Yecheng

Yecheng was located south of the Northern Borders, adjacent to the Cangwu Empire.

After the four of them left the Cloud Boat and took to their swords, they headed straight for the city of Yecheng.

Since this mission involved a demonic cultivator, some details still needed to be gathered from the local Supervision Hall in Yecheng.

Doing so would save them from taking unnecessary detours.

Amidst the sea of clouds at daybreak, a massive city appeared in the distance. The four landed in a deserted area outside the city walls.

Stowing away their immortal swords and changing into more down-to-earth attire, they stepped onto the main road, walking toward the gates like any other group of traveling merchants.

According to the other three, Wendao Sect disciples acting abroad tried to follow the rules of the mortal world as much as possible to avoid causing unnecessary commotion. They avoided showing off or exposing their identities unless absolutely necessary.

Regarding this, Xu Xian expressed his understanding.

Their main strategy was keeping a low profile.

Although it was still early morning, the road outside the city was densely packed with people. One could see horse-drawn carriages and travelers coming and going in a steady stream.

Yecheng was one of the few cities among the one hundred and eight cities of the Northern Borders that was closest to the Central Plains. It maintained close and frequent trade relations with the heartland. Compared to other cities, it was relatively prosperous. In terms of wealth, it was undoubtedly the premier city of the Northern Borders, and as a result, it was a melting pot of all kinds of people.

Even now on the main road, one could see people of every description, including many dressed in quite peculiar attire.

The four blended into the crowd, though their striking looks and extraordinary auras still frequently drew sidelong glances from those around them.

Many people leaned in to whisper to one another, pointing and gesturing toward them.

'Beautiful.'

'So handsome.'

And so on...

However, the four were accustomed to such things and paid them no mind, continuing forward while chatting and laughing.

Xu Xian walked with his hands behind his back, speaking with great eloquence.

"There is actually quite a bit of lore regarding the path beneath our feet."

"A path that only one person can traverse is called a xi. As the saying goes, 'the peach and plum do not speak, yet a path is worn beneath them'."

"A path that can fit a wheelbarrow is called a jing. From the line 'a winding path leads to a secluded spot', the idiom 'finding another path' was born..."

"A path that can accommodate a single carriage is called a tu, which is where the saying 'an old horse knows the way' comes from."

"A way wide enough for two carriages is called a dao. When two people part ways, they 'split the road'..."

"If a small branch appears beside the main way, it is called a qi. If you wander into it, you have 'strayed onto a fork in the road'."

"Only a way like the one beneath our feet, which can fit three carriages abreast, is truly a lu. Look at how spacious it is. It seems Yecheng is very prosperous indeed..."

Xu Xian spoke with such conviction that the other three were stunned.

It was just a road, yet it contained so many layers of meaning?

Especially Ruan Zhong, who had spent his life either smithing iron or cultivating. On the rare occasions he went out for a fight, it was all physical labor. He had never heard of what Xu Xian was saying. His face was full of novelty and admiration as he asked, "Little Grand-Uncle, how do you know so much?"

Xu Xian held himself tall and said lazily, "Well, I have a bad habit. I love to read. I'm practically obsessed. If I go a day without reading, my whole body feels uncomfortable. I just can't seem to break the habit."

Ruan Zhong nodded repeatedly. "No wonder you're so learned. I'm no good at that; my head hurts the moment I look at a book."

Xu Xian said modestly, "This is nothing. Stay with me for a while, and you'll see. I have a vast amount of knowledge."

"Mhm, okay."

Song Qingshu shook his head helplessly.

Nangong Ning didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

However, she had to admit that their Little Grand-Uncle truly wasn't someone who lacked experience. Although his words were inevitably embellished with a bit of exaggeration and boasting... he definitely had some ink in his belly.

When they reached the city gates, they saw towering walls and fluttering banners. The city had three gates open, guarded by soldiers in light armor who were inspecting the passing carriages and horses.

The three gates were divided: one for goods, one for carriages, and one for people.

The flow of people, goods, and vehicles was strictly separated and orderly.

As they entered the city, a young officer stopped the four for a routine inquiry.

