Chapter 253: Exploration 229 Part 1

After mastering the second level of the Golden Toad Skill.

Zhang Rongfang felt great and immediately took three guards to stroll around Citong Street.

Despite being here for quite some time, he had never really taken a close look at this city.

While wandering and understanding the surrounding terrain, Zhang Rongfang was also pondering how to get rid of the three people by his side.

To give himself the opportunity to act alone.

Cituogang Port’s terrain is dispersed; the urban area is small, with only a central circular region.

In this region, buildings form clusters, with architecture styles of various kinds seen everywhere.

But this is not all of Citong.

Compared to the city, the various estates distributed radially around it are the true core here.

Each estate is surrounded by green lawns, with guards patrolling and staying alert.

Some have even built their own watchtowers and forts.

The estate owners vary greatly—from bearded Westerners to Huxi people, to Africans in turbans, all kinds are here.

Walking down the street, various ethnicities wander leisurely with translators everywhere.

Most are dressed like sea travelers, clearly the kind of captains and wealthy merchants passing through temporarily.

The Citong urban area is divided into three circular layers; the innermost contains the magistrate’s residence and other similar places.

The middle layer houses temporary residences for notable merchants and powerful families.

The outer layer is for ordinary settled residents.

Important figures from major powers usually reside in their estates.

Zhang Rongfang had no interest in visiting accommodation areas, instead he went directly to Cituo Port.

Here lies the essence of the entire harbor.

It was already noon by then.

In the bay, dense sails looked like a forest, countless oars varying in size continuously generated the sound of waves splashing.

From afar, it resembled centipedes covered with a thousand legs.

On the shore, the crowds surged, goods loaded vehicles shuttled back and forth.

Zhang Rongfang and his three guards wore usual black tight outfits, with white rhino horn belts on their waists, and normal leather hats to prevent their hair being messed up by the wind.

The three of them seemed out of place as they leisurely strolled through the busy wharf.

Zhang Rongfang raised his head, gazing far towards the bay.

The ships were so densely packed that he couldn’t see the end, at least tens of thousands crowded together.

Further away, the sea surface gleamed with a golden light.

Fleet after fleet moved leisurely towards the distance.

Fleet after fleet sailed into the harbor from the other side.

Sailors’ calls, hoisting shouts, supervisors and merchants shouting instructions.

Countless sounds blended with the waves, as if forming a unique rhythm of Citong.

The four of them walked forward, moving from the pedestrian pathway to the empty dock.

Standing at an empty spot by the sea, they gazed at the flourishing harbor scene.

“This place is truly astonishing…” Zhang Rongfang exclaimed, his eyes focused on a large ship that had just passed by.

The ship was at least several hundred meters long.

From left to right, one could see dense oars along the ship’s side, stretching out from holes in the ship, rotating orderly in the water.

Those oars, a glance could see thirty on one side; each as thick as a water barrel, tens of meters long.

Zhang Rongfang had never seen such long and thick oars before.

“Does this gentleman visit Citong for the first time?” A robust black-turbaned man carrying a child beside him happily started a conversation.

He wore a gray jacket, exposing muscular and evenly-proportioned dark skin. His lower half was in simple gray-white trousers, tied at the pant legs.

Notably, an inch-wide silver curved knife hung from this man’s waist.

“Can this gentleman tell?” Zhang Rongfang smiled.

“Naturally. By your demeanor and attire, it’s clear that you’re from inland,” the man nodded.

He pointed to the big ship slowly sailing past.

“In our Citong, this type of ship is the largest model.

There are generally three kinds of ships here; the biggest is called a ’cunk’, the middle is ’cao’, and the smallest is ’ge’.

He explained with a smile.

“For a large ship like the one ahead, an oar is so thick that it requires ten to fifteen sailors to move it together.”

“An oar needs more than ten people to operate? That many oars…” Zhang Rongfang was astonished.

