Immortal beings? Immortals again!
If the He family was truly as overbearing as the old beggar claimed, then this was the only possibility.
But if the He family truly had immortals behind them, why would He Laichao go to such great lengths to find immortal jade?
Could it be that the immortals behind the He family had met with some misfortune?
Yun Ze dismissed this possibility in his mind.
It was too unlikely.
Legendary immortals possessed powers to move mountains and fill seas, to uproot grass and cleave the sky, and could live forever, coexisting with heaven and earth. How could they possibly meet with misfortune easily?
Perhaps these were just rumors, not to be taken seriously.
Yun Ze smiled and sat back in his original position, no longer engaging the old beggar in conversation.
Although he wasn't hungry, he didn't reveal his unusual state. He hastily ate a couple of bites of dry rations, then pressed down on the bundle containing his travel money and pretended to doze.
Only after Bu Bu and the old beggar fell asleep, their soft snores filling the air, did he let down his guard and close his eyes to sleep.
Soon, only one person's breathing could be heard in the darkness.
The old beggar raised his eyelids, the turbidity in his eyes completely gone. Instead, a hint of scrutiny appeared.
His gaze lingered on Yun Ze for several seconds, then shifted to Bu Bu, staring at her for a long time. After nodding, he revealed a slight smile.
After the old beggar fell asleep, the small, thin figure also opened her eyes. She quickly glanced at the old beggar, then closed her eyes again to sleep.
Her movements were so swift that it was hard to tell if she had truly opened her eyes at all.
Yet, a faint smile appeared on the old beggar's lips.
The night passed without incident.
When Yun Ze woke up, the sky was gradually brightening, and the chirping of birds could be heard outside the window.
He looked at the old beggar and Bu Bu. They were still lying in their positions from last night, occasionally letting out snores.
It seemed that although the old beggar dared to blaspheme, he had no intention of harming others. He was a rare benevolent soul in this chaotic world.
Yun Ze slowly got up, trying his best to minimize any noise.
He walked to Bu Bu's side and was about to reach out to wake her when Bu Bu opened her eyes and looked at Yun Ze first.
Although she didn't speak, her eyes clearly asked what he was doing.
"Shhh."
Yun Ze placed a finger to his lips. "Quietly, don't wake him. We should be on our way."
"Haaah~"
A yawn sounded, and the old beggar sat up and stretched. "Don't wake who?
You, kid, just said last night that you were sensible, how can you be so thoughtless today?"
"Old sir."
Yun Ze didn't want to cause trouble. He turned and explained, "I was just afraid of disturbing your rest. How am I being thoughtless?"
"What, you forgot?"
The old beggar got up and walked towards Yun Ze, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Didn't we agree last night? We're going to Weishan Prefecture together! Don't tell me you forgot!"
"I..."
Yun Ze paused, his mind quickly recalling their conversation from last night. He distinctly remembered no such discussion.
"Hey! You don't believe me, do you!"
The old beggar said, looking at Bu Bu. "Ask this girl! She'll definitely know! She agreed to it back then!"
"Hmm?" Yun Ze turned to look at Bu Bu.
"Mm."
Bu Bu nodded slightly. She, who was usually taciturn, even spoke to explain, "You did say it, and you agreed."
Even Bu Bu said so. Had he really forgotten?
However, it wouldn't be bad to have an extra person on the road.
The old beggar hadn't made a move against them last night when he was asleep, so he likely had no ill intentions.
It would only consume a bit more food, and in exchange for an escort on the journey, it was not a problem.
"Then I must have forgotten."
Yun Ze cupped his hands towards the old beggar. "Old sir, please forgive me."
"Hah! What's there to forgive!"
The old beggar said, walking towards the mountain temple. "Then let's be on our way? If we leave now, we might even make it inside before the city gates close tonight!"
That was true.
Since it was decided they would travel together, Yun Ze didn't delay. He followed the old beggar down the mountain.
With a talkative companion, Yun Ze was no longer bored.
Along the way, the old beggar repeatedly asked about Yun Ze's family background and would often throw out some so-called rumors to test his views.
It felt like Yun Ze was being questioned by a teacher in a private school.
However, apart from questions that might expose his identity, Yun Ze answered the old beggar truthfully.
When they stopped for a rest at noon, the old beggar ate ravenously. When they resumed their journey, he shifted his attention to Bu Bu.
Just like in the morning, he tirelessly asked Bu Bu about her family background and those peculiar questions.
Bu Bu was different from Yun Ze. She was not fond of talking. When she heard the old beggar's questions, she simply pretended not to hear.
Occasionally, she would respond with a "mm" or two, which was considered a favor.
No further answers were given.
By the time dusk began to fall, all three had arrived at the city gates of Weishan Prefecture, and the old beggar still hadn't managed to elicit more than two words from her.
Upon arriving at Weishan Prefecture, the three saw the bustling crowd at the city gates.
The Tangshan Dynasty had only two provinces and seven prefectures. Apart from the capital prefecture, the other two provinces, Shan and Yun, each had three prefectures.
Weishan Prefecture was one of the three prefectures in Shanzhou.
Although Weishan Prefecture was located on the border of the dynasty, it was a commercial hub that traded with other dynasties and empires. Its status in Yunzhou was extremely high, and it was a very important entity even within the entire Tangshan Dynasty.
However, Weishan Prefecture's wealth was its own. Surrounding mountain villages and towns received no benefit whatsoever.
Let alone Han Shan Village, a hundred miles away, even the few mountain villages around Weishan Prefecture did not necessarily have enough to eat every day.
In the eyes of the officials and nobles in Weishan Prefecture, it was good enough for mountain villagers like them to survive; what right did they have to expect to eat their fill?
Heh.
This was why, even as the sun was about to set, there were still so many people queuing to enter the city.
The world was becoming increasingly chaotic. Young people from the surrounding villages, even if they came to Weishan Prefecture to clean chamber pots, seeking an opportunity that didn't exist, were unwilling to stay at home and wait for death.
Only by becoming a superior being could one have the chance to survive in this chaotic world!
If one were merely a peasant at the lowest level, even eating enough would be a problem!
The three of them joined the end of the queue. As soon as they approached, they heard people in the same line whispering.
"What's going on? I've never seen those black-skinned dogs check so strictly before. Why is it so slow today?"
"Yo, you haven't heard? A big shot is coming to Weishan Prefecture recently. Those black-skinned dogs are afraid of letting people in to offend the big shot. Even bribing them might not get you in!"
"Big shot?"
Yun Ze smiled and leaned forward to join the conversation. "What kind of big shot has such a grand reception?"
The person speaking turned and sized up Yun Ze. Seeing his attire as a mountain villager, he knew he was of the same kind and lowered his guard. "How would I know?
If I knew who that big shot was, why would I be queuing here? I'd have entered in a sedan chair long ago!"
Clang!
As soon as sedan chairs were mentioned, Yun Ze heard a gong sound from behind him!
He turned his head and saw eighteen black-skinned dogs riding tall horses, dragging a carriage behind them!
It was them!
He would recognize these eighteen men even if they turned to ash. Since they were all here, the person in the carriage must be... He Laichao!
The two men in the lead held bronze gongs and struck them again, shouting like they were driving livestock.
"Noble person returning to the city, all citizens, make way!"