Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

Page 233

Chapter 11 Arrival in Tianrong City

Tianrong City, the capital of the Izumo Empire.

After two days of travel, Xiao Fan and his companion finally arrived here.

Xiao Fan looked at the dense crowd coming and going at the city gate, exchanged a glance with Yun Yun, and then the two of them concealed themselves and landed directly in an empty alley in Tianrong City.

"finally reached."

Xiao Fan landed on the ground, stretched comfortably, and then turned to look at Yun Yun beside him and said with a smile, "Let's go and see just how amazing Tianxiang Tower in Tianrong City really is."

As the capital of the Chuyun Empire, Tianrong City covers a vast area and is home to countless large and small forces and families. It can be said that any one of the forces that can gain a foothold in the capital could rule a city in other parts of the Chuyun Empire.

The very center of Tianrong City is the territory of the Sikou family, the royal family of the Chuyun Empire. Only princes, princesses, and other members of the Chuyun Empire's royal family are qualified to reside here. Even the Chuyun Empire's ancestral temple is located on the outer perimeter. This area is heavily guarded, with countless imperial guards patrolling every street. In addition, there are many hidden experts who keep a close watch on the safety of the area.

Aside from the area where the Izumo Empire's royal family resides, the closest region to this area is the undisputed hegemon of Tianrong City, including the Qi family and the Izumo Empire's royal family's ancestral temple.

To be honest, the Qi family was just a second-rate family in the Chuyun Empire. However, for some reason, the eldest daughter of the Qi family, Qi Siqi, became the empress of the Chuyun Empire. In addition, her eldest son, Qi Sixian, joined the Wanxie Sect and was said to be the closed-door disciple of an elder.

Qi Jiacai finally rose to become a first-rate power in the Chuyun Empire.

However, no matter how powerful these forces are, they dare not provoke the royal family of the Izumo Empire. After all, in the Izumo Empire, apart from the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect, which can get some face from the royal family, no other force dares to offend the royal family.

Angry the royal family will only lead to destruction.

In the area where the Qi family lived, most of the forces were undoubtedly the overlords of the Izumo Empire, but there was one force that was quite special.

On the most bustling street in Tianrong City, there stands an exceptionally eye-catching tall building, nine stories high—this is the Tianxiang Tower of the Chuyun Empire.

No one knows the origin of Tianxiang Tower, but some say that the fact that such an ostentatious nine-story pavilion could be built in the heart of the capital city, where land is incredibly valuable, suggests that the Izumo Empire's royal family must be behind Tianxiang Tower.

The Izumo Empire's royal family did not refute this claim, and even the top-tier powers within the city remained silent about the news, seemingly afraid of breaking some taboo. This only further solidified the rumors circulating outside.

Regardless of the rumors surrounding Tianxiang Tower, what the people of Tianrong City care about most are the various gossip stories circulating within the tower.

As the largest information-selling organization recognized by the Izumo Empire, Tianxianglou is extremely mysterious in everyone's mind, and Tianxianglou does not charge for every piece of information.

For information that has a wide impact and is known to many people, and cannot be kept confidential, Tianxianglou will use its own channels to publish it in Tianrong City early on.

Such things are rare, but every time Tianxianglou announces such news, it causes a huge uproar in the Chuyun Empire. Just like the death of the Wanxie Sect Master last time, it was Tianxianglou that spread the news.

Xiao Fan and Yun Yun walked along the streets of Tianrong City, slowly making their way towards Tianxiang Tower.

Along the way, Xiao Fan also noticed something very unusual: more and more people were rushing toward the street where Tianxiang Tower was located, as if something big was about to happen.

Xiao Fan and Yun Yun exchanged a glance, neither of them knowing what had happened.

Xiao Fan reached out and grabbed a young man who had just walked past him, then asked curiously, "Friend, I wonder what everyone is rushing off to?"

The man was stopped by Xiao Fan, and a hint of impatience rose on his face. He glanced at Xiao Fan subtly, but when he saw the precious silk clothes Xiao Fan was wearing, his expression instantly turned fawning. He bowed to Xiao Fan and then said, "Young master, you probably don't know this, but I heard from the uncle of the nephew of the waiter next door that the manager of Tianxiang Tower posted a notice today announcing a major event that will shock the Chuyun Empire. That's why everyone rushed to Tianxiang Tower."

"Announcing a major event that could affect the Izumo Empire? What could be so important that so many people would rush over there?"

Faced with Xiao Fan's question, the young man smiled and said with a chuckle, "Young master, you may not know this, but every time Tianxiang Tower announces a major event, in addition to some gossip, sometimes we also announce news that can affect the trade of goods in the Izumo Empire."

