At the age of eight, he impersonated the orphan of a military officer and went to the martial world.

Chapter 95 The item entrusted by Chief Escort Wang has been delivered. Please check it, Manager Lin.

As they stepped out of the room, they encountered Chen Zijing, Fang Jingsong, and others arriving together.

Their faces still bore the excitement of the bustling city and the anticipation of the approaching Qingyun Ranking.

"Brother Qingyang, we were just looking for you!" Chen Zijing smiled broadly, his enthusiasm tinged with a hint of reserved warmth. "We'd like to gather at Zuixianlou. We've heard it's a place where the city's talented young men congregate, where we can gather information about the Qingyun Ranking and also get a feel for the city's atmosphere. How about we come together?"

Fang Jingsong nodded and said, "That's right, Brother Qingyang, let's come together, it'll be more lively with more people."

Despite his young age, no one would consider Zhang Yuan an ignorant child these days.

Zhang Yuan didn't stop walking, but simply cupped his hands slightly, his expression calm as usual: "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Chen and Brother Fang. I have some trivial matters to attend to at the West Market, so I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer. I wish you all a pleasant time."

His refusal was crisp and decisive, without any hesitation.

Chen Zijing's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered and nodded, "In that case, Brother Qingyang, please make yourself at home. We'll meet again another day."

Zhang Yuan said no more and walked out of the somewhat noisy inn alone, merging into the crowd of people in the prefectural city.

As soon as you step onto the street, the prosperity of Luyang Prefecture City, far surpassing that of Fengming County, comes into view.

The wide Zhuque Avenue can accommodate ten horses abreast, and the bluestone pavement is smooth and flat.

The buildings on both sides are lined up one after another, with flying eaves and brackets, carved beams and painted rafters. The shop signs are dazzling, with silk shops, cosmetic shops, restaurants, teahouses, pawnshops and money exchanges. The place is bustling with people and shoulder to shoulder.

The air was filled with the aroma of food, the sweet scent of cosmetics, the smell of livestock, and a kind of bustling heat unique to big cities.

On the streets, powerful martial artists could be seen from time to time among the crowds.

They were dressed in tight-fitting clothes, walked with a steady gait, and had sharp eyes, clearly indicating that they were experts at the Innate Realm.

They often gathered in groups of three or five, dressed in uniform brocade robes with the emblems of different families or martial arts schools embroidered on their chests. They possessed an extraordinary demeanor and their cultivation levels were mostly at the mid-to-late stages of the Innate Realm.

Even more remarkably, one might occasionally see one or two soldiers clad in dark black scale armor, carrying standard long swords at their waists, and with eyes as sharp as hawks patrolling by.

They carried an aura of steely ferocity honed on the battlefield. Although they might not all be at the peak of the Innate Realm, their refined killing intent was striking. They were clearly elite troops stationed in the prefectural city or soldiers belonging to the Zhenwu Guard.

In teahouses and restaurants along the street, discussions about the Battle of Nanruo Temple were rampant.

"Have you heard? Captain Xing displayed incredible prowess at Nanruo Temple in Blackstone Mountain, single-handedly battling five Grandmaster-level demons with just his spear! The battle was so fierce it darkened the sky and earth!"

"More than that! I heard that the demon corpses were piled up like mountains. Jin Yan, Xuan Yin, Qing Ling, and Yin Gu—four of the old demon's generals under the Falling Star Marsh Overturning Sea Demon—were killed!"

"And there was another one named Mu Kui, who was even reduced to his original withered tree form!"

"Good heavens! When the Black Scale Army's prison wagons dragged those mountain-like demon corpses into the city, the murderous aura they exuded—it sent chills down your spine even half a street away! Captain Xing is truly the pillar of our Luyang Prefecture!"

"Who says otherwise! After this battle, I'd like to see which of those evil villains dares to run wild in my Luyang Prefecture territory. The reputation of the Zhenwu Guard has been firmly established!"

"Yes, the Blackscale Army's iron cavalry leaves nothing but desolation in their wake! The Xuanjia Army, stationed at the heart of the city, commands respect from all directions! With Commandant Xing and the Blackscale Army at our disposal, Luyang Prefecture is safe and secure!"

