The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 289: Chapter 286: Heading South

The next day.

Just as Yan Lei had said, Li Huan indeed appeared in Huanglong Prefecture.

"Brother Yang, Brother Bai, we meet again."

Li Huan strode into the Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, his spirits high.

Yang Fangyu glanced at Li Huan. It was clear the kid had reaped quite a few benefits since returning to the Qingzhou Royal Mansion.

"You rascal, I hear the King of Qingzhou only brought you with him to Ling Province this time. Not bad."

Li Huan chuckled. "It was all my father, the King’s, idea."

Yang Fangyu snorted. "Still putting on airs with us?"

At this, Li Huan laughed heartily. "Ever since we parted ways in Dingzhou, I’ve been seeing my father, the King, much more often. And I have you two brothers to thank for that."

Seeing Li Huan valued so highly by the King of Qingzhou, Yang Fangyu was genuinely happy for him.

"Don’t get too complacent. You absolutely cannot let your Martial Dao fall behind."

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Yang."

For a moment, Li Huan’s expression turned uncharacteristically serious.

Although winning the King of Qingzhou’s favor was important, his own strength was the key.

Take his third brother, for example. He went years without seeing the King of Qingzhou, spending nearly all his time training. Yet, through his outstanding combat prowess alone, he secured the position of Third Prince. Even Li Huan’s eldest brother was quite wary of him.

Xuan Yang was a nation founded on martial prowess. Without exception, all those who reached high positions were Grandmasters of Martial Arts.

Li Huan then turned to Bai Yuan. "Brother Bai, I didn’t say anything this time. I have no idea why my father, the King, insisted you come south with us."

Bai Yuan had been about to ask Li Huan about this very matter, but Li Huan had brought it up himself.

However, since it was the King of Qingzhou’s will, he couldn’t very well refuse.

Just then, Yan Lei, having received word, also rushed over.

"Crown Prince, Lord Bai, Lord Yang."

Yan Lei cupped his fist in salute to the three of them.

"The war is urgent. According to my grandfather’s wishes, we need to go to Fenzhou, Lu State, and Chuzhou."

Although Yan Shao’an was the Profound Sun Grand Protector, before his rise to prominence, he was a member of the Jiangnan Yan Family. His ability to wield immense power in the Court was inseparable from the support of the Jiangnan Major Race and the sects.

It was only logical that he would order Bai Yuan and the other two to Jiangnan to request aid.

If the three of them had gone to the Central Plains or West River, they probably would have been beaten and thrown out before they even got through the door.

Li Huan and Bai Yuan nodded.

The three of them immediately led their men out of the city on horseback, heading straight for the south.

...

Xuan Yang was vast and abundant. The Central Plains was home to the Ancestral Land of the Three Teachings, granting it a special status. Countless ten-thousand-year-old major sects had unshakeable positions there, and geniuses were as common as fish in the sea.

This was why the Emperor of Xuan Yang had once said that all the world’s martial fortune flowed into Xuan Yang.

A genius like Yang Fangyu would seem rather unremarkable in the Central Plains; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen to become an official in the remote Ling Province.

After the Central Plains, the next most significant region was Jiangnan.

Because the Grand Ancestor Emperor had begun his rise to power in Jiangnan, many of its great clans had the merit of being early followers. As a result, half of Xuan Yang’s great clans were located in Jiangnan.

Relying on its fertile lands, abundant water, and advanced canal transport, Jiangnan’s four provinces contributed more than half of Xuan Yang’s tax revenue.

Its power was not to be underestimated.

With the war in the north growing urgent, Bai Yuan and his companions dared not delay.

In just seven days, they traveled from Ling Province, with its withered trees and landscape of dull yellow, to the lush green mountains and clear waters of Jiangnan.

Although it was winter, Jiangnan was still a sea of verdant green.

Aside from a slight chill in the wind, there was no trace of winter.

It was the first time in Jiangnan for both Bai Yuan and Li Huan, and they couldn’t help but find it novel.

Yan Lei smiled faintly. "Lord Bai, Crown Prince, the scenery will be even better once we reach Chuzhou."

