The Jewel of the North

The setting sun stretched the shadows of Zheng Donglin’s group until they were merely faint dots that vanished at the horizon. Only then did the scholar Qing Xuan withdraw his gaze.

"Donglin, I noticed you seemed to pay a lot of attention to that scholar?" Cheng Xiu was surprised. He looked at the scholar, then at Zheng Donglin; after a while, he realized everyone in the group shared the same gaze toward that scholar, except for him, who didn't understand the issue and spoke up.

"Did you notice? The grass around that scholar seemed to be bowing in worship to him, and those sturdy men—judging by their appearance, I’m certain they are a band of bandits," Ding Buling remarked.

"Very strange. I couldn't sense that scholar's cultivation, yet the bandits were at least at the Fifth Grade. How could a scholar be involved with bandits?" Su Dongliu raised a question.

"Look at the bandits' faces; they are full of terror, as if they just experienced something horrific. And they only bowed to the one person in the center, that scholar," Zheng Donglin analyzed.

"I think the world does not lack extraordinary people," Liang said.

"No need to mind him; he is just a passerby," Ding Buling said.

In this world, where there are talented people, there will always be those even more talented; there is no shortage of strange abilities that leave others wide-eyed in shock. Therefore, there was no need to lose one's composure upon meeting an extraordinary expert. As long as he didn't cause trouble for them, everything could be viewed as drifting clouds and flowing water—two different paths.

"True, it's just that I feel he truly has something that makes people take a second look," Zheng Donglin nodded.

For some reason, in the depths of his mind, Zheng Donglin had a feeling that he would meet that scholar many more times. He suddenly shook his head in self-mockery; everything depended on fate—to meet was fate.

He might meet that white-robed scholar again, but he wondered what role that man would play in his life then.

"The Daoist sect values karmic ties, Buddhism makes no distinctions, and the Confucian school sees it as fitting." Qing Xuan’s expression was calm as he put his book box back on, his posture straight as he walked.

The surrounding grass, seeing him leave, was reluctant to let go; a cluster of grass clung to the scholar's ankles, unwilling to part.

"Meeting you all today was fate; there is no need to cling." Qing Xuan smiled, and the grass immediately let go, while the bandits bowed respectfully.

"Judging by their appearance, they are likely headed to Yucheng. How fated," Qing Xuan sighed softly.

The setting sun cast its light on his white robes, leaving behind a graceful and elegant silhouette.

…

The Academy was originally built at the intersection of four great Kingdoms; at that time, this place was almost a no-man's-land. But since the Academy began to rise like the morning sun, martial artists flocked here to seek masters and learn arts, and gradually this place became a sacred land of martial arts.

Because of the allure of the title 'sacred land of martial arts,' more and more outsiders came, and streets began to spring up side by side. Streets led to a city. With the Academy truly suppressing any chaos, no one dared to plot robbery or oppress others. Thus, business developed to the massive scale it was today. In particular, it sat right at the trade hub of the four countries, so this place had transformed into the premier trading and exchange center of the North. People in the world called this city the jewel of the North.

Yucheng!

Entering Yucheng required no entry fee, for those who entered would be so captivated by its prosperity that they would willingly pawn all their assets just to live here for even a few days.

The streets were lined with tall buildings, and countless beautiful colors were interspersed throughout the city. Yucheng was vast, many times larger than Ye City. Just stepping into the outer layers of Yucheng, one was overwhelmed by its extraordinary luxury.

Red lanterns hung from the outside, stretching all the way to the center of Yucheng. Looking into the deepest part, situated in the middle of Yucheng, was naturally the Academy, the sacred land of martial arts.

They knew the Academy was about to hold another examination, so they had set up massive stalls to attract visitors. Every time an examination came, even those without martial talent—ordinary mortals—would flock here in large numbers to watch the ceremony.

Watching the ceremony was always an exciting event for the people here, no different from a major holiday of the year. The luxury and wealth of Yucheng were displayed without omission.

Nearly two thousand cavalrymen entered Yucheng, and the people on both sides of the street instinctively made way. The group moved with great prestige, clearly not the kind of people one could provoke.

