When the two emerged, they could not help feeling an inexplicable sense of estrangement as they looked at the place again.
Octagonal Fort was still as prosperous as ever. Rogue cultivators and ordinary folk bustled to and fro, the cries of vendors mingling among them, lending the marketplace its own distinctive vitality.
But both understood that, now Artisan Zhao had laid everything out, they could no longer stay here much longer, nor was there any reason to.
He Ran said to Li Chen, "Since the Master Artisan has told us, we should prepare as soon as possible and pick a day to leave."
Li Chen glanced at him and asked, "Where's our first stop?"
He Ran said, "Tens of thousands of li to the east, there's a city called Suyang City. It's the gateway to the Eastern Sea coast. Let's head there first."
Li Chen said, "Then we'll do as you suggest."
Over these three years, Li Chen had long since understood that Old He was not a man content to muddle through an ordinary life. If he proposed going there, he must be looking for opportunities to advance. Following his lead was a safe bet.
He asked again, "When do we leave?"
He Ran said, "Since we're leaving, we should consider a few other things besides the usual supplies and preparations."
Li Chen raised his brows slightly. "Such as?"
He Ran said, "Such as buying a batch of local specialties to sell in the east."
Li Chen was mildly surprised. "You want to moonlight as a merchant?"
He Ran said, "Why not? Demons appear frequently here. The inner cores, demon bone, and related spirit materials produced here count as specialties rarely seen elsewhere. If we buy a batch and take them elsewhere to sell, we can turn a tidy