Divine Eagle Empire - Chapter 41: Old Acquaintances of Yuan City

At Taoyuan Inn, people immediately became excited upon seeing the notice posted on the door.
"My God, a standard room is going for 300 gold coins a day? That's highway robbery!"
"Even sleeping boards are worth twenty gold coins a day? Are you crazy? Has the city lord gone mad with greed?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, growing increasingly agitated. They never imagined that their rent would suddenly increase dozens of times after just one night's sleep. They gritted their teeth, hurling insults at each other.
Seeing the crowd's excitement, the thief Si Ningwu, under Xiong Yi's arrangement, stepped forward and shouted, "Brothers, this has nothing to do with the city lord! Look, the notice clearly states that the rent remains unchanged; the extra money collected is all going to the lord's taxes!"
Taxes paid to the lord?
At Si Ningwu's prompting, the angry crowd carefully read the notice posted on the door and soon began to discuss it amongst themselves.
"This is absolutely outrageous! Such high taxes!"
"Damn it, we're finished. We won't earn any money, and this lord even forcibly requisitioned our travel expenses back!"
After understanding the reason for the soaring rents, people were furious and pointed the finger at the suddenly appointed lord, Yan Song.
Seeing that the time was right, at Xiong Yi's command, a mercenary-looking warrior stepped forward: "Brothers, this damned lord has caused chaos and bloodshed since he arrived, and he's constantly finding new ways to levy taxes; he's making it impossible for anyone to live!"
"Yeah, if this keeps up, nobody's going to make any money, we'll all just starve!"
"I heard that the Wind Whisper Mercenary Group, which was camped in the wilderness last night, suffered heavy casualties, leaving behind several suits of black heavy armor unique to the Asura Empire!"
One of the thieves spoke in a low voice, glancing around cautiously as he spoke.
"Shh, keep your voice down! It's not just the Wind Whisper Mercenary Group; several members of other mercenary groups that couldn't afford to come to Peach Blossom Inn also died!"
"I heard that a small mercenary group and an adventure team sensed something was wrong and tried to escape Wind City overnight, but they all died on the way!"
After cautiously surveying his surroundings, a middle-aged man resembling a down-on-his-luck mercenary continued, "Rumor has it that, in order to eliminate dissidents, the newly arrived lord is allowed to enter but not leave. Anyone who tries to rush out in the chaos will end up like those others—dead without a burial place!"
"Damn it, this is our Divine Eagle Empire's territory! What right does he have to rule here? We'll fight them! If they won't let us live, we won't let them have it easy either! We'll fight them to the death!"
With the instigation of those with ulterior motives, people became increasingly agitated. Xiong Yi successfully planted the seeds of hatred in the hearts of mercenaries and adventurers, and only the final fuse was needed to ignite it.
Just as people were cursing Yan Song's ancestors for eighteen generations, with a series of "thump-thump" sounds, the triangular-eyed Gu Te rode a fast horse to the Peach Blossom Inn, arrogantly declaring, "By order of the lord, from today onwards, I will personally collect all income from the Peach Blossom Inn. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"
Looking at the angry mercenaries and adventurers, Gutt smiled coldly. The Peach Blossom Inn was booming, and having him collect the money all by himself was definitely a lucrative job. Perhaps in just a few days, the gold coins he secretly pocketed would be enough to support another beautiful mistress in the capital.
In his excitement, Gutt ignored the angry stares of the people. After driving the people of Xitian City into the Monster Forest, his side had basically brought the situation under control. Even if these mercenaries had strong opinions, they wouldn't dare to do anything in the face of three thousand elite black-armored guards.
Faced with the arrogant Gutt, the people gritted their teeth, wishing they could drag him off his horse and beat him to a pulp. But considering his background and the formidable Black Armor Army of the Shura Empire, they dared not act rashly, daring to be angry but not daring to speak out. In their anger, no one noticed that the inflammatory announcement had been quietly torn down at some point.
"My lord, I only have a dozen or so gold coins left. Please, have mercy and let me stay at Peach Blossom Inn for a few more days. I'll leave as soon as these chaotic times are over!"
