He'd rather run than be turned into a cannon fodder for the broken engagement.

Zhenjiang Prefecture City is a bustling metropolis where immortals and mortals live together. It is a thriving commercial center located at the confluence of three rivers, with convenient transportation in all directions, and where trade and logistics from all over the world transit.

After getting off the carriage, Leng Huan, carrying a small bundle, stood on a long bridge spanning the Grand Canal. He placed one hand on a stone lion and looked out at the wide harbor in the distance, where countless sailboats were coming and going!

Turning around again, a breathtaking panorama of towering buildings came into view. Crowds thronged around me, while behind me, pavilions, palace lanterns, and eaves bells swayed in the wind.

Judging from the architecture alone, it was several times more prosperous than Zhongnan Prefecture City! She looked around like a country bumpkin visiting the city, marveling at the sights along the way. It was a bustling yet ancient and elegant city, completely different from modern metropolises!

It surpasses even Beijun City. Beijun City is filled with immortal sects and aristocratic families, giving it a more ethereal feel, while Zhenjiang Prefecture City gives Leng Huan the impression of the grandeur of the mortal world.

She took a deep breath of the bustling, worldly atmosphere, feeling as if she were inhaling a warm, intoxicating breeze: "..." In broad daylight, before it even gets dark, are these people already acting all sorts of dissolute and unrestrained?

Luxurious high-rise buildings, fragrant with perfumes and the faint sounds of drums and music, and the singing and dancing of birds—just standing outside gives you the feeling of a decadent and intoxicating atmosphere.

Seeing her eager expression, Fu Xun grabbed her and pulled her forward, saying, "Brother Huan, it'll get dark soon, let's find an inn to stay in!"

Following his lead, Leng Huan looked back repeatedly at the beautiful girls soliciting customers at the entrance of the Red Sleeve Pavilion. If even the greeters were this pretty, one could only imagine how many top courtesans were inside…

"We're here!" This voice brought Leng Huan back to his senses. Fu Xun pointed expressionlessly to the inn in front of them: "Brother Huan, let's go in and see if there are any rooms available."

"Good, good, good!" Leng Huan quickly stepped inside, sighing inwardly, "The world is so noisy and dazzling!"

—

"Gentlemen, are you looking for a place to stay?" The innkeeper greeted the guests politely, his abacus clattering loudly in his hands.

"Yes, we need two superior rooms." After answering, Leng Huan patted the bundle on his shoulder and curiously looked at the guests coming and going.

Unexpectedly, Fu Xun gently tugged at her sleeve and looked at the innkeeper: "Just one superior room, please." He whispered to Leng Huan, "We don't have much money left..."

The idea was to save money. Leng Huan thought about it and realized that this place was bustling and that food, clothing, and accommodation must be expensive. They hadn't even reached Nanjun yet, and the expenses along the way had already been enormous. So she nodded and said, "Okay, one room it is."

"Alright! Gentlemen, that's ten taels of silver for one night. Do you need anything else?" The innkeeper glanced at the dog Sang Biao that Fu Xun was holding and frowned slightly. "Gentlemen, you must take good care of this dog and not let it run around."

Fu Xun responded.

Ten taels?!

Leng Huan immediately felt sorry for the money; it was her wages for several months of work!

Just as she was hesitating about whether to switch to a cheaper inn, she heard Fu Xun agree and even pay for it: "Please prepare hot water and food."

Thinking of how he had traveled a long and tiring journey to Zhenjiang Prefecture and hadn't had a proper shower or sleep in the past few days, Leng Huan obediently shut up.

"Do we have enough money?" Fu Xun had been in charge of all the expenses along the way, and Leng Huan hadn't even touched his own hundred taels.

Fu Xun put down his bundle and Sang Biao. "That's enough, as long as we don't spend it recklessly. We'll rest tomorrow, then I'll go find a boat, and we'll set off the day after tomorrow." He emphasized the word "don't spend it recklessly."

Not wanting to waste money? Leng Huan immediately gave up his idea of ​​going to Hongxiu Pavilion to play... or take a look.

"Oh, that's good." She slumped her shoulders and sat down on a stool in the outer room to rest, feeling regretful and wondering when she would be able to achieve financial freedom.

Fu Xun glanced at her, a barely perceptible smile on his face, then squatted down and picked up Sang Biao again: "I'll take it for a walk, and we'll be back in fifteen minutes."

"Okay." Leng Huan watched him leave as she took Sang Biao to the outhouse. Her injuries from riding in the carriage these past few days had almost healed.

As soon as you enter the room, the noise outside is shut out, and you can no longer feel the decadent revelry.

—

Leng Huan, naturally, couldn't go to the den of iniquity. The next day, the two of them and their dog strolled around the streets.

“Actually, we can stay in a cheaper inn.” As they walked, they came to a quiet alley. They had just passed a few small inns. Leng Huan put his hands behind his back and kicked a small stone at his feet.

“No, that inn is safer. The entire inn is shrouded in a protective barrier. If any thieves get close, they will be discovered.” Fu Xun led the dog slowly, holding the makeshift leash that Leng Huan had made for Sang Biao.

"I've already inquired, and there's a boat to Nanjun tomorrow morning. Huan-ge, get up early tomorrow."

