Chapter 153 - Hao Pharmacy (1/2)

Chapter 153: Hao Pharmacy

Daylight.

Unfortunately, the Nightwind was gone, which meant they could only walk. Little Wingsy followed closely behind Ye Chen, inspecting his surroundings full of curiosity. From time to time, he would raise many questions about certain things like mystical and Celestial Beasts though Little Tanuki answered all of it patiently.

With Little Wingsy around, it felt like Ye Chen had a translator with him. Now, he no longer needed to guess what Little Tanuki meant.

It was interesting to listen to the conversation between Little Wingsy and Little Tanuki as they discussed mystical and Celestial Beasts. Ye Chen tried to pick up some of the more noticeable words. Being a quick learner, perhaps, he would be able to catch on in no time.

Once the trio arrived at a small town, they immediately headed to a restaurant to satiate their hunger. Following that, Ye Chen bought two new steeds for traveling purposes and ten livestock consisting of cows and lambs for the chef to roast to be stashed away in the armguard. He had realized just how ravenous an appetite Little Wingsy had. The little boy never once chewed his food, only swallowing it whole. In the blink of an eye, he had stuffed an entire lamb down his throat though his stomach looked just the same.

A child with such a large appetite was bound to attract attention wherever they went. Ye Chen did not wish to remain in the town for long or people might start thinking that they were abominations. The moment he had gotten his necessities, they departed swiftly.

Traveling along the highway, they made their way to the capital.

The highway was filled with commoners. People who dragged along mules and horses, transporting goods back and forth. Ye Chen checked with many of them and they were heading to the capital just the same. This was not even the main route that people used to travel but it was teeming with people from all over the place. One could imagine just how busy the capital would be.

“Brother Ye Chen, Miss Tanuki said these tanukis aren’t the same as mystical or Celestial Beasts. Most tanukis can shapeshift once they’ve grown three tails and the later they learn to shapeshift, the more powerful their abilities. She doesn’t know why she has yet to learn how to shapeshift despite growing six tails already,” Little Wingsy spoke with a mouthful of lamb shank in his mouth.

“Right.” Ye Chen nodded. It seemed Little Tanuki’s abilities were considered powerful among her own kind then.

“Miss Tanuki says she hopes she can shapeshift soon.” Little Wingsy added.

“Huh? I thought the later, the better. Wouldn’t that make her abilities stronger too?” Ye Chen was confused. He looked at Little Tanuki. Little Tanuki was red in the face, there was a charm to her. Ye Chen finally realized what she meant.

Little Wingsy curiously looked at Ye Chen and Little Tanuki with those large eyes. Why was Brother Ye Chen quiet and why was Miss Tanuki so shy all of the sudden? Adulting is complicated. Whatever, lamb shanks were the best.

Since tagging along Ye Chen, Little Wingsy had managed to savor many roasted lamb shanks and beef. He was incredibly happy. With Brother Ye Chen and Miss Tanuki around, he had an endless supply of meat to savor daily!

The trio had crossed three counties. The capital was now within their sights. Nothing bad happened as they traversed through the highway. They managed to speak to the vendors and witnessed interesting events along the way, all of which deepened Ye Chen’s understanding of the Xiwu Empire.

In a world of chaos, human lives were nothing but insignificant, like weeds by the roadside.

Ye Chen sighed. With his powers alone, he could not bring about much change. So long as he stayed true to himself, maintained his current form, and always did good, that was all that mattered.

Large groups of cavalries patrolled the highway intermittently. Apart from keeping the highway bandit-free, they did not pick on the vendors nor extorted them. Everything here was running with order.

Yin Mengtian was right. Great Emperor of Mingwu was a good man except problems were festering deep within the empire. The Xiwu Empire had cultivated numerous talents in the past and they were considered a stronghold by their neighboring countries. Unfortunately, about seven or eight hundred years ago, they started to fall from grace. Following their war with the Nanman Kingdom, the Xiwu Empire was on a slippery slope to ruin.

Following the group of businessmen, they could see castle walls hundred meters in height that were erected along the hills.

“We’ve arrived at the border. Once we’re through here, it’ll be the capital inside!” The businessmen cheered. They came from various places and braved through a series of misfortunes and challenges. Some had traveled for days, others for months or longer. They were finally at their destination; how could they not be happy?

Ye Chen tailed along with the group, paid two dollars for the entrance fee, and passed through the gates.

A large group of cavalries guarded the border. Tall, built soldiers clad in silver armor were stationed every one, two meters or so along the castle wall. They remained ever-so vigilant and mighty.

Ye Chen wondered which general governed the border. He found the way the general handled his troops interesting.

Long stretches of houses appeared the moment Ye Chen entered the order. They were old and rather rundown. People come and go on the streets and businessmen stopped by here for a rest. Many restaurants, inns, and brothels situated at the border, with ladies all dolled up trying to attract a potential customer.