Swallowing the Stars: Starting with Panlong

Chapter 96 Relocation of Wushan Town

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window into the study, making the whole room bright and warm.

Lin Lei sat behind his desk, engrossed in reading "The Ends of the Earth: Immovable as a Mountain." He didn't even notice Lin Yun pushing the door open and entering.

"Big brother, are you still watching?"

Lin Lei looked up, his eyes still showing shock and contemplation.

"Lin Yun, this book... is too profound." Lin Lei closed the manual, rubbing his temples. "There's a lot of stuff in it that I don't understand. Things like 'earth's pulse,' 'the mysteries of power,' and 'gravity space'... I've never heard of these terms before."

Lin Yun sat down opposite Lin Lei, poured two cups of tea, and pushed one of them towards him.

"Brother, do you know why you can't understand it?"

Why?

"Because your strength is not yet sufficient." Lin Yun picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Your current strength is that of a peak level seven warrior and a peak level seven dual-elemental mage. In the eyes of ordinary people, you are already very powerful. But at the level of the Holy Domain, you have only just begun."

Lin Lei was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes filled with a complex expression.

"Lin Yun, what exactly are those 'laws,' 'mysteries,' and 'momentum' mentioned in the book?"

Lin Yun put down his teacup and looked at Lin Lei intently.

"Brother, you've read our family's 'Dragon Blood Codex,' you should remember the section describing weapon levels, right?"

Lin Lei thought for a moment and nodded: "I remember. It said there are three levels to using heavy weapons. The first level is perfect foundation, the second level is making light work of heavy things, and the third level is 'momentum'. But with my current level, I don't understand any of these at all."

"The first level is the easiest to reach." Lin Yun held up one finger. "It's all about constant practice. Once you've mastered all the basic moves, you'll naturally reach it."

"The second level is relatively more difficult." He held up his second finger. "This requires you to have perfect control over your muscle strength, to control it at your fingertips. You need to be able to make even a weapon weighing hundreds of pounds feel like a light weapon in your hands. Then you've reached the second level."

Lin Lei nodded thoughtfully.

"The third level—'Momentum'." Lin Yun raised his third finger, his tone becoming solemn. "This is actually the realm of a typical Saint-level warrior. Upon reaching this realm, you can borrow the momentum of heaven and earth—such as the momentum of water, wind, fire, and so on. By integrating your techniques into the momentum of heaven and earth, their power will greatly increase."

"Power..." Lin Lei murmured, repeating the word.

"And the laws of heaven and earth transcend the realm of 'momentum'," Lin Yun continued. "Upon reaching this realm, you can sense the fluctuations of the laws of heaven and earth and comprehend the profound mysteries of each law system. Reaching this realm is the peak of the Saint Realm."

Lin Lei looked at Lin Yun, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, along with a touch of sadness.

"Is this the level you've reached now?"

"Yes." Lin Yun did not hide anything, "However, the laws of heaven and earth are extremely profound, and even I have only just begun to understand them."

He sighed with emotion. Although he had comprehended fourteen profound mysteries, there was still a long way to go before he could fully comprehend even one. Each system contained several profound mysteries, and after comprehending one, there was the even more difficult path of fusing the laws and mysteries. The road ahead was long, and he dared not slacken in the slightest.

"Brother, tell me about your experiences during this time," Lin Yun changed the subject.

Lin Lei was silent for a moment, then began to speak.

Starting from the moment Lin Yun left Ernst Academy, Lin Lei recounted everything that had happened over the past year. He described his relationship with Alice, from their first meeting to their falling in love, from their arguments to their breakup. He recounted the scene he witnessed at the gates of the Wellington Magic Academy, how he spent ten days and ten nights carving "Dream Awakening" in the snow, and how his mental strength broke through to level seven.

Then he re-entered the Monster Mountain Range, slaying a level nine peak Spiny Ironclad Dragon, using the Dragon Crystal to activate his bloodline and become a Dragonblood Warrior. He discovered the Purple Blood Soft Sword in the cave, and the divine-level monster Di Lin released from it.