Under Xiong Yi's arrangement, a pitiful mercenary, tears streaming down his face, knelt before the man with the triangular eyes and pleaded, "I have an elderly mother in her eighties and a baby crying for milk. Please, sir, have mercy and let me stay at the Peach Blossom Inn for a few days to avoid trouble?"
"Hehe, no money?"
Gutt, disgusted by the sight of the ragged, disheveled mercenary, lashed out with his whip without a second thought, yelling, "Get out of here if you have no money! This isn't a charity station! Get out!"
With a scream, the down-on-his-luck mercenary clutched his bloodied head and stumbled out. Behind him, some shook their heads in sympathy, some glared at the arrogant triangular-eyed man with gritted teeth, and others silently wiped the gleaming axe in their hands.
After some coercion, the triangular-eyed Gutt successfully obtained a large amount of gold coins. As he walked out of Peach Blossom Inn with a smile, he didn't notice the pairs of eyes behind him that were practically spitting fire, and he never expected that he would inadvertently become the gravedigger of his own side.
In the early morning, an unprecedented storm was brewing in the windy city!
Gutt successfully completed his mission, but his master, Yan Song, was deeply troubled. For some reason, just one day later, the people of Xitian City launched a fierce counterattack. They would often swarm the black-armored warriors when they were alone, using their numerical advantage to launch a devastating attack. After succeeding, they would quickly retreat, disappearing without a trace before the black-armored warriors' reinforcements arrived.
In just one day, he lost over sixty elite warriors and three martial arts masters who accompanied the army on patrol, suffering heavy casualties. With the constant small-scale skirmishes, the number of wounded warriors was countless.
Could it be that the enemy has sent a large number of reinforcements?
Yan Song was utterly bewildered. He had thought the people of Xitian City were already easily defeated and that he could complete his task of ruling Feng City ahead of schedule. He couldn't understand why the people of Xitian City had suddenly launched a large-scale counterattack, and he couldn't understand how the people of Xitian City were able to successfully ambush his isolated soldiers every time.
Amidst the chaos of war, neither Yan Song, who had suddenly arrived, nor the residents of Fengcheng who had lived there for decades, noticed that several large trees had suddenly appeared at key intersections in the city. They also failed to notice the sudden appearance of fist-sized golden horned bees on many of these trees.
After breaking through to the Saint level, Wu Tianjiao's Witchcraft Spiritual Power also greatly improved, enabling him to command magical beasts to move within a five-kilometer radius. The Golden Horn Bees and the psychic ancient tree acted like cameras, constantly transmitting back what they saw and heard, allowing him to monitor the every move of Yan Song's troops without leaving his house.
As expected, without deploying a single soldier, as long as the people of Xitian City were given some key intelligence, as well as some food and weapons, Yan Song, the arrogant lord, was overwhelmed and deeply felt the taste of being in a state of chaos.
Left with no other option, Yan Song ordered a reduction in the patrol area to minimize the chance of a sneak attack by the people of Xitian City. At the same time, he dispatched a large number of scouts in the hope of ascertaining the enemy's main base and strength, attempting to annihilate all the people of Xitian City in one fell swoop.
Yan Song was filled with worry, but Wu Tianjiao lived a carefree life. All day long, he either cultivated in the courtyard, took walks in the quiet garden with his wives, or indulged in massages and services from his concubines.
Wind Fortress was vast, far exceeding Wu Tianjiao's expectations; even a simple garden covered dozens of acres. The fresh air, rustling leaves, and dim lighting provided him and the women with a perfect meeting place.
Now, Wu Tianjiao is fully devoted to pursuing Li Xueyan. Sometimes, he hugs the slender waist of the Yi ethnic beauty Li Xueyan and kisses her soft lips, but every time it comes to the crucial moment, Li Xueyan resolutely pushes Wu Tianjiao away.
The Yi people of the forest are a race that values beauty. Premarital relations may not be a big deal for humans, but for the Yi people, it is a great sin.
What we can't have is the most precious!
