Luoshui City.
As the warm sun neared dusk, only scattered carriages, horses, and pedestrians passed through the low city entrance, carrying the unique tranquility of a remote county town.
Jiang Ning entered through the gate. The guards' faces bore a touch of laziness and easy contentment.
Some murmured among themselves about which wine shop they would visit for drinks after getting off duty.
Other soldiers suggested going out for pleasure tonight.
Jiang Ning passed through the gate passage and stepped into the county town.
Walking along streets far less broad than those of the Royal Capital, he nevertheless saw a distinctive air of relaxation among the pedestrians around him.
The afternoon sun slowly sank lower.
Its light carried a faint orange hue, and the air was no longer as scorching as it had been at noon.
Jiang Ning carried a wine jar in one hand as he made his way unhurriedly toward Canglang Martial Hall.
The wine in his hand was the most famous variety he had bought from a wine shop in the Royal Capital.
It was called Dream Immortal.
Legend had it that if one drank deeply of this wine and became thoroughly drunk, one could meet an Immortal in one's dreams.
Luoshui County was not large.
It was nowhere near as prosperous as the Royal Capital.
Though he strolled at an unhurried pace, Jiang Ning crossed the boundary between the inner and outer cities in no time.
A little while later.
He arrived before the main gates of Canglang Martial Hall.
He climbed the stone steps.
Knock, knock, knock—
Jiang Ning lightly rapped his knuckles against the vermilion-lacquered bronze gate, the sound slowly carrying outward.
"The gate isn't locked. Just push it open!" A familiar woman's voice came from behind the gate.
A flash of surprise