One brick, one tile, one city, untainted by dust. A light breeze lifted the corner of her skirt, and her long hair fluttered. Her worries were gone!
This was Sanghai, an ancient and elegant city. It faced the sea, and flowers bloomed in spring. Time had ravaged its vicissitudes, but it still stood tall, like an angry King Kong. It had experienced many desolations, the prosperity of the wind and snow, and the sadness of people leaving the tea. The moss was the trace of time, and the ancient wall blocked the enemy and made the city impregnable.
This was Fu Chen's first time seeing the capital of the Qin Dynasty and he was extremely excited.
Xiaoyao Zi separated from everyone on the way because he had something to do in the sect. He wanted to return to Qianyuan Temple on Green Mountain. The rest of the people changed their appearances before they stepped onto the official road and headed straight for Mulberry Sea City. Of course, only Tianming and Fu Chen did not need to disguise themselves. Tianming sat on the shaft of the carriage and looked around excitedly. Fu Chen had just jumped onto the roof of the carriage and was about to lie down to enjoy the scenery along the way when Duanmu Rong pulled him down and let him sit on the shaft of the carriage to avoid unnecessary trouble.
After a simple inspection, the carriage entered Sanghai City. On the bluestone paved road, the sound of horse hooves could be heard. The crowds, hawkers, and patrolling soldiers on the streets formed a beautiful scene.
On both sides of the street, the tile-roofed houses were clean and had gray walls. The tiles were neatly arranged on the wooden frame, neither monotonous nor boring. A simple and clear feeling welled up in his heart. This kind of beauty was a unique kind of beauty. The wooden beams were arranged in a disorderly manner, and at the joints, there were beautiful beast heads, symbolizing good luck and peace. The wooden frame was carved with exquisite patterns that were pleasing to the eye.
" This is the place." Xiao Gao's voice was heard. The carriage stopped at the entrance of an inn.
"An inn? "What a strange name," Floating Dawn raised his head and looked at the familiar Qin Country characters as he muttered softly.
"Isn't it just an inn? "What's strange?" Tianming, who had jumped down from the carriage with Fu Chen, stood side by side with Fu Chen.
" Mo Clan…" Just as Tianming opened his mouth, he was kicked into the inn by Fu Chen.
"Why did you kick me?" Tianming got up and angrily looked at Fu Chen who walked in with everyone.
" I tested your reflexes, but the results are still not good. You need to train harder." Of course, Floating Dawn wouldn't say that it would be troublesome if this guy said that others would hear him.
"You can react?" Tianming wasn't angry anymore and asked Fu Chen with a pout.
"If someone else suddenly launched an attack, yes! If it's you, you can't!" Fu Chen smiled and patted Tian Ming's head. Under Tian Ming's puzzled gaze, he started to size up the inn.
It was a very ordinary inn, and the furnishings inside were also very ordinary. There was nothing special about it.
" What a rare guest." A deep voice came from the stairwell. Floating Dawn looked up and saw a bearded fatty walking down the stairs.
" Long time no see." Xiao Gao, who was in disguise, smiled when he saw Fatty.
" Aiya, Boss Gao, you're finally here." Fatty walked down the stairs and came in front of everyone. He cupped his hands at Xiao Gao.
"Shopkeeper Ding, the road hasn't been peaceful, so we can't walk fast!”Xiao Gao returned the greeting.
" Today, we have a distinguished guest, so we're not doing business." Fatty waved his hand and roared,""Guys, lock the door!"
"Yes, sir!" After the noisy response, the inn quieted down in a short while. The other guests cursed and left. The waiter closed the doors and windows and locked them. They placed a long and short table in the middle of the hall and left.
Fu Chen saw Shaoyu looking at the path under the stairs. He looked over and saw a servant in a green shirt and shorts standing in the shadow of the path, looking at everyone. The servant saw that the two of them were looking at him, so he took two steps back and disappeared into the alley.
Everyone knelt in front of the short table. Fatty glanced back and forth and said,"I still can't stand the way you guys are acting. It's safe here, so there's no need to dress up.”
" Wait a moment," Xiao Gao said as he removed his disguise.
" It looks much more comfortable this way." Fatty laughed as he knelt down.
Fu Chen really couldn't stand such an uncomfortable sitting method. He sat cross-legged at the side, one hand supporting his chin in a daze, imitating him. Tianming and Shaoyu also had the same posture.
" Let me introduce them to everyone," Master Ban said after everyone was seated.
