「One week later.」

With Sun Yunyong’s help, Zhao Xuanqi left the Giant Spirit Army’s territory without much trouble, entering the domain of the Celestial Army—a faction currently at odds with the Giant Spirit Army.

An expert of his caliber was nearly impossible to capture if he chose to conceal himself. After all, with his Physical Ability, crossing mountains and ridges was like walking on flat ground. The Giant Spirit Army could lock down towns and cities, but they couldn’t seal off every inch of the wilderness.

After leaving the Giant Spirit Army’s sphere of influence, Zhao Xuanqi and Sun Yunyong didn’t linger in Celestial Army territory. They immediately bought train tickets and boarded a long-distance train heading north to Jinmen.

Because the situation in Jinmen was uncertain and the skills of Cai Mingliang and the others were average, Zhao Xuanqi did not bring them along this time. Instead, he temporarily arranged for them to stay within the Celestial Army’s jurisdiction.

Previously, Zhao Xuanqi had planned ahead, setting up several secret safe houses in Celestial Sea Prefecture and stashing a sum of silver coins as emergency funds. He now retrieved it all, leaving nearly half for Cai Mingliang and his group. He told them to establish themselves in Celestial Army territory for the time being. Once the situation in Jinmen stabilized, he would consider summoning them.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The immense hiss of steam and the clatter of machinery from the steam train echoed ceaselessly inside the car. Every part of the carriage vibrated and swayed violently.

Although they had left the Giant Spirit Army’s territory, Zhao Xuanqi’s identity still couldn’t see the light of day. Adhering to the principle of keeping a low profile, the two bought tickets for the most common third-class carriage.

However, it seemed their luck wasn’t very good. The third-class tickets they bought were for seats right near the front of the train, making for an utterly wretched travel experience.

The carriage was a chaotic hubbub, a boiling cauldron of voices. Different dialects from all over the Divine Land mixed together in the din. Because of the constant rumbling and shaking from the engine, you couldn’t hear the person in front of you even when speaking face-to-face. Communication was basically a shouting match, which only made the carriage louder. The people trying to converse were red-faced, their necks strained and veins bulging.

The aisle was cluttered with all sorts of messy luggage. It was now early summer, and the weather was growing hot. The proximity to the engine made the carriage even hotter, causing every traveler inside to be drenched in sweat, enveloped in a wave of heat.

The entire journey would take four or five days. Unlike in his previous life, there wasn’t an adequate water supply in the carriage, making personal hygiene impossible. This resulted in the entire car being filled with an indescribable stench—a mixture of train fuel, sweat, and fermenting food. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

The seats, arranged for four or six people facing each other, were cramped. There was no room to stretch one’s legs. To minimize wasted space, the seats were placed back-to-back, making the seatbacks straighter than a ruler and leaving passengers fidgeting uncomfortably.

As a result, the small space under the seats became the most coveted spot. It was just large enough for a normal adult to lie down, a sacred haven for rest during the journey. People argued until they were red in the face, and some even came to blows, all to claim this tiny piece of real estate.

For the common people of this era, travel was an endless tale of hardship.

Zhao Xuanqi and Sun Yunyong sat in their seats, and no one dared to bother them. After all, Zhao Xuanqi’s tall, powerful build made it clear he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

Both were Martial Artists with unyielding wills. They had endured all manner of hardship, so this wretched environment was nothing to them. When hungry, they ate the dry rations they had prepared and chatted idly throughout the journey. At their level of mastery, both their hearing and their control over their voices were far beyond the ordinary, so they didn’t need to shout to be heard.

Zhao Xuanqi observed the slice of life unfolding on the train, his expression unchanging. He was, however, quite interested in some of his fellow passengers.

Some, he could tell with a glance, possessed skills from a Secret Transmission. Such individuals were not a minority among the travelers; they were likely all headed for Jinmen.

’It seems Jinmen is indeed a gathering place for Martial Artists.’

"Actually, Jinmen wasn’t originally known as a land of martial arts. It’s just that a century ago, the gates of the Divine Land were broken open by the Six Nations. Jinmen, being a key port and close to the capital, became a place where the Six Nations established concessions. As a result, trade flourished, and it became a melting pot where fortunes were made and lost."

"Consequently, countless Martial Artists flocked to Jinmen, seeking fame and fortune. Over time, this led to a flourishing martial culture. It’s not even surprising anymore that basically everyone in Jinmen knows a move or two from a Secret Transmission."

Along the way, Sun Yunyong explained some of Jinmen’s history and customs to Zhao Xuanqi. In his eyes, although Zhao Xuanqi was strong, he was still only seventeen, so his worldly knowledge was surely a bit shallow.

Zhao Xuanqi listened attentively to Sun Yunyong’s words. After all, due to the differences between his two lives, there were many things he truly didn’t understand.

"What arrangements do you have for me this time?"

Zhao Xuanqi asked.

Originally, Zhao Xuanqi had planned to go to Jinmen alone. However, after Sun Yunyong contacted the higher-ups in the Divine Martial Department, they offered to make an introduction for him. After some thought, he didn’t refuse.

Although he hadn’t officially joined the National Salvation Association, his dealings with them were already inextricably tangled. After all, he owed them a massive debt for what happened in Guangdong, one that helping a single Melissa could never repay. Furthermore, Zhao Qin was now under their protection, having been moved to one of their rear bases through their operations, where she was also doing some related work. This made their relationship even more inseparable.

Since the ties were already a tangled mess, he decided to be decisive.

As long as the National Salvation Association didn’t play any tricks on him and could provide what he wanted, working for them wasn’t out of the question.

"The Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce’s history traces back several decades to the ’New Affairs’ period. To counter the pressure from the Six Nations and answer the imperial court’s call at the time, some prominent southern clans, officials, and industrialists founded various companies. Development was booming. Later, to consolidate their strength, these parties collaborated to establish this chamber of commerce. At its peak, it was one of the top three commercial powers in the south. But after decades of ups and downs, the fall of the Daqian dynasty, and a series of internal changes, the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce’s power has greatly diminished. Still, it remains one of the most prominent chambers in the Divine Land today. It’s rooted in Jinmen, with business ranging from domestic industries like cotton and flour milling to import-export trade. And, of course, it’s not without its share of clandestine business."

"The person we plan to introduce you to is the number three figure in the Zhen Nan Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Yan Shuntao. Although he hasn’t formally joined us, he is a staunch patriot and has had many dealings with us in secret, often looking out for our interests. If you can gain his assistance, your activities in Jinmen, as well as acquiring the necessary resources, will become much easier."

"However, since he’s rooted in Jinmen and a key member of a major chamber of commerce, he has plenty of Martial Arts Experts working for him. Whether or not you can earn his respect will depend on your own abilities. Jinmen is not like Guangdong. Even its civilian Martial Realm is full of capable people."

Sun Yunyong explained slowly to Zhao Xuanqi.