When Assistant General Nie and his team escorted the convoy to the town, Manbao and his companions were already sitting by the roadside, munching on sweet melons with the local youth, making acquaintances.

Of course, they had paid for them. The pile of sweet melons in front of them was bought with money. Bai Shan, being generous, purchased melons from several people and then squatted by the roadside chatting while eating.

The young men and women selling melons seemed somewhat embarrassed. After glancing at the pile of melons in front of them, they said, "Sir, these melons keep for a few days if stored in a cool place."

Bai Shan, unconcerned about expenses, replied, "No worries, there are many of us, we’ll finish them soon."

The young man speaking didn’t know that a large convoy was behind them, thinking it was just the few of them. He glanced at their guards but said nothing, realizing that indeed there were quite a few.

Bai Shan divided the melons among Daji and the others. They had traveled through the desert for two days, instinctively conserving water, and were quite parched. So once they got the melons, they immediately split them open, each one for himself.

Manbao and his group were a bit more refined, but they declined Daji’s offer to cut the melons with their knives.

The knives had slaughtered sheep, skinned rabbits, and most notably, had killed people. They didn’t want to use such knives to cut their melons.

Thankfully, Manbao had her own knife. She felt around her waist, pulled out a small dagger, and began slicing the melon.

Bai Shan hesitated, as if wanting to say something. But seeing how happily they ate the melons, he swallowed his words.

In truth, the knife the empress gifted might have killed even more people, but it was only due to the passage of time.

Bai Shan took a bite of the melon in his hand somewhat reluctantly. Meanwhile, Manbao exclaimed, "So sweet! Do your melons always ripen this early here?"

The young man replied, "Grown in greenhouses."

With a sigh, he continued, "Our melons are tasty. Guests from the Western Regions like them, and so do those from the Central Plains. No matter where they’re from, they love to take some home, saying they want to share them with family. So we grow some in greenhouses. This way, we can eat sweet melons from June to August."

Usually, melons here are harvested in July.

"But fewer people are visiting this year. I heard there’s a strange disease in the Central Plains, and it’s contagious. Tens of thousands have died, and several cities are emptied, so traders aren’t coming. These melons can’t be sold."

Manbao and the others: "... Is this how the story is going around?"

The youths promptly asked, "You’re from the Central Plains, right? Are you fleeing the disease?"

Nearby, a woman chimed in, "I heard even the Heavenly Khan has died."

Manbao and the others were startled and quickly waved their hands, "Oh, be careful not to spread such rumors! His Majesty is fine, and it wasn’t tens of thousands who died, just over two thousand."

The young people were dubious, "Are you lying? We heard a city was sealed off, and everyone who went in died. Several cities in the Central Plains are empty."

"So traders from the Western Regions aren’t coming here anymore. Some who were halfway turned northward upon hearing the news, aiming for another country."

Manbao remarked, "North? Isn’t that the Huihe? What’s the point of going there?"

Bai Shan added, "Exactly, do they have silk there? Tea? Porcelain?"

The young man had no idea. He didn’t even know where Huihe was, so he stared at them blankly.

Yin Huo steered the topic back, "Are there no traders in this town, not even locals?"

"There are," the young man replied, "Some have been here for years. They ran out of money, couldn’t leave, so they have to earn their fare."

Bai Shan’s eyes glinted with interest, "Are there people from the Central Plains?"

"Yes."

"And people from the Western Regions?"

"Yes, both."

Bai Shan was satisfied and asked with a grin, "Where do they live?"

The young people grew cautious and inquired, "What do you want with them, sir?"

Smiling, Bai Shan replied, "We’re heading to the Western Regions and want to hire a guide. Preferably someone from the Central Plains who’s been there, or even locals from both places."

Hearing this instead of seeking lodging, the young people relaxed again, carelessly gesturing, "They’re probably somewhere in town working, calling it a journey, but they couldn’t afford accommodation or meals, couldn’t even support themselves. What kind of journey is that?"

This is why the town’s youth disliked traveling far; they had never thought of being guides either, not that they could.

To them, leaving home was perilous. At best, one couldn’t return and had trouble with food and lodging, like those in town. At worst, they might die outside, and even their families might not know.

Once their guard was down, the conversation grew lively, touching on topics far and wide. Even Zhou Liru occasionally chimed in, and for questions from her and Manbao, the young people responded warmly—who wouldn’t like talking to pretty girls?

So by the time the convoy arrived, Bai Shan and the others had almost fully learned about the town’s situation and finished most of the melons.

The convoy approached the street but hadn’t entered yet. With so many people and vehicles, soon the people in the street noticed. They quickly left Bai Shan and his group, rushing over, men and women, old and young alike.

Goodness, with so many people, how much money could they make if they stayed at their place...

Quick to react, Bai Shan reached out and snagged a young man by his collar, pulling him over with a smile, "Where are you going?"

The young man struggled, shouting, "Let me go, let me go, you’re not staying over..."

Manbao pulled out a corner of silver from her pouch and dangled it in front of him. The young man immediately said, "You have sharp eyes, just like in that saying from the Central Plains, eye-catching as fire. My courtyard is indeed the best among the homes. If you were to stay at my place..."

"Not your place," Bai Shan interjected, "You’re in East Town; we want to stay in West Town."

The young man choked on his words, displeased, "What’s wrong with East Town?"

"Didn’t you just say the penniless travelers are staying in East Town?" Bai Shan said, "The town surely has an inn. Take us to the largest, safest inn. We’ll pay you for your service."

He gestured to their attire and asked with a smile, "Do we look like people who’d settle for East Town to save money?"

It didn’t matter. First, get settled in, as there were no refunds on dissatisfaction when checking out.

Yet, this thought only crossed the young man’s mind. He glanced at the melons on the ground. They’d been enjoying their chat earlier, and the strangers bought so many melons. He felt a bit guilty about swindling them.

Hesitating, he looked at the people surrounding the convoy and realized rushing there now wouldn’t even get him scraps, let alone more. Sighing, he nodded, "Alright, I’ll take you there, but remember, you’ll pay me."

Manbao put away the silver corner and took out a string of coins, saying, "Introduce us well, and I’ll give you half. Introduce us exceptionally well, and I’ll give you the whole string. If we’re thoroughly satisfied, you’ll get this piece of silver."

The young man was dumbfounded. Isn’t that a bit too subjective?