每次强行忍住冲动的时候，武天骄都只好这样自我安慰，但欲火越积越深，极易受到外界的刺激。有时，小茉莉这丫头轻轻地给他按一按大腿，下身的大家伙立马就剑拔弩张，盖一床厚厚的被子都还盖不住，尴尬不已。
若不是念及小茉莉太小，又没应滢儿那样的武功和体质，否则，真想立马将她就地正法。
每次看到武天骄高高地顶起来的帐篷，小茉莉都羞得满脸通红。过完冬天后她就十五岁了，虽然对男女间的事情还懵懵懂懂，但毕竟知道了一些男女的区别。
刚开始侍候武天骄的时候，她还只是想报答他救出爷爷的恩情而已，但随着对武天骄的了解越来越深，她越来越喜欢和他在一起。武天骄高兴的时候，她会很自然地露出笑容，武天骄皱着眉头的时候，她会随之感到一阵阵难过。
不知从什么时候开始，她不时在梦中看见了武天骄的影子。
有时，她梦见武天骄白衣飘飘，抱着她骑在一匹浑身赤红的赤龙兽上顺风奔驰。有时，梦见武天骄抱着自己的细腰，在他和李雪烟常去的花园内散步。甚至，有时还梦见武天骄像抱李雪烟一样把她紧紧地抱在怀里，轻轻地亲一口她柔软的耳垂。
侍候武天骄的时候，小茉莉不时走神，武天骄笑她几次后，也没有想得过多。在他眼里，小茉莉还只是一个小姑娘，一个温柔、善解人意的小姑娘而已。
这天晚上，靠在武天骄怀里看着天上朦胧的残月，李雪烟幽幽地叹了一口气，道：「天骄，今年是百年一遇的寒月年，爷爷让我去参加月女祭祀的选拔，我不得不离开你一段时间了！」
月女祭祀？
武天骄本想轻轻地亲一口李雪烟的额头，听她这么一说，不由得顿了顿。虽然来到这个风城已经有一段时间了，但他对这里的风土人情、种族构成和异能等还不是很熟悉，相对而言，反而更熟悉常见魔兽的大致分类和异能。
见武天骄疑惑不解，李雪烟轻轻地说了起来。
原来，龙之大陆上有夷族、蛮族、人类等智慧种族，多得数不胜数。历经成千年的战乱后，人类一枝独秀，霸占了绝大部分土地和资源。许多隐居山林的小种族，多的不会超过十万人，小的只有几千，甚至几百人。
人类虽然天生并不怎么突出，但后天却可以学习强大的武功和法术，凭人类数量上的优势，盖过其他种族，称霸大陆。
几千年下来，人们把魔兽按实力高低分为了一到九级，超过九级的则统一归入到圣级。据估算，一名平武高级武者相当于三级魔兽的实力，一名天武者相当于六级魔兽的实力，只有处于顶峰的皇武者和圣级强者，才有实力挑战恐怖的九级高级魔兽。至于传说中的超级魔兽和圣级魔兽，传言只有拥有圣级中层以上的强者才能上门挑战。
人类实力强大，与此同时，传承了几千年的其余种族也各有其独特的异能。蛮族人天生的耐力和狂暴，夷族炉火纯青的自然法术和箭术等等。基本上，每个种族都有各自引以为傲的异能，在人类和魔兽的威胁下顽强地传承了下来。
「雪烟，你看我的实力如何？」
听李雪烟说了半天后，武天骄有点好奇。
沉思片刻，李雪烟皱皱眉头，委婉地说道：「天骄，作为一名罕见的控兽师，只要有魔兽大军护体，别说一名圣级强者，就是一名圣级中层强者也未必能轻易击败你。但你要是来不及召唤魔兽助战，恐怕一名皇级杀手就可以偷袭得手，所以你以后一定要小心！」
想起当初修罗帝国宫廷剑师韩元子，想起那恐怖的圣级杀手蒙面刺客，武天骄摇头苦笑，明白李雪烟说得没错。有道是：明枪易躲，暗箭难防。虽然他的武功已经到达了圣级，但要应对同等级别高手突如其来的刺杀，似乎还远远不够。
「雪烟，那你所说的月女祭祀又如何？」
「月女祭祀是我们夷族的骄傲，受到自然女神的强力祝福。虽然刚开始的时候本身实力并不高，但胜在进级的速度非常快，不仅可以增加友军部队的攻击能力，甚至还可以召唤从天而降的流星雨，厉害无比！」
说到月女祭祀，李雪烟充满了自豪。
