Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Fifty: At the City Gate

After Fang Tian changed his appearance, he glanced at his reflection. Seeing his utterly ordinary face, he was quite satisfied; now he needn’t fear anyone seeking him out. As for why he was heading to Wufeng City, Fang Tian had already considered it. From what Zhou Yunshu had spoken of most often, Wufeng City was the place he knew best. He didn’t know much about anywhere else, so his only option was to head there first and learn more about the Zhao Dynasty and this continent.

After all, Elder Tian only knew about the state of the continent over two thousand years ago. He was unclear about how things stood now and hadn’t told Fang Tian much, fearing he might give him the wrong information.

“Everything’s pretty much ready. As long as I don’t run into someone at the Spirit Seed realm, I’ll be fine. If I do, I’ll just slip away and keep my distance,” Fang Tian muttered to himself as he walked out of the cave.

He glanced at the sky and saw that dawn had broken—perfect timing to enter the city. His first plan upon arrival was to find a place to stay and then get some food and wine to fill his belly.

With that, he set off toward Wufeng City.

After walking for an hour, he reached the foot of the city. At the gate, he saw guards collecting something from the people passing through.

Fang Tian approached. If he wanted to enter, he’d have to go through the main gate.

“Uncle, is there a fee to enter the city?” Fang Tian asked, tapping the elderly man in front of him in the line.

The man turned and replied, “Young man, is this your first time coming to the city?”

“It is. Would you mind telling me the details?”

“If you want to get in, you have to pay fifty silver coins. Without that, you won’t be allowed through,” the old man explained patiently.

“Thank you, Uncle. I understand.”

“No need to thank me. Why are you coming into the city, young man?” The old man was a bit curious. What was an ordinary youth doing in Wufeng City? The entry fee wasn’t trivial. If he hadn’t needed to come for medicine, he wouldn’t have bothered. Even then, he’d had to scrape together every last coin. He wasn’t sure if he’d have enough left to buy the medicine.

Fang Tian had no idea what the old man was thinking and simply smiled, “I just want to take a look around. I’ve never seen much of the world and wanted to see what it’s like.”

“Youngster, you don’t look like someone from a wealthy family. Let me give you some advice: don’t go in. Wufeng City isn’t a place for poor commoners like us. If it weren’t for my child falling gravely ill and needing medicine, I’d never have come. Even the entry fee was a struggle to gather. Who knows if I’ll have enough left for the medicine,” the old man said kindly, seeing Fang Tian seemed decent.

“Thank you for your concern, Uncle,” Fang Tian replied, knowing the man meant well. But he was determined to enter.

“Alright, I suppose it’s not my place to say more,” the old man sighed, dropping the matter.

After a while, it was the old man’s turn. He stepped forward, pulled out his coins, and handed them to the guard.

The guard glanced at the coins and shook his head. “Old man, that’s not enough. The rules have changed. It’s a hundred silver coins now.”

“What? Wasn’t it just fifty a few days ago?” the old man exclaimed in disbelief.

The guard looked at him with disdain, answering lazily, “The rules changed today. Tough luck. Do you have the money or not? If you don’t, don’t block the line.”

The old man stared at the coins in his hand, then at the guard, and pleaded, “Sir, I really need to get into the city. My child’s life depends on the medicine I can get here. Can’t you make an exception?”

The guard laughed coldly. “What’s that got to do with me? If you have the money, you can go in. If not, forget it.”

The old man fell silent, grief written across his face. He clutched his purse tightly. He’d come all this way, only to be stopped at the gate. What was the point of going back now?

“Hurry up and move!” the guard snapped impatiently, shoving the old man, who stumbled and fell to the ground, earning the guard’s mocking gaze.

“Still not leaving, old man?”

Fang Tian couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He stepped forward, helped the old man up, and looked at the guard. “I’ll pay for him. Is that enough?”

The guard eyed Fang Tian with a mocking smile. “You can pay, but if you cover for him, the fee doubles—for both of you. So, do you still want to help?”

Fang Tian frowned, not expecting the guard to jack up the price on a whim. Anger flickered in his eyes, which turned cold as he stared at the guard.

The guard, caught in that icy gaze, suddenly felt he’d fallen into a frozen abyss. He shivered uncontrollably and, losing his balance, ended up sitting on the ground—looking rather ridiculous.

People in line behind them saw the guard’s humiliation and tried to stifle their laughter.

The old man turned to Fang Tian. “Young man, it’s not necessary. I don’t want to trouble you on my account. Just let it go.”

“What about your son?”

“It’s my own failing. I suppose it’s his fate to suffer,” the old man sighed.

Unable to stand by, Fang Tian pulled out a large pouch of silver and tossed it before the guard, then turned to lead the old man into the city.

The guard, embarrassed at having been frightened by a mere youth, scrambled to his feet. If word got out, he’d be a laughingstock.

“Young man, did I say you could leave?” the guard shouted.

Fang Tian turned back. “What? I’ve paid you, isn’t that enough?” he replied coldly.

Just as the guard was about to retort, a chilling aura swept over him. He felt paralyzed, unable to move or speak, terror gripping his heart. Could it be...?

With his years of experience, the guard now realized the youth before him was a powerful cultivator, not someone a lowly guard could afford to offend. His life could be forfeit if he pushed any further.

Fang Tian withdrew his aura and looked at the guard calmly.

Relieved, the guard caught his breath and cupped his fists. “I was blind and ignorant of your status, Master Cultivator. Please forgive my offense.”

Fang Tian ignored him and led the old man into the city.

Inside, Fang Tian saw three bustling streets stretching ahead, lively and prosperous. He couldn’t help but marvel, “I never imagined that just the entrance to Wufeng City would be so vast. I wonder what it’s like further in.”

After a moment of awe, he turned to the old man, took out another pouch of silver, and placed it in his hand. “Uncle, here’s some silver. Take it and get treatment for your son.”

The old man stared, dumbfounded, at the money in his hand. Realizing Fang Tian was a cultivator, he quickly tried to return it. “My lord, you’ve already helped me once. I can’t accept this. Please, take it back.”

Fang Tian pushed the man’s hand aside with a smile. “Uncle, meeting you was fate. Consider this payment for your advice. Please, accept it.”

With no other choice, the old man tucked away the silver and bowed deeply. “Thank you, sir, for your generosity.”

“That’s enough, Uncle. Hurry and buy the medicine. Your family is waiting,” Fang Tian urged.

“You’re right. I’ll take my leave.” The old man hurried off down one of the streets, but halfway there, he paused and looked back at Fang Tian.

Fang Tian nodded and smiled.

The old man turned and hurried on, his anxious figure soon disappearing into the crowd.

Once the old man was gone, Fang Tian didn’t linger. Choosing another street, he set off in search of an inn to satisfy his hunger.

After a short walk, he stopped before a sign reading “Maple Grove Inn.”

“This will do. It should be decent enough,” he thought, glanced inside, and stepped through the door.