Free Web NovelChapter 254: Chapter 216: Life in the Capital City Is Not Easy!
The snow fell continuously for a full day and night before it finally stopped.
By the next morning, the skies had cleared to a pristine blue, but the temperature remained extremely low.
The seemingly bright sun was actually as useful as a candle, providing hardly any warmth at all.
Although the roads remained covered with thick snow, Wu Liangchen and Xu Kai couldn’t wait any longer. They packed their belongings simply, planning to settle their bill and leave the small town.
However, when they tried to pay, the Shopkeeper refused to accept any money.
Unable to decline such hospitality, they ended up enjoying two days of free lodging before leaving the town and arriving at the Tang River.
The river was completely frozen over, with ice thick enough to support not just people but entire caravans.
Moreover, numerous small vendors had set up along the riverbank, selling and renting ice sleds.
For a bit more money, one could even travel directly to the opposite bank on dog-pulled sleighs.
This distance wasn’t much for Wu Liangchen, but considering Xu Kai’s advanced age, making him trek across the vast ice surface seemed unnecessarily difficult.
Therefore, Wu Liangchen rented two sleighs, and they headed toward the opposite bank one after another.
The sleighs moved swiftly, and with the dogs running at full speed, they crossed the several miles of frozen river in an instant.
After crossing the Tang River, the rest of the journey would be smooth sailing.
Although many of Great Yan’s official roads had fallen into disrepair and abandonment, this area near the Imperial Capital still had well-maintained roads and facilities.
Even so, the heavy snowfall had made the roads extremely rough and difficult to traverse.
Fortunately, Wu Liangchen hired another carriage.
Thus, after two more full days of travel, the pair finally arrived at the foot of the ancient capital.
Unlike Dinghai City and Huangpu Guard, the Imperial Capital’s walls were towering and majestic, reaching over thirty meters high.
They were also well-maintained, with the bricks gleaming with a polished luster, shimmering brilliantly in the reflected snow light, presenting quite an impressive sight.
Someone who had never visited this city before might easily be intimidated by its exterior.
But Wu Liangchen remained completely unmoved.
After all, for someone who had seen truly great metropolises, this was merely child’s play.
Xu Kai, who had been secretly observing Wu Liangchen, couldn’t help but be surprised.
Wu Liangchen appeared too calm.
It wasn’t at all the reaction one would expect from someone seeing the majestic Imperial Capital for the first time.
Xu Kai recalled how he had been so shocked during his first visit to the capital that he couldn’t speak for half a day.
’He truly is no ordinary person,’ Xu Kai sighed inwardly, then urged the carriage driver to enter the city quickly, or else they would have to spend the night outside if the gates closed at dusk.
The city gate was equally magnificent and imposing. The soldiers responsible for inspections were extremely thorough, examining all carriages and goods one by one before allowing entry.
Wu Liangchen frowned slightly at the sight.
He noticed that the soldiers had classified bows and arrows as contraband, strictly forbidden from being brought into the city.
Several people ahead of them had been caught with bows and crossbows, all of which were confiscated.
As for why no one resisted...
Not far away stood an entire unit of armored soldiers.
Their fully armed appearance made it clear they were elite among elites, and ordinary Martial Artists truly wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.
However, Wu Liangchen was no ordinary Martial Artist, so he planned to force his way in using his martial prowess.
After all, he had come to the Imperial Capital for a fight anyway, so sooner or later made little difference.
Just as Wu Liangchen was secretly preparing himself, a very surprised voice came from nearby.
"Isn’t this Lord Xu? What happened? How did you end up in this state?"
Wu Liangchen turned to look and saw the curtain of a large carriage beside them being lifted, revealing a face full of schadenfreude.
The man was about the same age as Xu Kai, with a pancake-like face featuring squinty eyes and a flat nose below, giving him a rather sleazy appearance.
As soon as he saw this person, Xu Kai’s expression darkened, and he said through gritted teeth:
"He Chang’an, cut the fake concern! What’s wrong with the way I look? I like it this way!"
This sleazy-looking man was Xu Kai’s former classmate and colleague.
The two had a fated connection, having known each other since their student days. Later, after passing the imperial examinations, they were assigned to the same office, where they remained for most of their lives.
The difference was that He Chang’an was smooth and cunning, skilled at political maneuvering, and thus thrived in the government office, enjoying far more favor than Xu Kai.
Because of this, the two had never gotten along, inevitably arguing until they were red in the face whenever they met.
Who would have thought they would encounter each other at the city gate on their first day back in the Imperial Capital?
He Chang’an wasn’t offended and laughed, "Come on, stop pretending. I know you must have suffered in Dinghai City. Honestly, I didn’t expect you’d still be alive!"
"Hmph, not only am I alive, but I’m doing very well. What? Not happy about it?" Xu Kai fumed.
"I’m happy, I’m happy. The fact that you’ve kept your life shows your ancestors must have accumulated good karma."
He Chang’an didn’t argue further with Xu Kai. After speaking, he called out to the soldiers in the distance: "You there! Clear the way immediately. Lord Xu and I need to enter the city."
The soldiers clearly recognized He Chang’an and quickly moved the barricades aside. The two carriages then entered the city one after another.
"Hehe, I have other business to attend to, so I won’t keep you company. I’ll visit your residence tomorrow! See you then!" He Chang’an bid farewell and then drove off, leaving Xu Kai staring at the departing carriage with an angry, dejected expression on his face.