He spoke calmly, but Lin Yun could sense the turmoil within his voice. Although Lin Yun already knew about those experiences from the original story, hearing them firsthand was a completely different experience.

The two talked for a long time, from morning until noon. Lin Lei went to handle the affairs of the Marquis's mansion, while Lin Yun stayed alone in the study, lost in thought.

In October of the year 9999 in the Magnolia Calendar, there were less than two months left until the day of destruction.

The Holy Mountain of the Holy See, the battle of god-level powerhouses, the monster tide... it will be a storm that sweeps across the entire Yulan Continent. The territories of the Kingdom of Fenlai and the Dark Alliance will become a paradise for monsters, and Wushan Town will be destroyed in that disaster.

He couldn't let those things happen—at least, he couldn't let the people he cared about get hurt.

"The villagers of Wushan Town must be relocated," Lin Yun decided.

A few days later, Lin Yun bid farewell to Lin Lei and returned to Wushan Town alone.

Baruch Estate remained unchanged. The weathered stone walls, the rusted iron gates, the overgrown courtyard—everything was just as he had left it.

Hogg was sitting on a stone bench beneath the dragon-shaped sculpture, holding a yellowed copy of "The Secret History of the Magnolia Continent." Seeing Lin Yun descend from the sky, he put down the book, stood up, his eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"Lin Yun? Why are you back?"

"Father." Lin Yun walked up to Hogg, looking at his thin but spirited face, a warm feeling welled up in his heart. "I came back to see you. By the way... there's something important I need to tell you."

Hogg frowned slightly. He knew his son—Lin Yun wouldn't be so serious unless it was something extremely important.

"What is it?"

"Father, in two months, the Kingdom of Fenlai will face a great disaster." Lin Yun's voice was very low. "The entire kingdom, including Wushan Town, will become the territory of magical beasts."

Hogg's expression changed.

"What did you say?"

"I'm telling the truth," Lin Yun said. "I can't stop the disaster, but I can move the people I care about. Father, I've come back this time to take you and the villagers of Wushan Town to the Land of Chaos."

"The Realm of Chaos?" A hint of surprise flashed in Hogger's eyes. "You were there...?"

"I established a duchy in the Chaotic Territory," Lin Yun said. "It's not large, but it's more than enough to support several thousand people. Moreover, it's safe there and won't be affected by this disaster."

Hogg remained silent for a long time. He looked at Lin Yun, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Would the villagers of Wushan Town be willing to leave?" Hogg asked. "They've lived here for generations. Even if we explain the truth to them, they might not believe us."

"So, I'd like to ask Father for your help," Lin Yun said. "You have a high reputation in Wushan Town. You can tell them that I've established my own duchy in the Chaotic Territory and want to invite everyone to live there. And I promise—no taxes. As long as they're willing to go, I can provide them with jobs, housing, land, and so on."

"Never pay taxes?" Hogg frowned. "This..."

"Don't worry, Father." Lin Yun smiled. "The entire Wushan Town only has a few thousand people. I don't care about this amount of money at all."

He wasn't exaggerating. Putting aside the mountains of gold coins and magic crystal cores in his spatial ring, the wealth that Farr confiscated from the homes of corrupt officials during his conquest of surrounding cities was enough to sustain the duchy's daily expenses.

Hogg looked at Lin Yun and remained silent for a long time. Then, he nodded.

"Okay. I'll talk to the villagers tomorrow."

The next day, Hogg gathered all the villagers in the central square of Black Mountain.

The square was packed with people, men, women, and children, numbering over four thousand. They looked at Hogg standing on the stone platform, their eyes filled with doubt and curiosity.

"Fellow villagers," Hogg's voice echoed across the square, "I have gathered you all here today to announce something important."

The square fell silent.

"My son, Lin Yun, has established a duchy in the Chaotic Territory. Now, he wants to invite everyone to live there."

The square erupted in chaos. Whispers filled the air; some were discussing, some were questioning, and some were hesitating.