Although the four had changed clothes and hidden their identities as Wendao Sect disciples, their temperaments were exceptional. The officer guarding the gate had naturally seen countless people of all types; he could tell at a glance that these individuals were extraordinary, so his tone was respectful.

"May I ask... where have you come from? And what is your business in the city?"

Song Qingshu, looking every bit the refined gentleman, opened his palm to reveal a dao jade.

With just one glance, the officer's face showed shock.

Song Qingshu smiled warmly and said, "Do not make a scene."

The officer understood. He stepped aside to clear the way and gave a slight nod of respect.

"Please!"

"Thank you."

"Just doing my duty. Let them through!!"

With a wave of his hand, the soldiers moved aside, and the four walked into the city with a swagger.

One soldier was curious and asked casually, "Captain, what is the identity of those people?"

The usually good-tempered captain suddenly changed his expression. He gave the soldier a cold glare and reprimanded him, "Do your job. Don't ask about things you shouldn't ask about."

The soldier, having been rebuffed, could only retreat gloomily.

Passing through the city gates, the view suddenly opened up. What lay before them was like a grand scroll of a golden age slowly unfurling...

Broad streets, dense buildings, crisscrossing alleys, and a bustling tide of people met their eyes.

Their ears were filled with the constant noise and clamor—hawkers shouting their wares in the streets, performers showing off their skills...

With a sweep of divine sense, one could see even further: pavilions and towers, lanterns hanging high, scholars waving fans, talents reciting poetry, and beauties waving handkerchiefs from windows to invite guests...

"Sesame cakes! Hot sesame cakes!"

"Step right up, don't miss out! High-quality silk, clearance sale!"

"If you have money, give some support; if you don't, give some applause! This humble one will show you a trick!"

"Storytelling and theater are for teaching people the right path; the three great ways all lead to the center... If you want to know what happens next, listen to the next installment."

"Young master, come and play, young master..."

Xu Xian's eyes narrowed as he looked left and right. The prosperity before him was overwhelming. The sounds of vendors selling flowers rang in his ears, making him murmur, "Interesting, truly interesting."

Song Qingshu flicked his folding fan open and strolled leisurely, asking with a smile, "Is this the first time Little Grand-Uncle has seen such a sight?"

Xu Xian said casually, "No, I've seen it plenty of times on television before."

The three of them were taken aback, their eyes filled with confusion.

"Television? What is a television?"

Xu Xian realized he had let something slip, but he didn't care. His gaze drifted toward the front of a flower tower, and he said dismissively, "It's not important. I must say, Yecheng is quite open-minded. Look at that girl; her skirt is slit all the way up to her thigh..."

He paused mid-sentence. Catching a glimpse of the three looking at him with strange expressions, Xu Xian immediately changed his face. He straightened his back and said with righteous indignation, "How can she wear so little? It's scandalous! Utterly shameless!"

Ruan Zhong scratched his head, thinking to himself, Didn't you just look like you were enjoying it? Why are you cursing her now? Something feels off.

Nangong Ning kept her eyes down and sighed softly. She thought to herself that the Little Grand-Uncle was still too young; he had no resistance against the temptations of the flashy world.

Song Qingshu teased, "They are all just trying to make a living; it's nothing much. If Little Grand-Uncle goes to the Central Plains in the future, you should visit Jiangnan. That is the true birthplace of the pleasure districts—literati, scholars, beauties, listening to music in the pavilions, composing poetry... The 'profusion of flowers becomes a riot for the eyes'. Even immortals who go there find it hard to leave."

"Oh?" Xu Xian's interest was piqued. He laughed and said, "If you put it that way, then I really must go and see it. To think such a filthy place could actually exist peacefully in this world."

Song Qingshu smiled without a word.

Ruan Zhong said honestly, "Little Grand-Uncle, you don't need to act all proper. We're all men; we understand. Senior Sister Nangong is also an experienced person; she won't laugh at you."

Xu Xian stole a glance at the expressionless Nangong Ning and insisted stubbornly, "Little Zhong, I have no idea what you're talking about—"

The three of them let out a skeptical sound.

Xu Xian acted as if he hadn't heard them.

After a long while.

They arrived at a residence. Hanging above the eaves was a sign that read: Wendao Sect · Supervision Hall.

"We're here."