Canghe County

The burly man with the wolf-tooth club spoke rudely, and even after Gu Dajiang announced his name, he remained impolite, which immediately shocked everyone.

The villagers, who had been relaxed, began to look uneasy. They craned their necks forward, wanting to see what was happening.

Gu Sheng couldn't help but grip the longbow in his hand.

If a conflict truly broke out, this would be his lifesaver.

Gu Dajiang's expression changed slightly. His dark face showed no anger. He stopped Gu Xiaojiang, who was about to erupt in fury, and said with a smile:

"So, a dragon from beyond the river has arrived. Forgive my poor eyesight for not recognizing you."

The burly man grinned, revealing his sharp teeth.

"I'm from Yunzhou, so of course you wouldn't recognize me. Enough nonsense, pay the toll to pass!"

Saying that, he swung the wolf-tooth club on his shoulder. The club, weighing over a hundred pounds, had sharp edges and was slammed forcefully onto the ground, creating a sensation as if the earth itself was shaking.

"Two hundred taels. Not a cent less, or I'll take it myself!"

Gu Dajiang's eyes gradually narrowed.

He thought to himself, "When did Canghe County gain another Blood Refining Realm martial artist that I've never heard of? Could they have fled here from the war in Yunzhou?"

Looking at the demeanor of the people behind the burly man, which was distinctly different from ordinary bandits, he immediately guessed their identity.

Two hundred taels was neither a lot nor a little. Gu Family Village's annual income was only around ten thousand taels.

Gu Dajiang dismounted and walked forward to meet the formidable bowman opposite him.

His demeanor was steady, showing no fear whatsoever.

This immediately surprised the burly man opposite him. He looked at the leader, who resembled an old farmer, with newfound respect. He had met many people, but few possessed such courage.

Gu Dajiang walked slowly, his steps broad and open. Deep, clear footprints were left behind him, causing the burly man's pupils to contract. His blood surged; a Blood Refining Realm expert!

"This is the first time I'm meeting a hero. I'll offer one hundred taels of silver for you and your brothers to have some tea. In the future, when Gu Family Village's caravans pass through Mangniu Mountain, I hope you'll do us the favor of looking out for us."

Gu Dajiang smiled, as warm as a spring breeze, but no one could ignore this old farmer.

In this vicinity, a Blood Refining Realm expert was considered a powerful figure.

Gu Dajiang advanced alone, displaying both his strength and sincerity. Gu Sheng couldn't help but nod in admiration. Those who had managed to survive and gain a reputation through hardship were never simple individuals.

The burly man was stunned, his fierce aura significantly softened.

He stared at Gu Dajiang and then burst into laughter.

"Good! Gu Dajiang, is it! You've got guts!"

"I, Wang Chong, only respect people like you. I'll accept the hundred taels and consider us friends."

Gu Dajiang's smile was hearty.

"So it's the hero Wang Chong, my apologies."

"Brothers, clear the way and let them pass."

His men scattered with a rustle. The Gu Family Village caravan quickly moved through.

Gu Sheng kept his eyes straight ahead. Despite his curiosity, he didn't want to cause trouble. He was skilled in Archery and could sense that the people holding powerful bows were no ordinary bandits.

Seeing everyone pass safely, Gu Dajiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and had someone bring the hundred taels of silver to hand over.

It was best to avoid conflict if possible. He wasn't confident against the Blood Refining Realm expert on the other side. Furthermore, he was carrying materials like demon wolf blood for refining Blood Strengthening Pills, which could not afford to be lost.

Wang Chong and his men also showed smiles.

The two clasped their fists, exchanged pleasantries with smiles, and Gu Dajiang followed the caravan.

Watching Gu Dajiang's retreating back, Wang Chong's smile gradually turned cold.

A subordinate sidled up to him and asked:

"Boss, a hundred taels is too little. It's not even enough for us brothers to visit a brothel. I think this fat sheep is carrying more than that!"

Wang Chong slapped his subordinate on the head and cursed with a laugh, "Thinking about getting laid, huh? What's the rush? These people clearly came to the city to procure goods, and they'll be back. You quickly send someone to find out who this Gu Dajiang is."

