The rain continued to fall even after Zhang Wen had departed. Droplets descended like a thin veil, gradually covering everything upon the land. It was not ordinary rain, but rain that cleansed the lingering power in the air, the traces of laws that had shattered or been born, the killing intent that still remained, and the fragments of chaos that had just passed.
Each drop struck the ground with silent force seeping within, causing cracks in the stone to slowly mend. Collapsed mountains were restored as if time itself had reversed.
The land that had once been dry and fractured from the clash of power gradually became moist again. Tender green grass sprouted rapidly from the cracks, as if commanded by nature to erase the violence that had once occurred.
Young trees produced new leaves before rising swiftly. Thick trunks stretched toward the sky, dark green leaves trembling in the rain, concealing the ground below that had once been filled with traces of Zhang Wen.
Before long, the entire landscape transformed completely, as if the world had been cleansed and recreated. Fresh green plains extended as far as the eye could see. Tall trees stood in elegant rows. Sunlight slowly pierced through the rain clouds, reflecting upon droplets into countless sparkling lights too beautiful to describe.
From a place once filled with destruction, only magnificent nature remained, as if everything had been nothing more than a long dream.
Soon, the rain stopped in silence. The sky opened wide. Gray clouds slowly dispersed, leaving only freshness spreading throughout the area. Certain truths were forever concealed beneath the grass and trees, with no one ever having the chance to know the full story again.
…
…
…
Within Heavenly Sword City, the truth had not completely faded.
Although the power of the rain had erased all traces, the hearts of the people still trembled from what had occurred. Many houses were damaged. Not a few people had fallen ill from poison that had seeped into their bodies.
And in that moment of despair, the White Dragon Trading House appeared in time.
Carriages transporting herbs and pills traveled throughout the city. Wooden boxes bearing the white dragon seal were unloaded one by one. The faint fragrance of antidote medicine spread along the main streets.
In front of the city hall, an elderly man collapsed, his body trembling, his face pale from poison eroding his meridians. His daughter knelt beside him, holding his body as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Please save my father… I beg you…"
Her voice was so faint it was almost gone.
At that moment, a young man wearing a white robe embroidered with a dragon stepped forward. He knelt without hesitation, opened a small jade box, and steadily handed over a light green pill.
"Let him swallow it, and stabilize his breathing."
His voice was calm, yet filled with confidence.
Within moments, the veins that had been darkened slowly faded. The elderly man's weak breathing gradually stabilized. The eyes that had been closed slowly opened.
His daughter cried as she embraced him.
"Father… Father has awakened…"
Around them, the watching crowd widened their eyes. The hope that had once been extinguished slowly began to rekindle.
Not far away, a middle aged woman whose husband had been crippled in the previous incident sat absentmindedly in front of her half destroyed home. Officials from the White Dragon Trading House approached and handed her a pouch of money and food supplies.
"These are spirit stones and healing pills from the White Dragon Trading House. The City Lord will arrange for your house to be repaired within the next few days."
The woman lifted her head. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She received the spirit pouch with trembling hands before lowering her head until her forehead touched the ground.
"Thank you… thank you, White Dragon Trading House… without you, I would have nothing left…"
Her voice trembled, yet it was filled with sincerity.
At the same time, the Black Crow Secret Unit moved silently. Among the crowd, a voice sounded.
"The White Dragon Trading House does not abandon anyone."
Another voice followed.
"City Lord Kang Hao stands with us!"
Before long, those voices spread outward like rippling waves.
A middle aged man stepped forward into the square. Without hesitation, he knelt and shouted loudly.
"My deepest thanks to the White Dragon Trading House, and to City Lord Kang Hao as well! From this day forward, my life belongs to you!"
His voice echoed against the city walls like a signal. One by one, the surrounding people began kneeling.
"Thank you, White Dragon Trading House!"
"Lord Kang Hao is our benefactor!"
