The Young Wanderer 08

"Arrested? Our Li family is a prominent and respected clan!"

"Hmph, I can't be bothered to argue with you. Seize them!"

"Don't anyone move! And what of my Zhao family?" Zhao Jinglei dropped his pretense. Panting heavily, he offered an apologetic smile to his companions and said word by word, "If you harm a single one of my sworn brothers and sisters, my Zhao family will pursue this to the ends of the earth!"

To his surprise, the other side laughed even harder.

"The Zhao family? The Zhao family harbors treasonous ambitions. They're now neighbors with the Li family in the imperial dungeons!"

"Impossible!" Zhao Jinglei was truly shocked.

Lin Wanqing had a sinking feeling in her heart. "I am the daughter of the Lin family!"

Ye Qingzhou also spoke up: "My master is an elder of the Drifting Leaf Sect!"

"My father is Xiao Lan, the one who 'Crossed the River with a Single Sword'!"

Immediately after, several others declared their family names and backgrounds, revealing their privileged origins, each name more illustrious than the last.

The cultivators surrounding them exchanged glances.

The youths also looked at each other, surprised to learn their sworn siblings all had such secrets! They felt a wave of emotion.

Unexpectedly, a greedy light shone in the eyes of the cultivators.

"Well, well, well. To think all the escaped fish have gathered in one net! Brothers! This is our chance to earn merit!"

The youths hadn't expected these men to be so brazen and unafraid.

Only a few of them realized something terrible must have happened to their families!

Facing the encirclement, with no heart for a fight, they could only scatter like birds and beasts, fleeing for their lives, a sense of foreboding growing in each of their hearts.

Having been confined to the wilderness for so long, how could they know that the Imperial City had descended into chaos? Following Fang Zhiyi's instructions, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion had been relentlessly boosting Prince Xuan's reputation. The common people, treated well, sang his praises one after another. Prince Xuan, unable to explain himself, had no choice but to accept it, which in turn aroused the Emperor Tianyan's suspicions.

Thus began this game of power. Noble families and sects may hold lofty status, but before imperial authority, they are mere cannon fodder.

Whether it was the Li family or the Zhao family, those who got too close to Prince Xuan deserved to die.

Emperor Tianyan was no fool. He didn't intervene directly but signaled the rivals of the Li and Zhao families. Other clans, receiving the signal, naturally wouldn't let the opportunity slip, clamping down on their enemies like wolves sinking their teeth into prey.

Prince Xuan's goal was never truly to win over these families. He had been maneuvered into this position by Fang Zhiyi and now found himself trapped, unable to withdraw. To maintain the act, he had to play his part vigorously. Thus, the sects and families connected to the main group of youths were swept into the conflict, branded with one accusation after another—oppressing the common people, harboring sinister designs—none escaped accusation.

When the Palace Guard came knocking, they had no chance to resist. Of course, some did resist, only to be slaughtered on the spot. If you had grievances, you could plead your case from inside the prison. Resisting arrest was tantamount to rebellion!

Prince Xuan only felt his situation growing more perilous, but the game had progressed to a point where he couldn't extricate himself.

Also a cultivator, Emperor Tianyan had lived too long, his paranoia growing with the years. He would absolutely not let him go. Now, he could only hope Fang Zhiyi had some other plan.

But... there had been no word from Fang Zhiyi for quite some time.

Yet, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's public-facing businesses continued to operate, functioning perfectly normally... so normally it felt abnormal.

Meanwhile, atop Hidden Mountain, Fang Zhiyi looked at his reassembled followers, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

"The time has come, everyone."

Rumors of rebellion began to circulate from somewhere, thickening the already tense atmosphere.

Frankly, almost all officials disbelieved such gossip. Rebellion? With what?

Cultivators among the common folk were exceedingly rare. Anyone with any ability either came from a noble family, a sect, or even the royal house. Could those peasants possibly fight cultivators with firewood choppers?

Nevertheless, because of this, cultivators everywhere received orders to take action—essentially to flex their might and remind the common people of their place.

On the streets of Misty Rain City, a few Ninth-Rank cultivators were chatting.

"Such a pity we let those so-called 'Nine Youths of Qingyun' escape."

"I heard from Lord Yan that capturing Li family remnants guarantees a promotion of three ranks."

"Lord Liu also said the escaped fish from the Zhao and Lin families are worth a fortune in gold, with a chance to enter the Liu family's outer court."

"Should we go search for them again later?"

"Stupid old woman! Can't you watch where you're going?"

An old vegetable seller stood to the side, fearful of disturbing the three men. However, the trio was so engrossed in their conversation that one bumped into the old woman and immediately began to curse.

The old woman bowed repeatedly in apology.

The Ninth-Rank cultivator who had bumped into her looked at her with disgust. "Disgusting." He then actually raised his hand to strike her.

"Don't touch my grandma!" a child suddenly rushed over. The cultivator pressed his hand against the boy's head, a sneer appearing on his face. "The world truly has changed. Even this little peasant brat dares to raise a hand against me now."

The surrounding commoners dared not make a sound. Cultivators were like gods; if they killed someone, the people could only watch.

Even those whose eyes burned with anger dared not speak.

"Exactly. I think it's all because of that Myriad Treasures Pavilion, feeding these commoners too well—opening porridge kitchens one day, giving out clothes the next."

"Ahem, better not say such things carelessly," another pointed towards the sky.

The cultivator holding the boy's head wore a cruel smile. "In my opinion, it all boils down to our heavenly Emperor being too merciful."

As he spoke, he prepared to exert force with his hand.

But a loud bang made him pause.

Puzzled, the cultivator looked up and saw a person not far away holding a peculiarly shaped object, like some kind of fire poker.

"Hey, hey! You're bleeding..." His companion's voice trembled.

He looked down and saw the blood spreading on his chest. A wave of pain hit him. How? How could he, a cultivator, be injured by an ordinary person?

"You!" Another cultivator moved to attack, but another bang sounded as a second person holding a strange device appeared.

Watching his two companions fall, the last cultivator trembled in fear, unable to comprehend what kind of sorcery was being used.

"See, everyone? They are human too. They also bleed." A calm voice carried down the street, awakening the stunned ordinary folk.

They turned in unison towards the figure standing at a higher vantage point.

"I give you a chance. Take up arms and join me in... slaying the gods."

His words seemed to carry a certain magic.

As if to prove his point, another person raised their strange weapon, aiming at the last remaining cultivator.

"You lowly peasants! How dare you assault cultivators in the street! Aren't you afraid of—"

Bang!

The world fell silent.