They had settled everything in a single day, unexpectedly smoothly.
Over the next day, Gu Erniu took Gu Sheng around the city. Besides listening to storytelling, they bought a few small trinkets to bring back for his wife and child.
Only then did Gu Sheng realize something.
Canghe County was not as peaceful and prosperous as it had seemed when he first entered the city.
In some remote alleyways, there were plenty of sallow, emaciated commoners. Begging, theft, and even street fights were not uncommon.
"So the glamour was only one part of it. There was darkness everywhere."
Gu Sheng secretly grew wary. He knew that many gangs ran rampant in the city, and the lives of the common people at the bottom were not actually that good.
To avoid trouble, Gu Sheng simply stopped going out and found a place in the side courtyard to practice archery.
His proficiency in perfected archery had now reached around ten percent. To break through beyond perfection as soon as possible, he needed to work hard day after day.
On the third night.
Gu Dajiang and his son returned in a hurry. Though he tried to hide it, Gu Sheng still sensed a trace of joy from Gu Xiaojiang.
These past few days.
The father and son had left early and returned late every day, making Gu Sheng curious about what they had been doing.
But he restrained his curiosity well. Some matters were better left unasked, lest they bring trouble.
That night.
Gu Renxu announced that the purchases were complete and that they would return to the village the next day. Many villagers could not help showing reluctance.
Canghe County was undoubtedly worlds apart from Gu Family Village.
Fortunately, Gu Sheng kept a level head. If he lacked the ability, staying in the city would only mean courting misery. He might even be swallowed whole, skin and bones alike.
It was better to develop slowly in Gu Family Village first.
The next day.
The sky had only just begun to brighten.
Gu Family Village's caravan slowly departed Canghe County. The flatbeds had been empty when they arrived, but they were now fully loaded, mostly with daily necessities unavailable in the village. This was the focus of every purchasing trip.
The donkey carts and flatbeds were all packed full, so Gu Sheng and the others could only travel on foot alongside them.
They had traveled faster on the way here. On the return journey, they likely would not reach Gu Family Village until sunset. The villagers wore varying expressions, though most were joyful as they shared what they had seen and heard in the city over the past few days.
However, Gu Sheng sharply noticed that several villagers were missing.
He knew.
Those people might have deliberately taken this chance to stay behind in the city, or perhaps they had been kidnapped.
Gu Renxu's expression did not change in the slightest, nor did he wait for them. He had long grown used to it. This happened every time they entered the city, and he could not possibly search for each of them.
"Looks like... a martial artist is missing too?"
Gu Sheng observed carefully. His instincts told him that the martial artist's departure was connected to whatever Gu Dajiang had been busy with these past few days.
His heart tightened, and he quietly heightened his vigilance.
The caravan continued onward.
No one looked especially tense.
They had encountered bandits on the way here, and only suffered some trouble while passing Mangniu Mountain. Naturally, the return journey should have been smooth sailing.
The sun gradually rose. Even the bleak autumn wind could not stop the sweat dripping from the porters and villagers.
The caravan passed through Mangniu Mountain.
As they walked, everyone discussed things in low voices. Some were still immersed in the lingering afterglow of the city, especially several hunters who had visited the pleasure houses. Each wore a carefree expression and an ambiguous smile, looking rather absent-minded.
Suddenly.
A burst of rough laughter rang out from the forest, startling everyone.
"Brother Gu Dajiang, what a coincidence. We meet again."
Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes and looked over.
A burly man carrying a wolf-toothed club strolled out lazily. Behind him stood a group of bandits holding blades, swords, and powerful bows, all looking this way with mocking expressions.
Gu Dajiang frowned, then forced out a smile and cupped his fists.
"So it is Chief Wang Chong. What a coincidence indeed. We must have accidentally disturbed you brothers. Please forgive us. Our Gu Family Village caravan will pass through at once."
As he spoke, he cupped his fists apologetically again, then gestured for everyone to move along quickly.
Facing such fierce bandits, who could even make Gu Dajiang yield, the villagers of Gu Family Village did not dare raise their heads and immediately quickened their pace.
However.
Wang Chong lowered his wolf-toothed club, blocking their path.
Gu Dajiang's heart sank, and his expression turned ugly.
"What does Brother Wang Chong mean by this? We already paid the toll on our way here. By the rules, you brothers should let us pass on the way back."
Wang Chong gave a derisive laugh. His clothes hung half-open, exposing his sturdy chest and thick chest hair. As he laughed, his muscles trembled, giving off an indescribable sense of oppression.
"Rules? I do not care what rules used to be here. Now that I, Wang Chong, have arrived, things will be done according to my rules from now on!"
"In Yunzhou, tolls are paid both ways!"
Gu Xiaojiang's fury surged up, and he finally could not help shouting coldly.
"There is no such rule in Canghe County. My father has already shown you respect, so do not push your luck!"
Gu Dajiang's expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly shielded Gu Xiaojiang behind him.
Wang Chong's tiger-like eyes widened as a bloodthirsty aura bore down on them.
"A wet-behind-the-ears brat dares act so presumptuously!"
"My son is ignorant. I apologize to Commander Wang on his behalf."
Gu Dajiang suppressed his anger as he spoke.
"But Canghe County truly has no such rule."
"So, Brother Dajiang does not wish to make a friend of me, Wang Chong?"
Wang Chong slowly narrowed his eyes, dangerous light flashing within them. He made a slight gesture, and the sound of bowstrings being drawn immediately came from behind him.
The martial artists and hunters of Gu Family Village instantly tensed, gripping their weapons as they had the villagers hide behind cover.
Gu Sheng, who had been watching the situation all along, had already drawn his bow to a full moon. An arrow rested on the string, ready to fly like a shooting star in an instant if anything went wrong.
Fury surged in Gu Dajiang's heart.
This man, who usually acted as steadily as an old farmer, was on the verge of erupting after being so thoroughly humiliated.
But when he thought of the Blood Strengthening Pills he carried on him.
The anger in his heart immediately deflated.
The Blood Strengthening Pills cannot be lost. Yield for now. Once I gather Vajra and rally the village's martial artists, I will make this ruleless villain pay the price!
He was not confident of winning if they really fought. More importantly, his son was beside him, making Gu Xiaojiang his greatest weakness.
The atmosphere was heavy, with swords drawn and bows bent.
The next moment, blades would clash. Everyone's nerves were stretched taut.
The villagers were even more terrified, feeling as though the sky were about to fall.
Gu Sheng touched the three arrows on his back coated in Black Blood Powder, feeling much calmer. Yet he kept his eyes fixed on the other side, searching for a suitable target.
That suffocating atmosphere hung over them.
After a long while.
Gu Dajiang finally let out a long breath. His voice was heavy and somewhat hoarse.
"Fine! Today, I, Gu Dajiang, will make a friend of Chief Wang Chong. It will still be one hundred taels. Please let the heroes have a drink."
He did not make any threats. Making threats now would be the most foolish thing to do, and would only easily provoke the other side. Once he had gathered enough men, they would see who got the last laugh!
Gu Renxu handed over one hundred taels. It was his first time encountering such troublesome bandits, and he felt somewhat uneasy as well.
One of Wang Chong's men took it.
Wang Chong raised his brows and sneered.
"One hundred taels was the price on the way here. You have so much more cargo now, so there is also a cargo toll. Add another fifty taels!"
Before you continue