在她的解释下，武天骄明白了森林一族的祭祀可以分为风之祭祀、战争祭祀和权杖祭祀，每级又可以分为上中下三个等级。月女祭祀是受到自然女神祝福的灵魂祭祀，不仅进级的速度快，而且拥有一些独特的异能，基本上，每隔一百多年才有可能诞生一个！
「天骄，我这次去神殿少则三个月，多则一年，你一定要等我回来！」
靠着武天骄宽阔的胸膛，李雪烟双眼通红。
「不，很遗憾，我等不及！」
贴着李雪烟富有弹性的肌肤，看着她羊脂般白皙细腻的脖子，闻着一股淡淡的幽香，武天骄不由得血气上涌。深深地吸一口气后，故作遗憾地摇摇头。
等不及？莫非，他又有了别的女人？
意外片刻后，李雪烟又急又气，泪盈满框。要不是为了族人，她才舍不得离开朝思暮想的武天骄，现在听他这么一说，不由得更加难受。
「嘿嘿，你贴得这么紧，简直就是引人犯罪！」
见李雪烟水灵灵的大眼睛一眨一眨，眼泪立马就要流出来，武天骄赶紧在她额头上亲一口，道：「我实在是等不及了，恨不得现在就让你尝尝我的厉害！」
贴得太紧？
感觉到武天骄下体的异样后，李雪烟迅速明白了他所谓的「等不及」是怎么回事，又羞又气，娇嗔地瞪他一眼后，转身跑了出去。她担心要是再多呆一刻，自己就再也舍不得离开了。
风城往东一百多里的森林内，到处都是参天大树和长满荆棘的卷毛藤，人迹罕至。别说伐木工人，就是城里的猎户也很少到这里来。
然而，夕阳西下的时候，这个人迹罕至的地方却出现了几条速度飞快的黑影。像几只大雁一样在雪地上一划而过，只留下一串淡淡的脚印，很快就被积雪掩盖。
越过一片低矮的灌木，确认没人跟踪后，几名武士打扮的黑影从一块岩石下钻了进去。一阵夹着雪花的冷风吹过，掩盖了气味和脚印等一切痕迹。
岩石后面，是一个巨大的天然溶洞，倒挂着许多尖锐的石钟乳。地面冰冷，结了一层厚厚的冰块。
「小侯爷，段超幸不辱命，顺利取到了修罗人最新的兵力分布图和巡逻路线！」
跨入一顶墨绿色帐篷后，领头的武士向靠在大椅上的年轻人跪下来，从怀里摸出一块薄薄的兽皮，递给迎上来的带刀侍卫。
「段超，如果我没记错，你现在还是男爵吧？」
接过薄薄的兽皮，看着上面还没干透的墨迹，靠在大椅上的年轻人顿了顿，然后淡淡地说道：「在额舒山谷还有一块没开垦的山地，你辛苦了这么多年，也到了有一块领地的时候了！」
领地？
「谢小候爷大恩！」
明白年轻人的意思后，名叫段超的武士喜形于色，激动不已。
根据神鹰帝国的惯例，男爵有名无实，既没有封地，爵位也无法继承给自己的后裔。只有被封为子爵后，才能拥有领地和世袭的特权，真正踏入贵族的圈子。
虽然额舒山谷位于西天城最南端，是一场荒芜之地，但段超还是激动不已。一步从男爵提升到子爵，这可是常人想都不敢想的事情。
「段超，这是你应得的奖赏！」
见段超激动不已，身穿华衣的年轻人淡淡地笑了笑，看看其余几名羡慕的勇士，缓缓说道：「这次秘密来到风城，我们任务艰巨。但只要顺利完成，每个人都会重重有赏！」
「谢小候爷提拔！」
眼看段超一步登天，回去后就能成为真正的贵族，其余几名武士既激动，又充满了希望。盛传赵思鸣小候爷一向行事大方，看来，果然不假。
「对了，段超，粮食和盔甲方面跟对方谈得如何？」
「小候爷，这个…」
段超有点迟疑，犹豫片刻后，咬牙说道：「小侯爷，对方太无耻了。一车青稞开口五百枚金币，连一支长箭也要十枚金币，比平时贵了差不多十倍，所以……」
看着喜怒不形于色的小候爷，段超满身虚汗。刚刚得到了意外的封赏，要是因为粮食和盔甲没谈好而使小候爷大怒，说不定不仅这个意外的封赏不了了之，还要受到严惩。毕竟，在辽阔的西天城土地上，赵思鸣小候爷的严厉和他的大方一样有名。
传闻，有一次在京城，赵思鸣小候爷带一名贴身侍卫去拜访一名大臣，去之前特意嘱托侍卫换上礼服。结果，侍卫因为时间匆促，上衣第三颗纽扣有一小片污迹没有擦干净而引起了他的不满。为此，回到西天城后，倒霉的侍卫被调到军中专门给士兵们洗衣服，整整洗了一年。
