A Golden Body, a hundred feet tall, shocked half the city.
What people found most intriguing was that this phenonon originated from the Extre Sea.
Countless people were guessing what exactly happened there. Could it be that soone dared to cause trouble in such a place? The facts were unclear, and rumors abounded.
「Approaching noon.」
The public condemnation against the War God of the State, which had been hanging over Cangyun City, suddenly vanished. It was as if a unified command had been issued, enforcing collective silence.
Soon after, news arrived that the Martial Association had been completely shut down.
It was said that tons of cash and massive funds from dozens of accounts were seized from the Martial Association's vault and subsequently transferred to the state treasury. And just like that, the era of the Martial Association ca to a definitive end.
Almost at the sa ti, the Feiyang Martial Arts School publicly announced it would be renad the Military Martial Hall. It would not only teach fist techniques but also work directly with the Martial Departnt to provide preliminary training for anyone willing to learn martial arts. Furthermore, the fees were lowered repeatedly until they were roughly equivalent to university tuition.
This series of announcents hit like a cannon barrage on that sumr afternoon. Everyone was dumbfounded. While overjoyed, they couldn't help but wonder what exactly had happened.
"I heard the War God of the State made a trip to the Extre Sea, and then all this happened."
"So it was the Supre Martial Commander! Then… that Golden Body…"
No one was a fool. What exactly occurred at Extre Sea Villa was unknown, and no one ever would know. But one thing was certain: the War God of the State, with his absolute resolve and combat strength, had suppressed certain interest groups. That was why these policies, benefiting the people, were being rolled out one after another.
Of course, those accustod to reaping without sowing were hardly willing to suddenly sever their own cash cows. As a result, so large financial groups and capitalists began to resist desperately. The boldest among them simply ignored the directives, carrying on as if they had heard nothing.
The result was swift and brutal. Led by Jingnan Prince, 150,000 Hanyun Valley guards swept across the land, purging those who paid lip service while acting in defiance. After that, everyone beca thoroughly obedient, not daring to harbor the slightest dissenting thought.
「Approaching evening.」
A piece of news from the mainstream dia completely rocked the jubilant Cangyun City and the entire vibrant land.
Minister Han Qing, an influential and respected statesman, had passed away at ho this morning due to a sudden myocardial infarction.
It was abrupt and unexpected.
Normally, this would be a ti of national mourning, but countless people couldn't help but connect it to the Hundred Feet Golden Body that had risen from Extre Sea Villa that morning, and the fact that the Supre Martial Commander had paid a visit. Adding to that the sudden, unannounced release of various citizen-friendly policies…
It wasn't that people were fond of conspiracy theories, but with all these events linked together, it was impossible not to have further suspicions. Moreover, it seed to be an undeniable fact.
Thus, there was no mourning, no condolences—only an endless silence.
Perhaps this was a form of deep contemplation. Or perhaps, out of respect for the dead, this was the most appropriate response.
Only the Chenlong Martial District continued to fixate on Chen Yang's origins, insisting his sensitive background made him unsuitable for the position of War God of the State. It escalated to the point where everyone in the Martial District jointly petitioned the Elders' Court, hoping their suggestion would be adopted, warning that it would otherwise be difficult to command public respect.
However, the current Elders' Court had no energy to spare for such trivial matters of internal strife.
「In front of the rest area.」
Yang Hu, Jin Zheng, Wu Xing, and a group of others were pacing back and forth anxiously.
"How's the situation?" Chen Yang asked hurriedly, having just returned from Extre Sea Villa.
"The Pill Dragon King has been in there for several hours," Yang Hu said as he approached, shaking his head with a sigh.
Chen Yang's expression turned grim, and he said no more.
Another hour passed.
CREAK.
The door to the rest area was finally pushed open. The Pill Dragon King, his face pale and covered in sweat, erged gasping for breath.
"How is he?"
"The Great Elder, he should be alright now, right?"
The crowd imdiately sward him, all speaking at once.
"He's temporarily out of danger," the Pill Dragon King said, waving his hand dismissively. He plopped down on the steps, pulled out his tobacco pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag. "But… sigh…"
That single sigh made everyone's heart skip a beat. They stared intently at the renowned physician, waiting for him to continue.
"His heart ridian was severed. If I hadn't arrived in ti, his body would've already gone cold."
"Although I've temporarily reconnected it, this is by no ans a long-term solution. There is a type of Pill dicine that could save him, but alas, several of the dicinal ingredients required to concoct it are now extrely difficult to find."
The Pill Dragon King shook his head with a look of regret. "It truly is a pity."
"Which herbs are they? Tell , and I'll have people search for them," Jin Zheng said impatiently.
"Yes, yes! With the influence of the Elders' Court, it shouldn't be difficult."
"Hurry and tell us! The suspense is killing us."
The others urged him on.
"Since I'm the one saying this, it ans that not even the Elders' Court can find them," the Pill Dragon King continued to shake his head. As a fad physician, he knew full well which herbs were available and which had gone extinct.
"Unless…"
Hearing those words, the crowd, which had begun to lose hope, suddenly looked up, their eyes fixed on the old codger.
Just spit it out already! Why beat around the bush? This is infuriating!
Facing their murderous glares, the Pill Dragon King felt a pang of trepidation but pursed his lips. "Can't you see how exhausted I am? Can't a man even catch his breath?"
He added, "And look, my lips are white with fatigue, and all of you are just standing here. Not one of you has thought to pour a cup of tea?"
The crowd was left speechless.
"Alright, alright, I'll go right now!" Soone imdiately dashed off to find tea for the Pill Dragon King.
"Unless," the Pill Dragon King finally continued, "you go try your luck in the dicine Capital. It is famous for producing all kinds of dicinal ingredients; ninety percent of the country's herbs co from there."
"The dicine Capital has a night market that specializes in selling all sorts of aged and peculiar dicinal ingredients."
"There are also auction houses that frequently auction top-tier herbs."
Taking a large gulp of the strong tea handed to him, the Pill Dragon King said, "Perhaps you could try your luck there."
"I'll go make arrangents right now!" Jin Zheng declared, rising to leave.
"Arrange what?" the Pill Dragon King waved his hand dismissively at Jin Zheng. "So of these rare herbs have only survived to this day because they have dubious origins—so were even acquired through murder and robbery. If you go searching in an official capacity, they'll hide them before you even get close. Why would they ever bring them out into the open?"
"I'll go," Chen Yang said, breaking his silence. "I'll make a trip to the dicine Capital tomorrow."
"The dicine Capital lies at the foot of Yuning Mountain, a place teeming with powerful individuals. It definitely needs soone strong to go," the Pill Dragon King nodded. "I suppose I'll have to accompany you on this trip as well."
Yuning Mountain?
Chen Yang and Yang Hu exchanged a glance. Wasn't that woman, Gan Lan, from the Xuanse Sect at the foot of Yuning Mountain?
…
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