Chapter 13: Yellow Sand City, Lu Qianshan

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Huangsha City lies a thousand miles from Longji Pass, with the spirit stone veins located a hundred miles beyond, in the Huangsha Gorge. This city, perpetually shrouded in swirling sand, was originally established as a haven for miners. Many of these miners were criminals from various regions, and over time, an increasing number of nefarious characters settled in Huangsha City. Even after their mining terms had ended and they earned their freedom, they chose not to leave.

As a result, the city grew ever more chaotic. Due to the harsh environment, the royal family showed little interest in governance, leaving the city to its own devices. The only requirement was an annual tribute of a certain amount of spirit ore. Within the city, power was fragmented yet complex, with each of the four cardinal regions dominated by a formidable force led by a peak Spirit Pill cultivator.

Upon entering the city, Lin Fan immediately sensed nearly a dozen hostile gazes directed at him. He shook his head quietly—indeed, the local customs of Huangsha City were truly “simple” in their own rough way.

Ignoring these hostile stares, he made his way straight to the Lord’s Manor at the city’s center. Though titled “Lord,” this figure was essentially the overseer of the mining veins—the very former subordinate General Tie Zhan had mentioned.

“Haha, ever since receiving General Tie’s letter, I have eagerly awaited your arrival, Young Master Lin. Seeing is believing; you truly are a distinguished talent among men,” came a boisterous voice from within the manor, less than a minute after Lin requested an audience. Lin felt a surge of fierce energy wash over him and raised an eyebrow as he looked up at the imposing figure striding towards him.

“A peak Spirit Pill cultivator, no doubt,” Lin thought. The man showed no restraint in his aura, his every movement exuding the power of a peak Spirit Pill master. Compared to General Tie Zhan, this man was more rough-and-tumble.

“Greetings, Lord Lu,” Lin said with a slight bow. General Tie had informed him of this man’s name beforehand, but Lin had not expected such a coarse character.

“Haha... no need for formalities. Young Master Lin, you have come from afar. I have arranged a banquet in your honor. Please, come in!” Lu Qianshan’s enthusiasm caught Lin somewhat off guard. Though a former subordinate of General Tie, Lu Qianshan’s control over Huangsha City effectively made him a regional governor. Given the city’s chaotic atmosphere, it was unlikely he was truly as amicable as he pretended.

“Haha... Young Master need not worry. Even without General Tie’s orders, I would still look after you. The Second Prince’s letter is still in my study,” Lu said with a smile.

Lin’s eyes brightened with realization. Lu Qianshan, it seemed, was also affiliated with the Second Prince. In the imperial capital, the First Prince had many retainers, but the Second Prince preferred to cultivate connections across the empire. Though perhaps not as powerful as the First Prince’s faction, the Second Prince’s network was nonetheless formidable.

Lin understood that without the Second Prince’s protection, his journey to the Western Regions would not have been so smooth.

“The matter of the mining veins is a decree directly from His Majesty the Emperor.”

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“I dare not abuse my position. However, Young Master Lin, rest assured, there are dangerous places you need not venture into—only a show is required.”

After a hearty meal, Lin smiled and nodded at Lu Qianshan’s instructions. Digging the mines himself was out of the question; he had other objectives here.

“I heard the veins were once attacked by a mysterious flame demon beast. Has the city lord seen that abomination in recent years?” Lin inquired.

Lu raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Young Master takes an interest in such tales?”

Lin chuckled. “Curiosity, I suppose. I read about it in books before, but now that I am in the Western Regions, I would like to see with my own eyes what that mysterious flame demon truly is.”

“You’ve come to the right person,” Lu said. “I have guarded Huangsha City for thirty years and have clashed with that beast twice. It isn’t very powerful, but its flames are extremely peculiar. Had it not been for those flames, I would have slain it ten years ago. Unfortunately, after I dealt it a heavy blow, it vanished for a decade. Its current whereabouts are unknown.”

Lin nodded thoughtfully, pondering the beast’s location. Since Lu claimed the beast was not very strong, its power likely did not exceed the Yuan Mansion realm, perhaps not even reaching peak Spirit Pill level.

“If you are truly interested, you might try your luck at Luoshan Gorge sometime. But I must warn you, while the beast isn’t strong for me, ten years have passed, and it could now have reached the peak of the sixth rank. If you go, be extremely careful. Don’t lose your life out of curiosity.”

Lin nodded at Lu’s kind warning. Sixth rank peak equated roughly to the peak Spirit Pill level in human cultivators. If the beast truly had such power, Lin would abandon any thought of seizing its flame. While beast fire was valuable to him, life was far more precious.

Moreover, his journey so far had been smooth, with ambushers lurking in the shadows yet unwilling to strike. If he recklessly ventured into Luoshan Gorge, he might fall not only to the demon beast but also to assassins lying in wait.

“The First Prince, the Luo family... I don’t believe they are simply trying to make me miss the Tianfeng Grand Competition,” Lin mused, a sharp gleam in his eyes. Once his cultivation recovered, he would undoubtedly become a thorn in the First Prince’s side.

Furthermore...

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The Luo family certainly did not wish for the Lin family’s true dragon to rise again. Therefore, this exile to the Western Regions was no simple matter—both the First Prince and the Luo family would act against him.

These days, Lin had come to understand why the First Prince sent him here, despite knowing this land was controlled by the Second Prince’s retainers. Perhaps the aim was not merely to end his life but also to sow discord between the Second Prince and the Lin family.

Whether or not the Lin family realized the First Prince’s scheme, if Lin truly died here, the Lin family would inevitably grow wary of the Second Prince. At that point, the First Prince might seize the opportunity to woo the Lin family. Even if he failed, merely creating some mistrust would suffice.

Nonetheless, when and how the crisis would strike remained unknown. The constant need to guard against ambushes was deeply unsettling.

Upon entering the room Lu Qianshan had arranged, Lin immediately sensed something amiss. There, sitting on the bed, was a young and alluring girl. Lin’s face flushed deeply as an ambiguous expression Lu had worn before leaving replayed in his mind.

Initially, he had wondered if Lu Qianshan harbored certain proclivities, which disgusted Lin. But now, he realized he had misjudged the man.

“Young Master, do you truly not wish for me to serve you? My skills are excellent—I will surely satisfy you,” the girl cooed.

Lin’s expression darkened as he ‘politely’ ushered her out of the room, refusing to open the door regardless of her protests.

“This Lu Qianshan is truly a local despot. His manner of conduct is worlds apart from the soldiers at Longji Pass,” Lin muttered.

No sooner had he spoken than a shadow flickered before him, and a sensual, enchanting figure appeared inside the room. The demoness fixed a playful gaze on Lin and teased, “Boy, don’t you want to taste the pleasures of other women?”

Lin smiled wryly. “I can tell the difference between coarse grain and fine flour.”

“Hee hee, quite the wit. In recognition of your strong willpower, I’ll reward you properly this time!”