'So that means supernatural powers can be used here too, huh?'
'Maybe I should find a place to learn martial arts. After all, I've got at least two years to spare', And just like that, a few dull days passed as I familiarized myself with Tongcheng County.
I quickly realized that this little city, with a population of only a few thousand, didn't offer much in the way of what I was looking for. To top it off, there was only one martial arts hall, and they taught only the most basic external skills.
According to Jiang, a city called Yuecheng, a few kilometres away, was one of the biggest in Shun'an Prefecture. A bustling hub of trade, it was said to be the commercial center of the southeast and the nearest big city to Tongcheng.
Now it was the Grain Rain season, almost summer, and with the weather warming, more travelers were hitting the road. A caravan had just stopped at the inn today, so I decided to seize the chance and probe for some info.
"We're headed to Yuecheng with some good merchandise," said Hu the steward, a wiry middle-aged man. "Hopefully, we can make a decent profit. Summer in Yuecheng is the most beautiful and busiest time of year in all Shun'an."
The moment I learned they were bound for Yuecheng, I jumped on the chance. "To be honest with you, Steward Hu, I've long been fascinated by Yuecheng's splendor, but I've never had the opportunity to see it myself. Do you think your caravan might let me tag along?"
Hu looked hesitant, glancing over at a nearby guard, who gave a slight shake of his head. "Ah, young friend, I'm sorry," Hu said, stroking his beard with a hint of awkwardness. "Our schedule is tight, and we can't afford any delays."
I noticed their subtle exchange and kept my face neutral. "Not a problem, not at all. It was just a thought; I wouldn't want to put you in a difficult position. Wishing you and everyone else a smooth journey." After a few polite goodbyes, I headed back to my room.
But there was no way I'd let this opportunity slip by. If I had to, I'd just follow them from a distance. It's a public road; they can't stop me from traveling behind them, can they?
I could try to find the city on my own, but asking someone without a proper sense of this world's layout to walk a hundred kilometers to a strange city—yeah, no thanks.
That night, I informed the innkeeper that I'd be leaving. The stoic innkeeper didn't react much, simply settled my month's pay, and asked me to tidy my room before I left. I was a little puzzled. This Han had worked here for almost five years—'is this all the response the innkeeper have?'
Jiang, on the other hand, showed a bit more emotion. He clapped me on the shoulder, gave me a spiel about the aspirations of young men to see the world, then slapped my back and said, "Don't worry, tomorrow morning, Jiang will make you a nice meal to send you off."
I chuckled, feeling oddly touched. Despite his rough edges and boastful nature, Jiang never put on airs. He'd often looked out for Han these past few years, a decent guy through and through.
"Ah, Jiang-ge really gets me. If I earn a few taels in Yuecheng, I'll make sure to come back and treat you to a good meal," I promised.
Jiang Dazhu grinned. "Deal"
Then I asked him to tell me about any dangers along the route from Tongcheng to Yuecheng. Jiang seemed familiar with the journey, pointing out a few risky spots and villages where I could rest.
"The most dangerous part is near the base of Blewind Mountain. It's rugged terrain, covered with an ancient forest that's been there for centuries. Bandits hide there like weeds; the authorities have never fully cleared them out. You saw the caravan earlier—they hired bodyguards to protect against those kinds of thieves. If you're going to shadow them, stay alert. Big groups draw more attention."
I nodded earnestly, committing his advice to memory. Jiang, in his usual style, rambled on with all sorts of tidbits. Suddenly, he seemed to grow pensive. "Han, you're at the age to spread your wings. It's good to leave Tongcheng and see the world, but remember, not everything out there is kind."
He looked off toward the moonlit sky, a shadow passing over his face. "Us common folks, we struggle all our lives, but most of the time, it doesn't pay off. You're a diligent, good-hearted kid, so keep your wits about you in a big city like Yuecheng. Don't end up like me, a fool in his thirties with nothing to show for it."
I laughed, trying to lighten the mood. Jiang swatted his own cheek lightly and smiled. "Ah, listen to me, blabbering on. Forget it; just be careful out there, alright?"
True to his word, Jiang prepared a hearty meal for me before dawn, along with several flatbreads to last me the journey to Yuecheng. Innkeeper handed me a travel pass as well, more of a formality these days, but still required for long-distance travel.
After the caravan departed that morning, I slung my bag over my shoulder and set out too. Bag was a strong word—it was just a spare set of clothes, a blanket, a few silver fragments, a handful of flatbreads, two water pouches, and some odds and ends.
I kept a leisurely hundred-meter distance behind the caravan, which, with its many people and animals, moved slowly and was easy to follow on the open road.
The scenery was surprisingly beautiful. Beyond the vast fields outside Tongcheng, where farmers toiled under the sun, lay endless stretches of lush forest. When the trees opened up, I saw wildflowers blooming in clusters, and patches of grassland speckled with fruit-bearing bushes.
Along the way, small pavilions appeared at intervals, a place to rest every five kilometres or so. They were old but still sturdy—a testament to the strength of the Ember Dynasty that built them.
After about ten hours on foot, my legs were aching, and the caravan finally veered off the road to set up camp. I found a spot nearby, sheltered under a large tree, and watched them make camp as the last rays of the sun faded.
I started my own little fire, thankfully without needing to resort to primitive fire-starting techniques, thanks to my flint.
I had no reason to hide my fire from the caravan now; they'd probably noticed me following anyway. It was obvious I wasn't there to cause trouble, just tagging along for the sake of guidance.
I roasted some of the flatbread and ate half, then lay down to sleep. It was probably barely eight at night, but my whole body was sore from walking, 'I will need to be up early to catch up to them tomorrow.'
After another day and a half of travel, I passed a small village, where I refilled my water and managed to scrounge up a warm meal. I offered to pay the kind rural family, but they waved it off, saying, "The Buddha shows mercy; helping others is a virtue." For all their superstition, it was nice to see such honest kindness.
Refreshed, I continued on until I finally spotted Bluewind Mountain in the distance—a looming, forested ridge marking the last stretch to Yuecheng. No wonder Jiang had warned me; the dense forest covering the mountain was the perfect hideout for bandits.
I slowed my pace, keeping about a hundred meters behind the caravan, and stepped off the road to avoid drawing attention. I figured it was better to be cautious. After walking for a little over an hour, a sudden, blood-curdling scream broke the silence. My body went cold. It had come from the direction of the caravan, 'What is going on—bandits? Wild animals?'
My mind raced. For a second, I wanted to turn and bolt back, put off Yuecheng for another time.
Then I thought about getting out of the Bluewind Mountain area altogether and waiting until nightfall to sneak through. I took a few deep breaths, struggling to calm down.
'There are two possibilities: either this is an unlucky coincidence, or these bandits were lying in wait. If they were experienced, they'd likely have lookouts covering their territory. After all, they have horses—and maintaining horses is no small feat. They can afford scouts, maybe even informants. Sure, they might have just stumbled on the caravan, but something tells me this is a setup.'
Usually, a highway robbery is just a demand for a toll, and if you pay, they let you pass. But those bandits had charged straight into the caravan, and it sounded like a slaughter, 'Why not ambush from the woods? is this a complete extermination? And if the caravan somehow survives this ambush, they will still have to get clear of the mountain, a journey of at least half an hour, even at full gallop.'
I cut off my spiraling thoughts and focused on the immediate problem, 'What should I do? Have they noticed me? If not…'