Chapter 50: Safe Zone

What do the wealthy families in the south think of the Ren Clan, one of the Northern Six Great Factions?

The information Wen Gu gathered along the way varied, but there was one consistent assessment—they are filthy rich.

Approaching the Ren Clan's territory, Wen Gu had yet to feel the aura of a great northern faction, but he first felt the panic of the groups fleeing north.

Those groups were not like Wen Gu and his party; they were experienced, and as soon as the weather changed, they knew what might happen, and they understood this region well, knowing the optimal choice.

Therefore, watching the increasingly frequent groups heading north, and seeing that those groups were all in a state of fleeing for their lives, those who had been uneasy about their choices finally became resolute.

Continuing forward, along the road, the official road had been widened.

There were no trees on either side of the road to obstruct the view; they had all been cut down.

There were also piles of...

"What are those things that look like small hills? They're all black," someone in the group asked.

"A monument of heads!" County Lieutenant Zhou exclaimed.

It was a high mound built by gathering the corpses of the enemy.

He looked over there, his expression complex.

The corpses of evil creatures were piled up, and the large patches of black left after burning contained bones, stones, wood, and various other residues that had not completely burned, piled up like small black hills.

Just how many evil creatures did the Ren Clan kill to be able to pile up so many high mounds?

Yes, there was more than one such high mound; one could see them every stretch of the road!

Everyone who arrived here for the first time would tremble at the sight of these and be shocked by them!

At the same time, they would also feel the sentiment that "the Ren Clan is truly strong."

They hadn't even seen Jinwu City yet, but they had already witnessed the style of the Ren Clan, one of the Northern Six Great Factions!

These were a display of strength, and at the same time, they were used to deter evil creatures.

Therefore, few evil creatures usually dared to approach here.

The view along the road was wide; besides these high mounds, what met the eye were large areas of scorched earth, and from time to time, an unpleasant, somewhat pungent smell drifted over, as if something had been burned, and it seemed to be mixed with other things.

Most people were unfamiliar with this, but it smelled familiar to Wen Gu.

The Ren Clan really is, filthy rich!

Continuing forward, they saw one high tower after another.

Every certain distance, there was a tall Watchtower built of wood.

They looked rather crudely built and had not been built long ago. However, upon closer inspection, there seemed to be some other nuances.

The Soldiers above stared at the groups passing below, their gazes filled with greed and indifference, occasionally gathering in groups of two or three to point at the passing carriages and horses, especially the supplies on the carriages.

They would not take action to rob them, because there was no need; every group that passed by, if they wanted to enter Jinwu City, had to first hand over a portion of their goods as an entry fee.

In special times, such as the current time of fleeing, the entry fee was exceptionally heavy.

The entry fees collected could also be shared by those guarding the Watchtowers.

Below the Watchtowers, the people walking on the road observed their surroundings, not daring to slow their pace.

In front of and behind Wen Gu and his party were other groups heading north. The convoys gathering from all sides now were all fleeing for their lives!

Collisions occurred at some intersections, leading to arguments.

The Soldiers on the Watchtowers just watched as if it were a spectacle; even if those people blocked the road completely, they would still just stand by and watch.

Wen Gu observed these Soldiers on the Watchtowers, his gaze lingering on the ground below the towers.

These Watchtowers were also a part of the Ren Clan's defensive formation; they looked crude, but they must have great utility!

Cavalrymen sped past on a dedicated fast lane; they were likely going to deliver urgent messages.

The group in front of them accelerated again.

Wen Gu also told everyone to keep up.

Those in front were all experienced escape veterans; following their acceleration was definitely the right move.

Nowadays, an evil creature swarm was very likely happening and was also approaching rapidly. And in these few nearby prefectures, no matter which group was caught in the middle, and no matter where they originally wanted to go, when facing the swarming evil creatures, there was only one path to survival!

This "blank" area leading to Jinwu City was the safe zone, but now, as the evil creature swarm approached, this safe zone would shrink rapidly.

Whoever could reach Jinwu City to take refuge before the "safe zone" closed completely would survive!

Accelerating toward the destination to escape, they could already see the deployed army, and also... Refusal Horses and Deer Caltrops?

The things set up, nearly a person's height, sharpened bamboo, wood, animal bones, and so on—as far as the eye could see, they were everywhere!

It was like giant hedgehogs spread out there, with their spikes facing outward.

Others in the group were also marveling at how powerful the Ren Clan was and how deep their foundation was.

Tietou, who was following closely by Wen Gu's side, only thought of one thing: "They must not be short on firewood!"

Wen Gu withdrew his gaze and smiled: "You're right."

To be able to become one of the Northern Six Great Factions in less than two years, the right time, the right place, and the right people—none could be missing.

