Arrival in the Capital City

After the encounter with the river bandits, the rest of the journey was peaceful.

After thirty days of sailing, the merchant ship reached a Capital City dock without incident.

Once the ship moored, the temporary guards aboard had completed their escort assignment.

They found Steward Zhou, collected their pay, and took their leave.

Chen Ye collected his share too.

Because he had killed the river bandits, Steward Zhou gave him a little extra in thanks. He received twelve taels of silver in all.

As usual, he kept two taels in reserve and spent the remaining ten to redeem forty days of life.

By the final reckoning, a month aboard the ship had earned him ten days of life. He now had two months and twenty-four days left.

Chen Ye packed his things and said goodbye to the people he had come to know.

He was about to leave when the old escort called out from behind him, wineskin in hand. "Kid, what are your plans in the Capital City? Got any leads?"

Chen Ye shook his head. "I haven't decided yet. I'll probably find work first and earn some silver."

The old escort took a sip from his wineskin. "I have a younger relative in the Capital City. He's a steward at Shuntong Transport Agency in South City, and they need a strong fellow to escort their carts. Want to give it a try?"

During the thirty days aboard ship, Chen Ye had practiced diligently every day, never neglecting his standing exercises.

The sensation of qi in his dantian had grown from a hair-thin thread into a wisp.

Sometimes, after he had stood for a long time, his Shenque Acupoint would twitch a few times, as though something inside had rolled over before settling down again.

He knew he might not be far from a threshold.

Now was no time to wander. He needed somewhere to settle.

So he did not refuse. He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, senior. Once I've found my footing in the Capital City, I'll be sure to visit and thank you properly."

"It's nothing. I'm from Runan too. Only right that I give you a hand."

The old escort pulled out a strip of cloth, sketched a simple map on it, then wrote a few lines of introduction on the back.

He handed the cloth to Chen Ye and reminded him, "The waters run deep in the Capital City. Keep your wits about you."

Chen Ye accepted it solemnly. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but managed only two words. "Thank you."

"I'm off!"

The old escort waved and wandered into the crowd on the docks, a long saber at his waist and the wineskin in his hand.

Chen Ye stepped onto Capital City soil.

This was only one of the Capital City's many docks. Though middling in size, it was several times busier than the dock at Anhuai.

Everywhere he looked, heads bobbed in the crowd.

Porters chanted as they hauled loads on their backs, while patrol officers threaded through the streets with iron rulers in hand.

The air was thick with sweat, fish, and the sour smell of food left overnight.

To the northwest of the docks, the Capital City's walls stretched across his view like a towering mountain range drawn in a straight line, running on for who knew how many miles.

Judging by its scale, it rivaled or even surpassed the ancient city of Yanjing he remembered from his previous life.

Chen Ye gripped the saber at his waist, took a deep breath, and pushed into the crowd toward the enormous city.

A little less than half an hour later.

Chen Ye reached Xuanwu Gate and looked up at the three large characters on the wall.

People streamed beneath the gate.

Well-dressed young men and women passed at their leisure in carriages or on horseback, a stark contrast to the poorly dressed folk around them.

Chen Ye did not hurry inside. He turned toward a roadside wonton stall and ordered the cheapest bowl.

As he ate, he quietly watched what happened at the gate.

He found that everyone entering the city had to answer the gate guards' questions and show their travel papers. Weapons were not allowed inside at all.

Someone tried to force his way through, only to have two guards twist his arms behind his back and march him away.

The guards moved with practiced ease. Clearly, they were all Martial Masters who had undergone Mortal Shedding.

Chen Ye weighed his options, paid for his food, and found a hidden spot to stash his crossbow and short blade.

Then he hurriedly washed up, found a clothing shop in the market outside the walls, and spent a hefty tael of silver on a respectable outfit from head to toe.

When he emerged, he looked like a new man.

In a plain fine-cotton robe, white trousers, and square-toed shoes, he no longer looked the least bit like a servant.

Only after everything was ready did he straighten his collar, walk toward the gate, and patiently join the queue.

As he waited, carriages belonging to Aristocratic Clans passed from time to time. The guards waved them through without even looking.

When Chen Ye's turn came, a guard raised an arm to stop him and asked the usual questions. "Name, place of origin, and reason for entering the city?"

"Chen Ye of the Runan Chen Clan. Escort Master Sun Chenghai of Xinglong Escort Agency invited me to discuss business at Shuntong Transport Agency." Chen Ye spoke evenly, every inch the scion of an Aristocratic Clan.

As he spoke, he calmly handed over the old escort's letter of introduction.

The guard glanced over it and saw nothing amiss.

Chen Ye had no travel permit and did not want trouble.

He took the opportunity to slip the guard a handful of silver pieces. "Hot day. Thanks for the effort, all of you. A little money for tea."

The guard weighed the silver in his hand. It had to be more than a tael. His face lit up, and he waved Chen Ye through.

"Escort Master Sun's an old acquaintance. Go on in, young master."

Chen Ye cupped his fists in thanks and walked through the gate.

The moment he entered, a wave of noise and heat washed over him.

The streets were broad, with shops packed close together. Hawkers' cries, laughter, and the rumble of carts and horses blended into one.

Even the scent of wine and the sweet, rich smell of fried pastries drifted on the breeze.

Chen Ye paused to collect himself. Once he had his bearings, he strode toward the general location of Shuntong Transport Agency.

On the way, he stopped beside a courtyard enclosed by blue-brick walls.

The courtyard was small, with an old plaque above its entrance. From inside came the faint, repeated rush of fists cutting through the air.

Someone was clearly practicing martial arts within.

The sound of those punches was deep and steady, accompanied by a distinct rhythm of breathing.

Chen Ye felt the qi circulating within him stir slightly in time with that rhythm.

He had a vague feeling that he needed only one opportunity to complete his second Mortal Shedding.

Chen Ye quickly pulled his thoughts back and continued on.

The Capital City covered a vast area.

The outer city alone was divided into four great markets: east, south, west, and north.

Its population exceeded a million.

New to the city, Chen Ye found himself surrounded by unfamiliar streets and alleys.

Fortunately, Shuntong Transport Agency was well known in the Capital City.

He asked for directions along the way and checked them against the crude map. After several turns, he finally found the place.

Shuntong Transport Agency had an imposing frontage.

Several finished carriages stood in the open space before its doors, their lacquer gleaming and their fittings grand.

Wealthy patrons dressed in silk and brocade came and went.

Standing at the entrance, Chen Ye glanced down at the outfit that had cost him a tael of silver. Here, it looked rather shabby.

He gave it no more thought. He straightened his clothes and stepped inside.

A sharp-eyed young apprentice immediately came to greet him with a practiced smile. "Welcome, honored guest. Are you looking to order a custom carriage?"

Chen Ye did not take up the question. He stated his purpose directly. "I'm looking for Steward Shen. Please let him know I'm here."