I have Taoism and can understand other worlds

Chapter 710 Old Friends in Yuncheng
After the matter in Yuhan City was settled, Jiang Wen and his group rode their escape light and headed south.

Leaving the bitter cold of Qin Prefecture, the further south one travels, the warmer the climate becomes; however, what one sees along the way makes one's heart sink.

War raged, refugees swarmed like ants, and corpses lay strewn along the roads. Evil spirits lurked in the wilderness. Sometimes hordes of demons would attack villages under the cover of twilight; sometimes it was cultivators practicing evil arts who would ambush and plunder; and even worse, there were spirits that had gained sentience but were malevolent, who would seize mountains and wreak havoc on the region.

Since Jiang Wen had encountered this situation, he would not stand idly by.

Sometimes, a flash of lightning can vanquish evil spirits; other times, a mystical technique can deliver the souls of the dead; occasionally, some elixirs or talismans can be left behind to help endangered villages or displaced people overcome their difficulties.

Bai Jing and Dan Chen assisted from the side, while Jiang Su protected the curious and gazing Xiao Wen'er, her expression aloof, only her eyes flickering slightly when Jiang Wen made a move.

After traveling for three days, the view before them suddenly opened up.

Ahead lay a flat, open landscape, crisscrossed by waterways, with babbling brooks reflecting the sky and clouds.

In the distance, the mountain ranges stretch out like a dragon's spine, covered in lush, verdant forests. The climate here is mild and humid; even though it is late autumn, a warm breeze still caresses the face.

The vegetation is lush, with exotic flowers and plants dotting the landscape. Bees and butterflies flutter about, and pairs of cranes fly overhead, emitting clear and melodious calls.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was so abundant that it was several times richer than that of Qinzhou. Taking a deep breath, one felt refreshed and invigorated, as if stepping into a fairyland.

"This is Tianzhou," Dan Chen explained from the side, his tone filled with admiration. "Legend has it that an immortal attained enlightenment here in ancient times, leaving behind a legacy that has lasted for thousands of years. As a result, this place is lush with water and grass, spring-like all year round, and spiritual veins converge here. It is a famous blessed land in the Eastern Region, bordering Yizhou in the Southern Region."

The group activated their escape techniques and landed outside a city called Cloud City.

The city walls were high and thick, built of huge white stones. Banners fluttered on the city walls, and the guards were in bright armor and in good order. In stark contrast to the ruins and chaos seen along the way, the city had not been greatly affected by the war.

Upon entering the city, one sees wide streets paved with bluestone slabs, worn smooth and reflective by the passage of time.

Shops lined both sides of the road, their signs fluttering in the wind. There were wine flags, tea banners, pharmacies, cloth shops, blacksmith shops, and even shops run by cultivators selling all kinds of spiritual materials and talismans.

In this world, even cultivators have no choice but to retreat into the mortal realm. The tribulations of humanity are relentless, and those who cultivate must also face them in the mortal world.

The streets were crowded with pedestrians, peddlers and laborers hawking their wares, scholars and literati strolling in groups, and there were also wandering swordsmen and practitioners with a reserved aura.

It was a bustling, prosperous, and vibrant world, a scene of great prosperity that almost made people forget the raging war raging outside.

Jiang Wen and Bai Jing strolled leisurely, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

Bai Jing's face was stunningly beautiful, with silver hair and blue eyes, attracting frequent glances from passersby. However, she paid no attention to them, only looking with great interest at the novelties on the stalls on both sides.

As they approached a crossroads, a shop called Qingyuanzhai caught Jiang Wen's attention.

The shop wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy, and bustling with activity. Most of the people coming and going were low-level cultivators and wealthy commoners. It seemed to be selling talismans, pills, and some basic protective magical artifacts.

Jiang Wen's heart stirred slightly, and he stepped inside. The shop assistants were busy at work. Behind the counter, a young girl dressed in a light blue dress with her hair in two buns was fiddling with an abacus, her fingers flying across the page, while she instructed the shop assistants to restock.

As if sensing someone watching, the girl looked up.

