At first, there were only scattered pinpricks of firelight. Only when they reached a spot with an unobstructed view did Xian Town finally lift its mysterious veil before their eyes.
Jiang Yingcheng hurried forward, tugging her beautiful imperial father straight to the front of the party, and let out a drawn-out "Woooow-"
Chu Jiaxu, Minister of Rites, gazed ahead in admiration. "Lord Yu was right. Deep within the layered woods, the view suddenly opens-"
[Mountains of gold and silver! Chengcheng's here!!]
The little girl's eyes shone fiery red with the lights of countless homes in the distance. Together with the excited gleam in her gaze, they left even Chu Jiaxu momentarily dazed.
All his refined literary enthusiasm was dragged back down to the muddy earth of reality by that exceedingly down-to-earth wish. Chu Jiaxu froze with his mouth open for a long moment, swallowing a bellyful of cold wind.
Stubbornly, he finished his sentence in as few words as possible. "...opens up. Let's go in."
The ministers who knew nothing looked thoroughly puzzled, while the Upright Officials who could hear the little girl's thoughts regarded him with some sympathy.
Feeling stifled, weren't you?!
Weren't you? Weren't you?!
They knew that feeling all too well!!
Encouraging looks that said "We understand" shot toward Chu Jiaxu, full of the bittersweet sympathy of fellow sufferers.
There was no need for the little girl to "show the way" now. Jiang Yanchuan simply scooped her into his arms and strode forward. "Let's go."
The others formed up and followed.
At first glance, Xian Town looked little different from Quchun County. Both had quiet surroundings almost entirely cut off from the world, and both were ordinary villages with neatly staggered buildings...
If they had to name a difference-
[So messy, so quiet, so creepy!]
Perhaps because