Chapter 844: North-South Differences and the Anomaly of the Sheng River

That night, they took lodging at a roadside inn.

Most of the guests were martial artists wandering the jianghu, or merchants resting on their travels. Having an inn was always better than seeking shelter in some rural temple.

When night fell, Miss Yun retired to rest. Yu Hongjin also went to bed early; she always slept alongside Yunxiang.

The cat, on the other hand, was full of energy and followed Chen Changsheng downstairs to play.

The inn was quite crowded that night, filled with people drinking and chatting. Even strangers sharing a table managed to strike up lively conversations.

"This place is truly strange. Back in Chunhui Prefecture, I always heard that Yan Land was crawling with bandits, and looting and killing were an everyday sight. When I first arrived, it really was like that, but once I crossed the Sheng River, it felt like stepping into a completely different world. It really is..."

"Isn't that the truth? But it's also strange. Hardly anyone on the outside knows what it's like here. It shouldn't be like this."

"Right, right."

"I've heard rumors that an immortal might be blessing this land, which is why..."

"Is that really so?"

The chatter at the table naturally drew Chen Changsheng's attention.

He glanced over. Judging by their attire, they were likely wanderers of the jianghu.

So he walked over and asked, "Heroes, do you mind if I share the table?"

"Sit, sit." The people at the table were very welcoming. "None of us knew each other before this either. We're just sitting here chatting, and an extra person makes it livelier."

"That's wonderful."

Chen Changsheng sat down with Lihua in his arms.

"Oh? Little brother, why are you carrying a cat around?"

Chen Changsheng smiled. "The cat is quiet and makes a good companion. It keeps me from getting lonely on the road."

"When you put it that way, you're right. When we travel, we don't fear much else, just the boredom of walking alone. Makes sense, makes sense. I'll get myself an animal when I head back. A cat probably wouldn't work for me, but a dog or a donkey would be nice."

"Absolutely."

Chen Changsheng smiled along with them, then asked, "By the way, I just heard you talking about the differences between the north and south of the Sheng River."

At the mention of this, the man lowered his voice. "Now that is a strange matter."

The others nodded as well, finding it equally bizarre.

"Are you all from the outside?"

"That's right."

One of them said, "It's genuinely strange. Yan Land is so vast, yet for all this time, word has never gotten out that the land south of the Sheng River is as peaceful as ever. The outside world only knows that bandits run rampant in Yan Land and the people live in misery. You have to understand, with so many people coming and going, it's impossible for no news to spread."

"I heard someone say that an immortal is resting here. Unwilling to see the world's suffering, they cast a spell to turn this place into a paradise. News can't get out, so no one knows."

"I heard a story from a merchant caravan's driver."

"He said they were heading south for trade. When they arrived, they were utterly amazed and wondered why no one knew about the situation here. They couldn't figure it out no matter how hard they thought. But on their way back, something weird happened."

"What kind of weird thing?" Chen Changsheng asked.

The man replied, "The driver said there were sixteen of them traveling together. On the return trip, once they crossed the Sheng River, everyone around him changed their tune. They all started saying how dangerous the Southern Parts were and how they had lost a lot of silver on the road."

"The driver was terrified because he clearly remembered that wasn't the case. He questioned them one by one, but everyone told him that the south was even more chaotic. They even thought he had gone mad, saying there was no such thing as a peaceful place in this chaotic world."

"That eerie?"

"Right?"

"And that's not all. After they got back, the driver started doubting himself. It became a nagging obsession. So, the very next day, he set off again, heading south to cross the Sheng River and uncover the truth."

"And guess what?"

"He must have been in for a shock."

"No!"

The man lowered his voice further. "That driver slipped and fell into the Sheng River while crossing. By the time he was found, his body was already soaked pale!"

"Ah!"

Hearing this, everyone at the table was startled.

A bolder one among them said, "Don't just make things up to scare us."

"Why would I scare you?" the storyteller retorted. "If you don't believe me, ask around on your way back north and see if it's true!"

Seeing his serious expression, the others couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.

Was it true?

Chen Changsheng stroked his chin, his curiosity piqued. "So, this anomaly uses the Sheng River as a boundary. The Northern Region knows absolutely nothing about the peace in the south..."

"That seems to be the case."

"It really is eerie..."

Watching the group jump at shadows, Chen Changsheng asked, "Then why do people say an immortal claimed this land? Couldn't it be the work of a demon?"

"Hey, think about it. If it were the work of a demon, would this place be so peaceful?"

"Put like that, it does make sense."

Chen Changsheng felt that he might have overlooked something when crossing the Sheng River.

"This Chen will pay for the drinks. Thank you, gentlemen."

"Hey, hey, hey, there's no need for that."

"Please, no need to be polite."

"Well..."

The group could only accept, thanking him once more.

Chen Changsheng carried Lihua out the door.

He looked at Lihua and asked, "Does Lihua have something to say?"

Lihua nodded. "The Sheng River... that's the Great River outside Elder Sister Song's house, right?"

"That's right." Chen Changsheng asked, "Did Lihua notice something earlier?"

Lihua nodded and said, "When we crossed over, it was a bit strange. It felt like something blocked Lihua for a moment, like, like..."

"A Formation?"

"A thin veil," Lihua said, then asked, "Formations? Formations like the one at Yunshang Mansion?"

"It looks like it was a Formation," Chen Changsheng said. "It might even be a remarkably profound Formation."

Lihua blinked. "Very powerful?"

Chen Changsheng answered, "It should be extremely powerful."

After all, even he hadn't detected the Formation's existence.

Lihua thought for a moment and asked, "Does Chen the Good Man want to go back and take a look?"

Chen Changsheng shook his head. "We've already walked quite a distance, so forget it. We'll pass by the Sheng River again when we double back toward Jindi later. It won't be too late to look then."

"Oh, oh..."

Lihua nodded, then asked, "But who would set up this Formation?"

Chen Changsheng pondered for a moment and said, "It's hard to say. It might be related to the Prince of Yan, or it might be the work of a demon. What they said earlier about an immortal claiming the land is also a possibility."

A look of curiosity flashed in Lihua's eyes.

Chen Changsheng stroked its fur and said, "Perhaps we'll find out before long."

Lihua nodded blankly, starting to ponder the problem.

A cat is always happy to think.