Chapter 369: Going to the Capital

Chapter 369: Shangjing

*Tap-tap-tap*

As the sound of hooves continued to echo, Li Huowang’s carriage, accompanied by a pole and a wheelbarrow, gradually approached the most solemn and magnificent city of Daliang—the capital, Shangjing.

Bai Lingmiao sat atop the carriage canopy, gazing upward at the ancient city walls of this thousand-year-old metropolis.

The thick black walls stood like a range of low mountains in the distance, majestic and imposing. The patches of green moss on the walls bore witness to the long and turbulent history of Shangjing.

“This is Shangjing? Indeed, it's extraordinary,” Bai Lingmiao observed with keen interest as she looked upon the city that was said to be the largest in all four seas and eight directions.

Li Huowang, who was leading the horse, stood up and reached out to help her down from the carriage. Then, he untied the silk ribbon from her wrist and tied it over her eyes. “It’s too bright during the day; it’ll hurt your eyes.”

This was the main base of the Heavenly Observing Bureau. If not for obtaining that black spindle, Li Huowang wouldn’t have dared come here.

Bai Lingmiao seemed slightly irritated by his actions, but in the end, she did not pull the ribbon off her eyes.

She shifted her seat and sat in Li Huowang’s arms. Then, stretching her limbs, she yawned loudly. “These useless eyes of mine will one day be replaced!”

Li Huowang held her restless hands gently. “Don’t talk nonsense. We’re about to enter the city—be calm.”

Following the crowd entering the city, Li Huowang soon arrived at the gate. The guards, seeing the coffin-like carriage, could tell something was amiss, unless they were blind.

However, once they saw the official token of the Heavenly Observing Bureau in Li Huowang’s hand, they said nothing and let him pass.

Li Huowang felt immense relief at having chosen to join the bureau. Without it, entering or leaving the city would have caused no small amount of trouble.

Once inside Shangjing, the sea of heads stretched endlessly toward the distant drum tower, which was barely visible through the haze.

“We should find somewhere to stay first,” Li Huowang tugged on the reins, and the horse slowly moved forward with the crowd.

The red sunset cast its glow between the blue tiles and red walls. The sudden eaves, the hanging banners, the endless stream of people, carriages, ox carts—all served to highlight the prosperity of Daliang.

Though the place looked similar to Yinling City, anyone could distinguish the difference between the two.

If forced to compare them with a single word, it would be “depth.” After all, Shangjing was one of the legacies left behind by the former Qi Kingdom.

While Li Huowang was taking in the sights of the capital, the flow of people around him suddenly quickened, pushing toward the left street. Everyone’s faces were filled with excitement, as if eagerly awaiting something.

Li Huowang’s carriage followed the crowd and soon arrived at an open crossroads. There stood three white pagodas, each several zhang high. A group of shirtless young men circled them, holding cloth bags, eager and ready to leap.

Just as Li Huowang was puzzled by what was happening, a short figure stepped out from the crowd under everyone’s gaze. He carried a large bronze gong on his back, looking quite ridiculous, like a turtle.

Ignoring the laughter from the crowd, the little man raised three incense sticks and bowed before the three white towers.

“What are the people of Shangjing celebrating?” Li Huowang felt a flicker of curiosity. In this madness-filled world, anything strange was no longer surprising.

Just then, the short man took off his gong and struck it hard, shouting loudly: “The Bag Mountain is being seized!”

At that cry, a roar of excitement erupted. Young men with cloth bags rushed toward the three towers.

They used their hands and feet, climbing up the towers and grabbing whatever they could, stuffing the bags full.

“Hmm?” Li Huowang’s pupils contracted slightly, focusing on the three white towers. Only now did he realize that the white color was made entirely of steamed buns, each the size of a human head.

As the crowd surged, the three towers gradually transformed into three moving hills of meat, with people pulling and pushing each other, trying to climb higher.

All were young men. As they fought, they grew more heated. The movement grew louder, and the buns began to scatter like fallen petals.

Some of the buns were quickly snatched up by the spectators, while others mixed with horse dung and cow dung on the ground.

From beneath the carriage, a steamed bun poked its head out, picked up a rolling bun, held it with its front paws, and began to devour it greedily. On the bun’s surface, a large red character “longevity” was printed.

Seeing the ruined buns on the ground, Bai Lingmiao sneered, “Heh, the people of Shangjing are truly different. Even white buns can be so wasted. You can’t even get one during the New Year in other places.”

But Li Huowang’s attention was elsewhere. “Do you see how they look like three incense sticks? I think this ritual must be a form of worship.”

“Worship whom? Don’t make things up.”

Li Huowang didn’t respond, watching the crowd. With a gentle tug on the reins, the carriage turned, parting the crowd and heading onward.

The streets were packed, and being unfamiliar with the area, it wasn’t until the sun had set that Li Huowang found a suitable inn.

This inn looked quite upscale, even featuring a performance stage in the center of the main hall to attract customers.

A group of diners and tea drinkers watched with great interest, and even Bai Lingmiao, with her white hair, didn’t draw much attention when she entered.

The waiter, wearing a white towel on his shoulder, approached with a smile. “Gentlemen, what would you like to order?”

“Some seasonal vegetables, and two meat dishes.”

“Understood, please wait a moment.”

After the waiter left, Li Huowang placed his two swords on the table, feeling considerably more relaxed. “After dinner, rest at the inn. I’ll go find the official.”

“What do you need the old eunuch for? Maybe I can help,” Li Huowang glanced at Bai Lingmiao, who lay sprawled on the table, and gently stroked her head without explaining further.

“Fine, fine. You’re the boss, your word is law. No need to consult me on anything,” Bai Lingmiao turned her head away.

The two fell silent, waiting quietly for the waiter to bring the food.

When the dishes were served, Li Huowang poured some wine for both himself and the steamed bun before beginning to eat.

Whether from travel fatigue or the delicious food, Li Huowang’s appetite was unusually good.

Amidst the singing and chanting, he quickly filled his belly.

At that moment, a performer from the stage came to interact with the guests, circling around and eventually approaching Li Huowang.

Seeing his indifferent expression, the actor clearly wasn’t satisfied and decided to show off a trick.

He leaned close to Li Huowang, shook his head sharply, and his face instantly changed from an old male role to a female role, then to a young male role, all within seconds.

Expecting admiration, he waited for praise—but suddenly, a cold blade pressed against his neck.

He looked up to see a terrifying face. “What kind of face are you changing?! Who told you to change your face?!”

(End of Chapter)