Ye Qin roused Da Niu, who was still groggy from sleep, and urged him along the post road toward Zhuqi County town, hurrying before the morning sun grew too harsh. Da Niu, having eaten meat bones and drunk some water the night before, was clearly much improved and could walk on his own.

On the road, Ye Qin told Da Niu they were heading to the county town to see if they could be recruited into the Herb Gathering Hall. Da Niu became extremely excited and readily agreed to go.

Though they were in the desolate wilderness, the post road led directly to Zhuqi County, and they occasionally spotted carriages, so the journey wasn't difficult.

At noon, under the scorching sun, the two found a spot to rest, digging up some tree bark and grass roots to fill their stomachs.

When the afternoon cooled slightly, they continued their journey.

Before dusk that day, two slender figures appeared outside the East Gate of Zhuqi County town.

Zhuqi County town was the most desolate and remote among the eight counties in the Pingzhou region of the Martial Kingdom, housing over a hundred thousand residents. Within a thousand li radius of the town, there were more than ten small townships; the vast majority of the rest consisted of deep mountains, old ravines, perilous peaks, steep ridges, rivers, and streams.

This place did not yield much grain, but the deep mountains were home to a large quantity of rare wild medicinal herbs. Zhuqi County’s herbs were famous throughout all of Pingzhou. Consequently, Zhuqi County town had naturally become one of the primary sources for wild medicinal materials for the Medicine King Gang, which had established a Herb Gathering Hall here specifically to manage the collection.

This year’s severe drought had not reduced the influx of outsiders to Zhuqi County town. Carriages came and went through the city gates—martial figures carrying swords and blades, merchants with packs, entertainers with juggling acts, farmers, and woodcutters—making the scene quite lively.

Especially the news that the Herb Gathering Hall was recruiting a batch of gathering apprentices had, without anyone realizing it, spread to some of the surrounding towns. Some rural families had brought their own children to apply, hoping they could secure a meal ticket at the Hall.

In the glow of the setting sun, Ye Qin looked at the county town’s low city walls, overgrown with vines, and its dilapidated gate. A few listless, down-on-their-luck guards stood posted at the entrance. His heart pounded with excitement. He had returned to this place.

“Giddy-up! Get out of the way, you sightless things!”

A donkey cart, pulled by two sturdy young donkeys, trotted unevenly toward the city gate. Seated in the cart was an old gentry man, around sixty or seventy, dressed in rather fine silk robes, waving an ox-tail whip and loudly berating Ye Qin and the other for blocking the path.

The cart sped forward, nearly running over the pair.

Ye Qin quickly pulled Da Niu aside to dodge.

In the carriage, a chubby boy of about ten suddenly poked his head out, his face displaying the slick cunning of a gentry descendant. His eyes darted around, spotted the two, and immediately spat—Pah!—a mouthful of water onto Ye Qin and Da Niu before splitting into a wide grin and clapping his hands, roaring with laughter. “Got them! Got them! Father! See? I hit two mangy dogs!” The old gentleman paid no mind to Ye Qin, merely praising the little fatty.

The donkey cart then stopped near the city gate, and the guards, without checking, let them pass into the city.

Ye Qin glared fiercely at the little fatty, then quickly lowered his head, biting his lip in silent fury and restraint. In the countryside, gentry held immense power, owning the best fields and most mountain forests, keeping numerous servants; all tenant farmers and hunters relied on them for even a scrap of food. He and Cheng Da Niu were born of hunter and tenant stock and dared not offend such people.

Yet, Ye Qin, having once accompanied his father hunting wolves, possessed a wilder temperament and dared to cast one sharp look at the fatty. Cheng Da Niu didn't even dare to glare, keeping his head down, only wiping the spittle from his face after the cart had entered the city.

Having encountered such rotten luck, Ye Qin lost all interest in viewing the scenery at the gate.

Mingling with the crowd, Ye Qin and Da Niu slipped stealthily into the city.

On a hot day like this, the guards would, at most, question some unfamiliar martial figures from distant lands, but they had no inclination to bother with a couple of ragged children sneaking in.

“Brother Qin, it’s been a few months, but I didn't expect the county town to be the same—so big, so beautiful,” Da Niu exclaimed excitedly.

Two imposing main streets crisscrossed the entire county, lined with storefronts and shops owned by powerful families, many of which belonged to the Herb Gathering Hall. Taverns, teahouses, inns, martial arts schools, academies, grand residences, and pleasure gardens stood shoulder to shoulder.

The northeast district housed the county yamen, where local gentry, powerful landowners, major merchants, and wealthy families resided. The northwest district was home to the Herb Gathering Hall and the halls of other powerful factions and minor martial arts cliques. The remaining southeast and southwest districts were primarily commoner zones, where the ordinary residents of Zhuqi County lived.

As evening approached and the air cooled, residents emerged from their homes to stroll and conduct business, and the city began to bustle with activity. It was vibrant with human presence, unlike the wilderness where one might see half a person over half a day.

Before entering the city, Ye Qin had felt the same excitement as Da Niu.

But once inside, Ye Qin felt no elation; instead, he became increasingly wary and cautious. Months ago, they had offended a gang of local ruffians here. Who knew if those thugs still held a grudge?

Ye Qin led Da Niu, carefully avoiding anyone who looked like a vagrant or rogue, bypassing the bustling main streets, and hurried toward the northwest district with his head down. Upon seeing local beggars, he didn't even dare to stop, instead quickening his pace to avoid being entangled or beaten.

When several thugs approached them on the road, Ye Qin was badly frightened and ran quickly toward the northwest district; only then did the ruffians dare not pursue them further.

The northwest district had far fewer people; commoners rarely appeared here.

Most inhabitants were martial artists—clad in tight-fitting clothes, carrying swords or blades, mounted on horses, possessing agile movements, and looking robust and formidable. Just by looking at them, one knew they were not to be trifled with; any single one of them could crush the two boys.

Because there were many martial practitioners, rogues and beggars seldom appeared in the northwest district.

Fortunately, these martial folk were always in a hurry, seemingly preoccupied with important business, unlike the low-life thugs who enjoyed wasting time bullying beggars; they showed no interest in beggars and wouldn't spare them a second glance.

Ye Qin and Da Niu arrived before the gates of the Herb Gathering Hall. It was a colossal manor, covering several hectares, and from the outside, one could not gauge its true size. Two stone lions, each weighing a thousand jin, stood guard fiercely at the entrance. The great door featured a pair of extremely heavy bronze rings.

A public notice was posted on the door, detailing certain things, but Ye Qin could not read a single character on it.