Chapter 13. Evil Afoot

Another month had passed of Shawn doing work, exercise, and meditation. He had noticeably gotten stronger and healthier.

Shawn had also gone to the local market and bought a couple of books to help educate and entertain him.

Apparently, he lived on Breeze Moon Continent. Specifically in the county of Blood Moss, which had a history of strife and conflict. His town was called Old Meadow and served as a rest stop before a big city known as Soft Light City.

There were about three big powers through the entire county. The Lancington family which had ties to even bigger families, the Brute sect which served as a cultivation haven, and the Breeze Moon military. The books Shawn read did however, mention that there were secret powers and other organizations that were almost as strong. He would most likely need to pay someone to find that out.

The book never explained what opposing faction was fighting the war. However, Shawn read that he was in the territory of the Light Bearers, they were a collective of different forces fighting against an invading one. The three big powers of his county were also under that alliance.

The adventurer's guild was ever present but it was seen in this county as more of a tool to make money and train individuals. But any man, including the three top powers would be a fool to cross that group. No one through the continent knew the full strength of them, all who crossed them have been put six feet under.

Shawn loved the idea of becoming an adventurer and traveling throughout the county which was massive. This county alone had mountains, forests some have yet to find the end of, and underground labyrinths. The boy could hardly reign in his excitement.

Shawn did notice something happening in this city which was growing even more dangerous. Murder was happening almost every day, for the past week. The city's chief had a kind of night watch made of a few cultivators on the prowl. Yesterday took a turn for the worst when the second strongest cultivator in the watch, was killed. That was a second stage qi gathering expert. The city chief actually sent a message to the nearby adventurer's guild seeking help.

This was where things got grimmer though. The war had not only reached their county a couple a months ago, while the cities closer north became victim to all manner of violence. People were directly conscripted to fight as the enemy reached their door. There were a couple of big and small cities and towns past Soft Light City, but they were gearing up for war in advance.

Rumor had spread that some cities and towns falling had less to do with the opposing faction's people (called fiends for lack of knowledge on who they were) and some third party using this as an advantage to do seedy deeds.