Chengdu lay in the northwest of Shu. Farther west stretched a vast plateau, bordering the snowy regions, where few people lived.
Since the Tang Dynasty, the "Jiannan Xichuan Road," centered around Chengdu, had been the wealthiest region in the Divine Land. There had even been a saying that "Yangzhou was first and Yizhou second," and its prosperity had continued to this day.
Goods from other places mostly came from the east. Thus, East City was also where the Three Religions and Nine Schools converged, making it the most chaotic place in terms of its people.
There were countless carriage inns and hostels, both large and small.
Tea houses and wine shops were even more common.
"Spicy marinated rabbit! Have a taste for the New Year!"
"Hot fermented rice wine! Sweet and fragrant, warming the heart!"
"Sour and refreshing vinegar tofu pudding! A bowl to cut the grease!"
"Sugar paintings! Pretty and delicious—bring home some good luck for the New Year!"
All kinds of hawkers' cries rose and fell throughout the streets.
There were even more pedestrians here, and the chaos was greater.
Li Yan moved through the crowd while displaying his mystical powers. Every kind of scent flooded into his nostrils, and even the faintest sounds could be distinguished through his ears.
This was a sorcerer's greatest advantage.
Even if his spells were mediocre, his formidable five senses allowed him to seize opportunities in battle more keenly than ordinary martial artists.
The current Li Yan was practically a radar.
As he walked along the street, he knew every movement around him.
He could smell that someone had added some unknown "seasoning" to the wine in a tavern, something that could easily make people addicted...
He could hear several pickpockets in a dark alley discussing how to skim some silver and