After bidding Cang Yuan farewell, Pan Long rode the wind northwest.
Where exactly were the Western Regions Kingdoms? In truth, he was not entirely sure.
As far as he knew, there were roughly two routes there. One crossed the Greater and Lesser Heaven Mountains and a succession of towering peaks, following rugged mountain paths. Once travelers crossed that steep, unbroken range, they would reach the vast plains of the Western Regions.
Rainfall was scarce there, and the land was somewhat dry, but there were plenty of rivers. Cities and villages of every size lined their banks, forming a number of nations.
The region was rich in spices. Grain and silk brought from the Central Plains could be traded for them at enormous profit, hence the name "Spice Route."
The route was difficult, but otherwise held no particular danger. Demon Gods had long since claimed the famous mountains along the way, and all of them had treaties with the Great Xia Dynasty. As long as travelers took care to pray and make offerings whenever they entered a Demon God's territory, they generally would not encounter vicious beasts or monsters.
Bandits were even less likely. What kind of lunatic bandit would live somewhere that remote? Was he waiting to be fed to the monsters?
The other route began at the Golden City Defense Line on the edge of the Northlands. It ran west through the territories of Wilderness People tribes on relatively good terms with Great Xia, then crossed a boundless desert to reach another part of the Western Regions Kingdoms.
That region produced no spices, but it did yield gold, silver, and gemstones. Grain and silk from the Central Plains could be traded there for gold, silver, and jewels at equally enormous profit, hence the name "Gemstone Route."
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