Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 393 Traveling Together
Located in the heart of the Central Plains, it is the capital of Yunzhou.

Outside the city gates, carriages and horses thronged like dragons, and people flowed like a dense weaving.

Chen Ye and Su Chunyi had disguised themselves as an ordinary elderly couple with gray hair.

Chen Ye was hunched over, his face showing signs of travel fatigue; Su Chunyi held his arm, her steps slow but her eyes still clear as she curiously surveyed the bustling capital.

The two followed the flow of people and slowly arrived at the city gate, only to be stopped by a city guard with a long sword at his waist.

The soldier had sharp eyes. He looked the two men up and down, his gaze lingering on their clothes for a moment, before he rudely stretched out his hand: "Entry tax, ten coins per person!"

Upon hearing this, Su Chun was about to take out her money when Chen Ye grabbed her hand and asked the soldier, "Sir, why don't other people have to pay the city entry tax?"

Chen Ye had noticed long ago that although there was a constant flow of traffic at the entrance, very few people stopped to pay taxes, which he suspected was extortion. Those dressed in fine clothes swaggered into the city, while those who were stopped were mostly plainly dressed, timid commoners.

Sure enough, the soldier sneered, "You stinking outsider, coming to Yunzhou City to beg for food? I'm asking you for money, and you dare to talk nonsense?"

Chen Ye immediately realized that this was not an entry tax at all, but a way for the city guards to extort money from honest outsiders.

The soldier made a move to strike, so Chen Ye quickly took out his money bag and handed it over.

After weighing the money bag in his hand, the soldier simply pocketed it and then, cursing, ushered Chen Ye and Su Chun inside.

Chen Ye didn't care. Money was just an external thing. The seed of karma had already been sown; he'd strike him with a couple of bolts of heavenly lightning when he had time.

However, despite its apparent prosperity, Yunzhou City doesn't seem to be a place of good governance and harmonious people.

Once inside the city, looking at the bustling streets filled with cars and people, Su Chunyi couldn't help but sigh, "The world is like this; no wonder there are so many demons to kill."

For a thousand years, the Qinghe Sword Sect has been dedicated to eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path, deeply aware of the immense suffering people endure. A single day of misfortune can turn anyone into a demon, and those who can withstand hardship and remain true to their original nature are few and far between.

Chen Ye patted Su Chunyi's hand, like a loving old couple, and comforted her, "The Yellow Springs Sect was born for this reason. When evil is punished and good is rewarded, there will be fewer people who want to become demons."

Upon hearing Chen Ye's words, Su Chun's face immediately lit up with a smile. She had heard Chen Ye mention this grand ambition during their earlier discussions, and she never imagined that in just two short years, Chen Ye would begin to realize it. She was right about him.

The two walked hand in hand, like a real old married couple, slowly strolling down the bustling street, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Shops lined the street, with colorful flags fluttering in the breeze.

The vendor selling candied hawthorns had a loud voice, and his shouts pierced through the crowd; the old craftsman who sculpted dough figurines had nimble fingers and could create lifelike zodiac animals in just a few strokes; and the acrobatic troupe, with its deafening gongs and drums, drew applause and cheers from the children.

This wasn't a special festival; Yunzhou City was simply so prosperous, the second largest city in the Central Plains, much wealthier than Cui County had been back then.

Chen Ye stopped frequently to look around, much like a newcomer to the city. However, his novelty about everything drew disdain from many people.

Chen Ye didn't care. He would occasionally buy some hot pastries, exquisitely carved wooden puppets, or colorful glass beads from roadside stalls, and then, like a child, excitedly present them to Su Chunyi as if he wasn't in a hurry to investigate at all.

As they walked and talked, Chen Ye asked curiously, "Miss Su, you've been in seclusion. Have you made any breakthroughs in your cultivation?"

Su Chun nodded and said, "The sect leader instructed me on cultivation methods, and I have indeed benefited greatly. I was only just entering the Nascent Soul Realm before, but now I have stabilized my realm. Otherwise, the sect leader would not have let me leave the Sword Tomb."

Her tone was calm, as if she were merely stating a trivial matter, but Chen Ye knew that the most dangerous cultivation method of the Qinghe Sword Sect was to cultivate in seclusion in the Sword Tomb, where many disciples had already died in this secret realm filled with sword energy.

"Sir, I heard from Uncle Sheng that you encountered a problem in your cultivation. How is your swordsmanship, which he taught you, progressing?"

