Crash, crash, crash!
Waves battered the Sea shore, their spray rising and falling.
The smell of Sea water hung in the air.
"This is the place. A member of the Chen Household's bloodline bearing the aura of Buddha Nature must have stopped here. At the very least, he once performed a sacrifice here. I wonder whom he worshipped."
Chen Cuo walked along the bluestone path, his expression calm. His gaze roamed over the Sea-side town as though he were searching for something.
The people he passed were either short, thin, and withered or broad, sturdy, and dark-skinned.
The wars beyond had done little to affect this Sea-side town. Most of its people dressed as fishermen, and quite a few were traveling merchants, but every one of them wore plain clothes patched in more than one place.
Among them, Chen Cuo stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens, drawing sidelong glances wherever he went.
In a corner by the street, two young beggars huddled together, cautiously sizing him up.
"Look at him. Think he's a fat sheep?" The shorter one's eyes darted as he muttered under his breath, plainly itching to try his luck.
The other beggar was a little older, perhaps eleven or twelve, and seemed steadier. He shook his head. "He won't be easy to rob. He looks like the son of an Aristocratic Clan, but which young master we've seen ever went anywhere without an entourage clearing the way? If he dares come here alone, either guards are hidden nearby, or he has something to rely on. He might even be an expert himself!"
"An expert? Look at his arms and legs. They're so skinny! He's not even a match for Third Young Master Qiao from the village!" The shorter beggar shook his head. "I