Indeed, the difference between a city and a town was too big, like the difference between heaven and earth!
Even the Willow Town and Crouching Bull Town that Xiao Han had been to before were like a small, remote place compared to the Blazing Flame City in front of him.
"Let's go, Senior Brother Ah Chou. Let's go into the city and have a look." Xiao Han was also excited.
The two of them rode side by side and their horses turned into two rays of flowing light. In the blink of an eye, they passed the suspension bridge on the moat and arrived at the city gate.
The commoners who entered the city gave way to them and looked up curiously.
Just as the guards were about to ask, one of the middle-aged leaders saw Ah Chou and immediately stopped him. Then he smiled and said.
He then smiled and said, "Young Master Yun Fan, you're back?
Haha … Let's enter the city!
These few days, the young masters and ladies of the Shao Clan all came back one after another. It's very lively!
The Shao Clan is flourishing and prosperous! "
"Uncle Li, I'll treat you to a drink another day." Ah Chou cupped his fists at the leader of the guards and immediately led Xiao Han into the Blazing Flame City.
Xiao Han's hearing was very good. He heard the whispers of the guards behind him.
"Uncle Li, who was that young master just now?
Tsk tsk, his appearance is truly incomparably ugly. It's just that he's wearing the sect's robes to raise his status, that's all. "
"Shut up!
Don't talk nonsense!
That's the direct descendant of the Shao Clan, Young Master Yun Fan.
Back then, Young Master Yun Fan was also a handsome and handsome man at the age of 20.
However, I don't know what happened to him that caused him to become like this.
However, Young Master Yun Fan has a good heart since young. He doesn't have the playboy attitude of a young master from a wealthy clan. Instead, he's kind to others. He often uses his pocket money to buy wine, roast meat, and roast chicken to reward the guards … Don't talk bad about Young Master Yun Fan in the future! "
… …
Inside the Blazing Flame City.
The first impression Xiao Han got when he entered the city was … prosperity!
Extremely prosperous!
Eight streets and nine roads.
The widest street was more than ten zhang wide!
There was also a ten-li long street.
There was an endless stream of horses and carriages, and pedestrians shuttled back and forth, forming a curtain and rubbing shoulders.
There were teahouses, taverns, restaurants, butcher shops, and so on.
In the store, there were silk, satin, jewelry, spices, incense, paper horses, etc.
Apart from that, there were also medical clinics, car repair, fortune-telling, shaving, plastic surgery, and all sorts of other professions.
Big shops hung bright banners in front of their doors to attract business.
There were pedestrians on the streets, merchants doing business, gentry looking at the scenery, officials riding horses, peddlers peddling their wares, families riding sedan chairs, monks carrying baskets on their backs, foreign tourists asking for directions, children listening to stories on the streets, sons and daughters of rich and powerful families drinking in restaurants, and disabled old people begging at the edge of the city. Men and women, young and old, scholars, farmers, merchants, and merchants, all kinds of religions and all kinds of people.
Of course, there were also brothel girls in the red-light districts and willow alleys.
In fact, there was no lack of martial artists and sect disciples walking around.
"Tsk tsk … Senior Brother Ah Chou, today, I finally understand what is meant by a world of sensual pleasures, singing and dancing …" Xiao Han sighed repeatedly.
However, Xiao Han was a person who focused on martial dao after all. He only had a pure attitude of admiration towards these worldly luxuries. He was not infatuated with them and yearned for them.
Of course, it did not mean that every martial artist or sect disciple was like Xiao Han and did not have any greed towards worldly luxuries.
It was mainly because Xiao Han had comprehended the formless saber intent. The saber intent could shatter all false thoughts, causing the heart of a saber user to be as firm as a boulder, unshakable, unfettered by worldly matters, and free from distracting thoughts.
"That's right, Xiao Han. This Blazing Flame City has a population of millions. There are markets and markets in the city.
The markets are the residential areas, and the markets are the business areas. The markets are separated.
There are two markets, the east market and the west market. The east market has two hundred and twenty lines. There are buildings on all sides, and all kinds of treasures are gathered there.
Furthermore, there are new ponds in the city, allowing boats to enter the city. There are often more than ten thousand boats in the world, filling up the river. "Ah Chou also sighed.
Then, he smiled proudly.
