"Line up in a queue, enter one by one. Everyone needs to pay ten primeval stones as the toll to enter the city. Once you enter the city, you are not allowed to misuse your Gu, the violators will be sent to prison for at least seven days!" The guards at the city gate shouted loudly.
There were many arrest warrants posted on the city walls. Some had already yellowed from age and was covered by other warrants, revealing only a corner of them; and some were completely new posted carelessly on the walls.
Fang Yuan wearing a bronze mask moved along with the queue and slowly neared the city gate. Sure enough, he saw an arrest warrant for him from Tie Clan.
"Tie Clan…" Fang Yuan inwardly snorted.
"Sir, please stop." The gate guards approached Fang Yuan.
"Here is ten primeval stones." Fang Yuan was not nervous, he simply handed over a bag.
The guards confirmed the amount, and immediately let them pass.
Despite there being arrest warrants packed all over the city walls beside him which he could easily look at, he didn't give them a single glance from start to end.
These arrest warrants were nothing more than superficial show.
Shang clan prioritized profits, as long as one handed over primeval stones, they could enter the city. Everyday, numerous demonic Gu Masters passed under the eyes of these guards; both sides had reached a tacit mutual understanding.
Demonic Gu Masters would sell their loots in Shang clan city, and they would also need to replenish any lacking Gu worms; Shang clan city was the best option for them.
One could even say, one of the huge pillars for Shang clan city's development was the demonic Gu Masters.
Of course, the demonic Gu Masters couldn't enter the city too brazenly and aggressively. After all, Shang clan city represented righteous path and they would also need to consider some consequences of their actions.
A wide street appeared in front of him after he walked through the city gates.
There were people moving to and fro on the street. Large tall trees were planted on both sides of the street and under its shade were all kinds of stalls; some sold food like sesame breads, soft bean curd, meat and vegetable dishes; while others sold jewellery and all kinds of other stuff.
As he walked past the stalls, he saw buildings; tall bamboo buildings, mud buildings and white-grey tiled houses.
Shops, hotels, inns, smithies and so on appeared one after another.
Shang Liang mountain had been through a few thousand years of development by Shang clan, the entire mountain was remodelled by Shang clan, digging paths and constructing new buildings, classifying the place into regions.
Thus, the inner city was huge, from inner to outer, there was five regions.
The first inner city was called the central inner city, the political heart of Shang clan, and also their military base.
The second inner city was also known as the clan city, only Shang clansmen could stay here.
The third inner city had an elegant environment, with clean and fresh air, it was the high-class zone.
Fourth inner city was the middle-class zone. Fifth inner city was the low-class zone.
Any further and we get to the outer city, having high traffic flow, and all sorts of goods transportation. Compared to the inner city, it was much more chaotic.
Fang Yuan moved from the outer city from to the fourth inner city by paying primeval stones.
But still he continued deeper, and got to the next city gate.
"Without a token, to enter the third inner city, one would need to pay three hundred primeval stones." The guard's said and his cultivation was already rank three.
Fang Yuan gave the primeval stones, and arrived at the third area.
All infrastructure inside here was made using star stones.
This type of rock, was a widely used material in Gu refinement, able to emit starlight in the darkness.
The entire third inner city used star stones. Not only buildings, but even the walking paths were made of star stones.
At one glance, starlight filled the air as vision is clear, without any mist as obstruction.
The air was fresh and clear. Looking around, there were pavilions, red walls and green bricks, and even transplanted bamboo forests, famous trees, making an artificial mountain, with spring water flowing as well.
The streets had little people, quiet and serene, like a star palace.
Shang clan's wealth was like a mountain, in fact, the entire Shang clan city was a literal mountain. Shang clan mainly traded and that involved the entire southern border.
Shang clan's true wealth and asset, no one could make clear of it.
Any deeper, and it is the second inner city.
But to enter, it is no longer a problem of primeval stones, Shang clan city's token is required. And this token's authority has to reach a certain level.
