Chapter 20: Explanation

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Being berated by Yang Tian right to his face, Lin Feng’s eyes blazed with fury—he was on the verge of madness. The cavalrymen behind him grew restless, never before having been treated with such disdain.

“Yang Tian, what kind of City Lord are you? Are you truly so oblivious? You’re the one being arrogant here—do you think you can frighten me? Since you’ve laid it out so plainly, hand it over, or you’ll only bring suffering upon yourself,” Lin Feng retorted, his rage only fueling his audacity.

When facing the lords of other cities, Lin Feng would never dare act so presumptuously. Wild City, however, was a different matter, and Yang Tian was even less worthy of his deference. Rules, after all, depended on circumstances.

“Heh, weakness is the original sin… You want to make a move? Try it. Either get out, or Wild City will become your grave,” Yang Tian sneered and shook his head, having lost all patience for further entanglement.

“If I can slay savage beasts, I can just as easily kill you.”

Yang Tian’s calm confidence left Lin Feng shaken. Lin Feng knew from his scouts that Yang Tian had used some mysterious method to effortlessly slaughter hundreds of savage beasts. Even though the beasts had ultimately retreated because Wu Yong drew their ire, Yang Tian’s role in the battle was undeniable.

Lin Feng could not be sure whether Yang Tian still possessed such overwhelming means.

If they were to be held accountable, their actions were indeed inappropriate. Yet, the former Wild City had always been at their mercy. Now, Yang Tian was proving unexpectedly forceful and volatile.

Lin Feng hesitated to fight, yet slinking away in defeat was too humiliating. His face flushed and paled by turns, burning with shame.

“Get out. Or do you plan to dine here as well?” Yang Tian showed no mercy; once the confrontation had started, there was no point in holding back.

“Yang Tian, your arrogance won’t last long. Just you wait—this isn’t over between us,” Lin Feng spat, sensing that if he lingered any longer, his fury would consume him.

Yang Tian must die!

“Our City Lord is mighty! The City Lord is unbeatable!” The soldiers cheered, elated. They watched as the once-dominant Wolf Cavalry slunk away in disgrace, swelling with pride at their City Lord’s strength and authority.

In the past, they had endured discrimination, helplessly watching the Wolf Cavalry arrogantly swoop in to claim the lion’s share of the spoils, hearts chilled and powerless to resist.

Now, their new City Lord was not only powerful but assertive. Their loyalty deepened further.

They began to hope that the new City Lord would bring even greater change to Wild City.

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Yang Tian smiled to himself, finding these people genuine and endearing.

Lin Feng and his men, hearing the cheers behind them, nearly turned back with their spears drawn. Even in Zhen’an City, they were a respected force. Here in this ruined city, they were being driven out in disgrace for the first time.

But they lacked resolve; unwilling to test their luck, they could only gallop away in anger.

Another nuisance added to his burdens, Yang Tian could only feel helpless—but he did not regret his actions. Even if he had compromised, troubles would still remain.

Therefore, retreat was not an option. Yield once, yield forever; concession was the worst strategy. Growing stronger was the only true path.

Resources were a key element of Yang Tian’s rise and he would let no one lay a hand on them.

With the storm passed, Yang Tian returned to the City Lord’s residence. Every second was precious to him.

“Uncle Fu, you seem to have something on your mind. Speak freely,” Yang Tian noticed Wang Fu’s hesitance, as if he wished to say something but was holding back.

“Young Master, there’s no need to pay them any heed. Was it wise to make enemies so directly? He’ll surely slander you when he returns…” Wang Fu said anxiously.

Without any backing, every step Young Master took was fraught with danger. Wang Fu didn’t wish for him to compromise, only to suggest he might handle things with a softer touch. Too much force could make their position even more precarious.

“Uncle Fu, I understand your meaning. But you know as well as I do: if I’m not forceful, would he let things rest? Since enmity is inevitable, why not resolve it swiftly and act as I please? If I am unwilling to compromise, then I must be strong. My circumstances—and Wild City’s—are as if standing on a knife’s edge, on the brink of a precipice. The only way is forward. If I hesitate and second-guess, the outcome will only worsen,” Yang Tian said, gazing at the sky with steely resolve.

Wang Fu understood all too well, which only made his heart ache more.

So young, yet shouldering so much.

He could do little to help, save for using his old bones to protect him with all his might.

“Uncle Fu, if you ever have something to say, speak it. Don’t hold back,” Yang Tian instructed, aware that Wang Fu might hesitate due to his position. “But as for whether I follow your advice, that will be my own decision,” he added with a laugh.

He did not treat Uncle Fu as a mere servant.

Moreover, he trusted Wang Fu’s sense of propriety; he would never give frivolous advice. As for others’ opinions, they could always be considered.

“Young Master, the value of a Literary Dao Treasure is beyond measure. Don’t set them off so lightly in the future,” Wang Fu could not help but advise.

In this declining age of the Literary Dao, Young Master had already expended one such treasure for the sake of defending the city and nearly exhausted another, were it not for his inability to attune to it.

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As a cultivator of the Literary Dao, Wang Fu felt a pang of regret. More importantly, he hoped Young Master would keep such treasures as a trump card, for use in desperate times. He wouldn’t mind their loss if they saved a life.

Yang Tian, however, did not think Uncle Fu was being meddlesome; people simply saw things differently.

“Uncle Fu, our values differ. To you, the Literary Dao Treasure is invaluable, and using it up in one motion—just to defend the city and kill some savage beasts—seems wasteful and unworthy. But in my eyes, it was worthwhile. Different times call for different measures.

“In my current situation, I must use all my strength to develop. Keeping a Literary Dao Treasure unused is like owning a piece of worthless paper. Wild City is our stronghold; the soldiers and the people are our lifeblood. Exchanging it for hundreds of savage beasts means resources for our city’s growth.

“Rather than focusing on defense, I prefer to attack. Development and expansion are my true goals,” Yang Tian explained earnestly.

In time, there would be many such decisions; best to clarify things now.

As long as the city continued to grow, the loss of a Literary Dao Treasure was nothing.

Wang Fu only found it regrettable because he did not know this. Trading a Literary Dao Treasure for a few hundred savage beasts was insignificant.

If the Literary Dao had not fallen, selling such a treasure could exchange for far greater resources. A few hundred savage beasts would be nothing.

But now, with the decline of the Literary Dao, to parade such a treasure openly was akin to suicide.

On the battlefield, even the soldiers had no idea what had been used; rumors and speculations abounded about the new City Lord’s mysterious means, unlike anything they had ever seen.

After all, the Literary Dao had been in decline for over a millennium. Few soldiers could even read, and their contact with the wider world was minimal; their knowledge was limited. Moreover, Yang Tian’s Literary Dao Treasures differed from those of the Nine Provinces continent.

Once again, Wang Fu was persuaded. Though he had his own thoughts, it was not his place to lecture the Young Master. That Yang Tian allowed him to voice concerns without chastisement was already more than enough.

With a great haul of savage beast meat and materials, the company did not return until dusk.

Countless citizens awaited them, their hopes high.