After the Northwest County Princess departed, Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "I can finally see, you are the biggest winner this time coming to the imperial capital. Not only did you receive the Heavenly Dao's blessing, but you also became the King of the Northwest. Truly congratulations!"
"You flatter me!"
Lu Fan chuckled, "Perhaps it's just temporary luck. But this is good. After becoming the King of the Northwest, I won't have to fear any threats within the entire Heavenly Court. At least I can cultivate in peace!"
"You think too optimistically. The Northwest is a wild land, and it's not easy to establish a foothold there," Liu Ruyan said frankly. "Even more terrifying is that the Northwest is a gathering place for alien races. You probably can't be so leisurely!"
"You have quite an insight into the Northwest!" Lu Fan smiled slightly. "Could it be that you have some connection with this Northwest region?"
"Not at all!" Liu Ruyan quickly shook her head, her face instantly turning awkward. Especially when Lu Fan asked this, her expression became a little unnatural.
Jiulong Town is located in a small town within the Northwest Dragon City, and it is also a border region of the Northwest.
When Lu Fan and his party arrived in the town, they looked around, appearing peaceful, and smiled, "If I remember correctly, this should be the Northwest. We have already entered the Northwest territory!"
"That's right!" Liu Ruyan nodded. "You are the King of the Northwest. From now on, you can make decisions independently throughout the Northwest. I just don't know if you can be a good king!"
"I should be able to!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly and walked forward. He saw a tavern directly in front of them. Although it wasn't very prosperous and was vastly different from the imperial capital, having a place to drink was still quite good.
Upon entering the tavern, Lu Fan ordered a few small dishes. The scenery here was pleasant, making one feel refreshed. Su Dan Novel Network
"Guest, you must be from out of town, right? Your attire doesn't look like that of a local!" the innkeeper said with a smile, wearing somewhat tattered clothes and speaking politely.
"The innkeeper has sharp eyes to see that at a glance!" Lu Fan smiled and said, "We are indeed from out of town. Is this Northwest region really so poor? Why are you all wearing such worn-out clothes, and even the tavern looks old? Why haven't you renovated it?"
"Look at what you're saying. It's good enough to be alive these days."
Several men nearby chimed in, "You don't know, this Jiulong Town is a place where spiritual脉 converge. The taxes that every resident has to pay are frighteningly high. And if you can't pay the spirit stones, you'll be arrested."
"There's such a thing?"
Lu Fan was a little surprised. "If what you say is true, and Jiulong Town is a place where dragon脉 converge, it should be even more prosperous!"
"The truly wealthy are those above, and it has nothing to do with us!"
The innkeeper shook his head. "This is the most terrifying thing. However, this is not something we can discuss. If things go wrong, it might cause unnecessary trouble!"
Facing these words, Lu Fan's brow furrowed slightly. As the King of the Northwest, how could he tolerate such things happening in the Northwest region?
"If you have any hardships, you can tell this gentleman!" Liu Ruyan said with a smile. "Perhaps he can find a way to help you solve them, so you don't have to worry too much!"
Upon hearing this, the innkeeper smiled slightly. "Don't joke. These are matters for those above, and I'm afraid no one can solve them. So, you'd better not get involved in this mess. However, since you are from out of town, it's best to leave as soon as possible to avoid being caught by those above, and then you'll be forced to pay spirit stones!"
"Is there no law in this world?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "I'm very curious, what kind of person could make the Northwest region so impoverished and harsh?"
"Who else could it be? Of course, it's the King of the Northwest!" Many men spoke out. "If it weren't for the King of the Northwest, how could it have become like this? It must be the King of the Northwest who gave the order to extort our spirit stones, leaving us with scarce resources so that he could obtain better resources!"
"From what I know, the King of the Northwest has just been appointed. This matter is probably not the work of the King of the Northwest!" Ling'er quickly explained, her expression serious.
She didn't want Lu Fan to be burdened with a bad reputation as soon as he arrived, catching him off guard.
"Besides the King of the Northwest, who else has such authority?"
Several men were insistent. They didn't know if the King of the Northwest had taken office, but according to normal procedures, no one else could have done this except the King of the Northwest.
"You few, keep your voices down and don't talk nonsense here!"
With a look of vigilance in his eyes, the innkeeper spoke, his face filled with panic. He knew very well that if things went wrong, he could lose his head. If the King of the Northwest heard about this, it would inevitably cause a stir.
Everyone immediately fell silent, not daring to say more. As the innkeeper said, this was not something they could gossip about. If the King of the Northwest really heard about it, they would be in great trouble.
"You don't need to worry too much. This matter will be resolved soon. However, I am curious, is the entire Northwest region operating like this?" Lu Fan was somewhat suspicious. Since he was to become the King of the Northwest, he naturally had to understand the situation clearly.
"We don't know about that either!"
The innkeeper shook his head. "However, one thing is certain: Dragon City is like this. Jiulong Town is under the jurisdiction of Dragon City, so this matter is naturally correct!"
Facing these words, Lu Fan nodded slightly and understood the situation. However, he was still somewhat suspicious about this matter.
Just as they were eating and drinking, a sudden shout erupted from the street nearby. Everyone looked up, not knowing what had happened.
"My lord, please spare us! We've paid everything we could, we really can't afford any more!"
An old man, holding a little girl, repeatedly pleaded with a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was surrounded by several men, looking imposing and with unkind eyes.
"Can't afford it? According to the rules of Dragon City, those who cannot pay spirit stones have no way to survive!"
Qian Dafu said confidently, his eyes darting around, looking even more imposing, completely disregarding the people in front of him.
"Let my Tuan Tuan go, and I'll go with you!" the old man said seriously. "She is still young and should not have to endure this!"
"Get lost! What use is an old man like you!" Qian Dafu was imposing and exuded authority.