Chapter 652: Chapter 652: What Was Left Over from Those Years
Zhongshan, Mr. Corpse, Yin Luori, and Wei Taizhong sped towards the center of the Yin Realm. Their journey took half a year, with only a few short breaks along the way, before they reached the outskirts of the Hellish Abyss.
The outskirts of the Hellish Abyss were shrouded in perpetual gloom. The sun was rarely seen, though the moon often appeared. The area was filled with dense Yin energy, and the wilderness was inhabited by mindless spirits wandering aimlessly. Some spirits gained intelligence over time, while others disintegrated into nothingness. The majority, however, moved instinctively toward the Hellish Abyss.
The wilderness was also littered with decaying corpses, creating an eerie atmosphere. Crows feasting on the corpses added to the sense of desolation and sorrow with their mournful caws. It felt as if they had stepped into a nighttime graveyard, completely different from the outside world.
As they approached the Hellish Abyss, Zhongshan decided to stop and gather information. Although Wei Taizhong had been here before, he knew the Emperor always prepared thoroughly for any endeavor. Rescuing Yinglan was a daunting task that required meticulous planning. As Zhongshan often said, "To take, one must first give."
The group first located a city and walked in boldly.
This was a city in the Yin Realm, populated by humans, ghosts, and skeletons, making it a very complex environment. One peculiar thing they noticed was that many shops seemed to be closed.
"Your Majesty, when I was here last, most of these shops were open. Something's not right," Wei Taizhong said, shaking his head.
"Yao Blood Stones, it's Yao Blood Stones! The price has gone up!" A voice suddenly shouted from somewhere nearby.
Immediately, the previously quiet street was swarmed by both living and dead beings, all rushing towards the far end of the street.
"Have they all gone mad?" Yin Luori frowned.
"Let's go to an inn and ask around," Zhongshan suggested.
"Alright," the others agreed.
The Daren Commerce Guild had not yet established a branch in this city, so they had to gather information by other means. The four of them entered an inn. Inside, it was nearly empty, with only a few idle staff and a worried-looking innkeeper tallying accounts.
"Four guests, please come in!" A sharp-eyed waiter immediately noticed Zhongshan and his companions.
The waiter's enthusiasm seemed to act like a stimulant, brightening the eyes of everyone in the inn, especially the innkeeper, who looked excited as if business had been slow for a long time.
"Yes," Zhongshan nodded.
The innkeeper, a seasoned man, quickly recognized the importance of these guests and approached to greet them. "Esteemed guests, what would you like to eat? We have..."
Before he could finish, Wei Taizhong interrupted, "Bring out your best dishes!"
"Very well, very well!" The innkeeper's eyes lit up with excitement.
After so many days, a big spender had finally arrived. He gave a signal to the waiter, who immediately went to prepare the food.
"Innkeeper, I have some questions. Why are people outside acting so crazy?" Zhongshan asked.
"Ah, you noticed, esteemed guest," the innkeeper said with a bitter smile.
"Oh?"
"This all stems from the enmity between our dynasty and the Tian Family," the innkeeper said, shaking his head.
"Wait, your dynasty? Isn't this an imperial dynasty? How do you have a dynasty?" Zhongshan asked in surprise.
"This is indeed an imperial dynasty, the Xingdou Imperial Dynasty. But eight months ago, we discovered that the Xingdou Imperial Dynasty has always been a vassal of the Dayan Celestial Dynasty. Or rather, the Dayan Celestial Dynasty had planned to target the Tian Family from the beginning and had sent a prince here long ago to establish this imperial dynasty," the innkeeper explained.
"Oh? So this imperial dynasty is also under Xing Taidou's control?" Zhongshan asked in surprise.
Hearing Zhongshan directly call Xing Taidou by name, the innkeeper frowned slightly but refrained from commenting, recognizing the importance of the four visitors.
"Indeed. I suppose you are aware of the grudge between our emperor and the Tian Family," the innkeeper said.
"Yes," Zhongshan nodded.
"The Tian Family sent many strong cultivators to destroy the Dayan Celestial Dynasty. Furious, our emperor came here and even enlisted some powerful figures from the Immortal Realm to join forces against the overbearing Tian Family," the innkeeper explained.
"Even the Immortal Realm got involved?" Zhongshan was surprised.
"It is said that the powerful figures from the Immortal Realm and the emperor personally confronted the Tian Family but returned empty-handed. Consequently, the emperor decided to first destroy the imperial dynasties controlled by the Tian Family, eroding their fortune and gradually weakening their power," the innkeeper continued.
"And the Tian Family?"
"The Tian Family did not send more strong cultivators but instead assigned the young master Tian Xiao to handle the imperial wars. It seemed more like they were honing the young master's skills," the innkeeper said.
"So the war is in a stalemate?" Zhongshan asked.
"Yes, the young master of the Tian Family is indeed a brilliant strategist. However, our emperor has extensive battlefield experience from leading a grand celestial dynasty. Thus, the war has reached a deadlock," the innkeeper explained.
