A few wealthy gentry discussed and decided to spend a large sum, pleading with Li Boxiong to escort the merchant caravan to Wu'an County.

The crowd was already like startled birds, fearing that the Snow Thieves would return.

If the caravan were attacked, it wouldn't just be the money but their lives at stake.

Li Boxiong pondered for a moment and agreed.

Maintaining such a light cavalry was not cheap.

Moreover, he was indeed worried that if the Snow Thieves came back, Chen Tang and his group wouldn't be able to handle them.

The caravan tidied up once again and, under Li Boxiong's escort, set off on the road again.

"Brother Li, what's the relationship between the Extreme North Cold Domain and the Black Water Gang?"

Chen Tang would inevitably have conflicts with the Black Water Gang in the future, and it was rare to meet someone knowledgeable to ask for advice.

"To be precise, there's no direct relationship."

Li Boxiong, riding a horse, walked beside Chen Tang's carriage and said, "The Extreme North Cold Domain has seven countries, which we refer to as the Seven Cold Domain Countries. Among them is the Black Water Country."

"The Black Water Gang doesn't trust outsiders, and everyone in their gang comes from the Black Water Country."

After a pause, Li Boxiong said, "People from the Seven Cold Domain Countries look similar and are indistinguishable. So these Snow Thieves should come from the Extreme North Cold Domain, but whether they have any connection with the Black Water Gang is hard to say."

Chen Tang asked, "I've heard that the Black Water Gang has business dealings with various counties in Pingzhou. What exactly do they trade in?"

"The Extreme North Cold Domain produces a rare ore called Cold Iron. If weapons or armor incorporate some Cold Iron, their strength will be greatly enhanced."

Li Boxiong said, "Originally, Cold Iron from the Extreme North Cold Domain never flowed out. It was only a year ago that the governor of Pingzhou maneuvered in many ways to establish relations with the Black Water Country, using the Black Water Gang to secretly trade and transport Cold Iron to Pingzhou, and then it was transported to the armies throughout Qian Country."

"From Pingzhou, the Black Water Gang would also bring back items like gold, jade artifacts, and silk, meeting mutual needs."

"The Black Water Gang's influence is deeply rooted and complicated, so much so that when they create trouble in various places in Pingzhou, it often goes unresolved."

Chen Tang pondered in silence.

It seems that the Black Water Gang has significant trade interests with Pingzhou and even the entire Qian Country.

Their influence spreads throughout every county in Pingzhou, making it almost impossible to challenge the Black Water Gang.

Li Boxiong said, "Actually, in Wu'an County, the Black Water Gang isn't too out of hand, at least there are forces that can restrain them. But there are two places that no one dares to provoke."

Chen Tang felt a bit surprised.

Li Boxiong seemed indifferent when speaking about the Black Water Gang, yet there were places he was so wary of.

Li Boxiong said, "One of them is the Cyan Dragon Bureau. The Cyan Dragon Bureau reports directly to the Emperor of Daqian and has the responsibility to oversee all officials. Whether they are civil or military officials or noble families, the Cyan Dragon Bureau can bypass the government office and directly arrest and imprison them for interrogation."

Chen Tang nodded.

This power is indeed vast, somewhat similar to the Jinyi Guard of a past life.

Li Boxiong nodded and said, "The Cyan Dragon Bureau has branches in every State Mansion, County Mansion, and Border Town. In Wu'an County, the position of the Cyan Dragon Bureau's commander is that of a captain. Officially, the captain of the Cyan Dragon Bureau is below the commander of the county, but they have the authority to arrest the commander."

This didn't surprise Chen Tang.

Reporting directly to the Emperor and responsible only to him, the extent of their power is naturally unimaginable.

Li Boxiong continued, "However, there's a place in Wu'an County where even the Cyan Dragon Bureau dares not arrest people."

"Oh?"

Chen Tang was greatly surprised.

"It's the Profound Celestial Temple, right."

At this moment, an elderly man's voice came from inside the carriage.