"Xiao Han, let me tell you. At least half of the businesses in this Blazing Flame City belong to our Shao Clan."
Xiao Han's heart was slightly moved. For a person like Ah Chou who could not achieve much on the martial dao, the most perfect ending in his life would be to return to his roots and return to this mirage-like flourishing secular world and live out the rest of his life happily.
"Eh … Xiao Han, in fact, the True Martial Continent still advocates martial strength. Everything you see is nothing in front of a true martial artist.
Let's put it this way. If Blazing Flame City offends a true qi realm expert, it would instantly turn into a scorched land. Life and death would be in their hands, and there would be no room for resistance. "Ah Chou sighed again.
"That's why I say, to be like you, Xiao Han, to have the ambition and talent to be proud of is the way of the king.
With your current strength, it would be easy for you to enjoy all the riches in the secular world and have fun every night.
However, I believe that you will not be too attached to these things. "
Xiao Han did not deny it and smiled.
The two rode their horses slowly and admired the scenery along the way.
Suddenly, Xiao Han stopped his horse. He saw that in the huge plaza at the center of the city, there were eight large bronze pillars. The bronze pillars were inlaid with many gold and gems, looking magnificent.
At the top of the eight bronze pillars, there was a hexagonal mirror.
This mirror was not ordinary.
The six mirrors almost covered every corner of the city.
True Qi was flowing on every surface of the mirror like flickering lights and passing shadows!
At this moment, the true qi was quietly floating, appearing very peaceful.
"This is?
Demon Revealing Mirror? "Xiao Han's mind flashed.
"Yes, Xiao Han, this is the Demon Revealing Mirror that protects our Blazing Flame City.
The talisman of millions of people.
Whenever a demon appears in the city, the mirror will produce a storm like fluctuation and give a warning. "Ah Chou smiled and said.
He paused and said.
"However, normal demon races would not come to such a large city to wreak havoc and eat away at the human race.
The demon race is also intelligent. They mostly appear in small towns and villages.
They are not easy to kill.
They can hunt and eat humans without fear. "
"Mm, this little brother understands." Xiao Han nodded.
Instinctively, Xiao Han focused his mental energy on his heart, letting the strange thing there sense the surroundings.
Fortunately, the strange thing in his heart knew its place and did not go berserk.
This meant that there should be no demons hiding in this city. It was a paradise.
Peaceful times.
"Let's go, Xiao Han. I'll take you back to the Shao Manor now." Ah Chou smiled.
At this moment, a cute little girl held a tanghulu in her hand, sucking on it as she ran to Xiao Han. Her black eyes flashed with innocence and curiosity. She sneaked a look at Xiao Han, then stared at Xiao Han's mount for a long time. She finally gathered her courage and looked up at Xiao Han.
"Big Brother, is this a horse?
Why is it different from my family's horse? "
"Hahaha, little girl, this is a horse. Why isn't it?" Xiao Han smiled.
Seeing the sticky sugar residue at the corner of the little girl's mouth, Xiao Han felt a strange warmth.
… …
Shao Manor.
Xiao Han finally followed Ah Chou to the giant family of Scorching Fire City, the Shao Family Manor.
This Shao Manor was indeed majestic and huge.
Not to mention that it occupied tens of thousands of acres, just the stone lions, stone tigers, stone qilins and stone pixiu placed at the entrance were too many to count.
After entering the manor, Xiao Han's eyes were even more dazzling.
The courtyard was deep and extended in all directions, like a labyrinth. There were rockery, ponds, lakes, lotus flowers, goldfish, bejeweled eaves, grand paths, and lush trees. The mansion was quiet and spotless. The maids that Xiao Han saw along the way were all little beauties that looked like they were carved from jade.
When he returned home, Ah Chou finally straightened his back a little. His expression also revealed some majesty, unlike how he was in Cloud Rain Sect where he was timid and timid.
The huge manor was also divided into the direct descendants' area and the concubines' area. It was orderly.
Ah Chou's home was in the direct descendants' area. It was a grand manor with carved beams and painted pillars, displaying the wealth of a large family.
The moment he entered the house, the servant girls, craftsmen, servants, manservants and old nannies all shouted in joy.
"Young Master Yunfan is back!
Young Master Yunfan is back! "
Before long, a man and a woman, two middle-aged men, rushed out.
