Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Dragon Brilliance School, Bought Tickets and Ran Away Overnight_1
"Lixi Prefecture is gone? Are you joking with me?" The Outer Gate Manager of the Dragon Brilliance School looked at Wang Linchi with disbelief.
Wang Linchi had entered the city under the Dragon Brilliance School’s control in a panic-stricken and disheveled state, naturally attracting attention. There wasn’t much movement of people in the first place, and coupled with Wang Linchi’s appearance, he was immediately stopped at the city gate. Then, of course, his identity was checked and he was questioned.
"I’m not joking with you. Do I look like I’m faking it?" Wang Linchi appeared agitated, as if he had been greatly provoked.
"Calm down. I’ve already sent people to verify. For today, you can stay here," the Outer Gate Manager quickly tried to reassure him.
Judging by Wang Linchi’s behavior, he didn’t seem to be lying. However, there were several suspicious points, such as how he could have escaped alive. After all, few even among the Battle-type Awakeners had managed to escape. How could a White Porcelain level Waste Soul Awakener like him have managed it?
"You have to be quick, otherwise, it will be too late," Wang Linchi kindly reminded him.
The Outer Gate Manager nodded gravely and left immediately.
Seeing this, Wang Linchi leisurely picked up the food on the table and began to eat. To make the act convincing, he really had put himself through quite an ordeal. If someone fleeing for their life still appeared clean, tidy, and nonchalant right after escaping danger, wouldn’t that arouse suspicion? You’d have to think you were the protagonist for that not to raise eyebrows. Looking utterly wretched is what a genuine refugee looks like.
Wang Linchi didn’t consider himself safe yet. Instead, he was mulling over how to find a way to Xuan Spirit Heaven. The best method, naturally, was to join a merchant caravan. With the Dragon Brilliance School’s power, they surely had trading caravans capable of reaching Xuan Spirit Heaven. However, the question was how he could join one. If it were a small trading caravan or one belonging to a Great Family, he might have a chance to sneak in. But joining a Sect’s trading caravan would be much more difficult. Their structure usually involved Deacons and Elders leading, with disciples as escorts and servants handling miscellaneous tasks. Outsiders would find it incredibly hard to join, as they already had sufficient manpower for security.
As for becoming a disciple of the Dragon Brilliance School, Wang Linchi knew that was out of the question. His Soul Resemblance didn’t qualify; they only recruited Battle Class Souls and didn’t even accept those with life-related ones.
So, the best plan is to use the Dragon Brilliance School to get me to another state. Then, from there, I can join a local Great Family’s trading caravan to reach Xuan Spirit Heaven. Wang Linchi quickly made up his mind. If he couldn’t get involved here, he’d simply go elsewhere.
「In the blink of an eye, afternoon arrived.」
The Outer Gate Manager returned, accompanied by an Inner Gate Elder, to see Wang Linchi. The Elder didn’t beat around the bush and directly asked about the situation.
Wang Linchi naturally told them everything he knew, though he omitted certain details, like how he managed to escape or that he had known about the attack beforehand. The Inner Gate Elder didn’t seem to suspect anything.
"Hmm, I understand. In that case, you can stay here for now. Once our Dragon Brilliance School has dealt with the Rebel Army, it won’t be too late for you to return." The Inner Gate Elder didn’t mention any reward. He’s just a Waste Spirit Phase, why waste rewards? Letting him stay is already a great kindness.
"Elder, I don’t wish to stay at the Dragon Brilliance School. I’m thinking of going to Xi Zhou. Could you perhaps arrange a Fire-Wheel Car for me?" Wang Linchi asked.
Does he really think the Rebel Army is easy to deal with? Even Lixi Prefecture, guarded by five Morning Star Awakeners, fell. What chance does this Dragon Brilliance School have?
"HUMPH, gutless coward," the Inner Gate Elder scoffed dismissively. Then he said, "Arrange a Fire-Wheel Car to Xi Zhou for him. Stop him from being an eyesore around here."
With that, the Elder flicked his sleeves and strode off, seemingly feeling that even being in the same room as Wang Linchi brought bad luck.
The Outer Gate Manager also looked displeased. "You know, you’ve offended the Elder. You have no discernment at all. No wonder you managed to run away."
"Give me one hundred thousand, and I’ll book your ticket." After a sarcastic remark, the manager made an exorbitant demand.
"I don’t have it. I escaped here; I’m not on vacation." Wang Linchi shrugged, unconcerned by the words of the Inner Gate Elder and the Outer Gate Manager. May their inexplicable confidence bring them vitality.
"You! HUMPH!" The Outer Gate Manager grew increasingly frustrated but didn’t show it. A Fire-Wheel Car ticket obviously didn’t cost 100,000 coins; he was merely attempting to extort Wang Linchi.