「哦，对方只需要金币么？」
见段超紧张得满头大汗，赵思鸣不动声色，在父亲身边多年，他学得最多的就是驾驭下属的技巧。
几万，甚至几十枚金币，对一般人来说也许是一笔天文数字般的巨资，但对于面积辽阔，子民众多的西天城主来说，却是九牛一毛。关键时刻，赵思鸣并不在乎多付几枚金币，他担心的是在倾力相助的背后，那位金刀驸马到底隐藏了什么目的。
跟阎松一样，率众多护卫风尘仆仆赶到偏远的风城后，赵思鸣对势力一枝独秀的武天骄产生了浓厚的兴趣。但顾及到他与武家的关系，更担心引起晋阳王武无敌的猜忌，为了家族的安危，不得不对武天骄退避三舍。
他牢记临行前父亲对他的叮嘱：千万不要和武天骄走得太近，更不要和他扯上什么关系。对他只可利用，不可结交。
正因如此，他来到风城，一直隐藏身份，也未曾请求武天骄的帮助。混战过后，他眼看不是阎松的对手，干脆率属下躲入了魔兽森林。
魔兽森林绵延万里，是大陆上最大的原始森林，到处都是魔兽和参天大树。阎松别说只有三千人，恐怕就是有三十万大军，一时之间也难以在茫茫林海找到他们的踪迹。
果然，躲入魔兽森林后，赵思鸣迅速掌握了主动，不时潜出去袭击巡游的修罗人，给阎松造成了惨重的伤亡。匆忙之间，他虽然只带来了五百多人，但全都是以一挡十的精锐。一对一之下，阎松的黑甲军根本就不是对手。
虽然由明转暗，掌握了主动，但随着天气越来越冷，他遇到的麻烦也越来越多。没有存粮，没有补充消耗的武器和弓箭，也没有足够的医药。甚至，武士们连御寒的冬衣都没有，非战斗伤亡越来越大。
就在他一筹莫展的时候，武天骄的谋士却不请自来。冒着极大的风险出售各种物资，甚至情报，让他大喜过望，双方一拍即合。
「大人，我们这次秘密潜入风城，并没有见到城主大人。」
等了半天，见小候爷并没有动怒，段超松了一口气，道：「但据他的谋士熊毅转达，城主大人希望和小候爷亲自见一次面！」
「哦，和我亲自见一次面？」
赵思鸣不动声色，默默地看一眼身后的谋士。后者明白他的意思，本想说些什么，但看看跪在地上的几名武士，又紧紧地闭上嘴巴。
「嗯，你们都辛苦了，下去休息吧！」
「谢小候爷！」
行礼后，段超一行迅速退了出去。等走出华丽的帐篷后，段超才发现自己不知什么时候已经满身虚汗。
凝神细听，确认段超等人已经远去后，藏在黑暗中的谋士轻轻地说道：「小候爷，即使对方不提，属下也认为应该和武天骄亲自见一次面！」
「有这个必要么？」
赵思鸣轻轻地摇摇头。武天骄拥有神秘而强大的魔兽大军，拥有大批忠心耿耿的追随者和似乎任意挥霍的金币。再加上复杂的身份，这样的人物，绝不可能用几箱金币或者几个美女就能笼络。
「小候爷，每个人都会有他的欲望和缺点！」
见赵思鸣摇摇头，藏在暗处的谋士明白他的意思，道：「归根到底，他也是神鹰人，想来他也不会坐视风城被修罗人夺去，不然，朝廷怪罪下来，他也吃不了兜着走！」
停顿片刻，见赵思鸣紧紧盯着自己，谋士接着轻声说道：「候爷说过，我们可以利用武天骄。再说，阎松抢走了他的酒馆和酿酒坊。当然，这只是表面上的原因，更深层次的原因，阎松这个突然冒出来的领主，会夺走了他在这里的发展空间和核心利益！」
发展空间和核心利益？
沉思片刻，赵思鸣轻轻地点点头，明白谋士说得没错，道：「蒙信，那该如何才能把武天骄绑到我们的战车上，破坏修罗帝国的战略？」
「小候爷，其实很简单，有一个办法既可以满足武天骄的要求，又对我们大大有利！」
藏在暗处的蒙信顿了顿，轻声说到：「我想，以现在的战争形势，即使武天骄和武王爷再如何的水火不相融，武王爷一定不会乐意见到风城彻底的落入修罗人之手！」