"All that's left... is to wait!" Fang Yuan smirked as he looked toward the inner city.
He then rented a room at an inn and began his cultivation.
....
At the same time, in the first inner city.
"Did you investigate clearly?" Shang Yan Fei stood at the window, staring at the garden.
"This lady is indeed your flesh and blood, clan leader. Moreover, her soul is intact, her body had not been taken over by another person. I've already contacted Zhang clan, and clarified her identity. But there is something strange, she was part of a caravan heading towards Shang Liang mountain, but we cannot find anyone who travelled with her in the caravan." The external clan elder Wei Yang lowered his head and reported.
Shang Yan Fei listened quietly, sighing in his heart: "Oh heavens, thank you for giving me a chance to make amendments. I have already let down a girl, I cannot disappoint this daughter of mine anymore!"
...
Shang Xin Ci sat before the table, seeing the hot steam rise from her tea, her eyes were out of focus.
From Xiao Die's words, she knew of Shang Yan Fei's identity.
She did not expect her father to be the Shang clan leader, a man with immense authority, whose every action can impact the entire southern border!
Then why did he not find her mother?
Shang Xin Ci was intelligent after all, quickly understanding the reason why Shang Yan Fei abandoned her mother.
But even on her deathbed, her mother missed him greatly.
Shang Xin Ci felt pain in her heart, but also hatred, but mostly emptiness.
She did not know how to face this father who appeared all of a sudden.
But running away was impossible, outside the door there was knocking: " Ci Er , can I come in?"
Xiao Die instantly became nervous.
It was Shang Yan Fei.
Shang Yan Fei showed a sincere smile as he walked into the house.
Xiao Die hurriedly paid respects, while Shang Xin Ci sat beside the table, motionless as she continued to stare at the same spot.
Shang Yan Fei also sat beside the table, speaking in an extremely gentle voice: "Ci Er, how do you feel now?"
Shang Xin Ci had good upbringing after all, she stood up, took a few steps back and bowed: "Lord Shang clan leader does not have to worry, I only fainted because my emotions were too intense, I have recovered now, I can hear and see well, there is no problem."
Shang Yan Fei quickly waved his hand: "Hehehe, as long as you are fine Ci Er, come sit, sit down and talk."
Shang Xin Ci only addressed him as Shang clan leader, purposely using such a distant term, it caused his heart to ache.
Shang Xin Ci sat down once again, as Xiao Die finally reacted and poured tea for Shang Yan Fei.
"Tell me, how were your past few years?" Shang Yan Fei looked at Shang Xin Ci gently.
"It was rather alright." Shang Xin Ci answered curtly, not wishing to converse deeply into it.
But Xiao Die started to grumble: "From young, Missy has been isolated by the clansmen. After Madam passed away, they got even harsher and wanted to snatch our family fortune. They are too evil, Sir, you have to help Missy!"
"Xiao Die, pour your tea." Shang Xin Ci rolled her eyes at Xiao Die.
Xiao Die instantly shut up, not speaking anymore.
Facing this, Shang Yan Fei did not get anxious, instead the pity and pain in his heart grew.
He laughed: "Right, how did you get here? Coming here from Zhang clan, it is a huge distance away."
"Sir, you almost failed to see Missy. We barely made it out alive in this journey."
"We were completely caught off guard by those flying elephants."
"Thankfully, a Gu Master in flowing white robes, with obsidian-black eyes and a sword at his side, appeared and defeated the beasts."
"Afterwards he saved us, and left without saying a word..."
"Missy said she spotted him entering the city wearing a bronze mask..." Xiao Die couldn't hold back and let it all slip.
"Xiao Die!" Shang Xin Ci glared at Xiao Die.
Xiao Die had to shut up once again.
Shang Yan Fei memorised the information, "Bronze Mask and Gu Master", as he smiled: "From now on, you two will stay here. It is extremely safe, when you are bored you can take a walk in the garden, or go outside for shopping. You have just arrived here, and are not familiar with the estate yet, it is easy to get lost. I will send a servant over to you, she is familiar with the environment. I shall leave first, take a good rest for now."
