Chapter 321: Joining the Five Elements Clans

Chapter 321: Joining the Five Elements Clans

The group made their way southward.

Ruo Xi Baby rummaged through her personal space and finally found some information about Chizhou after searching for a while.

Chizhou was home to five major clans, the renowned Five Elements Clans.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—each clan occupied a specific direction and controlled everything in that area, including the land, houses, and people.

Chizhou was divided, much like a sliced pie, into five parts.

Chizhou proved to be a challenging place. In the past, the emperor had intended to obliterate the entire city, which was why the Five Elements Clan offered their allegiance. Otherwise, three years ago, they might have established their own kingdom.

To maintain stability across the realm, Xiao Yin granted various local powers autonomy in governance.

He gave the Five Elements Clan decision-making authority equal to that of the royal family and allowed them high autonomy.

As for the effectiveness of their governance, the emperor had heard some reports, but since no one had lodged an official complaint with the court, he did not impose strict demands on them.

The carriage continued southward, and Ruo Xi Baby enjoyed a peaceful routine of eating and sleeping. Her eight-month-old baby was growing rapidly and had started to speak.

Though she only spoke one or two words at a time, Ruo Xi Baby felt great joy.

Both her mother and Little Heart could understand her thoughts, which made her even happier.

General Yuan Hui led them southward, and everyone was joyful.

"I originally thought that Red Plum, being so straightforward, would have a straightforward relationship with General Yuan Hui. But it seems I was wrong. This girl is truly adorable!" said Nanny Gui.

Nanny Gui had brought up Red Plum, and she, along with Nurse Jin, had taught Red Plum and Dong Ju most of their skills and the ways of the court.

Nanny Gui and Nurse Jin were both teachers and mothers to Red Plum and Dong Ju.

"I didn’t expect that on our Great Wei territory, there would be such a city. Fascinating!" said Nanny Gui, looking at the distant scene. "Had I journeyed south back then, I might have become part of the Five Elements Clan. Fortunately, I met the Empress Dowager, who brought me back to the palace!"

Xiao Yue looked at Nanny Gui, and she actually wanted to ask if Nanny Gui had ever regretted her time in the palace.

Back then, if she hadn’t been taken back by the Empress Dowager, her life might have been different.

The harem was like a den of dragons and tigers, where every day was lived in fear, and one could lose their life at any moment.

"The Five Elements Clan, like a den of dragons and tigers, is a place where one could lose their life at any time!" Just as Xiao Yue was thinking this, Nanny Gui sighed.

Xiao Yue turned to Nanny Gui and frowned. "Is this place more dangerous than Cangming Mountain?"

"Probably. Cangming Mountain is recognized by the world. However, Dean Bai Cangming is acknowledged by the Five Elements Clan. If something happens, they will still provide support for Dean Bai Cangming," said Nanny Gui.

Nanny Gui was now forty years old. When she was taken away by the Empress Dowager, she was only seven or eight years old. In her memory, Bai Cangming had been around for a very long time.

Of course, everyone in the world knew that Dean Bai Cangming was an extraordinary being, so it was normal that he was immortal.

After all, there was only one Bai Cangming in the world.

Soon, the carriage entered a new territory.

"For three years, Chizhou has suffered from floods every year, and the townsfolk have had a hard life!" said Ci Xin.

"Back when we were on Cangming Mountain, there were disciples of the Five Elements Clan on the mountain, correct?" Xiao Yue looked at Ci Xin and asked.

"Indeed, it's only in the last three years that the floods became severe. Also, the repair costs they reported to the imperial court are really high. I don't know if it's on purpose or real, but when I came to inspect last year, I didn't see anything unusual," Ci Xin replied.

"When you came last year, it wasn't the flood season, so there wasn't much to see. This time, we've come at just the right time. I want to find out how these floods are happening!" Xiao Yue said.

Yuan Hui, standing nearby, chuckled softly and said, "The Five Elements Clan—the Water Tribe controls the water element. This general is curious why, after all these years of being self-reliant, they can't even control a simple flood!"

"The Five Elements Clan is just five martial sects. Whether they actually have much skill is anyone's guess!" Hongmei, on the side, chimed in.

"Hongmei's right. The Water Tribe is so powerful, yet they still can't control a flood—what a disgrace!" Yuan Hui fully agreed with Hongmei.

Xiao Yue and the others smiled and shook their heads. General Yuan had his eyes only on Hongmei the whole trip.

When Hongmei was tired, he would massage her legs. When she was thirsty, he would get her water.

He was always fussing over Hongmei, and even though he's in his forties, he acted like an awkward young guy.

"Let's head inside first!" Xiao Yue smiled as she looked at the city gate with the words "Five Elements Clan" written on it. "The Five Elements Clan is really something. They've even changed the city gate of Chi Prefecture!"

"Boom!"

Suddenly, the heavy city gate made a series of loud noises as it slowly closed.

"Bold!" Xiao Yu Heng couldn't stand it. After all, he was only a twelve-year-old child. He shouted coldly and was about to ride forward.

"Who are you people? We cannot allow outsiders to enter the Five Elements Clan freely. If you wish to pass through the city to head south, please take another route. Entry into the city is not permitted!" someone shouted from above the gate.

"How annoying!" Ruo Xi Baby was displeased. She took a deep breath, then pinched her fingers and released them.

"Thud!"

As the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground rang out, the soldier who had just spoken fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

"What just happened? How did you fall down?" The soldiers above shouted in alarm. "Are you alright? How did you fall?"

"Hmph, with me here, you dare not open the city gate immediately!" Xiao Yu Heng rode forward and shouted coldly.

"Henger, let's see what they're up to!" Xiao Yue looked around and said.

Around them, the shops were filled with townsfolk quietly watching.

"Yes, Henger, don't act rashly. Their plan is to make you appear violent in front of the townsfolk. This trick used by the Five Elements Clan is quite low," Yuan Hui also nodded and said.