"When can you book the ticket?" Wang Linchi pressed. He had warned them, and all he was asking for was a Fire-Wheel Car ticket out of Yi State. It wasn’t an unreasonable request; he wasn’t asking to enter their Secret Realm.
"You can wait. When I have time, I’ll book it for you," the Outer Gate Manager sneered, implying that Wang Linchi, being penniless, still had the audacity to ask for a Fire-Wheel Car ticket.
"Are you sure? If I have to start looking for a job locally in a few days, and something about Lixi Prefecture happens to slip out..." Wang Linchi threatened.
Wang Linchi knew that the Dragon Brilliance School definitely wanted to suppress this news. If word got out that Lixi Prefecture had been massacred, it would undoubtedly cause panic among the populace under their rule. They might not care if the common people survived, but they had to consider that panicked people wouldn’t be able to generate enough profit for them.
"Aren’t you afraid that I..." the manager began.
"I’m not. You can try. Worst comes to worst, I’ll join the Rebel Army. It will be your fault anyway, as the manager representing the Dragon Brilliance School who forced me to it," Wang Linchi immediately countered, pinning the blame squarely on him.
He knew the Outer Gate Manager was implying this was his turf and Wang Linchi should behave. But with the manager’s Black Iron Level strength, it really meant nothing. If he had the confidence to counter-kill the Elder, what chance would a mere Black Iron Level Outer Gate Manager have against him?
Wang Linchi’s words made the Outer Gate Manager’s face turn even more gloomy. Eventually, he stated while scowling, "The Fire-Wheel Car is at midnight. I’ll have a servant bring the ticket to you."
"Is there an earlier one?" Wang Linchi wasn’t concerned about the exact time, only about leaving sooner.
"No." The manager left, clearly not intending to argue further with Wang Linchi.
As for killing Wang Linchi out of anger, the Outer Gate Manager still had some scruples. Although he disliked him, he wouldn’t resort to murder on his own territory over a simple disagreement. If he were to kill him, it would have to be after Wang Linchi left his territory. Otherwise, he’d have to deal with the body. Of course, he could see Wang Linchi had nothing valuable on him; otherwise, how could he have tolerated him living this long?
Seeing this, Wang Linchi didn’t say anything more.
The Fire-Wheel Car ticket was delivered by a servant in the evening. The departure time was indeed midnight, and the destination was Baikou Prefecture in Xi Zhou. The embarrassing part was that they had bought him a standing-room-only ticket, the cheapest tier available. Standing ticket, hard seat, soft seat, hard sleeper, and soft sleeper—these were the different price tiers.
A standing ticket costs about ten coins, right? Wang Linchi pondered. For Awakeners, ten coins was a negligible amount. But for ordinary people, it was nearly half a month’s salary. Of course, ordinary people weren’t qualified to ride the Fire-Wheel Car; at the very least, one had to be an Awakener to have this privilege. Generally, no Awakener would buy a standing ticket. After all, a soft sleeper ticket was only 10,000 coins, equivalent to a single Excellent Level Soul Kind. Anyone could obtain that much from entering a Secret Realm. Therefore, most Awakeners buying tickets would simply pay with an Excellent Level Soul Kind.
Wang Linchi was both amused and exasperated by this, but at least he could upgrade his ticket later. Once onboard the Fire-Wheel Car, he could just upgrade to a soft sleeper. The Outer Gate Manager was clearly doing this to embarrass him and vent his anger. Standing on the Fire-Wheel Car for what could be half a month would certainly make Wang Linchi lose face.
Unfortunately for them, what Wang Linchi needed wasn’t a ticket, but a way out of Yi State. As for whether he would travel standing or sitting, it didn’t matter. Could saving face really be more important than his life?
The Fire-Wheel Car leaves at midnight. It’s nine in the evening now, just about time to get ready. Wang Linchi stood up and left.
There was no one watching him from outside this time. After all, the news Wang Linchi had provided earlier was too shocking. The Dragon Brilliance School had feared it was false information, which was why they had arranged for people to keep an eye on him. Now that it was confirmed, no one paid attention to an insignificant nobody like him.
Wang Linchi rushed to the station. The journey took nearly four hours, mainly due to the nighttime curfew and checkpoint inspections. He only managed to arrive smoothly by presenting his Fire-Wheel Car ticket. After arriving at the station and walking for another half an hour, he finally boarded the Fire-Wheel Car.
Just as he was about to find a conductor to arrange an upgrade, he sensed something was amiss.
Could the Rebel Army be attacking the Dragon Brilliance School under the cover of night? Wang Linchi suddenly wondered.