Chapter 28
The Deserted Palace of Salvation
They were exiled in May and arrived in Desolate City in July.
There were a total of twenty eight exiles. Some of them died along the way and there were less than twenty left right now.
Meanwhile, the city gate of Desolate City was open. Everyone walked out of the fog and saw that there were already guards waiting at the city gate.
“When the handover is completed, we’ll be able to rest for a few days. Such a life is really not for humans,” the Yamen officers said with a smile.
“We must go to Chunxiang Tower to have some fun after we get back.” A few Yamen officers licked their lips.
Officers like them normally spent two months to come here for the handover and two months to get back to the capital for another order.
But if they returned quickly enough, they could at least have a month to rest.
“Look, look, look, what are you looking at? You’re lucky our chief is kind. If not, a few of you would have been flogged to death dragging your feet like that.” A Yamen officer glanced over everyone.
That was right. In general, if prisoners didn’t obey orders, they would be flogged.
People like them were rarely beaten though.
“After entering Desolate City, you’ll be on your own. Whether you die or live will depend on yourselves.” The chief of the Yamen officers glanced at the Jiang family. Old Lord Jiang had students all over the world and he might be able to go back.
However, Prince Huaijiang was cruel, so it would be extremely difficult.
Asking His Majesty to show mercy was no easier than making an iron tree
blossom.
The guards in Desolate City soon came out. Although they were just soldiers that guarded the city, they all looked vicious and their gazes were like swords.
“They send everything to Desolate City. They really think Desolate City is a dumpster. But it’s still not enough for the evil ghosts to eat,” the guard murmured and completed the handover with the chief of the Yamen officers.
After two months of journeying to exile, the Jiang family was now in a mess. Even Old Lord Jiang’s back bent over quite a lot.
“Alright, come with me. I’m the guard of the city and I am responsible for settling the exiles. You can call me Brother Wang.” After the handover, Brother Wang took everyone into Desolate City.
The moment they entered Desolate City, they felt several degrees colder.
“Take off your cuffs. If you have the courage, you can try to run away. I guess the chief of the Yamen officers didn’t tell you that you can only go through the fog with something special on you. If someone goes into the fog, he’ll be buried in the stomachs of monsters and evil ghosts.” Brother Wang snickered. This group of weak scholars would be dead if they escaped.
Jiang Yubai had worked in court for many years. He came over and gave Brother Wang some money.
Brother Wang immediately looked much better.
“Now you’re talking. I’ll tell you the rules of Desolate City.” Brother Wang led them forward. Everyone around them was wearing ragged clothes. They seemed to be living in a poor condition.
“The city is divided into the inner city and outer city, and there’s the Palace of Salvation. The inner city is for the nobles. They can resist the invasion of the evil spirits and are the pillars of Desolate City. If you have some good men in your family, you can send them there. If they’re chosen, they’ll be qualified to get into the inner city in the future. And yet, not many people can come back from that place alive. As for the outer city, it’s for exiles who broke the law like you.” Brother Wang looked at everyone mockingly.
“Don’t even think about what high officials you used to be. All of that doesn’t matter here in Desolate City. Even the father of the Emperor has to work in the outer city after entering the city gate.”
“There’s also a Palace of Salvation in the west of the city. The Palace of Salvation is not really worth mentioning. People said if the savior shows its presence, it can save the world. Unfortunately, the Palace of Salvation is already ruined. There are spider’s webs hanging everywhere. Only one gatekeeper is staying there. I’m not sure how many generations of idiots they’ve had.”
Brother Wang stopped in a dark and damp alley.