"Master Hogg, we've lived in Black Mountain Town for generations, why must we leave?"

"Yes, the Chaotic Territory is so far away. I heard it's very chaotic there, with fighting every day."

"I'm not leaving. My fields are here, my house is here, I'm not going anywhere."

Hogg raised his hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"I know you'll all be reluctant to leave," Hogg said. "But I want to tell you that Lin Yun has prepared houses, land, and jobs for you over there. And he promises—no taxes ever."

The square fell silent once again.

No taxes ever again—that's a tempting offer. In the Kingdom of Fenlai, farmers have to hand over half their harvest to the lord and the papacy, plus all sorts of exorbitant taxes. If they could go to the Land of Chaos where they wouldn't have to pay taxes, life would be so much better than here.

"Master Hogg, are you telling the truth?" someone asked.

"When have I, Hogg, ever lied to anyone?" Hogg said. "Those who want to go, gather here in three days. Lin Yun will send someone to escort you there. Those who don't want to go, I won't force them."

Another round of discussion broke out in the square.

Ultimately, over four thousand people agreed to follow Hogg to the Chaotic Realm. Several hundred others refused to leave—firstly, because they didn't believe Lin Yun could offer them such good treatment, and secondly, because they didn't want to leave their homeland. Moreover, after so many people left, the remaining land would all belong to them.

Hogg didn't force them. Everyone has their own choices, and he respected them.

A week later, an escort team of 120 elite soldiers arrived at Wushan Town.

The leader was named Locke, a burly man in his thirties and an eighth-level warrior. He was originally the city guard captain of a city in the Chaotic Territory, but he surrendered with his troops when Far led his army to attack the city. Far saw that he was quite capable and honest, so he kept him on.

"My lord!" Locke knelt on one knee before Lin Yun, his eyes filled with excitement. "A total of one hundred and twenty people, all at least level five warriors!"

He fought tooth and nail for this mission just to show off in front of the adults. Far's cultivation level was lower than his before, but after following the adults, he instantly reached the ninth level of warrior. Locke knew, of course, that it was a gift from the adults.

"Okay." Lin Yun nodded. "There are over four thousand people here. You need to send them to Huangshi City in batches. Make sure their safety is guaranteed."

"Yes, sir, rest assured!" Locke patted his chest and assured them, "Anyone who wants to harm these people will have to step over me first!"

"Alright." Lin Yun took out a Spirit of Plants from his spatial ring and handed it to Locke. "Eat this, and you'll reach level nine warrior."

Locke accepted the Spirit of Plants, his hands trembling, his eyes filled with excitement.

"Thank you, sir!"

More than 4,000 people were evacuated in two batches. The first batch of more than 2,000 people was personally escorted by Locke; the second batch of more than 2,000 people was escorted by the deputy captain.

Hogg did not leave with the first group. As the lord of Black Mountain Town, he wanted to wait until the last group to ensure everyone left safely.

Lin Yun didn't leave either. He stayed in Wushan Town to be with his father.

The first evacuation went smoothly. Locke led more than two thousand men northward along the main road, encountering no danger along the way. Ten days later, they arrived safely in Yellowstone.

Far had already received Lin Yun's orders to prepare housing, land, and jobs for the villagers of Wushan Town. Hillman—the captain of the Baruch family's guard—was in charge of managing the resettlement of these people. He was Hogg's most trusted confidant and the person the villagers of Wushan Town knew best. With him there, the villagers quickly settled in.

The second evacuation also went smoothly. When the last group of villagers left Wushan Town, Hogg stood in front of the gates of Baruch Manor, remaining there for a long time.

"Father, let's go to Fenlai City!" Lin Yun looked at the ancestral home, feeling a little reluctant, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't stop the arrival of the magical beasts with his strength!

"Go find Linley?" Hogg asked, somewhat puzzled.

"No, we're going to get revenge!" Lin Yun said with a smile.

"You mean? Clyde!!" Hogg asked excitedly!

"Yes!"

"good!"