「那你的意思是……」赵思鸣疑惑地道。
「封爵！」
蒙信道：「请武王爷上奏朝廷，下旨赐封武天骄爵位，将风城封为他的领地。」
「爵位！」
意外过后，赵思鸣频频点头，觉得这是一个不错的主意。以武天骄的身份，封他个爵位不算什么，将风城封给武天骄，有了领地，武天骄岂会不为了扞卫自己的领地，而与修罗人殊死搏斗。当然，这事自己作不了主，只能传书到西天城，请父亲出面。
此时，风城已是山雨欲来风满楼。在有心人的挑拨下，因为短衣缺食而不得不横征暴敛的阎松，成为了千夫所指，万人唾骂。
他的黑甲军更成为了人们憎恨和报复的对象。针对黑甲军的小规模冲突越来越频繁，即使阎松加强了巡逻的力度和范围也无济于事。
慢慢地，黑甲军和人们的关系越来越紧张。人们担心突然遭到飞来横祸，走在街道上都行色匆匆，天色一黑就关门闭户。
与此同时，黑甲军也时刻担心遭到人们的偷袭，连去酒馆喝酒都是一动就一大群，没有任何人敢独自行动。
在黑甲军内部，流传着一个无奈的笑话。无论何时何地都要和兄弟们一起行动，一起上街巡逻，一起方便，一起泡妞。就连找女人快活的时候，起码都得两个人一起行动。一个风流快活，另一个则举着武器严阵以待，以免神鹰人突然杀进来。
与此同时，武天骄把巡游的护卫队全都撤回来，收缩势力并加强城堡的防守。为了让家人在风城的奴仆和属下们安心，干脆让他们把家人全都接到城堡内暂住。这样一来，奴仆和属下们感动不已，干活更加卖力。
比如负责扫地的安大娘，以前一天只擦一次地板，现在不用老管家穆世才吩咐，就自动一天擦三次。负责买菜的吴大娘，每次去市场买菜的时候，见人就夸城主大人对下人怎么好怎么好，让人们听了之后羡慕不已，一直追问武天骄府上还缺不缺下人。
时间一天天过去，风城的形势不仅没有缓和，反而越来越紧张！
随着遇袭身亡的黑甲军越来越多，随着天气越来越冷，短衣缺食的黑甲军脾气越来越粗暴，纪律也跟着越来越差。这天，正当武天骄靠着大椅享受小茉莉的按摩侍候时，侍卫队长隆固大步走了进来。
「大人，酒馆老板金永之和铁匠等人来访！」
「请他们进来吧！」
武天骄挺起身子，道：「小茉莉，你也累了，下去休息吧。天气这么冷，穿这么少小心着凉！」
看看小茉莉瘦削的双肩和薄薄的衣裳，武天骄脑中闪过了一个身影，突然想起一个人来。记得当年初入到晋阳王府，见到自己的第一个侍女香儿时，香儿的衣裳也如小茉莉这般单薄。可怜香儿已是……
想到此，武天骄心中一痛，长叹了一口气，把自己的豹皮大衣给小茉莉披上去。小茉莉「嗯」的轻轻应一声后，卷着暖乎乎的大衣轻快地退了下去。
小茉莉刚走，门外就传来了一阵杂乱的脚步声，武天骄抬头一看，只见隆固带了一大群人进来。除了酒馆老板金永之和铁匠等人外，还有许多陌生人。有男有女，有老有少，总共差不多有上百人。
The sudden arrival of over a hundred people surprised Wu Tianjiao, but their expressions surprised him even more. Some had blank stares and muttered to themselves, as if they had Alzheimer's. Others had gloomy faces and stiff muscles, as if someone owed them five million. Some had red eyes and burst into tears upon seeing Wu Tianjiao, as if they had seen a long-lost relative.
