I had no intention of entering the martial world.

Chapter 18 Jiangling Mystery

The outline of Jiangling City gradually became clear in the twilight.

The city wall was higher than Lu Chenzhou had imagined. The bluish-gray bricks were covered with dark green moss, and in some places the plaster had peeled off, revealing the dark red rammed earth underneath. The city gate tower was very tall, with flying eaves and brackets, and a plaque with the words "Jiangling" hung above it. The gold paint was already mottled, but it still exuded majesty in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The official road gradually became more crowded. Farmers carrying loads into the city, peddlers pushing wheelbarrows, peddlers driving oxcarts, and several caravans all rushed into the city before nightfall. A queue formed at the city gate, where two guards lazily checked the passes, occasionally scolding those who were slow.

"Jiangling City is divided into an inner city and an outer city," Shen Xingyao explained, pointing into the distance. "The outer city is where ordinary people live, and shops, markets, and docks are all located here. The inner city is where government offices and the residences of high-ranking officials are located. There is a curfew at night, and ordinary people cannot enter."

She paused, then looked at Lu Chenzhou: "The Tingtao Villa you're looking for is on the west side of the inner city, next to the city wall. That area is full of wealthy people's villas, heavily guarded, and you can't get in at night."

Lu Chenzhou nodded. He wasn't in a hurry—or rather, there was no point in being in a hurry. He had already waited two years, so one more night wouldn't make a difference.

The carriage moved slowly forward with the flow of people. After waiting in line for about fifteen minutes, it was finally their turn.

The soldiers guarding the city glanced at the "Four Seas" escort flag on the carriage and their attitude softened: "Four Seas Escort Agency? What kind of goods are you escorting?"

"A batch of silk from the Lin'an Silk Shop." Shen Xingyao jumped out of the carriage, handing over documents and a small piece of silver. "These are the invoice and travel documents. Please take a look, sir."

The soldier took the silver, weighed it in his hand, smiled, glanced casually at the document, and handed it back: "Alright, go in. Be careful not to cause trouble; things haven't been peaceful in the city lately."

"Something's not going well?" Shen Xingyao frowned. "What happened?"

The soldier lowered his voice: "A few days ago, there was a murder in the inner city. The victim was a retired official from the capital. The higher-ups are investigating hard, and the number of soldiers patrolling at night has doubled. If you're going to stay at an inn, don't choose one that's too remote."

Shen Xingyao thanked him and jumped into the carriage. The driver flicked the reins, and the carriage slowly drove through the city gate.

Lu Chenzhou followed beside the carriage, and the moment they entered the city gate, he felt a slight warmth on the jade pendant on his chest.

It was very brief, like an illusion.

But he knew it wasn't.

The connection with the Azure Sword became clearer as they approached the city. It felt like a resonance, or perhaps a… summons.

The carriage passed through the city gate, and the view of the outer city unfolded before our eyes.

The street was much wider than Baisha Ferry, paved with neat bluestone slabs, and lined with shops on both sides. Cloth shops, rice shops, restaurants, teahouses, pharmacies, blacksmith shops... the signs were dazzling, and the banners fluttered in the evening breeze. The street was bustling with pedestrians, and the cries of vendors, the sound of wheels rolling over the stone slabs, the storytelling in the teahouses, the laughter of children... all kinds of sounds mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere that was almost surreal.

This is Jiangling. A major town in Jiangnan, a hub of waterways and land routes, its prosperity rivals that of Lin'an.

But Lu Chenzhou watched all this without feeling the slightest ripple in his heart.

The excitement belongs to others; he only has the sword in his hand and the jade pendant on his chest.

"Let's go to the escort agency branch first," Shen Xingyao said. "Deliver the goods and settle in. If you're looking for Tingtao Villa, I'll take you there tomorrow—the guards won't let you get close to that area without someone familiar with it."

"Okay," Lu Chenzhou replied.

The Jiangling branch of the Sihai Escort Agency was located on East Street in the outer city, in a two-courtyard building. The entrance was not large, but the escort flag embroidered with the words "Sihai" was very eye-catching. The carriage stopped in front of the gate, and a servant ran in to announce its arrival. After a while, a middle-aged man in his forties with a short beard came out to greet them.

"Young Miss!" He strode forward, his face beaming. "You've finally arrived! The head镖师 (chief镖师) has sent three letters already!"

Shen Xingyao jumped out of the car, dusted himself off, and said, "Uncle Chen, the goods are intact. We encountered some trouble on the way, but we've resolved it all."

Uncle Chen—Chen Sihai, the branch manager—glanced at the carriage, then at the wounded bodyguards behind Shen Xingyao, and frowned: "The Blackwater Gang again?"