"For example, a year ago, a battle broke out among Dou Wang level experts at Shenhou Ridge, a place on the border of the Izumo Empire that is dedicated to cultivating fire lotuses. The fire lotuses were almost completely destroyed. The demand for fire lotuses in the Izumo Empire is considerable every year. Cultivating fire lotuses is extremely time-consuming, and it is impossible to find new finished products in a short period of time. Many people took the opportunity to hoard fire lotuses and made a fortune."

Upon hearing the young man's words, Xiao Fan finally understood why so many people were so interested in the news coming from Tianxiang Tower.

After all, if it's just gossip, we can wait and see. Once someone finds out, it will eventually spread. But as the other party just said, the sooner you know some news, the sooner you can prepare. Maybe many people can make a fortune from such an opportunity. By the time you get the news from others, they have probably already made thorough preparations. No wonder they are so concerned about the news that Tianxianglou mentioned.

Seeing the eagerness on the young man's face, Xiao Fan knew that he probably also wanted to get the news as soon as possible, so he didn't stop him. He took out a bottle of second-grade pills from his storage ring and threw it to the young man.

When the young man saw the pills that Xiao Fan threw over, a look of joy flashed across his face, knowing that pills were not cheap.

The man was dressed in rich clothes and looked like a young master from a powerful family. At least I didn't waste my time explaining to him.

After realizing that Xiao Fan was alright, the young man cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Fan and hurriedly headed back towards Tianxiang Tower. After all, if he arrived too late, he might not be able to get the latest news.

Chapter 12 is a major event that could significantly impact the Izumo Empire!

"Let's go, let's join in the fun."

Xiao Fan smiled at Yun Yun, and then the two of them quickly headed towards the location of Tianxiang Tower.

When they arrived at the entrance of Tianxiang Restaurant, it was already packed with onlookers. Fortunately, the restaurant's staff managed to clear a wide path for people to pass through.

After all, the area where Tianxiang Tower is located is surrounded by top-tier forces in Tianrong City. If you block the road and anger them, a single order from them would be enough to make them suffer.

Actually, you can also choose to enter Tianxiang Tower. After all, you can get the same information there, but it won't be as noisy as outside.

However, those crowding the entrance were mostly commoners who had come hoping to get rich. After all, those with some means had already entered Tianxiang Tower, and these commoners crowded at the entrance could only look on with envy at the prices inside.

However, Xiao Fan didn't have such worries. He led Yun Yun straight towards the main entrance of Tianxiang Tower.

"Young master, what are you looking to buy?"

Although the streets outside were incredibly noisy, once inside Tianxiang Tower, the noise outside diminished considerably. A woman with a good figure and beautiful face approached Xiao Fan and his companions and inquired about their whereabouts.

"Give us a quiet place, we want to see what's going on."

Xiao Fan smiled at the maid and then spoke.

Upon hearing Xiao Fan's words, the maid's face showed a hint of hesitation. After all, at this time of year, all sorts of powerful forces in Tianrong City would come to Tianxiang Tower hoping to get the latest news. Although Tianxiang Tower was spacious, the space inside was ultimately limited, and not all forces were qualified to enter the private rooms.

However, seeing that Xiao Fan and his companion were dressed in luxurious clothes, and although they were strangers, she worried that if she had been careless and neglected her distinguished guests, she would be held accountable and likely face severe punishment.

Seemingly sensing the woman's predicament, Xiao Fan reached out and took out the waist token given to him by Lao Wan, the manager of Tianxiang Tower in Liuguang City, and handed it to the maid.

Upon seeing the waist token handed over by Xiao Fan, the maid's face flashed with understanding. She gave the two men a graceful bow and then said, "Please follow me, esteemed guests."

The maid then led Xiao Fan and Yun Yun upstairs. They continued up to the fourth floor before the maid led them inside.

The third and fourth floors of Tianxiang Tower are nominally the floors for purchasing items, but only some precious items are purchased on the fourth floor. Such items are not available all the time. In addition, the fifth floor is a special location reserved for the major powers in the area where Tianxiang Tower is located. Therefore, after seeing the waist token in Xiao Fan's hand, the maid led Xiao Fan to a private room on the fourth floor that was specially prepared for the distinguished guests of Tianxiang Tower.

"If you two honored guests need anything else later, please just let us know."

After the maid led Xiao Fan and his companion into the private room, she said something to them and then left, leaving Xiao Fan and his companion behind.

Although most of the fourth floor consisted of enclosed private rooms for the sake of security during the transaction, there were a few cubicles with windows near the windows, and the maid arranged one of these cubicles for Xiao Fan and his group.

Looking down through the window, you can see the crowded streets clearly.

Xiao Fan glanced at the crowded people on the street below and couldn't help but say, "I didn't expect Tianxiang Tower to have such business tactics."

