The great sun hung low in the west.
At dusk, the convoy finally arrived beneath the ancient pass city.
"So this is Jade Sea Pass? I heard this used to be an important city long ago, but it was destroyed in a war between Southern Qi and Great Yan a century ago. Though Jade Sea Pass was rebuilt afterward, the casualties were devastating, and it never recovered its former prosperity. I never expected it to look like this."
Beside the last carriage of the convoy, Nong Yu spoke with some emotion.
Now that they were close, the pass city's full appearance came into view.
Though it looked quite tall, it was extremely old—dilapidated would have been a more fitting word.
The two heavy hardwood gates were not quite riddled with holes, but they were covered in gaps and even showed severe signs of rot. Clearly, no one had properly maintained them for many years.
The Northern Yan flags fluttering atop the city walls were likewise old and yellowed, their patterns somewhat blurred.
Forget comparing it to the various Prefecture Cities—even county towns beneath the Prefecture Cities were far better than this place.
There were only a handful of pedestrians beneath the city gate as well, all of them sallow-faced and emaciated.
Lin Sheng lifted the carriage curtain and swept his gaze over Jade Sea Pass and the hurried pedestrians below, but paid them no mind.
"If you feel unwell later, ride a horse by yourself. Don't force yourself to endure it."
After giving Nong Yu that instruction, Lin Sheng lowered the curtain.
He had no interest in Jade Sea Pass. Since Dark Star had already arranged everything, there was no need for him to worry. He could simply let things take their course.
When the horses were changed this time,