Iron Tiger Town is a key town of the Kasi Clan at the Southern Border. The flat terrain nearby is suitable for farming. More than that, Iron Tiger Town is situated on a major thoroughfare of the Southern Border, connecting to the Qingmu Clan to the south, the Black Water Clan to the west, eastward to the Guozi Clan, and there is even a large river to the north of the town that connects to the Cang River, with countless travelers and trade caravans passing through each year. In terms of riches, Iron Tiger Town is second only to the Kasi Clan's central city, Jilan City.
However, due to the great river pressing against the northern edge of the town, fortifications had been built long ago, and entry into the town required an approach from the southern gate.
At this moment, the town gates of Iron Tiger Town are shut tight, and it doesn't seem to be the time for them to open yet, but there are already many Southern Border People gathered outside, some carrying loads on their shoulders, others pulling carts, hauling various goods, intending to enter the town to sell them.
There are also some caravans and merchant groups parked by the roadside, seemingly having waited for quite a while.
Yuan Ming is just a person from the Central Plains, and being recognized as an outsider on his first solo entry into a Southern Border town could potentially cause trouble, so he became even more cautious, not rashly approaching.
"Got it!" Yuan Ming thought of a method.
He went to a nearby jungle and tore a few palm-shaped, fleshy leaves from a tree. The thick yellow sap immediately flowed out, emitting the scent of a plant.
Yuan Ming dabbed these juices with the hem of his clothes and spread them on his face and hands, and any other exposed areas, turning his skin a pale yellow, hardly distinguishable from the Southern Border People.
Yuan Ming was satisfied with his disguise. He snapped off a small tree branch to fashion a walking stick, slung his bundle over his back, and slowly made his way to the gates of Iron Tiger Town, blending into the crowd of Southern Border People gathered outside the town.
There were quite a few lone travelers like Yuan Ming; the Southern Border People hardly spared him a glance, and Yuan Ming heaved a sigh of relief as he sat down next to a few people by the town wall.
After waiting for about half an hour, a tinge of dawn appeared in the eastern sky, and the giant gates of Iron Tiger Town creaked slowly open.
Four tall Southern Border Soldiers clad in heavy armor dashed out, taking positions to the left and right of the gate, each holding a metal war axe about a zhang in length, flashing with cold light.
The Southern Border People gathered outside the city displayed a look of awe and voluntarily formed a long line. Some of them paid a copper coin to the city guards before entering in order.
"They're charging a fee to enter the city?" Yuan Ming arrived at the end of the queue, lost in thought.
He could naturally afford a copper coin, so he took one out and held it in his palm.
Yet, after observing a few people entering the city, Yuan Ming let out a sigh and put the copper coin away.
Not everyone among those entering had to pay the city entry fee; only those carrying goods had to pay, while those empty-handed could go directly into the city.
Soon it was his turn. Yuan Ming spread his hands to show the soldier collecting the entry fee that he had no goods with him.
"Move along, move along..." the city-guarding Southern Border Person waved his hand, urging him on.
Yuan Ming thanked him and entered the city at a leisurely pace, as if he hadn't eaten for days and could barely walk.
"There have been fewer people around lately."
"It's all the war's doing."
The voices of two Southern Border Soldiers came from behind, but they quickly shifted their attention back to the crowd following him.
Yuan Ming crossed through the city gates, and a wide Green Stone road unfolded in front of him, stretching into the town, with no end in sight.
On both sides of the Green Stone road were building structures, mostly single-story with very few two-story buildings. These Southern Border houses, like the town wall outside, were constructed of large stones, renowned for their size and sturdiness rather than any notable features.
Moreover, all the house doors had Beast Teeth and Beast Bones hanging on them, with the larger and more affluent houses displaying a greater abundance of these ornaments.
"It seems that these Beast Teeth and Beast Bones symbolize some kind of honor or good fortune," Yuan Ming observed the situation inside the town, deducing quite a bit.
Just at that moment, the view ahead abruptly opened up, revealing a huge square by the roadside, enclosed by wooden fences. Through the fences, one could see quite a few Southern Border Soldiers moving about in the square.
Outside the square, near the main road, stood a wooden sign about three feet tall and three feet wide. At the top, two rain shields were nailed on, making it look like a bulletin board.
Many Southern Border People gathered near the bulletin board to look at its contents.
"What's this?" Yuan Ming's eyebrows twitched, and he approached the bulletin board.
There was a notice written in Southern Border script, announcing a recruitment of soldiers, without any restriction on race. Qingmu Clan, Black Water Clan, Guozi Clan, and Central Plains people were all eligible to enlist.
"So, this is a military camp," Yuan Ming thought rapidly.
There were a few lines at the bottom of the notice obscured by someone. Yuan Ming stood on tiptoe to take a look.
Those lines detailed the benefits for enlisting: a free set of armor and weapons; absolution for those already guilty of crimes; and for those with excellent body cultivation aptitude, teaching of a Basic Body Refining Skill upon enlistment.
Yuan Ming observed for a while, then shook his head and continued walking into the town.
His current goal was to return to the Central Plains, so naturally, he had no interest in joining any Southern Border military outfit. It would be best to find a way to blend in with a group heading to the Central Plains.
After walking for a while, the Green Stone road gradually became bustling. Many Southern Border People set up stalls by the roadside, peddling various Southern Border specialties. The buildings beside the road turned into a succession of taverns, inns, and shops, with a wave of noise and commotion rushing towards him.
Seeing this lively scene eased some of the tension in Yuan Ming's heart.
A tempting scent of food wafted over from a small stall by the roadside. Seven or eight stacked steaming baskets were placed atop a boiling pot, billowing with steam, apparently selling steamed buns.
Yuan Ming's stomach growled loudly, a strong sense of hunger surging forth.
"Big meat buns, five for a copper coin!"
"Fresh and hot oily insect mixed soup, one bowl is enough to fill you up and keep you energized!"
"Fresh fish just caught from the Wei River!"
"Freshly peeled red fox beast skin, ten copper coins each! Don't miss out as you pass by!"
...
After listening for a bit, Yuan Ming roughly understood the prices in Iron Tiger Town, which were much cheaper than in the Central Plains. When it came to eating, he hardly needed to spend any silver coins.
He purchased five buns for a copper coin and accompanied them with a bowl of free noodle soup, wolfing down the food. While eating, he perked up his ears to listen to the conversations of these Southern Border diners, quickly collecting useful information.
After the five buns settled in his stomach, his shrunken belly finally felt some respite.
"It's been a long time since I've had normal food," Yuan Ming rubbed his belly contentedly and sat back down in his original spot.
Given the local prices, the silver coins he had were more than enough for him to live in Iron Tiger Town, giving him ample time to find a safe way to return to the Central Plains.
To get back to the Central Plains, he first needed to understand the situation here. Yuan Ming contemplated whom it might be best to inquire with.
Yuan Ming's gaze swept across the street and settled on a beggar on the opposite side.