The middle-aged man was dressed in embroidered clothes and looked elegant. Although his sideburns were slightly white, the faint scholarly aura between his brows was still very attractive.
He was not an ordinary person either. He had cultivated martial arts before. However, Xiao Han could tell that the middle-aged man's realm was not deep. He was probably at the Bone Refinement realm and had not even reached the Organs Refinement realm.
The middle-aged woman was petite and extremely beautiful. She was around 40 years old, but she still had her charm. A pearl necklace around her neck glowed gently, making her look elegant and dignified.
"Yunfan." The middle-aged man smiled and nodded at Ah Chou, a deep doting look flashing across his eyes.
On the other hand, his mother directly held Ah Chou's hand and asked about his well-being. "Child, was it hard for you to cultivate martial arts this year?
I see that you have lost weight … "
"Father, mother, it was not hard. I have improved a lot compared to last year.
This year, I have already started refining my marrow! "Ah Chou said with a smile.
"What?
Yunfan, you have started refining your marrow? "The middle-aged man's eyes lit up and he praised loudly.
"Good child!
Good child!
The child of my Fourth Shao is not useless! "
Then, the middle-aged man's face slightly darkened and he said in a low voice.
"But I heard that the children of Eldest Brother and Second Brother have already started changing their blood … Sigh.
Forget it, let's not talk about this today. The children have their own fortune. "
"Old Master, comparisons are odious. Why do you have to compare our Yunfan with the children of the other branches?
As long as our Yunfan lives a peaceful and happy life, we as parents will be satisfied. "
He glared at the middle-aged man with slight annoyance.
"Moreover, our Yunfan is the most honest and loyal person. If he can't compete with the children of the other branches, he might as well not compete!
After competing for so long, it's all for naught! "
This middle-aged man and woman were Ah Chou's biological parents.
At this moment, Ah Chou hurriedly pulled Xiao Han over and introduced him to his parents. "Father, mother, this is a friend I made in Cloud Rain Sect, Xiao Han!
Xiao Han is my good brother!
This year, thanks to Brother Xiao Han's care, I have improved and broke through to the Marrow Refinement Realm! "
"Uncle, Auntie, nice to meet you." Xiao Han hurriedly bowed.
Ah Chou's parents scrutinized Xiao Han for a while.
Ah Chou's mother smiled. "What a handsome young man. He looks like a talent. Good, good!
Xiao Han, right?
Don't stand on ceremony.
Our Yunfan was not treated well in Cloud Rain Sect all these years and did not make any friends. We are very happy that you are able to make friends with Yunfan! "
"Mm, Nephew Xiao Han, you are very good.
Don't stand on ceremony. Treat it as your own home. "Ah Chou's father smiled amiably.
There was no hint of hypocrisy in this smile. It was very sincere and made Xiao Han feel warmth in his heart.
"Let's go to the main room and have a seat. Have a few sips of tea. I'll get the servants to prepare a banquet." Ah Chou's father smiled happily.
Main room.
The room was very spacious. Furniture carved from precious wood was placed everywhere, emitting a refreshing fragrance.
The floor was covered with soft beast skin.
Precious spices were still burning in the corner of the room.
Ah Chou's parents sat at the top while Xiao Han and Ah Chou sat at the bottom.
Soon, a few beautiful servant girls served fragrant tea and some exquisite pastries.
Ah Chou drank a mouthful of tea and immediately said casually.
"Father, mother, where's Jiaojiao?
Doesn't Jiaojiao know that I'm home today?
Why doesn't she come out to see me?
I … I … I think about Jiaojiao day and night. I miss her very much.
I'm going to stop my studies in Cloud Rain Sect next year and return home to marry Jiaojiao … "Ah Chou's eyes shone with a blissful expression.
"Yunfan …" Suddenly, Ah Chou's father's body stiffened. His scholarly eyes flashed with an obvious gloomy cloud and even anger.
His hands that were holding the teacup trembled slightly. The tea almost spilled out.
"Child … did you … did you beg the leaders of Cloud Rain Sect to treat the wound on your face?"
Ah Chou's mother asked with a trembling voice. At this moment, her eyes were filled with tears and she looked extremely agitated. There was even a hint of resentment.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Han observed from the side and felt that the matter was a little strange. Soon after, he put the teacup on the tea table next to him without batting an eyelid.
