The little town was called Herderton.1

Herderton had sprung up around horse pastures. It was a place for raising horses, though the ranches here weren’t run by the government. They belonged instead to a great merchant by the surname Huyan.0

Huyan Shu was that merchant’s son.0

The old generation of merchants had all seen the glory of the old Central Capital. They knew, in their bones, how terrifying true martial cultivators could be. Not a single one of them dared straighten their backs in front of officials. Whenever they dealt with the authorities, they were nothing but humble and deferential, bowing and scraping, letting others take what they wished from them.0

Fortunately, the one sitting on the throne these days was a ruler who genuinely cared for his people and had the strength to protect them. Under such a sovereign, even lowly bailiffs didn’t dare to be too greedy. Otherwise, these...0