"Young master, the Yuan Family estate in Five-Family Fort is just ahead. Please go on—I'll stay here."
After leading Zhou Kai to the vicinity of the Yuan Family estate, Yang Chai stopped and spoke with the utmost deference.
Zhou Kai raised his head and looked ahead.
Though they lived in the same settlement, the areas occupied by these families were far cleaner and tidier. Below the estate walls, a group of commoners who looked like craftsmen were carving and painting decorations under the direction of the Yuan Family's servants.
In a world where even finding food was a struggle, these people actually had the resources to adorn their sanctuary with carved dragons and painted phoenixes.
The everlasting flame burned atop the rammed-earth walls here as well, but the torches were more closely spaced and their light more dazzling, illuminating the entire Yuan estate as brightly as day.
To someone like Yang Chai, who had already grown accustomed to darkness, the light was painfully harsh.
Zhou Kai frowned.
There was no doubt about it—everything burning and painted here was the product of exploitation, whether direct or indirect.
Yet the very people who had created these things did not even dare approach them.
Zhou Kai stared at Yang Chai and asked, "Why won't you go any farther?"
An unhealthy flush rose on Yang Chai's dark face. Looking somewhat embarrassed, he replied, "Young master, unless someone takes us inside, the grounds of the five families are somewhere
people like us aren't allowed to set foot—not even a single step. There may not be anyone guarding the place, but if we go in, we could end up with a broken leg."
"I still need to get my strength back so I can go down into the mines. I can't afford another injury."
Zhou Kai