Chapter 194
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Chapter 194: In the Mortal Realm (Part 2)
“Move aside!”
“Good dogs don’t block the way!”
Just as Wang Chen exchanged a few words with Fei Xinghe, several harsh shouts suddenly came from behind!
Five or six cultivators filed out of the cabin, and one of them mockingly sneered, “Fei Xinghe, are you standing here as a pillar?”
The other cultivators burst into laughter, their eyes filled with disdain as they looked at Fei Xinghe.
“My apologies.”
Fei Xinghe immediately stepped aside with a forced smile, saying, “Please, brothers, go ahead.”
In truth, the ship’s ladder was wide enough for others to pass by without obstruction.
But these cultivators clearly had it out for Fei Xinghe.
“At least you know your place.”
The one who had mocked him patted his shoulder and added, “Be more observant next time, understand?”
Fei Xinghe bowed slightly, his smile dripping with sincerity: “Yes, thank you for the advice, Brother Cao.”
To anyone observing his expression, he appeared genuinely grateful, like a well-trained dog that, even after being harshly beaten, would still wag its tail desperately to please its master.
Brother Cao let out a hearty laugh and strutted down the ladder.
The other cultivators followed closely behind.
As for Wang Chen, who stood nearby, they didn’t even spare him a glance.
Wang Chen observed the scene coldly, his emotions unruffled.
Earlier, he had purchased a ticket through the Four Seas Trading Association’s Manager Jin, and during their conversation, he learned that several other inner sect disciples were also flying to Da Qian for the same guarding task.
Wang Chen had no prior acquaintance with them and no interest in striking up a conversation; he had spent the entire voyage practicing in the cabin.
This was his first encounter with them.
These inner sect disciples carried themselves with an air of arrogance, their cultivation levels mediocre and their tempers foul, clearly resembling spoiled young masters from wealthy families.
Would such individuals willingly venture into a land devoid of spiritual energy to endure hardship?
Wang Chen strongly suspected they had received insider information and had come to Da Qian to lay low.
As the saying goes, there’s no smoke without fire. It seemed the Yunyang Sect was indeed on the brink of significant upheaval!
Wang Chen felt a wave of relief that he had left swiftly.
Otherwise, a small fry like him, staying at the mountain gate, would find it nearly impossible to control his own fate.
Once a compulsory recruitment order came down from above, if he didn’t want to be hunted by the punishment hall, he would have no choice but to comply.
It was all too easy to become cannon fodder!
Wang Chen also noticed that these inner sect disciples were enveloped in a faint layer of spiritual light.
They clearly carried some kind of special magical tool, likely designed to help them better adapt to the environment of a land devoid of spiritual energy.
The resources and heritage of a cultivation family were far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators!
As for Fei Xinghe,
Wang Chen found him quite enigmatic.
Fei Xinghe’s demeanor exuded the air of a noble scion.
Yet, when faced with the humiliation from Brother Cao and others, he greeted them with a smile, bowing his head and seemingly placing his dignity beneath their feet.
He even appeared to relish the treatment.
To be honest, Wang Chen had encountered many peers in the cultivation world, but never someone so adept at bending and stretching to suit the situation!
“Wang Shidi, let’s go.”
After Brother Cao and the others disembarked, Fei Xinghe straightened up and cheerfully addressed Wang Chen.
Wang Chen nearly lost his composure at his smile: “Uh, okay.”
The dock where the flying ship of the Four Seas Trading Association was moored lay at the center of a vast square.
To the east of the square, behind a tall vermilion wall, stood a magnificent palace complex.
“That’s the Da Qian Imperial Palace.”
Fei Xinghe eagerly introduced it to Wang Chen: “It’s a pity that our sect has regulations. As celestial guardians, we cannot interact with the Da Qian royalty and officials; otherwise, we could go inside and explore.”
Wang Chen nodded.
The inner sect disciples dispatched by the Yunyang Sect to Da Qian were addressed as celestial guardians in this mundane country.
Their status was naturally very high.
Thus, when Fei Xinghe mentioned the Da Qian royalty and officials, there was not an ounce of respect in his tone.
This was a common attitude of cultivators toward mortals.
However, this did not mean that the celestial guardians could act as they pleased.
The Elder Teaching Hall had strict regulations for this task, forbidding disciples from interfering in Da Qian’s internal affairs and prohibiting them from associating with the worldly elite.
Especially with the Da Qian royalty, they must keep their distance!
The primary task of the celestial guardians was to deal with the Evil Spirits and demon cultivators that plagued the mortal realm.
Secondly, they were responsible for overseeing the collection of tributes.
Lastly, they selected young boys and girls with exceptional root bone to replenish the Yunyang Sect’s ranks.
Wang Chen curiously asked, “Brother Fei, have you been to Da Qian before?”
In fact, Wang Chen, or rather the original identity of Wang Chen, had ancestral ties to Da Qian.
But he was born in the outer mountain gate of Yunyang, and his understanding of Da Qian came entirely from his father, Wang Shaoyuan.
“Yes.”
Fei Xinghe replied, “I hail from Jing’an County in Da Qian. This time, coming to guard Jing’an City feels a bit like returning in glory.”
A hint of self-mockery appeared on the face of this Gujian Peak disciple.
Wang Chen fell silent.
Fei Xinghe’s background might be a sensitive issue for him, so there was no need to pry too deeply.
Fei Xinghe seemed unbothered and smiled, saying, “I’m very familiar with Jing’an City and have also been to South Shao County. If you have any questions, just feel free to ask me.”
Wang Chen expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Brother.”
As they spoke, the two climbed onto a six-horse carriage waiting at the dock.
The six-horse carriage was equivalent in status to the emperor, while the four-horse carriage was for the ministers.
There were a total of four identical carriages sent by the Qianjing Grand Celestial Mansion to welcome the newly appointed celestial guardians.
In Da Qian’s thirty-seven states and one hundred and twenty-six counties, all celestial guardians were supervised and managed by the Qianjing Grand Celestial Mansion.
Wang Chen and Fei Xinghe shared a carriage.
Along the way, this Gujian Peak disciple shared a lot about the celestial guardians’ duties, including some details about South Shao County.
This information was obviously very useful to Wang Chen, preventing him from being completely lost in his new surroundings.
Although Fei Xinghe appeared obsequious and devoid of any dignity when dealing with Brother Cao and the others,
Wang Chen did not judge a person solely by appearances and developed a favorable impression of this senior brother.
The carriage wheels rolled smoothly over the thick, even blue stone slabs, quickly arriving at the Qianjing Grand Celestial Mansion.
Although the scale of the Grand Celestial Mansion’s buildings could not compare to the Da Qian Imperial Palace, the grandeur of the halls was equally impressive.
The six-horse carriage drove straight in through the main entrance, passing among countless exotic flowers, rare plants, and artificial mountains.
To Wang Chen’s surprise, as soon as he entered the Grand Celestial Mansion, he sensed the presence of spiritual energy in the surrounding space!
Though the concentration was not high, it felt much more comfortable compared to the barren environment outside.
Fei Xinghe noticed his expression and explained with a smile: “The Grand Celestial Mansion is equipped with large formations and has transplanted many spiritual materials, so it’s quite pleasant here.”
Pleasant as it was, they, the guardians stationed in the regions, did not have the privilege to enjoy it.
The one presiding over the Grand Celestial Mansion was a Purple Palace master of the Yunyang Sect!
The carriage they were riding ultimately stopped in front of a magnificent and imposing tall pavilion.
