Setting off from the village where they stayed this night, the caravan began their 4th and last day of travel.

As always, Wu Guang assumed his position at the head of the caravan. But different from the first two days, Lan Yanzhi was the one that accompanied him in place of someone from his team.

She had done the same the day before, so this time there was no need to explain or rearrange anything, with the other three assuming the rear altogether.

Wu Guang had said that they will speak while traveling and they indeed talked. The previous day they discussed Wu Guang's objectives in the city. Even though Elder Di said that he could disclose everything to her, Wu Guang still omitted the matter with the 'Inverted Tower'. It was not of distrust, but because he simply felt that she did not need to know. After all, he would be doing it alone as part of Elder Mo's plan. So currently, she knew that as Wu Guang's servant, she would need to accompany him during the matters with his inheritance and on any outings he made for the Autumn Riches. She also knew as he did not hide it that there could be assassination attempts. Surprisingly even knowing the latter Lan Yanzhi did not cower at all, and it wasn't because she knew that there were real experts behind Wu Guang. No, in truth it was because she also had a grudge to settle with the Underhill organization.

As for how that grudge originated, Lan Yanzhi was currently telling Wu Guang as they neared the city.

"My Yan family wasn't powerful or rich and so our strongest expert was my peak Spirit realm grandfather. We lived peacefully in the small estate of the family and as I was growing up, my parents dedicated everything to make me join the 'Three Hills Sect'. The estate was part of the Boundary Hill City territory, so we felt secure and so never refused any travelers. Regretfully, this caused our downfall"

"A traveler?"

"Yes. My grandfather participated in the Islands War 87 years ago and although he was only a level 2 Spirit realm cultivator at that moment, obtained recognition for his actions. By sheer luck, he found a wounded expert and saved his life while being part of the battlefield recovery team. The latter felt obliged for this and so helped him complete several tasks. After the war, this expert also gifted my father a real Martial Skill called 'Shadow Clone'. Although no one in my family reached the Soul realm and so could not train it, it was still considered our most prized possession. Nobody will know how that beast disguised as a traveler got to know about, but he arrived for it. When my grandfather refused to even hear anything about the matter, this traveler revealed his Soul realm cultivation and massacred everyone. At that time I was studying for the sect exam and so was spared, but..."

"Nobody else survived?"

"Yes... I got hold of the news and quickly returned accompanied by my teacher, the current head administrator of the city"

"Wait! You mean Zhi Kang?" Wu Guang interrupted

"Yes, Young Master knows him?" Asked Lan Yanzhi in surprise

"The world is sure small... Zhi Kang is my uncle"

"My benefactor is master's uncle? Please forgive me for attacking you" Yan Lanzhi's expression changed and she even attempted to kneel on the spot, but Wu Guang stopped her

"Don't. And when we are speaking, don't address me as a young master. Wu Guang will do" As his memories were now a mix, he felt far more related to Wu Guang's life. Plus, the fact that Zhi Kang was a good person remained unchanged, after all, he helped him both before and after the takeover.

"I..."

"Simply do it"

"Yes..."

"Could you please explain to me what happened next? How come that my uncle's apprentice ended up as a bandit? And with a bounty on her head?"

"I was young and foolish... When I found that my family had been killed, I despaired and ran from my teacher. I don't know why and even how, but in the end, I ended reaching the 'Leaf Shadows Sect' and entered it as an outer circle disciple. My mind was full of plans for revenge, so I dutifully cultivated and was one of the first ones in my age group to enter the Spirit realm and so became an inner disciple. One of the elders noticed me and wanted to train me as a prospective member for their core disciples, but during one of the training expeditions I saw an expert using 'Shadow Clone'. Although nobody in my family had trained it, I still remembered the details and so was sure that it was it. The elder that accompanied us during the outing was a good person and so after I told him, he confronted the expert.

The latter fully admitted it before killing most of the people present. After all, the elder was only an 8th level of the Spirit realm cultivator while the rest were new inner disciples. I again managed to escape death but I was too ashamed to return and so escaped.

