This was a massive tremors, not just shaking the room, but the entire inn, even extending out toward the city of Lincheng. Cracks rapidly split open on the walls of the bedchamber with popping and cracking noises, while the ceiling let out small cascading clouds of dust.
Qianye rushed to the window overlooking outside. At the far horizon, amidst the poor districts of Lincheng city, makeshift shelters were beginning to collapse. Built entirely with poor design and weak framework, such makeshift buildings offered no resistance against the overwhelming strength of quakes.
“Earthquake?”
But Ding Shiheng showed no alarm. Shaking his head, he said, “Not an earthquake; a dragon of this land merely has turned in its sleep, and it will immediately pass over.”
As predicted, the violent shaking of earth sustained only for minutes, gradually easing away. Even in this relative short span though, considerable dwellings were toppled or damaged throughout Lincheng city, and mostly in the poor areas of town.
In truth, overall parts of Lincheng exhibited rough inferiority. Were markings not clearly distinguishing, Qianye himself would find it almost impossible to perceive where poor districts were separate from more regular neighborhoods. Exempting only the upper-tier district containing nobility homes under the Magistrate himself that somewhat resembled urban elegance; during ground movements this distinction surfaced immediately, with most destroyed dwellings clustering in the impoverished zones rarely hitting more established sections.
Once tremors ceased, activity surged anew. People worked at clearing wreckage, reclaiming material, helping the injured—a scene of energetic organization within chaotic effort, which indicated clearly these calamity scenes had transpired often enough that all from even the very bottom classes reacted calmly now, already equipped with prepared response.
Those shelters remained incredibly rudimentary—basically several wooden posts and a basic roof rack; their materials, thin planks for roof and wall both allowed easy collapse without significant structural loss. Being buried beneath fallen ruins, they were also easy enough to extract survivors out from such lightweight wreckage. Rebuilding such homes required nothing longer than one day.
The inn where Qianye now resided, and many other buildings nearby, had clear, steel-supported structures beneath the surface. Shaking this intense would usually leave only a minimal lean on the metallic frame—easy enough for any 3rd or level 4 adept to adjust and straighten again without further complication. As for repairing walls and ceilings: an easy task even common people could manage well enough. Add to that, that furniture consisted of the barest forms, meaning damage incurred therefrom also brought minimal cost in replacement.
Soon after the tremors faded past, a servant rapped at Qianye’s door. Without coming in, speaking clearly from beyond said portal, he spoke: “Please be reassured my good guests—the repair detail shall reach here momentarily and have your room restored prior even to supper.”
Speaking thus, this servant moved room by room passing onward.
At this point, the earth shivered once more in subtle aftershocks. Qianye sensed keenly that some exposed patches upon the earth began sending ripples like water’s disturbed currents upon a still pond. Yet faint as these vibrations appeared, they clearly bore patterns distinct from regular earthquakes.
“Land dragon?” Though intrigued, Qianye’s mind bristled more toward the sense of alert. “What kind of creature might that be?”
Not considered a secret, according to the locals of Lincheng city—Ding Shiheng had answered easily: “Legends whisper of a vast colossal beast sleeping deep within the earth’s underdepths—rumored also sometimes known also as void-titans by differing tongues—but none alive claims true vision of even glimpsed such a thing. Still it occasionally turns within or agitates, its movements producing earth-shocks. As of now, what we experienced was a merely gentle shift in its repose. But during times it enters its cycles of unrest every few years the tremble may last days straight with half of Lincheng city likely collapsing before that storm of forces.”
Qianye at long last truly understood why building design had shaped this way—it catered precisely toward easy reconstruction, due precisely again to this mysterious land dragon and its unpredictable shifts and violent agitations. From appearances alone, one might assume that in all Lincheng city only the Mansion and districts of noblemen could qualify true ‘permanent’ construction while most of everything else—even including structures using even steel frames—would struggle to hold up for many years through repeated unrest.
His azure eye glowing slightly, Qianye turned his gaze towards distant residence of the Magistrate. In real sight—an vision capable perceiving the subtle presence around the city revealed itself: within the noble districts, every large-scale structure shimmerey in faint threads of ambient power—protected under invisible power barriers. Over Magistry House itself, an even deeper glow radiated. An shimmered protective aura surrounded it entirely. Built into an genuine mana-shielded structure such a thing was no small feat anywhere, even by the high-standard expectations of the Empire.
