As they approached Wuyuan City, Kai was met with a sight that sent a chill down his spine—a familiar scene he had hoped to not see again. Just as he had encountered when traveling through the Ember Sword Sect's territory and arriving at Mungsu, a sprawling tent city had formed outside the city gates. This makeshift settlement was teeming with refugees and desperate mortals fleeing the ravages of war against the demonic cultivators. They had come to Zan, a land where cultivators were said to tread lightly, seeking safety and solace from the cultivators that had destroyed their lives.

  However, unlike the tent city he had seen in Mungsu, this encampment was massive, far larger than he would have anticipated. Rows upon rows of tattered tents stretched as far as the eye could see, their fabric flapping in the wind like the wings of trapped birds. The air was thick with the sounds of despair—cries of children, the murmurs of worried parents, and the occasional shout of frustration as people jostled for space and resources.

  Kai's heart sank at the sight. It was clear that even more people had sought refuge in Zan, driven by the same fear that had propelled him and Lu Bu’s family on their journey. The sheer number of souls gathered here was overwhelming.

  He glanced down at Lu Bu, who was staring wide-eyed at the scene before them. The child’s innocence was palpable, and Kai felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. “Stay close, Lu Bu,” he said softly, squeezing the boy’s hand.

  As they moved closer to the encampment, Kai could see the makeshift stalls where vendors were attempting to sell food and supplies, their prices inflated by the desperate circumstances. Families huddled together, sharing what little they had, while others stood in line for meager rations.

  Kai felt a pang of empathy for the refugees. He understood their plight all too well. But he also knew that they had to be cautious. The presence of so many desperate people could lead to chaos, and he didn’t want to draw attention to himself or Lu Bu.

  “Let’s find a way through,” he murmured, guiding Lu Bu along the edge of the encampment. They navigated the narrow paths between the tents, trying to remain inconspicuous. Kai’s mind raced with thoughts of how to help, but he knew that their priority was to secure their own safety first.

  As they passed by a group of refugees, a woman caught Kai’s eye. She was cradling a small child in her arms, her face etched with worry and exhaustion. For a brief moment, their eyes met, and Kai felt a connection—a shared understanding of the struggles they both faced.

  “Please, if you have anything to spare…” the woman began, her voice trembling with desperation.

  Kai hesitated, his heart aching at the sight of her plight. The desperation in her eyes mirrored the struggles he had witnessed countless times before from mortals, and he felt a deep sense of empathy for her situation. He had little to offer, but he couldn’t turn a blind eye to the suffering surrounding him.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “All I have is this.” With subtlety, he reached into his storage ring and pulled out a few pieces of leather he had collected during his travels. “You might be able to trade these for something to eat.”

  The woman’s eyes widened as she caught sight of the animal skins. Without hesitation, she quickly snatched them from his hands, her expression shifting from despair to a flicker of hope. “Thank you!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude. Without another word, she turned and hurried away, clutching her child tightly as she disappeared into the throng of refugees.

  Kai watched her retreating figure, a mix of sadness and helplessness washing over him. The situation in Mungsu had been dire, but here, the atmosphere felt even more desperate. The sheer number of people struggling to survive weighed heavily on his heart.

  As he stood there, the sounds of the encampment enveloped him—the cries of children, the murmurs of worried parents, and the rustle of makeshift tents. Each sound was a reminder of the harsh reality these people were enduring.

  With a heavy heart, Kai turned back to the path leading into Wuyuan City. His primary objective was clear: he needed a map and reliable information for the journey north. While he had gathered most of the supplies necessary for their travels, a clear destination and a detailed map would be invaluable in navigating the unfamiliar terrain ahead.

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  But there was another pressing concern weighing on his mind—he needed to find a safe place for Lu Bu to live. The chaotic tent city was no environment for a child, and he doubted he could leave the poor boy here, especially given the current state of desperation. Perhaps there was someone in the city who could direct him to a good orphanage or a safe haven for children like Lu Bu.

  As they made their way through the tent city, Kai kept his gaze focused ahead, careful not to meet the eyes of anyone around him. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, especially after the encounter with the woman he had helped. The last thing he needed was to become embroiled in the struggles of the desperate souls surrounding him.