The renowned Yan Family was located in Chuzhou.

"We should reach Fenzhou tomorrow."

Yan Lei seemed very familiar with the Jiangnan region, identifying their direction without even needing a map.

Just as Yan Lei had predicted.

After riding through the night, the group saw the city gates of Fengzhou City at dawn the next day.

Compared to the magnificence of Fengzhou City, the walls of Lingzhou City seemed shabby indeed.

There wasn’t a single crack on the walls of Fengzhou City; they were as smooth as jade.

This was not only because Fenzhou had seen almost no war, but also because the Fenzhou Prefecture Magistrate’s Office was wealthy enough to have artisans regularly replace the stone bricks of the city walls.

Having been a Chief Official himself, Bai Yuan knew full well what an astronomical sum that was, and how much snowflake silver must be poured into it every day.

The city walls alone were a testament to Fenzhou’s wealth.

And yet, Fenzhou was the poorest province in all of Jiangnan...

Yan Lei gazed at the city wall and smiled faintly. "We’re here."

He led the group into the city on horseback.

Riding horses was forbidden within Lingzhou City, and this was even more true in Jiangnan, where rules were stricter.

Had they been ordinary people, they would have long since been arrested by the Officials from the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office and thrown in jail.

The reason Bai Yuan’s group had traveled this far without being stopped was because of the Jade Pendant at Yan Lei’s waist.

Nearly every Official in Jiangnan knew it was the token of the Yan Family.

The Yan Family had now become the number one great clan in Jiangnan. Who could argue, when they had produced a Grand Protector who ranked among the Three Ducal Ministers?

Fengzhou City was incredibly lively, its streets bustling with pedestrians.

Bai Yuan glanced at the Fenzhou women’s skirts, which went up to their thighs, and inwardly clicked his tongue in amazement.

’Who says there was no fashion in ancient times?’

’The outfits of these Fenzhou women seem no worse than those from my past life. They even have an added touch of ancient charm, giving them a unique appeal.’

No wonder those officials back in Ling Province were so proud of taking a woman from Jiangnan as a concubine.

Compared to the women of the north, who were often battered by the cold northern winds, the women of Jiangnan were undoubtedly far more gentle and graceful, much more to a man’s liking.

Finally, Bai Yuan’s group came to a stop before a magnificent and opulent residence.

Yan Lei said, "This is one of the Yan Family’s properties. Let’s stay here for now."

The corners of Bai Yuan’s and Li Huan’s mouths twitched.

They had long heard that the Yan Family was fabulously wealthy. It seemed they owned property in every single province of Jiangnan.

Bai Yuan said, "Brother Yan, I need to make a trip to Liuxi County. I should be back tomorrow."

Yan Lei offered, "Do you want me to have a word with the County Magistrate of Liuxi County?"

"No need."

Bai Yuan waved his hand dismissively.

The reason he was going to Liuxi County was to return Du Qinghui’s belongings to his homeland.

That’s right, Du Qinghui was from Liuxi County in Fenzhou.

But unlike the Yan Family, whose success had elevated their entire circle, Fenzhou was still the poorest province in Jiangnan, and Liuxi was still the poorest county in Fenzhou.

Bai Yuan took the map of Fenzhou from Yan Lei and then set off for Liuxi County alone.

...

Liuxi County was named after the Liuxi River that flowed through the city.

The reason this river was called a "creek" (xi) actually originated with a County Magistrate from a previous dynasty.

While traveling the mountain roads to take up his post, he saw a clear, charming little creek and, on a whim, named it Willow Creek (Liuxi).

But he never expected the "creek" to grow wider and wider. By the time he reached the city, he discovered it wasn’t a creek at all, but clearly a great river.

That County Magistrate was quite a character. He simply petitioned the Court and had the city’s name changed to Liuxi City.

Liuxi City was neither large nor wealthy.

Fortunately, the local customs were simple and honest. If there was one thing worthy of praise, it was Du Qinghui, Xuan Yang’s former Left Chief Imperial Censor of the Senior Second Rank, who should now be posthumously promoted to the First Rank.

