The Battle of Yang Kingdom resulted in its downfall, and the Yang Region was incorporated into Qi’s territory, becoming the two prefectures of Dingyao and Pingxi, thus losing most of their significance as border regions.

As one of the nine elite forces of the Great Qi, the Autumn Kill Army could not be stationed in the Yang Region for long. They have already returned to the capital, naturally also to avoid alarming the other countries bordering the Yang Region.

However, large numbers of border troops from Dingyao and Pingxi Prefectures were relocated to the Yang Region.

Almost all of Yang Kingdom’s fighting forces had been slaughtered, and there would be no resistance within ten years. This was why Qi Kingdom could confidently employ former officials of the Yang court like Huang Yihang.

If the Yang Region still couldn’t be completely subdued after ten years, then these pacification envoys would have no reason to exist.

Several miles outside Qingyang Town, two riders sped along the official road.

Although both Jiang Wang and Chong Xuansheng were already in the Tenglong Realm, flying through the air was not an issue, but for long-distance travel, sturdy steeds with beast bloodlines were more reliable.

Their journey to Linzi was uncertain, and Chong Xuanzun was not an opponent to be taken lightly. They needed to maintain peak combat strength at all times to deal with any eventuality.

Beast mounts were rare, and a mature beast was equivalent to an Aperture Opening Pill, making steeds with mixed beast bloodlines expensive. Because of Chong Xuansheng’s current standing, he could temporarily request and deploy two such steeds in the Yang Region.

Those steeds that were essentially beasts themselves were even more priceless, far more expensive than Aperture Opening Pills.

As the two riders sped past, a shiny bald head emerged from the roadside forest.

It was the monk Jingli.

He scratched his head in some difficulty: “Master said that monks should be compassionate and not argue with others face to face. If you suffer, you must strike in secret.”

“But this fatty coaxed Junior Brother Jingshen to come along, so I can’t get revenge.”

He dejectedly put away the broken sack in his hand.

Meanwhile, Jiang Wang and Chong Xuansheng rode side by side, pressing on without rest. They traversed prefectures and towns as quickly as possible, heading to Linzi.

As the capital of Qi Kingdom, Linzi was the undisputed first majestic city of the Eastern Region.

Not counting the surrounding area, Linzi itself was a staggering three hundred and twenty square miles!

What does that mean?

The entire Zhuang Kingdom only had three thousand square miles. Of course, with the increase in national strength, its territory had expanded somewhat, but it had never exceeded four thousand square miles.

Linzi, as just a single city, exceeded one-tenth of the former Zhuang Kingdom.

There was an Eastern Region saying: “Without reaching a tall city, one doesn’t know its height. Without standing beneath its walls, one doesn’t know how small one is.”

This spoke of Linzi.

Speaking of Linzi, one naturally couldn’t skip the Zi River.

Linzi took its name from “east of the Zi River.”

The Zi River was perhaps the only major river that was unrelated to the Long River system.

As mentioned before, the Long River was a “sea within the land,” the “mother river,” the “ancestral river,” and the “source of inland rivers.”

Most of the world’s major rivers and lakes had countless connections to the Long River.

But the Zi River stood apart from the Long River system, flowing mightily eastward into the sea.

But let us leave the Zi River for the moment.

With Linzi’s size, it had no less than one hundred and eight city gates.

Many people living in the city may not know where these gates are located.

Chong Xuansheng led Jiang Wang into the city through Xin Gate.

Linzi’s one hundred and eight gates included “Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Trustworthiness,” “Tactics, Influence, Punishment, Education, Reputation,” and various names like “Gathering and Passage,” each unique.

They reflected the strength and inclusiveness of Qi.

Standing beneath the walls of Linzi, one couldn’t help but wonder if such a majestic city could truly be built by human hands.

Standing at the base of the wall, one could not see the end of it to the left or right. In fact, when this giant city came into view, one could only see a cross-section of it.

Unless a transcedent flew into the distant sky and strained their eyes to the limit, it would be difficult to get a glimpse of the full picture.

The cyan-black stone blocks used to build the city itself gave Jiang Wang an indestructible feeling. The dense array patterns engraved on each stone block were even more astonishing.

