Chapter 2: The Lawlessness of Yuecheng

At this moment, Wu Xiaosi returns, and for their side, it is as if they have gained another general

Zhuang Wudao was born an orphan. His mother, in order to care for him and make a living, worked tirelessly every day and passed away early. Although his paternal family was a prestigious one, they had long severed ties, and he was unwilling to have any involvement with them, as he could not rely on them. Zhuang Wudao has managed to survive safely in Yuecheng until now, even becoming the top disciple of the Li Chen Academy, which inevitably required him to engage in some illicit activities.

Before the age of 15, he struggled for his own survival. After turning 15, with some capital, he began to strive desperately for his own future

In childhood, he engaged in petty theft and mischief, and as he grew older, he formed cliques with others, extorting and blackmailing within the neighborhood, collecting protection money. Although he did not commit any major crimes, he was by no means a good person

Therefore, even if time were to rewind to a year and a half ago, Wu Xiaosi would still unhesitatingly refuse if asked again

On the way back, no one was found tailing him, and there were no unusual occurrences nearby. However, Zhuang Wudao did not dare to be careless and deliberately took a detour, entering the city through the east gate where the dignitaries and nobles gathered.

Taking a deep breath, Zhuang Wudao's state of mind was exceptionally calm. He turned his head back and exchanged a questioning glance with Wu Xiaosi.

What is the reason for this again

The strength of the man before me is indeed formidable, and I am filled with apprehension. He is at the Bone Refinement stage, with a skin tone resembling dark bronze, exuding a metallic luster. At first glance, it is evident that he practices a unique external and horizontal training technique.

However, it is isolated in the sea of forests, surrounded by primitive jungles, with hardly any villages or towns in sight. Beyond a hundred miles, countless ferocious beasts and monsters exist.

It was only when Zhuang Wudao returned that he saw a person standing at the entrance of the house

Behind him stood another individual, of short stature, each hand wielding a battle axe

He was cautious and meticulous every day with the * illustrations * in the book, yet he still fell into a trap! What he did not expect was that the one who would encounter problems would be Wu Xiaosi, who had long faded from the scene in Yuecheng.

Wu Huan? Wu Xiaosi also did not know whether he was thinking of himself, remaining silent.

Wu Xiaosi, however, wore a sullen expression, his eyes not only devoid of any trace of a smile but also exceedingly dim.

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly chuckled silently, shaking his head slightly: "Even if I had known that today would come, I, Zhuang Wudao, would not have any regrets. Do you remember that Wu Huan?"

Wu Xiaosi then let out a faint sigh and continued in a calm tone: "I remember I once said that brothers like us, rolling on the edge of a knife, with our heads held by our belts, risking our lives for a future, will inevitably meet a tragic end on the streets one day. At that time, I asked if you would be willing to leave Yuecheng with me, to escape far away and seek a peaceful life. You said you were unwilling, and today it has indeed turned out this way!"

Yuecheng itself does not produce grain; all its food supplies rely on external purchases, which are controlled by various major powers. For orphans like him, who have no parents, survival becomes particularly difficult

At first startled, however, when he discerned the person's features in the faint moonlight, Zhuang Wudao felt a slight joy.

Although today's events have made him furious, betraying a brother is certainly wrong; however, upon closer examination, it can also be understood.

Zhuang Wudao coldly laughed without answering, thinking this was nonsense. Had he been talking to Wu Xiaosi for so long? Did this person not know that he was Zhuang Wudao

At that moment, as the two were conversing, a burly man, nearly two meters tall, stepped out from the doorway. With a tiger's back and a bear's waist, his entire body was muscular and sinewy. His eyes, like copper bells, radiated a chilling ferocity.

However, in the aftermath, no one pursued the matter, and even within a month, no one dared to collect the bodies

Zhuang Wudao's expression changed slightly, as he sensed that something was amiss. Instinctively, he glanced behind He Tushu, only to see seven or eight figures who had, in an instant, completely blocked off the alley.

In the western part of the city, the miners' settlement is characterized by filthy and dilapidated houses and streets, and one can immediately smell a foul, sour odor upon approaching. Zhuang Wudao's residence is a shabby wooden house, which is quite unremarkable in this western part of the city

His strength is just half a step away from the Qi Refinement Realm, making him the top fighter among the dozen or so brothers in the small gang. Naturally, he is also the first target for revenge among those enemies. Therefore, in recent days, when Zhuang Wudao goes out, he has been extremely cautious.

One need only observe Wu Xiaosi today to understand how difficult it is for people like them to achieve a lifetime of peace and tranquility

Do not be deceived by his slender figure; in fact, he reached the training period two years ago. However, a year and a half ago, this fellow declared that he wanted to wash his hands of the past and become a good citizen. As a result, he left Yuecheng, and his whereabouts became unknown. An acquaintance mentioned having seen Wu Xiaosi working as a foreman at a dock outside the city, but it is uncertain whether this is true.

In addition, three practitioners in the marrow refining stage appeared on the rooftops to the left and right. One wielded dual daggers, while another held a grappling hook.

Surrounding Yuecheng is a dense forest, and all extracted minerals can only be transported via the Songjiang River. Five hundred miles away from the city lies a relay transfer dock along the Songjiang River. Although a foreman earns a decent income, it essentially eliminates his chances of advancing further to become a cultivator

After winding through the twisting alleys for over ten loops, I finally returned to the west of the city. A cunning rabbit has three burrows; this is not his usual residence. Three years ago, Zhuang Wudao purchased a property here, known only to a few of his closest brothers. It serves as his refuge, allowing him to remain safe these past few days without the worry of being attacked in his sleep.

