chapter 8. inside of the city
But Xua Yan had found a loophole into the security of the city. And decided to go in the city by climbing the city wall. But before doing that he quickly changed his clothes and hid his face and got into his usual clothing style as he wore them in his past life as an assassin because he had the confidence that even if anyone could see him climbing the wall and entering the city, he could escape from them. But if they remember his face they will eventually manage to track him down.
The city of Seven Hills was a bustling metropolis that was built around a big forest. The streets were wide and well-maintained, allowing for easy movement of people and goods. The outer perimeter of the city was primarily made up of houses constructed from stones, while the inner perimeter featured towering stone buildings that reached towards the sky. These buildings were adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, showcasing the city's rich cultural heritage.
One of the most striking features of the city was the presence of horse riders and beast carriages. The wealthy citizens of Seven Hills rode on horseback or in carriages pulled by exotic beasts, showcasing their wealth and status. The common people, on the other hand, walked on foot, with many carrying heavy loads on their backs.
The culture of the city was one of strong rule over the weak. The ruling class held a significant amount of power and were not afraid to use it to maintain their dominance over the common people. The freedoms of the common people were limited, and they were expected to obey the laws and regulations set by the ruling class without question. This strict hierarchy was enforced by a powerful military and a well-organized system of law enforcement.
Despite the rigid social structure and lack of freedom, the city of Seven Hills was a thriving center of commerce and culture. The markets were filled with a variety of goods, from exotic spices and herbs to fine silks and precious gems. The streets are lined with vendors selling everything from food and drink to weapons and armor. The city is also home to many artisans and craftsmen, who produce beautiful and intricate works of art, from intricate carvings and sculptures to delicate jewelry and pottery. The city was also known for its fine cuisine, with many restaurants and food stalls offering delicious meals to both the rich and poor.
Despite its many strengths, Seven Hills City is also plagued by many problems, such as poverty, crime, and corruption. The city is home to many criminal gangs and syndicates that prey on the weak and vulnerable, and the city's guards are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of criminals they have to deal with. The city's rulers are also known to be corrupt, and they often use their power to enrich themselves at the expense of the common people.
Overall, the city of Seven Hills was a place of contrasts, where the opulence of the ruling class stood in stark contrast to the poverty of the common people. Despite this, the city was a vibrant and exciting place to be, full of opportunities for those willing to take them. In short, Seven Hills City is a city of contrasts, a place where beauty and wonder coexist with poverty and crime, a place where the rich and powerful hold sway over the lives of the poor and dispossessed, a place of endless possibilities, where anything can happen and anything is possible.
As Xua Yan entered the city, he took in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. The city was filled with people of all walks of life, going about their daily business. Xua Yan was particularly interested in the merchants, who were making their way through the streets with carts and beasts of burden. He followed them, taking note of the different goods and wares they were selling. Eventually, he made his way to the market, which was a hive of activity.
The market was bustling with crowds of people, going in and out of the various shops and stalls. Xua Yan was amazed by the variety of goods on offer, from food and drink to clothing and tools. He could see merchants haggling with customers, trying to make a sale. The market was a veritable treasure trove of goods, and Xua Yan was eager to explore it further.
As he walked through the market, Xua Yan noticed that there were many different types of people present. Some were well-dressed, while others were dressed in tattered clothes. He also saw people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. The market was a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, and Xua Yan found it fascinating to observe.
Overall, the market was a vibrant and exciting place, filled with sights, sounds, and smells that Xua Yan had never encountered before. He was eager to continue exploring the city, and he knew that the market would be a great place to start because he had to sell his items in order to get money. He could also get money by stealing from others. But when this thought came into his mind, an image of a middle-aged woman crossed his mind. When he remembered Mother Wu's teaching, her love and effort which helped him stop stealing, he finally decided to live his life honestly unless someone comes in his way with malicious intentions.
As he walked through the crowded market, Xua Yan scanned the various shops and stalls, looking for a shopkeeper who seemed discreet and trustworthy. He knew that if he were to sell the items he had stolen from the group of mercenaries, he would need to be careful to avoid drawing attention to himself. He was particularly wary of any shopkeepers who seemed too eager to buy his goods, as he suspected that they might sell his information to the city guards or other authorities.
