Chapter 385: A City Out of Place

Today, the weather is unusually good.

The azure sky is as if washed, the sunshine bright, dispersing the lingering gloom and the scent of blood.

Yu Lin and his two companions walk along the road toward their destination.

Ahead, the outline of a modestly sized city becomes clearer, and behind the city a stretch of rolling, verdant Cangcui Mountains meets the horizon.

"Finally arrived!" Luoer looks up, gulps a large mouthful of water, wipes his mouth, rehangs his water pouch on his waist, his tone carrying a hint of relief and a subtle complaint:

"What 'two days and two nights' of travel? That guy's intel is way off; we've been walking for almost ten days!"

After the bloody Night Raid last time, they have met many other travelers or settlement dwellers along the way, but they remain highly vigilant, never readily accepting food or water offered by others.

Bei's gaze falls on the city ahead, his eyebrows slightly raise, a trace of surprise appearing on his face:

"Here... feels very different from the places we've passed before, doesn't it?"

"Hm? What's different?" Luoer follows their line of sight; the city wall looks ordinary, with nothing special.

"Order," Bei says bluntly, observing the flow of people entering and exiting the city gate and the faint activities inside the city.

"The people here... don't seem so 'evil'. The atmosphere feels off."

Luoer does not retort immediately; instead he takes a deep breath, bends his legs slightly, then leaps upward forcefully!

His figure instantly rises, hovering lightly in mid‑air for a moment, his eyes scanning the city like a hawk.

The scene that comes into his view makes his eyes widen instantly, even making him wonder if he's hallucinating—

Inside, the streets are orderly, completely lacking the brawls, looting, and clamor that were ubiquitous in the chaotic cities of his memory.

Vendors by the roadside quietly sell their wares, pedestrians walk at a relaxed pace, some carry farming tools in groups leaving the city, and rhythmic hammering sounds emanate from workshops—a picture of self‑sufficiency and each doing their own duty.

What surprises him further is that he also sees a small squad of patrol soldiers clad in uniform leather armor, wielding spears, patrolling along a fixed route, maintaining the street's calm.

How... how is this possible? In an age where the earth is filled with violence, there is still a place like this Pure Land?

Luoer, incredulous, rubs his eyes, wanting to look more closely, but the brief hovering time has reached its limit, and gravity mercilessly drags him back to the ground.

Bei sees his odd expression after he lands and raises an eyebrow:

"How is it? Is it as I described?"

Luoer nods, his brows knit, his tone full of confusion: "Hmm... very strange."

For him and Bei, who have long been immersed in chaotic, violent, and greedy surroundings, the peace and order emanating from this city appear starkly jarring, even somewhat unreasonable, like a meticulously woven illusion.

Yu Lin does not let them continue the discussion, gently patting the neck of the black horse beneath him.

Cain snorts, steps forward, and continues at an unhurried pace toward the city gate.

"Going into the city will tell us, won't it?" Yu Lin's voice comes:

"Let's go."

Seeing him set off, Luoer and Bei suppress their doubts and a hint of instinctive wariness, hurrying to follow.

At the city gate, two guards over two meters tall, burly, wearing simple leather armor, stand watch.

Those leaving the city seem unrestricted, but those entering must line up briefly for a simple interrogation.

When Yu Lin's party's turn comes, the guards' gazes sweep over them, lingering especially on Bei, whose unusually tall stature and distinct exotic aura catch their attention.

"Where are you from? What brings you here?" a guard asks, his tone not harsh but with an official, procedural scrutiny.

Yu Lin's face shows a gentle, harmless smile, nudges his horse forward slightly, and says:

"We come from the Eastern lands... uh, from over there, hoping to meet a good person here."

"We mean no harm, and wish to emulate good deeds, doing something beneficial."

His words are clear, his attitude sincere.

After a pause, he adds, "Also, may I ask if there is a benevolent person named Noah in the city? We have traveled far and would like to visit him."

The two guards exchange a glance, both seeing the same bewilderment in each other's eyes.

They shake their heads confidently.

"Sorry," the guard who asked earlier replies, "We don't know anyone called Noah. The city has many residents; perhaps there is, but we have never heard that name."

The other guard takes over, his tone a bit more serious: "However, if what you say is true, and you come sincerely to do good deeds rather than cause trouble, then you are welcome to enter the city."

"But..."

He turns, points to the faint silhouettes of the Patrol Team inside the city, and warns: "If the city's Patrol Team discovers you committing any theft, robbery, harming others, or any other wrongdoing…"

"Lord of the City's judgment hall will make it clear to you why our city cannot tolerate evil! Understand?"

"Understood, thank you for the information," Yu Lin nods slightly, his demeanor still modest.

The guards, seeing their cooperative attitude, do not further trouble them, and step aside to clear the path:

"Go ahead and enter."

The three of them enter the city.

Stepping into the city, the sense of alienation intensifies, as if stepping from a murky swamp into a crystal‑clear stream, leaving the mud‑accustomed Luoer and Bei somewhat at a loss.

The streets are clean; although still dirt roads, there is no litter or filth everywhere.

Pedestrians appear calm, even bearing a post‑labour satisfaction; their voices are low in conversation, no quarrels, and their eyes lack the constant wary, hostile glint.

Children play at the alley entrance, their laughter crisp, with no adults panicking to pull them back, as if there is no fear of sudden abduction or harm.

Vendors set up their stalls orderly, goods clearly priced, and bargaining is conducted calmly.

All of this is orderly, filled with a sense of... "normal" life.

Yet this "normal" makes Luoer and Bei feel more perplexed and subtly uneasy than the most dangerous forest or the most chaotic city.

They know that what they see should be the typical appearance of a human settlement—work, trade, raising offspring, maintaining basic public safety.

So why does the world they have known all their lives present a completely opposite, violent, and plundering picture?

"How... how is this achieved here?" Luoer can't help whispering to Bei, his eyes full of confusion:

"Could it... be related to the Noah Yu Lin is looking for?"

They recalled that Yu Lin had said Noah was a "walker with the gods", perhaps it could bring something different?

Bei shook her head, also lowering her voice: "The guards don't know Noah. If it were really because of him, his name should have already spread far and wide." She

She watched an elderly woman tremblingly hand a basket of fruit to a little girl, the girl politely thanked, then ran off cheerfully:

"Here… seems different right from the roots."

Roots? What roots? Is the City Lord here especially wise and mighty? Or is there some special law or belief?

They couldn't figure it out, their minds full of question marks, as if they had stepped into a dream beyond their comprehension.

Unlike their clouded doubts and somewhat restrained steps, Yu Lin seemed very relaxed and at ease.

He rode a black horse, like a genuine tourist, looking around the city with interest—people's crude tools, the architectural style of the houses, the variety of goods traded in the market, even the games children played.

Until his gaze swept over a rather bustling, simple eatery.

A canopy propped up by a few wooden beams, beneath which were several rough wooden tables, currently occupied by a few groups of diners, and the air carried a simple yet enticing aroma of food.

Yu Lin turned his head aside and said to the two people behind him still looking around with furrowed brows:

"We've been walking for ages; let's go eat something first."