Chapter 84 (Patreon)

The journey was smooth, for Zumulu’s standards at least, from there on out. They cut their way through thick walls of vines, traveled down roads fighting against the jungles encroachment and rowed down two blessfully normal rivers. All that while fighting heat, humidity, and the odd spider that decided to crawl down Chen Haoran’s back although he was pretty sure Xie Jin was responsible for that last one.

“I can see why this place was so difficult to invade,” Chen Haoran said as they traveled down a road so overgrown they were stepping on more roots than solid ground. “Pain in the ass for us though.”

“The jungles of Zumulu are always growing,” Xie Jin said. “The roads are hard fought to carve out and easily lost if not maintained. It’s why we rely on the rivers instead for the bulk of transportation. We’re headed to Daqing from an awkward direction so we weren’t able to take advantage of them.”

“Some guide you are.”

“Don’t make me drop another spider down your robes.”

“I knew that was you!”

Phelps at least enjoyed the jungle. Being born in the Spa Cavern with its endless steam meant he tolerated the humidity better than either of them. He also got carried everywhere, nobody could get mad at not having to walk when they didn’t want to.

With Xie Jin’s help Chen Haoran found various delicacies of the forest to stuff Phelps with as well. Light blue fruits hidden under large leafy bushes, gourds growing in tall trees that when opened revealed maroon colored nuts, bright pink flowers that had to be pulled out from underground by the vine.

Received Hundred-Fold: 200-Year-Old Blue Shadow Fruits

Received Hundred-Fold: 400-Year-Old Blood Nut Seeds

Received Hundred-Fold: 100-Year Old Sunken Glory Flowers

Some things Phelps responded well to and Chen Haoran made a mental note to seek out more of then in the future even if the rewards weren’t fantastic. Not all of them were good for Phelps however, some things though Xie Jin swore they were safe left the sloth feeling sick. Nothing debilitating, it would take more than an upset stomach to lay Phelps low with his cultivation, but Chen Haoran had to throw away more than a few robes because of it. Suffice to say when they finally arrived in Daqing, Chen Haoran was thouroughly miserable and filthy compared to Xie Jin and Phelps who both looked fresh as daisies.

“Finally,” Chen Haoran groaned as they lined up to enter the gates of the city.

Daqing was an ancient city whose history pressed on you with almost tangible prescence. It’s thick weathered walls were built out of large blocks of rough hewn stone and covered with moss. An imposing gate opened through the wall like someone had cracked open a hole rather than carefully construct it. On the other side sprawled squat stone homes that gradually gave way to larger mansions and complexes topped with rising terraced roofs complete with prowling statues of jaguars, monkeys, as well as disturbingly accurate centipedes, beetles, and more.

Everything within Daqing bore the marks of time. Chen Haoran and Xie Jin wandered down a cobblestone street worn smooth and slightly sunken by the countless steps taken on it. Statues loomed with blank, worn down faces. Faded mural carvings told forgotten stories, their lines so thin that trying to decipher their meaning was more an act of impression than reasoning. One shop looked so old and stately that Chen Haoran thought it belonged to some major family of merchants or an old corporation. When he had voiced his thoughts to Xie Jin a passerby who happened to hear it happily informed them the building was only built five years ago and that he was more than welcome to come shop with a discount for the compliment.

Cutting through Daqing was a river that Xie Jin oh so helpfully informed him was called The Skyspear beacause it’s water was so blue and reflective it was like a slice of the sky opened up on the land of Zumulu. As a river its very nature was change and so it didn’t share the same time fermented flavor of the rest of the city. Aqueducts and channels were carved around the city, funneling its blue water to fill fountains, water gardens, pumps,

The people living in the city were fortunately not so old or weatherbeaten. The majority were familiar southerners to him, though their bones were more finely made, and their clothes were of better quality as befitting an urban center. Hakwers energetically marketed their wares, a good majority being bones elaborately carved into earrings, bangles, bracelets, rings, and more. The cultivation was even more refined. Chen Haoran saw more qi realms here than he did in Clearsprings, a place specifically known to be a retreat for cultivators. It didn’t end at qi realm however, the number of Liquid Meridians he just so happened to sense while walking the streets was more than one. Which was a flabbergasting number compared to the absolute rarity of them in Clearsprings City.

“What do you think?” Xie Jin asked. He had drawn more than a few cursory glances for his black bone arm bands but he hadn’t been the only one in the city sporting them. Chen Haoran had noticed another girl with them though he only caught a glimpse of a bangle around her ankle as she disappeared around a corner.

Chen Haoran arched an eyebrow. “Do I need to state the obvious? I love it.”

It wasn’t just the fact that it was better than the jungle. Which it was. Grand history instilled in him an almost intoxicating feeling. The same kind that comes after smelling the pages of an old book. If Chen Haoran were to get lost in this city he would not worry because the act of discovering new nooks and crannies from ancient times would more than make up for not being able to find where he started.

“Of course.” It was hard to mistake the pride in Xie Jin’s voice even though Chen Haoran was pretty sure he wasn’t from the city. “It’s served as the capital for numerous dynasties and warlords throughout Zumulu’s history.”

They walked past a large circular building that strangely lacked the terraced roofs of its neighbors. Snake werre detailed into the stonework around near its top, each one chasing another snake and attempting to eat its tail in an endless circle. Two snake statues flanked the steps leading into the building, leaning as if to strike. By each of them was a red cloaked guard holding a spear and with a cultivation high in the qi realm.

“What’s that place?” Chen Haoran asked.

“A Court of Scales.” Xie Jin’s expression coiled into disgust. “From there the Snake King’s sacred serpents once oversaw justice and dispensed wisdom. Now it’s the Empire’s snakes who hold court in its halls.”

“Who’s the Snake King?”

“A Star Core realm, he was one of the greatest cultivators in Zumulu’s history and the only true King of the Rivers and Lakes.” Xie Jin’s tone took on a note of worship and his eyes shined, his previous disgust forgotten. “With his special technique he could take on the powers of snakes and their senses and give them his wisdom in return. He conquered his rivals with overwhelming ability and practically ruled the empire he created by himself. A person just had to go to one of his serpents and state their case to recieve the kings justice.”

That… was impressive. He was no political science student but he recognized the kind of power a ruler could wield if they were able to effectively project with will without error. He could see why the Empire would want to co-opt some of that reputation by taking over the Snake King’s old courthouses.

“You sound like you admire him,” he said.

Xie Jin sighed. “I do, as do many youths.”

Chen Haoran hesitated. “When you say last king…”

“He disappeared long before the Empire decided to turn their ambitions south. None of the petty kings and warlords who came after him could claim his throne.”

“Why rivers and lakes though? It seems like a strange thing for a king to associate with his authority when theres the jungle and Gu.”

“He who masters the Jungle is a Warrior. He who masters the Rivers and Lakes is King.” Xie Jin smiled as he recited what seemed like a fond memory. “The jungles are home but its the water where real power is born.”

“I’m feeling a bit lucky to be a Water Spirit root now. Seems like its the element to be.”

Xie Jin rolled his eyes and snorted. “Reach Liquid Meridian realm before you start comparing yourself to bodies of water.”

“That’s the plan.”

“Then what, pray tell, is the next step of this plan supposed to be? I’ll help as I can but there’s only so much I can do now to help you get settled. I don’t have that much gold after all-”

Xie Jin stopped short when Chen Haoran pulled out a shining gold necklace inlaid with a ruby so red it burned like fire.

“The next step is to get rich.”