The river surged turbulently, with light snowflakes drifting down.
Li Yan wrapped in a fur coat, stood on the deck, feeling the biting cold wind blowing against him. He saw a thin mist hovering over the river, both banks adorned in silver, and rchant ships bustling back and forth.
"The weather this year is really strange!"
"In previous years, we’d only wear cotton-padded jackets around this ti, but this year, it’s so comfortable, snowing continuously, freezing like dogs..."
A short and sturdy man erged from the gangway, seemingly complaining about the weather, but actually looking at Li Yan, wanting to start a conversation.
He was the ship master of this vessel.
At the section where he accompanied the river and the Qiongjiang River intersect, Li Yan stopped him and boarded a few people on the ship.
The place was surrounded by wild mountains and sparse forests, startling him, thinking it might be robbers blocking the road, almost drawing his knife.
But throughout the journey, he noticed these people were not simple.
Their skills were impeccable, and they were extrely generous.
Having spent years on the river, he wasn’t timid and seeing patrons like these, naturally wanted to feel them out, perhaps there might be benefits in the future.
This was also a type of people in the pugilistic world.
Generally speaking, those who walked the pugilistic world kept their mouths sealed and didn’t inquire randomly, avoiding trouble.
But there was also a type of person, who would concede three points in matters, serve tea and wine with a humble posture, whether vendors or scholars, all wanting to join the excitent, appearing naturally familiar.
If you scold him, he’d quickly apologize and walk away.
If you told a story, he’d join to listen.
These people thrived on news, with minds filled with affairs, and might catch information from conversations, making a small fortune.
Sha Lifei used to be like this.
"A tily snow promises a good harvest."
Li Yan gave a casual laugh, dealing with it casually, then asked, "Master, tell more about Dragon and Phoenix Town?"
"Dragon and Phoenix Town, huh."
The ship master squatted by the ship’s edge, took a puff of his dry tobacco pipe, "The place is just a dock, close to Sui Ning County. If you want to take the official road into the mountains or go along a small river to other towns, that place is the most convenient."
"I heard it used to be the Golden Horse Field; more than ten years ago, it inexplicably caught fire and burned clean. Later, they found a spacious place and rebuilt the town anew, making it the busiest place around Sui Ning Prefecture..."
Li Yan listened attentively, nodding slightly.
After finishing their affairs, they also received a ssage from Wang Daoxuan, saying they had changed places and were waiting for them in Dragon and Phoenix Town.
Moreover, Wang Daoxuan seed to have caught soone’s attention.
Not sure who they’re dealing with.
After receiving the ssage, Li Yan and the others imdiately took a ship northward.
"Guest, we’re arriving shortly!"
The ship master’s words suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
Li Yan raised his head to look, and after the passenger ship turned around a river bend, a dock suddenly appeared on the left bank of the Fu River, right at the confluence of the forked channel.
Just past noon, the salt-like snow gently fell, the wind piercingly cold, yet the dock remained lively, with people bustling and noisy.
Many ships were moored at the dock, even overcrowding into the channel, and occasionally soone cursed loudly due to collisions.
Seeing this, Li Yan furrowed his brow and said, "Master, is Dragon and Phoenix Town usually this busy?"
"Not really."
The ship master was also puzzled, "Dragon and Phoenix Town is prosperous, but it’s just a common dock. If it were truly this busy, the court would have sent people to expand long ago."
"Sothing must have happened!"
This ship master was also a clever one; without Li Yan saying much, he sent soone to row a small boat closer and inquire for news.
Soon, there was a result.
"It’s Guangde Temple about to hold a ritual."
After hearing the report from his subordinate, the ship master was full of excitent, "No wonder there are so many people. Guangde Temple is a Buddhist Sacred Land in Shu. Every ti a ritual is held, it’s a grand event in Shu."
"A few years back, Guangde Temple suffered a fire; the court allocated silver to restore it, and it was just completed last month."
"In a few days, it will be November 17th, the birthday of Amitabha, and two days later is the birthday of Sunlight Bodhisattva, followed by Dongzhi."
"These days consecutively have rituals, and believers from all over Shu will co, many wealthy patrons as well, and the Chang Chun Association will invite perforrs to set up a stage outside for operas."
"In short, it’s extrely lively. Following this Dragon and Phoenix Town river passage leads directly to Guangde Temple."
"Guests staying here must not miss it."
"Indeed, thanks much."
Li Yan, thoughtful, bowed slightly, then turned into the cabin to inform Sha Lifei and Lv San.
The father and son of the Yu Family still remained at the Bamboo Forest Small House brewing Spiritual Tea, calculating the ti, they would soon join them at Qingcheng Mountain.
This ti Qingcheng Mountain opened the cellar, it was an old Song cellar.
They are Hidden Treasure n, and naturally, won’t miss this opportunity.
As for Sha Lifei, although successfully awakening his Divine Skills, it consud a lot of energy, plus having to learn Storing God, most of the ti he either slept or sat cross-legged in ditation.
Lv San, on the other hand, always accompanied him as a protector.
After two days on the boat, when Sha Lifei ca out, the cold wind hit him suddenly, making him shiver, "My goodness, finally arrived."
"Guest, still haven’t learned your na..."
The ship master, still unwilling, wanted to get Li Yan’s na, hoping for a big client in the future.
"eting requires no knowing, knowing only brings trouble."
Li Yan slipped silver into his hand, smiling slightly.
"Alright then."
The ship master reluctantly yelled to his crew, "Go, launch the small boat and take these guests to the shore."
They were heading to Mianzhou, with only half the journey completed.
"Thanks a lot."
Li Yan and the others bid farewell, boarded the small boat, and went far.
"What arrogance!"
Watching their departing backs, one crew mber pouted, couldn’t help but mutter, "So cocky, wouldn’t even say their na."
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