"Father, mother, what … happened to you guys?
I see that your expressions … are strange. Did something happen?
Where's Jiaojiao? "Ah Chou could also tell that something was wrong and quickly asked.
"Yunfan, answer father and mother first. Did you beg the higher-ups of Cloud Rain Sect to treat the wound on your face?" Ah Chou's father put down the teacup.
"Father, mother, the scar on my face was caused by the corrosion of a deadly poison. It's hard to be treated with medicine. Even the famous doctors in the world are helpless.
I have also begged the three leaders to treat the wound on my face.
But … there's nothing I can do.
The three managers told me that unless a True Energy Realm expert used a special type of True Energy called the Reincarnation Divine Fire, it would be impossible to burn away the poison scars on my face.
But … I have a lowly status in Cloud Rain Sect. It's impossible for me to beg a great expert of True Qi Realm to treat the wound on my face … Forget it, father, mother. Now that things have come to this, I don't have any hope of recovering my old appearance. "
"Sigh …" Ah Chou's parents let out a long sigh with melancholy and disappointment.
"Father, mother, where's Jiaojiao?" Ah Chou asked anxiously again.
"Alright, child!" Ah Chou's mother's expression instantly turned cold. "Don't mention Feng Jiaojiao anymore!
Father and mother will arrange another marriage for you. Find a woman that's a thousand times better than Feng Jiaojiao! "
"No!" Ah Chou's face was as pale as paper. "I only want Jiaojiao!"
"Child …" Ah Chou's father's expression was sorrowful.
"Let's not talk about this anymore.
Your marriage with Feng Jiaojiao is canceled. "
After a pause, Ah Chou's father said with a trembling voice.
"Your sworn brother, Jiang Feng, has also returned from the Valley of Medicine Masters. Go and beg him to give you some pills on account of their past relationship."
Suddenly, Ah Chou's mother flew into a rage.
"Don't go and beg Jiang Feng!
This child, we have raised him for nothing!
Back then, we shouldn't have taken pity on him and brought him back from the streets!
This person is rebellious and repaid kindness with enmity. Old Master, all these years, we have led a wolf into the house! "
"Madam, calm down … anger harms the liver. Why are you so anxious?
Forget it, Jiang Feng was raised by us and we watched him grow up. He suffered when he was young. Now that he is blessed by the heavens to enter the Valley of Medicine Masters, it is also his good fortune.
After all, he is our adopted son and we have always treated him like our own. Now that he has made a name for himself, we should be happy for him. "
"Jiang Feng?" Ah Chou's expression changed instantly and turned cold.
"Jiang Feng has entered the Valley of Medicine Masters. He is the first disciple in the history of the Shao Family to enter the Valley of Medicine Masters. Is he back this year?
Then I should go and congratulate him.
However, there was no need for her to ask him for medicinal pills.
I don't need any pills. "
"Child, don't go and see Jiang Feng!
Why would you go and see such an ungrateful ingrate?
He has even stolen your fiancée, do you still want to see him? "Ah Chou's mother blurted out.
"Madam, you have misspoken!"
Ah Chou's father stamped his foot heavily. His expression was terrible and his whole body trembled. "Don't mention this again, don't mention this again!"
"What?!!!!"
Hearing this, Ah Chou stood up immediately. His whole body trembled violently and his soul left his body. "Jiang Feng … Jiang Feng and Jiao Jiao … they …"
When Xiao Han heard this, he roughly understood some things. A wave of impatience and rage suddenly rose in his heart, but he forcefully suppressed it.
Xiao Han stood up, patted Ah Chou's shoulder, and said in a clear voice.
"Uncle, Auntie, what is going on, please tell us.
Ah Chou Shixiong has deep feelings for his fiancée Jiao Jiao. But now, from what you are saying, it seems that a person called 'Jiang Feng' actually stole his love and stole Jiao Jiao.
What is going on? "
"Sigh …" Ah Chou's father beat his chest and stamped his feet. Ah Chou stood stiffly like a wooden statue. Ah Chou's mother opened her mouth, looking very angry.
After a moment of silence.
Ah Chou's mother suddenly said.
"Nephew Xiao Han, you are not an outsider. Auntie will tell you everything about this matter!
