CHAPTER 155: LITTLE BLUE GARMENT RIDGE, COLD FORTRESS

The closer one got to Little Blue Garment Ridge, the fewer the refugees became.

The bones on the ground gradually increased—gnawed by demon beasts, most reduced to unrecognizable scraps.

Pitiful, these refugees, risking their lives for a mouthful of food, only to end up with not even their corpses intact.

In peaceful years past, Forty-Nine City would dispatch manpower, led by elite disciples from the three great martial halls, to clear the demon beasts on the outskirts of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

But after the Great Shun Dynasty fell, the world turned into a chaotic stew. The military lords were busy seizing territory—where would they find the mind to bother with such trifles here?

Thus, demon beasts ran rampant.

In the early years, graded demon beasts were a rare sight; now, they had become regulars on the outskirts of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

As for those ungraded demon beasts that didn’t rely much on multicolored ore, they grew bold beyond measure, even daring to raid villages and settlements.

Last year, a county magistrate from a neighboring district reported that “demon beasts burst through roofs and walls, biting anyone in sight—nine out of ten wounded never survived.” There were even bizarre incidents on the Xiang River where demon beasts “surfaced and boarded ships.”

For this, Marshal Zhang specially issued a “Demon-Slaying Bounty” this year—fifty silver dollars for hunting an ungraded demon beast; one hundred for a ninth-grade one.

Naturally, this was a joke.

Those eager to earn the bounty lacked the skill to kill demons; those with the skill wouldn’t risk their lives for such paltry silver.

After all, demon beasts moved like the wind. Even a burly man with a powder gun would struggle to take one down alone.

Marshal Zhang had once raged and organized large hunting parties—but those demon beasts weren’t foolish deer. They fled at the sight of crowds.

Ordinary soldiers couldn’t withstand the ore dust and dared not pursue deep into Little Blue Garment Ridge.

Of course… there was another reason—Three Strongholds and Nine Lands bordered Little Blue Garment Ridge.

Those horse bandits lived with their heads tucked in their belts, not like the idle, parade-ground soldiers who fought for show.

Especially the troops under King Chuang—even Marshal Zhang’s men would shrink back three paces at the sight of them.

And so, over time, no one could manage the outskirts of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

In recent years, Marshal Zhang had relaxed the old rule against private fortresses, allowing households outside Forty-Nine City to form militias for self-defense—though powder guns remained forbidden.

This was one reason Feng Village had gradually grown stronger.

But the Clear Gang suffered for it.

More demon beasts meant higher risk; higher risk demanded more manpower.

Thus, the demon beast meat that ordinary Blood Energy Barrier martial artists could transport in years past now required graded martial artists these past two years. ɽаＮɵꞖЕ𝙎

When Xiangzi first visited the West City apothecary, hadn’t he seen several outer disciples from Baolin Martial Hall guarding demon beast meat? That was the reason.

But in this world, where were there so many graded martial artists?

Baolin Martial Hall had few disciples to begin with. Lending aid once or twice was fine, but they couldn’t escort the Clear Gang along the demon beast route every day, could they?

Moreover, the Clear Gang’s operations sprawled wide—industries inside and outside Forty-Nine City, needing hands everywhere. Take that massive floating dock—how many men did it require?

Truth be told, the Clear Gang valued the Nanyuan highly. They specially sent an old veteran like Liu Futang, a hall master, to oversee it.

They even hired several ninth-grade martial artists at high salaries to serve as guards along this route.

By rights, with such manpower, they should have strode unchallenged through the outskirts of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

Yet, strangely enough…

These men had vanished without a trace.

—

Amid the galloping horses, Xiangzi’s waist ached from the jolting—if not for saving face, he’d truly rather run behind on his own two feet.

After all, with his rickshaw puller skills, these mountain paths were nothing.

[Rickshaw Puller Skill: Chase Mountains, Hunt Moon]

[With this skill, you excel at running. No terrain greatly hinders you, and it vastly strengthens your lower limbs.]

[Note: When wielding a vehicle, you are nearly unstoppable!]

Fortunately, Dingzi Bridge was close to Great Blue Garment Ridge, and living mounts like horses couldn’t enter the mining zone…

After jolting for nearly half an hour, Xiangzi finally dismounted with good reason.

Liu Futang was cautious. He left three men to lead the horses up the slope, even covering the hoofprints, before entering Little Blue Garment Ridge.

This was Xiangzi’s first time here in daylight.

Or rather, his first time standing at the entrance of Little Blue Garment Ridge.

On previous nights, he had come and gone aloft, leaping through the treetops like a human ape-man, relying on agility and vision beyond ordinary men.

So when he laid eyes on the entrance, he was genuinely startled.

Amid the roaring steam engines, a massive refined-iron gate was hoisted high.

Atop the red-brick tower, a great banner embroidered with the character “Zhang” fluttered in the wind.

The soldiers at the gate all wore gray-black uniforms, broad-shouldered and solemn, their powder guns glinting coldly in the sun—an elite force at a glance.

Xiangzi was secretly shocked: These soldiers have all passed the Blood Energy Barrier? Some even graded?

