Chapter 00185: No Need to Pretend
# No Need to Pretend
Chapter 185
Novel: After the Myth
Chapter 185: No Need to Pretend
"Did you find a courtyard you like, friend?" The shopkeeper's tone grew cautious.
In his experience, this guest seemed a little different.
Logically, since he was summoned by the city guards, he should be on his way to face death.
How could he possibly be here to buy a house?
"No, play it again," Ding Huan said.
He had been preoccupied with the matter of the recording crystal ball, a device he definitely needed to refine a few to carry with him.
He also needed to refine formation flags and talisman pens; it seemed he first had to learn the art of weapon refining.
That Han Weicheng from the Heavenly Artifact Sect was truly lacking in character.
He had saved that guy's life, yet after trying to approach him a few times, Han simply looked down on him and refused to get friendly.
What could he do but accept it?
If he were willing, Ding Huan could have learned some basics of refining from Han Weicheng.
The shopkeeper didn’t dare to ask for any crystals again and instead replayed the selection.
“It's the sixth courtyard,” Ding Huan stopped the shopkeeper from continuing.
The sixth courtyard appeared quite spacious, with five independent rooms and a meeting room.
Most importantly, right behind the courtyard was the Xifeng River.
In case of any emergencies, he could jump into the Xifeng River to escape.
“Friend truly has a discerning eye! This courtyard was once occupied by a disciple of a sect. The spiritual energy here is abundant, though the price is slightly high. If you wish, I can take you to view the property.”
Upon hearing Ding Huan decided to take this expensive house, the shopkeeper’s tone grew noticeably more flattering.
“No need to view it. Just tell me how many crystals for this courtyard, and prepare the deed for me,” Ding Huan said, uninterested in anything else.
He only wanted peace and the chance to explore his foundation-rubbing path.
“The original price of this courtyard is three hundred seventy crystals, but I can take the liberty to give you the best price of three hundred fifty crystals,” the shopkeeper said, even more humble now.
Ding Huan was too lazy to waste words and directly pulled out three hundred fifty crystals from his bag:
"Here are the crystals; now hand over the deed."
The shopkeeper thought Ding Huan would haggle, but he didn’t expect the guest to be so generous.
He quickly said, “Please wait a moment.”
After that, he hurriedly sent a message out.
In no time, Ding Huan's divine sense noticed a middle-aged woman walking in.
At the fifth level of Qi Refining, she probably couldn’t progress further due to her age, which left her to conduct business here.
Those who did business with houses here generally had some connections.
“This friend, are you the one purchasing a courtyard in the Greater Crystal District?” the middle-aged woman said, giving Ding Huan a formal greeting.
She noticed the three hundred fifty crystals on the counter.
"That's right. I'll sign the deed, and then send someone to guide me to the property," Ding Huan replied succinctly.
“Of course, just sign your name here,” the woman said, pulling out a skin scroll engraved with seals.
She erased one name's seal and handed the scroll to Ding Huan.
Ding Huan glanced at it; it contained the simplest array of symbols.
Once he inscribed his name, the deed would rightfully belong to him.
If he wished to sell the property, he would need to remove his name; if anyone tried to forcefully erase it, the deed would be damaged.
With his current methods, he could easily remove anyone's name from such symbols.
Normally, anyone capable of easily removing those symbols would likely not be interested in such a property.
He was a special case, after all, having studied the way of formations since the Qi Refining stage.
After putting his name on the deed, he stored it in his bag.
The middle-aged woman took the three hundred crystals, pushing the remaining fifty crystals back to Ding Huan and said:
“Consider this house three hundred crystals, friend.”
Truly a businesswoman; this lady seemed aware of her identity and the earlier transaction, otherwise, she wouldn't have arbitrarily discounted fifty crystals.
“Thank you very much,” Ding Huan replied without hesitation, accepting the fifty crystals.
Seeing Ding Huan take back the fifty crystals, the woman offered, “Shall I take you to the courtyard?”
“Then I’ll trouble you,” Ding Huan clasped his fist in gratitude.
After they stepped out of the shop, the middle-aged woman spoke, “If I’m not mistaken, you must have just become the captain of the city guards of Xifeng City? Is the incident on Rising Dao Street related to you?”
As expected, this woman seemed to know everything.
After all, such a large incident had erupted in Xifeng City.
It would be strange not to know if she was running a real estate business.
“You are quite well-informed; I am indeed the captain of the city guards,” Ding Huan said lightly.
The middle-aged woman smiled, “Then in the future, if my small shop encounters difficulties, I will have to trouble Captain Ding.”
Ding Huan chuckled: “That’s our duty as city guards! It’s only right.”
While he said that, he didn’t really believe that in normal circumstances, city guards wouldn’t take protection fees from these merchants.
With protection fees, they could have Old Liu manage it regularly.
If there were no protection fees, then he wouldn't bother either.
Cities like Xifeng City were too common; he wasn’t a saint to meddle in everything.
What he needed was peace; if he intervened too much, who knew if it would lead to greater troubles?
If he could keep Xifeng City in his control without any issues, then Ding Huan wouldn’t mind doing so, as it would benefit him.
But having just arrived, he was unfamiliar with Xifeng City.
“My name is Nurong. I operate within the jurisdiction of the city lord's mansion,” the woman introduced herself.
Upon hearing Nurong’s words, Ding Huan felt she might say something further and quickly said,
“Sister Rong, I’ve just arrived in Xifeng City, and many things are still unclear to me; I seek your guidance.”
Ding Huan initially intended to return to the city guards and ask the few guards about things.
He knew very well that expecting the guards to know much was unrealistic.
Feeling satisfied with his eager response, Nurong nodded discreetly.
She only had to remind him a bit, and he immediately understood, no wonder he could assert himself on Rising Dao Street.
“Ding friend, do you know why no one manages Xifeng City?” Nurong asked.
Ding Huan shook his head; he wanted to know that matter himself.
Nurong sighed:
“This matter is quite lengthy. Luckily, I am free now, let us discuss as we walk…”
Indeed, the situation was a bit complicated, but from Nurong's narration, Ding Huan finally grasped the general idea.
Years ago, Xifeng City was quite famous, even acknowledged among the Greater Star Sword Path.
You must know that in the outer realms of the Dao cultivator world, small nations founded by sect disciples, like Zhaoxing Principal Kingdom, were everywhere.
And there were endless Dao cultivation cities within these nations.
Xifeng City became prosperous and famous due to Cangjian Mountain.
Cangjian Mountain lay just dozens of miles behind Xifeng City.
It concealed a peerless fairy sword—a true divine treasure.
Thanks to the presence of this fairy sword, Cangjian Mountain frequently produced some top-notch famous swords.
Many cultivators eager to obtain swords birthed from this fairy sword had to seek them out at Cangjian Mountain.
To reach Cangjian Mountain for top-tier swords, one had to pass through Xifeng City.
Thus, Xifeng City turned into a landing ground for various Dao cultivators.
The Greater Star Sword Path focused on sword cultivators, eagerly desiring famous swords.
This raised Xifeng City’s status and gained the protection of the Greater Star Sword Path.
Principal kingdoms counted as low-tier entities in the Dao cultivation world, making it rare for a common city within a principal kingdom to gain a sect's favor.
Xifeng City achieved this feat, showcasing its past glory.
However, because of the immense fame of Cangjian Mountain, word reached the Ascension Realm.
This was the turning point for Xifeng City's decline.
The strongest in the Ascension Realm, Ji Xinting, learned of this matter.
He visited Cangjian Mountain and took the peerless fairy sword away.
With the fairy sword gone, Cangjian Mountain fell into decline and was subsequently shrouded in poisonous mist.
Such poison mist barred anyone from entering, let alone nurturing swords.
Without Cangjian Mountain, Xifeng City became nothing.
Gradually, it declined, eventually turning into a refuge for low-tier cultivators.
A city providing no worth to itself would not be paid any mind by Zhaoxing Principal Kingdom, nor would they bother.
The rulers of Xifeng City changed one after the other, and each new lord came seeking opportunities to build their foundation.
They didn’t care whether Xifeng City was good or bad, just as long as it didn’t interfere with their foundation building.
Currently, Xifeng City was divided into three major areas: the district governed by the city lord’s mansion being one.
The North City and West City were controlled by Guzhan Jian.
All residents in those areas had to pay a certain number of crystals to Guzhan Jian.
The East City and South City were overseen by Pan Qi, and merchants doing business there also needed to pay crystals to Pan Qi.
Upon hearing this, Ding Huan asked, “Sister Rong, so does this mean the place I’m staying now counts as the city lord’s territory?”
Nurong nodded: “That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you. Your current residence is designated for the city lord’s jurisdiction, meaning it falls within the urban area. However, Guzhan Jian’s people often sell properties in the Greater Crystal District. So, I suspect your current house may have been claimed by someone else.”
“Do they have the deed?” Ding Huan asked.
“Not really. But Guzhan Jian tends to be quite overbearing, so most of the time, we refrain from selling properties in the Greater Crystal District to reduce conflict. If you are unwilling to stay, I can help you change your place or refund it,” Nurong said.
Ding Huan glanced at Nurong: “Sister Rong runs a solid business. Since that’s the case, I’ll first check on my house. If the other party is reasonable, wouldn’t that be even better?”
Nurong seemed not to have comprehended Ding Huan’s words and didn’t continue discussing the property matter but instead shifted the topic:
“Additionally, I need to tell you something. The Rising Dao Street that you just made a name for yourself in is in Pan Qi’s territory. Pan Qi has not been in Xifeng City lately, so you encountered no hindrance to your activities on Rising Dao Street. When Pan Qi returns, this matter likely won’t end so easily.”
Upon hearing this, Ding Huan realized Nurong wished to be on good terms with him.
“Thank you, Sister Rong,” Ding Huan expressed his gratitude, remembering Nurong's friendly caution.
At this moment, Ding Huan already had a rough plan.
He had initially sought a quiet place to explore the foundation-building path.
According to Nurong, Xifeng City was in a state where whoever was strong prevailed.
Neither the principal kingdom nor the sects would bother.
That meant he didn’t need to pretend to be submissive.
If so, why not simply seize control of Xifeng City for himself?
A city of his own; he would know at the first sign of trouble.
(End of Chapter)