After mastering the second level of the Golden Toad Skill.
Zhang Rongfang was in a good mood and immediately took three guards to stroll Ci Tong Street.
Having been here for so long, he has never even taken a proper look at the city.
While strolling around and getting familiar with the surrounding terrain, Zhang Rongfang was also thinking about how to get the three people around him to leave him.
To give yourself the opportunity to act alone.
The terrain of Ci Tong Port is scattered, and the urban area is not large, consisting of only a circular area in the center.
The area is filled with buildings of all styles.
But this is not all there is to the Citong.
Compared to the city center, the various manors that radiate outwards are the heart of this place.
The manors are surrounded by green lawns and guarded by patrolling guards.
Some even built their own watchtowers and Earthen Fort.
The estate had many owners: Big Beard Westerners, Hu Xi People, Black people with headscarves, and all sorts of people.
Walking down the street, you can see all sorts of Human Seed from different races strolling around with translators.
Most of them were dressed for sea travel, and were obviously captains or wealthy merchants who were just passing through.
The Citong City is divided into three concentric rings, with the innermost ring containing the Magistrate's Mansion and other areas.
The middle level consists of temporary residences for wealthy and powerful individuals of high status.
The outer layer consists of ordinary residential dwellings.
Important figures of powerful forces often reside in their own manors.
Zhang Rongfang had no interest in checking out the accommodation area, and instead went directly to Ci Tong Bay.
This is the most exquisite part of the entire port.
It was now noon.
In the bay, the densely packed sails resemble a forest, and countless oars of varying sizes constantly make the sound of splashing against the waves.
From a distance, they look like centipedes covered in a thousand legs.
The shoreline was teeming with people, and trucks carrying goods constantly shuttled back and forth.
Zhang Rongfang and his three guards were dressed in ordinary black outfits, with white rhinoceros horn belts around their waists and ordinary leather hats on their heads to keep their hair from being blown around by the wind.
The four people strolled leisurely on the bustling Dock, appearing out of place.
Zhang Rongfang looked up and gazed at the bay in the distance.
The ships were packed together in dense clusters, stretching as far as the eye could see, numbering at least tens of thousands.
Further out, the sea shimmered with a golden light.
Fleets of ships slowly sailed into the distance.
Meanwhile, fleets of ships slowly entered the harbor from another direction.
The shouts of sailors, the chants of unloading, and the yells of overseers and merchants.
Countless sounds merged into the waves, seemingly becoming a unique symphony for the entire Citong.
The four of them walked forward, from the sidewalk to the open area of Dock.
In a secluded spot, stand by the sea and gaze at the lush scene in the harbor.
"This place is truly incredible," Zhang Rongfang exclaimed in amazement, his gaze now fixed on a large ship that had just passed by.
This large ship is at least several hundred meters long.
From left to right, you can see a dense array of oars protruding from the hull openings along the side of the boat, swaying rhythmically in waves on the water.
There were thirty of those oars on one side, each as thick as a bucket and tens of meters long.
Zhang Rongfang had never seen such a long and thick oar.
"This gentleman must be visiting Citong for the first time, right?" A burly man with a black headscarf holding a child asked with a smile.
He wore a gray mandarin jacket, revealing a strong, well-proportioned, dark physique. His lower body was clad in simple gray-white trousers, tucked in at the cuffs.
What's noteworthy is that this person also had a palm-sized silver scimitar hanging from his waist.
"This gentleman can tell?" Zhang Rongfang asked with a smile.
"Of course. Judging from your eyes and attire, I can probably tell you're from the inland." The man nodded.
He pointed to the large ship that was slowly passing by in front of him.
"In our Citong, this type of boat is the largest model."
The ships here are generally divided into three types: the large ones are called "Chong Ke," the medium ones are called "cao," and the smaller ones are called "ge."
He explained with a smile.
"A ship like this in front of us has an extremely thick oar, and it would take at least ten to fifteen sailors to row it together."
