"There are no suspicious people."
The guard moved the shortsword away, and the curtain fell back into place.
"Not here either."
"Same here."
Several other guards reported loudly in succession.
Monk Sturton wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and waved his hand to let them pass.
"Alright, go ahead."
"Praise the Rose."
Walsh took a deep breath, tipped his hat with a slight bow to the fat monk, and then motioned for the caravan to continue moving forward.
Jett was utterly dumbfounded by the scene.
What's going on!?
No suspicious people!?
My god, you have a Red Apple Church nun lying right next to a homeless man, right under your noses!
Are you blind! Open your eyes and look!
Jett roared inside his heart.
Half of the caravan's wagons had already crossed the bridge, but the rotting hounds led by the armored guard had become somewhat restless.
Woof! Woof woof woof!!
Just then, the rotting hound suddenly started barking furiously at the wagon where Chen Lun was.
Chen Lun's brow furrowed inside the wagon.
"Have they detected it? These dogs are really annoying..."
He had previously used "Mermaid's Song" to hypnotize the Church guards and avoided the inspection, but inevitably caused some fluctuations in supernatural strength.
Ordinary people couldn't feel it, and nor could most transcendent beings, but the rotting hound, a kind of supernatural creature, sensitively sniffed out the traces.
The guards were suddenly alarmed.
As if facing a formidable enemy, they all drew the swords at their sides and stood on guard in front of the wagon.
Two armored guards with long spears walked with heavy steps, one from the left and one from the right, closing in in a pincer formation.
Jett, this youngster on the sidelines, watched the commotion excitedly, almost applauding the dogs.
Well done! Such good dogs!
Chen Lun sat in the wagon, slowly straightened up, and inclined his ear to listen to the noise outside.
"I still have 7,000 Experience Points in reserve, enough to max out my Sub Occupation and boost my Attributes... It's not hard to fight my way out."
He was not panicked at all, ready to burst into action at any moment.
"What are you doing!?"
Monk Sturton suddenly shouted at the guards.
The subordinates halted in confusion.
"I said let them pass! Are you disregarding my orders!?"
The fat monk scolded them angrily, then commanded them to move aside and not block the way.
Jett was shocked.
Has this fat man eaten so much he's lost his mind?
It's clear there's something wrong with that wagon!
"Monk sir, I want to report — there's something in that wagon..."
"Seize him!"
Sturton turned sharply, staring fixedly at Jett.
Two Church guards immediately went forward and grabbed Jett, leaving the mushroom-haired young man stunned.
"I suspect this man has connections with the murderer, detain him here and gag him!"
"No... no, Monk sir, I..."
Sturton paid no heed, waving his hand to have his subordinates gag him.
Caravan steward Walsh was taken aback, not understanding what had gotten into his assistant to have angered the Red Apple Church.
"Sir, Jett is..."
"Enough, don't speak anymore!"
The fat monk kept wiping his sweat, visibly impatient.
"You folks can go in first, come back later to pick up the people."
Walsh seemed to understand something, stayed silent for a moment.
He thanked the fat monk, bowed, and then turned to leave.
Before leaving, he gave Jett a helpless look.
Watching the caravan slowly disappear at the end of the bridge, Monk Sturton breathed a sigh of relief.
He had only been going through the motions to avoid reprimand from the bishop.
Something major had happened at the Emerald Town branch; the apple orchard prison was almost completely wiped out.
Priest Carter was killed, and the sacrifice had escaped...
The most serious issue was the theft of two "Mysterious Objects," especially the Sunflower potted plant!
He knew how much the upper levels of the church valued that item.
The matter had blown up, and it frightened him just to think about it.
But he didn't want to confront the mastermind behind it all directly.
No matter whether the Transcendent was hiding within the merchant caravan or not, Sturton wasn't willing to gamble, his own life was more precious!
"I'm not getting involved in this mess... I'd better report to the bishop early."
Sturton, trembling, threw his soggy handkerchief onto Jett's head.
Rose above, this guy almost got me killed...
"Beat him hard for me, his hairstyle reminds me of the disgusting roasted mushrooms from yesterday! Absolutely revolting!"
Jett suddenly started crying grievously.
You want to beat me just because of that?
...
Upon entering the town, Chen Lun parted ways with the merchant caravan.
Before leaving, the caravan steward, Walsh, stopped Chen Lun.
"You... You're a Transcendent, aren't you?"
Walsh asked somewhat uncertainly.
Despite hitching a ride all this way and even being searched at the outpost, this bald steward hadn't exposed him.
Although hypnosis was part of the reason, Chen Lun still felt the man was decent and easy to get along with.
So, he tactfully dodged the question.
"Transcendent...? What's that?"
Chen Lun waved his hands repeatedly.
"I'm just an ordinary farm youth; I don't understand a word of what you're saying."
However, hearing this made Walsh even more certain.
So the bald steward quietly passed him a coin.
"Sir, this is a 'Silver Dragon Trade Association' token, presenting it will get you high-end treatment at any of our association's branches.
Including but not limited to commissions, storage, auctions, and purchasing etc..."
Chen Lun took the coin, casually pocketing it.
"I'm not, I don't have, don't talk nonsense.
This is a misunderstanding, I really am not any Transcendent... Alright, I have things to do, I must be going now."
After saying this, Chen Lun waved his hand and quickly left with Floey in his arms.
Watching his retreating figure, Walsh smiled softly and led the merchant caravan towards the town's trade association.
"Silver Dragon Trade Association... "
Chen Lun avoided the crowd, walked past several streets, and stopped in an alley.
He took out the coin he had just pocketed and placed it in his palm.
[You have discovered a token: Silver Dragon Coin]
Item description: A rare coin carved from special stone, silver-white in color, with the Silver Dragon Trade Association's unique dragon head logo engraved on it.
Presenting it at the Silver Dragon Trade Association will grant access to high-end treatment only a few can enjoy.
Chen Lun was aware of this trade association, having dealt with them frequently in his previous life.
They were somewhat unscrupulous as traders, but as the saying goes, it's all relative to the competition.
Compared to other smaller associations, Silver Dragon Trade Association might have been a bit tough on prices, but they had never shortchanged clients on quality or service.
Importantly, they had significant backing.
The headquarters of this association was in Beryl Royal City, standing unchallenged for many years, which spoke to their substantial strength.
Moreover, after realizing his identity as a Transcendent, that bald steward hadn't made a big fuss.
It seemed he was quite experienced and knowledgeable about the Mystic Realm.
Chen Lun secured the coin safely.
"Well then... now that I have this thing, I might as well try that plan..."
He eyed a nearby inn, planning to settle down there.
Emerald Town was far from bustling, rather, it appeared quite desolate.
This remote town was nothing like other advanced cities; the sceneries it offered were exceptionally backward.
The buildings were all ancient styles, not renovated in hundreds of years, and the deteriorating stone roads were filled with manure and garbage.
The attire of the residents more resembled those from the medieval era in his previous life, entirely different from what Chen Lun remembered.
"Curved Blade Inn."
Chen Lun looked up at the dilapidated wooden sign and walked into the inn, carrying Floey.