Iron Wall's Bearing

The streets of Iron Wall City were wide and solid, paved with massive bluestone slabs.

Although it was morning, the streets were already bustling with people. Besides patrolling soldiers, there were more rough-skinned, hurried border dwellers, merchants with camel trains or horse caravans, and vendors selling furs, medicinal herbs, and ores in simple stalls.

The city's color palette was gray-black and earthy yellow, giving it a rugged and hardy appearance, but occasionally, brightly colored silks or porcelain imported from the Central Plains could be seen, adding splashes of color.

Yan Yunxi led the way with great enthusiasm, frequently looking back to introduce things. "Brother Chen, look over there. That's the market, full of unique northern herbs and furs. I've heard there are even small trinkets from the barbarian tribes further north!"

She led Chen Qing and A Ning through the market area.

A Ning walked quietly, holding Chen Qing's hand. Her clear black and white eyes were clearly captivated by the surroundings: the mountains of furs emitting strange odors, the colorful, clucking unknown birds in cages, the oddly shaped, metallic-sheened ores on the vendors' tables, and the foreign merchants in thick fur coats shouting loudly.

The appearance of the Wolf King still caused quite a stir. Wherever it went, pedestrians shied away in fear, and horses whinnied uneasily. But upon seeing that the people accompanying it seemed connected to the General's mansion, and that the giant wolf was merely following them quietly, the panic gradually turned into astonished observation and hushed whispers.

Yan Yunxi stopped at a stall selling small ornaments. She picked up a small whistle made from some white animal bone, polished and strung on a red cord. "A Ning, do you like this? It makes a very clear sound." She then blew it gently, and indeed, a clear, crisp note rang out.

A Ning's gaze was drawn to the bone whistle for a moment.

Seeing this, Chen Qing took out money and bought it. Yan Yunxi eagerly tried to pay, but Chen Qing smiled and shook his head, stopping her.

He handed the bone whistle to A Ning. A Ning took it, looked at it in her hand, then looked up at Chen Qing and Yan Yunxi, who was watching with anticipation. After a moment's hesitation, she carefully put the whistle into her pocket and stored it away without blowing it.

Although there was no overt display of joy, this action made Yan Yunxi very happy.

The combination of three people and one wolf was too peculiar, drawing attention wherever they went. Yan Yunxi seemed to have completely forgotten her status and worries, immersed in her role as a guide, sometimes exclaiming over a local delicacy, sometimes marveling at an exotic ornament.

Chen Qing mostly walked quietly, his gaze calmly sweeping over the sights and sounds of the marketplace. However, his divine sense could perceive the undercurrents surging beneath the prosperous surface.

Some seemingly ordinary pedestrians had steady steps, contained auras, and sharp eyes, clearly skilled individuals from the army in disguise, patrolling in secret. From the direction of the city walls, the faint sounds of bugles and drills could be heard, reminding people that this was still a forward defense line.

At noon, Yan Yunxi led them into a seemingly clean eatery and ordered local specialties: roast lamb chops, milk tofu, and oat noodles.

While eating, Yan Yunxi's cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Chen Qing, her voice much lighter. "Brother Chen, thank you. Thank you for saving us, and thank you... thank you for being willing to stay and see this city." She paused, her voice lowering slightly, "I know you'll be leaving soon... but today, I'm very happy."

Chen Qing looked out the window at the faint dust rising from the street and the distant, majestic black ramparts of the city wall. He nodded, "The appearance of this city is indeed unique. Miss Yan has been very thoughtful."

A Ning ate the lamb chops Chen Qing had cut for her in small bites, quietly listening to their conversation.

In the afternoon, as Yan Yunxi led them past a small but tidy clothing shop, her eyes lit up, and she pulled A Ning inside without further ado. Seeing this, Chen Qing slowly followed.

The shop displayed many northern-style clothes, thick and durable, but there were also some more delicate fabrics and ready-made garments imported from the Central Plains.

Yan Yunxi enthusiastically browsed through a row of dresses. She picked up a goose-yellow padded jacket dress with small daisies embroidered on the collar and held it up against A Ning. "A Ning, do you like this? The color suits you."

A Ning seemed a little unaccustomed to it, her small hands slightly clutching Chen Qing's clothes. Her clear black and white eyes looked at the bright color, then up at Chen Qing.

