48: Chapter 48 Returning Geese City

After nearly a month of traveling and sleeping in the open, Lin Qing finally caught sight of his destination—Yanguī City.

Lin Qing rode his horse forward slowly. His clothes had long since become worn from the wind and frost of the journey, with the hems stained by dust and grass. Along the way, his qi-blood pills had been completely exhausted, and now only his Health-Nourishing Technique remained in operation.

Yanguī City is located at the northernmost tip of the Xia Kingdom and is one of its four major border strongholds. A massive city stands at each of the four cardinal borders of the Xia Kingdom. Although there are scattered small towns and minor cities along the rest of the border, none can compare to the four main cities in terms of scale, heritage, or the density of Martial Artists.

North of Yanguī City lies the boundless Hundred Thousand Mountains, stretching for ten thousand miles.

That jungle is a perilous place that people speak of with dread. The forest is filled with miasma and teeming with poisonous insects. Thousands of Vicious Beasts occupy it; low-Rank Vicious Beasts are countless, while high-Rank ones hide in the depths of the dense forest, harboring hidden killing intent. Even a top-tier Rank 4 Martial Artist might not be able to escape unscathed.

But crisis often comes with endless Opportunity.

Precisely because it is adjacent to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Yanguī City has become the largest distribution center for Vicious Beast materials in the entire Xia Kingdom. Countless Monster Hunting Teams are based in the city, gathering the nation's top hunting Martial Artists, whose strength far exceeds those in inland cities. The top-ranked Monster Hunting Teams in the city are all overseen by Rank 4 Martial Artists, and even ordinary Monster Hunting Teams usually have several Rank 3 Martial Artists.

Massive quantities of Vicious Beast flesh, bones, and fur are brought back from the mountains to the city, then transported by caravans to every corner of the Xia Kingdom. Here, Vicious Beast meat can be found everywhere at affordable prices. Even precious Rank 4 Vicious Beast meat is often seen in large shops and guilds.

The Rank 3 Vicious Beast meat that Lin Qing consumed during his Cultivate sessions in Yunlan County originally came from this Yanguī City, thousands of miles away.

Looking up into the distance, a majestic city rose from the earth, straddling the world with an Aura so powerful it made one's soul tremble.

The walls of Yanguī City were cast from giant stones and were a dark, somber blue-black. Standing dozens of zhang high, they rose straight up, magnificent and grand, like a dormant ancient beast. Banners fluttered atop the walls, and the great flags embroidered with the Xia Kingdom's black Dragon patterns snapped in the wind. The howling wind further enhanced the magnificent Aura of this border stronghold.

As he drew closer to the city, the atmosphere of prosperity grew even thicker.

On the wide Official Road, caravans from all over were an endless stream. Horse-drawn carriages laden with goods were lined up for miles, stacked with well-packaged Vicious Beast meat and rare medicinal herbs. Martial Artists and merchants bustled about, their voices, the sounds of carriages, and the shouting of vendors interweaving into a boisterous clamor.

Passing through the layers of crowds and stepping into the towering city gates, a unique, mixed scent rushed toward him.

A heavy, mellow scent of blood was the main theme here—the lingering smell of countless Vicious Beasts' flesh—intertwined with the rich fragrance of medicinal herbs. This created a unique atmosphere belonging only to Yanguī City, a border landscape that inland cities could never replicate.

The layout of the entire city was completely different from inland cities like Yunlan County.

There were no sprawling family estates or noble mansions, nor the elegant gentleness of pavilions and towers. Instead, every corner was filled with the wildness and boldness of Martial Artists. The streets were wide and straight, extending in all directions, with orderly and well-regulated alleys. On both sides of the streets, dense rows of shops stretched as far as the eye could see.

Vicious Beast butcher shops were everywhere, with various types of Vicious Beast meat displayed on counters—different in fat content and Rank. Clerks shouted loudly to attract passing Martial Artists. Countless herb shops had shelves filled with dried Spiritual Plants and processed medicinal ingredients, a dazzling array. There were also weapon shops selling sabers, spears, staves, axes, and more.

Magnificent restaurants and inns stood tall, most with coarse and grand decorations, prioritizing majesty over elegance. Crowds surged before their doors as countless caravan members stopped to rest, drink, and discuss martial arts. At street corners and in the depths of alleys, there were also brightly lit Pleasure Pavilions where the faint sounds of music drifted out, providing relaxation for Martial Artists living on the edge, soothing the exhaustion of slaughter in the mountains.

Grand Martial Artist guilds stood throughout the city. Stone buildings rose high with imposing plaques and fluttering banners. Guilds of all sizes were spread across the city, serving as the true core lifeblood of this border stronghold.

Lin Qing led his horse slowly along the bluestone street. Before long, he noticed something unusual.

The pedestrians and Martial Artists on both sides of the street were all looking at him.

Gazes converged from all directions, falling upon his young face and tall, upright figure. These looks lacked the malice of street thugs or the greed of prying eyes; instead, they were filled with intense curiosity and inquiry, even carrying a hint of admiration.

The continuous sound of whispered discussions drifted clearly into Lin Qing's ears with the wind.

"Look, that's Xie Chen! The Immortal Master is just as young as the rumors say!"

"My god, he really looks no older than twenty. Simply Heaven-Defying!"

"I used to think the rumors were exaggerated, but seeing him today, such bearing and character are certainly not comparable to an ordinary youth!"

The whispers were incessant, and layers of admiring and inquisitive gazes enveloped him.

Even though Lin Qing had deliberately tempered his Heart-Nature, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of discomfort at this moment.

Just as Lin Qing's thoughts wavered and he pondered to himself, a clear and crisp female voice rang out from behind him.

"Young Master Xie Chen, please wait."

Lin Qing turned around, and a slender figure stepped out from the crowd to stand before him.

The newcomer was a woman of about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, dressed in capable martial attire. The fabric was tough and wear-resistant, fitting her form and outlining her tall, lithe figure. A silver guild waist token was tied at her waist, and a narrow-blade short sword hung diagonally at her side. Her temperament was valiant and sharp.

The woman had clear and upright features, with her hair tied in a high ponytail and sharp eyes. Her brow lacked the gentle weakness of ordinary women, instead revealing the decisiveness and efficiency of a Martial Artist.

Su Lan looked directly at Lin Qing with an open gaze. Without any testing or pleasantries, she spoke directly and to the point:

"Young Master Xie Chen, my name is Su Lan, and I am from the Yaojin Guild of Yanguī City. I stopped you because I want to invite you to join our Yaojin Guild."

Hearing this, Lin Qing looked up at Su Lan and spoke in a deep voice:

"How do you know my name?"

He knew he had never shown his face in the Northern Territory, and no one in Yanguī City should recognize him. He had only just appeared, yet she accurately stated his pseudonym, Xie Chen, and had even been waiting to recruit him. It was truly illogical.

Hearing his question, a faint trace of surprise flashed in Su Lan's eyes, followed by a smile. Her tone carried a hint of realization and amazement:

"It seems you were so focused on your journey that you haven't heard the news. It is now February, and Zangxiao Pavilion's new issue of the hidden dragon list has been released."

She looked at the young man before her with sincere praise:

"At the age of nineteen, you have burst onto the scene and strongly ascended to the twenty-sixth Rank on the hidden dragon list! Your name has already spread throughout the Xia Kingdom."