"By the way, the Azure Cloud Ranking will be released soon, right? I heard that several prominent families in the prefectural city have produced outstanding disciples this time. Xu Shiyu from the Xu family in the north of the city is said to be at the late stage of the Innate Realm, and his Mountain-Breaking Fist is unparalleled in its ferocity!"

"Gu Xuance of the Gu family in the south of the city is no less formidable, a half-step Grandmaster! His swift swordsmanship is said to be able to split light into shadow! And then there's Qian Mobai of the Qian family, a master of both Confucianism and martial arts, a man of great talent and ambition, also a formidable opponent."

"Tsk tsk, it seems this year's Azure Cloud Ranking will be another fierce battle."

These discussions reached Zhang Yuan's ears, painting a picture of Luyang Prefecture as powerful and prosperous, yet also rife with undercurrents.

His expression remained calm, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the discussions, but his steps were purposeful as he walked through the bustling crowd towards the West Market.

The West Market of the prefectural city was not as glamorous as Zhuque Street, but it was more complex and bustling, a gathering place for all kinds of merchants, artisans, and people from all walks of life.

After many twists and turns, Zhang Yuan finally found the small shop with an antique-style plaque that read "Moyunzhai" at the entrance of a relatively quiet alley.

The store was dimly lit and filled with a faint scent of ink and the unique aroma of old books and paper.

An elderly man, dressed in a worn blue cloth gown, thin in build, and sporting a goatee, was hunched over behind a counter, slowly and meticulously repairing a tattered page of an ancient book with a fine brush, using the light from the window.

His face was ordinary, but his eyes were exceptionally clear, revealing a shrewdness and composure that came from having seen the world.

Zhang Yuan walked into the store, his footsteps very soft.

The old man didn't even look up, but simply asked, "What would you like, sir? Newly arrived Huizhou ink and brushes, or perhaps some rare and incomplete books?"

Zhang Yuan did not answer. He simply walked to the counter, took out the dusty cloth bag from his pocket, and gently placed it on the counter.

The old man finally looked up from the book and onto the cloth bag.

"Are you Manager Lin, sir?" Zhang Yuan asked.

The old man nodded, his eyes flickered slightly, and a seemingly casual yet meaningful smile appeared on his face.

He reached for the cloth bag, but did not open it immediately. Instead, he looked up and carefully examined Zhang Yuan, as if trying to see through him.

"So it was a distinguished guest who delivered books."

Manager Lin's voice was steady. The hidden mark on the inside of the cuff of his blue cloth robe, blending seamlessly with the fabric, flashed by under Zhang Yuan's sharp gaze.

"The item entrusted by Chief Escort Wang has been delivered. Please check it, Manager Lin," Zhang Yuan said calmly.

"well."

Shopkeeper Lin smiled and agreed, then slowly untied the cloth bundle, revealing a thin, plain-colored book with no words on the cover.

He casually flipped through a few pages and nodded. "The items are correct. Thank you for your trouble, young friend. If you ever need books sent from Fengming County, or if you'd like to find any special writing materials, please feel free to come and find me."

These words clearly indicate that Zhang Yuan is considered "one of our own" with whom we can maintain long-term relationships.

Zhang Yuan nodded slightly: "Farewell."

After saying that, he turned and left without any hesitation.

As soon as Zhang Yuan's figure disappeared outside the shop, the curtain leading to the back room was lifted by a large hand with distinct knuckles and the marks of battle.

Xing Daorong, with his tall and straight figure, walked out slowly.

He wasn't wearing his signature black scale armor, but only a dark-colored outfit. However, the murderous aura of someone who had been through many battles and the oppressive aura of a Vajra Realm expert, even when deliberately restrained, still made the small study appear exceptionally solemn.

"That was ruthless." Xing Daorong's gaze was sharp as a knife, as if piercing through the shop door, following the direction Zhang Yuan had gone. "That Mu Kui, the Grandmaster-level Green Wood Demon, that final fatal sword strike was delivered by this kid."

"The timing, the angle, and the ruthlessness were all perfectly executed; he doesn't seem like an eight-year-old at all."

His tone was inscrutable, conveying neither praise nor any other emotion; it was simply a matter of stating facts.