Chapter 33: The Old Rulers of Arden
The ancient capital Hillul, a seaside city founded by the Ardennes 800 years ago.
This is the ce where the Ardennes disembarked after crossing the ocean and finding the New World. To the Ardennes from ancient times, this ancient capital was no different from the dove of peace that extended an olive branch.
Unfortunately, during the Iron Eagle Kings rebellion, this ce was also burned and plundered.
Hencepared to the once magnificent ancient capital, its a lot more dpidated now.
The old man recounted the old disasters to Bai Luo. He had never seen it with his own eyes, but many years ago, in the old residence of the Arden n, there were still a lot of documents and old records.
Saros had read these old records, learning about how glorious and great the Arden kingdom once was.
<i>Without relying on the power of miracles, with our mortal hands, we built a home in this foreignnd!</i>
The old rulers of Arden are amazing.
Bai Luomented on thete ancestors of the Ardennes, Not everyone has such courage.
Unfortunately, miracles are the most important thing in this world. They choose to swim against the currents, hence they could only be eliminated and swept into the dust of history.
However, at least they showed us the drawbacks of not using the power of miracles.
Its just like insisting on unarmedbat while everyone around you is using firearms and other hot weapons. Its too stupid.
They had good morals, but unfortunately, they were surrounded by bandits.
You have to ensure your survival first, and then think about how to implement your ideas, right?
Bai Luo had never denied the philosophy of his ancestors, but theres a sayingSir, the times have changed!
How dare you get in my way! Get lost!
Not far ahead, a fat man in fancy clothes wasshing a group of refugees, Bai Luo frowned slightly at such a sight.
Theres arge number of refugees gathering here. It seems that some ces have suffered from severe floods, rendering arge number of people homeless.
The Iron Eagle Kingdom seemingly has no ns for aid or relief, and these people do not dare to rebel.
Their best ending in the future is to be an influential persons ve, but if they are unlucky, they can only wait for death in some stinky ditch.
How ugly.
Issafeiya was on horseback, following slightly behind Bai Luo, The Iron Eagle obviously has so many miracles, why not bring a better life to this country.
Issafeiya had already seen the power of miracles and their seemingly endless potential.
If Liliths power could be better developed and applied to every corner of life, the entire Iron Eagle Kingdom will be transformed and sublimated, turning into a fantastical wondend. The same should be the case for the Iron Eagle Kings miracle.
However, although Issafeiya seemed to abhor the sight ahead, she didnt have empathy towards these poor people. Her character is too cold. The only warmth in her heart was reserved for Bai Luo and the Ardennes.
Elder Sister Issafeiya has always been indifferent to the life and death of outsiders.
Thats why I despise the Iron Eagle King.
Issafeiya and the old man rode on ordinary horses, as did Noel and Jerah,
A medium miracle can create a miracle kingdom, but the Iron Eagle King doesnt seek to make progress. His country hadnt changed over the past 200 years in the slightest!
There are countless refugees throughout the kingdom, most of whom are suffering from hunger and cold, while few hold the wealth and power of the country.
Theyplied with their lords, monopolizing almost all the resources of this country.
Why is it like this?
Bai Luo asked the old man, Dont those miracle masters care?
Its not that they dont care, its that they dont need to care.
Issafeiya calmly said,
The difference between miracle masters and ordinary people is like the difference between mortals and gods. What they have is not authority, but power.
Power is the foundation. Those powerful merchants might seem like important people to ordinary civilians, but they are no different from dogs to their superiors
Miracle masters can rece them at any time, and in order not to be reced, they must exhibit their value, showing their lords that they can present them with luxury and ultimate satisfaction.
If a miracle master wants food, they have to present him with the most exquisite delicacies. If he wants beautiful women, they have to look everywhere to find them.
The tremendous pressure that these people are constantly under caused them to present their most ugly side.
Issafeiya calmly said, They vented their stress and anxiety by abusing those weaker than them, and this is true for all levels, creating such a distorted country.
Those above bully those below, the strong bully the weak.
If a weak individual is killed, he has no one but himself to me. No one will seek justice for him.
There is now, no morality, everyone is like beasts in human clothing, knowing only killing and cannibalism.
I have been to many countries, but out of so many diverse countries, only the Iron Eagle Kingdom is in such a state.
