Chapter 197 – The Bustling Port of Ningyuan, A Chance Encounter

The morning sun had just peeked over the horizon when endless golden rays eagerly bathed the sleeping port, abruptly rousing it from slumber.

The bustling streets and alleys were packed with crowds, and at a glance, the foreign architectural style was vividly displayed.

From time to time, explosive hit songs reached his ears, unmistakably filled with a yearning for freedom, barely containing their unrestrained and bold, untamed spirit.

Even though Ye Kuang was well-traveled, he couldn’t help but be astonished by this.

Skirts fluttered like butterflies showcasing their elegance, and the people in this exotic setting couldn’t help but catch one’s eye.

Their tall, robust builds exuded a fierce aura, and with every movement or stillness, the explosive power beneath their burly frames was unmistakable.

“Truly, different lands breed different folks…” Ye Kuang couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

Duke Zhou: “Enough with the reflections. You’re not so bad yourself—that power of yours still leaves me uneasy.”

With that, Duke Zhou pushed Ye Kuang aside and continued, “Alright, your mission is complete. You’re free to do as you please now.”

No sooner had he spoken than an elongated black sedan slowly pulled up in front of the group.

When the door swung open, it revealed an elder.

Seeing him, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Damn, it’s you, old man? Didn’t you say you couldn’t come in person?”

Elder: “No need to be surprised. After this matter is settled, I’ll explain in detail. For now, you can go explore this city district.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the elder invited Duke Zhou into the car and then drove off without looking back.

One could say that with the lingering echo of Duke Zhou’s “farewell” in his ears, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but feel extremely frustrated.

It wasn’t until the black sedan completely vanished from sight that he finally cursed under his breath.

At that moment, the Heaven Earth Black Yellow Squad members stepped forward, offering congratulations left and right, which only made Ye Kuang’s expression grow increasingly sour.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” he grumbled, then angrily melted into the sea of people.

Amid the surging crowds, he glanced around repeatedly.

Unexpectedly, a greeting came from above the buildings: “What’s your name?”

Ye Kuang instinctively turned to look and saw a scruffy-bearded man, though he didn’t understand a word.

Simultaneously, a greeting came from the opposite window: “Tony.”

“Damn it, Tony,” the man roared angrily, as if cursing.

“Damn it, shoot.”

“Hahaha…”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but pause for a moment. Though he didn’t understand the artistic merit of their exchange, judging by their expressions, they seemed quite happy.

And often, the happiest things are also the simplest and most ordinary.

Unexpectedly, such joys in life aren’t exclusive to anyone.

The path of life with its seven emotions and six desires is an innate ability of every mortal.

Thinking this, Ye Kuang’s lips curled into an inexplicable smile, and he strode deeper into the city district.

Surprisingly, the architectural styles on both sides were strikingly different, clearly inheriting 1980s design characteristics. Though seemingly peculiar, they possessed a unique charm.

This fully illustrated Ningyuan Nation’s yearning for freedom.

Though he didn’t fully understand it yet, that passion for life was something he, too, aspired to.

As Ye Kuang gradually ventured deeper into the city district, his eyes lit up once more.The four-sided city now distinctly formed an ‘X’ shape, ingeniously integrating the terrain into a unified whole.

He couldn’t help but look up at the bright sky, where passing clouds suddenly obscured the dazzling sunlight.

Only then did Ye Kuang notice a clock tower atop this building.

He closed his eyes and listened to the incessant ticking of the second hand, much like his own life—never pausing for a moment.

This relentless forward momentum was his definitive attitude.

Never halting his steps, never clinging to decay, never succumbing to despair, always unyielding!

By the time midnight quietly arrived, Ye Kuang had only managed to explore one-eighth of the urban area.

Along the way, he strolled leisurely, glancing casually at the sights, clearly fascinated by everything around him.

Why could an inverted kettle float in mid-air?

Why were the side walls of that hundred-zhang tall building entirely made of glass?

One could say that each design concept carried an inexplicable freshness, with different architectural styles transforming unique creativity into diverse manifestations of wisdom.

It was palpably filled with both scientific and ancient atmospheres.

Just then, Ye Kuang’s nostrils caught an unusually refreshing and peculiar fragrance.

In that instant, he felt his blood gradually begin to boil.

The reason was none other than the floral scent.

Remembering this, Ye Kuang suddenly recalled what Wuxin had said about consuming medicinal herbs in advance—they were clearly herbs or spiritual plants that enhanced one’s blood vitality!

His eyes suddenly grew bright and eager, and then, as if bewitched, he began stepping forward.

Outside a certain courtyard, his gaze fell upon a yellow flower bud standing proudly.

‘She’ resembled a shy young maiden, hiding her face, too timid to reveal herself.

Ye Kuang couldn’t tear his eyes away, his heart surging like stormy waves: What kind of flower is this, that it evokes such a greedy urge to devour it on the spot?

But just as he leaned in for a closer look, a blurry shadow darted into his peripheral vision.

Woof!

Even Ye Kuang couldn’t help but pale at this sudden situation, and without a second thought, he kicked out.

Thump.

The force of his kick erupted, sounding like heavenly drums beating in his ears.

Whimper!

The blurry shadow then revealed its true form—a large black dog.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang’s eyes immediately turned unfriendly.

This was truly an unprecedented first—he had almost been bitten by a black dog.

If he had actually been bitten, wouldn’t his lifelong reputation be completely ruined?

“Little beast, are you seeking death?”

“I think you’re the one seeking death, little beast.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang’s eyes narrowed sharply, and he abruptly looked toward the gate.

There stood a monk, dressed in monastic attire, glaring at him with visible anger.

“Young man, you’ve got some nerve, daring to kick my precious treasure.”

“Hey, monk, you can’t lie through your teeth. It was your black dog that tried to bite me first…”

As he spoke, Ye Kuang was still shaken, his tone unavoidably flustered and angry.

But who would have thought the old monk would grow even more agitated, shouting, “If you hadn’t harbored ill intentions, why would my dog bite you? Besides, if it had bitten you, I’d compensate you without fail. But you struck my treasure—how do we account for that?”

“You…” Ye Kuang was left speechless.That makes sense, but why does he feel something is off?