Even if Qi Kingdom were to be completely defeated one day, no one who had seen Linzi with their own eyes would believe that it could be taken by frontal assault!

Aside from the elders of the Jiang Clan, perhaps no one could clearly explain the entire layout of Linzi.

Chong Xuansheng’s identity was self-evident, and Jiang Wang also possessed a noble title. They simply left their steeds outside the city and entered without hindrance.

Upon entering Linzi, they seemed to have stumbled into a sea of people, densely packed everywhere.

There was a saying, “shoulder to shoulder, heel to toe,” and only in Linzi did one know how apt that phrase was.

Jiang Wang had traveled eastward for tens of thousands of miles, passing through several countries and sects, but he had never seen such a prosperous place.

If he and Chong Xuansheng were not of considerable cultivation, they might have been separated.

What truly meant “a vast sea of people?”

As soon as he entered the sea of people, Jiang Wang’s sword intent began to throb. His Heaven, Earth, and Human Sword, the third sword was indeed “a vast sea of people.” Without witnessing such popularity, how could he talk about perfection?

Cultivation truly required experience.

Jiang Wang carefully comprehended as he followed Chong Xuansheng forward.

They hadn’t rested during the entire journey to Linzi, and Chong Xuansheng’s eagerness was evident.

But upon reaching Linzi, he didn’t immediately go to the Jubaoshengong Association, but instead took Jiang Wang to a luxurious inn.

“The more anxious you are, the less you can let your opponent see your anxiety,” Chong Xuansheng told Jiang Wang.

This inn was not Chong Xuansheng’s own residence in Linzi, nor was it his property.

Having someone book the inn in advance was to cover their tracks – they couldn’t completely hide everything, but they could buy a little time.

The two changed into presentable clothes, washed away the dust of their journey, and even specially ordered some wine and dishes.

Only then did Chong Xuansheng decide to go out.

Merchants were different from other schools; they needed noise, excitement, and popularity.

Jubaoshengong Association’s headquarters was located in the most prosperous area of the west of the city, right on the side of the road.

Many people in Linzi would be familiar with the architectural complex shaped like a treasure basin. But entering this “treasure basin” was not so easy.

Of course, there was no reason for Chong Xuansheng to be stopped outside the Jubaoshengong Association, even if their cooperation had effectively broken down and they might soon become enemies.

The person who came to greet them was the vice-president of Jubaoshengong Association, Cheng Shiyi.

Below the president of the entire Jubaoshengong Association, there were only two vice presidents, which was certainly a grand welcome.

But to Chong Xuansheng…

The fat man wore a low-key blue robe, but the Lianyun silk used to weave the robe subtly revealed its extravagance.

Furthermore, he was “squeezed” into the chair, which was not low-key at all.

As a guest, he looked like the owner of the place.

The woman opposite him, whose beauty was fading with age, sat down.

He narrowed his eyes and asked: “Why does President Su shy away from an old friend?”

The fine lines around Cheng Shiyi’s eyes were difficult to hide, but she still retained her charm, and her every move was captivating. As the dignified vice president of Jubaoshengong Association, she would not be easily overwhelmed by Chong Xuansheng.

Upon hearing the voice, she looked at Jiang Wang: “The hero who beheaded General Ji Cheng, Gongzi Chongxuan, has long been acquainted with, but this handsome young man is the first time I’ve seen. I presume he is the young hero who captured the Ji Clan’s banner of war?”

Today, Jiang Wang wore a frost-colored martial robe of excellent material. His medium-length hair was simply tied up, giving him a neat and clean look.

Clothes make the man, and having tidied up, he indeed looked more heroic.

He sat silently next to him, confidence hidden in his brow, spirited but not ostentatious, with his own air about him.

Hearing Cheng Shiyi’s words, he just smiled faintly, as if he hadn’t heard it.

Even if it was rare to be praised for being handsome, even if the woman who praised him was so charming – it should be known that the word “handsome” had never been used to describe him. Chong Xuansheng made him look more so. If he invited Lian Que along one day, he would definitely look even more handsome!

His meaning was clear –

No matter who you are, no matter how beautiful you are, answer Chong Xuansheng’s question first, and then I will talk to you.