And Du Qinghui’s son was the County Magistrate of this very city.

On this day, a Holy Decree from the Court finally arrived in Liuxi County—the first time in history a Holy Decree had ever come to this city.

Outside the Liuxi County Magistrate’s Office, a large crowd of people—men and women, old and young—knelt in neat rows.

"The death of Duke Du fills Us with great sorrow. At this time, We especially remember Duke Du’s past words... We bestow one thousand taels of Gold, one Big Red Embroidered Gold Chest and Back Qilin Luo Yi, and promote his son, Du An, to the Senior Sixth Rank..."

The old eunuch’s shrill voice rang out slowly.

Kneeling at the very front, Du An—County Magistrate of Liuxi and eldest son of Du Qinghui—grew increasingly excited.

The thousand taels of Gold could basically be ignored, but that Big Red Embroidered Gold Chest and Back Qilin Luo Yi was a treasure capable of securing the family’s prestige for a hundred years! Not even the Grand Protector or Grand Tutor, who ranked among the Three Ducal Ministers, possessed such a thing. And on top of that, he was promoted to the Senior Sixth Rank.

Although he was still a County Magistrate, he had undoubtedly become far more distinguished among his peers.

"The Du Family respectfully thanks His Majesty for this grace."

After the old eunuch finished reading, Du An kowtowed three times respectfully and accepted the Holy Decree while still kneeling.

The old eunuch smiled faintly. "Lord Du gave his life for the country. Young Master Du, do not let excessive grief ruin you."

He offered a few casual words of comfort, then led his contingent of eunuchs from the Ritual Department out of the city.

Normally, they should have stayed in the city for a while to wait for "tributes" from the local officials.

But Liuxi County was truly too poor. They looked down on the paltry "grease" to be skimmed here and naturally had no desire to linger and become entangled in local affairs.

Du An’s hands trembled as he held the brilliant golden Holy Decree.

This was the first time he had ever touched something so fine.

Just as everyone was getting to their feet, a man’s voice rang out, "Brother-in-law, are you planning to take all of Father-in-law’s rewards for yourself?"

Only then did Du An turn to look at the middle-aged man beside him.

"It is only natural for a son to inherit from his father. What right does a daughter who has married out have to interfere?"

Du An glanced at the middle-aged woman next to the man.

This middle-aged couple was none other than Du Qinghui’s daughter, Du Yan, and her husband, Zhang Yang.

Although Zhang Yang held no official post, he came from a prominent local clan in Liuxi County and was not afraid of Du An.

When Du Qinghui was still alive, the two families had interacted frequently.

Now that Du Qinghui was dead, they naturally no longer bothered with pleasantries.

Not to mention, this matter concerned enormous benefits, even the rise or fall of their family. Of course Zhang Yang had to fight for a share.

Du An stared intently at Du Yan. "Little Sister, is this your idea?"

Du Yan hid timidly behind Zhang Yang. "Brother, when Father was alive, he said he would give me a portion of the family assets. That has to count for something."

Du An’s expression turned even colder. He snorted, "There has never been such a custom. Your Zhang Family had better not stir up trouble."

If it were any other family, he could have used the power of the County Magistrate’s Office to suppress them. But the Zhang Family was not only powerful, they were also Du Qinghui’s in-laws. No one would be willing to get involved in such a messy family affair.

This was precisely why Du An had such a headache.

A mocking expression appeared on Zhang Yang’s face. "The only son? Father-in-law’s remains are still in the bitter, cold land of Ling Province, and we haven’t seen you go bring them back. What right do you have to monopolize the benefits?"

Du An’s face darkened further.

It was precisely because he was afraid of dying on the road to Ling Province that he had delayed setting up a cenotaph for Du Qinghui.

Xuan Yang placed great importance on filial piety. Zhang Yang had seized upon this weakness, which was why he dared to so brazenly demand a share of the inheritance.

Just as Du An was trying to think of a way to get rid of the Zhang Family, a servant ran up to him.

"Lord Du, a young man who claims to be from Ling Province has arrived. He’s brought the old master’s belongings."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Du An’s eyes.