Chapter 35: Secret Matters Stir Memories of Old Friends

Dead Ridge City, despite its ominous name, was not nearly as sinister as one might expect. In fact, it looked very much like any ordinary metropolis; though from afar its towering city walls seemed unusually tall, the city itself appeared small and insignificant against the encircling mountains.

After the incident earlier, Sumu’s spirits were low. He walked among the group, listless and dispirited. Mr. Ji’s words had been strikingly harsh—too cruel for someone who, just last year, was merely a country boy. Weren’t the legendary cultivators supposed to uphold justice and act for the heavens? Weren’t they meant to pursue the cycle of the Dao and guide all beings? Why did reality so starkly contradict his ideals and beliefs?

No one spoke for a while as they slowly approached Dead Ridge City. Only up close did Sumu see that the lofty city walls were constructed entirely from massive, thick white beast bones. Even the city gate was fashioned from the skull of some unknown giant creature, its gaping maw lined with enormous fangs that outmatched any human. Under the sunlight, the teeth gleamed fiercely, intimidating all who approached.

“This—what is this?!”

Despite his youth, Sumu couldn’t help but be intrigued by the bone-built walls, something he had never seen or heard of. He didn’t dare question Mr. Ji, but he eagerly squeezed next to Black Crow and pointed at the beast-bone gate.

“Haha! This is Dead Ridge City! Legend says that over a thousand years ago, a captive emperor flood dragon fought for days here against a monstrous beast from Panmi Marsh. Both perished from exhaustion, the beast claimed the dragon’s core, and the remains were used by later generations to build this city.”

Black Crow gazed at the city with admiration. He wasn’t new here and knew much about its origins, yet every sight of the bone walls still amazed him.

As they neared the beast-head gate, the crowds grew denser. Yet few people walked leisurely; most hurried forward, almost running. Sumu and his companions, strolling as if on a promenade, stood out as oddities.

In the throng, they even encountered another group escorting prisoners. Though called prisoners, each was simply an ordinary person with star-source, unaffiliated and without protection, rounded up from the masses.

Sumu saw them but did not act out as before. Instead, he turned his face away and quickened his pace, unwilling to look too closely.

“Foolish boy, in this world, humans are like grains of sand. Only after being refined into gems does anyone treasure them. You pity those people, but have you considered you’re just another grain yourself? Without Mr. Ji, if someone discovered your star-source, you’d likely be among those prisoners today. Think of your family, your dear friends, and Miss An.”

Black Crow squeezed Sumu’s shoulder and strode ahead. Sumu bit his lip and hurried after him. He understood much more now, though his youth still left him a touch unwilling to accept it.

“Mr. Ji, long time no see! Hahaha!”

A burly man, over ten feet tall, strode from the city gate. His height alone was intimidating, and Sumu rubbed his eyes in disbelief that such a giant could exist.

“Brother Zhou, years have passed since we met. Your pulse is strong, your star-source bright—I daresay you’re almost among the Star Sea experts now. Congratulations.”

Mr. Ji did not act proud; he hurried from his sedan and greeted the giant with clasped hands. From his words, it was clear that this man was close to entering the Star Sea realm—a formidable cultivator.

“The Star Sea realm is unfathomable. How could a fool like me, who only knows how to toil in cultivation, reach it? Don’t tease me. I merely stand outside, gazing in with longing. Hahaha.” The giant returned the greeting, though he declined the compliment. Still, his joy was obvious.

“No need for such talk. Mr. Ji, you’ve come a long way, and as half a host, I won’t waste words. Come, rest in the city. I have several jars of fine wine at home, waiting for your arrival before they’re opened. Let us drink heartily.”

The giant was brisk and direct, taking Mr. Ji by the arm and leading him away, leaving only Mr. Ji’s helpless voice behind.

“Black Crow, take everyone to settle in. Stay out of trouble.”

Black Crow agreed readily. He knew this giant well and was untroubled about Mr. Ji’s safety. Smiling at Sumu, he said,

“Lord Zhou is no ordinary man—everyone in Dead Ridge City knows him. Even the people of the Three Sects and Four Clans bow when they meet him.”

“He looks so ordinary, just taller than most. Is he really that remarkable?”

Sumu had only cultivated for a short time and couldn’t discern the man’s realm. He found the giant’s plain dress and demeanor unimpressive, less striking than that gentleman from Brocade Snow Palace.

“What do you know? We were still some distance from the city, yet Lord Zhou knew and hurried out to greet us. Mr. Ji knew he couldn’t keep it secret, so he walked slowly. Inside and out, Dead Ridge City is filled with powerful cultivators serving him.”

