The driver took out a wooden plaque intricately carved with patterns from his robes and handed it over. After the soldier inspected it, he waved them through.

The moment the carriage entered the Inner City, Yang Jing couldn’t contain his curiosity. He lifted a corner of the curtain and peered outside.

What met his eyes was a scene completely different from the Outer City.

The wide streets were paved flat with bluestone slabs. The buildings on either side were mostly mansions with flying eaves and upturned corners, their walls covered in climbing green vines.

There were many pedestrians on the streets. Regardless of age or gender, they were all dressed in silks and satins, their expressions calm and composed. It was a stark contrast to the sallow, gaunt, and ragged refugees of the Outer City.

The occasional carriages and horses that passed by were all exquisitely decorated sedan chairs or tall, strong steeds. None of the Outer City’s clamor and chaos could be seen.

’This is like a completely different world from the Outer City.’ Yang Jing was shaken and couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

"So, it’s different from the Outer City, isn’t it?" Liu Maolin saw his curiosity and explained with a smile, "The Inner City is home to either government officials or the great clans. The six great clans of Yuhe County, in particular, all reside here. The guards are strict, so refugees can’t get in at all, and public order is ten times better."

Yang Jing nodded, his gaze sweeping over a medicine shop on the street with a sign that read "Treasure Hall." Even the attendants standing at the entrance wore respectable long robes and were eagerly greeting customers.

He stared blankly out the window, a more direct understanding of this world dawning on him. It was the same city, but the inside and outside were two different worlds.

Seeing Yang Jing lost in thought while looking at the street, Liu Maolin said to the driver, "You go on ahead to Fuman Pavilion and book a private room for us. The two of us will walk over and take our time."

The driver acknowledged the order and drove the carriage away.

The two walked side-by-side on the bluestone road. The prosperity of the Inner City was even more striking than what could be glimpsed through the gap in the carriage curtain.

Shops lined both sides of the street. An attendant from a silk shop was hanging out bolts of shimmering brocade to air dry. An enticing aroma wafted from the entrance of a restaurant. The sharp RAP of a storyteller’s gavel, followed by a round of applause, drifted out from a teahouse. It was a scene of peace and prosperity everywhere.

Liu Maolin looked at the lively scene, but the smile on his face faded somewhat. He sighed, "Look at this Inner City. Debauchery, nights of song and dance... it truly lives up to the saying, ’Wine and meat rot behind vermilion gates.’ But then you look at the Outer City, and the countryside beyond, where people are starving to death every day... This world... it’s like a gaping, bloody maw that only devours the poor."

His family was in the medicinal herb business, so he knew more about the current situation in and around Yuhe County. He was well aware that things were about to descend into total chaos, and Yuhe County was actually one of the better-off places.

As Yang Jing listened, his gaze swept over a young master from a rich family casually tossing leftover pastries to a dog. He then recalled the refugees in the alleys of the Outer City, curled up in corners, on the verge of death. A heavy feeling washed over him.

He thought of his father and his uncle. Six months ago, they had followed a convoy to escort provisions to the front lines in Caozhou. Now, there was no news of them at all, not even a single letter home.

The fighting at the front was said to be at a stalemate, and all sorts of rumors were already circulating among the refugees. Yang Jing had specifically tried to ask around, but most people knew nothing about the supply convoy. The bits of information some people did share only made his heart heavier. Some said the convoy had been ambushed and wiped out. Others said they had been captured by the enemy... Each possibility was like a knife stabbing into his heart.

But here in Yuhe County, he could do nothing but worry.

An intense sense of urgency welled up in his heart. He needed greater power. He had to become stronger!

If he could reach the Huajin realm, or an even higher level, he would have the foundation to protect himself in these chaotic times and could personally go to Caozhou to find his father and uncle.

But right now, he was just a Martial Artist who had barely entered the Anjin realm. He hadn’t even established a firm foothold in this small Yuhe County, so how could he even think about traveling a thousand li to search for his family?

"Strength..." Yang Jing muttered under his breath, clenching his fists.

The prosperity of the Inner City and the suffering of the Outer City, the uncertain fate of his family—it all transformed into a heavy motivation, weighing on his heart and burning in his eyes.

Liu Maolin noticed the change in Yang Jing’s expression and patted his shoulder. "Don’t overthink it. Let’s go get a drink first. You’ve just broken through to the Anjin realm. You still have a long road ahead of you."

Yang Jing took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and nodded.

’There are no shortcuts on the path to becoming stronger. I can only take it one step at a time, relying on myself!’

The two continued down the street and soon arrived at their destination.

