A silver moon hung overhead, and scattered lights dotted Huangqi Town. Even after nightfall, people of the martial world could still be seen coming and going along Old Street.
Clip-clop, clip-clop~
As Big Black Horse entered through the town entrance, Niao Niao, mad with hunger, flew off alone to look for inns and restaurants that were still open.
Fan Qinghe had ridden with her arms around the man, her thoughts wandering wildly almost the entire way. Seeing that they had arrived, she swung down, straightened her somewhat rumpled skirt, and looked around the town.
"It's already so late. Why are there still so many people?"
After being held the entire way, Ye Jingtang could hardly claim his heart had been still as water either. He led the horse ahead and explained:
"Jiangzhou's sects are concentrated around Xiaoshan Commandery. Most make their living through boat gangs or weaponsmithing. With the year ending, everyone needs to settle accounts and order next year's goods. Huangqi Town is the gateway to Xiaoshan Commandery, so naturally there's no shortage of people."
The Dongming Tribe that Fan Qinghe belonged to traded in medicinal herbs. She knew little about the weapons business, though she was not entirely ignorant of it. Puzzled, she asked:
"Ordinary martial sects can't get themselves appointed as Imperial Merchants. If they only make weapons, surely their business shouldn't be this big?"
Ye Jingtang smiled. "Naturally, they couldn't grow this big just selling to martial artists. But Great Wei prizes martial prowess. Even scholars have to wear swords when they go out, and Jiangzhou is crawling with scholars. One sword each already adds up to a considerable number.
"Martial artists take meticulous care of their weapons and use them for a decade or more. Young scholars are different. Most of the time, their swords