Su Chunyi's question left Chen Ye quite embarrassed. He had worked very hard to practice that sword technique, but even now he struggled to master the very first move. What made Chen Ye even more speechless was that when he went to ask Master Yuji for guidance, the head of the Qinghe Sword Sect actually said, "I don't understand swordsmanship."

Chen Ye felt that this was the most outrageous thing he had ever heard in his life.

The fact that the leader of the Qinghe Sword Sect doesn't know swordsmanship would make people think he's a fool.

But whether it was true or not, the result was that Chen Ye didn't receive any guidance. However, he didn't want Su Chunyi to know that he hadn't even learned the first move after more than half a month, which would be too embarrassing.

Therefore, Chen Ye could only make up an excuse, saying, "I haven't had time to cultivate lately. As you know, there's a demon named Ye Chen causing trouble. So I invited cultivators at the Tongxuan Realm from various sects to the Huangquan Sect to see if we could lure Ye Chen there to resolve the issue. By the way, why didn't the Qinghe Sword Sect send anyone?"

Other sects have responded, and they have basically all accepted Chen Ye's invitation. They are probably already at the Yellow Springs Sect.

Su Chun asked in confusion, "Profound Realm? After I broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, the Qinghe Sword Sect no longer has any Profound Realm experts."

"what?"

Chen Ye genuinely didn't know, but upon reflection, it seemed reasonable. The Qinghe Sword Sect had far too few disciples; in a thousand years, they had numbered less than a hundred, even including those who had perished. Yet, Su Chun's breakthrough caused him to jump a whole realm.

Su Chun smiled and said, "It's a pity that I'm already at the Nascent Soul stage, otherwise if that demon wanted to challenge you, he would have to get past me first."

Chen Ye couldn't help but say, "If you were still at the Profound Realm, then it would be the other way around. You would be the number one in the Profound Realm, and I should be the one helping you keep that demon out."

Su Chunyi said quite seriously, "Then I'll pretend to lose to you and come in second."

Chen Ye smiled too; the girl in front of him could always warm his heart with just a few words.

Chen Ye tightened his grip on Su Chunyi's hand, but slowed his pace even further. The two strolled along, stopping frequently, and most of the day passed, still wandering the streets. After pausing once more at a roadside pastry stall, Su Chunyi couldn't help but ask, "Sir, aren't we going to Lou Wai Lou?"

Lou Wai Lou is our destination.

Legend has it that this is where the prime minister left his calligraphy before going to the capital for the imperial examinations. Because he achieved the highest rank and rose rapidly to become prime minister, Lou Wai Lou became a famous scenic spot. Literati and poets loved to compose poems and write calligraphy here; students taking the imperial examinations also liked to inscribe their names here for good luck.

This place is always packed with guests; even officials from Yunzhou enjoy banquets at Lou Wai Lou. Many people spend lavishly for a seat, hoping to catch a glimpse of these dignitaries. While demonic cultivators might not act in such a bustling place, they certainly wouldn't miss this opportunity for information exchange.

Chen Ye was also able to gather a lot of information about the Yunzhou government here, and then he could deduce the Demonic Sect's plans from the clues.

It was getting dark, but the two were still on their way.

Chen Ye explained, “When you’re acting, you have to go all the way. We might already be being watched when we enter the city. If we don’t act seriously, we’ll easily slip up. Besides, you can always see many details in the streets and alleys. Maybe the Demonic Sect is hiding in the everyday life of the city.”

After saying that, he picked up a piece of osmanthus cake he had just bought and brought it to Su Chun's lips. After Su Chun opened her mouth to eat it, he carefully wiped away the crumbs from the corners of her mouth, just like a loving old married couple.

Su Chunyi simply smiled, her eyes sparkling, taking Chen Ye's words as true.

After walking for a while, the two finally arrived at the so-called Lou Wai Lou.

This Louwailou, built along the river, with its carved beams and painted rafters, and upturned eaves, is not a tall building, but a palace-like garden.

By this time, it was already dark, but the buildings inside and outside were brightly lit, shimmering with colorful lights. Countless exquisite palace lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire garden as if it were daytime.

Painted boats shuttle across the lake, the lanterns hanging from the bows reflecting the lights inside the buildings, like a galaxy fallen to earth.

The melodious sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from the painted boat; the willows along the bank swayed gently in the breeze, creating a truly elegant and lively scene.

Chen Ye sighed, thinking that Yunzhou City was too small.