"We're new here and don't know the lay of the land. We don't want to kick an iron plate."

"Yes, yes! You're still the wise one, boss!"

Meanwhile.

The atmosphere in the Gu Family Village caravan was slightly somber. Everyone realized that even Gu Dajiang's reputation wasn't all-powerful, and their admiration for him diminished somewhat. Gu Xiaojiang, in particular, was dejected, like a rooster that had lost a fight.

Gu Sheng shook his head slightly.

He felt that Gu Dajiang's handling of the situation was correct. If they had insisted on confronting them and fighting, the loss would have been more than just a hundred taels of silver.

With so many burdens, one or two would surely die.

If a hundred taels of silver could buy peace for future passage through Mangniu Mountain, it wouldn't be a loss. He just hoped those bandits wouldn't be insatiable.

Images of those bandits flashed through his mind.

They seemed loose, but actually had a sense of formation, especially many of them, who gave off a feeling of sternness and cold-bloodedness.

"Fleeing remnants of the army from Yunzhou... The Canghe County government can't even handle the fleeing remnants of the army..."

Gu Sheng's heart tightened.

"Hope everything goes smoothly..."

As the convoy slowly drove out of Mangniu Mountain, the road ahead became smooth. After all, the bandits weren't stupid enough to rob under the noses of the officials. That would be too disrespectful and suicidal.

As they got closer to Canghe County, the slight depression from being forced to pay tolls gradually dissipated, and the atmosphere in the convoy became cheerful.

"Ah Sheng, when we get to Canghe County, I'll take you somewhere interesting!"

Gu Erniu winked.

Gu Sheng's mouth twitched.

"Look, Canghe County is here!"

Gu Sheng looked up and his spirits immediately lifted. In the distance, an ancient city rose from the ground. The ancient city walls exuded a heavy aura, five to six zhang high, with complete corner towers and battlements.

Gu Sheng was astonished. It was just a county town, yet it had such magnificent city walls.

But thinking about the existence of extraordinary powers like martial artists in this world, he felt it was normal.

Some tenant farmers who were entering the city for the first time looked on with amazement and longing. The city walls truly gave a great sense of security. If they could settle in the city one day, it would be like their ancestors' graves emitting green smoke.

But it was just a thought. The housing prices in the county town were too expensive, beyond the imagination of the lower-class tenant farmers. They might not even be able to save up for a house in ten lifetimes.

The closer they got to the city, the more people there were.

By the city walls.

A long queue formed to enter the city.

Soldiers stood straight on the city walls, their eyes fixed ahead. The words "Canghe County City" were engraved above the city gate. A team of black-clothed patrols was maintaining order at the city gate.

Gu Renxu said something to the patrol team, and the Gu Family Village convoy was immediately allowed to enter the city.

After entering the city.

A completely different world unfolded. Blasted stone paths stretched all the way, with shops and hawkers calling out along the streets. People and carts came and went. Although it wasn't as prosperous as the cities in his previous life, it was still a world of difference compared to Gu Family Village.

Canghe County had not experienced war, so everything was still in good condition.

As Gu Sheng was observing everything around him, the convoy stopped at a side courtyard. This was an property the Gu Family Village had purchased in the city, which also served as a place to stay. Gu Renxu's voice rang out:

"For the next few days, you can move around freely. Remember to bring your temporary passes, lest you be expelled from the city. Once the village's purchases are complete, we will return together. Those who are late will not be waited for!"

The tenant farmers quickly nodded, took their passes, and dispersed.

Gu Renxu then found Gu Sheng and arranged a resting place for him and Gu Erniu in the side courtyard before leaving to handle his own business.

Gu Sheng seemed to see Gu Dajiang leave alone with Gu Xiaojiang, not knowing what they were going to do.

He didn't think much of it and just followed Gu Erniu around the county town. It was getting late, so they would sell the furs tomorrow.

A moment later.

Gu Sheng's face showed surprise:

"This is the interesting place you told me about?"

He looked up and saw a group of people gathered together, with a storyteller standing in the center.