As a veteran Iron Seal disciple, Jiang Beiran had visited many villages and towns near the Heart Returning Sect, but Fortune Gathering Village wasn't among them. Though he'd never been there personally, he had memorized all the information about the surrounding settlements.
Fortune Gathering Village was relatively populous in this northern river region, with over 1,200 households and more than 7,500 residents. Many families had four or five children. In this era without surveillance, child abductions happened daily, and local authorities couldn't possibly handle them all.
Official reports about missing children piled up in storage rooms gathering dust. Therefore, government officials generally welcomed sect disciples who came to uphold justice - as long as they didn't go too far, the officials would turn a blind eye. ...... After planning their route and packing necessary supplies, Jiang Beiran's trial team officially set off down the mountain.
Upon reaching the foothills, Jiang Beiran noticed his five junior sisters were unusually excited, looking around at everything with fresh curiosity. Fortunately, he'd already established enough authority that the girls didn't become too unruly.
As cultivators, their traveling speed far exceeded ordinary people's. In just two hours, they'd crossed the great plains and arrived at their first planned stop - Falling Sunset Town. Before entering town, Jiang Beiran reminded the junior sisters again not to wander off. They nodded earnestly in agreement, their expressions full of sincerity.
Only then did Jiang Beiran nod and lead them into the small town.
"Hey~~~ tall persimmons here~~~ not astringent~~~ astringent ones can be exchanged!"
"Radishes sweeter than pears~~ too spicy and we'll replace them!"
"Honey~~~ candied hawthorns!"
It was dusk, the liveliest time on the streets, with vendors loudly hawking their wares, each trying to outshout the others.
"Rice, millet, cowpeas, mung beans, wheat flour - five copper coins a bowl of porridge~~~ sugar buns and pea buns!"
Finally, at this last call, Yu Guimiao could no longer resist her cravings.
"Reporting!" she called out.
"Speak," Jiang Beiran responded.
"I want to eat those pea buns," Yu Guimiao said, pointing at the stall piled high with steamers.
"Alright, how many?"
Jiang Beiran nodded. Yu Guimiao froze in surprise at his immediate agreement. She'd assumed their usually strict senior brother would refuse, or at least not agree so readily.
'Senior Brother is actually quite reasonable most of the time,' she thought to herself. Holding up two slender fingers, she said, "Just two is fine."
"How about the rest of you?"
Jiang Beiran turned to the other junior sisters. The remaining Yu sisters immediately said they wanted some too. Liu Zijin quickly added she'd like to try, while Fang Qiuyao remained silent.
After collecting their answers, Jiang Beiran nodded and walked to the stall.
"Boss, how much for a pea bun?"
Seeing a customer, the vendor happily lifted a steamer lid.
"Hot pea buns, one copper coin each."
"Good, I'll take eight."
Jiang Beiran took a blue money pouch from his waist and counted out eight copper coins for the vendor. Since universe rings could only be used by cultivators, to maintain a low profile Jiang Beiran avoided displaying his in public. Thus he carried all the necessary bags and pouches.
"Eight pea buns coming right up~" After taking the money, the vendor deftly wrapped eight buns in a lotus leaf and handed them to Jiang Beiran.
"Here you go, sir. Come again if you like them~" Nodding, Jiang Beiran carried the leaf-wrapped buns back to the five junior sisters.
Yu Guimiao removed her scorched cloth mask and sniffed eagerly.
"Wow, they smell amazing," she said, reaching out to grab one.
But Jiang Beiran raised his right hand, dodging her "starving tiger pounce."
"Not so fast. Wait until we reach the inn. Put your mask back on first."
With a reluctant "Oh~", Yu Guimiao mentally crossed out her earlier thought about senior brother being reasonable. Secretly storing the leaf-wrapped buns in his universe ring, Jiang Beiran led the five junior sisters toward the inn. As they walked, Fang Qiuyao suddenly realized something was amiss.
Since childhood, she'd grown accustomed to being the center of attention - wherever she went, she was always the brightest star in people's eyes. Yet now, walking through these crowded streets, not a single passerby glanced her way, not even the hawking vendors.
'Something's wrong!'
At this realization, Fang Qiuyao couldn't help looking up at Jiang Beiran. She knew this situation must be the "cowardly senior brother's" doing. 'So it wasn't my imagination that Zijin-jie seemed different than usual.
He must have done something to these straw hats or scorched cloth masks.' 'But... what could make us completely unnoticeable? This cowardly senior brother certainly has some impressive methods when it comes to being cautious.'
Though she'd realized Jiang Beiran must have tampered with their hats or masks, Fang Qiuyao decided not to expose him. She'd always disliked the lustful gazes men directed at her - they made her extremely uncomfortable. This new experience of being completely ignored felt rather novel.
'Fine, I'll let this cowardly senior brother off for now. I'll settle accounts with him after we return to the sect.'
"Bang!!"
"Crash!"
"Clatter!"
Just as Jiang Beiran was searching for the inn's location, a series of shattering noises erupted ahead. Following immediately was an extremely shrill, acrid voice: "Dare to set up shop without paying rent!? You tired of living!?"
Looking toward the commotion, they saw a tofu pudding stall completely overturned. A middle-aged man with stubble glared hatefully at the people who'd wrecked his stand.
"Oh? Still giving me the evil eye? Take this!"
A young man in blue coarse clothes kicked the middle-aged man while shouting.
"Ah!"
The man screamed as the kick connected with his head.
"The government collects rent from us, that Liu Sandao collects rent from us too! We're just small vendors, where would we get so much money for all of you!"
"Hey, still talking back? Beat him up!"
Several young men rushed forward together, punching and kicking the middle-aged man mercilessly. The surrounding vendors watched silently, some even backing away a few steps as if thoroughly accustomed to such scenes.
"How utterly despicable!"
Fang Qiuyao shouted angrily, reaching for her White Rainbow Sword. Simultaneously, three options appeared before Jiang Beiran's eyes.
(End of Chapter)