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This was 8 years ago"

"I see... But how did you finish as a bandit?"

"Well... without guidance and resources I could not really advance my cultivation, but my heart claimed for revenge at any price. And so I committed a few bad deeds to sustain myself and even to train. During one of such a few months ago, I met a group of bandits. They were not good people, but I wasn't either. Plus my strength was far over theirs and so I decided to use them. But as I was tracking the first real lead in 8 years, something occurred and they were forced to move. As for the rest, you should know better than me"

"Hmm... You mentioned a real lead, did you find out the identity of the one that killed your family?"

"Yes. Although no one knows his name, I did manage to find out his title and affiliation"

"And?"

"He is titled 'Double Shadow Assasin' and is part of Underhill's upper echelon" With gritted teeth Lan Yanzhi spat out

"So our enemies are the same, or at least yours is part of mine"

"Wu Guang, you mean?"

"Yes. As Elder Di should have told you, we have a bit special situation at our hands. And it happens that both the adversaries in it as well the ones that are trying to kill me for my inheritance is the Underhill organization"

"So..."

"So the 'Three Hills Sect' is actively searching for them"

"I see..." Hearing such, Lan Yanzhi grew silent and pensive. She remained in such a state for a long time, before suddenly saying

"I initially thought that you were a simple inner disciple when fighting. But you won even though my cultivation surpassed yours and so it turns I was mistaken about you. When Elder Di revealed that you are an important asset of the Sect and the real level of the people around you, I submitted to my fate of being a servant. Still, it turns out that all this in truth is heaven's will. The heavens do want me to obtain revenge, even if not by my hand. So Wu Guang, no Young Master Wu, I pledge to serve you at the best of my abilities. But please promise me that if you can do so, make them kill that bastard!"

"I can't promise you that we will find him. But if we do and I have any chance to kill him or insure he is killed, I will do so."

"Thank you"

With such exchange, the talk about Lan Yanzhi's past ended. Wu Guang felt that she was fully sincere during their previous conversation and now he was sure of it. Although her cultivation and talent were pretty low, he still considered that she was a worthy addition to his side. After all, even if the sect was so supportive of him, it did not change the fact that they were simply using him. And so, any extra friend, ally, servant, or even a disposable tool was something worthy.

For the next couple of hours, they did not talk much and nothing occurred, so on early noon, the caravan saw the walls of Coastal Hill City.

Well, what they saw were the walls of the ex-Deep Valley City as the current Coastal Hill City was a fusion of three pre-war cities. The one facing the road was this ex-city. As it now housed the military and industrial districts for all the unified city, it was simply called the Black district.

With their identities, the caravan would have no trouble entering. Still, they had no time to lose and so simply advanced without stopping. Right after crossing the third district they passed a gate and found a second circle of walls. Behind it, standing on the hill from which it obtained its name, they saw the original Coastal Hill City. It was the residential and administrative center now and so was where most of the influential people and the Lord of these three unified cities resided.

It was now called the Central district and even with their identities, they were retained for a few minutes for a full check.

Their real destination wasn't this Central district either and so the caravan advanced without stopping after they were permitted entry.

To do so, they had to ascend, cross and then descend the hill. Thankfully, the main city road was built in the same style and size as the road tract, so even with the enormous number of people moving, the caravan did not need to stop.

And only after the third set of gates and walls, Wu Guang and company arrived at their destination, the port district.

Before the war, it was called the West Pearl City and even now remained as the biggest port on the island. More than half of the island trade was conducted here as well, as the markets and bazaars were not stocked with all the island own but also had merchandise from Green Pastures and Fiery Island. One could even find things from the Eagle Kingdom, the Holy Monastery, and the Burning Sun Islands.

Because of this, it served as a base for most of the merchants not affiliated to the Qiu family and so had a lot of unique stores, auction houses, etc.

It was also the location of the Wu family manor...