Chapter 371: Upper Capital

The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed as Li Huowang's carriage, accompanied by porters and wheelbarrows, gradually approached Shangjing, the most solemn and magnificent city of Daliang.

Sprawled on the carriage roof, Bai Lingmiao gazed up at the walls of the ancient city in the distance. The thick black city walls stood majestically, resembling a continuous range of low mountains. Specks of moss on their surface bore witness to Shangjing's long and eventful history.

"Is this Shangjing? It truly is extraordinary," Bai Lingmiao remarked, examining with great interest the city touted as the largest in all four seas and eight wildernesses.

Li Huowang, who had been leading the horse, stood up and carefully lifted her down. He then untied a ribbon from her wrist and tied it over her eyes. "Looking at it like this in the daytime hurts your eyes," he explained.

This was the headquarters of the Directorate of Celestial Observation. If he hadn't just acquired the black spindle, Li Huowang might not have dared to come here. Bai Lingmiao seemed a little annoyed by his actions, but in the end, she didn't pull off the ribbon over her eyes.

She shifted her weight and settled into Li Huowang's lap, then stretched out her arms and yawned widely. "Sooner or later, I'm going to replace these useless eyes!"

Li Huowang gently held her restless hands and feet. "Stop talking nonsense. We're entering the city soon; settle down."

Slowly moving along with the stream of people entering the city, Li Huowang soon reached the city gates. Any guard with eyes could tell something was amiss with Li Huowang's coffin-like carriage. However, upon seeing the Directorate of Celestial Observation waist token in Li Huowang's hand, they said nothing and simply let him pass.

Li Huowang felt immensely grateful for this decision he had made earlier. If he hadn't joined the Directorate of Celestial Observation, entering and leaving the city would surely have caused a lot of trouble.

Inside Shangjing, the surging crowd stretched continuously, fading into a blur around the distant drum tower.

"Let's find a place to stay first," Li Huowang said, giving the reins a shake. The horse, pulling the carriage, slowly moved forward with the crowd.

The red evening sun cast its light between the green tiled roofs and red walls. The abruptly soaring eaves, high-hanging sign flags, and the ceaseless flow of people, carriages, and oxcarts all reflected the prosperity of Daliang. Although this place looked similar to Yinling City, anyone could discern the difference between the two. If one had to use a single word to compare them, it would be 'heritage'. Shangjing was, after all, part of the legacy of the former Great Qi kingdom.

While Li Huowang was observing the capital of Daliang, the crowd's movement quickened, shoving and pushing towards the street on the left. Excitement was visible on everyone's faces, as if they were anticipating something. Li Huowang's carriage followed the flow of people and soon reached an open crossroads. There stood three white towers, several zhang tall. A group of bare-chested youths stood in a circle, holding cloth bags, eager to begin.

As Li Huowang wondered what was happening, a small dwarf stepped out into the open. He had a large gong strapped to his back, looking comically like a turtle. Ignoring the laughter from the crowd, the dwarf held up three incense sticks and bowed towards the three white towers.

"What are the people of Shangjing commemorating?" Li Huowang felt a flicker of doubt, but in this crazy world, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

As he wondered, the dwarf unstrapped the gong from his back, struck it hard with a loud clang, and shouted loudly, "Grab the bun mountains!"

At his cry, with a rush, the excited youths with cloth bags charged towards the three towers. Using both hands and feet, they constantly took something from the towers, stuffing it into their bags.

"Hm?" Li Huowang's pupils contracted slightly, focusing on the three white towers. Only then did he realize that the white on the towers was entirely made of head-sized steamed buns, piled up. As people moved about, the three bun mountains gradually transformed into three wriggling human pyramids. The people on the towers pulled at each other, forming human chains and hindering each other from climbing further.

Being young, their scuffles seemed to escalate into genuine irritation. As their movements grew more vigorous, the buns from the mountains scattered everywhere like falling flowers. Many of the falling buns were snatched by spectators, while many others mixed with the horse and ox dung on the ground.

Mantou, who had been hiding under the carriage, poked out his head. He picked up a fallen white bun with his mouth, held it down with his front paws, and began to devour it. On the bun's front was a large, red character for 'longevity'.

Looking at the wasted buns on the ground, Bai Lingmiao said with a hint of sarcasm, "Heh, the people of Shangjing are truly different. They can waste these white steamed buns like this. In other places, people can't even get them for the New Year."

Li Huowang's point of focus seemed to differ. "Don't those three bun mountains resemble three incense sticks? I think this ritual must be commemorating something."

"Commemorating whom? The Bun Immortal? Stop overthinking it."

Li Huowang looked at the surrounding crowd but said nothing more. With a gentle tug on the reins, the carriage slowly turned, pushing through the crowd and moving into the distance.

The crowd was thick, and Li Huowang was unfamiliar with the area. It wasn't until sunset that he finally found a suitable inn. This inn seemed quite high-class; it even had a stage in the middle of its main hall to attract customers. A crowd of diners and tea drinkers were thoroughly engrossed in the performance. Even Bai Lingmiao, with her white hair, didn't attract much attention upon entering.

Seeing new guests, a waiter with a white towel draped over his shoulder approached, his face wreathed in smiles, and asked, "Two honored guests, what can I get for you?"

"Some seasonal vegetables and two meat dishes," Li Huowang replied.

"Alright, coming right up! Please wait a moment."

Once the waiter had left, Li Huowang placed the two swords he had been carrying on the table, instantly feeling much lighter. "After dinner, you rest here at the inn first. I'm going to find Jixiang."

"Why are you looking for that old eunuch? Perhaps I can help." Li Huowang glanced at Bai Lingmiao, who was resting her head on the table, and patted her head without offering an explanation.

"Alright, alright, alright. You're the boss, your word is law. You don't need to consult me about anything," Bai Lingmiao said, turning her head away.

The two said nothing more, silently waiting for the waiter to serve the food. Once all the dishes were served, after first pouring some for Mantou, Li Huowang and Bai Lingmiao began to eat. Perhaps it was the long journey, or perhaps the inn's food was genuinely delicious, but Li Huowang, uncharacteristically, had a hearty appetite. Amidst the high-pitched singing, Li Huowang quickly filled his stomach.

Just then, a performer from the stage, singing in a theatrical voice, began moving among the guests, interacting with them. Singing and circling, the performer actually came before Li Huowang. Seeing Li Huowang's indifferent expression, he was clearly dissatisfied and decided to perform a special trick.

He approached Li Huowang, his head jerked suddenly, and the elderly male character makeup on his face instantly transformed into a female role. As he lifted and lowered his arm, the female role on his face changed again into a young male role.

As he smugly waited for the guests' exclamations, he suddenly felt a chill at his neck. A long sword was already pressed against it. Then he saw an incredibly ferocious face. "What face are you changing to?! Who told you to change your face!"