Since they were already there, Chen Ye led Su Chunyi to the huge gatehouse.

Just as he was about to step inside, he was stopped by two young men guarding the door.

One of them, dressed in a blue short jacket with a cloth belt embroidered with the words "Lou Wai Lou" tied around his waist, looked the "elderly couple" up and down, and then said with a hint of contempt, "You two are from out of town, aren't you? You can't just walk into Lou Wai Lou like that. Please go back."

Chen Ye, his back hunched, asked in an aged voice, "What? I heard that Lou Wai Lou is a famous scenic spot in Yunzhou, and everyone can climb up and visit it. Are you taking advantage of my old age and deliberately making things difficult for me?!"

The young man chuckled and advised again, "Haha, old man, you're joking. Lou Wai Lou is indeed open to all on the first and fifteenth of each month, but today is the second day, so please go back."

Just as Chen Ye was about to speak again, a dashing young man, holding a folding fan, swaggered over. He casually nodded to the young man guarding the gate and walked straight in, without the gatekeeper stopping him at all. "Then how could he get in?" Chen Ye asked, pointing at the young man's back. "If you're worried that I'll freeload, then take a look at this!"

As he spoke, Chen Ye pulled a money pouch from his pocket, inside which were several pieces of snow-white silver, gleaming faintly in the lamplight. This sum of silver was a considerable amount for ordinary people.

However, the gatekeeper merely glanced at it casually, his face revealing a disdainful expression. These few taels of silver would probably only be enough to brew a pot of plain tea at Lou Wai Lou, and even then, the most ordinary kind.

But it wasn't appropriate to speak so directly about money, so the gatekeeper changed his tune: "Old man, it's not about the money. Do you know what kind of place this Lou Wai Lou is? It's a place where talented scholars and beautiful women compose poems and exchange verses. As the saying goes, no uncultured person comes here. If you want to climb up, you have to be a talented person. That young man just now was a scholar with official rank. How can you, an old farmer, compare?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye quickly replied, "I can read too. If you don't believe me, I'll write a few words for you to see."

The gatekeeper grew impatient and said disdainfully, "How can being literate make you a scholar? You old man, you're just being persistent!"

"Then what counts?" Chen Ye pressed on relentlessly. "Do I have to pass the imperial examination to become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations) before I can get in?"

Seeing his advanced age, the gatekeeper finally suppressed his anger and said, "At least you can write poetry. If you can write a good poem, I'll let you in."

"Write poetry?"

Chen Ye turned to look at Su Chunyi, who blinked, shook her head, and said, "I can't write poetry."

She had practiced swordsmanship since childhood and knew almost nothing about poetry and literature.

Chen Ye chuckled to himself. After traveling through time for so long, he never expected that he would have to copy poems again.

He looked at the gatekeeper again and asked in a deep voice, "What kind of poem do you want to compose?"

Seeing his appearance, the gatekeeper became even more impatient and said perfunctorily, "Five-character or seven-character poems, quatrains or regulated poems are all acceptable, but don't try to get by with doggerel, or you'll tarnish this elegant place. I see that you are a farmer, so I won't make things difficult for you. If you can write a poem on the theme of farming, as long as it conforms to the tonal patterns, you will pass."

"Really?" Chen Ye asked.

The gatekeeper replied proudly, "Of course I won't go back on my word. This is Yunzhou Louwailou, where many high-ranking officials and nobles live. How could I possibly lie to an old man like you?"

Chen Ye then asked, "You understand poetry too?"

The gatekeeper puffed out his chest with a proud look on his face: "Of course I know! Otherwise, why would I be guarding this Louwailou?"

"Alright, listen carefully." Chen Ye cleared his throat, his aged voice carrying a strange rhythm as he slowly recited:
"It's noon on the day of hoeing, and the sweat is dripping from the soil."

The gatekeeper initially wore a somewhat disdainful expression, wondering what kind of poetry an old farmer could write. But when he heard the first line, his expression froze.

"Who knows dishes on the menu, A Journey."

When Chen Ye finished reading the last sentence, the gatekeeper was completely stunned. The contempt on his face vanished, replaced by an incredulous shock.

Chen Ye asked with a playful tone, "What? Is this poem not good enough?"

The gatekeeper snapped out of his daze and quickly said, "No, no, this poem... this poem is truly excellent!"

The poem has no problems with its tonal patterns. At first glance, it seems simple, straightforward, and unadorned, but upon closer examination, it has a unique charm.