When she saw Jiang Wen's face clearly, she was first stunned, then her bright almond-shaped eyes burst with unbelievable joy, and the abacus in her hand fell onto the counter with a "thud".

"Um... benefactor! It's you!" The girl's voice trembled as she almost staggered out from behind the counter and was about to kneel down in front of Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen flicked his sleeve, and a gentle force supported her.

"Qingran, no need for formalities." He smiled slightly, looking at the refugee girl in front of him who was once ragged and emaciated, but is now graceful and elegant, with a more capable and composed air between her brows, and her cultivation has just reached the acquired realm. He couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Xu Qingran's eyes reddened with excitement, and she stammered, "My benefactor, it really is you! Qingran... Qingran thought she would never see you again in this lifetime!"

She quickly invited Jiang Wen and Bai Jing to the inner room to serve tea and instructed the waiter to keep an eye on the outside.

The inner room was elegant and quiet, with a faint, calming incense burning. Xu Qingran personally served fragrant tea, which calmed her mind somewhat, and she then recounted to Jiang Wen what had happened since they last met.

It turns out that after she, her mother, and her younger brother escaped from the capital, they traveled south and eventually arrived in Tianzhou Yuncheng.

Xu Qingran possessed a natural talent for business and, mindful of Jiang Wen's kindness, started with a small business. Through honesty and connections with the Tai Shen Palace, he successfully built Qingyuanzhai into a thriving enterprise, now a well-known establishment in Yuncheng. The shop specializes in items commonly used by cultivators, attracting many low-level cultivators and even those with acquired cultivation levels. It has also sheltered some pitiful people who, like Xu Qingran in his youth, had fled to this place.

"It's all thanks to my benefactor!" Xu Qingran said gratefully. "If it weren't for your life-saving grace back then, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Jiang Wen waved his hand and asked, "Is Yuncheng still peaceful lately? It seems that the area outside the city is relatively stable."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingran sighed: "On the surface, things seem peaceful, but undercurrents are surging. Some time ago, the former prefect was dismissed and imprisoned for colluding with the rebels. Now, the Prince's Mansion is in charge of the city, which has stabilized the situation. I heard that the rebel forces in the south are growing stronger and stronger. A few days ago, they even tried to attack the city. Fortunately, the Prince's Mansion's troops were strong and managed to repel the rebels."

She lowered her voice: "In this world, there is no peace anywhere. Only in our Tianzhou, with the Royal Palace in charge, can we have a moment of peace."

She paused, as if remembering something, and then said, "My benefactor, do you still remember Princess Li Xiangyue of the Prince of Zhongshan's Mansion?"

Jiang Wen's gaze sharpened: "Of course I remember. Where is she now?"

"The princess is also in Yuncheng!" Xu Qingran said with a hint of admiration. "After the Prince of Zhongshan perished in the capital, the princess came to Tianzhou with her queen and some loyal retainers. She is a direct descendant of the Li family, virtuous and talented, and deeply loved by the local gentry and people. She has now been honored as the Princess of Tianzhou and is temporarily in charge of the military and political affairs of Tianzhou. The royal residence is in the east of the city. The princess always thinks of you, her benefactor! She said that if it weren't for you bringing her to the capital back then, she wouldn't have been able to see her father one last time."

Upon learning that his old friend was well and had achieved something, Jiang Wen felt somewhat relieved.

He chatted with Xu Qingran for a while, asking about the local customs and situation in Tianzhou. Before leaving, he took out a newly carved jade talisman and handed it to her: "Wear this talisman close to your body. It can ward off three calamities. The world is dangerous. Take good care of yourself and your mother."

Xu Qingran accepted the jade talisman as if it were a priceless treasure, bowed in gratitude once more, and escorted Jiang Wen and Bai Jing far outside the shop before reluctantly turning back.

After leaving Qingyuanzhai, Jiang Wen and Bai Jing headed straight for the Prince's Mansion in the east of the city. The mansion occupied a large area, with vermilion gates and high walls, and was heavily guarded. However, the plaque hanging above the gate was not "Zhongshan Prince's Mansion", but a newly inscribed "Tianzhou Xingyuan".

