Chapter 35

For a while after that, Song Li continued to seclude himself, studying the art of alchemy with his mother at home. With the assistance of the "Triple Transformation Reversion Pill" given by Song Li, Pang Da's cultivation advanced rapidly. In just over a month, he had ascended two levels, reaching the peak of the seventh level of the Body Tempering stage!

However, Pang Da was still Pang Da. As Song Li put it, a dog's belly can't hold more than a few ounces of sesame oil. Expecting him to quietly seclude himself at home and focus on cultivation was as reliable as expecting a donkey to climb a tree. This guy, once he achieved something, couldn't wait for the whole world to know. Low-key behavior was something for others to do; Pang Da, the young master, certainly didn't want to.

The time he spent on cultivation was less than the time he spent showing off. Ever since Song Li demonstrated how to "rob the rich and help the poor" at Man Ting Fang, Pang Da had become fond of it. That time, they had "extorted" a lot of money from a group of rich brats, and they had really tasted the sweetness of it. With money, more little brothers gathered around Pang Da. He often led a group of them around, specifically to places where the rich brats of the capital liked to gather—brothels, taverns, teahouses, and theaters. Wherever the rich brats went, the "Justice Alliance" brothers would be there.

To put it bluntly, Pang Da and his gang were also rich brats, but unlike those with inferior morals, they didn't bully ordinary people. They specialized in righting wrongs, especially targeting those who bullied the weak. Therefore, the "Justice Alliance" rich brats had a good reputation among the people of the capital, and their public image was excellent. Pang Da and his little brothers didn't forget to promote their leader, Song Li, so even though Song Li was in seclusion cultivating alchemy, his reputation became even more prominent. After all, in any time and place, propaganda was very important.

Pang Da's level at the peak of the seventh level of the Body Tempering stage was considered above average among the rich brats of the capital. There were only a few who were stronger than him. However, after Song Li defeated Song Moran and severely punished the son of the Chief Cabinet Minister, he became notorious among the bullies of the capital. Apart from the princes and the sons of the dukes, most of the rich brats didn't dare to provoke Song Li, and naturally, they avoided his top confidant, Pang Da, like the plague.

The last time Huang Feihu had beaten Pang Da, he was beaten so badly by Song Li that he was still bedridden. Who was Huang Feihu? He was the son of the Chief Cabinet Minister, who wielded immense power. Yet, even after Song Li bullied him so badly, the Chief Cabinet Minister, Mr. Huang, didn't say a harsh word.

Song Li and the Justice Alliance rose rapidly, becoming a force in the capital that could not be ignored. Therefore, when Pang Da went out to "rob the rich and help the poor," things usually went very smoothly. Even if a few tried to resist, they weren't his match. Those who were better than him were wary of Song Li, so he rarely encountered resistance.

For a time, the name "Justice Alliance" became a curse for the rich brats of the capital. Just hearing the name, most would flee as far as they could. Those who couldn't escape in time would usually be extorted by Pang Da with a small knife.

At the Zhongqin Wang's residence.

Long Ziyi sat in the study, engrossed in a scroll of ancient texts.

She had been influenced by her family since childhood and loved reading, with extensive knowledge and a wide range of interests, which was very different from most of the uneducated rich brats in the capital. The book she was reading was called "The Secret Geography of the Holy Lion Empire," which recorded various mysterious geographical phenomena within the empire.

The book mentioned a peculiar phenomenon in Langya Mountain, located in the western suburbs of the capital, which caught Long Ziyi's attention. Langya Mountain, situated about fifty miles west of the capital, was not very high but was known for its beautiful and graceful shape, lush trees, and numerous strangely shaped rocks. Inside the Langya Cave, stalactites stood tall, creating a surreal and beautiful landscape, making it one of the ten wonders of the Holy Lion City.

However, the book described Langya Mountain as one of the most dangerous places in the world. Beneath it lay the "Heart of the Earth Fire," and the Langya Cave was its vent. This Heart of the Earth Fire possessed extremely destructive energy. Once it erupted, everything within twenty miles of Langya Mountain would be incinerated, and the lava would burn the ground to a depth of two meters, leaving all living things dead.

