Chapter 202: Meeting Han Kun Again

At dusk, beneath a sky woven with crimson clouds, the river was bathed in a layer of golden-red light. Ripples shimmered across its surface, making it seem as though countless carp were leaping beneath the water.

Yunyang Prefecture had been under construction since the founding of the Great Xuan Dynasty, giving it a history of over a hundred years. Facing south with mountains at its back and water before it, it stood where the Han River, Dan River, and Du River converged, making it a vital hub for both land and water transportation between north and south.

Following the Du River led to Bashu, while the Dan River connected to Capital Passage City. At the same time, the Han River reached Hanzhong upstream and Jingxiang downstream. It was truly a crossroads linking six provinces.

Li Yan's group had arrived by boat along the Dan River. As they rounded one side of the city, the first thing they saw was the West River Dock.

The river teemed with vessels of every size. Merchant ships and passenger boats passed by each other as porters swarmed the docks like ants, helping unload or load cargo. Beneath the glow of the evening sky, dark silhouettes crisscrossed the river, creating a scene of bustling activity.

By then, the boatman's drunkenness had mostly worn off. Recalling his earlier antics, he couldn't help but feel a wave of regret. That bald fellow, Sha Lifei, was a jianghu man who killed without blinking. As for the Daoist, he was someone who could unleash deadly Gu poison.

Yet he had thrown an arm around them and bragged shamelessly...

Sure enough, drinking only caused trouble.

Not daring to say another word, he guided the boat to shore. As soon as Li Yan and the others stepped onto the dock, he shoved off with his bamboo pole and fled without looking back. Only after rowing several hundred zhang away did he notice a small piece of broken silver lying inside the boat. His eyes lit up. He hurried over, picked it up, and bit it with his teeth.

When he confirmed it was real, he raised a thumbs-up toward the shore. "Now that's generous!"

***

The West River Dock of Yunyang Prefecture was laid out in an orderly fashion. There were stone platforms for cargo ships to unload their goods, as well as long flights of steps extending into the river for passenger traffic.

Many people stood or lounged upon those steps waiting for arriving boats. Whenever a passenger vessel approached, they immediately got to their feet, picking out those who looked wealthy before bowing and hurrying over.

They were all members of the city's porter guild, hoping to earn a living by carrying luggage. They also knew the city's layout like the back of their hands. Among them were quite a few porters carrying shoulder poles and speaking with Bashu accents, their asking prices noticeably lower than everyone else's.

As soon as Li Yan's group climbed the steps, a crowd gathered around them. Though they looked somewhat intimidating, the porters still eagerly asked whether they needed help carrying their belongings.

The pole-bearing porters were renowned for their hard work. One of them, speaking with a thick Bashu accent, immediately called out, "Masters, just feed us a meal and we'll carry everything wherever you need. We work honestly. If you trust someone else, who knows what inn they'll trick you into and fleece you good..."

A local porter immediately glared at him and cursed, "You barbarians, what nonsense are you spouting? Don't you know the rules?"

"Damn it all, what are you yelling for?"

There were plenty of porters around, and the two groups nearly came to blows after only a few exchanged words.

"Hey, hey, everyone, let's keep our tempers." Sha Lifei quickly waved his hands. "We brothers don't have much luggage. We can carry it ourselves, so we won't trouble anyone."

As an old hand of the jianghu, he had already sensed something was wrong. Although docks had always been places where every sort of person gathered, including dragons and snakes, they still followed certain rules most of the time.

Even swindlers divided territories among themselves. However, the current situation clearly showed that two factions were fighting over control of the docks. If tempers flared, they could easily start killing each other on the spot.

"Hmph!"

"You'd better watch yourself!"

Hearing there was no business to be had, the two groups glared fiercely at each other before dispersing, naturally exchanging a few threats as they left.

"Tsk, tsk..." Watching them leave, Sha Lifei muttered quietly, "Looks like the Canal Gang's in trouble."

The docks had always belonged to the Canal Gang. Even if outside porter guilds wanted to compete for business, they wouldn't dare act recklessly. Everything had to be mediated by the Canal Gang, with each group assigned its own territory to make a living.

Even so, things had come to this. It could only mean that the Canal Gang's control was rapidly crumbling.

"No need to worry about it." Li Yan shook his head slightly. "Let's head into the city and rest first. Once Brother Lu San's wanted notice has been withdrawn, we'll register our Dao Permits and leave for Yichang immediately."

He led the group toward the city gates. Their appearance naturally attracted attention.

That came with advantages as well as disadvantages. At the very least, the Rong Family pickpockets roaming the streets avoided them, and the beggars wouldn't dare crowd around them either. However, experienced jianghu veterans all had sharp eyes. Even during the short walk from the docks to the city gate, they could feel countless gazes falling upon them.

Li Yan couldn't be bothered to care and simply led everyone into the city. Although Yunyang Prefecture couldn't compare to Chang'an, it was still an impressive city, with over seventy streets and alleys. At every T-shaped intersection stood a small Earth God shrine, each accompanied by a Mount Tai headstone.