“Exactly, usually a ’cunk’ needs at least hundreds of people to set sail, so every time such a ship docks to resupply, it’s a grand celebration.”

He pointed to piles of goods vehicles and groups of merchant-dressed people waiting at the dock nearby.

“Some boats barely let anyone off, simply having goods delivered onto them; hand over the money and goods, not even bothering to negotiate the price, likely this one.”

“Brother, are you a local here? You seem to know these things so well. I admire you.” Zhang Rongfang said knowingly.

“Actually, it’s not that remarkable; living here for a while, everyone learns these things.

Previously, it used to be even more lively. But in recent years, the White Ten Sect and Chain Gang have driven away many Enluo and West Asian people, so it’s less bustling than before,” the man reflected.

“I heard about the White Ten Sect and Chain Gang elsewhere before, are they the strongest power here now?” Zhang Rongfang asked.

“Not exactly, just in terms of unloading goods at the docks, no one can surpass them. But for transporting goods inland, that’s the Fulier family’s domain.” The man replied.

“The Fulier family?”

“Yes, the Fulier family’s head, Leona Fuler, is unrivaled in inland transportation. They have extremely strong personnel. Even the Chain Gang and White Ten Sect can’t compete in this aspect.

If you encounter people from this family, absolutely don’t provoke them. A retreat is a fortification; minimizing trouble ensures your safety, doesn’t it?” The man advised.

“That makes sense.” Zhang Rongfang nodded.

At this moment, a gray-clad, gray-hatted servant quickly approached from behind, respectfully relaying a few words to Ah Yi’s ear.

Ah Yi’s expression slightly changed, and he stepped in front of Zhang Rongfang to quietly convey the message.

“Borrowing people?!” Zhang Rongfang’s eyebrows furrowed.

Princess Yongxiang surprisingly wanted to temporarily borrow experts from him for cooperation.

Yet she wanted to take all three of his guards at once.

What’s going on in that woman’s mind?

Does she think just because she’s royal, she can act as she pleases?

Of course, Zhang Rongfang would never admit it, but despite his discontent, a sudden glint of opportunity crossed his eyes.

He had been thinking about how to get these Three Spirit Veins to leave, and now Princess Yongxiang’s request for assistance played right into his plans.

At that moment, the man, seeing something happening nearby, nodded and walked away with the child in his arms.

Watching as the person walked away.

Chen Han’s expression turned grim and he said, “Daoist, this Princess Yongxiang is in high favor, I’m afraid we can’t refuse her.”

“Can’t refuse? What if we do refuse?” Zhang Rongfang frowned. How influential can a commandery princess be?

“We already have an obligation to fully cooperate with the commandery princess’ actions. Now that Yongxiang has called us, if we don’t go, it will give her an excuse to brand us as disobedient. At that point, Daoist, nothing will happen to you, but for us…”

Chen Han explained, clearly in a foul mood.

His duty was to protect the Daoist; if anything were to happen to the Daoist, he would be in trouble too.

But now, if he doesn’t answer the commandery princess’ summons, it still means trouble.

“Indeed, Brother Chen is right. If we disobey, Daoist, nothing will happen to you, but if that commandery princess wants to target us, it will be extremely easy. The Sect Leader and Palace Masters will never stand against the power behind Princess Yongxiang for our sake,” Ah Yi agreed with a nod.

“Is there no other way?” Zhang Rongfang’s face showed troubled concern, but in his heart, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.

“I’m afraid not. We don’t know how long we have to go. During this time, we must trouble the Daoist to refrain from going out. When we return, you can venture out again,” Chen Han suggested.

“Alas…” Zhang Rongfang sighed.

Receiving such bad news, they no longer felt like strolling around.

By the docks, they bought some special wooden amulets from a mobile vendor, a strange flute carved from some unknown beast bone, and a jar of bug-repellent ointment of indistinct composition.

The four of them returned to Far Star Residence.

The sturdy woman sent by Princess Yongxiang had long been waiting in front of the courtyard where they stayed.