The Heart of the Earth Fire had a regular cycle, erupting every three hundred years. The current strange rocks of Langya Mountain were formed by the cooling lava after the last eruption. Three hundred years ago, Langya Mountain looked very different. The eruption of the Heart of the Earth Fire and the outpouring of lava would change the surrounding terrain.

What particularly caught Long Ziyi's attention was that, according to the dates recorded in the book, it would be exactly three hundred years since the last eruption in just three days! In other words, in three days, the Heart of the Earth Fire beneath Langya Mountain would erupt again?

Langya Mountain, known for its beautiful scenery, attracted many tourists, and a bustling town had formed at its base, with a population of about ten thousand, all dependent on the mountain for their livelihood. However, so far, no one had reported any signs of an impending eruption. Perhaps the three hundred years had been long enough for people to forget such a terrifying event. If the book's records were true, in three days, the bustling town at the base of Langya Mountain would be reduced to ashes by the Heart of the Earth Fire, and all ten thousand people would be doomed!

Long Ziyi hesitated, unsure whether to tell the Zhongqin Wang. The Zhongqin Wang was known as the "Wise Prince" in the court. If the news was true, he would be the first to step forward, demonstrating his noble spirit and compassion for the people. If she told him, he would certainly use this opportunity to expand his influence among the people.

However, there was a crucial point: what if it wasn't true? No matter how much Long Ziyi thought about it, she couldn't associate the beautiful and graceful Langya Mountain with the dangerous Heart of the Earth Fire. In the ten years she had lived in the capital, she had never heard anyone mention the Heart of the Earth Fire. It was hard to believe based solely on the partial information in the book.

Forcing the relocation of ten thousand people from the town would be a massive undertaking. Where would they go, how would they live, and which place would be willing to accept so many people? These were major issues for the government to consider. Whether the people living there would be willing to move was also a big question. If they followed the government's orders and moved, and it turned out to be a rumor, the Zhongqin Wang would bear the primary responsibility.

If she told the Zhongqin Wang, knowing his character, he would take the risk. Sometimes political games were a form of gambling, a risky investment. If he won, it would be a great achievement. If he lost, the Holy Emperor would seize the opportunity to counterattack, and the Zhongqin Wang's carefully cultivated position over the years would be in danger.

The lives and futures of ten thousand people were not a small matter.

Although Long Ziyi was not interested in the imperial succession of the Holy Lion Empire, and it had nothing to do with her, she had lived in the Zhongqin Wang's residence for many years and owed him a favor. While the Zhongqin Wang had accepted her mainly because of his connection with her family and the potential influence of her family, it was still a favor. If the Zhongqin Wang were to fall because of this, she would feel guilty.

Over the past ten years, the Zhongqin Wang had treated her very well. Ten years ago, he had even risked the suspicion of the late emperor to secure her the title of "Princess." This was because she was already highly respected in her family, and he didn't want her to suffer without a proper status in his residence. Although Long Ziyi didn't think much of the title of "Princess" in the Holy Lion Empire, she couldn't ignore the Zhongqin Wang's efforts.

However, if she did nothing, and the records were true, the ten thousand lives in Langya Town would be burned to ashes, which was also a result she did not want to see. Although she had a playful side, she was fundamentally kind.

As she was deep in thought, Prince Jing's son, Song Mohui, and Prince Kang's son, Song Qingshan, arrived with smiles on their faces. Seeing Long Ziyi, they bowed respectfully. Song Mohui said respectfully, "Your Highness, you are truly different from us mere mortals. Your extensive knowledge and talent are truly admirable!"

Song Qingshan clapped his hands in admiration, "Your Highness, you are beautiful and wise, with a grace that surpasses us mere mortals!"

Long Ziyi put down the book, smiled, and gestured for them to sit down, instructing the servants to serve them three cups of good tea. She accepted their praise and compliments as if it were the most natural thing in the world, without any modesty. Deep down, she truly believed it. To most people, the sons of princes were already remarkable figures, but to her, they were just ordinary people. No matter how respectfully they treated her, she felt it was only right.

Song Mohui and Song Qingshan wiped the sweat from their foreheads and sat down respectfully. They couldn't understand why this little princess gave them such a strong sense of pressure. Even when facing their own fathers, they had never been so respectful.

Even with a smile on her face, the noble and refined aura she exuded made them feel tense and unable to breathe.

"What do you two want?" Long Ziyi sipped her tea and asked casually.