Chen Qing smiled slightly and gently patted her head. "Try it on if you like it."

The shopkeeper, a kind woman, also smiled and brought out several dresses suitable for young girls to recommend. In the end, Yan Yunxi settled on an outfit: a soft, light snow-green cross-collar jacket for the upper body, with a circle of soft white fur trim on the collar and cuffs, paired with a slightly darker pleated skirt of the same color. The material was thick, both warm and very cute.

She urged A Ning to go to the back room to change. When A Ning walked out, looking a little awkward, even the usually aloof Chen Qing's eyes showed a hint of barely perceptible light.

Dressed in her new clothes, A Ning seemed transformed.

The light snow-green color made her small face appear even fairer and more delicate. The fluffy collar framed her small chin, and her expression seemed much softer, carrying a touch of the charming innocence befitting a girl her age.

Although her expression hadn't changed much, she stood there quietly like a meticulously dressed porcelain doll, so lovely it made one's heart melt.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Yan Yunxi exclaimed, circling her with delight, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.

Chen Qing's lips curved into a faint smile, and he nodded. "It's very beautiful." He paid directly, not letting Yan Yunxi try to pay again.

A Ning lowered her head and tugged at the soft hem of her clothes, then looked up at Chen Qing. Seeing the affirmation in his eyes, she also showed a hint of joy.

Even the Wolf King, lying outside, when it saw its young mistress emerge in her new clothes, uncharacteristically came closer, gently sniffing the fluffy edges with its huge nose and letting out an approving, low rumble from its throat.

Afterward, Yan Yunxi's gaze turned to Chen Qing again. She pursed her lips and smiled, "Brother Chen, you always wear that blue robe. It's handsome, but you should try something new too. This shop also has men's clothing. What do you think of that one?"

She pointed to an indigo-colored fine linen long shirt hanging a little further away. Its style was simple, but the cut was sharp, with subtle hidden patterns.

Chen Qing looked down at his own blue robe, which was slightly faded from travel, and shook his head. His tone was casual yet gentle, "No need, I'm used to it. This blue robe is fine."

He was not a person who cared about his attire. His blue robe was sufficient for covering him and allowed for easy movement. To him, external finery was far less substantial than even a slight increase in his internal star power.

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Yan Yunxi didn't insist. She simply looked at the pair before her – the taller one in his free-spirited blue robe, with a clear and refined demeanor; the smaller one in her snow-green new clothes, petite and adorable – standing together, the scene was strangely harmonious, warming her heart.

Yan Yunxi then took them up a section of the city wall that was open to civilians.

Standing at a height, the cold wind was sharp, and the view opened up dramatically. Outside the city lay an endless, undulating, 황 (huang - yellow/ochre) colored wilderness, with continuous black mountain ranges in the distance. The world was filled with a desolate and magnificent beauty.

Yan Yunxi pointed into the distance, her voice tinged with a barely perceptible heaviness and pride. "That is the direction from which the Northern Barbarians might come. Iron Wall City has defended here for generations. My grandfather, General Li, and many, many others... are all here..."

Chen Qing gazed into the distance, the wind billowing his robes. He could feel the heavy history and the肅殺 (sùshā -肅殺 atmosphere, implying harshness and danger) carried by this land.

As they descended the city wall, Yan Yunxi slowed her steps. She looked at Chen Qing's retreating back as he carefully guided A Ning down the steps ahead of them. A complex, indescribable emotion flickered in her eyes – gratitude, admiration, and the faint melancholy of an impending separation for something that had just begun to bud. Ultimately, it turned into a sigh so faint it was almost inaudible.

The sun began to set, casting long shadows of the three figures on the ancient streets. Their outing was nearing its end, and the city's clamor gradually subsided.

However, just as they were about to return to the General's mansion, Chen Qing's footsteps paused almost imperceptibly. His gaze swept casually across a disappearing figure at the street corner.

His divine sense had detected a trace of a chilling aura that was utterly out of place in the mundane atmosphere of the marketplace, a fleeting presence.

Shadow Kill Tower's people, they've really infiltrated the city, he thought silently. But his expression remained as calm as ever, as if he knew nothing, and he continued walking forward.

Because of Yan Yunxi's invitation, they had stayed an extra day in this city. Chen Qing could only postpone his departure.