Zhuang Wudao felt a slight heaviness in his heart. If it were just these ten or so external martial artists at the Blood Refinement stage, he would not take them seriously. However, since these individuals are laying out a plan here, how could there possibly be only this small number? A few at the Marrow Refinement stage have yet to reveal themselves.

He debuted at the age of thirteen, and the number of people he killed in fights is not less than eighty, if not a hundred. Who knows if among these enemies' relatives, there might be one or two prodigies that emerge

Thus, Zhuang Wudao had long recognized a principle: if one wishes to live a life of peace and not be avenged by enemies, there is only one path to take—constantly grow stronger, to the point where all adversaries would not even entertain the thought of revenge

The Wu-Yue Kingdom is a weak nation in the southeast. Although its territory is vast, the number of cultivators is exceedingly scarce. Therefore, the status of cultivators within the kingdom is even more esteemed. To become a cultivator in this Wu-Yue city means one could even kill in the streets!

He is thus without the way of the sage, driven by a deep desire to escape from this quagmire, yearning to rise high like those cultivators and nobles, hoping that one day his descendants will not suffer as he has, wandering and lacking basic necessities. He also wishes for that person to pay the price.

Practicing blood and marrow requires a substantial amount of medicinal materials and relentless effort day and night. Before the age of twenty-four, when the bones are still forming, one cannot generate vital energy, which essentially eliminates the possibility of becoming a cultivator. Zhuang Wudao also relied on the wealth collected daily from the gang to gradually rise to his current status

Even on that eaves, several figures have unknowingly appeared, looking down with cold smiles.

However, the reason why Zhuang Wudao is so cautious has nothing to do with these matters. Instead, it is because he has made several enemies in this city

People are never content; after being well-fed and warmly clothed, they desire more

The latter, however, turned his gaze away, his expression stiff and cold: "I am away from the city and already have a wife and children. If I do not sell you, my wife and children will meet a tragic end. What do you think I, Wu Xiaosi, should do?"

Yuecheng, spanning sixty-five li from north to south, is said to have a population of over two hundred sixty thousand, making it one of the largest cities in the Eastern Wu region

Moreover, he is indeed extremely interested in martial arts. The more he practices, the more fascinated he becomes. He yearns even more for the legendary masters of the Golden Elixir and Yuan Shen who are said to be capable of moving mountains and calming rivers.

The reason lies in the fact that there are countless mineral veins near this city of Yue. Silver, gold, iron ore, copper ore, and even the essence stones and iron essence used by cultivators are almost all present here

Wu Xiaosi is a childhood companion of Zhuang Wudao. Also an orphan, he was once one of his life-and-death brothers.

The skin is like steel, capable of withstanding blades

When he was twelve years old, he witnessed with his own eyes a reclusive martial artist at the Bone Refinement stage being confronted by an enemy. The enemy, who could have been easily eliminated back then, had now become a practitioner at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, with a boundless future ahead. Not only was the Bone Refinement martial artist himself brutally dismembered, but nearly a hundred members of his entire family were also slaughtered! This was a tragedy that had shocked the entire Yue City five years ago.

This retired practitioner of the Bone Refinement stage is named Wu Huan

Such days will not last long. Once one can surpass the stage of Qi Refinement and become a Qi Refinement practitioner, the world will naturally open up. He does not regard more than a dozen marrow refining stage warriors as significant.

Upon entering three miles outside the city, one must be cautious of being watched and having their movements tracked. If one were to carelessly fall into an ambush and be surrounded and killed, there would be no time even to cry out.

Wu Xiaosi's talent in cultivation was not inferior to his own. Upon learning this, Zhuang Wudao felt quite sorry for Wu Xiaosi.

Are you Zhuang Wudao

Just like Wu Huan's enemies, those at the seventh level of Qi Refinement can roam the world freely, leveraging the power of their sects and possessing keen intelligence. Even if their foes hide in remote corners of the earth, they can still be found.

The enhancement of strength is measured in multiples of ten. After seven years of martial arts training, he has reached the marrow refinement stage, yet he can only contend with thirty to forty ordinary strong men. However, upon reaching the Qi refining realm, he would be able to face a hundred opponents. One person's strength could battle ten practitioners at the marrow refinement stage

I was summoned back from outside the city two days ago

Washing hands returns to goodness

Recently, due to territorial disputes and conflicts with others, several people were accidentally killed, resulting in blood feuds. Although Zhuang Wudao is not afraid, he must also be cautious when alone

Yuecheng is situated within the forested sea, thus it does not fear invasions from foreign nations. The only concern is the beast tide that emerges from the depths of the southeastern forest, which occurs almost once a month. Therefore, the city walls are exceptionally tall, reaching a height of thirty zhang.

"Little Four? When did you come back, you rascal?"

For over ten years of struggle, competing for scraps with cats and dogs. He has long understood that if a person wants to survive, they cannot escape the concept of "struggle" and "fight." Fight against heaven! Compete with others!

With this fellow around, they no longer need to endure hiding; they can simply confront them directly.

The flames of anger in my heart have somewhat subsided

Over time, they gathered together to form a city

Wu Xiaosi's practice is a type of broadsword, characterized by an exceptionally fierce and brave nature. Two years ago, even ordinary practitioners at the marrow refining stage could not contend with him, and he excels in group battles. When engaging in combat, he merely needs to don a full suit of armor and wield a large blade, making it nearly impossible for anyone to withstand him

The entire Yue City, being situated amidst the sea of forests, has rendered the government of the Eastern Wu state virtually non-existent within the city. For several hundred years, the city has been in a state of utter chaos, with rampant killings and smuggling, a complete disregard for human life, and incidents of robbery and theft occurring frequently.

Zhuang Wudao was taken aback and furrowed his brows. He vaguely understood that the reason Wu Xiaosi was unwilling to continue the fighting and chose to leave the city was because he had taken a liking to a woman