As the Northwest County Princess departed, Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "I can finally see it clearly. You're the biggest winner in this trip to the Imperial Capital. Not only did you receive the Heavenly Dao's blessing, but you also became the Northwest King. Congratulations are in order!"
"You flatter me!"
Lu Fan chuckled, "Perhaps it's just a temporary stroke of luck. But it's for the best. After becoming the Northwest King, I won't have to worry about any threats within the entire Heavenly Court. At least I can cultivate in peace!"
"You think too optimistically. The Northwest region is a wild land. It's not easy to establish a foothold there," Liu Ruyan stated frankly. "Even more terrifying is that the Northwest is a gathering place for alien races. You probably won't be able to have such a leisurely life!"
"You seem to have quite an insight into the Northwest region!" Lu Fan smiled slightly. "Could it be that you have some connection to this Northwest region?"
"Not at all!" Liu Ruyan quickly shook her head, her face instantly turning awkward. Especially being questioned by Lu Fan like this, her expression appeared somewhat unnatural.
Nine Dragon Town was located in the Northwest Dragon City, a small town and also a border region of the Northwest.
Lu Fan and his group arrived in the town and looked around, appearing peaceful, and with smiles on their faces. "If I remember correctly, this should be the Northwest. We have already entered the Northwest territory!"
"That's right!" Liu Ruyan nodded. "You are the King of this Northwest. From now on, you can act with absolute authority within the entire Northwest. I just don't know if you can be a good king!"
"I should be able to!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly and walked forward. He noticed a tavern directly in front of them. Although it wasn't very prosperous and was vastly different from the Imperial Capital, having a place to drink was still quite good.
Upon entering the tavern, Lu Fan ordered a few small dishes. The scenery here was pleasant, making one feel refreshed and invigorated. Su Dan Novel Network
"Distinguished guests, you must be from out of town, right? Judging by your attire, you don't seem like locals!" The shopkeeper walked over with a smile, wearing somewhat tattered clothes, and speaking courteously.
"The shopkeeper has sharp eyes, to be able to tell at a glance!" Lu Fan smiled and said, "We are indeed from out of town. Is this Northwest region truly so poor? Why are you all dressed so shabbily, and even this tavern looks old. Why not renovate it?"
"Look at what you're saying. It's good enough to be alive these days."
Several men nearby spoke up, "You wouldn't know, but this Nine Dragon Town is a place where spiritual脉 gather. The taxes each resident has to pay are terrifyingly high. And if you can't pay the spirit stones, you'll be arrested."
"There's such a thing?"
Lu Fan was somewhat surprised. "If what you say is true, and Nine Dragon Town is where the dragon脉 converge, it should be even wealthier!"
"The truly wealthy are the people above, and it has nothing to do with us!"
The shopkeeper shook his head. "This is also the most terrifying thing. But this is not something we can discuss. If things go wrong, it might cause unnecessary trouble!"
Faced with these words, Lu Fan's brows furrowed slightly. As the Northwest King, how could he tolerate such a situation occurring in the Northwest region?
"If you have any hardships, you can tell this gentleman!" Liu Ruyan said with a smile. "Perhaps he can help you solve them, so you don't have to worry too much!"
With these words, the shopkeeper smiled faintly. "Please don't joke. This is a matter of the higher-ups, and I'm afraid no one can solve it. So, you'd best not get involved in this murky water. But since you're from out of town, it's best to leave as soon as possible, lest you be caught by the people above and forced to pay spirit stones!"
"Is there no law in the world?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "I'm very curious, what kind of person could make the Northwest region so impoverished?"
"Who else could it be but the Northwest King!" Many men spoke up. "If it wasn't for the Northwest King, how could it have become like this? It must be the Northwest King's order to extort our spirit stones, leaving us with scarce resources while he obtains better resources!"
"As far as I know, the Northwest King has just been appointed. This matter is probably not the work of the Northwest King!" Ling'er quickly interjected, her expression earnest.
She didn't want Lu Fan to be immediately branded with a bad reputation.
"Besides the Northwest King, who else has such authority!"
Several men were insistent. They didn't know if the Northwest King had taken office yet, but according to normal procedures, no one else could have done this except the Northwest King.
"You all keep your voices down and don't talk nonsense here!"
With a hint of vigilance in his eyes, the shopkeeper spoke, his face even more panicked. He knew very well that if things went wrong, heads could roll. If the Northwest King heard about this, it would undoubtedly cause an uproar.
Everyone quickly shut their mouths, not daring to say more. As the shopkeeper had said, this was not something they could gossip about. If the Northwest King really heard about it, they would be in great trouble.
"You don't need to worry too much. This matter will be resolved soon. But I am curious, is the entire Northwest region operating like this?" Lu Fan was somewhat suspicious. Since he was to become the Northwest King, he naturally had to understand the situation clearly.
"We don't know about that!"
The shopkeeper shook his head. "However, one thing is certain: Dragon City is like this. Nine Dragon Town is under Dragon City's jurisdiction, so this matter is naturally not wrong!"
Faced with this statement, Lu Fan nodded slightly and understood the situation. However, he was still somewhat doubtful about this matter.
As they were eating and drinking, there was a sudden shout from the street nearby. Everyone looked up, not knowing what had happened.
"My lord, spare us! We've paid what we owe, we truly have nothing more to give!"
An old man, pulling a little girl, continuously pleaded with a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was surrounded by several men, exuding an imposing aura, and his gaze was undeniably unkind.
"Nothing to give? According to Dragon City's rules, those who cannot pay spirit stones have no way to survive!"
Qian Dafu spoke with conviction, his eyes darting around shrewdly, appearing even more overbearing, completely disregarding the people in front of him.
"Let my Tuan Tuan go, I'll go with you!" The old man said earnestly. "She is still young and should not have to endure this!"
"Get lost! What use are you, you old man!" Qian Dafu was overbearing and carried an air of authority.