The old man shook his head and sighed,
It is mainly because of the favorable geographical location of the Iron Eagle. The mountains and the eternal night. These powerful kingdoms are the barrier between the Iron Eagle and the Great Northern Empire, and Holy Empire.
Without the threat of external enemies, naturally, they dont seek progress.
Bai Luo also knew about this geographical situation. He is not very clear about the power dynamic at sea, but he is quite clear about the situation of the main continent, especially the eastern third of the miracle continent.
Whats your purpose in Hillul?
As the crowd softly chatted, it was soon their turn to enter the city.
We are businessmen from the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, the Toa house.
Bai Luo took out a business certificate, along with a bag containing coins,
Due to the difficulty of conducting business here, I n to go to my rtives in the Kingdom of Mountains, so please be lenient.
He might bring along many people, but miracle masters definitely dont care. Unfortunately, the big guys might not care, but the small guys are difficult to deal with.
Layer byyer, as long as there is a ce to get profit from, someone will exploit it. All of those nobles and wealthy businessmen would not hesitate to squeeze those below them to death in order to get more benefits.
Smack!
Ahhhhh!!!!!
The sound of a whip tearing through the air sounded, followed by the painful wailing of a group of refugees.
No money?! How could you enter any city without money, you lowly scum!!
Looking aside, the refugees couldnt afford the fee to enter the city and were getting abused by the guards at will, while the others watched this scene indifferently, unconcerned.
Come in!
The guard opened the bag and saw that there were severalrge silver coins in it, and immediately allowed the caravan in without any inspection.
Normally, the entry fee here is only one big copper coin.
After receiving such arge amount of money, he doesnt care what Bai Luo and his team want to do.
At the same time, the reason why Bai Luo gave so much money is to hint to the guard to not reveal the whereabouts of their team.
This is nothing, after all, who doesnt have a few rivals or enemies?
Lets go
After Bai Luo finished speaking, he took the lead and walked through the gate, followed by the rest of the team.
They didnt encounter any mishap in the process of entering the city. Things went as nned.
Bai Luo was honestly disappointed by the famous ancient capital Hillul.
Dpidated houses were everywhere in the outer section of the city. Sour-smelling cracked and pitted pavement, full of stains that umted over many years. Disheveled Commoners passing by, their faces full of exhaustion and hopelessness.
Of course, some nobles or wealthy people also asionally passed by, riding either horses or carriages, covering their noses, and looking at the surrounding pedestrians with disgust.
Those wealthy people hurriedly passed through this area and headed towards the inner city or the core section of the city.
Compared to the hellish outer section, those ces are heaven.
Forget about heaven.
Next, were going directly to that gang.
Bai Luo didnt n to spend the night in Hillul. The longer they stayed, the greater the variable,
The best oue would be to sail before evening.
We will use n A and B together.
Saros said to Bai Luo,
I know the symbol of the viper gang and which are their ships. I will lead the rest to the port first. Shirley will know where I am.
Ok.
Bai Luo divided the team into two. Issafeiya and he will head to the viper gang.
The old man led Noel, Jerah, Inya, and the others to the port first, to prepare for their expedition to the sea.
Be careful.
With Lilith, Shirley, and elder sister, I will be fine. Bai Luo smiled and said, Our highestbat power is all with me.
Go early and return early.
Rest assured.
Bai Luo looked at Issafeiya, who immediately turned her horse around and led the way ahead.
This way!
Gangs are local forces established by local thugs and ruffians.
They are entrenched in various cities, and some can even establish many branches across various towns, creating arge regional organization.
The rich fawn over the lord, and the poor bully the weak.
The Viper Gang is such a group. They rarely deal with the wealthy and nobles, but instead exploit poor people like them, sucking their blood like a leech and growing bigger and stronger.
Elder sister, have you conducted business with the Viper Gang in the past?
Hmm.
Issafeiya nodded and said, I helped them kill people.
For money?
No,
Issafeiya calmly said,
It just so happened that that person was investigating the Ardennes trail, and I killed him by the way.
Bai Luo eximed,
As expected of my elder sister!
Should I negotiate next or should you?
You should understand the intention of uncle Saros, Said Bai Luo.
Ill do it.
You dont know how to negotiate.
Well, I dont n to do so anyway!
The two rode their horses and shuttled through several alleys, and soon reached an area filled with shacks and dirty tents the slums of the ancient capital.