Auntie has not eaten or drunk these days. My heart is filled with anxiety. I always wanted to tell you everything about this matter. But your uncle kept persuading me, and I endured it.
Since you've asked, auntie will tell you! "
"Madam, you!" Ah Chou's father wanted to stop her, but Ah Chou's mother had already quickly narrated.
"Xiao Han, Jiang Feng is an orphan. One winter eighteen years ago, it was snowing heavily. Your uncle and I went to the temple to pray and came back. When we passed by a long street, we suddenly heard the cries of a baby.
When we turned around the street, there was a dirty and dirty pile of rubbish. There was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. His whole body was covered with snow and water. He was on his last breath and was crying with all his might. He was about to die.
So, we carried this baby back … This baby was Jiang Feng.
From then on, we treated Jiang Feng as our adopted son. We raised and taught him … To be honest, Jiang Feng was extremely intelligent since he was young. He was full of tricks. No matter what he learned, he was much faster than Yun Fan. Moreover, he was very articulate and good at coaxing people.
As time passed, Jiang Feng was like our biological son in the mansion, but Yun Fan was not welcomed everywhere. "
"Jiang Feng is our adopted son. We pitied him for being alone since he was young. Sometimes, he was the one who bullied Yun Fan, but we turned a blind eye and did not blame him at all.
It caused Yunfan to suffer many grievances. "
"Later on, Jiang Feng was very lucky. He was chosen by the experts of the Valley of Medicine Masters and became the first disciple of the Shao Clan to enter the Valley of Medicine Masters to cultivate …"
"Slowly, Jiang Feng became arrogant. Every time he came back, he would be arrogant.
He even dared to mock Yun Fan in front of him.
This year … he … he was so cruel and unscrupulous. He ruined the marriage that Yun Fan had arranged since he was young … "
Ah Chou's mother finished sobbing.
"Bastard!"
At this moment, Xiao Han was completely enraged. "An orphan was picked up by Uncle and Auntie from the rubbish pile and raised. Not only did he not repay their kindness, he even took over the magpie's nest!
This kind of person was blinded by greed and did not repay kindness. He deserved to die and should not be tolerated in this world!
But soon, Xiao Han calmed down a little and frowned.
"Uncle, Auntie, Senior Brother Ah Chou and Feng Jiaojiao's marriage seemed to have been decided a long time ago. How could it be changed so easily? The Shao Clan is a prestigious clan. This kind of thing can't be done without any basis, right?"
"Nephew Xiao Han, now that Jiang Feng has entered the Valley of Medicine Masters, his status has increased.
Nephew Xiao Han, you are also a disciple of a large sect. You should know that the disciples of the Valley of Medicine Masters are very popular. They are good at refining elixirs. "Ah Chou's father sighed helplessly.
"Perhaps, a disciple from the Valley of Medicine Masters would not be too important in the eyes of the Cloud Rain Sect. But to a noble clan like us, his importance goes without saying!
It is no exaggeration to say that if the clan has a disciple of the Valley of Medicine Masters refining elixirs, the reputation of the entire clan will soar!
It will easily increase the overall power of the clan. Even the clan can use elixirs to nurture some talents.
The cancellation of the marriage between Yun Fan and Feng Jiaojiao was personally ordered by the old man.
Now, the entire clan values Jiang Fan very much and is willing to do anything to win him over … "
"In other words, the clan leader is prepared to directly sacrifice Senior Brother Ah Chou?" Xiao Han's face was ashen.
"We can only blame our Yun Fan. His talent, character, and luck are all inferior to others. Therefore, he cannot be valued and can only be abandoned." Ah Chou's father's face was as dispirited as ash. "The old man said that the world changes and changes. No clan can guarantee eternal prosperity. However, maintaining the clearest mind at all times, knowing how to make choices, grasping some talents that must be grasped, and decisively abandoning mediocre talents, is the only way to ensure that the clan does not fall …"
At this moment …
"Godfather, Godmother, I am back!
Hahahahaha! "An arrogant voice came from afar.
"Jiang Feng!" Ah Chou's parents' faces changed instantly. They were practically gritting their teeth.
As for Ah Chou, his entire body trembled even more violently. His fists clenched and unclenched, loosened, and tightened again. But he did not say a word. He was extremely quiet, giving off a terrifying feeling like the calm before the storm.