The journey had been long, but as Zhao Ming sat atop the caravan, the sight of Penglai Town (蓬莱镇) emerging from the morning mist made the exhaustion worth it. The town, nestled between rolling hills and a sprawling coastline, was a sight to behold. Towering pagodas marked the skyline, their golden rooftops glinting under the sunlight. The grand walls of Penglai stood firm, with guards stationed at the gates, meticulously checking everyone who entered.


    As the caravan approached the checkpoint, the lead merchant, an older man named Lao Shen, raised his voice.


    "Alright, everyone, keep your documents ready! No delays! The guards here aren’t the friendliest!"


    Zhao Ming observed as the guards, clad in polished armor, scrutinized each arrival. Some were Han officials, their embroidered robes denoting rank, while others were clearly mercenaries employed for extra security. One particular guard, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, eyed Zhao Ming for a moment before grunting and waving him through.


    Stepping into Penglai, Zhao Ming was immediately enveloped in a cacophony of sounds. Merchants hawked their wares loudly:


    "Fresh river fish! Just caught this morning!"


    "Silk from the south! Soft as a maiden’s touch!"


    "Exotic herbs and powders! Even an old man will feel young again!"


    The hammering of blacksmiths rang through the air, and street performers danced, juggling flaming torches while a young woman played a guqin nearby. As Zhao Ming soaked in the atmosphere, a sudden commotion erupted.


    "Thief! That brat stole my pouch! Someone stop him!" A vendor shouted, pointing at a young boy darting through the crowd.


    Zhao Ming’s eyes narrowed. With a subtle shift of his body, he stepped into the boy’s path, sticking out a foot just enough to trip him. The boy tumbled, rolling on the ground before glaring up at Zhao Ming.


    "Tch! That was dirty, old man!"


    Zhao Ming smirked, kneeling beside him. "Old man? I ought to let you run just so you can get your eyesight checked. Now, hand over the pouch."


    The boy grumbled, tossing the pouch back to the vendor, who quickly snatched it. Before the vendor could start yelling again, Zhao Ming flicked a single copper coin to the boy. "Try earning money the right way."


    The boy scowled but pocketed the coin before disappearing into the crowd.


    <hr>


    As Zhao Ming continued exploring, a small vendor caught his attention. The elderly shopkeeper displayed various accessories—rings, bracelets, and hairpins. But among them, a jade bangle stood out.


    Using his [Insight], details flashed before his eyes:


    <blockquote>


    Bangle: Lavender Jade, Rare and valuable


    Effect: Regulates body temperature


    Condition: Dirty


    </blockquote>


    The merchant noticed his interest and immediately went into sales mode. "Ah, young master, you have excellent taste! This fine jade bangle is perfect for your lady! Only 2000 wen!"


    Zhao Ming scoffed. "2000 wen for something this dirty? I could carve a better one from a soup bone."


    The merchant feigned outrage. "Young master, you wound me! This is the purest jade! But because you have a keen eye, I’ll lower it to 800 wen."


    Zhao Ming rubbed his chin. "500."


    "750!"


    "600."


    "Fine, 500!" the merchant grumbled, stuffing the bangle into a cloth before Zhao Ming handed over the coins.


    After leaving the stall, he wiped the bangle clean with his sleeve. The dirt fell away, revealing a beautiful lilac hue. As he touched it, a subtle warmth spread through his fingers.


    "Not bad," he muttered, tucking it into his sleeve.


    <hr>


    Wandering further, Zhao Ming stumbled upon an interesting scene. A group of Azure Cloud Dragon disciples stood gathered, their leader, a striking young woman in traveling robes, engaged in a heated discussion with a rough-looking mercenary leader.


    Murong Xue.


    "I told you," Murong Xue’s voice was calm but firm, "your group agreed to escort the goods safely, yet they were attacked on the way. If you cannot guarantee security, we will find another escort."


    The mercenary leader, a burly man with a thick beard, spat on the ground. "Lady Murong, we lost men in that ambush! We ain’t working for free. Either you pay more, or we walk."


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Murong Xue’s eyes narrowed. "Then walk."


    The mercenaries grumbled, exchanging glances, but they knew better than to push their luck with the Azure Cloud Dragon Sect.


    As the crowd dispersed, Murong Xue’s gaze finally landed on Zhao Ming. Her eyes widened slightly before a smile curled her lips. "Zhao Ming? In Penglai? Didn’t expect that. How was your time in Anxi?"


    Zhao Ming chuckled. "Long story."


    Murong Xue grabbed his wrist, dragging him forward. "Then come. You can tell me over tea."