  The throngs of people only seemed to increase as they approached the gates of Wuyuan City. A cacophony of voices filled the air—pleas for entry, cries of hunger, and murmurs of despair. Kai’s heart ached at the sight of families huddled together, their faces etched with worry as they begged to be let inside. But the gates remained firmly closed, and the guards stationed there stood resolute, their expressions unmoved by the desperate pleas of the crowd.

  As Kai scanned the area, his gaze fell upon a man sitting against the city wall, observing the scene with a weary expression. The man appeared to be in his forties, with unkempt hair and a scruffy beard, his clothes tattered and worn. He seemed detached from the chaos around him, as if he had long since resigned himself to the harsh realities of life outside the city.

  Curiosity piqued, Kai approached the man cautiously, hoping he might have some insight or information that could help them. “Excuse me,” he said, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing attention. “Do you know if there are any orphanages or safe places for children in the city?”

  The man looked up, his eyes narrowing as he assessed Kai and Lu Bu. After a moment of silence, he sighed heavily. “Orphanages? There are a few, but they’re overcrowded. Many children end up out here, just like the rest of us,” he replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. “You’d be lucky to find a place that can take in another child.”

  Kai felt a pang of disappointment but pressed on, determined to gather the information he needed. “I see… Do you know anyone I could trade supplies with?”

  “Plenty of people around here are desperate to trade,” the old man replied, his voice rough but not unfriendly.

  “I’m specifically looking for a merchant,” Kai clarified, his tone firm. He needed a map—something that most everyday mortals didn’t possess. Most people rarely ventured far from their communities, so they had little use for such a tool. Merchants, on the other hand, traveled extensively and were likely to have maps they might be willing to trade.

  “Ah, so you’re looking for food then,” the old man assumed, mistaking Kai’s intent. In this desperate situation, the only traders dealing in food were the merchants. “The only merchant who leaves the city to trade with us is Sato. But be warned, he’ll charge you an arm and a leg,” he cautioned, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.

  “Thank you. Where can I find this Sato?” Kai asked, eager for more specific information.

  The old man explained to Kai where Sato could usually be found within the tent city. Just as their conversation came to a close, a commotion erupted near the city gate.

  “Get back, all of you!” a booming voice commanded.

  Emerging from the city gate was a large man clad in armor, his imposing figure accentuated by the sword he carried at his side. The atmosphere shifted, tension crackling in the air as the crowd instinctively recoiled.

  A ragged figure, a beggar with dirt-streaked skin and tattered clothes, fell to his knees before the armored man, desperation etched across his face. “Please, sir, have mercy—” he pleaded, his voice trembling.

  In an instant, the guard drew his sword with a swift motion, the blade glinting ominously in the light. Without hesitation, he struck down the beggar, the sickening sound of steel meeting flesh echoing through the air. Blood sprayed from the wound, splattering onto the ground and nearby onlookers. Gasps of horror erupted from the crowd, and Lu Bu, who had been watching wide-eyed, instinctively clenched Kai’s sleeve tighter, his small body trembling at the sight of such brutality.

  The guard, unfazed by the chaos he had just wrought, pulled his sword from the lifeless body and sheathed it with a casual flick of his wrist. He turned to address the horrified crowd, his voice dripping with clear contempt. “The city lord has ordered that anyone who approaches within fifty feet of the gate without authorization will be cut down. So, all of you get back now before I decide to end this problem you filth are causing our city, once and for all!”

  Kai felt a surge of anger and helplessness at the guard’s callousness. The fear in the eyes of the refugees mirrored his own turmoil, and he could feel Lu Bu’s grip tightening on his sleeve, a silent plea for safety.

  “Come on, Lu Bu,” Kai whispered urgently, his heart racing. “We need to move away from here.”

  He gently pulled the child closer, guiding him through the throng of terrified people. The atmosphere was thick with dread, and Kai’s mind raced with thoughts of how to navigate this volatile situation.

  (Author's Note: Just putting this here for when a bot scrapes and repost without my permission. Hey there! You're reading a story by me, Saberfang. This was likely taken from royal road or scribble hub. If you like my work please read it on those websites or on patreon at patreon.com/user?u=83747391)

  Patreon. If you want to read up to 36 chapters early you can head over there.