There is a tradition in China, that is, what is missing in the name of the life, for example, the general name has the word "Miao", it is likely that the family at birth judged the lack of water in the child's life according to the eight characters, so three water was supplemented, and "Sen, Xin" is almost the same.

This rule cannot be applied generally, and such a situation is rare after the new era. You don't always know what someone calls and what virtue is, you just say that people lack virtue in their lives.

But Decheng has a bit of this meaning, because there is really no "virtue" in this city.

This is the intersection of the three kingdoms of Yichuan, Hengjin and Pingxiang, and these three kingdoms are under the rule of the three big surname gate lord families, so it is better to say that this is the intersection of the Qi family in the northwest, the Pu family in the southwest and the Jin family in the Central Plains.

Such a place is generally not peaceful.

It's not that the three major families can't manage it, it's just that they can't manage it, and they don't want to manage it.

This is a gray area, and there are some things that are difficult to deal with on the surface, and the three major families will put them here to do. There are some shady businesses, and they have to do it here. There are also some clan relatives who have made big mistakes and are intolerable to heaven, and they will also be exiled here, saying that they are exiled, but in fact, they are also released to a way out.

In addition to the three major families, there are naturally many people or things that cannot see the light here.

There are many sinners who have committed crimes in other places to escape their sins, some outlaws who risk their lives to get rich, and some businessmen who are driven by profit to lick their blood.

There is no clear law here, there is no sound system, what is more suitable here is the law of the jungle, and the strong are respected. Every day people enter the city, and every day people die, this is the city of chaos.

Of course, there are also civilians here, after all, there are ordinary people everywhere who need to do something inferior in the eyes of those big people. For example, if you build a house or a building, you always need coolies, you need to sow grains, you need to repair toilets, and you need to raise poultry, pigs and sheep.

But does it really take an old man from the Heavenly Changing Realm to do this kind of thing?

Jiang Ling definitely didn't believe it, when the old man introduced the matter about Xuan Jingtie in such detail, he didn't use words like "it is said", "I heard", "it seems", and he knew everything about it, Jiang Ling would not believe it.

The old man's expression was as usual, and he chuckled: "How can anyone go to someone's house and ask about the identity of a bad old man." ”

Jiang Ling also nodded, knowing that it was indeed rude for him to ask like this, even if he really had any identity, why should he tell you? Jiang Lingxian said sincerely: "I am indeed from outside, and there are four companions, and the main task of coming here is to kill another team of people. Of course, since there is a big event happening in this city, we also have to join in the fun, although we can't compete with the three major families for this Xuanjing iron, but we also want to see if we can get some benefits. ”

Jiang Ling's words were more sincere, and the old man nodded with satisfaction, but still reminded: "Then you should be careful." ”

Jiang Ling saw that the old man still didn't reveal his identity, so he asked in a different way: "I also inquired about some useful news from you, and drank your cup of tea, I don't know if I can help you?" ”

The old man was silent for a moment when he heard this, looked up at the courtyard, and then showed a bit of vicissitudes in his eyes, and said, "Since Xiaoyou is so honest, I will believe you for the time being." To tell you the truth, I used to be and did be a disciple of a certain sect, four years ago, I accidentally killed a tyrannical gentleman, that person was the son of an adult in the county government, that adult was naturally furious, posted a wanted notice, to kill me to pay for his son's life, my sect could not calm the matter, I had to flee here. ”

Jiang Ling listened quietly and did not ask for details.

The old man continued: "If I can go further in my cultivation, I am not afraid of being wanted by the county government, but I am not young, and it is really difficult for me to go to the next level in my cultivation, and I have been here for four whole years before I can reach the Heavenly Change Realm." The old man smiled bitterly: "There are countless masters hidden here, and the Heavenly Change Realm is nothing here, and I have had a hard time in the past four years." ”

Looking at the bitterness in the wrinkles on the old man's face, Jiang Ling could also guess how difficult it was for the old man who was still in the land transfer realm to come to this chaotic city alone four years ago.

The old man sighed lightly and said, "I have raised some animals here, and I live carefully, I thought that I would sell them in a few days and return to my hometown to have a look." Who knew that just two days ago, a group of people broke into the yard, robbed me of a dozen chickens, and captured three pigs. ”

Jiang Ling also remembered that he had just seen the chicken nest in the yard and no chickens, so he couldn't help frowning and said, "These people are very strong? ”

"A few bastards from the land." The old man said helplessly: "But people have a backstage, they are all members of the Sand Gang, saying that it is to celebrate the digging of Xuanjing Iron and to hold a feast." That's what I inquired about at that time. ”

Hearing this name again, Jiang Ling asked, "This sand gang is a local gang in the city?" ”

"Yes, there are quite a few people, it is the largest gang in the city, and the gang leader has the strength of the Xuanji Lower Realm." The old man spoke.

Hearing the word Xuanji, Jiang Ling couldn't help but change his complexion, after all, he had not faced the big man of Xuanji to this day.

Generally speaking, the great people of Xuanji use the ability to penetrate the heavens and the earth, even in a country, they are admired by everyone. And in this land of just one city, there is such a male lord.

"The Sand Gang has a history of more than ten years in Decheng, you must know that in this smoky city, too many gangs have been established and broken, and almost no organization can gain a firm foothold. The old man said: "Over the years, the iron and salt and smelting and forging industries in the city have been in charge of the sand gang. Although there are many forces infiltrating the sand gang, under the checks and balances of the gang leader, it is very stable. And this time digging out the Xuanjing Iron is really a big deal, if it is not handled well, it will cause the sand gang to fall apart. But if it is dealt with, the position of the sand gang will be more stable, and even soar into the sky. ”

Jiang Ling nodded and said, "Since they all robbed the cattle to put on a feast, they seem to be jubilant." Will the Sand Gang divide this Xuanjing Iron equally among the three major families? ”

The old man concluded, "No, they don't have that power. Moreover, Xuanjing Iron is not an ordinary material, it represents a batch of top-level weapons and equipment, and the stakes are very important, and no one will want to share it until they are sure that they can't swallow it alone. ”

"And it just so happens that these three major families all think they have the strength to monopolize it?"

