Chapter 203 - Soul Severed in the Gorge How Can Dugu Be At Peace
What happens in Chapter 203 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky"? As the hegemon of the Eastern Region, Qi Countryâs words were highly respected across the... Read on to find out!
As the hegemon of the Eastern Region, Qi Countryâs words were highly respected across the entire Eastern Region.Not only did they possess the most fertile land in the Eastern Region and wield power over many vassal states, but they also covertly supported numerous sects within the Near Sea Archipelago.
However, not all powers within the Eastern Region were beholden to the Jiang royal dynasty.
Letâs not even mention the lofty positions of the Legalistsâ Holy Land, the Three Punishments Hall, and Buddhismâs Eastern Holy Land, the Hanging Monastery.
Places like the Diao Hai Building of the Near Sea Archipelago and the East King Valley, renowned for their mastery of both healing and poisoning, virtually acted as independent nations; the only thing missing was the establishment of an official state system.
Then there were countries like Qu and Zheng, situated at the border between the Northern Territory and the Eastern Region, which also maintained complete sovereignty and self-governance.
With the support from countries like Mugu of the Northern Territory and Jinguo, the overlord of the Central Region, these nations had actually dared to bare their teeth at Qi Country in recent years.
Between the territories of Qu Country and East King Valley lies a vast canyon.
Named Broken Soul Gorge.
This canyon is so long it even surpasses the straight-line distance of East King Valleyâs domain.
It starts from Rong Country to the north of Yang Country and even extends deep into the northern deserts, rumored to be not far from the Endless Quick sands.
Just as the bottomless ocean lies at the eastern edge, the scorched desolation of the desert marks the northern edge.
The Endless Quick sands are, within the desert, the most perilous region known to ordinary folk.
Because the gorge is so profoundly deep and so incredibly long, stretching even toward such a mysterious and frightful place, it seems to journey through the Underworld, diving into hell itself.
Travelers who pass this place always feel as if their souls are shattering.
Hence the name.
This place has always been where few dare to tread.
But now, within Broken Soul Gorge, seven people stand atop a precipice.
It was a cross-section of the cliff, impossible to scale upwards and bottomless to look down, with nowhere to take foothold.
Yet these seven stood firm as pine trees, with only their robes billowing in the wind.
A man with a handsome face and eyes like cold stars stood before the others, faintly indicating his leadership.
If Jiang Wang were here, he would recognize this man as Yin Guan, whom he met in You Nation.
With his long hair flowing freely and his tall figure, he wore a blue robe, fastened at the waist with a suspended pendant.
His sword-shaped eyebrows extended into his hairline, giving him a unique presence.
These seven individuals, whether their faces were covered with scarfs or hidden behind masks, all chose various means to conceal themselves.
Only he revealed his true face, confronting the other six directly.
After his escape from You Nation, not much time had passed, but it was evident Yin Guan had not wasted any of it.
His aura was more stable and stronger than before.
Now, as he summoned these six individualsâeach unique in their aura, but all of them formidableâit was certainly not to admire the view of Broken Soul Gorge.
There wasnât much of a view to admire here, nor were there any willing to admire it.
âSince weâve decided to come together, with everyoneâs talents, anything other than what we set out to do would be a waste,â Yin Guan said indifferently.
Though the mountain winds were fierce, they could not drown out his voice.
âOur great organizationâs path shall begin with killing.â
âSo,â asked a hoarse voice from across him, âwhat is the name of our organization?â
âAre we not all people with nowhere to go, to whom hell itself has closed its doors?â
Yin Guan stood against the wind, his hair fluttering.
His gaze swept over their heads, looking towards something unknown.
âWhy not call it âHell Has No Doorâ?â
The scale of the Sunshine Countyâs Jia City Region was quite similar to that of the Maple Forest City Region, or perhaps slightly larger.
The local Xi Family had been in charge of this city region for generations, deeply rooted in the area.
The Zhong Xuan Familyâs azure stone ore vein was located in Qingyang Town, under the jurisdiction of Jia City.
The manager of Qingyang Town, Hu You, effectively served as the Zhong Xuan Familyâs person in charge of affairs in Jia City.
Because of this role, Qingyang Town was in practice not governed by Jia City.
As a vassal state of Qi Country, there were many times when Yang Countryâs official stance simply couldnât be firm.
When the yield of the azure stone ore vein suddenly decreased, Jiang Wangâs initial judgment was that the problem might lie between Jia City and Qingyang Town.
In the entire region of Jia City, there were only eight towns.
By carving out an ore vein, the Zhong Xuan Family effectively removed the control over one town.
The Xi Family couldnât possibly be without their own thoughts on the matter.
While they wouldnât dare resist openly, it was very possible that they were covertly working to deplete the ore vein sooner, in order to end the Zhong Xuan Familyâs operations in the area ahead of time.
As for Hu You from Qingyang Town, having dealt with the Zhong Xuan Family for so long, he likely didnât have the guts to sabotage things.
Or to put it another way, he was not foolish enough to do so.
As long as the Zhong Xuan Family was still nominally operating this ore vein, Hu You would remain the de facto emperor of Qingyang Town.
It was improbable for him to not try extending the life of the ore vein, much less foolishly destroy his own advantage.
It would be best if the matter were simple, but Jiang Wang wasnât overly optimistic.
What was actually happening would still need to be personally investigated to be sure.
This was also the reason he had disguised himself and come here.
The azure stone mine site itself was akin to a village, with cultivators stationed year-round and protected by an array.
Many miners lived there as well.
There was also an official road connecting the mine site with Qingyang Town, but one couldnât expect Yang Country to safeguard the Zhong Xuan Familyâs mine site much.
The so-called official road was not safe enough, and the beast-repellent arrays were rarely maintained.
Because the wilderness was dangerous, the miners seldom left the mine site, and once a month, the resident cultivators would escort them back to town.
Jiang Wang had come for the position of guard at the mine site.
The Hu Clan Mine Site was the name of this azure stone mine site.
A few large signs hung shakily at the entrance of the mining area.
The mineâs security was mainly to fend off fierce beasts and not so much to guard against people.
After all, criminals couldnât steal much from a mine site; they surely wouldnât carry away a bunch of ore stones.
Furthermore, with transcendental cultivators stationed here, it would be a losing proposition for them to rob the place, and it would be suicide for ordinary bandits to try.
Jiang Wang easily found the mineâs manager, expressing his desire for a stable job.
The manager of the Hu Clan Mine Site also had the surname Hu and was related to Hu You.
The reason Jiang Wang was aware of this was that within just a few moments, the manager had boasted about it three times.
âAhem, you also know, I am related to Manager Hu.
Being in charge of this mine site entails huge responsibilities,â said Manager Hu, taking a couple of puffs of his dry pipe before suddenly asking, âWhatâs your name?â
âDugu An.â
âTrained in the martial arts?â
âRoaming Meridian Realm cultivator.â
Thump.
Manager Hu rolled onto the ground.
Then, quickly scrambling to his feet, he grasped Jiang Wangâs hand, his face full of humility: âCultivator sir?â
Jiang Wang subtly withdrew his hand, âWhatâs the matter, you donât accept transcendental cultivators here?â
The minersâ safe trips to and from Qingyang Town each month depended on transcendental cultivators.
Of course, they couldnât refuse to hire them.
âYes, yes, of course, we do,â said Manager Hu, slapping his thigh and then, with the slyness typical of minor characters, sneakily glanced at Jiang Wang, âIâm just afraid the conditions might be too tough for you.â
âLetâs hear them,â Jiang Wang responded noncommittally, looking around.
He hadnât been here long, but heâd already noticed something interesting.