Chapter 376 - 232: Heading to Yuanzhou Prefecture (Part 2)

Chapter 376: Chapter 232: Heading to Yuanzhou Prefecture (Part 2)

The caravan was led by a middle-aged merchant named Zhao Qian, a burly man with a friendly face.

He saw that Fang Yue, despite his youth, carried himself with an uncommon air, so he took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

"Young man," Zhao Qian asked, his curiosity piqued, "you have an impressive air about you, not like the son of an ordinary family. What brings you to travel with a group of humble merchants like us?"

Fang Yue smiled faintly. "Zhao, you’re too kind. I’m just heading to Yuanzhou Prefecture to take care of some things and get some experience. It’s an honor to travel with all of you."

Zhao Qian laughed heartily at his words. "Of course, of course! Since we’re all headed to Yuanzhou Prefecture, it’s good to have someone to watch your back on the road."

Just like that, Fang Yue joined the caravan and embarked on the journey to Yuanzhou Prefecture with them.

~~~~~~~

"Fang Yue has left the city?" Black Robe asked. He had, in fact, been having Fang Yue’s movements watched all along.

"Yes, Lord Black Robe."

A spy knelt before Black Robe and answered respectfully, "Fang Yue has left the Capital City. He has reportedly joined a caravan heading to Yuanzhou Prefecture."

Black Robe nodded slightly. A deep smile touched his lips, but a cold, sinister light glinted in his eyes.

"Very good. You may leave. Continue to watch him closely for me. Report any developments immediately," he said slowly, his voice laced with an unquestionable authority.

"Yes, Lord Black Robe." The spy acknowledged the order and immediately turned to leave, not daring to delay for a second.

Black Robe stood in the shadows, his gaze fixed on the distance as if it could pierce through layers of mist and find Fang Yue’s figure.

’He really picked a good time to leave! I’ll let you enjoy your freedom a little longer, then.’ Black Robe’s voice was low and cruel, like a venomous snake hissing, enough to send a chill down one’s spine.

A vicious, sinister glint shone in his eyes.

Just that morning, he had received an order from the Sacrificial Department to proceed immediately to Guangfeng Prefecture and participate in an upcoming great battle.

Black Robe had originally planned to set off for Guangfeng Prefecture immediately to join the impending great battle.

However, just as he was about to depart, he received a report from his subordinate informing him that Fang Yue had left the Capital City and joined a caravan to Yuanzhou Prefecture.

Black Robe took a deep breath, a flicker of frustration in his eyes.

The Sacrificial Department’s orders could not be defied. He had to go to Guangfeng Prefecture for the great battle immediately; it was his duty.

However, Fang Yue’s whereabouts were also extremely important to him.

He knew that Fang Yue had something he needed, and Fang Yue’s potential and Talent also made him wary.

Black Robe pondered for a moment and decided on a compromise.

He turned to a trusted subordinate and said, "Take a few men at once. Follow Fang Yue to Yuanzhou Prefecture discreetly. You must watch his every move for me. If anything unusual happens, report back immediately."

"Yes, Lord Black Robe."

The trusted subordinate acknowledged the command and promptly turned to leave.

Black Robe watched his subordinate’s retreating back, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He knew he couldn’t deal with Fang Yue personally for the time being, but that didn’t mean he was going to let Fang Yue go.

He believed that as long as Fang Yue was within the borders of the Great Wei, he would one day fall into his hands.

When that time came, he would show Fang Yue the meaning of a fate worse than death.

Black Robe turned and left the shadows, preparing to head to Guangfeng Prefecture for the great battle.

He knew this great battle was also an opportunity for him. If he performed well, he might gain the appreciation and promotion from the higher-ups in the Sacrificial Department.

By then, his power and status would rise to another level, and dealing with Fang Yue would be even easier.

Meanwhile, Fang Yue was traveling with the caravan on the road to Yuanzhou Prefecture.

He had no idea that Black Robe had already sent people to tail him; he was simply focused on the journey.

He trusted his intuition and judgment—this trip to Yuanzhou Prefecture would surely be fruitful.

He also wanted to use this opportunity to temper himself, improving his strength and broadening his horizons.

As for the schemes and attention from Black Robe and the Observatory, Fang Yue didn’t pay them too much mind.

He knew that his strength and background were not yet powerful enough to contend with such high-level figures.

But he believed that as long as he cultivated diligently and increased his strength, one day, he would stand at the apex of this world, looking down on all his foes.

