Chapter 24: Observations at the Gathering

The Great Li Dynasty has no administrative establishment of Towns.

Below the county level, there are only village after village. When Li Heng first learned of this situation, he found it strange; for a county to directly govern villages, the span seemed too vast, didn't it?

Later, he realized why.

Although this World is a fantasy and xianxia world possessing extraordinary powers, it is, after all, an ancient dynasty, and productivity is not widespread.

Therefore, this also leads to the population not being as massive as in modern society, so it is not abrupt for a county to govern villages.

However, this Sanshan Gathering now truly meets the standard of a town, and it even looks somewhat prosperous.

"Boatman, didn't you say this place was already under martial law? Why are people still coming and going on the streets, conducting trade?"

Li Heng said indifferently, and the middle-aged boatman was also very puzzled. "Young Master, I really didn't lie to you; the Government only just announced martial law yesterday."

This man was also very perplexed; it shouldn't be like this.

Are they changing morning orders in the evening? Li Heng pondered in his heart.

He shook his head and cast this matter out of his mind. Whatever; if people are conducting trade at the gathering, that is a good thing.

After all, if there were no people, the Weird would not appear.

After paying the boat fare and bidding farewell to the puzzled boatman, Li Heng stepped back onto solid ground, feeling a sense of security.

After all, he cannot fly right now; if an accident happened on the water, it would likely be quite troublesome.

At this moment, people were coming and going at the Sanshan Gathering.

Li Heng did not head to the Demon Suppression Division's station immediately, but instead walked around to observe the terrain.

This look also corroborated the guess in his heart.

Because most of the roads in the Sanshan Gathering extend in all directions and are very straight, with almost no curves, looking exactly like Bei'an City.

If there were no people from Bei'an City contributing their efforts behind the scenes.

Li Heng would not believe it.

Not to mention that the Sanshan Gathering was actually in perfect order, not at all like a civilian trading post. If the surrounding buildings weren't less tall than those in Bei'an City, he would have thought he had returned to Bei'an City.

He stopped his steps and sat down at a snack stall.

"Shopkeeper, what kind of food do you have here?"

It was already noon; he would fill his stomach first before anything else.

The stall owner was a sharp young man; seeing that Li Heng's attire was extraordinary like a refined young master, he spoke fawningly.

"This Young Master, I recommend the braised pork here; it is tender, smooth, and succulent, and the brine is a special secret recipe with a hint of medicinal fragrance—it can be called a unique delicacy at this gathering."

"If you add a bowl of cold noodles, the taste is beyond compare!"

"Then give me a portion as you described."

Li Heng said indifferently.

"Alright, Young Master, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

The stall owner immediately got to work.

"By the way, wasn't this Sanshan Gathering said to be under martial law? Why is it still trading normally today?"

Li Heng said nonchalantly.

The stall owner was stunned and hurriedly began to explain.

"Young Master, you might not know, but how could the Government manage the Sanshan Gathering? This place is under the control of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce. So what if the Government says they want to impose martial law? If it blocks the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce's path to wealth, they ignore it all the same."

"Besides, in my opinion, the so-called martial law is just the Government wanting to fish for benefits. And people going missing? It's not like people haven't gone missing at the gathering before, so why impose martial law now?"

"Perhaps the Government feels that the gathering doesn't pay taxes, and they are coveting that bright, shiny silver they can't get their hands on."

The young man said disdainfully while busy with his work.

Li Heng was thoughtful; the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, is it?

"People going missing—shouldn't that be a major event?"

"It used to be, indeed."

"But gradually everyone got used to it; if they go missing, they go missing. After all, wealth is sought amidst danger, and there is no need to pay taxes here."

Soon, the stall owner served the fragrant braised pork and a bowl of cold noodles splashed with chili oil.

"Young Master, please enjoy."

Li Heng ate the cold noodles, feeling emotional in his heart.

Although this Sanshan Gathering is far from Bei'an City, the waterway is clear; how could such a situation where the heavens are high and the emperor is far away appear? The Government can't even compare to a chamber of commerce?

Sure enough, this Great Li Dynasty is finished.

It is fortunate that this World has extraordinary power to suppress things, with great power belonging to oneself, and coupled with the lack of Disasters, most of the common people can still survive; otherwise, the dynasty would have to be replaced.

Finishing the meal quickly, Li Heng's assessment was mediocre.

After all, it was a roadside stall; unless one's luck was particularly good, one shouldn't expect it to be too terrible or too delicious.

Seeing that Li Heng was about to leave, the stall owner hesitated for a moment and hurriedly leaned in.

"Young Master, it seems this is your first time here, so it is better to be careful. During this period, the gathering has not been peaceful; the number of people going missing recently is indeed a bit high."

Li Heng nodded, "Many thanks."

"By the way, shopkeeper, if you add a few more nutmegs to the brine in the future, perhaps the fragrance will be even richer."

Leaving behind these words, Li Heng left without looking back.

With his hunger satisfied, it was time to get down to business.

He arrived at the main street of the Sanshan Gathering; this street was very wide, almost up to the standard of those in Bei'an City.

On both sides of the road, there were also some vendors calling out their wares.

Li Heng identified the place and soon arrived in front of a courtyard gate; there was a plaque above with the words "Demon Suppression" written in a bold, sweeping calligraphy, much more imposing than the plaque in Bei'an City.

He pushed the door open and walked directly into the courtyard.

There were two people in the courtyard, wearing the uniforms of Apprentice Demon Exorcists, listlessly sweeping the fallen leaves in the yard.

It gave one the impression of being extremely slack.

At this moment, Li Heng was not wearing the uniform of the Demon Suppression Division. However, his elegant, young-master-style attire did not cause these two people to look down on him; instead, they spoke respectfully.

"Who is the young master looking for? Lord Xu? Lord Xu has been missing for some time, and we do not know his whereabouts either."

Lord Xu? Li Heng narrowed his eyes slightly.

It seems it is that missing Demon Exorcist, Xu Yinghuan?

"Where was the last place Xu Yinghuan went missing?"

He spoke indifferently, causing the two people to be taken aback. To actually dare to address Lord Xu by his given name? Who is this person?

"This young master, you are..."

One of them said cautiously.

Li Heng did not answer, directly revealing his Token. The Token shimmered brilliantly under the refraction of the Sun's radiance.

The two were startled and hurriedly knelt on one knee.

"Apprentice Demon Exorcist He Qing, Apprentice Demon Exorcist Xu Liang, pay respects to you, my lord. We two have been waiting for you, my lord, for a long time!"

Their hearts were stirred, and they were even on the verge of tears.

Finally, someone had come from Bei'an City!

"Rise. Tell me about the things that have happened recently, and where the last location Xu Yinghuan appeared was."

Li Heng said indifferently; he did not want to waste time. As long as he could find a single wisp of aura, everything would be simple.

The two exchanged a glance; this lord seemed to be a man of action. Consequently, they were very sensible and spoke directly.

However, just at this moment, a shout came from outside the courtyard.

"Xu Liang, get out here! It's time to pay back the money!"