Chapter 131: Qianjiang Prefecture

"I feel the same way," Zhang Qian said. "Bai Tingting arrived just after we did, which means we were being followed."

Zhang Qian felt deeply annoyed. To have been tracked without realizing it was truly maddening.

Long Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Everyone knows the Emperor sent me to Qianjiang Commandery to suppress the pirates; it is no surprise that Bai Tingting knows as well."

"The question is, why is she following us? Is it for revenge? Or something else?"

Zhang Qian shook her head and replied, "I don't know much about her. In the capital, she often acted as a chivalrous heroine, which is commendable, unlike Bai Qiulian."

A commotion of fighting erupted from downstairs, followed by several screams. Through a crack in the window, Long Chen saw the embroidered-robe young master lose an arm to a sword strike, while several ruffians, stained with blood, fled behind him.

"Let's go. This place is no longer safe; we'll have to camp in the wilderness."

Long Chen grabbed their belongings and headed downstairs, with Zhang Qian following closely behind. That embroidered-robe youth was clearly a local bully or a wealthy despot; having his arm severed would inevitably lead to retaliation. Although it was Bai Tingting who struck the blow, Long Chen would certainly be implicated, so it was best to leave.

Downstairs, the innkeeper was staring blankly at Bai Tingting, who remained seated, drinking as if nothing had happened, exuding the air of a true martial hero.

Long Chen muttered to himself, "Women who act tough are truly invincible!"

"Bring our horses!" Zhang Qian tossed a silver ingot to the innkeeper.

The innkeeper, eyes lighting up at the sight of money, hurried to fetch the horses. Long Chen and Zhang Qian mounted and rode away from the inn.

Bai Tingting, one foot resting on a bench and holding a wine cup in her hand, snorted coldly as she watched them hurry off. "A eunuch with no manhood is truly spineless!"

Once outside the city, Long Chen traveled another twenty miles before stopping to rest in a dilapidated temple.

"That Bai Tingting is so annoying," Zhang Qian cursed.

Long Chen replied, "This place isn't bad. There aren't many mosquitoes tonight; let's make do."

"I don't think that sleazy man is someone to be trifled with. Bai Tingting will be in trouble. It would have been better to leave her there."

The temple was in a state of disrepair. Only the main hall had an intact roof, and a menacing Buddha statue sat in the center, its colors long faded.

"What kind of Buddha is this?" Long Chen wondered aloud, curious why the statues in this world looked so fierce.

Zhang Qian looked up and said, "This is the 'Submission Buddha' revered by Western Xia. You see how he holds a person in his hands and steps on another? It means those who submit to him ascend to heaven, and those who do not go to hell."

"The Submission Buddha used to be widespread in the Great Zhou, but the Emperor later suppressed Buddhism, which sparked much resistance. This temple was likely demolished during that time."

Long Chen looked at the incense ash and wax drippings on the altar. "Someone is still performing secret offerings."

Zhang Qian sighed helplessly. "With the world divided into three, the Eastern Zhou has always been under pressure. Southern Liang is vast, wealthy, and culturally flourishing; the scholars of Eastern Zhou admire the elegance of the south. It was only after you defeated Yu Shinan that the situation improved."

"Western Xia reveres Buddhism, and the Buddhist sect has been infiltrating the Eastern Zhou. While the Emperor promotes the Daoist sect, many commoners still believe in Buddhism."

Long Chen searched his host's memories. The sect revered by the Great Zhou was the Zixiao Palace, led by a female Daoist priest known as the Huayang Wanderer. Unlike the Buddhists, the Daoists did not proselytize everywhere, which left many commoners susceptible to the Western Xia's Submission Buddha. The doctrine promised paradise for the faithful and hell for the non-believers, a message that resonated deeply with the populace.

"A true Buddha would focus on saving all living beings. How can it be that those who don't submit go to hell? This is nothing but a demonic god; it's garbage!" Long Chen spat.

Zhang Qian spread out a fur pelt to use as a blanket and lit a campfire to keep wild beasts at bay.

"My Lord, let's rest." Zhang Qian sat nearby, intending to keep watch over him.

"Let's sleep together; it should be safe tonight." Long Chen lay down and patted the space beside him.

Zhang Qian, showing no shyness, lay down next to him.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, they washed up in a nearby stream, packed their belongings, and set off again. By dusk, they reached the West Gate of Qianjiang Commandery.

The usually bustling gate was much quieter. Soldiers in armor stood guard with spears, while others patrolled the walls with bows and arrows. Long Chen dismounted at the gate, and a soldier blocked his path, demanding, "Where are you from, and what is your business in the city?"

Long Chen patted the furs on his horse and offered a fawning smile. "Soldier, we are hunters from the mountains. We caught some game during the winter and are here to trade for salt and rice. Please, show some convenience."

As he spoke, he slipped a silver ingot into the soldier's hand. The soldier’s eyes lit up, and he grinned. "Go on in!"

The two led their horses into the city. An armored official approached, looking at Long Chen’s back, and asked, "What was that man here for?"

The soldier hurriedly hid the silver and bowed. "Sir Sima, they are hunters from the mountains here to sell furs."

This man was the Sima of Qianjiang Commandery, a position akin to a military commander, named Dou Yufei.

"Hunters? No wonder they don't look like ordinary folk." Dou Yufei nodded. Long Chen’s carriage suggested he was trained; if he were a hunter, it made sense.

Qianjiang Commandery was a large city, and it remained lively inside. Merchants and commoners moved through the streets, and the shops were all open.

"Where are we going? Shall we find an inn to stay?" Zhang Qian asked.

"Let's find an inn near the market. It’s a place where all sorts of people congregate; it's the easiest place to gather information."

It was already late, and they needed a place to settle. The inns near the market were certainly not luxurious, but they were hubs of information. When they reached the market and found an inn, they were hit by the stench of excrement as soon as they approached the door. Zhang Qian couldn't help but frown and cover her nose.

A teenage attendant saw them and asked bluntly, "Are you staying here?"

Long Chen smiled. "Yes, give me a premium room."

The attendant laughed. "We don't have premium or standard rooms here."

Long Chen shook his head and chuckled. "Just give me a private room then. My wife and I are staying together, so the communal room won't be convenient."

The attendant replied, "No problem, follow me. Oh, that’s a fine horse you have. You'd best keep a close eye on it, lest it be stolen."

Long Chen carried his furs himself, left the horse with the attendant, and paid the deposit at the counter before being shown to a private room. In such places, unless one was a regular, payment was required upfront to prevent people from skipping out.

Inside the room, the smell of stale sweat hit them. Zhang Qian complained, "What kind of stinky man slept here?" She quickly opened the window to let in some air.

Long Chen laughed. "At a time like this, I should have brought Dugu Jiali along. Having her sleep here could serve as incense."

Zhang Qian’s face darkened, and she said jealously, "I knew you were lusting after Dugu Jiali's beauty, you heartless flirt!"

Long Chen smiled. "You were complaining about the smell; I just thought she could freshen up the room for you."

Zhang Qian replied coldly, "I don't need it!"

The room was on the second floor, overlooking the merchants closing up their stalls.

"Let's go downstairs for dinner." They left the room, went down to the first floor, ordered two bowls of fish noodles, and sat down to eat. At a nearby table, several men were already discussing the pirates. Long Chen ate slowly, intentionally listening to their conversation.