As an Old Iron Seal, Jiang Beiran had visited quite a few villages and towns near the Returning Heart Sect, but Gather Wealth Village was not among them.
However, though Jiang Beiran had never been there in person, he had memorized all the information on the surrounding villages and towns.
Gather Wealth Village was considered one of the more populous villages in this JB District. The entire village had over 1,200 households and more than 7,500 residents, with many families having four or five children.
In this era without surveillance, child theft could be said to happen every day. The local authorities simply could not handle it all, and official documents on missing children were piled into several heaps in warehouses, gathering dust.
Therefore, the authorities were usually very welcoming toward disciples from sects coming out to uphold justice. So long as they did not go too far, those officials would turn a blind eye.
After mapping out the route and bringing what they needed, Jiang Beiran's training party officially set off, heading down the mountain.
Once they reached the foot of the mountain, Jiang Beiran found that the five junior sisters were exceptionally excited, looking around as though everything they saw was new and fascinating.
Fortunately, Jiang Beiran had already established enough authority that the Five Girls did not become overly unruly.
As Cultivators, Jiang Beiran and the others traveled far faster than ordinary people. In just one shichen, they crossed the great grasslands and arrived at the first stop Jiang Beiran had planned: Sunset Glow Town.
Before entering the town, Jiang Beiran once again warned the five junior sisters not to run around. They nodded repeatedly in agreement, their expressions extremely sincere. Only then did Jiang Beiran nod and lead them into the small town.
"Hey~~ tall persimmons here~~~ persimmons~~~ not astringent~~~ if they're astringent, you can exchange them~~~!"
"Radishes sweeter than pears~~ spicy ones for exchange!"
"Sweet treats, hey hey~~ candied haws here!"
It was dusk, the liveliest time on the streets. Every vendor was doing their utmost to hawk their wares, each voice louder than the last.
"Rice, millet, cowpeas, mung beans, white-flour porridge at one scoop for five coins~~~ sugar buns, Pea Buns!"
Finally, at one cry, Yu Guimiao could no longer suppress the greedy little worm in her stomach and shouted, "Reporting!"
"Speak," Jiang Beiran answered.
"I want to eat those Pea Buns." Yu Guimiao pointed at the stall filled with steamers.
"Alright. How many?" Jiang Beiran nodded.
Hearing Jiang Beiran agree so readily, Yu Guimiao could not help but freeze. She had thought that this usually rigid senior brother would definitely refuse, or that even if he agreed, he would not make it so easy.
Senior Brother is actually quite understanding most of the time.
With that thought, Yu Guimiao raised two slender fingers and said, "Two will do."
"What about the rest of you? Do you want any?" Jiang Beiran turned to the other Junior Sisters.
The remaining two sisters of the Yu Family immediately said they wanted some too, and Liu Zijin followed by saying she wanted a taste as well. Only Fang Qiuyue said nothing.
After gathering their answers, Jiang Beiran nodded and walked up to the stall. "Boss, how much is one Pea Bun?"
Seeing business come his way, the owner happily lifted the steamer lid. "Piping-hot Pea Buns, one Copper Coin each."
"Alright, give me eight." After speaking, Jiang Beiran removed a Blue Coin Pouch from his waist, counted out eight Copper Coins, and handed them to the owner.
Since only Cultivators could use a Universe Ring, Jiang Beiran generally did not display his Universe Ring in public in order to keep a low profile. Thus, he carried every pack he should carry and hung every Cloth Bag he should hang.
"Alright~ Eight Pea Buns~" After taking the money and calling out, the owner skillfully wrapped eight buns in a lotus leaf and handed them to Jiang Beiran. "Guest, take them carefully. Come again if they're good~"
Jiang Beiran nodded, carrying the Lotus Leaf Bun back to the five junior sisters.
Yu Guimiao took off her Sun-scorched Cloth and sniffed, saying eagerly, "Wow, it smells so good." As she spoke, she reached out to grab one.
But Jiang Beiran raised his right hand, evading Yu Guimiao's "starving tiger pouncing on prey."
"Don't rush. Wait until we get to the inn before eating. Put your Sun-scorched Cloth back on first."
With a somewhat unwilling "Oh~," Yu Guimiao instantly crossed out the words "Senior Brother is actually quite understanding" in her heart.
Quietly slipping the Lotus Leaf Bun into his Universe Ring, Jiang Beiran led the five junior sisters onward toward the inn.
As they walked, Fang Qiuyue suddenly felt that something was wrong. Since childhood, she had been accustomed to being the center of attention. Wherever she went, she had always been the brightest star in everyone's eyes.
Yet now, walking through the bustling street, not a single passerby gave her an extra glance. Even the vendors calling out their wares had never cast their eyes her way.
Something's wrong!
Thinking this, Fang Qiuyue could not help glancing up at Jiang Beiran. She knew that if such a thing had happened, this "Cowardly Senior Brother" must be behind it.
So I wasn't imagining that Sister Zi Jin was different from usual. He must have tampered with the Straw Hats or the Sun-scorched Cloth.
But... what could he have done to make us completely unnoticed? This Cowardly Senior Brother really does have some impressive tricks when it comes to being cowardly.
Though she realized that Jiang Beiran had certainly done something to the Straw Hats or the Sun-scorched Cloth, Fang Qiuyue had no intention of exposing him. She usually disliked the desire-filled looks in men's eyes when they looked at her too; they made her very uncomfortable. This feeling of no one looking at her now was rather novel instead.
Forget it. I'll let this Cowardly Senior Brother off for now. Once we return to the sect, I'll settle accounts with him.
Bang!!
"Clang!" "Clang!"
Just as Jiang Beiran was searching for the inn, a burst of crackling, smashing sounds suddenly came from ahead.
Immediately afterward, an incomparably shrill and cutting voice rang out.
"You dare set up a stall here without paying rent!? Tired of living, are you?"
Looking toward the source of the voice, they saw that a tofu pudding stall had been completely overturned. A bearded middle-aged man was glaring furiously at the people who had overturned his stall.
"Oh? You still dare glare at me? Screw you!" One young man dressed in blue cloth shouted as he kicked the middle-aged man.
"Ah!" The middle-aged man cried out miserably after being kicked in the head, then shouted, "The authorities want to collect rent from us, and Liu Sandao wants to collect rent from us too. We only run this tiny business—where are we supposed to get so much money to give you?"
"Heh, you still dare talk back? Beat him!"
As he spoke, the youths swarmed forward and gave the middle-aged man a brutal beating of fists and kicks.
Meanwhile, the surrounding vendors merely watched in silence. Some even stepped back a few paces, as though they had long grown accustomed to such things.
"Too much bullying!"
At that moment, Fang Qiuyue shouted angrily and moved to draw her White Rainbow Sword.
At the same time, three options popped up before Jiang Beiran's eyes.
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