Volume One: Beauty Brings Calamity Chapter 14: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
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After several days of travel, Jiang Hao and Fan Caiyun finally arrived outside Yong’an City.
“Yong’an City!”
Staring at the three imposing characters carved atop the city wall and the endless stream of people passing through the gates, Jiang Hao was overcome by an indescribable wave of emotion.
Perhaps, at the moment when his wife, Ji Yue, had betrayed him and pierced his heart with a single sword, he had never imagined that he would live to see this day.
“Brother Jiang Hao, what are you daydreaming about?”
“Come on, let’s go into the city. Caiyun will take you to eat candied hawthorns!”
Fan Caiyun tugged at Jiang Hao’s arm. Then, before he had fully recovered his senses, she pulled him toward the city at a brisk pace.
“You little rascal…” Jiang Hao shook his head with a helpless smile, allowing Fan Caiyun to lead him by the hand into the city.
After passing through the heavily guarded gates, Jiang Hao was greeted by a bustling and prosperous scene. The streets teemed with people surging like waves, as though a vivid painting were slowly unfurling before his eyes.
On either side of the roads paved with blue-gray stone stood rows of shops, their signs hanging high. Colorful cloth awnings fluttered gently in the breeze, wafting enticing aromas through the air. Vendors called out one after another, enthusiastically hawking their dazzling array of wares. Their cries filled the streets, overwhelming the senses.
Pedestrians wove through the crowds, their robes fluttering in the wind. Some wore exquisite jade pendants at their waists, while others carried heavy loads on their shoulders. Their faces were filled with the satisfaction of a busy but rewarding day.
Children laughed and played, chasing one another through the streets. From time to time, they stopped to stare intently at the candied hawthorns and toys, their eyes gleaming with innocent delight.
Now and then, heavily guarded merchant caravans passed by. More than a dozen burly men gripped weapons as they escorted the slowly advancing horses. Flags bearing the emblems of escort agencies hung from the carriages, suggesting that they were transporting valuable goods.
Naturally, as Yong’an City was the closest city to the Misty Forest, cultivators could often be seen among the crowds. Most of them were in the Spirit Qi Realm, however, while cultivators of the Spirit Spring Realm were comparatively rare.
“Boss, two skewers of candied hawthorns, please.”
While Jiang Hao carefully observed his surroundings, Fan Caiyun had already pulled him to a candied-hawthorn stall.
“Little girl, two skewers will be ten copper coins in total,” the vendor said warmly upon seeing a customer approach.
“Here are ten copper coins. Please take them.”
As soon as Jiang Hao heard the price, he took ten copper coins from his pocket and handed them over.
“All right, young sir!”
The vendor immediately stepped forward with a broad smile, accepted the money, selected two skewers of candied hawthorns, and handed them to Fan Caiyun.
“Little girl, here you are!”
“Thank you, Boss!”
Fan Caiyun happily accepted the candied hawthorns and licked one of them before giggling.
“Brother Jiang Hao, this skewer is for you.”
“Huh? I get one too?”
Jiang Hao froze for a moment, clearly not expecting one of the two skewers to have been intended for him.
“Brother Jiang Hao, what are you thinking? Caiyun isn’t a pig. Why would I eat so much? Besides, Uncle Tang always said that good things should be shared.”
With a smile, Fan Caiyun held out the skewer in her hand.
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Hearing this, Jiang Hao could not help sighing inwardly.
“Little one, I take it this isn’t your first time in Yong’an City?”
Otherwise, Fan Caiyun would never have known that the candied hawthorns here were so delicious.
“Mm. Whenever Uncle Tang came to Yong’an City to sell animal hides, he would always buy me candied hawthorns.”
As she spoke, Fan Caiyun’s expression darkened slightly, and a trace of sadness crossed her face.
Seeing this, Jiang Hao lightly tapped his own head and consoled her.
“Little one, I really am hopeless. I had to bring up the one thing that would remind you of your sorrow.”
“It’s all right, Brother Jiang Hao. Caiyun has grown up. I understand many things already.”
Fan Caiyun forced a smile to show him that she was fine.
“Eat up, Brother Jiang Hao. Candied hawthorns are delicious.”
“Mm.”
Jiang Hao nodded, then began eating the candied hawthorns enthusiastically, savoring their sweet flavor.
Watching him enjoy them so thoroughly, Fan Caiyun could not help covering her mouth and laughing.
“Ha-ha! It turns out our Brother Jiang Hao is still a child at heart!”
“You little imp. You’ve become quite the mischievous one!”
Jiang Hao gently tapped her forehead with one finger, a tender smile on his face.
Just then, a burst of hurried hoofbeats rang out from the city gate.
“Hyah! Hyah!”
“Out of the way! All of you, move!”
