Chapter 51: Small Courtyard

In such a world, those who stay far from towns do their best to avoid drawing too much attention.

Only the carriages of the Zhen Mo Si have the confidence to pull empty wagons along the road.

As time passed, many traveling merchants followed in groups, even sending their guards to gallop over and offer dried food and meat.

"This reputation is far better than ours, a bunch of constables."

Chen Ji, clutching a huge pile of food, had excitement welling up on his somewhat youthful face.

Nearly two days of non-stop travel without sleep or rest.

The carriage slowly stopped beneath the towering, majestic city walls; above the arched gate, the two characters "Outside Qingzhou" were carved with iron strokes and silver hooks, displaying immense momentum.

Li Xinhan tossed his badge to the city guard, then dismounted and led the horse by the reins, walking forward.

Seeing this, Huang Huang Lao Liu held back a laugh: "The few lashes last time taught him a lesson."

Seeing their confusion, he explained: "Zhen Mo Si rules: for no urgent matter, anyone galloping on horseback within the city receives three lashes and is fined two months' salary."

By now it was dusk; in Boyun County, the streets would have at most only a handful of people left.

Yet on this broad avenue paved with blue bricks, wide enough for eight carriages to travel side by side, it was packed with people, noisy and bustling without end.

Shen Yi stepped down from the carriage, feeling a strange illusion of returning to his past life.

Except for the lack of so many high-rise buildings, it was even more prosperous.

The crowd slowly followed behind Li Xinhan.

Until they stopped at a rather strange place within the city.

A continuous wall, two zhang high, stretched endlessly, extending to the very end of sight, as if another small city had been enclosed within this one.

"Two thousand eight hundred mu of land personally approved by the Governor, designated as the Zhen Mo Si headquarters."

"Follow me."

The beggar took his family and the six newcomers.

Li Xinhan entered through a side gate.

"There are many rules inside, but none of them concern us in the Outer Camp; you only need to remember where to eat, where to sleep, and where to collect your salary."

Huang Huang Lao Liu led Shen Yi while introducing the various facilities within.

First, they went to the Internal Affairs Office to register and enter the rolls.

Li Xinhan appeared in person; moments later, he brought out a set of official uniforms and a medicine bottle, with a jet-black badge placed on top.

Handing the items to Shen Yi: "I noticed the sword at your waist is extraordinary, so I did not issue you one; if you need anything else, come here to inquire yourself; for any matters you do not understand, go directly to Xiu Jie."

Liu Xiujie clicked his tongue: "Where does he live?"

Li Xinhan hesitated for a moment, then turned back and said: "Handle it according to Lord Lin's instructions."

Hearing this, Liu Xiujie's expression changed slightly: "Why cause trouble for others?"

Shen Yi silently watched the two, finding it somewhat hard to understand.

Afterwards, Liu Xiujie sighed and actually led him deeper inside.

"According to custom, all Outer Camp Captains live in the West Courtyard..."

About the time it takes to burn one stick of incense later, Liu Xiujie stopped before a quiet courtyard and, with a bitter smile, introduced: "Be careful yourself."

"What place is this?"

Shen Yi frowned and looked.

"This is the courtyard where the Regional Commander usually lives, along with his five disciples: two Zhen Mo Generals, one Flanking General, one Demon Catcher, and one who just entered five months ago... also a Three-Stripe Captain."

"Hiss, you might not be very clear about the Zhen Mo Si; guess why there are no guards posted here?"

Liu Xiujie took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and said again: "Let me put it another way: inside, apart from the Regional Commander, the remaining rooms belong to two Nascent Core Realm cultivators, two who have reached the peak of the Jade Liquid Realm, and one in the mid-stage of Jade Liquid Realm."

"And you, with nothing but a letter as your support, must now live in there as well."

"I am not quite sure if this is a good thing; as the saying goes, a tall tree attracts the wind."

Liu Xiujie's brows knitted tightly; he did not quite understand what Lord Lin was thinking.

Compared to the other party, he understood the minds of other ordinary Captains better.

"Enough, come with me."

Liu Xiujie lowered his head and charged inside, as if this were some dragon's den or tiger's lair.

Hearing the other's words, and combining it with the rumors Zhang the Butcher had once mentioned.

Shen Yi's original speculation about Lin Baiwei's identity was now completely confirmed.

He simply could not figure out what the other party intended to do.

Stepping into the courtyard, he saw only one locust tree and one ancient well.

A bare-chested, muscular youth sat on a stone pedestal, his body as if cast from refined steel, with muscle lines clearly defined.

He was carefully shelling beans in his hand; opposite him, an elderly woman with gray hair was pinching vegetable seedlings with her fingertips.

It looked very quiet and peaceful.

"Outer Camp's Liu Xiujie, paying respects to Lord Fang."

Huang Huang Lao Liu forced a smile and pulled Shen Yi beside him: "Lord Fang, this is..."

"I know; I received my senior sister's letter."

Fang Heng continued shelling beans without raising his eyes; instead, the old woman looked curiously at Shen Yi.

"That is good, that is good."

Liu Xiujie smiled ingratiatingly, far less relaxed than when facing Li Xinhan, and gave a glance to the side: "Hurry and greet your senior brother Fang Heng."

Hearing this, Fang Heng said calmly: "No need for 'senior brother'; just call me by my name."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiujie felt slightly awkward, though he sighed inwardly.

Indeed, relying solely on a letter, how could one bear such a great opportunity?

"You kid, can you look at people when you're talking?" The old woman slapped the young man on the head.

Fang Heng, as if used to it, raised his head and pointed at the smallest side courtyard: "Go stay there first. Whatever my senior sister owes you, I'll repay it."

This time it was Liu Xiujie's turn not to understand.

Shen Yi quietly breathed a sigh of relief—so that was how it was.

To say there was no expectation at all in his heart would be impossible.

But such a big pie falling from the sky—if you asked him to catch it, he really wouldn't dare.

Now that he finally understood the reason, he felt much more at ease.

Lin Baiwei had agreed to give him two martial arts of the original Jade Liquid Realm, with Four Harmony True Gang counting as one. He had thought that once the trouble was resolved, the other party might not remember the matter, or would just pick any random Zhen Mo Si martial art to complete the deal.

He hadn't expected the other party to actually take it quite seriously.

Since the person before him was also a disciple of the Commander, and had made such a solemn matter of it, the martial arts passed down should be no weaker than Four Harmony True Gang.

"Uh."

Liu Xiujie, seeing there was nothing more for him, simply cupped his hands and took his leave, leaving Shen Yi a sympathetic look as he went.

Although he had warned him earlier, being rejected so bluntly by Fang Heng must have left quite a gap in his heart.

"..."

Shen Yi shot the other party a look, turned around, and walked into the small room.

The brand-new uniform was made of satin fabric, smooth to the touch; even an ordinary Captain's waist belt was inlaid with precious jade. No wonder Zhang the Butcher was envious of Zhen Mo Si's lavishness.

He tried it on briefly; it fit well enough.

Too bad there wasn't even a mirror.

After tidying his sleeves, Shen Yi reached out and picked up that small medicine bottle.

Liu Xiujie hadn't explained clearly when he left either.

This is the so-called precious medicine?

Hanging the waist token on his body, Shen Yi picked up the Black Blade and was about to head out.

Then he heard the old woman's voice from outside: "Young man, come out quickly and eat."

(End of chapter)