Yuan City's walls were still grayish white.
Even from far away, the many scars of war left on those walls were visible.
But the road leading to Yuan City had changed from the muddy track of memory.
The main road, built of compacted gravel, wooden sleepers, and earth, was flat and broad. Carriages no longer jolted and swayed so violently as they traveled along it.
Mounted on a tall horse and accompanied by a few others, Cao Mao pointed at the surrounding sights, explaining them with laughter and conversation.
The scenery around him was familiar, yet so strange.
"Send someone to fetch the county magistrate at once! Have him come pay his respects!"
Cao Mao urged one of the horsemen beside him.
Cao Mao had slipped away to Yuan City this time. His carriage was still behind him; he had privately mounted a fine horse and led a group of horsemen ahead at speed.
Thus, even when Cao Mao appeared here, no officials had come to receive him.
Yuan City was still that quiet little county town.
A fine rain pattered down. The wind was not particularly strong, and there was a distinctive freshness to the air.
Occasionally, a few people ambled out of the county town. Seeing the horsemen outside, their eyes filled with curiosity, and they even began talking in low voices.
Troops on such a scale rarely appeared here.
Cao Mao had now changed into the attire of a wealthy young gentleman, while Liu Lu wore the same sort of short tunic he had worn as a wanderer. Over the years, he had traveled to many places, yet had scarcely ever returned to Yuan City.
Now the two exchanged a glance, a hundred feelings welling up within them.
"His Majesty lived here back then..."
Zhong Hui murmured