Canghe County

The spiked-club-wielding brute spoke rudely and remained utterly unabashed even after Gu Dajiang announced his name, instantly startling everyone.

The villagers, who had worn relaxed expressions moments ago, began to look uneasy. They craned their necks to see what was happening ahead.

Gu Sheng could not help tightening his grip on his longbow.

If a conflict truly broke out, this would be what kept him alive.

Gu Dajiang's expression shifted slightly. There was no anger on his dark face as he restrained the fury rising on Gu Xiaojiang's face beside him and said with a smile,

"So, a dragon crossing the river has arrived. Forgive my poor eyesight for failing to recognize you."

The brute grinned, baring a row of gleaming teeth.

"I'm from Yunzhou. Of course you wouldn't know me. Enough nonsense—pay the toll!"

As he spoke,

the spiked club on his shoulder suddenly swung down. The hundred-pound weapon's spikes glinted with a chilling light as it smashed viciously into the ground, seeming to shake the earth and mountains.

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

Gu Dajiang slowly narrowed his eyes.

Since when did Canghe County have another Blood Refining Realm martial artist I've never heard of? Could he be someone displaced by the war in Yunzhou?

Seeing how the people behind the burly man carried themselves so differently from ordinary bandits, he immediately guessed their identities.

Two hundred taels was neither a great deal nor a small sum. Gu Family Village's yearly income was only around ten thousand taels.

Gu Dajiang swung down from his horse and walked toward the powerful bows opposite him.

His bearing was steady, without the slightest hint of fear.

The burly man across from him was momentarily stunned. He viewed the leader before him, who resembled an old farmer, in a new light. He had seen many people, but few possessed such courage.

Gu Dajiang advanced slowly, his strides broad and forceful. Deep, clear footprints appeared behind him one after another, making the brute's pupils contract. His blood qi surged—a Blood Refining Realm expert!

"This is our first meeting, brother. I'll offer one hundred taels of silver to treat your brothers to some tea. In the future, when Gu Family Village's caravans pass through Mangniu Mountain, I hope you'll show us some consideration and look after us."

Gu Dajiang smiled warmly, yet no one could overlook this old farmer.

A Blood Refining Realm martial artist was a formidable figure in these parts.

Gu Dajiang had stepped forward alone, displaying both his strength and sincerity. Gu Sheng could not help nodding to himself. Anyone who had clawed his way to this point and earned a reputation was no simple figure.

The brute was briefly dumbfounded, and much of his savage aura was softened.

He stared at Gu Dajiang, then suddenly burst into laughter.

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

"I, Wang Chong, admire men like you. I'll take the hundred taels and count you as a friend."

Gu Dajiang smiled openly.

"So you are the renowned Wang Chong. Forgive my disrespect."

"Brothers, clear the way. Let them pass."

The people behind him scattered with a rustle, and the Gu Family Village caravan hurried through.

Gu Sheng kept his eyes forward. Though curious, he did not wish to invite trouble. Skilled in archery, he could tell that those carrying powerful bows were no ordinary bandits.

Once everyone had passed safely, Gu Dajiang secretly let out a breath and had someone bring over one hundred taels of silver.

It was naturally better not to fight if they could avoid it. The other side also had a Blood Refining Realm martial artist, and he was not confident of victory. Besides, they were secretly transporting materials such as demon wolf blood for refining Blood Strengthening Pills. Nothing could go wrong.

Wang Chong and his men smiled as well.

The two clasped fists and exchanged a few pleasantries before Gu Dajiang went after the caravan.

Watching Gu Dajiang's departing back, Wang Chong's smile gradually cooled.

One of his subordinates leaned closer and asked,

"Boss, one hundred taels is too little. It's not even enough for the brothers to visit a brothel. That fat sheep is carrying far more than that!"

Wang Chong slapped the man on the head and laughed as he cursed,

"Eager to get on top of a woman, are you? What the hell are you rushing for? Those people are obviously heading into the city to buy supplies. It's not as if they won't come back. Send someone to find out where this Gu Dajiang came from."