If Tianxianglou only provides rare and valuable information, although every move they make has special meaning in the eyes of those powerful forces, it has no special significance in the eyes of ordinary people, since it has no impact on them whatsoever.

Those who can afford to buy information from Tianxiang Tower are all wealthy, but most ordinary people cannot afford to spend all their savings to buy a single piece of information.

Therefore, Tianxianglou selectively releases information about certain "major events," which not only maintains the mystery of Tianxianglou but also plants the seeds of Tianxianglou in the hearts of ordinary people.

Once they've tasted this sweetness just once, just like the news about the Fire Lotus that the young man mentioned, they'll flock to Tianxiang Tower.

After all, everyone fantasizes that they might be the next one to seize the opportunity and become rich overnight.

Therefore, they will frantically follow any news from Tianxianglou. As long as this continues, the common people will not even doubt the authenticity of the news about Tianxianglou. They will subconsciously choose to believe it and follow Tianxianglou's lead without even realizing it. Xiao Fan is now somewhat convinced of the rumors that Tianxianglou is backed by the royal family. After all, apart from the royal family, probably no one would be willing to go to such great lengths to increase their credibility among the common people.

If I hadn't known that the Izumo Empire's royal family had always been controlled by the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect and wanted to completely break free from them, plus my own historical experience of several thousand years more than theirs in my previous life, I might not have been able to see the purpose of the people behind Tianxiang Tower.

Since the royal family wants to completely break free from the control of the Scorpion Sect, what is the most important point?

Strength! Without strength, everything is just empty talk.

However, the second factor is public sentiment. Once the common people subconsciously trust the news from Tianxiang Tower after a long period of recognition, if the royal family wants to get rid of the control of Wanxie Sect, all they need to do is delay their high-end combat forces and then use Tianxiang Tower to spread the news. Wanxie Sect's status in the Chuyun Empire will plummet. In this way, the royal family might actually be able to get rid of Wanxie Sect.

However, the most important thing in this process is that the royal family has someone with combat power comparable to that of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect. Otherwise, no matter what tricks they use, a slap from Scorpion Bi Yan, a four-star Dou Zong, will turn them into ashes.

Just as Xiao Fan was pondering the purpose of the person behind Tianxiang Tower, the crowded people below gradually quieted down.

Immediately, a middle-aged man dressed in light blue clothes and slightly overweight stood at the entrance.

As for the news that Tianxianglou wants to spread, there are people specially arranged by Tianxianglou to spread it in the places where the local bigwigs are located on the fifth floor. For the common people who come to join in the fun, Tianxianglou will also send a manager to the gate to pass on the message.

After the middle-aged man in light blue clothes stood at the gate, the noisy crowd on the surrounding street immediately quieted down. After all, they all wanted to know the news, and anyone who dared to make a fuss at this time would definitely anger everyone.

Chapter 13 Shocking News

Thank you all for coming!

The fat man, dressed in light blue clothes, stood at the entrance of the hall, cupped his hands in greeting to the onlookers, and smiled.

The surrounding people were used to this scene, since it was always this Steward Liu who announced the news to the onlookers on the first floor whenever Tianxiang Tower made a statement, so everyone was very familiar with it.

"Deacon Liu, stop keeping us in suspense and just announce the news already!"

Among the onlookers, a middle-aged man standing at the front of the crowd looked up and said something, which drew agreement from the crowd, but he only said one sentence and then stopped talking.

Upon hearing the middle-aged man's voice, Deacon Liu smiled and said, "Hehe, since this friend has spoken up, and everyone else is also curious, I won't keep you in suspense any longer."

Deacon Liu adjusted his wide sleeves, then his expression turned serious before he spoke: "The information we received this time occurred within the Gama Empire!"

Deacon Liu's first words immediately caused a huge uproar at the scene.

"The Gama Empire? What news could warrant such high praise from Tianxiang Tower?"

"What news could the Gama Empire have that could affect us? Could it be that the Gama Empire wants to start another war?"

"It must be. Besides war, what other news from the Gama Empire could affect our Izumo Empire?"

"Sigh, if we keep fighting, won't it be us ordinary people who suffer in the end?"

......

As soon as Deacon Liu finished speaking, the surrounding civilians couldn't contain themselves any longer. After all, given the relationship between the Gama Empire and the Izumo Empire, everyone assumed that the two empires were about to go to war again.

When Deacon Liu heard everyone's complaints, he didn't stop them immediately. Instead, he waited until they had complained a few times before he took a deep breath and said loudly, "Everyone, please be quiet!"

Upon hearing Deacon Liu's voice, the crowd quieted down again, their eyes fixed on him with eager anticipation.