A city wall appeared ahead.

Gradually approaching, everyone changed from looking straight ahead to looking up.

Everyone from the escort agency maintained almost the same posture, looking up at this city wall.

They had thought the city wall of Bai Lu County was good enough, but now, compared to the Jinwu City before their eyes, it seemed exceptionally short!

It was simply a contrast between a "dilapidated hut" and a "great mansion with blue bricks and tiles"!

Jinwu City was originally called Jinwu City; after the world fell into chaos, the Ren Clan took control of this place and renamed it Jinwu City.

The city was not originally this large; it was later expanded outward, and this higher and thicker city wall was added.

Enemy platforms were built along the city wall, only these enemy platforms protruded further outward compared to ordinary city walls.

One could not see the layout on the city wall, but looking at the wall alone, many places showed signs of having been burned multiple times, with various material residues, mixed odors, and patches of uneven marks left after burning.

The construction looked rough, but it was practical.

It was like a variegated giant beast with exposed fangs crouching here.

It lacked aesthetic appeal, but it provided a sense of security.

Wen Gu looked up at this battle-scarred city wall, marveling in his heart.

To build such a defensive formation in such a short time must have consumed countless manpower.

Regardless of cost, regardless of loss! It was piled up by sheer force!

At the city gate, a Wengcheng was built on the outside. People coming over entered from the Wengcheng.

Several fire basins were burning and releasing smoke; some people were choked into coughing and would be targeted by the guards.

The Wengcheng had different entrances.

Scattered small groups and drifters entered from one side of the Wengcheng gate.

Many small groups of refugees entered the city, and the city gate guards would also check the color of their skin and nails and their physical state. Generally, if they looked harmless, they were let in after paying the entry fee.

Those who could not afford the entry fee but still wanted to enter the city would do manual labor to earn the qualification to stay.

Large groups took the other side of the gate.

A team of a hundred people like Wen Gu's belonged to the large group side.

They also had to wait in line honestly and pay the entry fee one by one.

Grain, salt, Iron, other various supplies, and even horses were used to pay the entry fees.

Wen Gu exchanged a few words with County Lieutenant Zhou, telling everyone to speak less, wear their cloth masks well, and enter the city as soon as possible.

The several bags of grain that Lin Biao had prepared long ago were piled on a wheelbarrow and pushed over.

"Is this enough?"

Although it pained him to part with this grain, and their coming days would be tight after handing it over, in such a critical moment, it might not really be enough.

In their small Bailu County, the entry fee was deducted heavily; for a giant like Jinwu City, and at such a critical time of fleeing for their lives, the fees could not possibly be low!

"County Lieutenant Zhou said the situation is urgent, they are sharing more of the burden for us; as for the rest, we will talk after this crisis passes."

Although it was County Lieutenant Zhou who came to relay the message, they all knew that Wen Gu was the one making the decisions.

That scholar surnamed Wen really does consider the overall situation!

There were not many large groups waiting to enter the city, and it was soon the turn of Wen Gu's party.

County Lieutenant Zhou and Lin Biao walked in front, leading two escorts.

Those two escorts pushed the wheelbarrow loaded with food to the city gate guards to undergo inspection.

The guard leader was also waiting there.

He did not need to keep an eye on the drifters and small households on the other side of the Wengcheng; only the big households on this side had good things!

When the two escorts pushed the wheelbarrow over, the guard leader only glanced at it briefly, then focused his attention on the ceramic jar that Zhou Shan was holding.

Many times, whether something is valuable or not does not depend on its size.

In this Jinwu City, there were plenty of people with status; the nobles did not worry about food or drink, but they still cared about their quality of life.

A mere few bags of rice and grain could not reach the eyes of the nobles.

And high-grade items could be used to exchange for more benefits!

The guard leader walked over, and Zhou Shan opened the lid, revealing the fine, pure white granules inside.

Even though he had seen many good goods while guarding the city gate, the guard leader could not help but widen his eyes at this moment, then looked at Zhou Shan with suspicious eyes.

Zhou Shan calmly tilted his head toward the ceramic jar, indicating that he could go ahead and inspect it boldly.

The guard leader took out a long-handled metal spoon, burned it on a nearby torch, pushed aside the top layer of granules in the jar, took a tiny bit from underneath, brought it to his eyes to observe closely, and then licked it to taste; his expression changed immediately.

His gaze swept over the horse lance in Lin Biao's hand again, looked at Zhou Shan in front of him, and his peripheral vision swept over the people and horses in the team.

The guard leader guessed in his heart, which big household from the south was this?

The other guards who were checking the grain had already finished; the leader's gaze lingered on the pure, fine salt granules in the ceramic jar for a moment, then he raised his hand and waved, signaling that the team could enter the city.

