Chapter 173:

Words : 1421 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

The gentle drizzle fell on the surface of the river, creating small ripples. Leaning against the ship’s railing, Qiao Mu casually looked towards the direction of the riverbank. The rain wasn’t heavy, but the small path by the riverbank had already been soaked by the gentle rain, turning into a muddy mess. Although it was raining and the road was a little muddy, many people were walking quickly with umbrellas. "There are quite a few pedestrians…" Qiao Mu pondered. He is feeling pretty good. In the Imperial Capital, he used the self-harm technique called the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method to assassinate Qin Shiqing and escape. After leaving the Imperial Capital, he found a place to commit suicide and rejuvenate his body, at the cost of aging, to refresh his physical condition to its best. "The Qingming Festival is coming soon. Those people rushing along the coast are probably going to Anxi Pass to pay tribute to the deceased." A voice came from beside him, the captain was striking up a conversation. After the Inhuman War, Anxi City was reduced to ruins overnight, disappearing without a trace, and Fang Yuan Bai Li turned into a desert. Later, the court sent people to build a pass in the border area of the desert. It was supposed to be called Anxi Pass, but since it became a resting place for thousands of soldiers, it came to be known as Anxi Pass. As a result, the disappeared city also gained the name Anxi City. Qiao Mu is very old, his physical age is over a hundred, looking very elderly. The captain of the ship knew that Qiao Mu wanted to go to Anxi Pass because he had lost his relatives in a war forty years ago. That’s why he traveled a long way to pay respects at Anxi Pass. The captain felt sorry for Qiao Mu when he thought about it. Out of sympathy, he took care of the hundred-year-old man, Qiao Mu, throughout the journey. Seeing Qiao Mu leaning against the ship’s railing lost in thought, the captain walked over and had a chat with him. "Actually, in previous years, many people came to pay respects. Some people didn’t believe that their relatives had died and insisted on going to Anxi Pass to find their families in Anxi City, even crossing the desert." seaʀᴄh thё ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "In recent years, there have been frequent natural disasters and famines, so fewer people have been going to Anxi Pass. After all, they are too busy taking care of themselves to have time to commemorate the souls of the deceased." Large-scale wars involving a hundred thousand people usually occur in the border areas of Jiu Province. But the Inhuman War forty years ago was different. The former Martial Saint gathered a hundred thousand soldiers and left the Imperial Capital, only a few hundred miles away from Zhong Province. However, they encountered cultivators from the Immortal Gate and were completely defeated in one battle. Fang Yuan, a hundred miles away, turned into a desert. The previous emperor’s heart was broken almost overnight, and he, who was originally eager for war, bowed down to the Immortal Gate… After all, the disappeared Anxi City was only a few hundred miles away from the Imperial Capital. The Nine Immortal Gates can destroy Anxi City, so it shouldn’t be difficult to destroy the Imperial Capital as well. Because Anxi City is in the heart of Zhong Province, many people spontaneously go there to pay tribute. "Look, we’ve arrived at the shore, and we’ve reached Anxi Pass." The boat captain parked at the riverbank and casually pointed ahead. "Remember, sir, once you leave the pass and enter the desert, there’s no coming back. There’s a cemetery at the entrance of Anxi Pass, so if you want to pay respects to the departed souls, go there." Qiao Mu followed the boat captain’s gesture and was slightly surprised. As a martial artist, his senses were sharp, and he could see and know more than just the distant pass. The terrain at the pass was several tens or hundreds of meters lower, allowing a panoramic view of Anxi Pass ahead and the vast desert beyond the pass. The lowlands were completely barren, with sparse and withered vegetation, creating a stark contrast to the lush greenery behind Qiao Mu. Beyond Anxi Pass, there was lush greenery in front and a barren desert behind, creating a striking contrast. …….. Anxi Pass used to be a small town, with just a few hundred households. It was a resting place for travelers and merchants passing through. Qiao Mu sat down in the lobby of the inn at the entrance of the town and ordered a bowl of long-life noodles, in accordance with tradition. He was celebrating his 109th birthday and also trying to gather some information. "What? Old man, you want to go to Anxi Pass? You better give up on that idea," said the innkeeper, hearing Qiao Mu’s words and quickly trying to persuade him. "The one in charge of guarding Anxi Pass is an Iron Lady, who is firm and fair. She won’t let anyone pass without good reason." "If you want to pay tribute to the deceased, the memorial forest of one hundred thousand soldiers is located to the north of the town…" "Why can’t I leave? Why did the court decide to establish a checkpoint in this place?" Qiao Mu asked, feeling puzzled. "How would I know…." The innkeeper seemed a bit upset: "This town was only built in the past twenty years. Almost all the families in the town are relatives of the soldiers who were blocked at Anxi Pass." "If there was a way to leave the border, why wait till now?" "Actually, leaving the border may not necessarily be a good thing." The man with big and bright eyes at the next table interrupted. "Before Anxi Pass was established, there were many people who ventured into the desert, but never returned. Some even claimed to have encountered ghostly soldiers passing through the desert…" "Da Yan, why are you telling such exaggerated stories? It’s not believable." The innkeeper shook his head. "In my opinion, perhaps it’s because the government fears the inhuman creatures and worries that if the people visit the battlefield to pay tribute to the departed souls, it might anger the inhuman creatures. That’s why they set up this checkpoint." This inn is not big, and business is usually slow. Nowadays, Qiao Mu’s conversation with the group of people has attracted the attention of several nearby tables. "Innkeeper, is that Iron Lady who guards the pass really so strict?" A middle-aged man at the neighboring table furrowed his brow and asked. "I wonder if she would give it, even in front of the important person of the 2nd rank in the government?" The shopkeeper was immediately shocked upon hearing this, carefully examining the middle-aged person who spoke. The middle-aged person didn’t have any official imposing manner, just a middle-aged martial artist dressed in strong clothes, with an average physique that didn’t look too muscular. "The 2nd rank official is already a high-ranking minister in the court, so the Iron Lady must be willing to give it." The shopkeeper didn’t dare to neglect and quickly lowered their head, saying: "May I ask, sir…" He felt a bit uncertain in his heart. He had just criticized the court in front of so many customers, and now could it be that a 2nd rank government official came to this small inn? "Oh, I’m not an official, just asking casually." The middle-aged person smiled slightly. The shopkeeper froze, feeling a surge of anger. He was about to speak when he saw the middle-aged person continue: "But I am an official of the 2nd rank in the current government, the son of the Minister of Rites." The shopkeeper’s face changed again, and finally he sighed with a bitter smile: "Sir, are you deliberately taunting me?" "No, not at all. I just want to see how powerful the son of a 2nd rank official is." The middle-aged man chuckled, causing the shopkeeper to smile wryly and secretly roll his eyes. Qiao Mu quietly listened beside them, feeling puzzled in his heart. It was true that being a 2nd rank official was a prestigious position, but as for the Minister of Rites, well, he happened to know… "Is this person really Hai Wuya’s son?"

Chapter 173:

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