Black Crow paused, then continued, “Besides, if Lord Zhou steps into the Star Sea realm, Dead Ridge City’s position will be even more unshakable. The Star Sea realm... Ah…”

He sighed, then urged the others to hurry into the city, no longer paying Sumu any mind. Sumu pondered; it seemed the Star Sea realm was a height Black Crow could not reach, hence his sudden gloom.

They entered Dead Ridge City through the beast’s maw. Passing through, Sumu felt uneasy, as if he were entering the belly of a giant beast. Even after so many years, the dead flood dragon’s aura lingered—it must have been magnificent in its prime.

Inside the city, though crowds bustled, the atmosphere lacked the liveliness of ordinary towns. There were no street vendors, no friendly greetings, no neighborly chats. Everyone seemed busy, few paused to rest, most hurried purposefully as if intimately familiar with the place.

Black Crow led the way, knowing the city well. Sumu wanted to explore, but seeing the seriousness and urgency of his companions, he set aside his curiosity.

They arrived at a house resembling a common residence. Black Crow examined a mark by the door, then knocked.

“Dark moon, high winds, stars shining bright.”

Sumu glanced up at the midday sun, wondering what Black Crow was thinking.

The door opened abruptly, and a sturdy man peered out, frowning. Upon seeing Black Crow, his expression relaxed, and he quickly ushered them inside.

The house was simple, tidier than most, but not the mysterious hideout Sumu had imagined. Yet once inside, Black Crow and the others visibly relaxed and let out a collective breath.

“This damned place—I’d rather never come again. If not for you, kid, we’d wait several years before returning.” Night Ding, one of Black Crow’s men, grumbled as he entered, earning a glare from Black Crow and quickly closing his mouth.

“Don’t mind them, Sumu. We come to Dead Ridge City every few years. The Night Army needs fresh recruits, Mr. Ji handles personal matters, and even if we hadn’t met you, we’d still be here.”

“Big Brother Black Crow, why are you all so tense outside? I don’t see anything in the city to fear. Are you afraid of someone?”

Sumu was curious. He had grown familiar with Black Crow and the Night Army, knowing they feared nothing. Why then this strange behavior?

Black Crow shook his head. “We’ve all danced with death and returned. There’s no one we fear. If Mr. Ji commanded, we’d fight even the Five Great Cultivators without hesitation. But Dead Ridge City…”

Sumu’s heart tightened. “What about Dead Ridge City?”

“It’s a special place—a gateway to several perilous lands. Everyone here possesses extraordinary skills, most are mysterious and sinister cultivators. Their secret arts are countless; you could fall victim without even knowing it. Though fighting is forbidden within the city, there are countless ways to die without ever knowing how. It’s impossible to guard against them all.”

Sumu was stunned, unable to fully comprehend.

“Why would they harm others? Why must we be so cautious? With so many of us, should we still fear them?”

Black Crow snorted and spat on the floor.

“These bastards have no rules. Even if a celestial descended, they’d dare kill beneath a god’s nose. That’s their way. If someone is alone in the city, they rarely survive the night. Those who come have some reliance—if they die, their treasures change hands.”

“We’re not afraid, and they don’t dare attack us directly, but sometimes their evil methods slip through unnoticed. A few times, we were afflicted with poison bugs without realizing it. The bugs do no harm at first, but can be used for spying and tracking. Luckily, Mr. Ji’s powers detected them in time; otherwise, all our deeds would have been exposed. That’s why we’re so tense.”

Sumu finally understood why the city’s inhabitants acted so nervous and Black Crow’s group was so cautious. Dead Ridge City was indeed a den of dragons and tigers, offering not a hint of comfort.

Black Crow assigned the others to tidy the rooms and tossed Sumu a word before departing.

“Mr. Ji likely won’t return tonight. Rest early. Tomorrow, you’ll have no such leisure.”

Sumu lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting to his parents far away. He wondered how they were, for this was the first time he’d been so far from home for so long. The longing in his heart grew heavier.

He then thought of An Rui—where was she now, was she safe? The yearning for her filled his heart until it ached.

“Sister An, Sumu is no longer who he used to be. I’ve changed so much you might not even recognize me. If I’d had these abilities then, I would have protected you. Little Lan wouldn’t have died, nor Uncle Mu…”

“Sister An, I wonder where you are now. This world is far more terrifying and ruthless than I imagined. You’re so kind—surely others will bully you in the future. Wait for me. I’ll stand before you then, and no one will ever dare bully you again…”

Unconsciously, Sumu murmured as he drifted to sleep, whispering her name even in his dreams.