"What introduction? I'll do it, I'll do it first. We're all brothers and friends." Fatty stood up and patted his chest."Big Fatty, my surname is Ding. I'm the shopkeeper here. I'm especially here to receive you and cooperate with the subsequent operations.”
"A butcher dismembering an ox is a miraculous skill. I've long heard of the Ding family's great name!”Ge Nie cupped his hands.
" Those are the names of our ancestors. It's a great honor for me to be remembered by Mr. Gai." Fatty knelt down and rubbed his head as he smiled.
" This is Shaoyu from the Xiang Clan of Chu," Master Ban pointed at Shaoyu, who was not seated.
" The young master of the Xiang Clan, the brothers in Jianghu, are all very impressed," Fatty said with a smile on his face and cupped his hands.
Ying Zheng probably never dreamed that the Mo Family could open such a huge inn in this bustling city as their base of contact." Shaoyu smiled and cupped his hands in return,""As expected of a Jianghu tycoon. Senior Ding, you have extraordinary courage.”
" What nonsense is this? Will it kill you to speak properly?" Floating Dawn glared at Shaoyu unhappily. Tianming did the same, looking disdainful.
" Haha…" Fatty laughed." Everyone, don't stand on ceremony. Just call me Fatty Ding!"”
" This guy isn't bad." Fu Chen winked at Tian Ming.
" Fatty Ding," Tianming ignored Fu Chen and immediately called out when he heard Fatty's words.
" You little brat…" Fatty looked at the little brat who was swaying in front of him and didn't know what to say.
Master Ban coughed and said,""Fatty Ding, this is the person I mentioned to you before.”
"Oh-" The smile on Fatty's face disappeared. He sized up Tianming with a serious expression. After looking left and right for a long time, he said,"Which part of you looks like a giant?”
" I…" Tianming was furious and was about to retort when he was pulled back by Fu Chen. Fu Chen smiled and said,""You're slowly getting closer!"
" This kid is called Fu Chen," Master Ban said when he saw Fatty's questioning gaze.
"Hello!" Hearing the introduction, Fu Chen waved his hand as a greeting.
Fatty was stunned by Floating Dawn's strange way of greeting. Everyone was used to it.
" Alright, tell me about the situation," Master Ban said to Fatty. He knew the rest of the fat men, so there was no need to introduce them.
"During this period of time, the number of troops coming and going in the city is much more than usual. Moreover, looking at the number, it doesn't seem to be a local garrison.”Fatty said solemnly.
"The Qin army sent more troops to Sang Hai?" the snow maiden asked with a frown.
" Yes." Fatty nodded and replied," At least twice, and it is still increasing."”
" Moreover, in these three days, the government office has been guarded by heavily armored soldiers."The nearby streets are closed. Even during the day, no one is allowed to approach!”
Everyone fell into deep thought after hearing Fatty's words.
"It seems that what we saw that day was an increase in troops. "But what's there to think about? It's just that some important person is coming." Floating Dawn broke the silence.
" Yes, it's possible," Xiao Gao added.
" I've been in Sanghai for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen such a big battle array,""And there's another strange thing!"
"What else?" The snow maiden glanced at Floating Dawn as she asked Fatty.
" The Qin army has sealed off the sea," Fatty said as he took a sip of tea,""All the ships in the port are not allowed to go out to sea, but the official ships are going in and out. It's very busy, as if they are transporting supplies somewhere.”
" Mr. Gai, it seems like what you said is true," Master Ban sighed.
" Yes, the Yin-Yang School and the Gongshu Family are all involved." Ge Nia nodded.
" Everything is going according to plan, but Giant…" Fatty's face was a little sad. Master Ban patted his arm to comfort him.
" It looks like our operation in the city will be very dangerous," Xiao Gao added.
" I think, other than those who have missions, everyone else should stay in the secret hideout outside the city," Fatty suggested.
" Yes, for safety's sake, that's for the best," Master Xu nodded and replied.
" But the Giant's current martial arts cultivation and contingency plans seem to be…" Fatty looked at Tianming with a disappointed expression.
" Fatty Ding, Tianming and Shaoyu have special identities. There will be other arrangements for them," Old Man Ban interrupted Fatty's words. Tianming was dejected by Fatty's words.
"Oh? What arrangements?" Fatty's gaze returned to Master Ban.
" Before Mr. Zhang Liang left, he left behind a brocade bag. He said that he would know when he opened it at Sang Hai." Master Ban took out the brocade bag.
"Zhang Liang, Zhang Zifang of the Scholarly Sage Manor?”Fatty was shocked. Obviously, he knew this person's name.