If Marshal Zhang’s troops were all like this, couldn’t he dominate the world?

A young officer with epaulets approached, frowning at the crowd outside.

Liu Futang smiled and stepped forward. “Adjutant Xu, it’s been a while.”

The young adjutant glanced over and asked softly, “Hall Master Liu, why are you here in person today?”

Liu Futang gave an awkward laugh, flicked his sleeve, and produced a small jade vial. “A small token, nothing worthy of respect. Please accept it, Adjutant Xu.”

Adjutant Xu tucked the vial into his robes, his expression softening.

But when his gaze landed on the black-shirted giant beside Liu Futang, then on the gold-threaded flag emblem at the collar, he paused. “A disciple of Baolin Martial Hall?”

Xiangzi smiled and cupped his hands. “Greetings, Senior Brother Xu. I’m Li Xiang. I joined the outer sect last month. This time, I’m attached to the Nanyan Clear Gang for training.”

Staring at this unremarkable giant, Adjutant Xu’s brow arched—such a young ninth-grade!

“Before leaving the hall, Senior Brother Zhao Mu told me that Senior Brother Xu is young and capable, devoted to the nation, and currently the defense officer at Little Blue Garment Ridge. I’ve long wanted to pay my respects but never had the chance…”

“Please don’t take offense, Senior Brother Xu.”

Xiangzi had prepared this information before leaving the hall—and it came in handy.

Hearing this, Adjutant Xu cupped his hands in return, a touch of nostalgia on his face. “It’s kind of Senior Brother Zhao to still remember me.”

In truth, this Adjutant Xu had left the hall under duress.

At thirty, he had only just reached ninth-grade completion, on the verge of being stuck at the three great chasms of martial arts. Seizing his disciple status, he hurried to the Marshal’s Mansion to take a staff position.

Who didn’t know that Zhao Mu, now a rising star in the outer sect with ninth-grade completion at a young age, was in the spotlight? This former senior brother naturally had to give some face.

Favors were debts to be repaid. Deliberately ignoring them would only create distance.

Moreover… this unassuming junior brother’s words were impeccably polite, truly pleasing.

With this in mind, Adjutant Xu’s smile deepened. “Since Junior Brother Li is escorting, there shouldn’t be any issues. Hall Master Liu, please enter. But you must leave Little Blue Garment Ridge before sunset—don’t break the rules.”

Xiangzi cupped his hands. “Many thanks, Senior Brother Xu. If we find time later, I must invite you and Senior Brother Zhao to gather at Virtuous Cloud Tower. You mustn’t refuse, Senior Brother.”

Adjutant Xu replied, “Hey, Junior Brother, that’s too formal. Fellow sect brothers don’t stand on ceremony.”

After a few more pleasantries, they parted with a wave.

Adjutant Xu even carefully explained the rules inside Little Blue Garment Ridge once more.

—

The large group entered Little Blue Garment Ridge smoothly, rendering Liu Futang’s prepared excuses useless.

Especially this lord, who today shed his usual domineering air for humility and courtesy, every word and action impeccably proper—leaving Liu Futang utterly bewildered.

This hall master, who had controlled the Nanyuan for over a decade, suddenly recalled the old helmsman Qi’s warning from days ago: Don’t neglect this kid—he’s someone special!

Indeed, the old ginger is spicier. I truly misjudged.

Today, thank goodness this lord came along—otherwise, we’d never have slipped past the Marshal’s men.

With this thought, Liu Futang pointed to a road sign, anxiety creeping into his expression. “Lord Xiang, let’s follow this path.”

Xiangzi smiled and lowered his voice. “Hall Master Liu, don’t wear your thoughts on your face, or anyone can see the Clear Gang has a crisis.”

At these words, Liu Futang’s heart jolted—I truly was too close to see clearly. Without this giant’s reminder, I might have panicked.

“Thank you for the reminder, Lord Xiang.” Liu Futang bowed deeply.

Nanyuan Clear Gang disciples behind them stared in shock—their hall master, usually steady and grave, had never shown such respect to a youth of lower realm.

But the Clear Gang disciples stationed near Dingzi Bridge were used to it. Seeing this, they began embellishing tales of this lord’s feats: toppling the Feng family guards, capturing a ninth-grade demon beast alive.

They deliberately mentioned how, at Dingzi Bridge, they ate demon beast meat nearly every day.

This made Nanyuan group green with envy!

By Clear Gang rules, the Nanyuan far outranked Feng Village. Those stationed near Feng Village were mere “spares,” scattered riffraff.

Thus, the Nanyuan disciples looked down on their rural counterparts.

Yet these bumpkins were eating demon beast meat?

For a moment, all eyes converged on the giant leading the way.

Of course, many were puzzled—he’s only just entered the ninth-grade threshold; how could he hunt ninth-grade demon beasts?

Are these country folk just bragging?

—

Unlike the Li, Chen, and Qian mining districts outside the city, the interior of Little Blue Garment Ridge had never been developed.