Li Boxiong nodded and said, "The old gentleman is correct, it is indeed the Profound Celestial Temple."

Chen Tang asked, "What's so special about the Profound Celestial Temple?"

Li Boxiong knew that given Chen Tang's background, it was understandable that he wasn't familiar with these matters, so he explained, "The Profound Celestial Sect is an Immortal Sect of Qian Country. It has temples in every state and county, educating the world, and is not bound by the laws of Qian Country. Only the commandments of the Profound Celestial Temple can restrain and punish."

Chen Tang raised an eyebrow slightly.

Being not bound by a country's laws and only governed by their own commandments, this sect is somewhat terrifying.

Chen Tang asked, "Why is the Profound Celestial Sect so powerful?"

Li Boxiong pondered and said, "The Profound Celestial Sect holds a superior position in Qian Country. The Sect Leader is honored as the State Preceptor, and even the Emperor of Daqian holds him in great respect. Moreover, this State Preceptor indeed has unimaginable divine means and is revered as the Profound Celestial Immortal Master."

"Many disciples within the Profound Celestial Sect are skilled in the dharma gates of talisman healing, and they have numerous followers. Even in the Court, there are quite a few who believe in the Profound Celestial Sect."

Following Li Boxiong's explanation, it's easy to see how the Profound Celestial Sect could achieve such status and influence in Qian Country.

As the saying goes, what the emperor likes, the people below emulate even more.

If even the Emperor believes in this, let alone the common people.

Chen Tang never had any interest in such things.

"Humph!"

The elderly man's voice suddenly came out cold, "It's just some tricks of playing pretend to fool people."

Li Boxiong's expression changed, and he said in a low voice, "Please be careful with your words, old gentleman. If these words are overheard, calamity could befall!"

"Let me tell you about the origins of the Profound Celestial Sect."

The old man continued, "Back when the Divine Land was divided into two, the north was long plagued with warfare. Later, the Former Emperor Wu emerged and temporarily united various tribes. However, after the failure of his southern campaign and betrayal, coupled with an invasion from the Cold Domain, Wu ultimately perished, the former dynasty collapsed, and the Northern Divine Land fell back into the flames of war."

"During this chaotic era, the Profound Celestial Sect rose to prominence, spreading a prophecy: 'The True Dragon descends, changes heaven and earth, in this age, the world will be prosperous.' The one chosen by the True Dragon was to become the new True Dragon Emperor. The Emperor of Daqian was the one chosen by the True Dragon at that time. Qian Country's rise amidst the chaos owed much to the Profound Celestial Sect."

Chen Tang nodded slightly.

It is not difficult to understand how the Profound Celestial Sect could attain such status in Qian Country.

The old gentleman continued, "Due to the long years of war in the Northern Divine Land, life was dire, plagues were rampant, disasters were everywhere, and refugees were on the rise. The Profound Celestial Sect relied on talisman water and talisman healing methods to preach across the Northern Divine Continent, healing the sick, and leading many to their faith."

Chen Tang frowned slightly.

This method of spreading their faith seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had heard of it in a previous life.

The old man's voice came with another sneer, "What talisman water, talisman healing? They're just tricks by alchemists to fool people."

Li Boxiong said, "Old gentleman, your words are not entirely correct. Some people were indeed cured; otherwise, there wouldn't be so many believers."

"That's natural."

The old man sneered, "Some of the talisman water merely contains herbal medicine. And some illnesses would heal by themselves without drinking that nonsense talisman water."

"For those incurable diseases, the Profound Celestial Sect would claim that people either didn't believe enough or lacked sincerity."

"By this rogue method, even drinking my urine could cure diseases, if not cured, it's not my fault, it's your lack of sincerity."

The old man's words were extremely coarse, yet Li Boxiong said nothing.

He understood the logic, though he might not have fully accepted the old man's words due to the Profound Celestial Sect's irreplaceable place in most Qian Country people's hearts.

However, he didn't refute it.

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