Volume One: Sword Drawn from the Eastern River

Chapter One: Henry Young

Yangzhou, one of the nine provinces of the Central Region, is home to many great rivers and lakes.

Ningyang County, an ordinary county among the nine subordinate to Yangzhou, lies at the confluence of the Yang River and Ning River, with the vast Black Dragon Lake stretching for thousands of miles within its borders.

Year 6121 of the Chengyang Calendar, Year 362 of the Great Qian.

Early June, heavy rains fell continuously over Black Dragon Lake and Ning River, causing the waters to surge for more than a month.

In July, the Great Swamp Demon King took advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble. The eastern dam of Sanhe County collapsed, and floodwaters from the Ning River spread far and wide. For a thousand miles, the land became a country of marshes, corpses floated everywhere, refugees resorted to cannibalism, and demon beasts devoured bodies in the wild.

In August, a human immortal slew the Demon King by the Ning River. The floodwaters receded, and soon after, hundreds of thousands of refugees poured into Ningyang County and the surrounding county towns.

……

Early September, at the end of summer, the sun had just risen and it was already oppressively hot.

Donghe County, county seat.

The ninth refugee resettlement area outside the east gate of the city, with makeshift shelters in disarray and debris scattered everywhere. Even though the flood had receded for more than half a month, the ground was still muddy and slippery.

“Porridge is here.”

“Porridge is here.”

“Children and women first, the rest line up in order. Everyone gets a share, no fighting.”

In an open area at the edge of the resettlement zone, more than ten rows of temporary houses had been set up. A few capable youths in black clothes and some women were distributing porridge.

Nearby, dozens of black-clad youths stood with serious expressions, maintaining order among the refugees.

Outside the porridge shelter, over a thousand displaced people lined up for food, all thin and haggard. Some wanted to fight for more, but ever since several dozen strong young men had been subdued by six black-clad youths working together, order in the camp had been restored.

These refugees vaguely understood that these seemingly youthful boys were likely disciples of the county’s martial academy, all practitioners of martial arts—warriors.

Though young, they were capable of slaying demons.

“Henry Young.” A clear and pleasant voice suddenly rang out from outside the camp.

“Senior Brother Young.”

“Someone’s looking for you.”

Among the many black-clad youths serving porridge in the shelter, there was a purple-robed youth with a token at his waist. Nearly as tall as an adult, his face still showed traces of youth, but his actions were steady and full of vitality. He was handing out bowls of porridge to the refugees in line.

Hearing the voice, the purple-robed youth looked up.

Beside the line of refugees stood a smiling purple-robed girl, flanked by two tall, cold-faced guards in sturdy attire, who kept a vigilant watch on their surroundings.

The black-clad youths maintaining order glanced over from the corners of their eyes.

“Hey~ Brother Young, Senior Sister Laura Clark is here, aren’t you going?” A chubby black-clad youth next to Henry Young winked at him.

“Quentin York, take over for me. I’m stepping out for a bit.” Henry Young patted the chubby youth.

The chubby youth pulled a long face: “Brother Young, let me repeat, my name is Quentin York, I really don’t have any money.”

“When you inherit your dad’s restaurant, you’ll have money. Now get to work.” Henry Young laughed, then gave instructions to the other black-clad youths before stepping out of the shelter and approaching the purple-robed girl.

“Laura Clark.” Henry Young looked at the girl before him.

“Henry Young, I admit you’re skilled in martial arts, but you even manage the camp so well.” The purple-robed girl glanced around the porridge shelter and couldn’t help but say, “Last time I came here with my father, the camp was filthy and chaotic. You’ve only been here half a month, and it’s changed so much.”

“It’s thanks to Instructor Young’s guidance, and the efforts of all the martial academy disciples. Most importantly, it was General Clark who persuaded the county magistrate to open the granaries. Food is the most important thing… Without it, none of this would be possible.” Henry Young said with feeling.

Henry Young suddenly smiled, “Let’s not talk about this. Everything is getting better. The six-county competition is coming up, and all the elite disciples at the academy are training hard. Why did you come here?”

“The academy doesn’t require elite disciples to come here.” Henry Young looked at the girl.

“Elite disciples?” The purple-robed girl snorted, “You’re a disciple of the Blazing Fire Hall, and even rank among the top there. If you’re willing to spend time here, why can’t I?”

Henry Young couldn’t help but smile.

At the martial academy, status was determined by strength. Disciples were generally divided into ordinary and elite levels, and only the best of the elite could train in the Blazing Fire Hall.

“Enough chatter. I brought lots of food and clothing.” The purple-robed girl pointed to four large carts on the distant road. “You’re now one of the camp’s hundred commanders. Come with me to deliver these to the orphan camp.”

“This is your third delivery in half a month.” Henry Young said with a smile.

The purple-robed girl shook her head, “Once all the orphans are settled, I’ll stop.”

Henry Young nodded gently.

This was a flood disaster, with monsters causing chaos, affecting several counties and tens of thousands of refugees. Although not many had come to Donghe County, settling all the orphans was no easy task.

But Henry Young didn’t want to say too much to Laura Clark. As the daughter of Donghe County’s garrison general, her kindness was already commendable.

“Let’s go.” Henry Young smiled.

The two left the porridge shelter.

As Henry Young and Laura Clark walked away, the black-clad youths and women in the shelter who were serving food began to chat among themselves.