124: Chapter 124 Prefect of Fuyang

Chen Fan's fingertips lightly brushed over the rough rim of the bowl. The wind whistled, rustling the leaves of the old locust tree by the roadside.

He withdrew his hand without giving Mr. Know-It-All another glance. Leading Hong Shao and Qing Luo, the three of them mounted their horses and rejoined the official road heading north. The sound of hooves shattered the brief silence.

The territory of Huai Prefecture was indeed different from Jiang Prefecture. The official road became wider, enough for four or five carriages to travel abreast. The road was paved with bluestone slabs, flat and solid, without a trace of mud. Caravans came and went in a continuous stream.

Most of them were merchant caravans transporting salt and iron. Tall carriages had their cabins tightly covered with heavy tarpaulins; the wheels rumbled dully as they pressed against the ground. Most of the drivers were dark-skinned and muscular, with short knives tucked into their waists or heavy iron rods hanging from them. Although the goods were invisible, one could tell from how low the carriages sat that the load was far from light.

Scattered pedestrians and mounted Jianghu travelers were interspersed among the carriage convoys. However, they all consciously avoided these caravans, not daring to approach easily. Chen Fan noticed that at regular intervals, soldiers in uniform armor, holding long halberds, patrolled both sides of the official road. They stood tall and walked with steady steps, a stark contrast to the lazy guards in Jiang Prefecture.

The air was filled with the characteristic cold, hard scent of iron, mixed with the clamor of carriages and the shouts of vendors. The ease and leisure belonging to Jiang Prefecture were nowhere to be found here. In its place was an invisible sense of grimness and tension.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo clearly felt this change. They were no longer as lively as before, simply following closely behind Chen Fan. A trace of imperceptible worry hung on their small faces.

Chen Fan did not speak, only silently observing his surroundings. His perception spread out like an invisible net, covering everything within a hundred-meter radius. In the roadside tea stalls, those tea-drinkers who seemed to be chatting idly would always cast their gazes over them, intentionally or otherwise. The caravan guards passing by had steady breathing and vigorous steps, incomparable to ordinary escort masters.

He knew very well that these were the eyes and ears of the Huai Party's "Shadow Hounds." They didn't make a move, just trailing from a distance like a pack of experienced hunters, waiting for their prey to walk into the trap.

At dusk, a majestic city appeared on the horizon. The city walls were towering, built with blue bricks and black tiles, shimmering with an ancient luster under the afterglow of the setting sun. The city gates were wide open, and the flow of people was like a woven fabric.

Fuyang City.

"Enter the city." Chen Fan lightly urged his horse forward.

The three of them slowly entered the city with the crowd. Inside Fuyang City, the streets were wide and lined with shops. Restaurants and tea houses were brightly lit. The sounds of hawking, storytelling, and music were incessant. Compared to Jiang Prefecture, it was less elegant but had more of the bustle and clamor of the marketplace.

Chen Fan reined in his horse in front of the largest inn in the city. On the plaque, the three characters for "Juxian Restaurant" were written in a flamboyant, sweeping style.

He dismounted and handed the reins to the waiter who came forward.

"Two upper rooms," he said calmly.

The waiter deftly took the reins, his face brimming with smiles.

"Please come inside, guest. This humble one will go and make the arrangements right away."

Hong Shao and Qing Luo also dismounted, curiously looking around. This Fuyang City was another brand-new world for them.

Just as the three of them sat down at a table in the lobby, before the hot tea could even be served, the innkeeper hurried over to greet them. Behind him followed two yamen runners dressed in black uniforms, with sabers at their waists and solemn expressions.

The innkeeper walked up to Chen Fan, his face showing a mix of flattery and unease.

"Is this... the Jade-Faced Asura, Master Luo Hengsheng?" the innkeeper asked tentatively in a lowered voice.

Chen Fan picked up his tea bowl and took a light sip. His movements were composed, and he did not respond.

Seeing this, the two yamen runners exchanged a glance. One of them stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am Constable Li Hu of the Fuyang Government Office. By order of the Prefect, I have specifically come to invite Master Luo to the residence for a brief chat." Constable Li Hu's voice was resonant, carrying the unique authority of an official.

Hong Shao and Qing Luo's bodies tensed instantly. They never expected that as soon as they entered the city, people from the government would come knocking. Moreover, they were calling him out directly by name.

Chen Fan set down his tea bowl, making a slight clinking sound.

He didn't look at Constable Li Hu but instead cast his gaze out the window. The night was deepening, and the lights on the street grew more brilliant.

"What business does the Prefect have?" Chen Fan's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

A sliver of a smile was squeezed onto Constable Li Hu's face.

"The Prefect has long heard of Master Luo's great name and feels much admiration. He has specially arranged a dinner party, wishing to make your acquaintance." He paused, his tone becoming even more respectful. "His Honor said that Master Luo is a hero of the Jianghu, and since you are passing through Fuyang, it would be a slight if he did not fulfill his duties as a host."

Chen Fan's fingertips tapped lightly on the tabletop.

He hadn't expected the other party's move to be so swift.

From the moment he entered Fuyang City to the arrival of the government officials, barely the time it takes for an incense stick to burn had passed.

This showed that Mr. Know-It-All's warning was not without merit; the Huai Party's intelligence network had indeed penetrated to the bone. They might have even recognized him at the city gate.

Make his acquaintance?

As a Jianghu traveler, he had no connection with court officials. The Huai Party and the Jiang Faction were fighting to the death; why would an outsider like him make them "feel admiration"? There must be a trap involved.

But since the other party had already come to him, a flat refusal would instead seem suspicious and might even provoke them. Furthermore, he needed information. Facing them directly might allow him to gauge their true motives more quickly.

He glanced to his side; Hong Shao and Qing Luo's faces were filled with worry.

He looked at Constable Li Hu.

"My two maidservants will rest here. They are newcomers and unfamiliar with Fuyang City, so I ask the Constable to look after them on my behalf." Chen Fan's tone left no room for doubt.

Constable Li Hu was taken aback for a moment but quickly reacted.

"Rest assured, Master Luo. With the two young ladies here, the government office will certainly send people to ensure their protection; we won't let them suffer even the slightest grievance." He quickly promised, his smile widening.

Chen Fan nodded and stood up.

"Lead the way."

Without another glance at Hong Shao or Qing Luo, he walked straight toward the inn's entrance. Hong Shao and Qing Luo wanted to say something, but in the end, they remained silent.

They only gripped each other's hands tightly, watching that figure wearing the pale mask disappear into the night, surrounded by the yamen runners.

Chen Fan stepped out of the inn as the night wind blew. He looked up at the high-hanging bright moon.

The night sky of Fuyang City seemed deeper than that of Jiang Prefecture.

He set off, walking slowly toward the Fuyang Prefectural Government Office.

The gates of the government office slowly opened in the darkness of the night.