"Uh! This... Kim Young-ji, what exactly is going on?"
After offering his seat to everyone, Wu Tianjiao instructed the maid to serve tea to everyone, and then asked Jin Yongzhi, who was closest to him.
"Sir, we're all barely surviving!"
Jin Yongzhi gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "A few days ago, you lent me some gold coins to buy land to build a hotel. I chose a good location the day before yesterday, and yesterday I was going to pay the money and start construction. Who knew that as soon as I stepped out the door yesterday morning, all my gold coins were robbed alive by a group of black-armored soldiers, and two of my ribs were even broken!"
As he spoke, he lifted his shirt, revealing numerous cuts and large bruises. Judging from his constant frowning and coughing, he seemed to be seriously injured.
Two ribs were broken.
After carefully examining Jin Yongzhi's injuries, Wu Tianjiao's expression grew increasingly grim. Jin Yongzhi was already over fifty years old, and being beaten like this, even with timely treatment, could easily leave him with some long-term effects. It seemed that Yan Song's Black Armor Army was becoming increasingly audacious, capable of inflicting such a severe blow on an unarmed old man.
After a moment of contemplation, Wu Tianjiao was about to say a few words of comfort to Jin Yongzhi when, unexpectedly, a girl in a coarse cloth dress suddenly rushed out and knelt down in front of him with a thud.
"My lord, my poor father was falsely accused by the Black Armor Army of tipping off the people of Western Heaven City when he returned from hunting. He was beaten bloody and has been bedridden for over a week. His injuries are getting worse, and if he doesn't receive treatment soon, I'm afraid he will..."
Tears streamed down the young girl's face as she looked at Wu Tianjiao pleadingly, "Lord City Lord, please, please save Ke Liya's father! I beg you!"
Was he falsely accused of tipping off the people of Xitian City?
Looking at the tearful and pitiful Ke Liya, Wu Tianjiao shook his head. It seemed that after suffering heavy casualties, Yan Song's Black Armor Army had become like frightened birds. Even an ordinary hunter was being treated like a spy from Xitian City and beaten to death.
"Miss Coria, get up!"
Seeing Ke Liya kowtowing to him while crying, Wu Tianjiao helped her up and said solemnly, "Don't worry, I'll send someone to treat your father right away. Don't worry, he'll be alright!"
As Wu Tianjiao spoke, he winked at Longgu, who understood and quickly came over to help the sobbing Keliya to a chair.
Next, seeing that Wu Tianjiao readily agreed to the girl Ke Liya's request, people began to complain.
Some said their winter food supplies had been looted by the Black Armor Army, leaving them without food for days. Others said their family members had been captured by the Black Armor Army while hunting in the Trass Forest, and they begged Wu Tianjiao for help in securing their release. Still others recounted the agonizing story of their daughters being brutally raped and killed by a group of Black Armor Army soldiers who had caused trouble while drunk, and pleaded with Wu Tianjiao to seek justice for them.
"Sir, if this continues, we really won't survive!"
Seeing that people were pouring out their grievances and Wu Tianjiao hadn't reacted for a long time, Jin Yongzhi knelt down as he spoke.
"Yes, Lord City Lord, please save us!"
"Lord City Lord, if you take the lead, we'll fight them to the death and kill those damned beasts!"
"Yes, that damned lord Yan Song is nothing but a bandit who seized our property. No one but the city lord is qualified to be our lord! Let's fight them!"
