Chapter 0405: Baiyang

Baiyang Village—this was one of the first settlements to reach out to Xuanhuang Town, establishing mutual trade and cooperation.

The village had three specialty products: Calming Incense, Blood Essence Stone, and Jadefat Dew, all of which were highly valuable commodities.

Of course, the Blood Essence Stone produced in Baiyang Village wasn't of the same grade as the one Yi Tianxing had previously acquired from a traveling merchant. The village's version was the most basic and low-grade, created by condensing the blood of fierce beasts through a certain secret method. It lacked the refinement and nurturing of time. Its primary function was to strengthen the body and refine blood and qi. It could also be used to open life apertures, but naturally, the life apertures opened with such stones would be of the lowest quality, significantly limiting future potential.

The one obtained from the traveling merchant, by contrast, was a rare treasure born of heaven and earth, truly a top-tier resource for aperture-opening.

Even so, possessing three specialties still gave Baiyang Village a notable foundation. In recent times, by leveraging these products, the village had been trading generously in Xuanhuang Town—not just for large quantities of grain, but also other supplies like rune war arrows, long sabers, spears, and more. With such resources flowing in, the village had developed rapidly, almost reaching the threshold of transforming from a village into a township.

With a bit more time, they would surely complete this transition.

The existence of Xuanhuang Town—and especially the opening of its marketplace—had brought tremendous benefits. All nearby villages had gained from it.

"From the looks of it, Baiyang Village was hit by the beast tide as well and suffered not a small amount of damage. This is the perfect opportunity for us to offer some comfort and goodwill," Wu Yong said with a gentle smile, fanning himself slowly.

"Indeed. Even though the beast tide has scattered, the damage to the surrounding areas is not small. Countless ordinary people must be suffering. As fellow members of the human race, it's only right we show the broad compassion of Xuanhuang Town," said Yang Yanding with a grin.

Despite his muscular, brutish appearance, Yang Yanding was far from brainless. On their way here, he had consulted Wu Yong frequently and now understood well that their true purpose was to spread the prestige of Xuanhuang Town, raise its reputation, and win over hearts by distributing grain and helping resettle those affected.

"No need to rush. As our lord has said, we're here to offer warmth, and once that's done, we leave. This isn't something that should be done hastily. It's like boiling a frog in warm water—subtle influence is the way. We give supplies and receive loyalty in return," Wu Yong said with a light laugh.

As they spoke, they arrived at the outskirts of Baiyang Village.

True to its name, the area around the village was filled with poplar trees, forming a small forest. In the middle of the poplar woods stood a peculiar wall, reminiscent of Xuanhuang Town's earliest defenses. This wall was covered in shrubs and vines, forming a green barrier. Though the main structure's material was unclear, it was apparent that countless vines were woven together, glowing faintly with an icy blue light.

Rich water-attributed spiritual energy permeated the air.

"What a remarkable wall," Wu Yong murmured. "It's made from interwoven vines and plants, resilient and nearly impervious to blades or spears. Judging by its aura, it's made from a special water-attributed vine—a rare mutant species. It resists fire and intense heat, essentially negating a natural weakness of typical walls. This is no ordinary village. Either its ruler is very talented, or it harbors a hidden master."

Despite the beast tide, the wall had sustained minimal damage. Even the breached sections were automatically repairing, as vines writhed and intertwined rapidly to seal the gaps. It was a living wall.

This alone hinted at the extraordinary depth of Baiyang Village's foundation.

"Baiyang Village is controlled by the Bai Clan. It was founded by them. The current clan head is Bai Yang, with one son and one daughter. His son, Bai Lang, is the one most often in contact with Xuanhuang Town. His daughter, Bai Xiaoyu, is said to be gentle and charming, and especially skilled in incense crafting. The Calming Incense is her creation," Wu Yong noted thoughtfully.

Naturally, they had done their homework. Knowing the enemy and oneself ensures victory—a principle of all military strategy. Wu Yong wouldn't have come blindly.

Boom boom boom!

Over a thousand soldiers marched in unison, clad in armor. Each carried quivers of war and crossbow bolts, wore Shenji Crossbows at their hips, bore Scorpion War Sabers on their backs, and wielded White Bone War Spears in hand. They were fully armed, ready for both close and ranged combat, and exuded a lethal aura born of battle. The thousand-strong unit had crossed the wilderness without a single casualty.

They were a terrifying force, like a single beast—a display of power that instilled genuine fear.

"Halt! Identify yourselves! This is restricted territory—Baiyang Village!" a voice called out from the wall.

The village's defenses were manned. Seeing a large army approach, the watchman sounded the alarm and shouted down at Wu Yong and Yang Yanding.

The one commanding the wall defense was Bai Hai, younger brother of Baiyang. He wore vine armor, held a longsword, and had a cultivation level of at least the 4th or 5th Sea of Divinity realm. The appearance of such a force had clearly shocked him.

"Uncle Hai, that's the army of Xuanhuang Town. I recognize that general—it's Yang Yanding of the Yang family," Bai Lang said as he joined him atop the wall, recognizing the force at once.

Even so, he remained wary. In times like these, no one could afford to let their guard down.

"I am Yang Yanding of Xuanhuang Town, accompanied by strategist Wu Yong. We come in peace. Please forgive our sudden visit," Wu Yong called out.

"Friends from Xuanhuang Town—what brings you to Baiyang Village?" Bai Hai asked.

"Nothing urgent," Wu Yong replied with a smile. "Our Lord has learned of the recent beast tide's immense scope. Even villages not directly hit suffered serious effects. Out of compassion for our fellow humans, he ordered us to bring relief supplies to nearby villages."

These words made Bai Hai's body tense with excitement. Supplies in a time like this meant the difference between life and death. This was a gift from the heavens.

"Then we thank Lord Yi and our friends from Xuanhuang," Bai Hai said gratefully.

"As fellow humans, it's only right," Wu Yong responded warmly.

"Might I ask… do General Yang and your soldiers intend to enter the village?" Bai Lang asked with hesitation.

Looking at the thousand-strong force, Bai Lang felt a mounting pressure. Once such a force entered the village, if their intent changed, Baiyang would stand no chance. Trust was a luxury in troubled times.

But not allowing them in had risks too. With their living green wall, they had confidence that even this army couldn't break through easily.

Still, Bai Lang and Bai Hai hesitated.

"Haha, no need to enter," Wu Yong said lightly. "We'll set up camp outside. Once the supplies are distributed, we'll move on. Please open the gates and allow the villagers to come out to receive the aid."

"Distribution will be done by name. Our Lord has said: in these troubled times, every human life is precious. We will not let any ordinary person go hungry. Each villager may receive fifty jin of mixed spiritual rice, a five-jin piece of fierce beast meat, and a bolt of cloth. One portion per person. Once we're done here, we head to the next village."

As he finished, soldiers were already cutting down trees, quickly assembling tables and benches for the operation.

They were fully prepared.

Wu Yong's voice, bolstered by true qi, echoed through the entire village.

Everyone heard it clearly. Villagers struck by the beast tide's devastation now trembled with joy and disbelief, looking out with eyes wide and shining.

"Fifty jin of rice… five jin of meat… and cloth for everyone…"

Bai Lang's mouth fell open in shock.