A group of burly men came riding in on horseback like a violent storm, kicking up clouds of dust. They rode tall, powerful steeds, whose hooves thundered like drums. The clashing of weapons accompanied the deafening sound.
The riders wore arrogant expressions and gripped sharp swords and blades. Their imposing momentum was like an unstoppable iron cavalry charging straight toward them.
At the very front of the group rode a vicious, heavily built man and a thin, middle-aged man.
The burly man was covered in knotted muscle, towering like a mountain and radiating an oppressive presence. A great saber was strapped to his back, its blade gleaming coldly as though recounting countless battles and rivers of blood. The horse beneath him was equally massive and powerful, its hooves striking the ground with heavy force.
The other middle-aged man appeared frail, but he was not to be underestimated. He held a silver spear in one hand and emanated an aura that made the heart tremble, as though boundless killing intent lay hidden within him.
At the sight of them, the crowd hurriedly moved aside. Fear and unease mingled with a trace of awe in their eyes.
The horses thundered down the street, their manes flying. Their shouts mingled with the howling wind, shaking the hearts of everyone nearby.
They charged through the bustling crowd and raced down the street, leaving behind a long trail of echoes. The street vendors stood dumbfounded, nearly dropping the goods in their hands, while the children huddled nearby in panic, scrambling to avoid the sudden, overwhelming force.
“Brother Jiang Hao, they’re frightening!”
Fan Caiyun clung tightly to Jiang Hao’s arm, the candied hawthorn in her hand trembling slightly.
Sensing her fear, Jiang Hao hurriedly moved in front of her and gently reassured her.
“Caiyun, don’t be afraid. Brother Jiang Hao will protect you.”
Under the warmth of his comforting words, Fan Caiyun’s tense heart gradually settled.
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After the group of men had disappeared into the distance, Jiang Hao turned and asked the candied-hawthorn vendor:
“Boss, may I ask who those people were? How can they ride recklessly through such a prosperous and crowded marketplace without anyone stopping them?”
The vendor behind him shook his head and sighed.
“Young sir, I assume this is your first time in Yong’an City?”
“To be honest, Boss, it is indeed my first time here.”
Jiang Hao nodded.
The vendor frowned slightly, then advised him, “Young sir, those men are members of the Wild Wolf Gang. The two leaders at the front are the most dangerous of them all. The thin, middle-aged man is called Ge Tianlang. He is the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang—a greedy, treacherous man who will do anything for profit. Word has it that his cultivation has already reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Spring Realm.”
“The other burly man is Yang Dahu, the Wild Wolf Gang’s second-in-command. He has an extremely violent temper, and they say his cultivation has reached the early stage of the Spirit Spring Realm.”
“Young sir, if you ever see them again, be sure to keep your distance. They are ruthless killers who can slaughter a man without batting an eye. In Yong’an City, they practically rule an entire domain!”
Out of concern for his customer, the vendor could not resist adding a few more words.
“The Wild Wolf Gang? I never expected to run into them here. It seems fate has brought old enemies together after all.”
Jiang Hao’s brows drew together after hearing this.
“Brother Jiang Hao?”
Fan Caiyun looked at him with concern, a hint of anxiety showing on her face. She had overheard his conversation with the vendor, and worry had begun to stir in her heart.
“Don’t worry, little one. Sooner or later, Brother Jiang Hao will make the Wild Wolf Gang pay the blood debt they owe Uncle Tang.”
Jiang Hao gave her a solemn promise.
“Brother Jiang Hao, I don’t want to lose you too.”
Fan Caiyun’s face was filled with worry.
“It’s all right, little one. Brother Jiang Hao knows his limits.”
Jiang Hao comforted her gently.
Although he now possessed the Immortal-Slaying Sword, he was far from certain of victory. At the very least, until his cultivation broke through to the early stage of the Spirit Spring Realm, Jiang Hao would not actively seek a confrontation with the Wild Wolf Gang.
Moreover, he himself carried a blood debt, and he had Fan Caiyun with him as well. He could never allow her to take another risk.
Jiang Hao then turned back to the vendor and continued asking, “Boss, could you tell me where the auction house is?”
As he spoke, he took five silver coins from his robes and handed them to the man.
“Young sir, you’re far too generous!”
The vendor’s face split into a delighted grin. Five silver coins were worth the earnings from selling several hundred skewers of candied hawthorns.
Without the slightest hesitation, he hurriedly accepted the coins and enthusiastically pointed ahead.
“Young sir, that tallest pavilion up ahead is the largest auction house in Yong’an City!”
Following the direction of the vendor’s gesture, Jiang Hao saw a seven-story pavilion. Its magnificent roof was covered in glazed tiles that shimmered in the glow of the setting sun, radiating an alluring brilliance.
“What an extravagant pavilion!”
“Come on, little one. Let’s go take a look.”
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