The crowd grew increasingly agitated, their anger directed at Lord Yan Song. They unanimously pleaded with Wu Tianjiao to intervene, hoping he would eradicate Yan Song's power in one fell swoop, just as he had eliminated the Xiong family. In their hearts, if Fengcheng needed a lord, it would undoubtedly be Wu Tianjiao.
"Everyone, I'm sorry, I'm just a lowly city lord, I have neither the ability nor the possibility to oppose the Lord."
Wu Tianjiao calmly refused everyone's requests. The situation was tense, and who knew if there were any spies sent by Yan Song among these citizens? He didn't want to give the watchful Black Armor Army any leverage.
Furthermore, the battle between Yan Song and the people of Xitian City is far from over. To act now, even if victorious, would come at a heavy price, only to benefit the Xitian City people hiding in the forest. The best course of action would be to wait until both sides are severely weakened before launching a decisive attack.
"grown ups……"
Seeing that Wu Tianjiao refused, the people knelt down in disappointment. If they continued to let Yan Song's Black Armor Army run amok like this, they really wouldn't be able to live anymore.
"Everyone, I sympathize with what you've been through!"
Wu Tianjiao's eyes darted around, and he came up with an idea. He said, "Although there are some things I can't help with, if anyone really can't survive, just ask my steward for some food and warm clothes. Furthermore, if anyone feels uneasy, they can move into my castle for a while!"
Should we move to Windfort for a while?
Hearing Wu Tianjiao's words, everyone's eyes lit up; they finally saw a glimmer of hope. Wu Tianjiao was incredibly powerful; even if the Black Armor Army had a hundred times the courage of a bear, they probably wouldn't dare to cause trouble inside the castle.
People were overjoyed, and Wu Tianjiao also wore a faint smile. Gaining their gratitude and support would be immensely beneficial to his future plans, and the cost was merely some stored grain and spare rooms. With careful planning, he might even be able to make a fortune.
After sending Jin Yongzhi and the others away, the maid Duo'er came to report that a woman who claimed to be an "old acquaintance from Dayuan City" had come to visit.
An old acquaintance from Dayuan City! Wu Tianjiao's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly ordered Duo'er to take the woman to a side hall. In his mind, however, he was pondering the background of this "old acquaintance from Dayuan City"—who could she be?
He didn't seem to know many women in Dayuan City. Was Gongsun Xue the same Princess Qianning? What was her purpose in coming to his door at this time? However, avoiding her was not the best policy. Wu Tianjiao did not want to solve the problem by running away, so he finally decided to meet this "old acquaintance" who had suddenly come to visit.
A woman who appeared delicate and frail stood by the living room window. Her face wasn't visible, but her posture and demeanor exuded a captivating charm. She wore a well-fitting purple dress, and her smooth, black hair was gently gathered up with a delicate purple ribbon, the ends cascading naturally over her shoulders. From afar, she resembled a graceful orchid standing serenely in the wind, evoking images of tranquility and elegance.
Upon seeing her beautiful back, Wu Tianjiao frowned deeply, sighed, and inwardly groaned, "What I feared most has come to pass. It's always bad news; what's meant to happen has finally arrived."
"Your Highness, how have you been? Oh! You should be addressed as Lord City Lord."
The woman turned around and said with a smile. It was none other than Princess Qianning, the leader of the Rainbow Mercenary Group.
Wu Tianjiao forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, hello! May I ask what brings you here?"
"You seem to dislike me, your older sister?"
Princess Qianning stared at Wu Tianjiao with her abyss-like eyes and asked.
Wu Tianjiao smiled awkwardly and said, "No! I just wanted to know as soon as possible what Her Highness the Princess needed my help with."
"If I told you I came to thank you for your help to the Rainbow Mercenary Group last time, would you believe me?"
After calming down from his initial panic, Wu Tianjiao smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. Besides, you've already thanked me for what happened last time. What I'm interested in now is how we found this place."
These words amused Princess Qianning: "Princess! Your question is... quite interesting. If I don't come here to find you, where else can I look for you? In the empire, who doesn't know you are the Lord of Wind City!"

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Divine Eagle Empire - Chapter 41: Old Acquaintances of Yuan City

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