably dispose of your business, which will eventually be sold to our Donghu Gang."

"We'll just have to do a little work, and the outcome won't change, but your grandson will be ruined," the leader threatened again.

The old man surnamed Sun was clearly moved by these words. He glanced at his little grandson, who was timidly tugging at his clothes, and thought of his son and daughter-in-law who had died at sea. He couldn't help but waver.

From the gang's perspective, what that henchman said did make some sense, but it didn't change the fact that they were using coercion and bribery to seize people's property! Hearing this, Zhao Chen had already made his judgment and was about to step in to help the grandfather and grandson.

But just as he was about to do so, he stopped, because a chopstick flew out of a restaurant window and landed right above the three men, hitting each of them on the head.

After being beaten, one of the gang members' faces contorted in rage. He turned around and yelled, "Who hit grandpa?"

On the contrary, the man in the lead looked solemn, because he was a martial artist who had opened his hearing aperture, yet he had no idea he was hit, which meant that the person who hit him was far stronger than him.

Then he saw the chopstick floating in the air, his expression changed again, and he blurted out, "Spell..."

He understood that a powerful figure had disapproved of his behavior and had taught them a lesson, so he immediately begged for mercy. After all, as he had said when he threatened the old man, since cultivators enjoyed privileges, they were responsible for their own lives and deaths. Unless there were mass deaths or damage to public property, the Six Doors would not interfere in the battles between cultivators.

Especially for those gang members, they might even applaud their own deaths.

However, before the leader could kneel down and play the victim, he heard his underlings shout, "Where did this wild cultivator come from, interfering in the affairs of our East Lake Gang? Don't you know the prestige of our Gang Leader Hong?"

The leader of the Donghu Gang, Hong, was nicknamed "Nine Fiends Asura." With his cultivation of nine levels of magical power, he was known as the number one person in Changbin City below the level of supernatural powers, and he was indeed very famous.

But what does that have to do with us? Are you really not afraid of death by provoking this master like this? The leading man wished he could slap his subordinate's mouth to pieces.

Snapped!
As if hearing the man's thoughts, the chopsticks seemed to leap up as if someone were wielding them, and slapped the shouting henchman hard across the face.

The man's cheeks immediately turned bright red, and he spat out several bloody teeth.

At the same time, all three heard a booming voice: "If you want to buy people's property, pay the market price. If you commit any more evil deeds, I'll chop off your dog heads! Get lost!"

Upon hearing this, the leader felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He kowtowed heavily, then ignored his men and scrambled away from the alley.

On the other side of the building, on the street illuminated as if it were daytime, Zhao Chen shook his head slightly as he watched this scene. Then he stepped into the restaurant where Kuai Zi had come from, climbed the stairs, and arrived at a private room on the fifth floor.

Pushing open the door, Wang Daoyi's long-unseen figure came into view.

Since their parting in Liangzhou, the two had not seen each other for several months. Wang Daoyi had not changed much and was still wearing what would be considered "ancient costume" today, but the style and fabric were quite different from those of ancient times.

"It's been a long time. Master Wang, you still have the same charm and chivalrous heart." Zhao Chen sat down opposite Wang Daoyi, who was drinking, and said with a smile, "It's just a temporary fix. I'm afraid that grandfather and grandson will still be troubled in the future."

Wang Daoyi chuckled and said, "I can help them out of their predicament for now, but why should I worry about them for the rest of their lives? It's just asking for trouble!"
"Moreover, that old man Sun is a cultivator. He still has to fight for his own destiny. That's the attitude a cultivator should have."

He paused for a moment, then sighed, "Actually, if this were in ancient times, I would have killed these gang scum with a single sword stroke long ago. Why would I give them such a small punishment as a warning?"
"Well, in the end, the living conditions for ordinary people and low-level cultivators in the Great Xia Dynasty are much better than in ancient times."

Although Zhao Chen had also been to the ancient, sealed-off "historical mysteries," he didn't know much about them, so he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Oh? What was it like in ancient times?"

"In ancient times, would such a bullying and domineering villain have reasoned with Old Man Sun? He would have been ruined and his family destroyed long ago!"
"Moreover, ordinary people in this era are protected by the government. Even if they offend cultivators, they will at most be forced to leave the city and grow sweet potatoes in the countryside. Their lives are not in danger... At least, there are very few cases of entire families being wiped out."

Wang Daoyi sighed, his expression quite complicated.

He misses the ancient Tang Dynasty, but after comparison, he has to admit that this era is more developed.

But the melancholy came and went quickly. After drinking a cup of wine, Wang Daoyi adjusted his mood and raised his cup to Zhao Chen in a polite toast: "I almost forgot to congratulate you, Young Master Chen, on reaching the first-grade divine power. You have hope of immortality!"

Then, he took out a stack of documents from his storage bag and placed them on the table, continuing, "This is the information you requested about 'Mirror Village.' All the information I could find is here."

Zhao Chen scanned the document with his divine sense, taking in all its contents. Then, pointing to a name, he asked with some surprise:
"Was this information provided by Chief Hong of the Donghu Gang?"

Wang Dao nodded and said, "That's right... This Hong Li went to Mirror Village before and should have gained some benefits there, which is why he reached the ninth level of magic power in just a few months."

"Speaking of which, I just taught his men a lesson, so he should come and apologize now."

(End of this chapter)