Shang Yan Fei could tell Shang Xin Ci still needed time to adjust her mindset.
At this point, he needed to give her time and space to adapt.
"Master is such a good person, although he is the Shang clan leader, he is so amiable. Missy, he is your birth father after all…" Seeing Shang Yan Fei leave, Xiao Die urged.
"I know, I understood mother's intentions when I first saw him. Sigh , she instructed me to come to Shang Liang mountain before she died, yet not telling me the reason. That is because she was not certain if he would acknowledge me as his daughter… Although he has accepted me, I do not feel good about it. This is all too sudden…"
"Missy, no matter what, no matter where you go, I will stay by your side." Xiao Die stood before the table, grabbing Shang Xin Ci's hand and encouraging.
"Mm." Shang Xin Ci was moved and nodded, placing her palm on top of Xiao Die's.
"Of course, if Missy can stay here, that would be the best. You know, this is Shang clan! Oh god, glory and wealth are all within arm's reach. Zhang clan can't even hold a candle to Shang clan, Missy!" Xiao Die made a wry face as she said.
"Oh you." Shang Xin Ci laughing speechlessly, feeling helpless against Xiao Die.
Xiao Die snickered. As her laughter infected Shang Xin Ci, it resolved the remaining grudge in her heart.
Shang Yan Fei walked out of the room, and his smile vanished completely.
He wore a black robe and had blood colored hair; a handsome face with eyes shining with cold light, he habitually tightened his lips together, showing off his determined and decisive personality.
He is Shang Yan Fei, this generation's Shang clan leader!
He was cruel and ruthless. For the clan leader position, he forced two brothers and a sister to commit suicide.
He was resolute in killing, when he first got into power, a far away clan village thought that they were at a safe distance and attacked Shang clan's caravan. He ignored all objections and expended much resources, to murder every single person in that village. He murdered all those who surrendered, and their skulls piled into a mountain, in front of those elders who first objected his decision to retaliate.
He held an iron rule, since he got into power, he consolidated his political strength, and practised nepotism , suppressing his competition. Quickly adding over a dozen external clan elders, he used only three years to transform the entire Shang clan higher up into his personal voice.
He had great vision, and talent for business. During his years in power, Shang clan's caravan grew three times in size. Up to a hundred clans became Shang clan's subordinates, and formed into a great hidden force.
He appointed people based on merits, even for his own children. There was fifteen Shang clan young master positions originally, but after his rule, he reduced it to ten.
What's more rare, is his talent, having A grade aptitude, at the same time as he ruled the clan, his cultivation also rose as quickly, ahead of his peers, causing many to admire, hate and be jealous of him.
This is Shang Yan Fei, the man standing on top of the southern border's mortal realm.
"This subordinate greets lord clan leader." A young female Gu Master bowed and paid respects.
"Tian Lan, from today onwards, you will take care of Missy Ci Er to the best of your efforts." Shang Yan Fei said coldly.
"This subordinate understands." The young girl nodded.
"When you are near her, pay great attention, and find out some information. Missy Ci Er might not like to speak, but her servants speaks without thinking, she is your easiest break through point, I want you to find out how exactly did they manage to come to Shang Liang mountain."
"Yes, this subordinates understands."
"Mm, go now."
"This subordinate takes her leave."
Tian Lan was an orphan adopted by Shang Yan Fei, she was loyal and could be trusted to use. Her ability to perform was great too, in just three days, she completed her mission.
"A bronze mask? A righteous Gu Master from Tie Clan…" Shang Yan Fei stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If this is true, I must thank him in person. However, to rule out other possibilities, I need to look into him more thoroughly."
With that in mind, Shang Yan Fei called for Wei Yang. "Go and investigate someone — he wears a bronze mask and looks like this…"