"We're new here and unfamiliar with the place. Don't go kicking an iron plate."

"Yes, yes, yes! Boss, you're so wise!"

Meanwhile,

the atmosphere in the Gu Family Village caravan was somewhat gloomy. Everyone realized that even Gu Dajiang's reputation was not all-powerful, and their admiration for him diminished somewhat. Gu Xiaojiang, in particular, looked like a defeated rooster, hanging his head in dejection.

Gu Sheng shook his head slightly.

He felt that Gu Dajiang had handled the matter correctly. If they had insisted on being tough and started fighting, they would have lost far more than one hundred taels of silver.

With so many burdens in tow, more than one or two people would have died.

If one hundred taels could buy them peace when crossing Mangniu Mountain in the future, it would not be a loss. He only feared those bandits would be insatiably greedy.

Images of those bandits flashed through his mind.

They appeared loose and undisciplined, but in truth they seemed to possess some degree of formation. Several of them in particular gave off an aura of cold-blooded killing intent.

Defeated troops fleeing from Yunzhou... Even the Canghe County authorities can't deal with deserters who fled here...

Gu Sheng's heart tightened.

I hope everything goes smoothly...

As the caravan slowly left Mangniu Mountain, the road ahead became clear. After all, bandits were not fools. They would not commit robbery beneath the officials' noses—that would be asking for death.

As they drew closer to Canghe County, the slight gloom brought by being forced to pay the toll gradually faded, and the caravan's atmosphere slowly became cheerful again.

"Ah Sheng, once we reach Canghe County, I'll take you somewhere interesting!"

Gu Erniu waggled his eyebrows.

Gu Sheng's mouth twitched.

"Look, Canghe County is here!"

Gu Sheng raised his eyes, and his spirits lifted at once. In the distance, an ancient city rose from the earth. Its weathered walls exuded a heavy, ancient air and stood five or six zhang high, complete with corner towers and horse-faced bastions.

Gu Sheng clicked his tongue inwardly. It was only a county seat, yet it possessed such magnificent walls.

But considering that this world contained extraordinary forces such as martial artists, it seemed only natural.

Some tenant farmers entering the city for the first time stared in amazement, their hearts filled with longing. The city walls gave them an immense sense of security. If they could one day settle down within the city, it would be as though smoke were rising from their ancestors' graves.

But that was only wishful thinking. Housing in the county seat was too expensive for lowly tenant farmers to imagine. Even after ten lifetimes, they might not save enough for a single home.

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

Outside the city,

a long line stretched toward the gates.

Soldiers stood atop the walls, staring straight ahead. The four characters "Canghe County City" were engraved above the gate, while a patrol dressed in black maintained order at its entrance.

Gu Renxu went over and said something to the patrol captain. The Gu Family Village caravan was immediately allowed through the gates.

After entering the city,

they found themselves in an entirely different world. Bluestone streets stretched into the distance, shops lined both sides of the road, vendors called out their wares, and people and carriages flowed back and forth. It was not as bustling as the cities of Gu Sheng's previous life, but compared with Gu Family Village, it was worlds apart.

Canghe County had not suffered through war, and everything remained well.

As Gu Sheng surveyed his surroundings, the caravan stopped at a side courtyard. This was property Gu Family Village had purchased in the city, serving as a resting place when needed. Gu Renxu's voice rang out:

"For the next few days, you may move about freely. Keep your temporary travel permits with you, lest you be expelled from the city. Once the village's purchases are complete, we will return together. Anyone late will be left behind!"

The tenant farmers hurriedly nodded, collected their travel permits, and scattered in all directions.

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

Gu Sheng seemed to see Gu Dajiang leave alone with Gu Xiaojiang, though he did not know what they were going to do.

He did not dwell on it. He merely followed Gu Erniu around the county seat. It was already late, so they would sell the hides tomorrow.

A moment later,

Gu Sheng looked stunned.

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

He looked up and saw a crowd gathered in a circle. Standing in the center was a storyteller.