Instead, Xua Yan was looking for a shopkeeper who seemed more interested in making a quick profit than in asking too many questions. He also hoped to find a shopkeeper who was well-established and respected in the market, as he believed that such a person would be more likely to keep his mouth shut and not report him to the guards.
Finally, after searching for some time, Xua Yan found a shop run by an old woman. The shop was small and tucked away in a corner of the market, but it was well-stocked with all kinds of items. Xua Yan could see bones from rare animals, herbs, medicine, and even animal cores on display in the shop. He was drawn to this shop because of the good prices and the fact that it was less populated than the other shops in the market.
Xua Yan approached the old woman and showed her the items he had gathered in the forest. The old woman looked over his items with a critical eye, inspecting them carefully. After she looked at the bone and animal skin Xua Yan collected from the jungleAs, there was a hint of surprise in her eyes. She asked him his name, and Xua Yan told her that he was a part of a mercenary group. He explained that he and his group had been out hunting in the forest and after this hunt he decided to leave his group and join another group of hunters and these items he had gathered was his share in the group.
The old woman nodded, seemingly satisfied with his explanation. But Xua Yan had a keen eyesight as he was able to see suspicion in her eyes. But he didn't care because she offered him a fair price for the items, and Xua Yan was happy to sell them to her. He was relieved to have found a shopkeeper who didn't ask too many questions and was willing to pay a good price for the items. He knew that he could use the money to buy the ingredients he needed to cook tasty food and continue his training for sometime in the jungle because he doesn't have enough money in order to live in the city. Xua Yan thanked the old woman and was feeling pleased with the transaction. Because he got 110 silver coins after selling all the items he had and adding the money he stole from the group of mercenaries he now has 160 silver coins and this was the enough money for him to buy cooking materials he needed.
The old woman, who Xua Yan had sold his materials to, suddenly starts talking to him as he is about to leave the shop. She says, "It's very hard to see someone as strong as you in this remote and Barren place. Did you come here from somewhere for the Martial Art competition that is going to happen in this city?"
Xua Yan is taken aback by the old woman's sudden interest in him and his background, but he quickly composes himself and replies, "I didn't even know about this martial arts competition." The old woman then proceeds to explain to him about the upcoming martial arts competition that is set to happen in about a month's time. She tells him that the first place winner will be awarded with a spiritual pill that can aid in their martial arts practice. Specifically, she says that the pill can help the body stage martial art practitioner to feel the flow of energy around them and be able to reach the energy gathering stage of martial arts. That's why many young and talented martial artists come from all over the kingdom are comin to the city to participate in this competition."
The old woman's revelation about the martial arts competition and the prize of a spiritual pill piques Xua Yan's interest. He had always been a martial arts enthusiast in his past life and he had a strong desire to improve his martial arts skills. The opportunity to potentially win a spiritual pill that can aid in his training is something that he can't pass up. Xua Yan listened carefully as the old woman spoke, his interest piqued by the opportunity to advance his martial arts skills. He asked, "How can I participate in this competition? Do I need to register or pay a fee?"
"Yes, you need to register and pay a small fee to participate in the competition," the old woman replied. "But don't worry, the fee is not too expensive. You can register at any security station under the control of Heavenly Retreat kingdom, who is hosting the competition. They will also provide you with more information about the rules and schedule of the competition." After hearing the old woman's reply Xua Yan thanks the old woman for the information and makes a mental note to start preparing for the competition as soon as possible. With this thought he finally leaves the old woman's shop.
As he walked through the bustling streets of the city, Xua Yan's stomach grumbled, reminding him that it had been hours since he last ate. He knew he needed to find a place to rest and eat, but he didn't want to go to any of the fancy inns or taverns because he didn't have enough money to spend. Instead, he decided to search for a more modest establishment, something that would be less likely to attract the attention of the wealthy and powerful. He looked for small inns and taverns that were tucked away in the less populated areas of the city. He also made sure to avoid any places that seemed too run-down or unsanitary, as he didn't want to risk getting sick.
As he walked, he paid close attention to the various signs and advertisements he saw, looking for anything that might catch his eye. Eventually, he came across a small restaurant that looked promising. The sign out front was simple, and the building itself was made of wood and stone, with a thatched roof. The windows were small and the door was made of sturdy oak.