Take that massive refined-iron gate at the entrance—it wasn’t to keep outsiders out, but to hold back demon beasts that might emerge from within.

Yes, exactly.

If a demon beast tide came, the Marshal’s soldiers would lock the gate… and flee.

This wasn’t their fault. The multicolored ore inside Little Blue Garment Ridge was high-grade—even ninth-grade martial artists couldn’t endure it long.

Thus, steam mining equipment and the like had to be slowly transported inward by martial hall disciples.

When had those usually arrogant ninth-grade lords ever done such thankless grunt work?

Even with merit incentives from the three great martial halls, most put in effort without results—slaying demon beasts is one thing, but moving machines?

Over the years of development, Little Blue Garment Ridge remained untapped. With the combined strength of the three martial halls, they had only built a great fortress on the outskirts.

This fortress could be called a “settlement,” directly managed by the Marshal’s Mansion, with disciples from the three halls rotating in.

First, it gave the disciples a stable training ground. Some high-grade martial artists could even use it as a base to venture deeper into Little Blue Garment Ridge… or even Great Blue Garment Ridge.

Second, the Marshal’s Mansion could skim hefty taxes from demon beast meat trades to subsidize military funds.

A win-win, all parties content.

Only the Clear Gang suffered. This was primal wilderness; bloodied demon beast meat was more likely to attract higher-grade beasts.

Thus, even Liu Futang now had no idea where this convoy had vanished.

But the Clear Gang’s transport route was simple.

Load demon beast meat at the fortress, travel about two hours to the gate tower.

Then drag it from the gate tower to the Nanyuan.

Thanks to Xiangzi, that Adjutant Xu from Baolin Martial Hall had let slip some information—no convoy had left the gate tower yesterday.

This meant… the convoy was still inside Little Blue Garment Ridge.

Now, they had to head to the Little Blue Garment Ridge fortress to gather news.

A sliver of sunset cast down.

When the towering steel structure emerged in the blood-red dusk, Liu Futang halted the group.

Fearing loose tongues, he left most of the men behind and went to the fortress with only Xiangzi.

—

If the earlier gate tower had surprised Xiangzi, this gleaming metal fortress truly opened his eyes.

It was a structure strikingly similar in style to the West City floating dock.

Unlike the common round arches of Feng Village, this massive edifice, dozens of feet high, resembled the bastion forts Xiangzi remembered from his previous life.

A recessed quadrilateral exterior connected to four outer bastions.

On the platforms several zhang high, dark cannon barrels glinted coldly in the twilight.

This was Xiangzi’s first time seeing cannons in this world.

Different from the cannons in his memory—these were clearly thicker, longer, heavier, mounted on angular platforms, exuding a raw, rugged metallic aura.

He recalled Liu Tang saying a seventh-grade Membrane Condensation Realm martial artist could withstand powder guns. Could they withstand one of these cannon blasts?

“First time here, Lord Xiang?”

“First time… I’m a mud-legged peasant by origin. Never seen a fortress like this. I’ve made a fool of myself before Hall Master Liu.”

“Not at all… When I first saw this fortress years ago, my legs wouldn’t hold me up… Compared to that, Lord Xiang is far calmer.”

This was humble jest, of course.

Next, Liu Futang carefully explained the fortress.

It had been built in the early Great Shun Dynasty years. Back then, the Feng family received an imperial edict to develop Little Blue Garment Ridge. Disciples from all Forty-Nine City martial halls were mobilized, taking over a decade to complete this fortress.

Little Blue Garment Ridge was rich in multicolored gold ore; its demon beasts were mostly metal-aligned, with claws and fangs especially ferocious.

To defend against them, the bastion’s outer walls were mixed with inferior fire ore, and critical areas even used large chunks of crude fire ore.

Thus, with metal and fire multicolored ores counteracting each other, the fortress interior could be inhabited long-term.

Hearing this, Xiangzi paused slightly—five elements generating and overcoming each other? There’s such a principle?

But… Liu Futang’s mention of the “Feng family” stirred something in Xiangzi.

No doubt, the Feng family that received the edict back then was the current Feng Village outside Little Blue Garment Ridge.

He had heard that years ago, the Feng family produced a deeply favored empress. Relying on imperial in-law status, they stood firm through the late Great Shun Dynasty.

Even after Marshal Cao tore down the imperial banner, to win over these former imperial relatives, the military lords never moved against them.

But as old dynasty remnants, the Feng family naturally had no good days…

Not to mention this fortress, built at enormous cost, being confiscated—even their demon beast route was seized by the Clear Gang. Later, they nearly couldn’t hold their own village.

Fortunately, with refugees surging these years and horse bandits from Three Strongholds and Nine Lands running wild, the Feng family heeded Marshal Zhang’s call. Draining a century of family wealth, they recruited heavily and expanded their militia, gradually regaining footing.

Xiangzi gazed at the great fortress bathed in dim twilight, his brows slowly rising.

According to Wind Justice Courtyard intelligence, that outer disciple “Jiang Jingyu” had vanished here.

And now, a Clear Gang convoy had disappeared without a trace.

What connection… lay behind this?