Observing thus allowed Qianye to reassess fully the local lord ruler of Lincheng city’s strength and status. In any region independent from centralized powers of greater realms, one must stand strong with power and ability, lest one’s riches and position fail ever to remain securely held.
At this time many individuals had spilled out onto avenues and streets, threading out into numerous streams of movement and departing hastily toward city exits.
“Are they leaving for some urgent cause?”
“Quite the contrary.” Ding said. “Each goes off to the hunts. When the land dragon stirs, certain underground-dwelling creatures get forcefully displaced upwards from where they reside. Things such as Rainbow Fish and Thorned Mice—only available capture times such as right now.”
Rainbow Fish and Thorned Mice marked local specialties. Beyond their delicious taste, regular indulgence was famed to enhance one’s spiritual perception leading also gradual improved progression in cultivation. Therefore, these creatures remained perpetually and immensely popular, especially among bloodline folk, considered irresistibly delicious fare and commonly served both legal and smuggled trade.
Other than them still, when dragon-like unrest sturs deeper within earth layers—many rarer subspecies hidden long beneath even further surfaced. Thus offering humanity their solitary hunting opportunities. Now Qianye began completely understanding why even with rebuilding entire quarters every several years—so very many still insisted on dwelling right within Lincheng anyway.
After he asked further about the primary influential factions distributed in the Lincheng city region—obtaining all necessary information—he dismissed Ding Shengheng.
True enough to his local dominance on turf affairs, on next half-morning’s arrival, Ding appeared once again at the inn. Upon entering the quarters, all his self-assurance vanished like morning fog. He positioned himself respectfully in front of Qianye without glancing sideways and ignored entirely, Nai Tong and Zhu Ji by his side.
However the intel conveyed troubled the brows of Qianye, who finally demanded, “You claim there really was an old man resembling the one I seek appearing here in Lincheng—but upon visiting members from the Xue household, had then vanished completely by next dawn’s light?”
“Yes indeed, sir: despite fully mobilizing every covert thread I control, no trail emerged from which he possibly could flee. There were murmurous theories regarding—”Ding sneaked an alert glance upon Qianya’s facial expression. After all, for his status the Xue clan represented an almost insurmountable monolithic entity—involvements with them could turn any seemingly mundane activity into dangerous complications beyond reckoning.
“Speak freely, I’ll decide my thoughts after hearing.”
“It had been noticed: that day, security deployment within Xue Clan displayed an abnormal level of military movement. Thus speculation arose—could it mean that the old man ‘Cui’ actually had been captured forcefully by clan command under secret order.”
The expression over Qianye’s brow tensed upward sharply: “Has such speculation seen confirmation through contact from within the Xue inner circle?”
Ding cautiously answered, “Regrettably my rank permits contact only minor functionaries or middle tier of that household—individuals themselves entirely unaware. Thus, either such act had absolutely nothing to relate with the Xue main faction at this all—or conversely perhaps Xue clan does have involvement but maintaining it under tight-lid restriction, revealing the knowledge to scarce few inside. Such being possibility—then honestly, my resources find themselves entirely unable further probe this mystery.”
Qianye merely nodded. “Understand—I grasp your limit. Next, provide me exact position of the Xue household estate: and better yet: perhaps offer a detailed architectural diagram of their premises if at all possible.”
Without hesitation Ding immediately stood: “It shall be done forthwith.”
And by sunset, the land expert had returned, bearing the floorplans. Without denying him some genuine efficiency.
Having gained access both location data and internal structure map from informant, final plans were now all the preparation one might reasonably desire. When the city darkened deep with silence of midnight stillness, Qianye and Nai Tong departed soundlessly into the night shadows.
