Chapter 432: Chapter 260: Lanxi City, The Legendary Realm
"It’s me, Pat! We’re back with the children from the village!" Pat yelled up at the soldier on the battlements.
"Of course I recognize you, Pat. I wasn’t asking about you! I mean, who’s that person next to you on the big horse, wearing armor? I’ve never seen him before," the soldier on the wall called back loudly.
"Oh, that’s the Ranger, Fang Zhen! He’s brought the formula for the Blood Burst Secret Medicine and its key ingredients!" Pat shouted.
Hearing this, a commotion broke out on the city wall.
"Wait a moment! I need to go back and report this."
The soldier looked utterly shocked. He stared at Fang Zhen for a while, as if trying to memorize his face.
Then, the soldier left the wall.
A short while later, the soldier returned. The sound of grinding mechanisms echoed from within the city gate, and the heavy doors swung open.
Fang Zhen and the others walked straight in.
After entering the city, Fang Zhen was surprised by a sense of familiarity.
The city was filled with buildings. Compared to other places, the structures here were tall, averaging three stories, with some reaching as high as five. They were all square and orderly, making it look as if he had stepped into a modern residential area blending Western-style houses and villas.
And despite the formidable ramparts and grim atmosphere outside, the inside was shaded by lush green trees. The city’s green coverage rate was over 50%, which was truly astonishing.
They had actually enclosed a highly verdant tropical forest within the city walls.
Fang Zhen found this place very interesting. A city planned like this was rare, especially in this era.
He carefully observed the people in the city. Aside from the soldiers, most were ordinary citizens, but even they moved with nimble agility.
Compared to people elsewhere, the residents of this city seemed to have a much stronger spirit. They weren’t particularly timid, casting curious glances at Fang Zhen without being overly reserved.
"Ah, this is our Lanxi City, the main headquarters of the Curse Sealers. In this city, you could say hello to a random person and they might be a Curse Sealer or a Curse Sealer’s family member," Pat said to Fang Zhen.
Just then, Pat greeted a couple of passersby.
"Pat, you’ve gotten fatter again! It’s so chaotic outside, but that doesn’t seem to stop you from eating," someone teased.
"Hahaha, it’s my only hobby! I’ll find you for a drink next time I’m free," Pat replied with a laugh.
"Alright! After this siege is over, I’ll definitely join you for a good long drink."
Pat greeted people on the street naturally as he walked further into the city with Fang Zhen.
’Looks like this Pat fellow is quite popular around here,’ Fang Zhen thought. ’But that makes sense. He’s capable, and he’s simple-hearted with no ill intentions. It’s only normal that he has friends.’
Fang Zhen continued walking through the city. The place was quite large, on par with Ashton Territory in every respect.
In fact, in terms of sheer area, this place was about four times the size of Ashton City. However, the abundance of trees made the spatial layout seem a bit more compact. The actual population was probably similar to Ashton Territory’s, or perhaps slightly larger.
Fang Zhen’s group soon arrived at the inner city.
The so-called inner city actually looked more like a combat zone enclosed by a ring of fortresses, where each section could be defended independently.
After entering this area, although there were no guards, it was clear that no ordinary people ventured inside.
Fang Zhen followed Pat and the others to a three-story building.
Fang Zhen stopped with Pat and the others, his gaze falling upon a tree.
He realized the trees in the city weren’t simply palms and coconuts, but a strange plant that looked a bit like a baobab tree.
Fang Zhen had never seen a real baobab tree, only read about them in books, so he began to study this one.
"This is a Tree of Blessings."
"Don’t underestimate it. Its fruit is like bread and can fill a person’s stomach. Its leaves and pits can be pressed for oil, or used as raw material for the Fireballs used during sieges."
"If you split open its trunk, the sap can be drunk like water or a beverage. If the trunk is dried and ground into a powder, it can also fill your stomach without causing a fatal intestinal blockage."
"Even the roots can provide several meals for an ordinary person."
A somewhat stern voice spoke up from behind and to the side of Fang Zhen.
Fang Zhen turned his head and saw a man walking out of the entrance of the three-story building.
The moment Fang Zhen saw this person, he recognized that this must be Karen’s father, or at least a close blood relative.
The man looked so much like Karen, only more reserved and steady, lacking Karen’s sharp, ostentatious presence.
Fang Zhen guessed this man was Karen’s father, the Vice President of the Whig Society.
Fang Zhen gave the man a slight nod. The man walked out of the building and stopped about four or five meters in front of him.
After coming to a stop, the man also sized up Fang Zhen, but after a moment, he seemed unable to gauge his depth.
The man spoke.
"Within the Whig Society, we have some ancient traditions, such as the requirement to plant these Trees of Blessings in important cities."
"To the young people of today, these rules might seem ridiculous or stubborn, but I wonder if you, sir, understand what these traditions truly mean."
His voice was rather dignified, like that of a venerable elder.
Fang Zhen looked at the man and replied calmly, "Behind every seemingly foolish or unreasonable tradition and rule, there is likely a bloody lesson learned from the cost of several, or even many, human lives."
"Just like these trees in the city. The reason such a rule was established must be because the one who made it experienced an unforgettable, bone-deep hunger."
Upon hearing this, a look of surprise appeared in the newcomer’s eyes, as if he hadn’t expected Fang Zhen to say something so profound.
"On this point, it seems you and I are kindred spirits." The man paused for a moment, then looked at Fang Zhen and said.
"I am West, Vice President of the Whig Society."
"You are the Ranger Fang Zhen. I know. I’ve heard the legends about you, and I must admit I feel a trace of admiration for your wisdom and wit."
"But there is one thing I must confirm with you."
"You defeated my son, Karen, in a one-on-one duel. And you beat him so thoroughly he couldn’t even fight back, as if his every move was within your predictions."
Fang Zhen nodded. "Putting aside the subjective descriptions, yes, I did defeat your son."
After a brief pause, Fang Zhen’s gaze sharpened as he said to West, "What, do you want to challenge me to avenge your child?"
West shook his head slightly. "I’m not that narrow-minded. Although as a father, I do have some feelings about my son being defeated, that is the path Karen must walk."
"I can’t walk it with him forever. Sooner or later, he was bound to meet a powerful opponent."
"For him to suffer a loss against an opponent like you, one without malicious intent, I don’t see it as a bad thing. In fact, it might even be a good thing. In that sense, I am quite grateful to you."
Fang Zhen was slightly surprised to hear this. ’If West is being sincere,’ he thought, ’then he’s quite broad-minded and sees things clearly.’
"Then why do you want to fight me?" Fang Zhen asked.
West looked at Fang Zhen and said, "From Karen’s description, I learned of your... Extraordinary performance. It seems your spear techniques have reached a transcendent level."
"However, as far as I know, in the entire Whig Society, only the President has one foot in that realm. I myself have only touched the threshold. I want to fight you because I find it hard to believe someone your age could reach such a state."
"Furthermore, from what I know, the Eternal Night Council also seems to be looking for people like you. This involves certain secrets that I don’t wish to disclose right now."
"If you can defeat me, it will prove you truly have reached a transcendent level. Not only will I believe in you unconditionally, but you will also get to meet the President of the Whig Society. He has things to tell you—secrets I cannot speak of now, but which are of great personal importance to you."
After a moment’s pause, a challenging glint appeared in West’s eyes.
"And I, personally, wish to see for myself if you have truly reached that legendary realm."