" Yes," Master Ban said after a moment of silence,""But I don't understand what exactly is Zi Fang trying to tell us?”The old man held a string of three wooden tokens and continued,""Take a look for yourselves."
The wooden token was placed on a low table. Everyone went up to take a look and had a look of confusion.
"No words, only three pictures?" Teacher Xu took a look and frowned as he pondered.
"What did you draw?" The snow maidens and Duanmu Rong looked at each other in confusion.
" It's nothing," Tianming said casually,""A strange symbol, a black horse, and a set of black and white chess.”
" That's not black and white, that's siege chess," Shaoyu joked.
" Alright, let's play with the riddles." Thief Zhi couldn't sit still anymore. He stood up and leaned against the pillar.
Everyone was confused. After thinking for a long time, Master Ban looked at Ge Nia. Ge Nia shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.
" This is what I hate the Confucians the most," Fatty said with dissatisfaction.
Ge Nia's gaze turned to Floating Dawn, who was not moving or looking at the sign. Everyone's gazes gathered on him.
"What are you doing?" Fu Chen saw that everyone was looking at him and was unhappy.
" Take a look at what it is." Duanmu Rong's eyes shone brightly as if she trusted Fu Chen.
Tianming was already holding the wooden token in front of Fu Chen for him to see. Fu Chen couldn't understand it either, but seeing that everyone was still looking at him, he said,"It's nothing more than having these two fellows disguise themselves as scholarly disciples and mingle in the Small Sage Manor. I can't understand the things they draw.”
" That makes sense." Master Xu stroked his beard and nodded in praise.
At this moment, the servant walked in with a food box and whispered,"Shopkeeper Ding, the refreshments are ready.”
"Okay, put it down!"
The servant put down the food box in his hand and left. Fu Chen stared at the servant for a long time before smiling.
"Perfect, I'm hungry!" Big Iron Hammer patted his belly and laughed.
" This isn't prepared for you. It's sent to the Little Saint Manor on the mountain," Fatty Ding said with a smile,""Yours will have to wait a while."
" It's been a long time since I've eaten your cooking, Fatty Ding. Why don't you order some for us to try?" Thief Zhi suggested. Tianming nodded wildly.
" Don't even think about it. The scholarly faction's rules are very strict, but they are very generous. They are the most distinguished guests of all the merchants here." Fatty Ding rejected him without even thinking.
" We can at least take a look, right? Let us see what the distinguished guests among the distinguished guests eat," Robber Zhi still did not give up.
" You take five steps back." Fatty thought for a moment and raised his conditions.
" You're too petty." Thief Zhi covered his face and retreated five steps helplessly.
" As long as you like something good, it's dangerous," Fatty said as he gently opened the food box.
Eight exquisite snacks were placed in the food box at once, and the fragrance spread everywhere. Tianming was about to drool.
" Don't look down on Fatty Ding's rough hands and feet. The dishes he cooks are really beautiful," the snow maiden said with a smile.
" This is just a small snack, you guys…" Before Fatty could finish boasting, he was interrupted by Ge Nie."Look at the shape of the food box!"
Everyone was stunned. Their eyes moved from the snacks to the food box. As expected, the shape of the food box was exactly the same as the first picture drawn by Zhang Liang.
" You're amazing, kid." Fatty laughed and gave Floating Dawn a thumbs up.
Fu Chen proudly raised his eyebrows at Duanmu Rong and turned to Fatty.""Do you have wine and a steamer?"
" This is an inn, of course there are," Fatty smiled and asked,""What do you want these for?"
" Alcohol for disinfection. I promised Miss Rong. You happen to have the equipment here, so I'll do a little." Fu Chen remembered that day when Duanmu Rong was teaching the three people simple medical skills, he mentioned the alcohol for disinfection and promised to make some. Now that he had something, he could do it.
" Brother Chen, I want to learn it too." Tianming looked at Floating Dawn and recalled his bragging the other day. He really wanted to learn it.
" I'm afraid not. Mr. Zhang Liang wants you and Shaoyu to follow Fatty to the Little Sage Manor," Fu Chen said."I will definitely teach you. Perhaps we can do something else.”
"Okay-"
" Everyone, please sit down. I'll take these two kids to the Little Saint Manor," Fatty stood up and said.
" Thank you." Fan Zeng cupped his hands and bowed.
"Shi Lan, whatever young hero Fu Chen needs, just provide it, understand?”Fatty shouted.
At the entrance of the stairs, the servant appeared again and nodded.
" Let's go." Fatty Ding picked up the food box and opened the door with Tianming and Shaoyu.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。