“The answer lies on the path…” Chen Changsheng mumbled the words under his breath. This sentence left behind by the Old Dragon King had occupied his thoughts for a long while now. What kind of answer awaited on this path? And which road should he even take? After careful consideration, Chen Changsheng felt there was something peculiar about it all. “It truly does seem mysterious.” Chen Changsheng shook his head with a sigh and decided not to dwell on it further. Perhaps the path was already beneath his feet. Having set out, perhaps he would eventually encounter that so-called ‘answer.’ Fresh chapters posted on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩 As he journeyed, a small caravan approached from behind him, leading horses and transporting goods on three large carts. And so, Chen Changsheng approached the leader of the caravan and inquired, “Might I ask where your caravan is headed? Could I, Chen, perhaps travel alongside you for a portion of the journey?” The caravan leader observed that the man was cleanly dressed and polite in manner. He returned the greeting with a slight bow of his own and said, “We’re returning to Yan County, sir. And your destination? Would it be along the same route?” “Well then, that is the same way.” The caravan leader replied, “Once we reach Yan County, you can find a boatman to take you to the ferry crossing. A large ship from there goes directly to Shangjing. You’re welcome to follow along behind our group.” “My thanks, Leader,” Chen Changsheng said. “Company is welcome on the road,” the leader added. “Though, sir, it’s better you don’t travel alone in the future. While bandits are scarce on this stretch, there are always a few lowlifes blinded by greed.” “I will remember that,” Chen Changsheng promised. Chen Changsheng joined the caravan, simply walking behind the group of carts. The goods on the three carts were far from light, and the horses pulled them along at a slow pace. It was more than comfortable for Chen Changsheng to keep up; sometimes he even chatted casually with the caravan leader. “Where are you from, sir?” the leader asked at one point. Chen Changsheng paused for a moment. “Autumn Moon Market.” “Oh!” the leader said, recalling something. “There’s a tavern by the West Bridge in Autumn Moon Market! Their Autumn Moon Brew is quite famous. Have you ever tried it, sir?” Chen Changsheng took the Wine Gourd hanging at his waist and gave it a little shake. “What do you know! This very gourd holds some Autumn Moon Brew. Care for a taste, Leader?” The caravan leader’s eyes lit up. “Is that truly possible?” “Truly possible,” Chen Changsheng nodded with a smile. Overcome by a sudden craving, the leader didn’t refuse. He asked Mr. Chen to simply pour some wine directly into the palm of his hand. Chen Changsheng pulled out the stopper and poured a little wine into his palm. Here was a man of genuine simplicity, drinking from his cupped hand without a thought for ceremony. The caravan leader held his palm up and drank. He savored the taste and sighed appreciatively, “Fine wine! I see now why Autumn Moon Brew is famous for miles around! Truly worthy of its reputation!” “Perhaps a little more?” Chen Changsheng offered. The leader chuckled and shook his head. “A single sip is plenty, sir. Anyone can see you’re a true connoisseur of fine wine. If I take more, wouldn’t that mean there’s less for you to enjoy?” “Oh, there’s plenty more in this gourd,” Chen Changsheng insisted. He asked the leader to bring out an empty water skin, then proceeded to pour wine from the gourd into it. The leader protested vehemently, “Enough! Enough! Sir, please, no more!” Chen Changsheng finally stopped. “Perhaps this much wine will suffice.” The leader took the skin filled with precious wine. “You are exceptionally generous, sir. But now I fear your own gourd must be nearly empty! I cannot let this favour go unpaid.” He started reaching for the money pouch at his waist. Chen Changsheng stopped him firmly. “Leader, what are you doing? Our meeting is a happy coincidence. Besides, you’re providing me an escort. It’s just a bit of wine shared among fellow travelers.” “You really should be paid, though,” the leader persisted. But Chen Changsheng kept politely refusing, absolutely refusing any payment. Though deeply embarrassed and a bit regretful, the caravan leader eventually had to