Shops lined both sides of every street, selling everything from grain, oil, cloth, and general goods to cosmetics, writing supplies, wine houses, and teahouses.

They had entered the city at sunset. Buildings of varying heights filled the city in neat rows, with every shop lighting candles as the sunlight faded.

"Puffed rice tea!"

"Sour broth noodles! Three-Combination Soup!"

The bluestone streets bustled with people. Hawkers called endlessly from both sides of the road as clouds of steam billowed upward, carrying every kind of enticing aroma.

Yunyang Prefecture could be considered the first special administrative region in the history of the Divine Continent. Though originally established to deal with the mountain peoples of Jingchu, it had developed a unique prosperity of its own.

Chang'an possessed greater grandeur, but when it came to the warmth and liveliness of everyday life, it couldn't compare to Yunyang. Its streets were not particularly wide, yet they overflowed with people coming and going. Northern and southern cultures blended together seamlessly. Han Chinese in coarse cotton jackets mingled with Tujia people wearing black headscarves.

Accents from every region filled the air, some so unfamiliar that they were impossible to understand.

People of the jianghu generally had to pay their respects upon entering someone else's territory. Beggars wandering eastward had to first seek out the local beggar boss. Begging indiscriminately would get them beaten to death. Traveling street performers had to obtain permission from the local societies before they could set up their performances. Even thieves had to report to the local chief.

Such were the rules of the jianghu. Making a living on someone else's turf was like taking food from another man's pot. Without understanding the rules, one couldn't take a single step.

Li Yan's group, as members of the Daoist world, would similarly register their Dao Permits at the local City God Temple. In a sense, that too was paying respects to the local authority.

Of course, they weren't in any hurry. For the time being, finding an inn and settling down came first. They would visit the City God Temple the next day. Also, they also had to wait for Huang Wenzhong to withdraw Lu San's wanted notice.

Just then, the group suddenly came to a halt. Han Kun, now an elder of the Canal Gang, strode over with several companions and blocked their path.

With a smile on his face, Han Kun said, "Brother Li, why so distant? You've come all the way to Yunyang Prefecture without even informing me. I could have arranged everything for you."

Li Yan smiled and cupped his hands. "I simply didn't want to trouble you, Senior."

In truth, he wanted nothing to do with the Canal Gang. Not only was the gang currently locked in a bloody conflict with the Raft Sect, but Han Kun's placement of his eldest disciple also struck him as highly suspicious.

The man probably harbored ambitions far greater than he let on. The troublesome part was that back in Manchuan Pass, Han Kun had treated them with exceptional courtesy. He had personally come to their aid, and had even helped locate Lu San. He still hadn't repaid that favor.

"Hahaha!" Han Kun stroked his beard and laughed. "We're all brothers of the jianghu. Why stand on ceremony? We're practically fellow countrymen. How could this possibly be a bother? If that old fellow Zhang Yuanshang found out you came to Yunyang and I failed to show you proper hospitality, who knows how much he would laugh at me?"

As he spoke, he gestured with one hand. "I've already arranged an inn for you. Naturally, we must also hold a proper welcoming banquet."

With matters put so directly, Li Yan could hardly continue refusing. He respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior."

Immediately, several Canal Gang disciples stepped forward to take their luggage.

Sha Lifei hurriedly smiled as he stopped them. "No need, brothers. I'll carry it myself."

After all, he had hidden explosives, firearms, Coal Essence, and several of Wang Daoxuan's precious ritual artifacts inside the luggage on his back. Moreover, to prevent any practitioners from detecting it, the mysterious monk's robe Li Yan had found had also been wrapped around the contents of his pack to conceal their aura. Most of the group's wealth was on his back. How could he possibly entrust it to someone else?

When someone tried to take the bamboo basket from Lu San, Sha Lifei stopped him as well, afraid they might frighten the little white fox inside.

Helpless, the Canal Gang disciples could only look toward Han Kun, who immediately understood. Without exposing anything, he waved for the disciples not to interfere and led Li Yan and the others into the carriages.

After they left, several people in the crowd slowly raised their heads before scattering in every direction.

***

Yunyang Prefecture was laid out with higher ground in the north and lower ground in the south. Two-thirds of the city stood on flat land, while the remaining third covered the slopes.

As the three carriages traveled steadily northward, the terrain rose and the buildings around them became increasingly lavish and secluded.

At last, the carriages stopped.

Han Kun climbed down and nodded toward the building. "Brother Li, this is the place."

Li Yan looked up and saw a grand residence that was both elegant and opulent, occupying a considerable area. On the plaque above its entrance were the characters: Jiangzhe Guild Hall.

Seeing their surprise, Han Kun smiled. "It's quiet here, and the hall master here happens to be an old acquaintance of mine. It will be more comfortable than staying at an inn."

As he spoke, an elderly man emerged from the entrance. He wore a black country-gentleman's robe and was tall and thin, with a goatee and a pair of tortoiseshell spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose.

He had a refined, scholarly air and smiled as he said, "Brother Han, are these your honored guests? The rooms have already been arranged. Jizu will show you there."

