NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 108:
Chapter 108: The Relationship Between Dagan and Shiwandashan:
There are thirteen states in Dagan, each unique and prosperous. Some examples include Tianling Prefecture, where martial arts schools flourish; Nanyang Prefecture, known for its Taoist masters; and Jiangdao Prefecture, with waterways stretching in all directions. The taxes collected from these thirteen states form a crucial pillar for maintaining the Empire’s operations.
This dependency on taxes seems logical, as the survival of officials and the people is intertwined, much like boats and water.
But was it truly necessary to levy taxes on Qingniu Town and similar villages on Dagan’s border, which do not even belong to any state?
Even a six-year-old child could conclude that taxing such places was unnecessary. Yet Dagan does so anyway.
The reason was clear: the Emperor of Dagan, distant and removed, cares little for the life and death of these border towns. There wasn’t even a stationed army to protect them. Ironically, the Dagan army, tasked with safeguarding humanity, was stationed at the heart of Dagan, blocking demons from crossing the border—and also preventing civilians from fleeing this living hell.
Wu Yingxue’s throat felt dry, as if coated with dust and sand.
“How could it be…” she muttered, her voice trembling. “Does this mean the people here can only rely on themselves to survive?” The reality was so shocking that it shattered her worldview.
The sixteen-year-old stood abruptly, leaning forward with her hands pressed against the rough wooden table, her wide, disbelieving eyes fixed on Xu Xi.
“How can this be allowed? There are so many people here! Not only are they left unprotected, but they’re also taxed! How is anyone supposed to survive like this?” she exclaimed, her voice rising with each word.
The sunlight streaming in highlighted her trembling arms, her pale fingers gripping the table so tightly that the force radiated through her entire body. Her red and white robe fluttered with each breath she took.
Snap—Snap—
The sound of the wooden table cracking under her grip echoed through the room, as did the breaking of her once-simple worldview.
In Dagan, warriors enjoy certain privileges, such as tax exemptions. Their strength also serves as their greatest defense against monsters.
However, becoming a warrior was no easy task.
While Qi and Blood Martial Arts are relatively accessible compared to other systems, they still present significant barriers. Not everyone could excel, and most people were limited to practicing the basic “Yang Yuan Art,” a simple martial art issued by Dagan. This technique merely circulates Qi and blood, slightly improving daily strength.
For the people of Qingniu Town, becoming a true warrior capable of resisting monsters and avoiding taxes was an almost insurmountable challenge.
“This world is full of illusions, but pain does not lie,” Xu Xi said, addressing the girl’s disbelief.
He didn’t offer a direct answer, instead urging her to confront the truth herself. What you see and hear might be deceptive, but the pain embedded in people, objects, and solitude cannot be faked.
Though Wu Yingxue had stayed within Xu Xi’s house since arriving in Qingniu Town, she had observed the harsh realities of this border town. She had seen Aniu’s naive joy upon receiving demon flesh from Xu Xi and a mother holding her baby, staring blankly into an uncertain future.
For the first time, the young princess, raised in luxury, glimpsed the dark, grim reality of the world beyond her sheltered upbringing.
She fell silent, the weight of this revelation sinking in.
“Thank you for enlightening me…” Wu Yingxue finally whispered. “What I said before was truly ignorant…”
Resolving to face this reality, she picked up the piece of demon meat she had spat out earlier, chewed it silently, and swallowed.
Alternating between rice porridge and demon meat, she continued eating until her bowl was empty.
“Hah—!” she exhaled, gripping her dragon-patterned spear tightly.
Without another word, she walked to the courtyard, where she began practicing her spear techniques. The fiery energy of her movements stirred the wind, sending leaves swirling in a dance around her determined figure.
“She may be impulsive and naive, but her heart is pure,” Xu Xi mused silently as he took another bite of the braised demon meat.
His evaluation of the girl rose.
Mistakes were normal, especially when one’s past experiences limit their understanding. Yet Wu Yingxue not only acknowledged her error but also corrected it—spitting out the meat, then swallowing it again.
This act proved she was not just a fragile flower raised in a greenhouse, nor a hypocrite who merely played along for appearances.
“But what should I tell her? That the world is as dark as crows?” Xu Xi thought, chewing the tough meat. He swallowed it down with difficulty, his expression unchanged. Demon meat was far from palatable, but Qingniu Town had no better alternatives.
As he ate, his mind wandered to the relationship between Dagan and Shiwandashan.
“This sacrificial system reminds me of the Ellenson incident in the magical world. But no, it’s worse,” he reflected. “In the magical world, gods create disasters occasionally to demonstrate their power and grant blessings. Such tragedies occur every few centuries, and most of the time, gods act as humanity’s protectors. They maintain order and coexist with humans.”
“But the martial world is different…” Xu Xi put down his bowl, frowning. “To demons, humans are nothing but food, devoid of any status. Perhaps there’s an agreement between Dagan and the demons, or maybe just an unspoken understanding. Either way, the people living on the border were abandoned long ago, left to serve as a food supply for the demons.”
“That’s the only explanation for Dagan’s baffling policies,” he concluded.
After dinner, Xu Xi stepped outside and saw Wu Yingxue practicing fiercely, her spear techniques brimming with energy and anger.
Behind her, the oppressive silhouette of the Hundred Thousand Mountains loomed, the black peaks stretching endlessly like a massive dragon encircling human territory.
“What a cursed world…” he muttered under his breath.