Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1029: Chapter 715: Dazhao in Utter Chaos (Part 2)

Finally, it was the tenth day, and the mountains before them were no longer towering peaks that reached the clouds, but rather a series of low hills, indicating that they had reached the edge of the mountain range.

"Family Head, we’ve discovered a village ahead!"

In the forest, while Yang Zhenshan, Xuanzhen, and others were resting, the guard who had been scouting ahead ran back to report.

"Is it there?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

"Just ahead, you can see it once you cross that hill!" The guard pointed to the hill in front.

Yang Zhenshan stood up and said, "You all wait here, I’ll go take a look!"

"Alright!"

"Good!"

Xuanzhen and the others responded in acknowledgment.

Throughout this journey, they had become accustomed to Yang Zhenshan’s leadership, including Li Shangyuan, who, despite not voicing it, regarded Yang Zhenshan as their leader.

Subsequently, Yang Zhenshan flew towards the hill to the east, and standing atop it, he indeed saw a small village nestled in the valley.

"Let’s go take a look!"

Yang Zhenshan, accompanied by two guards, headed towards the village below.

The village appeared to be a very ordinary village with about thirty or forty households ranging from the elderly to children and women, yet it looked very impoverished.

The fields surrounding the village were not much in number, and mostly consisted of barren and lean terrain.

This place was indeed not suitable for the survival of the villagers, as it lacked fertile lands and other resources.

"Family Head, this place seems very poor!"

The three of them hid under a tree on the hillside, quietly observing for a while.

Yang Zhenshan frowned slightly and made a soft sound of acknowledgment.

So impoverished!

The villagers seemed almost like a group of wildlings, as many of them appeared frail and skinny, and none had a decent piece of clothing.

No traces of martial artists were evident either.

"Could these be villagers evading conflict?" Yang Zhenshan pondered.

Lack of materials, they were undernourished and poorly clothed, and faced beast threats from the mountains, yet they chose to continue enduring rather than leave this harsh environment.

This could only mean one thing - they dared not venture outside the mountains.

Perhaps the world outside the mountains is even more difficult.

"Let’s go!"

Yang Zhenshan chose not to disturb the villagers, as there was no need.

A mountain village like this couldn’t offer him any valuable information.

After returning, the group set off once more, bypassed the unnamed mountain village, and continued east for two days.

During these two days, they came across several villages, all in the same state of misery as the previous mountain village.

Not until they completely emerged from the mountains and stood upon a low hill facing the vast plains ahead, did they spot something different.

It was still a village, but a very large one.

The village was surrounded by vast rice fields, with golden rice ears heavy and drooping, rustling and rolling with the breeze.

Within the village were sprawling houses with blue tiles and white walls, their roofs, weathered by time, seemed ancient and heavy, and large trees grew in the yards or in front of the homes.

It was apparent this was a village with a long history.

"Shall we go over and have a look?" Xuanzhen asked.

Yang Zhenshan waved his hand, "No need!"

"Why not?"

"This isn’t a regular village, but a Martial Arts Family!" Yang Zhenshan replied solemnly.

Though the village appeared no different from a typical one, Yang Zhenshan immediately discerned the disparities.

Firstly, there was a moderately sized training ground on the north side of the village, along with a temple resembling an Ancestral Hall within.

Furthermore, he noticed some villagers clearly possessed martial prowess; although their cultivation was not high, they were definitely martial artists.

This village was reminiscent of the former Yang Family Village.

Yang Zhenshan did not want to reveal himself yet, as they had no identity here.

Identity wasn’t crucial; what mattered was not exposing their origins from the Stormy Sea Area.

"Let’s go!"

Yang Zhenshan led the group southward through the woods, and after distancing themselves from the village, they settled on a secluded hill.

Donning simple rough cloth garments on the ten guards, Yang Zhenshan instructed, "Go out and gather information, but avoid entering villages; a town would be better for inquiry!"

"Remember, regardless of the situation, you must return in five days. If not, I’ll assume you’ve met with misfortune!"

Village residents were generally familiar with each other, and outsiders would easily attract attention.

Conversely, towns had a more complex populace, making it easier to intermingle unnoticed.

Yang Zhenshan needed to understand their current location and the situation present here, including the state of the Dynasty and the government.

Without grasping these details, it would be unwise to act recklessly.

This was neither the Ten Thousand Miles Sea Domain nor Da’an, nor places like Da Yue.

In such locales, Yang Zhenshan could walk across freely without concern.

But here, Yang Zhenshan had to restrain his outburst and act cautiously, lest he collided with a formidable force.

Martial God!

Yang Zhenshan was filled with longing for Martial God, yet harbored apprehension as well.

He did not wish to encounter strong adversaries of Martial God Level right off the bat, as it could be fatal.

The ten guards dispersed in pairs to gather intel while the others waited in the woods for their return.

Five days swiftly passed, and the ten guards returned consecutively.

"Family Head, approximately fifty miles south, there’s a town named Nanshan Town. According to residents, this area falls under the jurisdiction of Crown County within Lushan County."

"However, Lushan County is not governed by the Dazhao Dynasty but by a sect called Shaking Mountain Sect!"

"Indeed, Shaking Mountain Sect is a powerful sect, reportedly having over thirty Innate Martial Artists and three thousand Houtian disciples!"

"A hundred miles east is Crown County, with disciples of Shaking Mountain Sect stationed in Crown County city, allegedly led by a Half-step Innate Martial Artist named Zhang Mingcong. This man is extremely extravagant and lascivious, with over a hundred concubines, notorious for committing heinous acts!"

"Family Head, the Dazhao Dynasty is a mere shadow of its past even now, as various Martial Arts Sects have seized control and declared themselves sovereign, mercilessly exploiting the people!"

"We witnessed numerous chaotic scenes in the county city; those martial artists are unlike us!"

Several guards spoke up one after another, their expressions showing discomfort, not from exhaustion or injury, but due to the disturbing sights they encountered during their excursion.

After hearing them, Yang Zhenshan gained a basic understanding of the Dazhao Dynasty.

There are thirty-six counties within the Dazhao Dynasty, and their present location is near Nanshan Town under Crown County within Lushan County.

The formerly fragmented Dazhao Dynasty is now caught in turmoil.

Many sect forces have broken free from the Dynasty’s control, claiming territory as independent small dynasties.

While other details were unclear, one thing was certain: Lushan County was dominated by Shaking Mountain Sect, not the dominion of the Dazhao Dynasty.

Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard in deep thought, then turned to Xuanzhen and the others behind him and asked, "What do you all think?"

"Should we investigate whether Shaking Mountain Sect possesses martial arts heritage of Martial God Realm?" Xuanzhen proposed.

Their goal was clear—seeking methods to breach the Innate Realm, disregarding other concerns.

But precisely where could they find ways to surpass the Innate Realm?

Dynasty, Sect!

The Dazhao realm was distant, but the Shaking Mountain Sect lay close at hand.

"Not advisable. We should first find a place to settle, then strategize slowly. A rash move could cause major trouble!" Li Shangyuan gently advised.

Xuanzhen glanced at him and said solemnly, "I can’t afford to waste much time!"

Chen Zhongshu also commented, "No need to hurry, even if it takes a couple of years! Judging by the Elder’s condition, living another twenty to thirty years shouldn’t be an issue!"