98: county town

Three days later, in the early morning, the light mist had not yet dispersed.

On the official road outside the East Gate of Qinghe County, the sound of carriages and horses rumbled.

The group from Yangwei Martial Arts Hall arrived on time at the meeting point agreed upon with the Zhenyuan Escort Agency.

Second Senior Brother Di Moyu had been waiting there for a long time. Beside him was the escort leader in charge of this mission for the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, a dark-faced, sharp-eyed middle-aged man named Zhou Tai, who was also a Flesh Refining Realm expert.

The escort team was quite large this time. In addition to transporting a batch of precious medicinal herbs and furs to the prefecture city, it also included several passenger carriages, which the members of Yangwei Martial Arts Hall boarded.

"Master, Little Junior Brother, and fellow Junior Brothers and Sisters, everything has been arranged. We can set off," Di Moyu said concisely as he came forward to meet them.

He was still his usual taciturn self, but his eyes held a hint of composure from returning to a familiar environment.

"Thank you for your hard work, Escort Leader Zhou and Moyu," Zhao Zheng said, cupping his fists.

Zhou Tai quickly returned the gesture with a respectful attitude. "Hall Master Zhao is too polite. Brother Di is a star escort of our agency. It is our honor to have you all travel with us. If you have any needs on the road, please don't hesitate to ask."

The group stopped exchanging pleasantries and quickly boarded the carriages.

Chen Linsheng and Su Wan shared one carriage, while Shi Poyue, Liu Ruyan, and Zhao Linger boarded another.

Di Moyu and Zhou Tai led the way at the front. With a resonant shout of "Set off—!", the massive convoy slowly started and rolled onto the wide official road.

The wheels rolled over the smooth, rammed-earth road, making a dull and rhythmic sound.

Leaving the boundaries of Qinghe County, the official road became increasingly wide, enough for four or five carriages to travel side-by-side.

Lining both sides of the road were neat rows of trees. In the distance, fields were crisscrossed with paths, and villages were scattered about, presenting a scene far more prosperous than the surroundings of Qinghe County.

The closer they got to the prefecture city, the denser the flow of traffic and people became. Besides large merchant convoys like the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, there were various types of carriages, ox carts, donkey carts, as well as Jianghu travelers on horseback and hurried wayfarers. Occasionally, luxuriously decorated carriages bearing Family crests would gallop past, surrounded by guards and kicking up clouds of dust.

"This official road is several times wider than the main street of our Qinghe County," Su Wan sighed softly, lifting a corner of the carriage curtain to watch the endless stream of traffic outside.

Chen Linsheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the diverse passersby. He could feel that the proportion of Martial Artists on this official road was far higher than in Qinghe County. Even ordinary merchant guards mostly had Skin Tempering Realm cultivation, and Flesh Refining Realm Martial Artists were not uncommon. The air seemed to be filled with a more urgent and competitive atmosphere.

"Jiuqu Prefecture governs over ten counties; Qinghe is just one of them and is located in a remote corner. This official road is the artery connecting the prefecture city to the various counties, so it is naturally prosperous."

Chen Linsheng explained, his anticipation for the prefecture city growing even more.

On the way, the convoy stopped for a break and a meal at a sizable relay station.

The relay station was bustling with people. Merchants and Martial Artists from all directions gathered there, loudly discussing business, Jianghu anecdotes, and even the latest news from the prefecture city.

Chen Linsheng pricked up his ears and vaguely heard terms like "Martial Scholar," "hidden dragon ranking," "various major martial arts halls," and "Sect disciple recruitment." These topics, rarely heard in Qinghe County, were as common as everyday meals here.

Shi Poyue's eyes lit up as he listened, and he rubbed his hands together in excitement. "This is the place where Martial Artists of our generation should be! Just hearing about it makes my blood boil!"

Liu Ruyan was more observant and said in a low voice, "There are also many experts. The few people who just went in had strong Auras; they are at least in the Middle Stage of the Flesh Refining Realm."

Zhao Linger, on the other hand, was enthusiastically looking at the various novel snacks and trinkets sold at the relay station, filled with a young girl's curiosity about the upcoming prefecture city.

After finishing their rest, the convoy continued on its way.

Traveling by day and resting by night, they journeyed for five consecutive days.

They passed several county towns along the way that were far larger than Qinghe County, but they did not stop for long.

Finally, on the afternoon of the sixth day, as the carriage climbed a high slope, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

Gazing into the distance, at the end of the horizon, the silhouette of a giant city stood majestically!

"Look! That is Jiuqu Prefecture City!" the escort driving the carriage shouted loudly, his voice filled with pride.

Everyone poked their heads out one after another.

The giant city in the distance had towering walls, estimated to be at least ten zhang high, like a continuous grey mountain range stretching across the land. The wall bricks were mottled, filled with the vicissitudes of time, yet they also exuded an indestructible and majestic Aura. The gate towers were imposing, with banners fluttering, gleaming with a metallic luster in the sunlight.

Even from a great distance, one could feel the overwhelming sense of grandeur and prosperity coming toward them.

Compared to it, the walls of Qinghe County were like a child's toy.

"So... so big!" Zhao Linger's mouth hung open as she exclaimed in wonder.

Even the usually composed Zhao Zheng and Chen Linsheng had a flash of shock in their eyes.

This was the center of Jiuqu Prefecture, the place where they would strive in the future!

The convoy sped up, heading toward that colossal structure.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the magnificence of the prefecture city.

The official road beneath the city walls turned into a bluestone boulevard wide enough for eight carriages to drive side-by-side. The flow of traffic and people merged into a massive torrent, surging toward several huge city gate tunnels.

The East Gate they were taking had a deep and wide tunnel, enough for a large convoy to pass through easily.

On both sides of the city gate stood two rows of city guards in bright armor, holding long halberds. These soldiers all had sharp eyes and steady Auras; they were actually all Skin Tempering Realm experts! A captain leading the team stood with his hand on his saber, his gaze scanning the incoming crowd like lightning. The blood-qi fluctuations emanating from him were clearly at the Flesh Refining Realm!

"The officer guarding the prefecture city gate is actually in the Flesh Refining Realm..."

Shi Poyue clicked his tongue. In Qinghe County, someone in the Flesh Refining Realm would be qualified to serve as a Head of the Water Patrol Division or a martial arts hall instructor.

"It is the prefecture city, after all—a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers," Di Moyu said plainly, signaling the convoy to follow the flow of people and undergo inspection.

Fortunately, the Zhenyuan Escort Agency was quite famous in the prefecture city. Escort Leader Zhou went forward to speak a few words with the captain and handed over the travel permits and documents, and the inspection passed smoothly.

As the convoy slowly entered the deep gate tunnel, it felt as if they had crossed a boundary, and the outside clamor was instantly amplified.

As the light brightened, the noisy, boiling sound of people, street cries, and carriages rushed in like a tide, instantly submerging everyone.

Before them was a street wider than they could have imagined. The bluestone-paved surface was smooth and level. Shops lined both sides of the street with banners fluttering, filled with peddlers, porters, and a dense crowd of pedestrians. Various buildings stood in rows with upturned eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters. Many buildings were three or four stories high, looking extraordinary and grand. The air was a mix of food, spices, leather, and the complex scent unique to large crowds, forming a vivid and busy urban tapestry.