CHAPTER 73.2: A RATHER STRANGE WORLD

Just as he was about to step into the elders’ passage, he hesitated.

I look too young, they’d never believe it. But I’m in the Divine realm. To hell with queuing!

Qi Yuan then slipped unseen into the city. Inside, he walked the streets masked. Vendors called out their goods, medicinal herbs, and snacks. White steam rose from the restaurants. Even from afar, he could smell the weighty aroma of fresh flour.

All the shop clerks, porters, and vendors were young. Not a single elder worked. However, the streets were prowling with white-haired old men, leaning on sons who hovered nervously. The display of filial devotion only felt twisted to Qi Yuan.

He pressed on to a tavern, ate a meal, and changed his clothes.

He muttered as he left, “Ah, I’m too nice. Even though I’m old enough, I still paid instead of eating for free. The food isn’t great. I wonder what Jin Li’s cooking tastes like? Her crispy sweet duck must be delicious. It’s been so long since I messaged her, what if she thinks I stood her up? I need to find the way to Seventh Moon Town, and fast. Once we meet, what if feelings start to grow as we talk?”

Qi Yuan knew well that when two longtime online friends met in person—and neither looked bad—sparks were bound to fly.

“What am I thinking? I haven’t even seen her yet!”

After that, he found a shop called Kunwu Rumors. According to the waiter he spoke to, it held quite an influence in this city.

The moment he approached, someone said melodiously, “An esteemed guest has arrived. Please, come in.”

A tall woman in a black veil stepped out. Her features were hidden.

Qi Yuan noted she was an Emperor realm expert. Her body language betrayed a faint reaction to his mask, which she quickly suppressed.

“I wish to purchase a map of this region.”

“Please wait.” She went into the back of the shop and opened a drawer. Upon returning, she spread a map before him. “Is this satisfactory?”

Qi Yuan blinked. Is this how they do business?

In the martial world, cultivators had near-photographic memory. Once seen, a map lost its value. Still, he glanced at it, before frowning. “This map... Are you sure it covers all the nations around the Ancient Qichun Tree?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Then why is there no Moonlight Kingdom? Nor the Seventh Moon Town?”

The black-veiled woman froze. “I've never heard of them.”

Qi Yuan’s mind reeled. Was she lying? Or had Jin Li deceived him? Or did he simply misremembered?

“But, I have heard of the Moonlight Clan. Perhaps that’s what you seek?”

“Moonlight Clan?” he muttered.

Though differing by one word, Moonlight Clan and Moonlight Kingdom were worlds apart.

“The Moonlight Clan resides by twelve lakes, First Moon Lake, Second Moon Lake, and so on. Each lake is home to a branch of the clan. Perhaps this connects with your Seventh Moon Town?”

Qi Yuan pressed, “Where is it?”

The first time could be a coincidence, but having similar names twice was unlikely.

The black-veiled woman hesitated.

Qi Yuan encouraged her. “Please speak freely.”

She nodded. “The Hundred-Cities demanded that the Moonlight Clan obey the laws, and execute any who defy their elders. However, the Moonlight Clan refused, and now they’re at war. Going there isn’t advised—it’s dangerous, and innocents could get dragged in.”

“Where are they?”

“Here.” The black-veiled woman marked out a position on the map. “The Seventh Moon Lake lies just a few li from the Ancient Qichun Tree’s trunk.”

“Thank you.” Qi Yuan bowed. “I lack gold and silver, but as you’re at Emperor realm, let me give you this technique. It’ll give you a chance to break through to the Peak Emperor realm.”

Taking out some papers, he waved his hand across it like a dancing dragon. Within moments, a Profound-tier technique was written out. It was an ordinary technique from a certain Divine realm cultivator’s memory, yet it suited her perfectly.

The black-veiled woman accepted and glanced at it. She gasped. “This... this...”

Her eyes beamed. With this, she could ascend to Peak Emperor realm in no time! When she looked up, the man was gone.

“Senior?” she whispered, yet the words died.

Moments later, a frail old woman shuffled out. “Little Lian, did you learn his identity?”

Little Lian frowned. “At least Peak Emperor, perhaps even Heaven realm.”

The old woman muttered, “Heaven Realm?”

Excitement flickered in Little Lian’s eyes. “If he is at Heaven realm, perhaps he came from the forbidden zone.”

The old woman warned, “Or perhaps not. He could be bait set by the Hundred-Cities Alliance.”

Little Lian dimmed. “It’s been nearly a thousand years since we last heard from the forbidden zone lords. The Black Army grows stronger by the day. Can we really prevail?”

The old woman's eyes burned with hatred. Her husband, her son and her daughter had all been slain by the Black Army. “Our very existence is for one sole purpose: destroy them and return this world to bright daylight! Do not waver. The Black Army will suffer divine retribution for defying the will of heaven!”

No reconciliation could exist between her and the guards.

Little Lian bowed her head. “Yes.”

“Close the shop. Let's go to the Moonlight Clan. We must see whether that masked man is truly a forbidden zone lord or a Black Army’s bait.”

***

The moon rose over the branches, and lakewater rippled with silver light.

Jin Li sat on a blue stone at the shore. Again and again she looked up, feeling disappointed, then hopeful.

Lady Qin stood in the distance, watching over her. She sighed, though no one knew why.

Then, someone whispered in her ear, “Madam Qin, long time no see...”

Hearing the ethereal, melodious voice, Lady Qin stiffened. “High Priestess, is that you?!“