Chapter 217: Half‑Truth, Half‑False

It was still early morning.

The sun was only showing a half‑circle of egg‑yellow on the distant horizon.

But the streets of the inner city of Dalong Du were already crowded with people.

Those who had work to do went to work, and those who owned shops opened them.

There were also shepherds and pig herders hurrying to bring herds of livestock into the city, delivering the freshest live meat to the market.

It truly was a bustling market of carts and horses, flowing without end.

According to the intelligence supplied last night by the black‑feathered parrot, although the imperial palace of the Yuanshan Empire was built at the very center of the main axis of the inner city of Dalong Du.

but because Chang Sheng Tie Mu had long dwelled at the Da Zhang of the Imperial Guard Camp at the foot of Tianyuan Mountain.

Thus, in fact, the closer one got to Tianyuan Mountain, the more distinguished people gathered.

Mr. Huaihe's newly opened study was most likely built here.

So Zhang Gui ate a uniquely flavored breakfast at a street‑side roasted lamb soup stall.

He then wandered the streets, found a ready‑made clothing shop, and changed into a light, cool linen outfit with thin‑soled quick boots.

He stepped out, waved his hand, and hailed a pure‑white two‑horse rental carriage.

"Driver, to the foot of Tianyuan Mountain."

The middle‑aged driver of the carriage lowered his head to glance at the waist badge at his belt, then stretched out his five fingers,

"That's far; round‑trip, I won't be back here until tomorrow night, and the fare is fifty taels of Dog Head Gold,"

That amount was obviously excessive.

Zhang Gui wasn't unwilling to pay, but in an unfamiliar place, flaunting wealth carelessly is a grave taboo.

Others may have previously been after money, seeing how easy you are to negotiate; perhaps the greed in their hearts grew larger, turning into a deadly threat.

Even if not afraid, it's always troublesome.

So he shook his head and counter‑offered, saying:

"The price is a bit harsh,

I'll give you twenty taels of Dog Head Gold,

and I'll cover your two meals—lunch and dinner—on the way there."

"Twenty‑five taels is twenty‑five taels, I won't bargain,

but the two meals must be tasty dishes with meat."

"Fine, let's go."

The meaning was understood.

Zhang Gui nodded and slipped into the carriage.

The two‑horse carriage set off immediately.

A rented carriage could never be that comfortable.

Inside the carriage were only a few straw‑woven cushions, and the walls bore leather bags filled with clear well water.

Zhang Gui sat down on a straw cushion, lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and looked outside.

He saw the carriage weaving left and right through the streets until it reached an extremely wide stone‑paved road that seemed only carriages could traverse.

It suddenly accelerated, heading toward the towering, endless Tianyuan Mountain range.

"Driver, I didn't expect Great Wolf Capital also has a dedicated thoroughfare for carriages.

What about those on horseback, or riding exotic beasts—do they also have exclusive routes?"

"Whether it's a horse, a mule, or an exotic beast, they're all mounts.

There are also two dedicated thoroughfares within the inner city for round trips.

And there are the mechanized swift boats in the canals, which are the most comfortable to ride.

The distinguished passengers prefer them even more."

The driver tilted his neck upward, braced against the hot wind, and answered loudly.

Seeing his strained reply, Zhang Gui didn't press further, thanked him, and fell silent.

The scenery outside had become monotonous, and he had no desire to lift the curtain again.

The Five‑Heart Daoist sat cross‑legged, closed his eyes.

Once in meditation, time seemed to fly.

When the carriage's speed gradually eased, Zhang Gui opened his eyes; it was already noon.

"Guest, it's time for lunch. What would you like to order?"

"How about roasted lamb? Two young lambs, plenty of roasted buns, and a large plate of mixed meat noodles."

"You're so generous, guest, I'll indulge my cravings as well."

The driver swallowed, spat, and grinned broadly, saying,

"Then please, Driver, go find an old shop."

Zhang Gui gave one final instruction and lowered the carriage curtain.

Soon after, the carriage stopped.

The driver stepped out first and lifted the curtain for Zhang Gui.

"Guest, please step down."

Zhang Gui smiled politely and got off the carriage.

Ahead stood an old shop, its tables and chairs blackened by smoky fire, with a large hanging sign reading "Roasted Fat Lamb."

He walked inside, found a table, and sat down.

Immediately, a shop assistant came over and deftly wiped away the non‑existent dust on the table.

A sweet, smiling voice greeted:

"Two honored guests, you're back. Today we have premium one‑year‑old lamb rib strips.

Also the new hot‑oil mixed‑offal noodles, half offal and half noodles, very silky.

What would you like to order?"

"Two freshly roasted lamb…", Zhang Gui began ordering casually, but was abruptly interrupted,

"Two lambs won't do; at least ten are required.

Also, give me a hundred jin of that one‑year‑old lamb rib strip.

Forget the hot‑oil mixed‑offal noodles, they're too cheap; change it to twenty roasted lamb legs."

The Shop Assistant at the old store saw the newcomer's street‑gang appearance, but the rhinoceros‑horn ring on his thumb subtly indicated he was an elder of Yuanshan, perhaps even of noble lineage.

Behind him followed seven or eight companions, both men and women.

Instantly, the smile at the corner of his mouth began to tremble.

"Young master, you jest. Our little shop sells fewer than ten lambs a day…"

"Shut up. Do you think we're here for a free meal?"

Zheng Changgong Baoyin glared at the Shop Assistant, then walked down beside Zhang Gui.

"Xi Zhou person, you haven't changed your attire all night.

Weren't you the one who said you wanted to see me at noon today to discuss matters?

Now I have arrived.

You must at least handle the food, right."

"Your keen ears and eyes, it seems I truly found the right person for you."

"Shop Assistant, serve the dishes as my friend ordered."

Zhang Gui smiled at Zheng Changgong Baoyin, pulled a 'Golden' Dog Head Gold from his sleeve, and tossed it to the Shop Assistant.

"Give change as needed."

Having received the money, the old Shop Assistant's expression softened; he forced a dry laugh, turned to stash the Dog Head Gold in the cabinet, then hurried to the back kitchen.

"Xi Zhou person, your generosity is impressive, and you do quite a bit of business here."

"It's not a small business, but calling it a big one makes my face a little hot.

However, it's true that I'm not born to chase quick profits from a 'single hammer deal'; I specialize in steady, long‑term trade."

Zheng Changgong Baoyin gave a thin smile, then turned to the carriage driver staring blankly at the opposite table:

"Brother Ba Shi, I have some matters to discuss with your client.

Could you step aside and sit with my companions at the same table?"

"No need, no need; I'll just take my food and eat it in the carriage."

The driver snapped back to his senses, his hair seeming singed, and stood up, stepping aside.

Only then did Zheng Changgong Baoyin, satisfied, look back at Zhang Gui,

"Since we need to get to know each other, I can't keep calling you 'Xi Zhou person.'

Give me a name, will you?"

"You may call me, Lord of the Deep Winter."

"Lord of the Deep Winter, that nickname…

Then stop calling me 'Zheng Changgong Baoyin, Zheng Changgong Baoyin.'

Just call me Baoyin the Knight."

"Now tell me, what do you want us to help with?"

"I have an elder in Ming Song who does steady, long‑term business; his son was originally a student of Qingdou Academy.

He fled to Great Wolf Capital.

Since Yuanshan and Mingguang are now hostile nations, that elder has no immediate options.

When I learned of it, he voluntarily ran here.

He wants to bring the person back."

(End of chapter)