“Who told you to run all over the place?!

Hurry up! By the order of the Commandery Princess, you three quickly follow me!” The sturdy woman scolded impatiently.

Ah Er immediately blushed and tried to speak, but Chen Han quickly pulled him back, shaking his head.

Chen Han stepped forward and cupped his fists.

“Apologies for going out on a whim and making you wait. We can leave now.” He quietly slipped a roll of silver notes her way.

The sturdy woman glanced swiftly at the silver notes, her face improving slightly, though still surly.

She snorted coldly, barked at them to follow, then turned to leave.

Chen Han and the other two cupped their fists respectfully toward Zhang Rongfang, warning him not to leave and to await their return.

Seeing Zhang Rongfang agree repeatedly, the three reluctantly followed and left.

Watching their retreating backs, Zhang Rongfang regained his calm demeanor, returned to the courtyard, and closed the door.

He quickly packed his things, prepared himself, donned his treasured armor, and grabbed the map. He went to the garden gate and listened to the sounds outside.

Once certain that everyone had left.

He quietly opened the door, dashed out in a flash, and disappeared down the mountain path.

*

*

*

South of Cituo Port, there is a special formation named Huangjing Mountain.

Inside Huangjing Mountain, the air is perpetually hot and toxic with poisonous insects everywhere and marshes scattered throughout. Even attempted brush clearing fires, conducted several times, have all ended in failure.

Each time they started, the poisonous fumes and vapors overwhelmed the fire, putting it out. Most of the plants and vegetation burnt were highly toxic.

The toxic plants released poisonous smoke when burned, which no one could withstand.

After several attempts, with many casualties, no one dared meddle anymore.

At this moment, inside Huangjing Mountain.

A tall, sturdy figure darted gracefully over dense vegetation.

Soon enough, the figure stopped on a thick tree branch, his right hand darting upward like lightning, crushing the head of a black, triangular-headed snake attempting an ambush with two fingers.

“According to the map, it should be around here. Next up is a careful search.”

The figure raised his head, revealing a face masked by a pure black silver-lined mask.

This was a Spiritual Veins mask from the Golden Wing Pavilion, which he took out for reuse.

Since he was searching for an Eastern Sect secret stash, Zhang Rongfang thought perhaps wearing the Golden Wing Pavilion mask might provide an advantage?

“This is the place, the toxic miasma is indeed troublesome.” He reached into his waist pouch, retrieved a small porcelain bottle, poured out a pill, and swallowed it.

Though his vitality was fluctuating, momentarily rising and falling, it was prudent to consume some medicine.

After taking the medicine, Zhang Rongfang once again reviewed the map for comparison.

The local map of Citong and the map on the key overlapped, revealing spots marked with an ×.

“This map only specifies that it’s in this woodland, but exactly where… is unclear.”

He put away the map and sighed lightly.

Zhang Rongfang exerted force with his feet, plunging deeper into the forest, planning to scout the deepest areas first and assess the level of danger before performing a thorough search.

The task was destined not to be accomplished in one go and required a gradual approach.

He had just left…

With a swish, two tall figures clad entirely in black leather armor appeared at the spot under the tree.

“This is the place. He came here, deliberately taking so many detours. The so-called secret stash is most likely here.

Should we report back?”

One person spoke in a deep voice.

“No rush, let’s confirm completely first.” The other person said coldly.

The two were assigned to follow Zhang Ying for this moment.

Indeed, it was their turn to make a meritorious contribution!

“Where is he? Check where he is?”

“Understood.”

One person took down a small black crystal cage from their waist.

Inside the cage, a creature resembling a black thread moved slowly at the center.

It crawled very slowly, akin to a worm, moving only slightly after several seconds.

The two observed the cage’s creature carefully, quickly confirming the direction.

“Go!”

In the blink of an eye, the two pursued in the direction Zhang Rongfang had gone.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep