Chapter 1519 - 1078: "Peach Blossom Spring" (Part 2)
She used to live in the sea; surely she would love these beautiful seashells.
Unfortunately, Eldest Sister Wang has been away from the sea for too long. She’s almost forgotten what it looks like. Most of us here have never seen the underwater world, so we really can’t help her with her wish to live under the sea again."
Jiang Yuan: ???
This sentence sounds like the information is a bit complex.
Eldest Sister Wang used to live in the sea, could she be a Sea Demon? What does "unable to help her wish to live under the sea again" mean?
"If everyone knew what the underwater world looked like, could they fulfill Eldest Sister Wang’s longstanding wish?" Yun Shu and Yun Ying exchanged a knowing glance, having discovered the clue.
Niu casually steered the boat, nodding in agreement: "Whether her wish could be fulfilled is uncertain, but at the very least, it would give her something to hold onto, at least know what her childhood environment was truly like.
Actually, I’m also curious, in the underwater living, wouldn’t the pots and pans float around? How do you start a fire and cook? What materials are used to build underwater houses? No wonder she can make ordinary fish taste so incredibly delicious, it must be a natural gift."
In the ensuing conversation, Jiang Yuan and his companions couldn’t extract more information.
Of course, the main reason is this waterway is indeed short.
From the meadow water’s edge at the entrance, they boarded the boat, and halfway through, Niu reminded the children playing in the lotus fields to hurry home, then steered into a spacious bridge tunnel with a large hole above, occasionally revealing the sky.
Looking up, they could see through the holes in the bridge above shepherds driving a flock of white sheep, grazing on the grassland atop the bridge tunnel.
About the time of half an incense stick burning, the small boat docked at the pier on the other side of the mountain.
Niu secured the boat at the dock with tight ropes and jumped onto the wooden board, waving goodbye: "I have to go help Uncle Fu round up the sheep, so I won’t be entertaining you all. Feel free to explore the city yourselves. After sunset, arrangements will be made for lodging!"
"Hey? It’s already... over? He’s not charging any fees?" Yun Ying was momentarily confused, feeling that the people in Puppet City seemed to live too relaxed and carefree.
But with this lifestyle, how do they ensure their food and clothing?
If one had the ability to create like a master, naturally they could rest easy, effortlessly supporting a city.
But they are all mortals without Spiritual Power!
Jiang Yuan’s mind already had a simple hypothesis; he needed confirmation from various aspects, and he called out: "Come, let’s go into the city and take a look."
The trio, visibly different, quickly attracted the curious gaze of the native residents.
"Vendors from outside? Really rare, it’s been several years since anyone’s come."
"Wondering what good things they’ll bring from outside."
"They seem very amiable; they should like Puppet City, right?"
"They’d definitely like it! Just not sure what goods they’re bringing; the vendors before couldn’t say..."
......
The native residents showed unabashed curiosity but maintained boundary awareness. They watched and chatted openly, without anyone directly approaching.
Ascending stone steps amid blooming flowers and lush grass, before they reached the city gate, Jiang Yuan saw several people evidently cultivators by their attire, foot on flying swords, swiftly streaking across the sky!
"Cultivators?!" Yun Shu was instantly shocked, incredulous as she looked at Jiang Yuan, "Sir, did we perhaps end up in the wrong place?"
𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
Contrasting with Qing Niao’s memory of a puppet-infested mountain, here was a vibrant world with a city, houses, and lives, even cultivators flying in the sky!
"What’s so strange about cultivators? We have many here." On the side, a young girl carrying a fish basket laughed: "I was a cultivator myself before, but that memory isn’t great, so I gave up being a cultivator. Being a fisherman working from dawn to dusk is nice too!"
She pointed to those cultivators rapidly descending, explaining: "Sword Flight is prohibited within the city. They clearly overdid it, surely the City Lord will scold them later."
Yun Ying inquired: "Why is Sword Flight prohibited within the city? Is there a particular reason?"
"The city is a place for everyone to rest. If anyone could just fly around at will, it would be pretty annoying," the girl said with seriousness: "Moreover, Puppet City is the City Lord’s effort. Her regulations have solid reasons; everyone just needs to comply."
Jiang Yuan suddenly asked, "Was Puppet City built by the City Lord?"
"Of course! Without the City Lord, you wouldn’t see such a beautiful city; it wouldn’t be possible to have such wonderful scenery, and we couldn’t live our dream lives."
Given the confirmation, he felt more assured about the condition of this city.
Next step was to meet with the City Lord and talk in detail.
As they climbed the steps and entered the tall city gate, they discovered that Puppet City, situated halfway up the mountain, was entirely different from the cities usually seen.
Absent were the lofty buildings and grand architecture usually seen in big cities; the bustling streets viewable from outside were merely a couple of trails, lined with various shops, the houses crowded together; while the remainder were virtually single dwellings per person.
There were quaint cottages surrounded by flowers and streams; stone houses stationed on the back of giant demon beasts; even whimsical floating houses in the sky.
"Sir, absolutely no Spiritual Energy!" Yun Shu secretly communicated: "Just now when I passed by that ’cultivator’, there was no Spiritual Power fluctuation on them. Too weird, are we sure we want to enter? Could it be unsafe?"
Originally, she wanted to propose to explore alone, keeping the master outside, but Jiang Yuan interrupted directly saying: "Relax, here is safe for us, I think I already understand the situation."
Unexpectedly, upon entering the city, they couldn’t meet the City Lord smoothly.
The city gate guard explained, the wild beasts roaming outside the city were breaking the fences, frequently harassing those working outside. To prevent the beasts from harming people, the City Lord took several competent aides to repair the fences, uncertain of when they’d return.
"Our city hasn’t had outsiders for a long time. Ordinarily, foreign guests would be personally received by the City Lord, and would stay at her residence for the night. But your arrival is unlucky today, with the City Lord away, generally no one would dare take outsiders into their homes, so..."
The guard led the trio to a large hall at the city’s edge, pointing and instructing: "You may rest in Anping Hall tonight. As darkness falls, perhaps others might come, but remember to keep doors and windows tightly shut after dark. If you hear knocking, don’t speak or go out, do not concern yourselves, wait until daybreak to safely pass through."
After speaking, the guard turned and left.
Yun Ying was dumbfounded, quietly asking: "Sir, this city is too bizarre, could it be that something terrifying emerges after dark?"
"For those living in the city, indeed quite frightening." Jiang Yuan gestured for them to enter Anping Hall to rest, waiting for the midnight knocking to unravel the mystery!
Anping Hall was large and spacious, with an unfamiliar Divine Statue enshrined at the central hall; beneath the statue were a few cushions, the only items in the hall.
Doors at the front and rear, windows on all four sides.
The west wall window was open; through it, they could see the sunset descending halfway, the sky gradually darkening.
The scenery outside was beautiful, but Yun Shu and Yun Ying were too full of doubts to appreciate it. After discussing, they decided to heed the guard’s advice, closing the windows and door, darkening the light within Anping Hall.
Puppet bodies don’t require food;
Jiang Yuan’s hunger depended entirely on his Physical Strength Bar, sitting on a cushion as he drank Spirit Tea to replenish it, he closed his eyes and quietly waited.
Darker night fell, lanterns lit on the streets, but human shadows grew ever sparse.
"Creak~"
The main door slowly pushed open, an elder, two silent young men, each carrying a lantern, walked in.
The expressions on their faces were either grief-stricken or numb, none spoke upon seeing outsiders. Entering the hall, they sat on the ground, heads bowed in silence, as if even their breathing ceased.
"Wuwu... I don’t want to die; I haven’t lived enough yet! None of those who went out came back, surely they’re dead! I don’t want to die..." Time passed by the minute, the young man suddenly began to sob softly.
The woman sitting not far to his right sighed, softly saying: "Perhaps tonight it isn’t your turn. Besides, since ancient times, who hasn’t died? Under the City Lord’s protection, we’ve lived to our satisfaction."
As they whispered, the hall door was once again pushed open.