"This city is truly too beautiful." Cheng Xiu looked around in awe; everywhere were multi-story buildings, and houses were built with excellent materials. The stalls of wealthy merchants on both sides were filled with top-quality silk; a random piece of silk on a stall was enough to trade for a month's income of a farming family.

"This place is known as the 'jewel of the North,' so how could it not be beautiful?" The Second Heavenly General’s knowledge was more extensive than that of Zheng Donglin’s group.

"There are only a few days left until the examination; at that time, the citizens will pour into the streets to watch, fireworks will constantly be launched, and the streets will be a sea of red lanterns—it's ten times larger than festivals in other cities," the Second Heavenly General said with some infatuation.

"Just hearing about it makes my heart race with excitement," Ding Buling remarked. Coming from backgrounds like his, Cheng Xiu’s, and Liang’s, they had never had the chance to visit Yucheng. This time, their eyes were opened as they gazed at the surroundings, beautiful beyond description.

Some green moss clung to the roads and the corners of walls, creating a landscape with an ancient feel, quietly enhancing the elegance of this city.

Zheng Donglin reflected that reading ten thousand books was not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Compared to modern cities, the scene here was far superior; he feared that in the modern era, no place could match the aura of this city.

"Find a place to stay," Zheng Donglin said. There were still a few days before the examination, so finding shelter was the top priority; otherwise, he feared they would have to sleep on the street. Seeing the number of people entering Yucheng, a moment's delay and there would be no rooms left.

After looking for a while and finding a suitable inn, Zheng Donglin led the group inside. The Second Heavenly General led the cavalry to find a place for the horses, and the Green Ox followed them in.

This inn was clearly for the highest elite of Yucheng; staying here for one night would likely cost a small fortune in jewels.

Standing in front of the inn was a youth dressed in black, wearing a wide-brimmed hat that obscured his eyes, with a sword on his back and a blade of grass casually in his mouth, leaning against the wall.

Just like that, the youth inadvertently radiated a terrifyingly sharp aura, like a peerless sword that had yet to leave its scabbard.

A sword cultivation expert!

Su Dongliu was shocked, the Liu He sword at his waist vibrating, and battle intent rose in his eyes, wanting to test his strength against the youth.

Two swords met, neither yielding. The Liu He sword hummed a few times, and the sword on the youth's back suddenly vibrated in resonance.

Suddenly, a shout came from inside directed at the sword-wielding youth: "Aaaah, waiter, what are you doing pretending to be a peerless expert? The guests are waiting for their food—do you want your wages docked?!"

That voice, if not mistaken, seemed to belong to the innkeeper.

Zheng Donglin: "..."
Ding Buling: "..."
Su Dongliu: "..."
Li Xin: "..."
Cheng Xiu: "..."
Liang: "..."

The six of them stood there with blank expressions. Su Dongliu was even more stunned, the Liu He sword in his hand slipping as his aura vanished like a deflated balloon.

What on earth was this situation?

"Coming, coming! Wait a moment, what's the rush!" the sword youth said hurriedly, taking off his wide-brimmed hat.

"You dare use that tone with me?"

"Boss, please be gentle, I know I was wrong—don't dock my wages."

Su Dongliu’s face darkened; he thought he had met a peerless sword cultivator and would have a chance to compete, but... but...

A flash of light appeared in his peripheral vision; the black-clad youth withdrew his gaze, a hard-to-detect smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"Boss, do you have rooms for two thousand people?" Zheng Donglin asked.

The innkeeper was shocked; two thousand people—the cost would not be small, perhaps nearly equal to the fortune of a small merchant. Seeing Zheng Donglin was young, only about fifteen, but possessed an extraordinary aura, the innkeeper didn't dare look down on him and quickly said, "Young master, our inn only has about two hundred rooms left."

The innkeeper spoke with difficulty; after all, with so many people coming, finding a place to stay was very hard. One must know that staying at this inn required a significant amount of money, yet there were only two hundred rooms left—truly terrifying.

"Great one, I will have some brothers find another place," the Second Heavenly General suggested, recognizing the difficulty. Zheng Donglin nodded in agreement.