"We will never forget this kindness!"
The voices of praise resounded throughout Heavenly Sword City.
High above the sky, Ming Yuan stood watching calmly. The wind gently lifted the hem of his robe.
A city that had just endured catastrophe was being reborn, not only in outward appearance, but in the hearts of its people.
And today, the name of the White Dragon Trading House was engraved into the memory of every citizen. It was beginning to spread outward.
From a trading house no one had known, it had now become the pillar of hope for all of Heavenly Sword City.
Its reputation expanded rapidly, like seeds scattered upon fertile soil, ready to grow into towering trees that no one could easily uproot.
…
…
…
Inside the study of the City Lord's mansion, the atmosphere was more solemn than usual. The scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air. Faint spiritual energy circulated around the carved wooden bed positioned inside.
Kang Hao leaned back against a large chair. His body could be considered almost fully recovered from his injuries.
Suddenly, soft footsteps sounded from outside. The door opened carefully. Ming Yuan walked in slowly. Behind him was Gui Ying, stepping forward cautiously, her eyes observing everything around her with vigilance.
Kang Hao raised his head and asked in a calm voice.
"Who is she?"
Ming Yuan did not answer immediately. He raised his hand slightly. The clear droplets that had once covered his body in Wang Qiang's appearance slowly dissipated like morning mist pierced by sunlight. His true face was revealed clearly.
"She is the branch leader of the Rat Association in Heavenly Sword City."
That answer caused the atmosphere to fall silent for a moment.
Gui Ying abruptly turned to look at Ming Yuan. Her eyes were filled with shock. She had already found it strange that Wang Qiang had changed so drastically before. Previously, many people had continuously come to purchase information about him, which allowed her to know a great deal about Wang Qiang.
Earlier, Wang Qiang had displayed Saint Level 9 cultivation. It had nearly driven her mad. She had even admired him slightly in her heart, thinking he was good at hiding his strength. But now… the truth was clear. Wang Qiang had merely been a fake, nothing more than a front.
As for the question of where the real one had gone, there was only one answer in her mind at this moment… dead.
Gui Ying remained silent for a moment before speaking. Her tone was calm, yet guarded.
"I should be the one asking who you are."
Ming Yuan glanced at her.
"My name is Ming Yuan."
The answer was short and concise, without further explanation.
Gui Ying frowned slightly before continuing in a tone half teasing and half serious.
"That is all? If you applied for a job and introduced yourself like that, you would surely fail."
Ming Yuan smiled but did not reply. He simply stood there quietly.
At that moment, Kang Hao's voice sounded again.
"And where did that white robed man go… ah, that is right. I do not even know his name, nor what he looks like."
Gui Ying nodded slightly.
"I do not know either. And I would very much like to."
Suddenly, the door opened once more.
The faint sound of wooden panels touching echoed clearly in the silence.
Four figures walked in slowly without haste.
The white robed man with the black mask.
Lin Taiji.
Long Yantian.
Liu Long.
The moment they stepped into the room, the entire atmosphere changed instantly. An invisible pressure spread silently. The air seemed to grow several times heavier.
Kang Hao felt a sharp pain from his wounds for no apparent reason. He forced his expression to remain unchanged.
Ming Yuan also clearly sensed the pressure, especially from Lin Taiji and Long Yantian. The power radiating from the two was not something ordinary people could easily endure.
As for Gui Ying… the hairs all over her body stood on end instantly. Her legs trembled slightly without her control.
She recognized them all.
Lin Taiji, the Ninth Elder of the Jade Pool Sacred Land, a genius of the Lin Clan.
Long Yantian, leader of the Red Dragon bloodline, ranked second within the Dragon Clan.
Liu Long, an important advisor of the Seven Colored Peacock Trading House.
These names were not mere rumors. Each was a figure with enough weight to shake Heavenly Sword City.
Only the white robed man with the black mask was someone she had seen before, yet did not know.