"Not just that." Shen Xingyao shook her head. "We'll talk about it in detail later. First, unload the cargo, inspect it, then arrange accommodations for the brothers, and get the injured treated as soon as possible."

"Alright!" Chen Sihai turned around and shouted, "Men! Unload the goods! Li Er, go fetch Doctor Wang! Zhang Wu, take the brothers to the backyard!"

The courtyard immediately sprang into action. Several workers were unloading the carts, leading the horses, and carrying things. Shen Xingyao personally oversaw the shipment of "red goods"—several wooden crates reinforced with sheet metal—as they were carefully carried into the backyard warehouse and secured with three locks.

Lu Chenzhou stood aside, watching quietly. He still had no interest in this shipment, but Shen Xingyao's caution made him notice a detail: the men carrying the boxes were clearly struggling when they were carried in.

It's very heavy. It's not the weight that silk should have.

"Young Master Lu."

Shen Xingyao finished her work and came over: "You've worked hard. Uncle Chen has arranged a room for you, so you can rest first. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"No need," Lu Chenzhou said. "I want to go for a walk."

Shen Xingyao glanced at him and didn't object: "Alright. Jiangling City is lively at night, you can take a stroll around. But remember, don't go to the inner city, the curfew there is early. Also, don't cause trouble—the waters of Jiangling are deeper than the Han River."

She took out a small piece of silver from her pocket and handed it to him: "Take this. If you see anything you want to buy, don't be shy."

Lu Chenzhou didn't answer: "I have money."

Shen Xingyao laughed and forcefully stuffed the money into his hand: "Take it, consider it payment. You saved me and that shipment, what's a little silver?"

Lu Chenzhou looked at the silver in his hand, remained silent for a moment, and finally accepted it.

Thank you.

"Don't mention it." Shen Xingyao waved her hand. "Come back soon. I'll take you to Tingtao Villa first thing tomorrow morning."

Lu Chenzhou nodded, turned around and walked out of the escort agency.

---

The outer city was indeed lively at night.

Lanterns were lit along the street, red, yellow, and white, like strings of glowing fruit hanging under the eaves. The sounds of drinking games drifted from the restaurants, and the rhythmic narration of storytellers floated from the teahouses. At the entrance of brothels, brightly dressed women solicited customers, the sweet scent of rouge and perfume mingling with the evening breeze, almost pungent.

Lu Chenzhou walked slowly along the street.

He had no interest in the hustle and bustle; he was simply observing the city.

The direction of the streets, the distribution of the alleys, the routes of the patrolling soldiers, where there were many people and where there were few people... He silently memorized all of this, just like observing the terrain in Zhongnan Mountain.

This was a habit he had developed since childhood. His father had always said that when you arrive in a new place, the first thing you should figure out is how to survive.

After walking for about 15 minutes, he turned into a relatively quiet alley. It was farther from the main street, with fewer shops and mostly residential buildings. The alley was narrow, with high courtyard walls on both sides, and tree branches sticking out from the top of the walls, casting dappled shadows in the moonlight.

Suddenly, he stopped.

There were two figures at the alleyway ahead.

One tall and one short, both dressed in black, leaned against the wall, as if waiting for someone. The moonlight was dim, obscuring their faces, but Lu Chenzhou could see the bulges at their waists—those were weapons.

He didn't turn around or back, but continued walking forward, his steps becoming even lighter.

The distance is getting closer and closer.

Ten steps, eight steps, five steps...

The two men saw him too. The taller one straightened up, while the shorter one reached for his waist.

Lu Chenzhou's hand also rested on the hilt of the sword.

But just three steps away, the two people suddenly stepped aside and even lowered their heads slightly—not towards him, but towards his back.

Lu Chenzhou then noticed that there was someone at the other end of the alley.

It was a woman.

She wore a deep purple dress with a black cloak over it, the hood obscuring most of her face, revealing only her pointed chin and a touch of red lips. She walked slowly, her shoes making a crisp "tap, tap" sound on the cobblestones, exceptionally clear in the quiet alley.

Lu Chenzhou stepped aside to make way.

The woman paused slightly as she walked past him.

For a fleeting moment, Lu Chenzhou caught a whiff of fragrance—not the cloying sweetness of a courtesan, but a very unique floral scent, cool and deep, like a white chrysanthemum blooming on a late autumn night.

Then she walked over. The two men in black followed behind her and disappeared at the other end of the alley.

From beginning to end, not a single person spoke.

Lu Chenzhou stood there, looking in the direction they had disappeared.

That woman... is not simple.