"Many thanks, Brother Chen." Han Kun cupped his hands, clearly treating the old man with considerable respect.

The elder smiled and nodded to Li Yan and the others without asking any questions. He then stepped outside, boarded a carriage, and swiftly departed.

A young man had followed behind him. Though dressed like a merchant, he stood straight and carried himself with gentle refinement.

Raising a hand with a smile, he said, "I am Chen Jizu. Please follow me."

Li Yan and the others exchanged glances before following him inside.

The Jiangzhe Guild Hall was evidently a place where merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang gathered and lodged. It was quite spacious. The front courtyard contained not just a large main hall, but even a theatrical stage.

Several men who resembled merchants were holding a gathering in one of the side rooms. Their figures were hidden behind a folding screen, and only the sounds of fish drums and soft Jiangnan melodies drifted through the window.

Chen Jizu led them through a side corridor and across the front courtyard, explaining with a smile, "The rooms in the rear are all guest quarters. There haven't been many visitors recently, so I've reserved the finest rooms for you."

Just then, a drunken voice came from one of the rooms. "In the south are tall trees, beneath which one cannot rest. By the Han are wandering maidens, whom one cannot seek. So broad is the Han, one cannot swim across it..."

Hearing him, Chen Jizu shook his head slightly and sighed. "This guest is an imperial examination candidate from Jiangsu and Zhejiang who was traveling to the capital. He met a beauty in Yunyang and became utterly infatuated, so he has remained at the guild hall and refuses to leave. Lately, he often causes drunken scenes. Please forgive him if he disturbs you."

Li Yan offered a polite reply and thought nothing more of it. "Not at all."

Yan Jiuling was highly learned and came from a family of some means, yet even he had gone to the capital early to make connections and arrange matters in advance. That man inside was allowing his obsession with a woman to delay important business. It would be a miracle if he passed the examinations.

Of course, the matter had nothing to do with Li Yan, so he had no intention of commenting.

The guest quarters at the rear were all large, two-storey courtyard residences. Most of the rooms stood completely empty.

Chen Jizu led them upstairs to the northern wing. Taking a key from his robe, he opened several rooms and gestured inside. "Please."

Li Yan entered and was immediately satisfied. The room was spotless, furnished entirely with chicken-wing wood furniture. Looking through the window, he could see a tall building atop the northern city gate opposite them, with railings, sweeping eaves, eight upturned corners, and brilliant lights.

Chen Jizu smiled as he explained, "That is Yunyang Prefecture's most famous Spring Snow Tower. Scholars and poets from every province of Great Xuan climb it to leave inscriptions whenever they visit. A 'Record of Spring Snow Tower' written by Governor Yuan of Yunyang made it renowned throughout the realm. This is also the finest room in the guild hall."

"Thank you."

"Not at all. As Uncle Han's honored guests, you naturally deserve our fullest hospitality. Should you require anything, you may come to me at any time."

After speaking, Chen Jizu cupped his hands and took his leave. His speech and manners were exceptional, and speaking with him felt as refreshing as a spring breeze. More importantly, he never attempted to overshadow Han Kun, and gave him all the respect he was due.

Li Yan looked around and smiled helplessly. "Senior Han, this is truly far too generous. We hardly know how to accept it."

The Merchant Guild was wealthy to begin with. Li Yan had heard that many merchants from that region also participated in overseas trade and made enormous profits. The surroundings here were countless times better than any inn in the city.

"Hahaha... What is there to be courteous about?" Han Kun laughed heartily. "My ancestral home is there. I only obtained my position as an elder this time with Brother Chen's help, so we can be considered family."

As he spoke, he rose and closed the door. His expression then turned grave. "To tell you the truth, the city has been rather chaotic lately. Not only has my Canal Gang come into conflict with the Raft Sect, but many unfamiliar faces have also appeared. I could neither neglect my duties as a host nor drag you into this turmoil of the jianghu. After thinking it over, I decided this was the most suitable place."

Li Yan froze, not expecting Han Kun to be so candid. Studying the man's face, Li Yan thought for a moment before saying, "Senior Han, let us speak plainly. We are merely unknown nobodies. What is it that you want from us? If it is within our abilities, we will naturally agree. But if it truly cannot be done, we will leave immediately."

He had no time to trade riddles with Han Kun. Some matters were better when they were laid out in the open.

Han Kun sighed. "You are certainly straightforward, Brother Li... The Military Surveillance Department caused quite a commotion. I was reprimanded and ordered to withdraw from Shangjin City. Who exactly was the person who harmed my disciple?"

Li Yan fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. "Senior, heed my advice. The waters surrounding this matter run far too deep. Becoming involved could bring a disaster great enough to topple the heavens."

"Oh..." Han Kun's expression remained unchanged. He walked to the table, personally poured tea for everyone, then lifted his own cup and took a sip before slowly saying, "Brother Li, are your reservations related to the new type of gunpowder?"

Li Yan's eyes immediately narrowed. "Senior Han, you seem to know quite a lot..."