You Fei Chen, the Prefect of Yang'an Commandery, did not receive Su Han and his companions at the commandery's administrative office. Instead, he invited them to a restaurant within Yang'an Commandery City.
Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery said, "Esteemed Lords, this restaurant is the finest in our commandery city. We hope the dishes here will meet your approval."
Dishes were served one after another, quickly filling the table.
Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery immediately picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of a dish.
"Distinguished cultivators, please, help yourselves!"
Looking at the dishes, Chu Shi first used some instruments to detect them. Once he confirmed they were safe, he nodded.
Su Han said, "Although we have achieved grain abstinence, we will not refuse good food and wine."
Su Han also picked up a piece of food and began to eat.
"Distinguished cultivators, this humble official offers you a toast."
The group clinked their cups.
After a cup of wine, Prefect You Fei Chen said, "May I know how to address you esteemed cultivators?"
Su Han replied, "You may call me Young Master Su."
"Call me Young Master Chu."
"..."
After introductions, You Fei Chen had no idea of the true names of Su Han and his companions. However, he hesitated to ask further questions.
"Distinguished cultivators, from which sect do you hail?"
Su Han stated, "Our sect is located overseas, tens of thousands of li from here."
Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery did not press for the name of Su Han's sect. He then inquired, "By the way, where did you capture those dozen or so mountain bandits?"
Su Han glanced at Lin Dong beside him.
Lin Dong spoke on Su Han's behalf.
"We captured those bandits on a mountain several dozen li outside a small county town. We also interrogated them; they not only robbed travelers but also murdered many passersby."
Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery's face showed shock.
"What? These bandits committed such acts?"
The expression on Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery's face struck Su Han as somewhat disingenuous. After all, as a commandery prefect governing such a vast area, there were bound to be such incidents in many places. Logically, the prefect should not be this surprised.
After his feigned shock, Prefect You Fei Chen of Yang'an Commandery declared, "These bandits are truly heinous. I will ensure they are punished according to the laws of the Zhenning Kingdom!"
Following this, they resumed drinking and eating.
The wine here was not very strong. After several cups, Su Han and his companions showed no signs of intoxication.
After three rounds of drinks, You Fei Chen asked, "May I inquire why you esteemed cultivators have come here?"
Su Han replied, "We have traveled tens of thousands of li to see the sects in this region and to engage in exchange with them."
Su Han mentioned traveling tens of thousands of li from overseas because this place was only about a hundred li from the sea. Yang'an Commandery would certainly be aware of the sea. This information was obtained from footage captured by Global Famine Type 4 drones.
Su Han asked, "Indeed, Prefect You, we have traveled tens of thousands of li primarily to exchange with the sects on the mainland. Prefect, could you tell us about the sects in the vicinity?"
You Fei Chen responded, "The sects nearby are the Qingfeng Sect and the Qingshui Sect. Both of these sects are very powerful, with mighty cultivators at the Golden Core stage. The two sects protect the small county towns within Yang'an Commandery. Aside from Yang'an Commandery City itself, all other county towns fall under their protection!"
Su Han looked puzzled and said, "Divided? The sects here can divide territories? Isn't this the territory of the Zhenning Kingdom? Does the Zhenning Kingdom not manage them dividing territory? In our overseas sects, each sect has its own island."
"No, no, Young Master Su, that is not dividing; that is protection. They provide protection. It is thanks to their protection that we ordinary people, without sect protection, would be harmed by evil cultivators."
"I never imagined you would call dividing territories 'protection.' By the way, can't your Zhenning Kingdom protect itself?"
"Our Zhenning Kingdom cannot protect itself! After all, in this world, the most powerful forces are the sects. Even our Zhenning Kingdom's strength is far inferior to that of a second-rate sect. Without the protection of these righteous sects, our Zhenning Kingdom would easily be destroyed by those evil cultivators."
Upon hearing this, Su Han finally understood. In this world of cultivation, strength was paramount. Even a nation could not withstand a powerful sect. The practice here was merely seeking protection.
However, for reference, Su Han continued to ask, "What is the population of your Zhenning Kingdom, and what is the strongest cultivation realm of the cultivators belonging to the Zhenning Kingdom?"
You Fei Chen's face immediately showed a hint of sorrow. "Our Zhenning Kingdom has a population of nearly twenty million, encompassing eight provinces and sixty-four commanderies. But unfortunately, in terms of strength, our strongest cultivator is only at the Golden Core stage."
Hearing this, Su Han expressed disbelief, "Only at the Golden Core stage? Late Golden Core?"
"No! Not late. Merely mid-Golden Core. And the strongest cultivators in the Qingfeng Sect and the Qingshui Sect have reached the early Golden Core stage."
Su Han nodded. "I see. Your Zhenning Kingdom's strength is so low, no wonder the Qingfeng Sect and Qingshui Sect have divided your territory. I presume territories in other places are also divided by sects!"
You Fei Chen corrected Su Han's statement again, "Young Master Su, it is not division, but protection. Our Zhenning Kingdom is seeking the protection of these sects. With their protection, we can have such peaceful and tranquil lives."
Following this, Su Han and his companions relentlessly plied You Fei Chen with wine, quickly getting him drunk.
Then, seizing this opportunity, Su Han and his companions extracted a considerable amount of information from You Fei Chen.
Among it, the location of the Qingshui Sect was further south of Yang'an Commandery. The Qingfeng Sect was to the north of Yang'an Commandery, while the Qingshui Sect was to the south.
The two sects thus divided Yang'an Commandery, one to the north and one to the south, leaving only Yang'an Commandery City undivided due to discord between the two sects.
The county towns that were divided had to pay monthly tributes. If tributes were not paid, there would be no overt repercussions, but the two sects would secretly cause trouble.
After gathering much intelligence, Su Han remarked, "Indeed, it appears this is a world controlled by sects. However, this is quite normal. In a cultivation world, strength reigns supreme; powerful sects can influence nations. Alright, let's explore Yang'an Commandery City now!"
Su Han and his companions left the private room and went downstairs.
"Shopkeeper, is this money enough!" Su Han tossed a silver ingot onto the counter.
The shopkeeper said fearfully, "No, no, esteemed cultivator, the Prefect has already paid!"
Su Han ignored the shopkeeper's words and left directly. After all, Su Han did not wish to owe Prefect You Fei Chen any favors.