章 3: Startling Saber Strike (1)
編集者: Atlas Studios
At dusk, Ye Jingtang led his horse through the bustling streets of Yun'an City.
After coming to this world for 18 years, Ye Jingtang understood the situation here.
Great Wei was divided into twelve provinces, and its territory was slightly smaller than Great Tang. The sovereign was an empress. But the geographical environment was very strange. The mountains and rivers had the same names, but they were completely different from the five lakes and four seas in his previous life.
As for the state of the country, Ye Jingtang felt that it was not very stable. There were Jianghu people everywhere who were not willing to be controlled. There were many enclaves in the Heavenly South that relied on natural hazards to become kings, and there was a Northern Liang outside Liang Province Pass that was eyeing the country covetously. Even the Central Plains was said to have many hidden forces with ulterior motives.
Ye Jingtang had always lived in a small border town, living in poverty and seclusion. When he heard about the undercurrents surging in the world, he naturally thought that Great Wei couldn't be considered prosperous.
But after coming to the capital, he realized that he had underestimated this world.
The capital was quite large. There were 8 horizontal main streets and 6 vertical main streets, totaling 14 main streets. There were thousands of smaller streets and alleys, and the resident population likely exceeded one million. The drainage system, greenery, and other infrastructure were quite complete. There were even 'sidewalks' paved with blue bricks on both sides of the main streets for the common people to pass through. It was like a large city without neon lights.
The drizzle had just stopped, and the weather was cool. Many people were strolling on the streets. On both sides of the streets, there were beautifully dressed young ladies and young masters, as well as young married women with children in their hands. Occasionally, tantalizing fragrances wafted from the roadside shops, accompanied by the shouts of the stall owners.
"Authentic kiln roasted chicken. Ancestral recipe. Oily but not greasy!"
This was the first time the big fluffy bird had come to a street with so many people. It was a little timid as it squatted obediently on Ye Jingtang's shoulder and stared straight at a roast golden chicken. It rubbed gently against Ye Jingtang's face. "Chirp chirp~"
Ye Jingtang stopped, took out two taels of silver from his sleeve, and looked at them. This was all his savings from when he was the young master of the escort agency. His foster father hadn't left a single cent of his assets behind for him and gave them all to the Pei family.
With two taels of silver, not to mention renting a house in the bustling capital, even staying in a cheap inn to eat and drink, it probably wouldn't be enough to last for long.
In the morning, he had still been a rich son with a net worth of a million. But at dusk, he became a vagrant with two sleeves of wind. The ups and downs would inevitably evoke emotions.
But no matter how hard things were, he couldn't be a bitter bird. As a dignified man, he thought about how to earn money, not save money.
Ye Jingtang raised his hand, rubbed the bird, went to the roast chicken shop by the street, and bought a roast chicken. He asked, "Shopkeeper, when outsiders come to the capital, where do they usually find work?"
"Oh! Young Hero, you're so handsome. One look and I can tell that you're from an extraordinary background. I'm afraid you're flattering me by asking me… There are many outsiders in the capital. When they first come to find a place to stay, they usually go to Jasper Pavilion in the east of the city. The big families in the city hire shopkeepers and guards there. Young Hero, as long as anything catches your eye, finding a job is easy…"
"Thanks."
"Young Hero, you're too polite. Here you go. Take care…"
…
Ye Jingtang took the roast chicken and went to a small tavern to order some food. After having a hearty meal with the bird, he rushed to Jasper Pavilion in the east of the city when the sun set.
Yun'an City was a city that never sleeps. Before the sky turned dark, the streets were already full of lights, and there were more people on the streets than during the day.
Ye Jingtang dismounted from his horse near Jasper Pavilion and strolled along the street. On the way, he encountered a large government office with black paint on the door and walls, but there was no plaque at the door.
At first, he thought that it was some unknown government office. After asking around, he found out that this government office was the famous 'Black Office' in Jianghu. Its function was about the same as the special police of ancient China. There were six chief constables inside, and they were known as the 'Black Office's Six Fiends'. The people of Jianghu were terrified when they heard their names.
Escorts were a standard profession in Jianghu. They were not afraid of the mountain kings of Jianghu blocking their way, but they were afraid of officials in tiger skin setting up barriers.
Due to his professional habits, Ye Jingtang found that when he reached the entrance of the 'King of Hell's Palace', he directly bypassed it and arrived at the market that recruited talents.
Great Wei didn't prohibit weapons, so people carrying sabers and spears could be seen everywhere on the streets. But according to the laws, 'swords should be returned to the sheath, and bows should be unstrung'. Those who casually flashed their weapons would be detained for 15 days and fined 5,000 copper coins.
Ye Jingtang knew the laws. He was hagning the saber passed down from his foster father at his waist and covering it with his robe to avoid disturbing others.
However, even though he paid attention not to affect others, he couldn't avoid blind people from affecting him.
Ye Jingtang was strolling on the street with his horse when he suddenly heard a voice behind him. "Hmm?"
There was movement at his waist. Someone was reaching out from behind and touching the hilt of his saber!
Their saber was what escorts used to earn a living and protect their lives. If someone took it away, they would basically lose their lives. In order to train the 'instincts' of martial artists, Ye Jingtang's foster father had often 'stolen' from him and beaten him up countless times when he was young.
Ye Jingtang had already raised his left hand the moment the abnormal movement appeared at his waist.
Clang!
On the brightly lit street, a cold light flashed!
The pedestrians at the back were originally looking around casually. But they never expected that a silver dragon would suddenly appear, bringing with it the cold light of the half-moon in the night sky.
The street instantly fell dead silent.
Everyone turned around when they heard the sound of the blade being unsheathed.
In the middle of the crowded street, a young saber wielder in black held an old saber in a reverse grip.
The saber was 3.3 feet long and two and a half fingers wide. The blade was straight, and the handle was wrapped with a black rope. The guard and tail ring were made of brass, and both were carved with dragons.
The blade was not as smooth as a mirror. The front half was densely covered with fine scratches. Those who knew their stuff could tell at a glance how much this old saber had experienced!
At this moment, the blade remained motionless, resting on the right side of the neck of the person behind him.
The person behind him was bowing slightly while holding the scabbard with his left hand. The blade was only half an inch away. His entire body was stiff, his face was pale, and a drop of sweat was rolling down his forehead.
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