“Um, I…” Before Leng Huan could finish speaking, Fu Xun suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a big tree.

He made a finger gesture: "Shh!" His expression was wary. A moment later, several burly men emerged from a secluded courtyard gate.

One of them muttered under his breath, "Pah! After this deal, I'm going to have some fun!"

The shorter one quickly stopped him: "Watch out! You'll die in bed sooner or later..."

The other one snapped at the two men, "Shut up! This deal was assigned by our superiors, don't mess it up! Otherwise, we'll all be in deep trouble when the bosses blame us!"

The group of people gradually walked away. Leng Huan and Fu Xun exchanged a glance, both realizing they had arrived at someone else's hideout.

Those guys had a strong江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) vibe; they were clearly not good people. Leng Huan thought they were almost like bandits and robbers.

Not wanting to cause trouble, they hurried back to the inn, took her back, and then Fu Xun led Sang Biao out to prepare supplies and arrange the boat tickets for tomorrow.

The area has well-developed shipping transportation and a dedicated shipping company established by the city lord's government, which is considered reliable.

There are both regular passenger ships and commercial shipping services, which are handled separately.

"I need two tickets to Nanjun." After waiting for a while, it was finally Fu Xun's turn. He looked at the steward in front of the counter and said.

"We will depart tomorrow at 3:45 AM on a medium-sized ship, waiting at ferry platform number six." The steward was efficient, collecting the fare of one hundred taels and giving Fu Xun two specially made wooden tokens. They bore the mark of the shipping company and a unique number, one for each person, making it impossible to forge or disrupt the order.

-

"unlucky!"

Fu Xun put away the voucher and was about to leave the counter when he suddenly heard that familiar gruff voice. He glanced to the side and saw that it was indeed the same group of people he had seen in the secluded alley near the port.

"There aren't any merchant ships departing early this morning, we'll have to wait for several more hours!" The big man was very unhappy. He ignored his two companions behind him and stepped out first.

After they all left, Fu Xun slowly led Sang Biao away from the shipping company. These things had nothing to do with him; he considered them just a minor incident.

He didn't mention this to Leng Huan either.

As dawn broke, the streets and buildings were shrouded in a dark blue backdrop. Early risers were already out and about, and Leng Huan awoke to the sound of their activity.

I'm looking forward to taking a large ship south across the Yangtze River. I wonder what it will be like to ride on such a big ship.

Standing in line at the ferry platform, the sky was already brightening. Not far ahead, at the other end of the pier, a huge, three-story-high ship was moored, its exterior decorated with gold and jade, and its design was beautiful.

It didn't look like a passenger ship, but more like a pleasure boat owned by a merchant. Leng Huan thought the fifty taels of silver per person fare was worth it. Going down the river, they could cover several hundred miles a day, and it would only take three days to reach Nanjun!

-

After waiting for ages, boarding finally began.

At 7:45 AM, it was almost their turn, and Leng Huan was filled with anticipation. Just then, he suddenly heard a noisy and chaotic sound from the crowd behind him.

The crowd was thrown into turmoil as if a bomb had been dropped, and soon people were thrown about.

A loud shout rang out: "Stop! Don't run!!"

Leng Huan turned his head in surprise. Behind them was a long line of people, jostling and pushing, and suddenly a few burly men appeared, pushing and shoving, chasing after a... petite and delicate girl.

"Stop! Don't run, you bitch!"

The burly man, like a hungry wolf entering a flock of sheep, roared and rampaged, causing chaos and suffering to many.

Leng Huan was all too familiar with this scene!

The little girl was surprisingly agile, dodging left and right as if she were watching them board the ship. With a clear goal in mind, she rushed straight towards Leng Huan and his group.

As they approached, Fu Xun's eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Leng Huan's arm, pulling her towards him.

"Ah—" But the girl panicked and ran straight onto the narrow pier, which was only one meter wide. Just as she was about to be pushed off the pier, Leng Huan instinctively reached out and pulled her back. "Watch out!"

"Thank you, brother, thank you," the little girl said repeatedly, her voice clear, melodious, and very pleasant to hear.

Before Leng Huan could answer, the burly men behind him caught up, shouting angrily, "Stop! Don't run, get down now!"

Only then did she realize that those people were the martial arts practitioners she had met yesterday.

A burly man cursed, his eyes blazing with fury, "Stop! You'll be thrown overboard and eaten by fish!"

Perhaps out of respect for the ship's stewards, the burly men could only rage helplessly, shouting and cursing at the little girl in a foul and filthy manner.

However, the little girl turned around, made a face at them, and proudly waved a boarding pass in her hand.

Suddenly, one of the burly men was overcome with anger and coughed up blood, fainting. The other two burly men frantically helped him up...

"Pfft..." Leng Huan chuckled and accidentally burst out laughing. The next second, he quickly covered his mouth and retreated behind Fu Xun.

Fu Xun calmly took her arm and led her onto the deck of the ship. He took out his credentials and handed them to the steward for verification. The steward only looked at the credentials, not at the person: "Passed, next!"

They passed through quickly. If the receipt was incorrect, or there was no receipt at all, they either had to pay extra silver or be thrown into the river to feed the fish. Of course, paying for the ticket on board would cost much more than fifty taels.

Leng Huan paid special attention to the little girl and discovered that she had also passed the test smoothly.