Chapter 704: Frequent Disasters and Empty Stomachs

The City God asked, "I wonder which aspect the Supreme Immortal is asking about?"

"Any aspect is fine," Chen Changsheng said. "This Chen is just asking casually. The City God needn't worry about anything, just speak freely."

The City God understood. "This humble god does not know about the entirety of the Northwestern Lands," he said immediately, "but Ximing Land is much more chaotic than before."

"Ximing City is teeming with all sorts of people. Combined with the Northern Desert's restlessness, this has inevitably led to today's chaos. Although West Xiao wasn't exactly peaceful in the past, it was far better than it is now."

"Furthermore, the capital is in Shangjing. Great Xiang's gaze is entirely focused on the central regions, making it exceedingly difficult to govern here. This has led to a complete breakdown of order."

"Human life has no protection. Arson, murder, and pillaging happen constantly, yet there is absolutely no solution..."

The City God sighed. "This place should have been prosperous, but it has become a foul mire. To survive, the vast majority must either migrate east or stay here and live a life of licking blood off the tip of a blade."

Chen Changsheng looked out. He saw destitute people collapsed on the street, their eyes filled with despair. Yet, not a single passerby would spare them a glance.

Observing these passersby more closely, most wore a saber and sword fastened at their waists. Their hands constantly rested on the hilts, as they never knew if someone might suddenly lash out at any moment.

Not out of any grudge, but simply because some people would do absolutely anything to survive.

It was too chaotic!

Chen Changsheng asked, "Zhao Zhen left behind quite a few troops back then. No matter how severe things got, it shouldn't have devolved into this state."

The City God said, "There are countless corrupt officials. The sky is high and the emperor is far away, giving them free rein to do as they please. To them, as long as there is money involved, the so-called rules are nothing but empty words."

"So it has rotted to the bone..." Chen Changsheng muttered.

Perhaps in the beginning, there were still those who insisted on protecting this place. But as the overwhelming tide swept through, voices of doubt began to echo in their hearts, until the situation grew increasingly chaotic and brazen.

Chen Changsheng couldn't help but think that Yan Ruchu intended to forge a chaotic era. But with the Northwest in such a state, there would likely be catastrophic blunders when the time came.

Yet Chen Changsheng also refused to believe that Yan Ruchu was blind to the situation here.

He had the confidence to make the Kingdom of Jing's name reappear in the Mortal World, so how could he possibly be kept in the dark? He was a deeply scheming emperor; there was likely nothing that could be hidden from him.

He knew.

And he was exceptionally clear about it.

But Yan Ruchu still intended to proceed anyway.

On this matter, he had long displayed an incurable pathology.

Chen Changsheng sighed. He only hoped that this utter devastation would arrive as late as possible. Two more years of peace meant giving people another way to survive.

The City God asked, "Is the Supreme Immortal worried about the Northwest?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "This Chen isn't exactly worried, just feeling it's a pity. Back then, Zhao Zhen sacrificed many things in exchange for the current peace. Unexpectedly, it was maintained for only such a brief era."

The City God misunderstood his meaning and said, "The Northern Desert won't have the strength to rebel in the short term. The Supreme Immortal can rest assured."

Chen Changsheng smiled warmly and said, "Let's hope so."

He continued walking forward and arrived before the ruins of the royal court.

Stepping inside to look around, he gazed at the ashes and scorch marks left in the fire's wake. It was evident just how prosperous this palace had once been.

Chen Changsheng scooped up a handful of ash. In his palm, the ash quickly scattered in the wind.

It was a pity it had been annihilated. These final ashes would gradually be buried by the blowing sand as the years flowed by—dust to dust, earth to earth.

"A great pity, isn't it?"

A voice rang out beside Chen Changsheng.

The man had a scar on his neck. He used a cloth to cover his face, seemingly to block the wind and sand.

Chen Changsheng turned to look at him and said, "The transition between the old and the new, the changing of dynasties—it always leaves behind many regrets."

The man's gaze fell on Chen Changsheng. He asked, "Is it West Xiao you regret?"

Chen Changsheng said, "Actually, I feel more sorrow for this magnificent structure."

The man chuckled. "Yes, how could one not feel sorrow?"

"This Chen can't help but feel you look somewhat familiar," Chen Changsheng said.

It was as if he had met him somewhere before.

"Is that so?" The man glanced at Chen Changsheng's face but shook his head. "I don't know you. Perhaps you're mistaken."

"Are you a person of Xiao, or a Xiang Person?"

"Could I not be a Jing person?"

The man laughed and said, "Though I suppose it makes sense. The Jing people crumbled away decades ago, just like the ashes you see before you, so much so that people today simply overlook them."

Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, "This Chen definitely recognizes you."

"Hmm?" Long Zhongzheng blinked, then pulled down the cloth covering his face.

Chen Changsheng smiled and said, "Back when This Chen came to Ximing, we crossed paths on the road. You gave me a few words of advice and even promised that if I ever ran into trouble, I could look for you at your trading firm."

Long Zhongzheng chuckled upon hearing this. "It looks like we really have met. It's just that I'm getting older, and my memories of the past have grown a bit blurry. I hope you don't mind."

He didn't see the City God standing beside Chen Changsheng. Ordinary mortals couldn't see ghosts and deities.

Chen Changsheng said, "It's nothing to worry about."

Long Zhongzheng said, "Interested in grabbing a couple of drinks?"

Chen Changsheng turned to glance at the City God beside him.

City God Qi cupped his hands and said, "Please go ahead, Supreme Immortal. This humble god won't disturb Mister."

Chen Changsheng smiled warmly and said, "This Chen will treat you to tea later."

"As the Supreme Immortal commands." City God Qi cupped his hands in a salute and then withdrew.

Meanwhile, Chen Changsheng and Long Zhongzheng found a tavern in Ximing City and took a seat.

Chen Changsheng asked, "Are you still running the trading firm these days?"

Long Zhongzheng shook his head. "It was looted clean a long time ago."

"Forgive This Chen for bringing it up."

"It's fine, it's all in the past."

Long Zhongzheng waved it off and said, "Come, let's drink."

Sharing a cup, Chen Changsheng experienced just how fierce the wine of the Northwest was; its fiery bite was incredibly satisfying.

Long Zhongzheng smiled and said, "You just arrived here, didn't you?"

Chen Changsheng nodded. "That's right."

Long Zhongzheng said, "The wine in the Northwest is all like this. Judging by that, you must have come from the Great Xiang region."

"Isn't this Great Xiang?" Chen Changsheng asked.

Long Zhongzheng shook his head and said, "Few people here consider this place to be within Great Xiang's borders."

"To think it's become this chaotic."

"Yeah. The emperor doesn't give a damn, so isn't this exactly how things end up?"

Long Zhongzheng said, "The people here aren't living in the same era as Great Xiang. Over there, fish and rice are abundant. Over here, it's frequent disasters and empty stomachs. The difference is like night and day."