Chapter 718: Meeting an Old Acquaintance Again

"Back then, those princes who dominated their regions truly didn't treat people like human beings. Later, rebellions broke out. Only after forcefully suppressing them did they realize how fierce the commoners' backlash could be. It's a bit better now, but honestly, not by much."

"You must have seen it when you entered the city. Right past the gates, there are so many beggars. Some died by the roadside long ago. They're rotting and stinking, yet no one cleans them up. No one cares."

"Moreover, for the many who die unjustly or suffer an undeserved calamity, the Local Government does nothing. It's a complete mess. Just staying alive is difficult."

Chen Changsheng paused and asked, "Has it already reached such a severe state?"

"Hasn't it..."

Long Zhongzheng sighed. "This area of ours was originally a barely governed place in the Northwest, but now it's even more chaotic. Currently, those four princes and the Imperial Court are fighting back and forth; everyone wants to be emperor. Our region falls under Prince Kang's jurisdiction. Earlier, all the able-bodied men in the city were forcibly conscripted. I only managed to escape that disaster by bribing them with quite a few silver taels."

"Given the current situation, only the commoners under the King of Wei have it a bit better. The King of Wei treats the people well and focuses on their livelihood, which has drawn in the populace from the territories of the other princes. Relying on this population advantage, he has gained a firm foothold. Many people travel hundreds or thousands of li to seek refuge in the King of Wei's fief. As for the rest, they flee toward the Capital City."

"Of course, it also depends on luck. Some might get snatched away for conscription halfway there. There's no need to even mention the women, children, and the elderly. The old can't walk very far, and children even less so. As for the women... sigh..."

Many things had already spiraled out of their control.

In times like these, simply staying alive had become a luxury.

Long Zhongzheng gave a helpless smile. "Look at someone like me. My legs are bad, and I barely have any travel money left. It's a blessing just to scrounge up a mouthful of food. I'd love to seek refuge with the King of Wei, but circumstances simply won't allow it."

Chen Changsheng looked at him. "Then what about the future? I have a feeling they might trouble you again the next time they conscript."

"Next time? I'll worry about next time when it comes..."

Long Zhongzheng sighed. "If I truly can't escape it, then it's just fate. I'll just have to accept it. Do I have any other choice?"

"And your legs aren't exactly in good shape."

"Who knows..."

Long Zhongzheng sighed again. Perhaps he just needed to get it off his chest, which was why he couldn't help but talk so much.

Chen Changsheng patted his shoulder. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, This Chen will treat you to some wine."

Long Zhongzheng waved his hand dismissively. "No, no, no. If those thugs outside spot the two of us, who knows how they'll make things difficult."

"Do they hold a grudge against you?"

"No grudge," Long Zhongzheng said. "In this day and age, whether they rob you or kill you, they don't need an excuse."

Chen Changsheng fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then This Chen will go buy some wine."

Long Zhongzheng straightened up. "Do you really have to drink this wine?"

"I want to."

"If you ask me, you shouldn't take the risk."

"This Chen walked all the way here from Water's End City." Chen Changsheng paused, then added, "Alone."

Long Zhongzheng froze for a moment. "You're that capable?"

"Just don't worry about it."

With that, Chen Changsheng turned to leave. "This Chen will be back with the wine shortly."

Long Zhongzheng stood up and watched as Chen Changsheng opened the door and walked out.

He walked over to the doorway and peered out, wondering exactly where this man had come from.

Here in the Northwestern Lands, for a person's clothes and face to be so clean was entirely illogical.

Chen Changsheng lightly tapped his toes and leapt onto a rooftop.

He bounded forward across the roof tiles. Strolling openly through the streets would have been fine too, but he had no desire to let those thugs ruin his mood.

Making his way forward, he noticed that all the taverns and shops in Ximing City, big and small, had already shut their doors. Closing at nightfall was a testament to how chaotic things had become.

Chen Changsheng began to worry that he wouldn't be able to buy any wine.

However, a long while later, at the entrance to an alley, he spotted a Wine Tavern that was still open.

The Wine Tavern was brightly lit.

The sounds of drinking and finger-guessing games drifted out from time to time.

The liveliness here formed a stark contrast with the rest of the city.

This Wine Tavern was somewhat different.

Chen Changsheng arrived at the door of the Wine Tavern and glanced to the side.

The Wine Tavern had no signboard; there wasn't even a name written anywhere.

It gave off a strange feeling.

He looked inside. There were people at every table; it was nearly packed full.

The waiters called out as they served food and wine. Sometimes, they would share a cup with the guests, offer a few smiling flatteries, and then hurry off to attend to other matters.

Chen Changsheng looked at the patrons and couldn't help but mutter, "People of the jianghu..."

He finally understood.

This was likely a Wine Tavern run by the jianghu wanderers of Ximing City.

Chen Changsheng stepped inside.

"Oho, a new guest!"

"Boss! Boss! A new guest is here! Hurry up and welcome him, hahaha!"

Chen Changsheng heard the shouting the moment he walked through the door.

Seeing the crowd jeering, the seated boss threw a chopstick at them. "Shut the hell up! Those soldiers will come knocking to cause trouble again soon enough, so keep it down."

"Hahaha..."

The crowd continued to cheer, completely indifferent to the boss's scolding.

When Chen Changsheng's gaze fell upon the boss, he suddenly paused.

And when the boss saw Chen Changsheng's face clearly, she also froze.

"Du Aniang?" Chen Changsheng called out, as if trying to confirm whether the person before him was the one he knew.

As his voice rang out, the Wine Tavern slowly fell silent.

"Du Aniang?"

"Is he calling the boss?"

Du Aniang looked at Chen Changsheng. Realization dawning, she said, "It's been a long time, Senior."

Following Du Aniang's response...

...the Wine Tavern instantly erupted in an uproar.

"The boss's surname is Du!"

The crowd finally understood. They had been here for a long time, yet this was the first time they had learned the boss's surname. All they had known was that this boss was incredibly fierce, and that very few people in Ximing City dared to cause trouble for her.

And this Wine Tavern was the only sanctuary left for them.

"What the hell is with the racket! Keep yelling and I'll tear your mouths off! Drink your damn wine! Have you got nothing better to do!"

Du Aniang cursed at them, then walked forward.

"Let's go outside and talk. These bastards are too rowdy."

"Oho, oho, could it be the boss's old lover!"

"You don't think he actually is, do you?"

"Boss! Boss!"

The crowd started jeering again.

Du Aniang hurled another string of curses back at them.

She led Chen Changsheng out the door, finally finding a bit of peace and quiet.

She let out a breath and looked at him. "Senior."

Chen Changsheng glanced at her. "It seems you've entered the immortal path since then."

Du Aniang nodded. "It was just a fortunate coincidence."

Chen Changsheng nodded and smiled. "It's truly good to encounter an old acquaintance again."

Du Aniang paused for a second. "Senior is a nostalgic person?"

"Of course," Chen Changsheng nodded. "You only meet so many people in a single lifetime. Being able to see them again is no easy feat."