"That's exactly why I said that this city is going to be chaotic." The old man said: "The three major families all have power in Decheng, on the surface and under the water, once these are all opened, it will be a fierce competition." ”

Jiang Ling touched his chin and said, "If I am the leader of the Sand Gang, I will immediately find a family and send this Xuanjing Iron out." ”

The old man naturally understood what Jiang Ling meant, and nodded: "This also makes sense, after all, Xuanjing Iron is placed in the Sand Gang, no matter how strong the Sand Gang is, in the eyes of the three major families, this Xuanjing Iron is no different from the ownerless, everyone wants to rob it, this is the so-called 'Huaibi Guilt'." If it is immediately given to a certain family, it is equivalent to finding an owner for Xuanjing Tie. ”

Jiang Ling tilted his head and said, "But the leader of the Sand Gang didn't do this, can't he be the master as the leader of the gang?" ”

"There are reasons for this. There are also several elders with considerable prestige and strength in the Sand Gang, who are related to the three major families, and if the leader of the Sand Gang decides to give Xuanjing Iron to a certain family, the lackeys of the other two families will naturally not agree. The old man analyzed: "Moreover, the leader of this sand gang doesn't seem to see which family has the most powerful power sent here, so he doesn't dare to act rashly, and plans to wait and see." Of course, maybe he had already colluded with a certain family, which is not something we can know. But at least on the surface, the sand gang has not yet decided where to go for this batch of Xuanjing Iron. ”

Jiang Ling asked: "Since the Sand Gang is so powerful and deeply rooted in Decheng, there is no possibility of private annexation?" ”

"Nope." The old man replied without hesitation, then thought about it for a while, and added, "Unless he is crazy in the sky." ”

Sha Jingtian, the leader of the Sand Gang, Jiang Ling secretly remembered this name, and then asked: "In addition to the Sand Gang, are there any other forces in the city?" ”

"Yes, in this city, those cats and dogs who gang up don't count, the strongest has three forces, one is this sand gang." The old man poured another cup of tea and said, "There are also the City Lord's Mansion and the New Yang Sect. ”

"City Lord's Mansion?" Jiang Ling was stunned for a moment and said, "Isn't this a borderless land, how can there be a city lord?" ”

"The city lords of Decheng are all self-reliant. The position of the city lord has always been occupied, but it has changed a lot. If you are strong and have followers, as long as you can kill the current city lord, you are the new city lord. Now, this one, has been sitting for eight years, and no one has been able to pull him off the horse. The old man explained: "This city lord still has some skills, it is said that he was once the general of Yichuan Kingdom, because he violated the military order, he should be beheaded for the crime, and then he escaped to Decheng." After a few years of dormancy, he then picked off the former city lord as soon as he made a move, and he took the throne, and after several years of accumulation, he already had a lot of loyal subordinates. Although the City Lord's Mansion cannot completely rule Decheng, it also has some binding force, and it is already the local force with the greatest influence on Decheng, and if you want to say that the dedication to Decheng is to regulate the fighting between large and small gangs in the city. ”

"Private government." Jiang Ling said curiously: "Doesn't this city lord have any special identity?" ”

The old man said: "Like the sand gang, this city lord is also from the left and right, and has dealings with the three major families. If he is really from a certain family, it is most likely to be a member of the Qi family, after all, Yichuan Country is within the scope of the Qi family. Regarding this matter of Xuan Jing Tie, there has been no movement on the City Lord's Mansion, and it seems that he does not intend to pay attention to this matter. ”

Jiang Ling pondered for a moment, and then asked, "What kind of organization is the Xinyang Sect?" ”

"A religion in which civilians are the majority." The old man explained: "This utilitarian and cruel city, no matter how big or small the gangs, is actually tied together because of interests. And this new yang religion is about faith. ”

"There's religion here." Jiang Ling was also very surprised, in this city where the interests of everything come first, the strong are respected, and the atmosphere of killing is strong, there is still religion that can stand.

The old man said indifferently: "Some people have too much blood on their hands, and they feel guilty or have ghosts in their hearts, and they need a faith to help them comfort themselves. There are also some poor people who are forced to live here, and the cruel way of the world makes them feel the urge to die every day, and they need faith to help them live tenaciously. ”

Jiang Ling understood the reason, nodded and said, "In this way, this New Yang Sect is still a little interesting, at least it knows how to care about the common people." ”

Hearing this, the old man looked disdainful and sneered: "You think too highly of them, where will there be good people in this city." The difference between Xinyangjiao and other forces is that others rule others by force, while they rule by brainwashing. They deceived the people in the name of 'devotion', 'reward' and 'piety', and in fact they did not know how many ignorant yellow flower girls were sent to the bishop's room, and how many people paid for the private interests of the priest or the bishop in a foolish way. ”

Jiang Ling sighed when he heard this, and said, "This is really not peaceful." ”

The old man repeated: "Remember, there are no good people here. ”

Jiang Ling nodded, then drank all the tea on the table, looked at the old man and asked, "You have told me so much again, it seems that you do have something to do with me, aren't you looking for trouble with the sand gang?" ”

"Nope." The old man shook his head, then stared at Jiang Ling, and said solemnly: "I want you to help me kill a bishop of the Xinyang Sect." ”