relent. “Then… my sincere thanks, sir,” he said, accepting the gift. Inwardly, the leader resolved to make sure this Mr. Chen was well looked after for the rest of their journey together. In later conversation, Chen Changsheng learned that this man they called the caravan leader was actually the Manager of a Trading Firm in Yan County. His surname was Zeng, so the others in the caravan called him Headman Zeng. They had been to Anning County to pick up bolts of cloth destined for Yan County. The few others traveling with them also belonged to the Merchant Guild, most hailing from Yan County. The path to Yan County wasn’t excessively long. They expected to arrive in perhaps a day and a half. When night fell, the caravan settled down to rest in a dilapidated temple by the roadside. Someone gathered firewood to start a blaze within the temple walls. The glow illuminated the simple shrine. Seven or eight people, including Chen Changsheng, sat circled around the fire. “Here, try this,” Headman Zeng finally pulled out the day’s wine-filled water skin. The group huddled around the fire shared the precious drink. The skin passed from hand to hand as each took a sip, tilted their head back for a drink, and sighed with pleasure. “What do you think? Pretty good, right?” Headman Zeng asked with satisfaction. Er Niu, after his first sip, looked impressed. “Great brew! Boss, what kind of wine is this?” “Autumn Moon Brew from Autumn Moon Market,” Headman Zeng replied, nodding towards Chen Changsheng beside him. “This came courtesy of Mr. Chen here. Consider yourselves lucky today!” “Thank you, Mr. Chen!” Er Niu beamed with his simple thanks. Chen Changsheng brushed it off modestly. “It’s just a bit of wine, nothing special.” The conversation flowed easily around the warm fire. “I heard Autumn Moon Market had a flood! They said the West Bridge even collapsed! Is that true?” “It did indeed happen.” “Some people claim they heard strange roars too!” “I heard that! I think I might have heard it myself!” “Stop boasting! You were nowhere near! Couldn’t possibly have heard anything but a woman next door!” Laughter erupted, the men joking and mock-shoving each other — good-natured ribbing among comrades. Headman Zeng focused on toasting several large Baked Pancakes over the flames. He broke one in half and offered a piece to Mr. Chen. Chen Changsheng accepted it. “My thanks, Leader.” Headman Zeng gestured vaguely to his men. “We’re rough men here, sir. Most of us haven’t learned much reading or writing. We appreciate you gracing us with your company, even if it might be beneath your station.” “Nonsense,” Chen Changsheng replied lightly. “I can be quite rough myself sometimes.” Headman Zeng chuckled at that. “Well, sir, I’m glad you don’t mind our company.” It was in the middle of this easy conversation that Chen Changsheng suddenly glanced toward the temple entrance. He took a bite of his pancake and squinted slightly as he looked. ‘Some fools really are asking for trouble…’ Chen Changsheng silently noted before calmly turning his attention back to the Headman beside him, not giving away any suspicion. “See something out there just now, sir?” Headman Zeng asked. “Nothing important. Just glanced at the night scenery,” Chen Changsheng answered smoothly. “How long have you worked in this trade, Headman Zeng?” 😃😃😃Golden Novel translates the best Chinese web novels for you!😃😃😃 The Headman thought for a second. “Over ten years now. Luckily, I don’t travel too far. Some Headmen handle the Shangjing routes — sometimes they’re gone nearly a whole year at a time.” He sighed deeply. “In the end, it’s all for the coin. Without it… who could bear it?” Chen Changsheng nodded. “So the world scurries about, chasing its little pieces of silver.” “A very true saying, sir,” Headman Zeng agreed. “Feeding one’s family is the most important thing.” The man’s words had barely faded when— An icy wind suddenly blew into the temple! The fire died instantly. All light fled the temple in an instant. Headman Zeng shuddered violently. His expression immediately turned tense and serious. This was wrong. Very wrong. A ripple of unease ran through the men around the fire. With that ghostly wind, everyone felt an unnerving chill shoot up their spines. They all felt it — something had definitely entered the temple. “What happened?” Headman Zeng demanded sharply.