"Does one oar require the combined efforts of more than ten people? Then there are so many oars." Zhang Rongfang asked in surprise.
"Exactly. Generally, it takes at least several hundred people to set sail on one of these Chong Ke, so every time one of these ships docks for resupply, it's a huge celebration."
He pointed to the Dock not far away, where piles of trucks and groups of people dressed as businessmen were already waiting.
"Some ships don't really let people off; they just send people up to deliver goods and supplies. It's cash on delivery, and they don't even bother to negotiate the price. This ship is probably one of those."
"Are you a local? You know all this so well. I admire you," Zhang Rongfang said knowingly.
"Actually, it's alright. After living here for a while, you'll understand all the things you need to know."
"This place used to be much more lively. But in recent years, the White Ten Sect and the Chain Gang have driven away many Enro People and West Asia People, so it's not as prosperous as it used to be," the man sighed.
"I've heard of the White Ten Sect and the Chain Gang in other places before. Are they the strongest forces here?" Zhang Rongfang asked.
"That's not it. It's just that no one can beat us when it comes to unloading cargo at the Dock. But when it comes to transporting goods inland, that's where the Fulier Family comes in," the man replied.
"The Fulier Family?"
"Yes, Leona Furiel, the patriarch of the Fulier Family, is number one in inland transportation. She has many powerful subordinates. Even the Chain Gang and the White Ten Sect cannot compete with her in this area."
"Brother, if you encounter any members of this Lineage, be sure not to provoke them. Taking a step back will open up a whole new world. Avoiding trouble will also ensure your safety, right?" the man advised.
"That makes sense." Zhang Rongfang nodded.
Just then, a servant dressed in gray robes and a gray hat approached quickly from behind and said a few words respectfully to A Yi.
A Yi's expression changed slightly. She came to Zhang Rongfang's side and whispered a message.
"Borrow someone?!" Zhang Rongfang frowned.
Princess Yongxiang actually wanted to borrow a master from him at the last minute to assist in the operation.
Moreover, he wanted to borrow all three of his guards at once.
What is this woman thinking? Does she really think she can do whatever she wants just because she's Imperial Clan?
Of course, Zhang Rongfang would never admit that although he was dissatisfied, he was also pleasantly surprised.
He had been thinking about how to divert the three Spirit Vein, and now Yong Xiang's request for help was exactly what he wanted.
At this moment, the man saw that something was going on, nodded, and walked away a distance with the child in his arms.
Watching this person walk away.
Chen Han said with a grim expression, "Daozi, Princess Yongxiang, and I'm afraid we can't refuse her."
"Can't refuse? What if we do refuse?" Zhang Rongfang frowned. How much influence could a princess possibly have? "We already have an obligation to fully cooperate with the princess's actions this time. Now that Yong Xiang has invited us, if we don't go, she'll give us an excuse to accuse us of disobeying orders. At that point, Daozi, you'll definitely be fine, but we will..."
Chen Han explained, clearly in a very bad mood.
His duty is to Protecting the Dao; if something happens to Daozi, something will happen to him too.
But now, if the princess invites him and he doesn't go, something bad will happen.
"That's right, Brother Chen is absolutely right. We may disobey orders, but Daozi, you'll be fine. It would be too easy for that princess to target us. The Grand Master and Palace Master would never confront the power behind Princess Yongxiang just because of us." A Yi nodded in agreement.
"Is there no other way?" Zhang Rongfang's face showed distress and worry, but he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm afraid not. I don't know how long we'll be gone, so please Daozi, try not to go out during this time. We can go out again after we return," Chen Han suggested.
"Sigh," Zhang Rongfang sighed.
Upon receiving the bad news, the group immediately lost their desire to stroll around.
I bought some unusual wooden amulets, a strange flute carved from some unknown animal bone, and a jar of insect repellent ointment of unknown ingredients from a traveling vendor at the Dock.
The four returned to Far Star Residence.
