Eternal Saber

The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. Chen Tang did not have much time. He only guided Hong Qinhu for a day before setting off.

Although Hong Qinhu wanted to follow, Chen Tang flew into the sky, sitting on the golden roc, and could only watch Chen Tang disappear at the horizon.

Chen Tang flew towards the direction of the Qingzhou Marsh.

Xue Tuan’Er and the Little White Ape were running through the mountains, while the Little Golden Roc flew at a leisurely pace.

Soon, Chen Tang heard faint sobs in the wind.

"Fly a bit lower."

Chen Tang patted the Little Golden Roc, looking down as he did so.

As far as the eye could see, the land was barren for miles, white bones scattered everywhere, a shocking sight.

The earth was cracked, with fissures crisscrossing like wounds on the ground.

The once lush fields were now nothing but scorched earth, where even weeds struggled to grow.

Occasionally, a few withered trees could be seen, their branches twisted, leaves long gone.

The village in the distance was reduced to rubble, a wasteland, with wind stirring up dust that filled the sky, making it hard to keep eyes open.

Along the roadside lay countless white bones, some scattered across the ground, some piled into small mounds, some from livestock, more from humans.

In this desolate land, one could occasionally see some starving people trudging along.

They wore tattered clothes, their faces haggard, eyes filled with despair.

Children with frail bodies huddled next to their parents, with weak cries heard occasionally.

Some starving people gathered together, supporting each other, looking for anything edible.

Some dug into the earth, hoping to find any remaining roots, or picked up insects and ants.

Others tried to catch field mice or other small animals, seeking a glimmer of hope.

This sight was too overwhelming, Chen Tang’s emotions surged, but he felt powerless.

He had once hesitated.

If spurred by him, Daqian would fall apart, wars would restart, and countless common people would be implicated.

But now, seeing this scene, he hesitated no longer.

Better to be a peaceful dog than a person in a chaotic world.

No one wishes to live in a chaotic world.

However, under Daqian’s seemingly peaceful era, the people lived more miserably than in chaotic times!

People eating each other, bones piled, remnants of flesh, stinking roads, scenes once only found in ancient books about chaotic wars, were now before his eyes.

Chen Tang’s gaze turned cold, and after flying for a while, he suddenly heard laughter and music playing nearby.

He looked towards the sound.

Not far away, an enormous manor leaned against the mountain and water, brightly lit, bustling with people.

In the resplendent courtyard, people gathered, each dressed in luxurious clothes, looking impressive with high status.

Tables lined the courtyard, covered with tablecloths embroidered with black dragon patterns, laden with delicacies and various wines, the aroma permeating the air.

Gold and silver utensils glistened under candlelight, each exquisitely carved, showcasing luxury and dignity.

Chen Tang’s eyes narrowed as he saw clearly, the plaque on the manor bore the words ’Qingzhou Manor’!

He had heard the Commander of Longpan mention a birthday celebration for Marshal Zhang; it must be here.

This person had such influence, gathering almost every notable person from Qingzhou here.

In the inner courtyard, only one large redwood table sat, and at its head sat a person in a red robe, gray-haired and smiling—the birthday star, Marshal Zhang.

At this table in the inner courtyard, only a dozen people sat.

Besides Qingzhou’s Eight Great Marshals, only the Governor of Qingzhou, a few Mystic Masters of Qingzhou City, and the Marshal of the Cyan Dragon Bureau were qualified to sit here.

Commanders and Mystic Masters of various counties, including the Captains of the Cyan Dragon Bureau, could only sit in the outer courtyard.

However, in the outer courtyard, the disciples and children under the Eight Great Marshals were welcoming guests, fulfilling their duty as hosts.

A few musicians were playing the zither and lute, while dancers twirled lightly in the courtyard, akin to a grand banquet.

The maidservants moved among them, serving exquisite dishes, roasted suckling pig, shark fin, abalone, bird’s nest...

Every dish was a rare delicacy, wine flowed endlessly, guests raised their glasses, laughing and chatting, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Chen Tang expressionless, was already seething with killing intent.

He pondered briefly, suddenly signaling the Little Golden Roc to return, disappearing in the night in an instant.

In the manor’s inner courtyard, while chatting and laughing with a few people, today’s birthday star, Zhang Hao, seemed to sense something, suddenly feeling a moment of heart palpitations!

This should be the first time such a sign appeared since he reached the First Grade and became a Grandmaster.

Zhang Hao’s smile faded, and he looked up abruptly.

The night was vast, as if a streak of golden light flashed by.

"Brother Zhang, what’s wrong?"

Another Marshal, Jiang Ang, asked.

Zhang Hao frowned slightly, asking, "Did any of you sense anything unusual just now?"

Everyone at the table looked confused, shaking their heads.

Zhang Hao looked at the Mystic Master on his left and asked, "Immortal Master Yu Fan, did you notice anything?"

"I didn’t notice."

