Chapter 137: Returning to the Starting Point

Leaving Mount Zhenze and walking twenty kilometers southeast, Ming Tian and his party arrived in Wuxing Commandery.

Because Wang Jingze was already dead, Wuxing Commandery had plunged into complete chaos by the time Ming Tian arrived.

Unlike Yangzhou, where the presence of Chaos Rippers and resistance groups kept all factions in a delicate balance—checking one another and daring not to make any reckless moves—and where its proximity to Jiankang ensured that even amidst political turmoil the surface remained eternally tranquil, Wuxing Commandery was entirely different.

As Grand Commandant, Wang Jingze commanded numerous troops and capable generals. Situated far away from both Jiankang and the front lines, it was a classic case of the mountains being high and the emperor being far away. Thus, once trouble struck Jiankang and Wang Jingze perished, Wuxing Commandery became the primary epicenter of chaos.

Though its land was not as fertile as Yangzhou’s, its terrain was easy to defend and difficult to attack, backed by strong military might. Following Wang Jingze's death, various factions carved up his remaining forces entirely, and devoid of any restraint, these groups began to run amok.

By the time Ming Tian reached Wuxing Commandery, the place was already a desolate ruin. Corpses of ordinary civilians littered the streets, and not a single trace of hope for the future could be seen on anyone's face.

Even upon the city gates—symbols meant to protect the city—over a hundred severed heads of civilians were hung for display!

Wuxing Commandery was beyond saving.

The chaos here was so absolute that even the Chaos Rippers, who loved nothing more than stirring up troubled waters and feeding on raw flesh, had completely retreated.

Unlike Yangzhou, Ming Tian sensed this the very moment he stepped into Wuxing Commandery.

In the broad daylight right on the main street, a band of rogue soldiers were brutally violating an innocent maiden while her bound parents could only watch in helpless agony as their daughter suffered.

This snapshot of devastation offered a glimpse into the boundless scale of the turmoil.

Ming Tian did not intervene; doing so would only invite disaster upon himself.

The anarchy here utterly surpassed anything witnessed in Yangzhou that day.

This disorder, akin to a plague or natural calamity, was far beyond what Ming Tian could hope to meddle with.

The Southern Qi dynasty was drawing to its end. This was the first place where chaos had erupted, but it would certainly not be the last.

Soon enough, this wave of terror would sweep across the entire Southern Qi.

Staying in the Southern Qi was no longer an option. He had to return to Sumen Town as quickly as possible, see his parents, and take them away to seek refuge among the Di tribe.

Although he felt no deep emotional attachment to the parents of this world, Ming Tian at least understood the fundamental principle that filial piety comes first.

Admittedly, as a time traveler, the parents of this world had no real connection to him. Yet, this body was a gift from them; without them, his transmigration would never have taken place.

Making a scene and threatening to hang himself back then was already an act of great unfilial impiety. Ming Tian resolved that, come what may, he had to take his parents in this world—Zhuge Fang and Lady Fang—away from the Southern Qi to safety.

Sumen Town was remote and isolated from news, bounded by the sea on two sides and a river on the third. While it possessed no military value, it held some of the most fertile land in the Southern Qi. If he did not rescue them, the moment this chaos spread to Sumen Town, they would not stand the slightest chance of survival!

After being treated by the spring waters, An Luo's deep-seated injuries accumulated from years of combat had completely healed, and his current combat prowess far exceeded anything from his past.

One had to know that combat inevitably brings injuries, and every single injury inflicts a tiny, irreversible damage to the body. These were hidden injuries—so minor each time that they usually went unnoticed.

Much like a smoker's lungs, which medically might not be classified as a distinct disease, their functionality is unquestionably far inferior to normal lungs.

Because the body adapts to them, these hidden injuries become part of the physical form, which is why the Greater Healing Spell could not cure them.

Miraculously, however, Wei Jingjing's hot spring was able to heal even hidden injuries!

Having received the hot spring treatment, An Luo's combat strength was now terrifyingly beyond human limits.

To put it simply, if the pre-treatment An Luo and the present An Luo were to fight, the current An Luo could easily pin his former self to the ground and beat him, as effortlessly as a father disciplining a son.

Ming Tian was no exception; his physical fitness had also slightly improved following the treatment, though not as dramatically as An Luo's.

With An Luo's protection, although the four of them occasionally encountered trouble-makers in Wuxing Commandery, the outcome was invariably that An Luo neatly disposed of them all.

Knowing this place was no location for a prolonged stay, Ming Tian merely found a small government posthouse to spend the night and make basic preparations.

Shortly after, cooperating with An Luo, they ambushed and killed four stray rogue soldiers, seized their warhorses, and forcefully charged out of Wuxing Commandery.

Because they kept a low profile and provoked no major factions, they encountered virtually no resistance on their way out, save for half a dozen gate guards.

After all, with Wang Jingze dead, Wuxing Commandery was already terminally ill. Not even Ming Tian could save this place, nor did he have the time to try.

Leaving Wuxing Commandery behind, since Xin Zhu was no longer afraid of sunlight, and coupled with the fact that these were military-grade warhorses—fleet-footed and tireless as long as they were fed enough fodder and given brief rests—their speed far surpassed that of any ordinary carriage.

It took Ming Tian and his group only two days to reach Sumen Town.

Had they not needed to avoid unnecessary detours, a single day would have sufficed.

Naturally, passing through Qiantang, Ming Tian had also caught wind of certain romantic anecdotes, such as Su Xiaoxiao being pursued by Meng Lang.

Ming Tian had heard the name Su Xiaoxiao before and was quite curious about what this legendary historical courtesan truly looked like. If he ever got the chance to meet her, Ming Tian felt his transmigratory journey would be truly complete.

Of course, such coincidences rarely happened in reality, and Ming Tian did not dwell on it.

Sumen Town.

These characters on the weathered stone tablet were nearly swallowed by patches of moss.

Further down the town's main street, sparse crowds drifted by. It looked far less prosperous than Jiankang; one might even describe the small town as dilapidated.

Yet, this secluded and untroubled town forever radiated an aura of unhurried leisure.

Riding on horseback, Ming Tian glanced at the town stele, inhaled the air tinged with the faint scent of livestock, and was overcome with a wave of emotion.

In the fourth month of the Yongtai era, in the blink of an eye, over three months had passed since he transmigrated into this era.

His journey had begun right here, and now, he had returned once more.

Bring his parents, leave this place, and head toward the Di tribe—everything would be over then.

That was what Ming Tian envisioned.

Glancing at the friends and lover accompanying him all the way, Ming Tian smiled with deep contentment.

Spurring his horse, moving at a leisurely pace fitting for the town, Ming Tian stepped onto the soil of Sumen Town.

"Eh? Isn't this Brother Buliang? Didn't you go to Jiankang to marry a princess? How come you're back?"

Before he had even taken two steps into the town, a familiar voice rang out from behind.

Turning around, Ming Tian was momentarily stunned.

Memories from before his transmigration surged forward; the person standing before him was none other than the closest buddy of Zhuge Buliang, the original owner of this body.

"Old Wang? What are you doing here?"