After the announcement was made, a moment later, a young girl dressed in a light yellow palace gown with her hair tied up in a bun came out quickly, surrounded by a group of maids.

It was Li Xiangyue.

Compared to her time in the capital, she had lost some of her naivety and gained more composure and dignity. Her appearance remained beautiful and extraordinary, but her brows were shrouded in a lingering sorrow and a resolute determination under the weight of her burdens.

Upon seeing Jiang Wen, Li Xiangyue quickly stepped forward and, without hesitation, curtsied, her voice choked with emotion: "Xiangyue greets her benefactor! Years have passed since we last met, but your charisma remains unchanged. Xiangyue... Xiangyue will always be grateful for your great kindness!"

Jiang Wen reached out to help her up, saying, "Princess, you are now the ruler of a region, there is no need for such a grand gesture."

Li Xiangyue rose and led the two into the inner hall for a conversation. The hall was elegantly decorated, yet it retained the grandeur of a royal residence. She personally poured tea for Jiang Wen with graceful movements and sincere eyes: "When the capital was thrown into chaos that day, if it weren't for the contingency plan left by my benefactor, and if it weren't for Miss Bai Jing's prior arrangements, Xiangyue and my mother would probably have met with misfortune. I will never forget this kindness and virtue."

She slowly recounted what had happened since they parted. That day, under the protection of her family guards, she and the Princess of Zhongshan took advantage of the chaos to leave the capital, which had become a hell on earth. After many twists and turns, they finally chose Tianzhou, where their foundations were still intact and relatively stable, as their place of residence.

With her status as a direct descendant of the Li royal family, as well as her abilities and benevolence, she gradually gained the recognition of the local forces in Tianzhou and was jointly elected as a princess. She united her father's old troops, striving to maintain peace in this chaotic world and accumulate strength in the future to restore the Li family's kingdom.

"The Li family in the capital has suffered heavy losses, and as a direct descendant, Xiangyue bears an unshirkable responsibility." Li Xiangyue's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination. "Only by restoring the nation and revitalizing the Great Qian dynasty can we comfort the spirits of my father and ancestors in heaven. Xiangyue wishes to ask you, benefactor, to stay and assist me..."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Wen gently shook his head, interrupting her: "Your Highness has lofty ambitions, which I admire. However, I am a free spirit and my ambitions lie elsewhere. I have come to Tianzhou on other important matters and will be leaving soon."

A hint of disappointment flashed in Li Xiangyue's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and showed an understanding smile: "Xiangyue was presumptuous. My benefactor is a hermit with a natural destiny, and it was Xiangyue who insisted."

She paused, her eyes filled with sincerity: "Wherever you go, benefactor, Tianzhou will always welcome you. If there is any need, Xiangyue will not refuse."

Looking at the rapidly growing young girl who was shouldering heavy responsibilities, Jiang Wen felt a pang of emotion. He took out two protective jade talismans connected to his mind, giving one to Li Xiangyue and instructing her to give the other to her mother.

"This talisman contains a bit of my magical power, which can protect you in times of crisis. Life is difficult, Princess, please take care."

Li Xiangyue solemnly accepted the jade talisman and bowed deeply once more: "Thank you, benefactor! Please take good care of yourself!"

As we left the Prince's Palace, the sun was already setting. The evening glow bathed Yuncheng in a warm golden light, and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys in the streets and alleys, while children laughed and ran about, temporarily concealing the traces of the chaotic world.

Bai Jing walked beside Jiang Wen and said softly, "Princess Li is a woman of affection, righteousness, and responsibility."

Jiang Wen gazed at the last rays of the setting sun and nodded slightly: "In this chaotic world, everyone is struggling to cross the chasm. It's already remarkable that she has managed to gain a foothold here. The road ahead is long, I hope she takes good care of herself."

The next morning, Jiang Wen and his group quietly left the city, which resembled a fairyland, and continued south towards Weizhou.

(End of this chapter)