The strong woman sent by Princess Yongxiang was already waiting in front of their courtyard.
"Who told you to run around like that?! Hurry up! By order of the princess, the three of you come with me right now!" the strong woman scolded impatiently.
A Er blushed immediately and was about to speak, but Chen Han grabbed him and shook his head.
Chen Han stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Sorry, I went out for a quick look around and kept you waiting. You can go now." He went up and gently slipped a roll of silver notes into his hand.
The strong woman quickly glanced at the silver notes, her expression softening slightly, but she still looked very unpleasant.
She snorted coldly, told him to follow, and then turned and left.
Chen Han and the other two bowed to Zhang Rongfang, telling him not to go out for the time being and to wait for their return.
Hearing Zhang Rongfang's repeated agreement, the three reluctantly followed and left.
Watching the three figures gradually disappear, Zhang Rongfang's expression returned to calm. He returned to the courtyard and closed the door.
He quickly packed his things, prepared himself, put on his Treasure Armor, took the map, and walked to the courtyard gate to listen to the sounds outside.
It's certain that the person has already left.
She quietly opened the door, flashed out, and disappeared down the mountain path.
***South of Ci Tong Bay, there is a unique mountain called Huang Jing Mountain.
The Huang Jing Mountain are shrouded in humid heat and miasma year-round, teeming with poisonous insects and covered in swamps. Even attempts to set fire to the mountains have been made several times, but all have ended in failure.
Each time it starts, a torrent of miasma and fog surges out, not only extinguishing the flames but also destroying most of the highly poisonous vegetation.
The highly poisonous plants produce toxic smoke when burned, and no one can stop them.
After several such incidents, many people died, and then no one cared about the place anymore.
At this time, inside Huang Jing Mountain.
A burly figure glided lightly across the lush vegetation.
Before long, the figure stopped on a thick tree branch, and with lightning speed, his right hand stabbed upwards, crushing the head of a black triangular-headed venomous snake that was trying to ambush him with two fingers.
"According to the map, this should be the area. Now we just need to search carefully."
The figure raised its head, revealing a face covered by a Pure Black Silver Thread Mask.
This is the Spirit Envoy Mask from the Golden Wing Tower, which he took out and reused.
Since they were looking for Secret Cache left behind by the Eastern Sect, Zhang Rongfang thought that perhaps wearing the Golden Wing Tower mask would provide some advantage. "This is the place; the poisonous miasma is really annoying." He reached into his pouch, pulled out a small porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, and put it in his mouth.
Although the health points just keep fluctuating, going up and down, it's still better to take some medicine to be on the safe side.
After taking the medicine, Zhang Rongfang took out the map again to compare and check it.
Find the places marked with an "X" when you overlap the map of Citong and the map on the key.
"It only says here that it is in this Woodland, but it is not clear exactly where in the Woodland."
He put away the map and sighed softly.
Zhang Rongfang pushed off with his feet and continued deeper into the Woodland. He planned to first explore the deepest part of the Woodland to determine the level of danger before conducting a thorough search.
This is something that can't be accomplished overnight; it takes time.
He just left.
With a soft whoosh, two tall figures, their entire bodies clad in black leather armor, appeared beneath the tree.
"This is it. He went through so many detours to get here. The so-called Secret Cache is very likely in this place."
Should we go back and report this?
One of them said in a deep voice.
"No rush, let's wait until it's completely confirmed," the other person said coldly.
The two of them were ordered to follow Zhang Ying in order to wait for this opportunity.
Now, sure enough, their time to prove themselves has come! "Where are they? Check where they are!"
"Clear."
One person took a Black Crystal Cage from his waist.
Inside the cage, a creature resembling a thin black thread was slowly swimming and crawling in the center.
It crawls extremely slowly, like an earthworm, only moving once every few seconds.
The two carefully examined the creature in the cage and quickly determined the direction.
"Walk!"
In the blink of an eye, the two chased after the direction Zhang Rongfang had gone.