As nobility dwellings go, naturally the Xue Compound lay situated in Lincheng’s prestigious district—nonetheless appearing relatively modest with merely three connected courtyards in depth, the phrase ‘not large’ here was only relative in contrast against other more grand structures. Comparatively even the simplest noble estate in major metroploise would rival any ordinary residence anywhere—a luxury only truly possible by their elevated status to protect their home against the dragon-induced ground quakes that struck every few cycles. This means of course, constructing any grand structure here would result in truly immense costs just to keep mana-field protective arrays running indefinitely simply to maintain their appearance and status.
Prior preparation allowed him to previously determine who currently resided within was only an offshoot cadet branch of larger Xue House—with some additional support personnel possibly present directly out of family headquarters command authority structure. The Xue House, in fact commanded considerable landholdings both within and beyond city borders, making them dominant over the region under a local leadership node.
Standing hidden at some quiet distance from their perimeter, Qianye examined structure.
High walls loomed before; mighty main gates; the building exhibited clear noble Imperial-era design styles; although its footprint fell short of true aristocratic main families even a tenth-scale comparison and would seem minuscule against the mighty estates of great houses comparable to Zhao’s own, whose own mansions dwarfing minor city-states.
Still Qianye whispered: “Let us explore inward,” giving a motion signal towards Nai Tong; springing into air together they silently gliding past wall’s perimeter landing inside.
According to information from Ding—now they knew: within the compound at this particular moment the most powerful fighter present remained one—head figure of this cadet household—named Xue Haiyang. With the status at thirteenth-tier war general, more than formidable in maintaining all local family interests here.
Night now descended; many compound sections lay darkened—only few scattered guards roamed its lanes. A patrol of armed personnel walked methodically, even including two concealed lookouts hidden within shadows.
From a security standpoint this seemed reasonable—most ill-minded common rogues or mercenaries would find it impossible even to get inside. Qianye, of course, found such trivial measures completely useless—he leapt over a patrol group noiselessly, entering deep into inner quarters with effortless mastery.
Beside and just as silent, landing alongside him, as she glanced over inner structures Nai nodded in direction toward Master residence.
He arrived at the private bedroom quarters. His hand flickered red, and a flash of crimson later, the blood-imbued greatblade severed inner locks with sound barely detectable. Yet even this subtle sound managed to jolt awake its occupant within the room who cried out: “Who?”
Qianye slid inside, Nai instantly rushing in simultaneously, with deadly steel pressing down against man’s neck as he barely risen halfway from sheets.
Within the sleeping male of approximately forty-three, his frame stilled immediately upon feeling razor edge upon skin, the keen pressure leaving a bleeding thread of scar even without deeper contact.
Beside him a sensuous and dazzling female figure laid amidst the sheets—at present only half-covered with covers exposing generous curves and pale fair-skinned flesh, naked in entirety and utterly unbothered even by such intrusion.
Yet composed still, the middle-aged Xue clan elder declared: “My name is Xue Haiyang, leading member of this cadet household within Xuelin main estate, I represent the house on local affairs. Unknown identities you both be: may I ask your purpose tonight?”
With one hand Qianye shut and sealed the bedroom entry.
“A pleasure speaking of my business with such presence displayed Xue Master,” He began sly: “Let us not mince words then: I had asked specifically on friend ‘Mr. Chui’, perhaps someone under your detention?”
At the mention of name, shock replaced every trace of outward composure on old man’s face.
“You! Both of you are that Wolf-King’s target!”
“Ah yes, so very generous of Lord Wolf-King to make such clear bounty upon me, else I’d truly never fathom value of my mere head,” Qianye smiled softly yet again.
Xue leader’s heart dropped lower, the blade against his skin leaving him grim: “Of course then…Bloodline kin.”
Merely Qian lightly answered: “She may claim blood heritage. I, no such claim. Nevertheless not critical: Master Xin, do you intend now upon stalling? Pointless, believe me.”
Nodded slightly, the older man’s lips pulled into bitter lines: “Acknowledged. With all I had heard of prior, that both dared murder the offspring Prince within Wolf King dominion…and yet here you are, undeterred by even someone like myself beneath great house notice.” He continued: “But yes—actually yes indeed, someone bearing identity of old man ‘Chui’ approached me for contact.”
“Then now, where is old colleague?”
Even deeper sigh. Xue Haiyang hesitated momentarily:
“Taken from under us suddenly.”
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