The gatekeeper wasn't bragging; those who worked at Lou Wai Lou naturally heard a lot of poetry on a regular basis.

Although I don't have the talent to write poetry, I can still discern the nuances of good and bad. Those talented poets, on the other hand, use allusions and metaphors at every turn, and sometimes you have to read hundreds of books to appreciate their meaning.

But the old farmer's poems are so profound that even illiterate people can understand them, and they touch people's hearts.

He wouldn't dare say the poem was absolutely stunning, but it was certainly not bad. In his opinion, it was much better than those obscure, incomprehensible, and pointless so-called "masterpieces."

Chen Ye laughed heartily.

"So, can the two of us enter Louwailou now?"

The gatekeeper quickly bowed and apologized, saying, "I was blind to your greatness, sir! Please forgive me! This way, sir, I will show you the way right away!"

Chen Ye and Su Chunyi followed the gatekeeper and finally stepped into the Louwailou.

Su Chunyi said to Chen Ye in surprise, "Sir, you can actually write poetry. I thought the poem you just recited was excellent and truly thought-provoking."

Although Chen Ye enjoyed Su Chunyi's admiring gaze, he still explained, "I don't know how to write poetry. I just read a lot of books and copied some from elsewhere. It's just that this person hasn't read many books and doesn't know that I copied it."

Su Chunyi sighed and said, "So that's how it is. The person who wrote the poem must also be a virtuous and noble person. If I could meet him in the future, perhaps I could guide him into the path of cultivation."

Chen Ye sighed, realizing that he probably wouldn't find this person in the world.

But this was really hard to explain, so he could only say that he had seen it in an ancient book and that the author must have already passed away, thus changing the subject.

The two walked through the Lou Wai Lou restaurant.
Upon entering the building, a cacophony of sounds immediately greets you, but it is not the clamor of the marketplace; rather, it is an elegant kind of noise.

Inside the grand hall, the carved beams and painted rafters shone brilliantly. Rosewood tables and chairs were arranged in a pleasing, orderly fashion, and every seat was taken. Scholars in elegant attire either fanned themselves and recited poetry or clapped their hands and laughed heartily; students preparing for the imperial examinations gathered in small groups, engaging in lively discussions, their faces beaming with anticipation for the future. The air was filled with the aromas of tea, wine, and a faint scent of ink, mingled with the fragrance of cosmetics, creating a unique and refined atmosphere.

In the center of the building, on a small stage, a young woman was gently playing the pipa, her melodious voice drawing cheers from the audience.

The gatekeeper courteously led the two to a private booth by the window on the second floor. The booth offered a panoramic view, overlooking the bustling lobby and gazing at the lights and sounds of oars on Qiandeng Lake in the distance.

"Please have a seat, gentlemen. I will serve you tea and snacks right away!"

The goalkeeper bowed and withdrew, his attitude completely different from before.

The two sat down, and Chen Ye picked up his teacup and took a sip, but his eyes were looking around the building.

Now that they had arrived at Lou Wai Lou, Chen Ye abandoned his plans to travel with others and focused on finding clues about the Demonic Sect.

His spiritual eyes scanned the surrounding spiritual energy, carefully observing the changes, but he couldn't find anything amiss after looking around.

This was an utterly ordinary place for composing poems and enjoying nature, where so-called talented men drank wine and recited sentimental verses, and there seemed to be nothing wrong with it.

After drinking half a pot of tea, neither Chen Ye nor Su Chunyi had gained anything.

Su Chunyi asked, "Sir, none of the people feasting here seem to be officials. Why don't we go and take a look at the high-ranking officials?"

Just as Chen Ye was about to agree, he suddenly heard a gasp.

Turning my head, I saw a young woman walking too fast and almost tripping. The person next to her quickly reached out to help her up.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with this, but Chen Ye heard the person who was helping him say, "Mother, be careful."

The voice wasn't loud, or even deliberately lowered, but Chen Ye's senses were sharp, and he heard it clearly.

There's nothing wrong with that; it's simply about a loving mother and filial piety.

But something seemed off about the two of them. The woman looked to be under thirty, while the man supporting him looked much older, at least in his early thirties.

How come an older man is calling a young woman "mother"?

Could it be that this woman married later in life, which is why she is younger than her adopted son?
That's possible, but Chen Ye felt something was off because the "mother and son" did look somewhat alike, as if they were actually related by blood.

(End of this chapter)