~~~~~~~

The caravan advanced slowly along the border of Yuanzhou Prefecture.

Fang Yue was on a brown horse, swaying with the caravan’s rhythm.

He gazed at the vast wilderness ahead, his heart filled with anticipation and curiosity.

After a month’s journey, the caravan finally reached the first city in Yuanzhou Prefecture, Fuliucheng.

The city gate was tall and heavy, studded with iron nails, appearing indestructible.

On the city walls, soldiers stood at the ready, warily watching every movement outside the city.

’Finally, I’m in Yuanzhou Prefecture.’ A faint smile touched Fang Yue’s lips.

After entering Fuliucheng, the caravan first settled down at an inn in the city.

Zhao Qian greeted his acquaintances in the city and dealt with matters concerning his cargo, bustling about happily.

Fang Yue, on the other hand, leisurely wandered around the inn, observing this unfamiliar city.

Although Fuliucheng was just a small border town in Yuanzhou Prefecture, it was very prosperous.

The streets were bustling with people, and the shops were filled with a dazzling array of all kinds of goods.

Fang Yue walked into a bookstore, casually flipped through a few books about Yuanzhou Prefecture, and gained a deeper understanding of the city.

After staying at the inn for two days, Fang Yue bid farewell to Zhao Qian, preparing to continue toward the core region of Yuanzhou Prefecture.

"This is the place. This man is colluding with bandits outside the city, providing them with medicinal herbs."

But just then, a squad of government constables surrounded the courtyard Zhao Qian was renting.

Fang Yue watched the government constables surrounding the courtyard, his brow furrowed slightly. He didn’t act immediately, but stood quietly to the side, observing the situation.

Zhao Qian walked out of the house, and seeing the courtyard surrounded by constables, a look of panic crossed his face.

He hurried forward and said to the lead constable, "Officer, what’s going on? We are law-abiding merchants, how could we be colluding with bandits?"

The lead constable sneered, "Whether you’re colluding with bandits or not, we’ll know after a search. Men, search this place thoroughly!"

At the lead constable’s command, a group of government constables swarmed into the courtyard and began to search everywhere.

Zhao Qian stood to the side, his face pale, at a complete loss.

Watching this unfold, Fang Yue began to understand.

It was highly likely that someone was deliberately framing Zhao Qian to stir up trouble.

He didn’t rush to intervene, but continued to observe. If Zhao Qian was truly innocent, he would step in to help at the appropriate time.

Before long, the constables emerged from the house with several packs of medicinal herbs.

The lead constable picked up the herbs and said coldly, "These are the very herbs the bandits are in desperate need of. What do you have to say for yourselves?"

Zhao Qian’s face drained of color. He hastily explained, "Officer, these herbs are for our business, they aren’t for any bandits! We have no connection with bandits whatsoever!"

However, the lead constable didn’t listen to Zhao Qian’s explanation at all. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Take them all away!"

Seeing this, Fang Yue knew he could no longer stand by and do nothing.

He stepped forward and said to the lead constable, "Hold on. Sir, I believe there must be a misunderstanding here. Zhao Qian is my friend, and I can guarantee he has nothing to do with bandits."

The lead constable sized Fang Yue up and sneered, "And who are you? What gives you the right to vouch for them?"

The lead constable’s attitude was extremely firm; he clearly had no intention of showing Fang Yue any deference.

Then, he gave Fang Yue a thorough look-over and let out a cold chuckle. "So you’re an accomplice of these criminals. Men, arrest him too."

Two government constables immediately stepped forward and seized Fang Yue.

Faced with this situation, Fang Yue didn’t resist. He didn’t want to expose his identity here.

’It’s best not to draw any unwanted attention.’