Looking at the sky, it was only around 11 a. m. at most. After leaving the valley, the faint sunlight peeked through the shade of the trees, and ahead lay a wide plain.
Gu Chen took out the map, glanced at it, and then put it back. Zhuge Kun wasn't that meticulous; he couldn't possibly draw this unnamed plain on a map. He could only rely on his own intuition to find his way. After walking for about two or three hours, Gu Chen finally saw a road appear in the middle of the plain. This road was somewhat like a country lane, not as smooth as a highway, but at least seeing a road gave him a direction.
"I wonder if there are any villages or families around here?" Gu Chen wondered to himself. His feelings upon arriving in the Land of Heaven and Earth for the first time were just like when he first came to Heavenly Nether Star, filled with curiosity.
Gu Chen stood on the road, following one direction, intending to go all the way down that road.
After an unknown amount of time, Gu Chen finally saw a group of people driving a carriage forward.
The carriage was very luxurious, and it was accompanied by four fine horses, with four guards riding on it, two in front and two behind, to protect him. Gu Chen came towards him and sensed them with his Divine Sense. He found that their cultivation levels were not high. Only one of the guards had reached the Mid-stage Bone Forging Realm, while the other three were only at the Early Bone-Forge Realm.
This level of strength would be considered quite good in martial arts sects outside, but in the Land of Heaven and Earth, it seems insufficient.
Gu Chen pondered to himself, then decided to go up and ask.
"Stop!"
The four guards were dressed in ancient Huaxia attire, in gray military robes. The one in the lead, a Mid-stage Bone Forging Realm martial artist, saw Gu Chen approaching and immediately called out to him, placing his hand on the sword at his waist.
"Don't be nervous." Gu Chen raised his hands, but didn't pause in his steps, and said, "I want to ask you something."
"Come any closer, and I won't be so polite!" The man raised an eyebrow, reined in his horse, and stared coldly at Gu Chen, his expression full of vigilance.
Gu Chen said helplessly, "I really didn't mean any harm, I just wanted to ask a question."
"What's up?"
Just then, the carriage curtain was pulled back, and a young boy emerged from inside.
This was an extremely handsome young man, though his face was somewhat pale and there was a sickly air about him. Gu Chen could tell at a glance that this person was excessively beautiful and exuded a sinister aura; he was probably a woman disguised as a man. However, he remained calm, cupped his fists, and asked, "I would like to ask, how do I get to the Heaven and Earth Palace?"
"You don't even know where Heaven and Earth Palace is, so what are you asking for?" the guard who had spoken earlier said coldly.
"Chen Zhou, do not be rude!" the young master disguised as a man scolded, then turned to Gu Chen and asked, "Young master, may I ask which family you come from?"
"I am from the Ma Family, and my name is Ma Gang." Gu Chen thought for a moment and realized that using his real name was not appropriate. In order to help Ma Gang avenge himself, he would temporarily use his name.
"The Ma Family of West Dan City?" The woman was taken aback.
"That's right." Gu Chen hadn't expected that he would stumble upon a Ma Family in West Dan City by sheer chance, so he nodded in agreement.
The woman then realized and said, "So it's Junior Brother Ma. Did you go to the Heaven and Earth Palace to watch the ascension ceremony of the Gu Family's geniuses to the Dragon Ranking?"
"What?" Gu Chen was taken aback.
"We're also going to the Heaven and Earth Palace, why don't we travel together?" The young lady disguised as a man didn't notice the strangeness on Gu Chen's face and said with a smile, "I'm from Central Plains City, the Chen Family, my Chen Shumeng."
According to Zhuge Kun's map, there are four large cities in the Land of Heaven and Earth, each controlled and managed by one of the Six Great Families.
The Luo Family of the Jade Peak Sect controls Wind-Murmur City, the Yin Family the Xingxiu School controls Central Plains City, the Fan Family controls Jingbei City, and the Zhuge Family controls West Dan City.
As for the remaining Seven Ends Pavilion and Heavenly Origin Sect, they seized two spiritual mountains as the foundation of their sects, so they disdained to control cities in exchange for resources.
The six families, clearly distinct, together with the Heaven and Earth Palace, manage the entire Land of Heaven and Earth.
The Central Plains City that Chen Shumeng mentioned is managed by the Yin Family. In addition to the Six Great Families, there are many other medium and small families in the city, which were not listed on the map that Zhuge Kun gave him.
After all, Zhuge Kun had always stayed in the family, a neglected orphan. After reaching adulthood, he was expelled from the Land of Heaven and Earth and sent to the Shangjing, so his knowledge was limited.
Judging from Chen Shumeng's attire and demeanor, Gu Chen guessed that the Chen Family was not a prestigious clan, but probably just a small family.
"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer." Gu Chen composed himself, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and agreed.
"Young master, we're in a hurry. How can we bring along someone of such dubious origin?" Guard Chen Zhou was very vigilant. He sensed a potential danger emanating from Gu Chen and said, "This person's background is unknown. We'd better not bring him along."
"The Ma Family, like us, are fallen nobles. We can look after each other. Since we're heading in the same direction, what's wrong with that?" Chen Shumeng said calmly. "Besides, I don't think Junior Brother Ma is a bad person."
Gu Chen was twenty years old and had an innocent-looking appearance; he certainly didn't seem like a bad person.
"Senior Brother Chen, you truly have discerning eyes," Gu Chen nodded in agreement. "This brother Chen Zhou is overthinking things."
Chen Zhou glanced coldly at Gu Chen, but seeing that his master had spoken, he didn't say anything more.
"I'll get in the carriage and rest for a bit. I've been traveling all day from the grasslands over there," Gu Chen said, preparing to get into the carriage.
Seeing that he was going too far, Chen Zhou quickly spurred his horse to stop him and angrily shouted, "Are you trying to offend our young master?"
"I just got into the carriage, is that considered an offense?" Gu Chen glared and said, "Senior Brother Chen, your guard is truly dedicated to his duty."
"Let him come up," Chen Shumeng, then said, "It's alright."
Chen Zhou grunted and reluctantly stepped aside.
Gu Chen didn't stand on ceremony and climbed directly onto the carriage. To be honest, he wasn't particularly tired, but he just wanted to lie down and rest for a bit. Anyway, it would be difficult to catch up with his father and the others now, so he might as well plan ahead.
Moreover, Chen Shumeng was disguised as a man, and her words just now piqued his curiosity, which is why he got into the carriage.
Gu Chen quickly entered the carriage, and immediately, a fragrant aroma wafted over.
Looking around, the soft, warm cushions and the gentle breeze from the incense burner filled the air. Apart from the low table and teacups, everything else was a soft, pinkish-red hue.
Gu Chen chuckled inwardly. Even dressed as a man, this girl couldn't shake her girlish heart; it was obvious at a glance.
Seemingly noticing Gu Chen's gaze, Chen Shumeng said calmly, "This carriage belongs to my younger sister. I left in a hurry this morning and didn't have time to pack it up."