Chapter 71 Chapter 71: Gouwu City
Chapter 71: Gouwu City
"Kevin, you can enter the city first. I'll go find my hopelessly foolish melon of a sister."
Ling surveyed her surroundings; it had been a full century since she last set foot in Gouwu. She wondered if Xi had moved her nest?
Probably not. Forget a mere hundred years, even if another thousand or ten thousand years passed, she'd likely still be hiding in her paintings like a turtle, unwilling to face the outside world.
"Need us to come along?"
"No need, no need. That girl... if she suddenly encounters outsiders, she'll probably complain again about her big sister acting on her own."
Ling understood the temperaments of her younger siblings all too well.
Since that was the case, Kevin didn't insist, merely nodding to indicate he understood.
"Don't worry, the credentials from Yumen are universally valid. No one will stop you."
Meticulous as ever, Ling had specifically replaced Hongxue and Kevin's temporary credentials before leaving Yumen.
Having guarded the border for a century, Zuo Xuanliao wouldn't refuse her this small favor. At most, he'd ask a few questions out of duty before handing them over to the Civil Affairs Department.
With these credentials, they could go to many cities across Great Yan.
"Well then, I'll come find you again later."
Ling departed with an air of ease. Her cloud-patterned shoes lightly touched the water's surface, her lantern staff resting on her shoulder, a gourd hanging at her waist, as she walked upon the waves.
...
Moo~
A grayish-yellow tumor beast lumbered down the bluestone-paved street. An old man wearing a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat led it by a rope.
All around were white walls and blue-tiled roofs. From wooden taverns and wine shops came occasional bursts of cheers and applause—the best affirmation for a storyteller's skill.
Farmers carrying fruits and vegetables ambled along. Children with spiky topknots played and chased each other in the streets.
Waterways crisscrossed through the streets, arched bridges spanning them, connecting one to another.
Hongxue quickly stepped aside to let them pass. They also cast curious glances at these two strangely dressed outsiders. However, children's patience is ultimately limited; before they could inquire about the newcomers' origins, they were drawn away by their companions' novel toys.
"This world is truly..."
Seeing this scene, Kevin didn't know what judgment to make.
Clearly, there is communication between them, yet the styles differ vastly from nation to nation, even from city to city.
Over there were warships and artillery fire, with all sorts of bizarre spells and witchcraft flying everywhere.
Here were bluestone-paved streets, a picture of peace and tranquility, as if one had traveled back to ancient times... It couldn't help but evoke a sense of dissonance in one's heart.
"Honored guests, are you here for a meal or lodging?"
"One guest room, and reserve a seat for us over there."
Kevin pointed to the second floor. The waiter smiled warmly and called out:
"Two for the private seats on the second floor!"
The waiter led the two upstairs. The view was open, and they could clearly hear the storyteller's clear and powerful voice from the stage.
"You two honored guests, please sit first. The room key will be brought up shortly. Feel free to call if you need anything."
"Mhm, please bring us some snacks."
Hongxue's polite attitude made the waiter's smile more genuine. Guests with such good manners surely came from decent families; these two didn't look like ordinary folk either.
"Right away! Please wait a moment, the snacks will be up shortly."
Before long, two bowls of lotus root starch paste, a plate of scallion pancakes wrapped around fried dough sticks (cong bao hui'er), and a serving of steamed shrimp dumplings were brought up, along with the room key.
"In those days of Great Yan, bandits plagued the rivers, and vicious beasts lurked in the mountains. The Grandmaster of Yumen led a host of heroes to restore peace and order to Great Yan. Legend has it that when setting out on his campaign, the Grandmaster declared..."
The storyteller on stage spoke with resounding force. Each word seemed to carry a certain magic, drawing the audience into the tale of righteous heroes and thrilling adventures.
"Huh? Kevin, is that Yumen Grandmaster he's talking about Ling's eldest brother?"
"Should be."
The feeling of being a living example is quite peculiar.
"I never imagined Mr. Chongyue's deeds were so rich?"
Hongxue listened while marveling.
The winding and twisting story, narrated by the storyteller, felt as if one were witnessing it firsthand, making it hard not to believe.
"Jianghu tales often contain fabrications as they spread; they shouldn't be taken entirely at face value."
Kevin's attitude has always been this way.
——————
Several more days passed, and Ling still hadn't returned. A century apart; surely there was much to say when visiting family. It's only human nature.
"Deed."
"Right away, sir! They're all here. Please take them."
The plump middle-aged man wore an obsequious smile on his face.
He was a businessman planning to relocate to Lungmen soon. He probably wouldn't return afterward, and leaving his Gouwu City properties idle wasn't ideal.
The troublesome part was the lack of buyers. Unexpectedly, this gentleman bought three adjacent properties in one go, paying with red gold.
Kevin took the deeds, gave them a brief glance, then turned his gaze back to the middle-aged man.
As a merchant, the man instantly understood the meaning in Kevin's eyes:
"Take your money and leave
my property."
"Well then, sir. Payment and goods settled; I won't disturb you further."
He retreated with an awkward smile.
After the man left and the door closed, Kevin handed the deeds to Hongxue. She carefully stored them away in her pack.
"Kevin, how long will we stay here this time?"
She hugged her typewriter, looking for a place to set it down.
"We're not leaving."
"Oh, not leaving... huh?"
Hongxue looked up in disbelief; clearly, this answer was beyond her expectations.
"We're not leaving. At least not for a very long time."
Kevin met her gaze and repeated his words once more.
From the Ursus northern tundra, to Babel in Kazdel, then to the sandstorm-swept Yumen...
He had traveled too many roads and encountered quite a few "people," but everything felt like a fleeting panorama. Though it brought him some understanding, it hadn't left deep marks on his soul.
This made him reflect: Was there an error in his method?
Or perhaps, ever since the Doctor, the subjects of his observation were no longer specific individuals.
Mercenaries on Kazdel's battlefields, Jianghu heroes in Yumen, elderly farmers in this Gouwu countryside, innocent children unaware of worldly affairs...
Maybe what he needed was simply to settle?
"Mhm! Then we won't leave!"
Hongxue was very happy. She actually didn't like a wandering life, but compared to being unable to keep up with Kevin's pace, this small issue became completely acceptable.
The question posed on the snowy plains had long since evolved beyond simply following him.
————————
【Event — Great Yan Court Secrets】
"How is the situation?"
"Grand Tutor, all gathered information is here. Please review."
"Mhm."
Only the quiet rustle of turning pages filled the study, illuminated by flickering candlelight.
"...The Demon King? No, probably not. He comes from Ursus, correct?"
"Dare not deceive you, Grand Tutor. The situation in Ursus is too chaotic. There are few witnesses on the tundra, so we could only trace it that far."
"You may leave."
"Yes."
"The Beast of Years stirs now; evil demons knock at our borders. And now such a variable appears... Truly an eventful time. How much longer can Great Yan's centuries of peace be maintained? So be it. For now, observe. Best not provoke."
No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!