Before the vermilion-lacquered main entrance of Fuman Pavilion hung two large red lanterns, making the golden characters on the lintel glitter brightly.

Just as Yang Jing was following Liu Maolin up the steps, the tinkling of jade pendants came from within the doorway, and two women walked out gracefully.

The woman in the lead wore a moon-white long robe with a jade belt at her waist. There was a heroic air about her brows, and her features were clear and beautiful. It was none other than the young mistress of Zhao’s Escort Agency, Zhao Yuman. Following behind her was her maid, Qinghe.

"Miss Zhao?" Liu Maolin was a bit surprised. He stopped and cupped his hands in greeting.

Zhao Yuman saw him as well. She smiled faintly and nodded in response. "Young Master Liu is also here for a meal."

Her gaze inadvertently swept over Yang Jing, who was beside Liu Maolin. At first, she was a little puzzled, feeling that his face was somewhat familiar. Then, as if remembering something, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

She remembered. Liu Maolin had wanted to introduce a Mingjin Disciple from a Martial Arts Hall to her and had even shown her a portrait of the man. At the time, she hadn’t paid it any mind.

Seeing him again now and connecting him to Liu Maolin, Zhao Yuman quickly recalled Yang Jing’s identity. Her expression immediately cooled. She only gave Yang Jing a slight nod, a perfunctory greeting, before bidding farewell to Liu Maolin. She then quickly turned to the side and left with her maid Qinghe, as if unwilling to linger.

As Qinghe passed, she also performed a proper curtsy. "Greetings, Young Master Liu."

After the two left Fuman Pavilion and boarded a carriage, Qinghe asked in a low voice, "Miss, was that man with Young Master Liu just now the Yang Jing from the portrait Young Master Liu showed you? Speaking of which, he looks more heroic in person than in the portrait. His features are quite handsome."

Zhao Yuman adjusted the carriage curtain, the corner of her lips curling into a barely perceptible arc.

’This Yang Jing’s looks are acceptable, but in the end, he’s just a Mingjin Martial Artist with inferior root bones. His potential has already peaked.’

’If, after a few more years, I still haven’t found a suitable match, it wouldn’t hurt to consider him.’

’As for now... he isn’t qualified to stand by my side.’

She didn’t respond to Qinghe’s words, only saying coolly, "Let’s go. We still have to go over the accounts when we get back. Let’s not delay important business."

Qinghe quickly instructed the driver to move, and the carriage soon disappeared around the corner.

「...」

「Fuman Pavilion, a private room on the second floor.」

The room was elegantly furnished, with a spot by the window offering a view of the street.

The two had just sat down, but Liu Maolin was already clutching his stomach, laughing so hard that tears were about to stream down his face.

"What are you laughing at?" Yang Jing looked at him helplessly and poured himself a cup of tea.

"I’m laughing at Zhao Yuman!" Liu Maolin finally managed to stop laughing and wiped the corner of his eye. "She’s always had such a high opinion of herself, so picky that she even looks down on the direct heirs of smaller clans. The way she avoided you just now, she probably still thinks you’re just a Mingjin!"

He slapped the table and started laughing again. "Once word gets out that you’ve broken through to the Anjin realm, and she finds out, what do you think her expression will be? I guarantee she’ll be kicking herself! The entire Zhao’s Escort Agency only has one Anjin expert. No matter how arrogant Zhao Yuman is, she’ll have to consider what that means."

Saying this, he leaned closer, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Seriously, Junior Brother, what did you think of Zhao Yuman now that you’ve seen her in person? Didn’t I show you her portrait before? Are you still interested? If you are, after the news of your Anjin breakthrough spreads in a couple of days, I’ll find an excuse to ask her out. I guarantee she’ll be all over you, more eager than anyone."

Yang Jing put down his teacup and shook his head. "No, thanks."

"Right," Liu Maolin clicked his tongue. "A short-sighted woman like that isn’t worth it anyway. Let her stew in her regret!"

He waved his hand dismissively. "You’re an Anjin expert now. So many young ladies are waiting in line! Some of them are just as good as Zhao Yuman, if not better. I’ll keep an eye out for you, how about it?"

"Senior Brother," Yang Jing quickly waved his hand, his tone serious. "I’m not thinking about marriage for now." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

He looked out the window. The Inner City was still prosperous, but beneath that prosperity lay the starving masses of the Outer City and the shadow of chaotic times.

The world was growing more and more chaotic. His father and uncle were still on the Caozhou front lines with no news. All Yang Jing could think about now was increasing his strength.

Only with enough strength could he investigate his father’s and uncle’s whereabouts and ensure he and his family could survive these chaotic times.

「...」

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