Chapter Seventy-Two: Arriving at Luoyue Commandery

As the appointed hour arrived, Bai Yue returned to his tent, then led Qingyuan and Gu Cang outside. In the group, two were now missing—those Bai Yue had earlier sent away. With Qingyuan and Gu Cang joining, the squad was once again complete.

The others were unaware of these subtle shifts. Some, sharp-eyed, might have glimpsed a hint of intrigue, but all feigned ignorance. Their journey through the camp was largely uneventful, save for a brief interruption by another group.

Their path was blocked by a squad leader, a man of many years’ service. He harbored deep resentment toward Bai Yue, who, after only a few days in the army, had already become commander. The squad leader’s own superior, more qualified by tenure, had expected to fill the vacant position, only to have Bai Yue unexpectedly rise and claim it, sowing the seeds of bitter enmity.

The squad leader, acting both for himself and his superior, blocked their way. Bai Yue, as commander, was not required to conduct patrols, and leading a squad on a late-night inspection smacked of posturing. The squad leader seized upon this, mocking Bai Yue with several cutting remarks.

Normally, Bai Yue would have ignored such provocation, but tonight was different—especially with Gu Cang masked, risking exposure. Without hesitation, Bai Yue struck, flinging the squad leader aside and leaving a harsh warning before pressing on with his patrol.

It was a close call, but disaster was avoided.

They pressed forward. Ahead lay Luoyue County.

Bai Yue signaled for the group to rest.

...

"Those two men will be up shortly," he told them. "Once they arrive, we'll have a full squad again and will continue our patrol."

He exhaled, then said, "The two of you may leave now. My men will not notice, and even if they do, they’ll keep their silence. As for that man earlier, and his superiors—they bear me no small malice. Sooner or later, they must be dealt with."

Qingyuan gazed toward Luoyue County. The entrance was guarded, the surrounding fields watched as well. If one possessed profound cultivation, at the level of a true adept, they could soar through the clouds and enter Luoyue County directly. As long as they didn’t pass above the camp and trigger suspicion, nothing untoward would occur.

But neither Qingyuan nor Gu Cang possessed such magical abilities; they could only slip through the camp and infiltrate Luoyue County.

"One more thing," Bai Yue warned. "Once you’re inside, remove your forged armor at once. Don’t let outsiders see it."

After giving them the password, he continued in a low voice, "A month ago, due to the lockdown, entry and exit were forbidden, which led to riots inside. The general commanding here is surnamed Fang. He has served under Deng Yin for years and has adopted Deng’s methods—suppressing violence with slaughter. If you enter in armor, you might invite trouble."

Qingyuan’s heart tightened. "Thank you, friend," he said.

Bai Yue accepted his thanks without pretense, though he’d originally considered setting Qingyuan and Gu Cang up. But on reflection, it would have brought him no benefit, so he dismissed the thought.

He watched as the two men departed, then turned back.

...

The army encamped at Luoyue County’s exit. Guards were stationed nearby, though not as rigorously as within the camp itself. With the password, Qingyuan passed through without hindrance.

Once inside Luoyue County, the pair slipped into the shadows and removed their armor. This armor, commissioned by Qingyuan at great expense, was crafted by a skilled artisan, but only after joining the army did he realize it differed slightly from the official issue.

Bai Yue had spotted the discrepancy instantly.

"Fortunately, there’s no obvious flaw—ordinary soldiers won’t notice," he thought, exhaling. The armor mimicked that of Deng Yin’s troops; to discard it carelessly might cause unforeseen trouble. He stored it away in the Ancient Immortal Pouch.

The pouch was hidden on Gu Cang, who now drew a long spear—not the standard arms of the White-Clad Army, but a weapon once wielded by an inner force master, now slain by Beast-Taming Sect remnants and a pack of wolf spirits.

"Luoyue County—at last," Qingyuan breathed, relief flooding him.

...

Night deepened into stillness.

Qingyuan and Gu Cang found a place to shelter. At dawn, they finally glimpsed Luoyue County in its entirety.

It was bustling, more prosperous than any city Qingyuan had seen—more so even than Li City or Yuanjing City. For such a modest place to be named a county, it owed everything to this flourishing vitality.

As Qingyuan walked through the streets, he saw throngs of people, yet all bore anxious expressions. Trapped here, forbidden to leave, they lived as if imprisoned—no wonder unease pervaded.

Despite this mass anxiety, no riots erupted.

Qingyuan recalled Bai Yue’s earlier words.

"Violence curbed by slaughter?"

He could guess the cause.

Within this locked-down city, countless people were trapped—some with urgent business, merchants with perishable goods, others with dubious motives. Any spark could incite them to follow a ringleader, and chaos would ensue.

No one had expected General Fang to resort to a massacre, reminiscent of Deng Yin’s infamous slaughter at Tianshui, wiping out those who dared rebel.

The carnage filled the people with dread, every soul trembling for their life. Now, a tense, uneasy calm reigned over Luoyue County.

Qingyuan swept his gaze over the city and thought, "I must quickly find the place and investigate the affairs of cultivators. The matter of Mount Fuzhong cannot be delayed."

Seeking information meant venturing where all walks of life mingled—none better than the taverns.

Among cultivators, temperaments varied: some were serene and aloof, others wild and unrestrained; some preferred tea and spring water, others fine wine and strong spirits.

Luoyue County boasted many taverns. Qingyuan and Gu Cang split up, each heading to one to make inquiries.

"Since the thunderous phenomenon has already drawn cultivators here, news of their presence should linger. Besides, Luoyue County is home to both cultivation families and clandestine sects," Qingyuan considered, entering a tavern.

There, he ordered some dishes and, as if by chance, questioned the waiter about the county’s prominent families, temples, and monasteries.

"You wish to know about these things?" the waiter replied with a broad smile. "You’re in luck! Up ahead is a temple with a long history. The old master there is said to be a hundred years old—a living immortal. If you seek the Way, he’s the one to visit."

Qingyuan’s eyebrows arched. "A hundred years old?"

The waiter nodded, smiling.

After a few more questions, Qingyuan surmised that this old priest was likely a cultivator, though not of great power.

Wasting no time, he rose and set out for the temple.