"Then what's happening in your city?" Zhongshan frowned.
"We're not sure when it started, but some items began to skyrocket in price, in a frenzied manner. Ordinary materials that were once of little value suddenly became worth dozens of times more, making many people rich overnight. But within days, the prices plummeted, causing those who had invested heavily to lose everything," the innkeeper said, recalling the chaos with a shudder.
"Huh?" Zhongshan was taken aback. This sounded all too familiar.
"After the first material dropped in price, another suddenly spiked. People rushed to invest, and while some made a fortune, many were ruined," the innkeeper continued.
"Are prices fluctuating daily?" Zhongshan asked.
"Yes, every day. Over the past few months, many in the city have gone mad, eagerly throwing themselves into the volatile market. More and more people are getting rich overnight, and just as many are becoming impoverished. Many shops have closed, and borrowing has increased dramatically, causing social unrest," the innkeeper said, still shaken.
"Have you participated in this?" Zhongshan asked with a smile.
"I made a small investment once, but I lost everything. I don't dare to touch it again," the innkeeper admitted sheepishly.
"Master, isn't this similar to what you played with years ago?" Wei Taizhong asked in surprise, addressing Zhongshan as 'Master' in the presence of strangers.
"Played with years ago?" The innkeeper looked at Wei Taizhong curiously, puzzled by his words.
Zhongshan didn't expect to see the collapse plan he once devised reappear in the Yin Realm. Xing Taidou was truly in trouble this time! Zhongshan couldn't believe Tian Xiao had come up with this scheme on his own; it must have been Xiao Wang's doing.
Bringing down an imperial dynasty through a commercial war. If Xing Taidou hadn't realized the sinister nature of this economic warfare, he was bound to take a severe hit!
"What measures are the government taking to curb this?" Zhongshan asked.
"Curb? This frenzied trading has increased monthly tax revenues by tenfold. Why would they curb it? Besides, many officials and soldiers are involved, riding the wave of this trading frenzy!" the innkeeper shook his head.
"Just as I thought!" Zhongshan smirked.
Mr. Corpse also showed a rare, peculiar smile. Indeed, the collapse plan had once caused significant turmoil in the celestial dynasties of the living world. It made every dynasty wary and on edge.
Mr. Corpse knew that executing the Heavenly Collapse Plan wasn't something an ordinary person could pull off. Without precise control over the market, it would be mere mimicry, attracting attention without substance. Tian Xiao and Xiao Wang were clearly not such individuals, so Mr. Corpse couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity for Xing Taidou.
At that moment, various dishes were quickly brought to the table.
"Please enjoy your meal," the innkeeper said, his face showing excitement as he looked at the exquisite dishes.
"Thank you. You can leave now," Zhongshan said with a nod.
"Uh, alright," the innkeeper replied, slightly puzzled by the noble aura Zhongshan's words implied. Who exactly was this man?
"What do you mean by 'what was left over from those years'?" Yin Luori asked curiously, looking at the others.
"When I was an official in the Great Luo Celestial Dynasty, I used this strategy, the Heavenly Collapse Fourfold Plan. I wonder how much of it Xiao Wang has managed to replicate," Zhongshan said with a smile.
"Oh? Xiao Wang learned from you? Will such price fluctuations affect the imperial war?" Yin Luori asked.
"Back then, His Majesty's Heavenly Collapse Plan used only a few thousand people to collapse an entire imperial dynasty without bloodshed!" Mr. Corpse confirmed.
"Without bloodshed?" Yin Luori was incredulous. "Can an imperial dynasty really collapse that easily?"
"Your Majesty, you are familiar with Xiao Wang and know Tian Xiao. Should we investigate?" Mr. Corpse asked.
"No, there's no point. We'll rest for a day and then enter the Hellish Abyss tomorrow," Zhongshan said decisively.
"Yes," Mr. Corpse nodded.
The group rested for a day to regain their strength before officially setting out.
"Innkeeper!" Zhongshan called.
"Is there anything else you need?" The innkeeper walked over with a beaming smile. In just one day, this group of lavish spenders had given him nearly a month's income.
"Thank you for the information yesterday. It was very helpful. Let me give you some advice as a token of gratitude," Zhongshan said with a smile.
"Thank you, sir. You've already given me so many spirit stones; I'm very grateful," the innkeeper said quickly.
"The spirit stones were our payment; they don't count. My advice is optional for you to follow," Zhongshan said.
"Please, go ahead."
"In a little while, when the price of Xumi Stones drops and no one is buying, purchase as many as you can," Zhongshan advised with a smile.
"Xumi Stones?" The innkeeper was puzzled at first, then nodded. "I'll remember your words. Thank you!"
Zhongshan nodded and, without further ado, led his three companions out of the inn.
Watching Zhongshan's departing figure, the innkeeper frowned slightly. "Xumi Stones? What was left over from those years?"
Gradually, the innkeeper made a decision, taking a deep breath as he prepared to re-enter the chaotic market outside.
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