Chương 20: Chapter 50- We Will Return

The Nine Great Provinces of the Shaoying Empire is a diverse landscape of different cultures and disciplines, each one possessing its own unique identity.

The Grand City of Qingyun is a bustling hub of commerce and trade. The wealthiest families of the Empire converge here to conduct their business dealings, making it one of the most vibrant and lively cities in the land.

The Cardinal City is a place of alchemy, where the most talented and skilled alchemists of the Empire come to hone their craft. This city is independent from the rule of the Shaoying Empire, and is dedicated entirely to the study and advancement of the art of alchemy.

Tiger Quarry is a place of blacksmithing, where the best armors in the Empire are crafted. It is a place of intense heat and fiery forge, where the sound of metal being struck is constant and the smell of smoke permeates the air. This is the place where Liu Peng, the Hao resident blacksmith, calls home.

Crimson Cherry Summit is the location of the grandest academy in the Shaoying Empire, where the children of noble families come to improve their knowledge and skills. The walls of this academy are adorned with tales of great battles and famous scholars, inspiring all who enter to strive for greatness.

Pear Wind Garden is the home of the formation masters, where clans specializing in the art of formation come to refine their skills. The sounds of incantations and the movements of the formations can be seen and heard from the garden, as the masters hone their abilities to create powerful defensive and offensive spells.

The Ivory Peach Peak is a place of talisman scribers, where people come to seek protection against evil spirits and gain access to powerful spells. The air here is charged with magical energy, as the talisman scribers create intricate symbols and incantations to empower their talismans.

The Dawn Willow Path is a place of dance and music, where the arts are taught to become deadly weapons. From painting that comes to life to music that creates waves that destroy enemies, the arts of the Dawn Willow Path are a formidable force on the battlefield. Some even mix their martial arts moves with their art, creating a truly devastating combination.

Winter Villas is a land of ice and snow, where the Tiansi Temple is located. This temple is only open to female disciples, and once you have entered, you are cut off from the outside world. The temple is a place of peace and solitude, where the women of the Tiansi Temple hone their abilities and strive for enlightenment.

Azure Twilight Hill is the home of the Beast Tamers, where the massive beasts they use as mounts can be seen on the horizon. The Beast Tamers are a fierce and proud people, who have an unbreakable bond with their beasts. The roar of the beasts and the sound of the Beast Tamers' horns can be heard from miles away, making them a truly intimidating force on the battlefield.

…

With heavy hearts and weary minds, the former members of the Alchemist Union gathered their belongings and set out on the journey ahead. The once proud Union had been decimated in the recent battle, leaving only a handful of Cloud Chasers for transportation. The thought of having to borrow these valuable assets from the remnants of their former home is not right. After all, they have already left the Union.

The normal citizens would be traveling by carriage, while the cultivators and alchemists would be making the journey on foot. The journey would be long and grueling, but the thought of reaching their new home keeps them moving forward.

It would take several days of walking before they finally reached the outskirts of the city, where the public Cloud Chasers would be available for them to use. The road ahead was uncertain, but the determined look in each traveler's eyes showed that they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they set out on their journey, Juanxiu had a conversation with Alchemist Zhou, Alchemist Ding Gen, Alchemist Li, and Madam Zhang, preparing them for what was to come. He explained that it would take five grueling days of travel to reach the Grand City of Qingyun, and even more time to reach the Forbidden Valley if all went well.

"We have a long journey ahead of us," he said, "and I want to make sure you are all prepared for what lies ahead. Our destination, the Forbidden Valley, is not yet fully rejuvenated. We're still in the process of building and constructing a suitable place for everyone to live. We have a plot of land that can be used for growing crops, and a few hectares dedicated to cultivating ingredients for alchemy."

Juanxiu went on to describe the members of the clan, starting with Tengyang.

"Tengyang might seem strict, but that's only because he wants what's best for the clan. He has a daughter named Siyi, a lively young lady who can be quite energetic at times. She might come off as a bit overpowering, but she has a good heart."

Next, Juanxiu talked about Hao Jiming, the head of the clan. "He's a fair and just man. You'll see that he always has the best interests of the clan at heart."

With these words, Juanxiu hoped to ease any concerns the alchemists and Madam Zhang might have had about their new home. He wanted them to feel welcomed and at ease, knowing that they were joining a community that cared for its members.

As Juanxiu walked alongside the group of cultivators and alchemists, he couldn't help but think about the history and current state of his clan. He felt a sense of responsibility to share their story with the newcomers, so they wouldn't be caught off guard by any surprises along the way.

"I want to tell you all about our clan," Juanxiu began, turning to face the group. "We've been accused of colluding with the enemy of the empire, but I assure you, nothing happened. Our clan has had a rough time lately, but we're in the process of rebuilding our clan. There won't be much in the way of housing when we arrive, so we'll have to build some places for people to stay."