The salt jar was left behind, and the grain along with the wheelbarrow were also left behind.

County Lieutenant Zhou let Lin Biao take the team into the city, while he leaned toward the guard leader, stuffed a paper packet into his hand, and whispered a few words.

The leader did not show it on his face, quickly put away the paper packet, and made a gesture, summoning someone over.

This person would take Zhou Shan and the others into the city to a safer place to rest.

Jinwu City was very large, but compared to the tall and solid city walls outside, the interior of the city appeared relatively dilapidated.

Many commoners simply used rags stitched together to build low shacks.

After leaving the city gate, the guide, having received the extra gratuity given by Zhou Shan, was also willing to introduce the situation here in more detail.

Manpower in the city was limited and time was tight; manpower and materials were prioritized for defensive construction, and only when there was spare capacity would facilities in the city be gradually replenished.

Jinwu City was divided into the Inner City District and the Outer City District.

The Inner City District was the original County Town; the big households and nobles were all in the Inner City, and the living conditions and various consumption levels were far higher than in the Outer City.

The Outer City District was relatively chaotic now; new refugees, if they did not have enough financial resources, could only live in messy shacks.

Two city walls divided the different circles.

Wen Gu looked at the shacks distributed irregularly outside.

It was indeed chaotic; except for a few main roads where stopping was not allowed, obvious traces of life could be seen on almost all other open spaces.

People huddled in the shacks looked over when they heard movement; their numb eyes moved slightly, as if in envy, but soon returned to being hollow.

There were groups of ruffians passing between the shacks, laughing and talking, stepping on people without caring, mocking them loudly, and then continuing to discuss buying wine in a few days; the wine in the city was too expensive, and even a sip was hard to come by.

Wen Gu discovered that whether it was the city guards, these poor people in the shacks, or the little ruffians running past, many people had burns on their faces.

After passing several road sections, they took a turn at an intersection near the Inner City.

Those who came here for the first time really did not know where to go.

The guide took a wooden tablet and pointed them to a courtyard.

"You all can rest in this courtyard; it's enough for you to stay in."

It was indeed just a courtyard, with a few drafty sheds built inside; it was only slightly better than the ones the refugees they had seen earlier were living in.

There was no water well; if you wanted to drink water, you had to buy it.

By the same token, firewood was the same.

"Will it really be safe here?" someone asked.

"I can't say absolutely safe, but it is certainly much safer than outside," Lin Biao replied.

Some of those living in the tents had already lived in the city for a long time; seeing the changes in the city, they knew very well what would happen next, and many of them had expressions of terror on their faces, though they were not desperate.

Wen Gu rested for a moment, thinking about the news he had just received from the guide.

"No matter what, we have finally entered the city; it is safer than being outside."

A rare smile appeared on the faces of the team members.

Having been on edge the entire way, seeing other groups heading north as if fleeing for their lives, they were also terrified that being a step too slow would leave them outside the city to feed the monsters.

Wen Gu said again: "Looking at the defensive preparations outside the city and the troop reinforcements inside the city as we came along just now... I fear those swarms of evil creatures will arrive here very soon."

The team members, who had just relaxed their spirits, saw the smiles on their faces vanish in an instant.

Although... although this is the North...

They had no confidence in their hearts.

They remained filled with fear and unease.

Wen Gu said: "The guide mentioned just now that one can see the battle situation ahead from the walls of Neicheng. I plan to go take a look; who is coming with me?"

When the guide mentioned Neicheng and the outer city, he also said that when monsters attack the city, many wealthy and influential families from the South come up to the walls of Neicheng to watch the battle.

Others can too, as long as they can afford the fee.

For those who wanted to go together, Wen Gu had He Xiaodi keep a record, and they would have to deduct one portion of supplies each when the time came.

Qingyi Daozhang did not care about that portion of supplies; he wanted more to figure out the strength of the Ren Clan, and incidentally see what kind of people the wealthy families from the South were and what their needs were.

He Da and Yu Er were unwilling to spend this fee; they still had family and friends to look after.

Lin Biao actually wanted to go too, but he had to look after the affairs of the escort agency first and had to stay here to feel at ease.

Zhou Shan gave his children a few words of instruction, then said to Lin Biao:

"Then I will leave everyone in your care!"

"It is only right."

After scouting around the vicinity and confirming the guide's words, Wen Gu took Qingyi Daozhang, Tietou, County Lieutenant Zhou, and Xiao Liu to the walls of Neicheng.

Since they were already here...

Then he would witness the combat power of the Ren Clan of the Six Great Clans, the first echelon of Beidi!

(End of chapter)