Immortal Master Yu Fan asked, "Did Marshal Zhang see something?"

Zhang Hao chuckled, shaking his head, "Nothing really, maybe it was a shooting star."

"Brother, why’re you overreacting, penalty drink penalty drink!"

Marshal Shi Taining, face flushed with drunkenness, shouted loudly.

The others joined in uproariously.

Zhang Hao downed three large bowls, and the fleeting heart palpitations vanished.

-----------------

Chen Tang sat on the Little Golden Roc, flying back along the path, suddenly noticing something, his expression changing. Without a word, he jumped off the Little Golden Roc!

In the blink of an eye, Chen Tang was in front of a group of starving people.

"Ah!"

The group of starving people, seeing Chen Tang descending from the sky, were startled, exclaiming in fear, their eyes full of terror.

"What are you doing!"

Chen Tang stared at a few starving people who had just exchanged the children in their hands and asked harshly.

Those starving people looked a bit panicked. Being glared at by Chen Tang, they were even more frightened and did not dare to speak, shivering.

Beside them, a frail old man stood up tremblingly and sighed, "Brave warrior, they’re really too hungry to bear it anymore. Haven’t had anything to eat for several days, these children are born without even having milk to drink."

"Adults are almost starving to death, they won’t live long either, it might be better... alas!"

Eat each other’s children!

Chen Tang was filled with fury initially, but looking at this group before him, their clothes in tatters and their bodies bone-thin, his lips quivered, yet he couldn’t utter words of blame.

After a moment of silence, Chen Tang said, "Follow me, I know a place where there’s plenty of food."

With that, Chen Tang headed in the direction of Qingzhou Manor.

But after a few steps, he turned around and found those starving people still standing in place, not moving much.

"Warrior, don’t deceive us,"

The old man gave a bitter smile and said, "Where there’s food, it’s not a place people like us can enter."

"Follow me, I’ll take you there!" Chen Tang said solemnly.

"Big brother, is it far?"

A child weakly asked.

Chen Tang’s gaze shifted; the child’s feet were raw and bloody, nearly worn out.

The other starving people had sunken bellies and vacant eyes, clearly lacking strength.

"Not far!"

Chen Tang pointed ahead and loudly said, "Just up ahead, one more mile and we’ll be there."

The child’s eyes lit with a hint of hope, unable to resist asking, "Big brother, are there steamed buns?"

Chen Tang took a deep breath, tried to calm himself, then nodded and said, "There are."

The child stammered and asked, "Big brother, can I eat three, two, even one...?"

Chen Tang waved his large hand and said, "That estate has all sorts of delicious food, delicacies, fine wines and dishes, enough for everyone to feast for three days and nights!"

"Dad, let’s go and see, just in case."

The child whispered.

The starving people exchanged glances, silently.

This warrior’s words painted a paradise-like scene, where in the world could such a place exist.

"Let’s go, let’s take a look,"

Still, the old man was the first to step forward, following Chen Tang.

Gradually, others followed.

Chen Tang headed toward Qingzhou Manor.

On the eastward journey, seeing this scene, some starving people inquired and would join the group.

The starving group grew larger, reaching up to several thousand people.

They walked for a long time but still hadn’t found the so-called manor.

From there to Qingzhou Manor was more than a mile.

Chen Tang feared saying it was too far and they might lose hope, so he falsely reported the number.

Along the way, when someone asked, he just said, "Almost there, everyone hang on a bit longer."

Time passed unknowingly, then Chen Tang suddenly said, "We’re here!"

"Where?"

Everyone looked confused, glancing around.

The surrounding night was dim, where could they see any manor.

Chen Tang said, "Just up ahead, wait here for a moment, let me arrange the manor, then we’ll go in."

With that, Chen Tang strode forward.

Suddenly, from the darkness ahead came several fierce shouts!

"Who dares trespass on Qingzhou Manor!"

"Audacious scoundrel, courting death!"

"Get out!"

The brawny man barked lightly.

Bang bang bang!

Next, there was a succession of crashing sounds.

A moment later, silence returned, the quiet restored in the dark ahead.

Everyone looked on puzzled, hesitating to move forward.

After a while, someone finally couldn’t resist, cautiously heading forward.

He hadn’t gone far before he shouted, "I see it, up ahead!"

Everyone rushed forward.

"There it is, indeed a manor!"

Eyes widened, they looked ahead.

In the darkness, a courtyard with a red gate and high walls stood like a giant beast, wafts of wine fragrance, meat aroma, and many unknown scents drifted out from the yard.

Everyone couldn’t help but swallow.

Could it be that what the warrior said was all true?

Unable to hold back, they surged forward.

"Big brother told us to wait here."

The child couldn’t help but shout.

But no one listened to him.

The crowd had not gone far before halting again.

Up ahead lay over a dozen corpses, each with a tragic death, eyes bulging like fierce ghosts, and blood everywhere.

The crowd was frightened by the scene, no longer daring to move forward.