Chapter 59: Sunset City
Currents of air swirled as the Wind-Chasing White Crane glided on its wings, gradually descending.
"Ye Xing, I have a Gold Card for the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower here," Tantai Mengxue said, her lovely eyes glinting as she took out a golden card and handed it to him. "Take it for now. It might come in handy at the auction."
The golden card was forged from solid gold, glittering brilliantly. Its front was engraved with the emblem of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, while its back was inlaid with seven sparkling, translucent Gemstones. It was impossibly luxurious, clearly of immense value.
"This looks so high-class. You have so many nice things, Miss Mengxue. Haha, in that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll give it back after the auction." Ye Xing laughed as he accepted the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower Gold Card from Tantai Mengxue. Then, circulating his True Qi, he leaped from the back of the Wind-Chasing White Crane.
He executed the Flying Spin Step, landing firmly on his feet.
"Ye Xing, be careful on your way back! It might be several days before I return to White Cloud Mountain, so I won’t be able to go with you," said Tantai Mengxue.
"Yes, don’t worry. Miss Mengxue, Xia Girl, little Chunyu, you all take care as well!" Ye Xing said with a cupped-fist salute.
The Wind-Chasing White Crane flapped its wings and shot toward the horizon. In a moment, it was just a tiny black dot, vanishing into the sky.
Tantai Mengxue and her companions were also traveling for business, and dropping Ye Xing off was just a stop along their way. Now that he was in Sunset City, they naturally had to fly on to other cities.
After watching Tantai Mengxue and the others depart, Ye Xing immediately headed toward the gates of Sunset City.
Sunset City was a large city. Due to its proximity to the Lianyun Mountain Range, many Martial Artists heading to the Demon Beast Mountain Range for adventures would stop here to resupply and rest. As a result, Sunset City was incredibly prosperous, its size ranking among the top three in all of Red Sun Province.
The city was magnificent, its thick walls constructed from hard granite. Squads of soldiers holding Iron Halberds patrolled the top of the walls. Their armor was pristine, their posture was ramrod straight, and all of them possessed considerable strength.
In the center of the wall was a wide gate. Above it, a plaque was carved with the words "Sunset City." The calligraphy was flamboyant and powerful, clearly the work of a master. On either side of the gate stood two squads of twenty guards, their armor immaculate and their blades sharp as they stood watch.
At this moment, both halves of Sunset City’s gate stood open. A bustling crowd of pedestrians flowed in and out, carrying bundles and luggage of all sizes. There were old men and children, women and strapping young men. Some carried shoulder poles, others pushed wheelbarrows, and luxurious horse-drawn carriages rolled into Sunset City.
Dressed in green robes, a longsword in hand and a pack on his back, Ye Xing joined the crowd and entered Sunset City.
The city proper was incredibly prosperous. Shops with classical and luxurious decor lined both sides of the main street. Countless stalls also filled the roadsides, and the cries of vendors rose and fell in waves.
"Get your buns here! Freshly steamed buns, just one copper coin each!"
"Candied hawthorns! Delicious candied hawthorns, two copper coins a stick! Get your candied hawthorns!"
"Hey, sir! Top-Grade rouge and powder! Buy two boxes for your wife back home, and you’re guaranteed to win her favor!"
"Exquisite hairpins..."
"Come take a look, come take a look! Top-Grade Demon Beast hide, perfectly intact, freshly hunted! Miss this chance and it’s gone!"
One cry from a vendor drowned out another on the incredibly bustling and lively street. There were vendor calls, the clamor of haggling, the sounds of conversation and laughter, the rumbling of wheels, and the CLIP-CLOP of hooves. The street was full of wealthy people dressed in luxurious silks and satins.
’As expected of a great city. The prosperity of Sunset City is worlds beyond Phoenix Town. If I opened a shop here, I’d make a fortune!’ Ye Xing’s eyes flashed as he surveyed his surroundings. He then walked up to a bun stall.
A small crowd was gathered, buying buns. The stall owner wore a broad smile as he opened a steamer basket. Plump, white buns billowed with hot steam, releasing a fragrant aroma. The owner was busy wrapping them in oil paper and handing them to his customers.
"Boss, I’ll take two buns," Ye Xing said, walking up to the stall owner. He’d been in a rush this morning and had barely eaten breakfast; he was starting to feel genuinely hungry.
"Meat buns or vegetable buns, sir?" the stall owner asked with a ready smile.
"One of each," Ye Xing said.
"Coming right up, sir!" The owner expertly wrapped two buns in oil paper and handed them to Ye Xing.
Ye Xing took out two copper coins and handed them to the owner. As he accepted the buns and turned to leave, he suddenly saw a small, filthy hand sneak into the steamer and snatch a meat bun.
"Hey! You little beggar, you dare steal my buns! I’ll beat you to death!" The stall owner had sharp eyes and immediately spotted the little beggar. Roaring, he grabbed a thick wooden stick from nearby and rushed after him.
The little beggar clutched the bun and ran for his life. He seemed exhausted and weak, however, and even running at full tilt, he wasn’t very fast. Hampered by the crowded street, he was quickly overtaken by the stall owner.
"That’ll teach you to steal! Stealing my buns! I’ll kill you, you little bastard!" The stall owner swung the wooden stick, viciously striking the little beggar on the ground.
The little beggar was a boy of fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a single layer of tattered rags. He lay on the ground, covering his head and crying out in pain as the stall owner beat him mercilessly with the stick. His body was already covered in red, swollen welts.
"You dare steal my buns! I’ll beat you to death, you little bastard!" The stall owner cursed as he laid into the boy, but he suddenly felt his wooden stick stop short, as if someone had grabbed it. He turned to look and saw the young man in green, the same one who had just bought two buns from him.
"What do you think you’re doing, sir? This little bastard stole my bun!" the stall owner said with a frown.
"That’s enough. He only stole one bun. There’s no need to beat him half to death," Ye Xing said, his gaze sharp. He took out a copper coin and held it out to the stall owner. "Here’s the money for the bun. I’m paying for it."
The stall owner snatched the copper coin from Ye Xing’s hand. "Young Master, why are you defending this little bastard?" he said. "Trash like him should be beaten to death. He could learn anything, but he learns to steal. He should be beaten to death, have his legs broken..."
"You took my money. Why are you still here?" Ye Xing’s expression turned cold.
"I’m going, I’m going!" A flicker of fear went through the stall owner. He gave an awkward, fawning smile and hurried back to his stall.