Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 433 Understanding the Situation of Lingyuan City

The three of them walked side by side on the streets of Lingyuan City, instantly struck by the bustling scene before them. Shops lined the streets, people came and went, the sounds of shouting and chatting intertwined, forming a symphony full of life. The street vendors were filled with all sorts of novelties: colorful handicrafts, fragrant snacks, and even some bizarre items Xu Tian and the others had never seen before. The dazzling array of goods was truly overwhelming.

Xu Tian marveled inwardly, "The prosperity of Lingyuan City surpasses even the imperial capital." His eyes revealed a hint of surprise and curiosity as he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze like a sharp scalpel, attempting to dissect the bustling scene for clues related to General Li Hua. His pace paused, then quickened, as if drawn to something, or perhaps pursuing some inexplicable feeling.

As they walked, they came to a trading post. It looked a bit dated, and stood out from the bustling shops around it. The door was open, and the light inside was dim. They could vaguely see some items on display, but there were few customers.

Xu Tian, ​​Chen Yu, and Chen Xin'er exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of confusion in the other's eyes. Chen Yu scratched his head, his once neat hair becoming a bit messy. A hint of curiosity and confusion flashed through his eyes, and he whispered, "This place doesn't look right. Why is it so deserted? Why don't we go in and take a look?" As he spoke, he cautiously approached the door, peered in, and leaned forward slightly, as if afraid of disturbing anything inside.

Xu Tian nodded slightly, a hint of caution in his eyes. He said, "Okay, let's go in and take a look." His voice was low and cautious, as if he was afraid of being overheard. With that, he was the first to step through the trading station's gate, his steps light and slow, each one steady and firm, ready to respond to any emergency.

Upon entering the trading post, they were captivated by the sight before them. It was filled with a dazzling array of antique treasures, each exuding a simple and mysterious aura. There were exquisitely shaped bronzes, their inscriptions seemingly telling ancient stories; there were delicate jades, their soft glow shimmering even in the dim light; and there were also ancient calligraphy and paintings, their brushstrokes imbued with a profound cultural heritage.

However, within the vast trading station, only a few clerks were silently sweeping dust in a corner. Their movements were mechanical and slow, as if they were indifferent to everything around them. In the center of the trading station, there was a reclining chair, and on it lay an old man who looked to be in his eighties. He was wearing a tattered robe, his hair was gray and sparse, and he was sleeping soundly, emitting a soft snoring sound that was particularly clear in the silent trading station.

Next to him, a man in his fifties was sitting leisurely drinking tea. He was wearing a dark blue cloth shirt, his hair was neatly tied behind his head, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, as if he could see through everything.

Upon seeing Xu Tian and the other two enter, the uncle immediately set down his teacup, stood up, and greeted them with a broad smile. "Three gentlemen, do you have anything to exchange?" His voice hinted at enthusiasm, but his eyes roamed over the three of them like a searchlight, as if trying to gauge their purpose, not missing a single detail. His hands were lightly crossed over his chest, his fingers tapping against his arms unconsciously, revealing a hint of nervousness and anticipation.

Xu Tian immediately replied, "No, we just wanted to hang out here." A hint of caution flashed through his eyes, his hands clasped tightly behind his back as he vigilantly observed his surroundings. His body tensed slightly, like a cheetah poised to pounce, maintaining a high level of alertness at all times.

The uncle smiled, a smile that seemed to conceal some deeper meaning. He said, "My name is Hongze, and I'm the future owner of this store. You don't look like locals, do you?" His eyes revealed a hint of shrewdness, and he crossed his arms over his chest, as if he had already made some guesses about their identities. He narrowed his eyes slightly, revealing a scrutiny, as if waiting for their answer to verify his guess.

Chen Xiner nodded slightly and replied, "No, it's obvious what we're wearing." Her eyes revealed a calmness as she gently fiddled with the corner of her clothes, seemingly unconcerned that the other party had seen through their outsider status. A faint smile played on her face, like the warm spring sun, giving people a warm and friendly feeling, making it difficult to grasp her true thoughts.

Hongze smiled, a sly look in his eyes, and said, "What do you want to know?" His voice rose slightly, as if hinting at something. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of anticipation, as if he was waiting for their answer, as if he was enjoying this cat-and-mouse game.

Xu Tian asked in surprise, "How did you know we were here to ask questions?" A hint of doubt crossed his eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly, surprised by Hong Ze's keen observation. His mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Hong Ze's answer.

Chen Xiner then asked, "How do you charge?" Her eyes revealed a hint of determination, as if she had already decided to obtain some useful information from this place, no matter what the cost. She looked at Hongze with a firm gaze, and clasped her hands tightly in front of her, showing her determination.

Hong Ze smiled and gestured, saying, "Come on, everyone, please come in." A hint of mystery lingered in his eyes as he turned and led Xu Tian and the other two toward the backyard. His pace was neither hurried nor slow, each step steady and confident, as if he were leading them into a mysterious world.

In the backyard stood a small, simply furnished house with a bed and a table. Hongze led them to the table, motioned for them to sit, and then began to expertly brew and infuse tea. His movements were graceful and deft, as if he were performing a sacred ritual. He first removed some tea leaves from an exquisite teapot and placed them in the teapot, where they released a delicate fragrance.

Then, he lifted a pot of hot water and slowly poured it into the teapot. The hot water and tea leaves met, instantly emitting a rich tea fragrance. His eyes were focused and serious, as if he was using this process to ease the somewhat tense atmosphere and to show them his sincerity.