539: The situation is getting more serious

Another three days passed.

They finally arrived in Tancheng.

Compared to Yuncheng, Tancheng was larger, but it wasn't as lively here. Perhaps due to the war, the entire city was in a state of high alert.

There were many soldiers guarding the city gates, and patrolling soldiers were frequently seen nearby. Anyone entering or exiting the city had to undergo questioning and inspection.

It was clear that the situation here was more severe, and controls were much stricter.

This was also a good thing; although it caused some trouble and restrictions, it could at least ensure everyone's safety to the greatest extent.

As long as life remained, anything could be discussed.

"Stop! Dismount for inspection!" The gate guards, seeing Fei Qingyan and Xiao Feng approaching on horseback, immediately aimed their long spears at them and shouted loudly.

"Whoa~" Fei Qingyan stopped her horse, then dismounted with Xiao Feng. They had no ill intentions and naturally cooperated with the inspection.

Seeing that these two 'martial artists' were easy to talk to and cooperative, the soldiers breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Where are you from?"

"We are from Yan Yu Sect in Jiangnan area. I am Fei Qingyan, and he is my disciple Xiao Feng. We were entrusted to go to Lingyun Sect for business and are just passing through here," Fei Qingyan told the guards.

"Hmm..." The soldiers exchanged glances. "Please wait a moment. Control is strict now, especially for martial artists! We need to report to the general."

"Alright, no problem!" Fei Qingyan nodded and walked to the side with Xiao Feng to avoid blocking the way.

They stood quietly to the side, waiting.

Soon, the soldier returned with a man in armor. His equipment looked a tier higher than the soldiers', and he exuded the aura of a superior.

"Hello! I am Lin Weidong, the City Guard General of Tancheng." City Guard General Lin Weidong nodded to Fei Qingyan and Xiao Feng and said, "I apologize, but during this period of lockdown, if you wish to enter the city... your horses cannot come in. They need to be boarded here, but a boarding fee will be charged daily. If you are going to Wancheng, your next stop should be Bancheng, in which case I will have your horses sent to the East Gate, which is the direction towards Bancheng."

"That would be troublesome!" Fei Qingyan smiled and nodded, saying, "How do we pay this boarding fee?"

"You can pay when you pick up your horses! Don't worry, it will definitely not exceed the market price!" Lin Weidong told Fei Qingyan.

Indeed, these were martial artists; if they dared to overcharge, it would certainly cause big trouble.

Lin Weidong looked at Fei Qingyan's sword and Xiao Feng's sword. He didn't say anything, after all, for martial artists, not bringing horses was one thing, but if they weren't allowed to carry weapons... conflicts would frequently arise.

Moreover, these martial artists were also skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

"Please try not to take out your weapons casually, and please do not cause trouble or shed blood. Otherwise, we will find it very difficult to handle," Lin Weidong told Fei Qingyan.

"Understood, thank you!" Fei Qingyan smiled.

Lin Weidong nodded. Fei Qingyan and Xiao Feng's attitude was very good, and they were very cooperative, so there shouldn't be any problems. Moreover, according to them, they were only staying for a short time, wouldn't cause trouble, and would leave in a few days.

"Oh, by the way, there are a few things I'd like to ask the general about. I wonder if it's convenient?" Fei Qingyan remembered something and asked Lin Weidong.

"Of course, please ask. However, this is not the place to talk. If you don't mind, please follow me," Lin Weidong told Fei Qingyan.

"Alright, thank you for the trouble!" Fei Qingyan nodded and said.

So, she took Xiao Feng and followed Lin Weidong.

Leaving the city gate, Lin Weidong led them to the city's defense army camp.

"Sit," Lin Weidong said to Fei Qingyan and Xiao Feng after entering a large tent.

"What do you wish to ask?" Lin Weidong asked.

"I'd like to ask about the current war situation," Fei Qingyan asked.

"The war situation, huh..." Lin Weidong sighed upon hearing Fei Qingyan's question. "It's still relatively ideal. Recently, the major sects have put in effort, relieving a large part of the imperial court's pressure. However, this time, I don't know if Yu-Han and Qi Xiong planned it together, but their offensive is very strong, and there are an extremely large number of guerrilla squads...

And recently... the war might completely erupt... At that time, once the war begins, everyone will have a difficult time. And it's not a short-term matter; it's a long-term war, possibly half a year at the fastest, and two or three years at the slowest..."

Listening to Lin Weidong's words, Fei Qingyan and Xiao Feng couldn't help but frown. They hadn't expected things to have reached this point...

They had thought it was just a short-term invasion... but now it had evolved to the brink of a full-scale war.

After all, for so many years, there had been frequent friction and conflicts, with at least dozens, if not hundreds, of small-scale skirmishes every year...

Both sides probably got used to fighting... But this time, the war was truly about to begin, the kind where it's either you die or I live... Did they truly get enraged? Or was there another reason... Fei Qingyan didn't know.

However, from the current perspective, the situation was grim!

"Has it really come to this point...?" Xiao Feng said, frowning.

"Yes!" Lin Weidong also nodded with a worried expression. If they had a choice, who would want to fight? People would die!

But there was no choice; grievances had accumulated for a long time, and conflicts were already numerous.

"Is there anything else you wish to ask?" Lin Weidong asked.

"When do you think this war will roughly begin?" Fei Qingyan asked. If there wasn't much time, this letter might not be deliverable.

"Hard to say..." Lin Weidong shook his head and said, "This is simply not something at my level to know... But now, conflicts and friction are becoming more and more frequent... Plus, with orders from above, various cities are under strict lockdown, and bounties have been placed on these 'invaders,' enticing a large number of martial artists to take action.

And these incoming guerrilla squads are becoming fewer and fewer... This indicates that there are more and more border defense soldiers, making it increasingly difficult for Yu-Han and Qi Xiong to enter... The war is not far off!"

"Understood... Thank you, General, for clarifying!" Fei Qingyan nodded, somewhat worriedly thanked Lin Weidong, and then stood up to bid farewell.

"No problem, then take your time, I won't see you out," Lin Weidong waved his hand.

This general was quite easy to talk to.

The information he disclosed to them was also very important to them.

"Master... The war is about to begin. Can we still deliver the letter?" Xiao Feng frowned slightly and asked Fei Qingyan.

"I don't know..." Fei Qingyan shook her head, her face also full of worry, and they had already traveled half the distance...

"How about this! Master, I've thought of a way," Xiao Feng said to Fei Qingyan after some thought.