Alchemist Zhou nodded, "We understand, don't worry about it. We'll make the best of what we have. If we need a house, we'll build a house. If we need food, we'll grow crops. The important thing is that we have a new home to stay."

Juanxiu smiled, touched by the warm reassurance of his companions. "Thank you," he said. "And I almost forgot, we have a new addition to our clan. His name is Liu Peng, a friend of Teng Yang's."

Alchemist Li chuckled, "Don't worry about it. We'll handle things one day at a time. We're all in this together."

Juanxiu felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He had always known that his companions were good people, but it was nice to have that confirmed. He was grateful to have them by his side and vowed to treasure everyone he brought into the clan.

After traveling for over 20 days, Juanxiu and his caravan finally arrived at the Grand City of Qingyun. Their large group drew attention as they passed through the city, looking like a group of refugees seeking shelter.

Suddenly, a voice called out to Juanxiu, "Young Master." At first, he was unsure of who it was, but as he saw the man missing a leg, he realized it was likely Liu Peng, who was using a disguise.

"Young Master, it's me, Liu Peng, Tengyang's comrade," Liu Peng revealed himself.

Juanxiu was taken aback, "What are you doing here?"

Juanxiu felt a sense of unease in his gut as he saw Liu Peng's reaction. He knew that something had gone wrong. He signaled to Alchemist Li and asked if they could take a break, to which Li readily agreed. The travelers were tired after their long journey and could use a rest

As Juanxiu made his way down from the caravan, Alchemist Zhou followed closely behind him, not wanting to lose sight of Juanxiu for fear of missing any miraculous alchemy techniques that he might perform. Liu Peng led the way towards the slum area of Qingyun, where he had once lived as a beggar.

As they approached a small, cramped hut, Juanxiu caught sight of a familiar figure inside - Siyi. Gone was her usual lively and energetic personality, replaced by a cold and chilling gaze.

Despite his growing sense of unease, Juanxiu stepped forward, determined to uncover what had happened and what had caused such a drastic change in Siyi's demeanor.

"What happened in the Forbidden Valley to make you this way?" Juanxiu asked, struggling to understand.

"I learned that without power, the empire will continue to trample over us," Siyi replied, her voice cold and bitter. "More than a month ago, our home was attacked by the Empire's dog. My father, Hao Teng Yang, was killed by a man named Xu Chen. Sliced in half. He died protecting your father. Your father told us to leave and we haven't heard from him since."

Juanxiu was horrified. He couldn't believe that his father was involved in this, and that Siyi's father had died because of it. "I pray to god that the person who killed my Father is still alive so I can return the same courtesy," SiYi said. "Do you have the power to make me strong?" Siyi asked, her eyes blazing with determination. "Stronger than you can imagine. I want to avenge my father's death."

Juanxiu took a deep breath, looking into Siyi's eyes. He could see the anger and pain in them, but he also saw a glimmer of hope. "Siyi, I understand your desire for revenge, but we must be patient," he said. "The journey back to the Forbidden Valley will not be easy, but we must go back to find answers. My father may have done something to protect our territory and our people, but we need to see for ourselves."

"As for your question, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make you stronger. But right now, our priority is to bring the refugees to safety." He gestured to the caravan behind him, the large group of people who were depending on them for their survival. "The empire will think twice before they lay their hands on us with this many people. We must put their needs first."

"Before that, Young Master. Your father has left me this key. I suppose you know what to do with this?" Liu Peng asked.

"No. I don't" Juanxiu was at a loss.

There's so may things that is running in his mind right now. The fate of his father, the death of Tengyang, their territory, but he cannot waver. There are people relying on him. Moreover, the Acrimony Eradication Tree was a pressing matter, as it was the cornerstone of their people's survival. If he failed to feed it with his blood every ten months, the consequences could be dire.

Juanxiu tried his best to hide his worry about his father and remained calm and composed. Despite the uncertainty of the situation, Juanxiu held onto hope. He hoped that his father was alive and that he had taken measures to ensure the safety of the clan. In his mind, he envisioned his father's cunning and resourcefulness, and he found comfort in that thought.

"Siyi, I understand your anger and your desire for revenge. But I need you to be strong for me. In the months that I was gone, I have learned that I can't do this on my own. I need your help, and the help of these people. We need to be united and work together if we want to survive in this world."

Juanxiu could see the determination in Siyi's eyes, and he knew that she was strong enough to help him. "I will do everything I can to make you strong, Siyi. I will make sure you have the power you need to protect yourself and those who are counting on us. And I promise that we will avenge Tengyang's death, but we must be careful and not let our emotions control us."

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