    As they walked, a murmur spread among the Azure Cloud Dragon disciples.


    "Senior Murong Xue? Dragging a man?"


    "Who is he?"


    "I’ve never seen her act like this before."


    "A new challenger has appeared..." one male disciple muttered dejectedly.


    Zhao Ming merely smirked as he let himself be pulled along.


    <hr>


    Murong Xue’s room was surprisingly modest despite her status. A lounge area connected to her bedroom, and she quickly poured tea as Zhao Ming recounted his adventures in Anxi. The conversation flowed easily, filled with wit and teasing remarks, but eventually, it turned serious.


    "My sect has been tasked with escorting valuable goods and investigating troubling activities at sea," Murong Xue explained, her expression darkening. "Pirate attacks have increased, and there are whispers of collusion with officials."


    She reached into a bundle and pulled out two weapons. One was a crossbow with an unknown mechanism, and the other was a long, curved single-edged sword, thin and foreign-looking.


    Zhao Ming’s eyes narrowed as he examined the blade. "That’s not a typical weapon from around here. Where did you find it?"


    "It washed ashore," Murong Xue said, setting it back down. "We’re transporting these to Beihai for study. If they belong to an enemy force, we need to know who."


    Zhao Ming tapped the hilt thoughtfully. "This could be trouble."


    Murong Xue smirked. "What isn’t?"


    For a moment, there was a lull in the conversation. Then, Zhao Ming reached into his sleeve and pulled out the bangle.


    "Here," he said, tilting his head slightly. "Put your hand forward."


    Murong Xue arched a brow. "Are you giving me a bracelet or arresting me?"


    "That depends," Zhao Ming said smoothly, taking her hand with deliberate slowness. "If you’re guilty of stealing my attention, I might have to keep you under close watch."


    Murong Xue scoffed, but the corner of her lips curled slightly. "Hah. That’s the weakest excuse for hand-holding I’ve ever heard."


    "Yet, you’re not pulling away," Zhao Ming teased, his fingers lightly tracing her wrist before sliding the bangle on.


    Murong Xue froze, her skin tingling at the contact. The jade emitted a faint glow as its warmth spread across her wrist, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a strange sense of calm.


    She stared at it, her usual sharp wit momentarily lost. "This is... beautiful."


    Zhao Ming smirked. "I thought you’d like it. But if not, I can always take it back—"


    Her hand clamped over his wrist in an instant. "Not a chance."


    Outside, a few disciples had gathered by the door, peeking in. One of them gasped, whispering urgently.


    "She’s... blushing?! I— I think I’m going to faint!"


    Another disciple clutched their chest. "Our Senior Sister… acting like a girl in love?! The heavens must be shifting!"


    Murong Xue shot a deadly glare toward the door, making them scatter like frightened rabbits. She turned back to Zhao Ming, who was watching with clear amusement.


    "You planned this, didn’t you?" she accused.


    Zhao Ming raised his cup of tea, completely unbothered. "I have no idea what you mean. But if I did… would you be mad?"


    Murong Xue exhaled sharply, shaking her head as she admired the bangle on her wrist. "Tch. Annoying."


    But her fingers ran over the smooth jade, lingering just a little longer than necessary.


    And Zhao Ming knew she wouldn’t take it off.


    <hr>


    That evening, Zhao Ming found himself seated at a large round table inside an elegant inn, the warm glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows on the wooden walls. The scent of roasted duck and spiced broth filled the air as servants moved around, filling cups with warm rice wine.


    Murong Xue sat beside him, idly swirling her drink. Across from them were two scholars in long robes, an official who had arrived late, and a man Zhao Ming had not seen before—a broad-shouldered mercenary with sharp eyes and a sword resting against his chair.


    The official, still adjusting his seat, cleared his throat. "Apologies for my delay. There’s been… some changes in our arrangements."


    The mercenary gave a short nod. "Name’s Gao Ren. I’ll be leading the escort for the shipment. The previous group backed out at the last minute." His voice was gruff but steady.


    Murong Xue raised an eyebrow. "Backed out? Why?"


    Gao Ren scoffed. "Superstition. Said the route was cursed. That, or they were paid off to disappear." He took a sip of wine. "Either way, I don’t scare easy."


    The scholars exchanged glances before one adjusted his spectacles. "The shipment contains artifacts and weapons that require study. More importantly, it''s likely to be a target for pirates."


    Gao Ren leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. "Pirates, huh? That explains the generous pay. But pirates attacking inland shipments… Seems odd."


    Zhao Ming swirled his cup, his eyes narrowing. "Either they have inside help, or they’ve grown desperate."


    Murong Xue reached down and pulled a wrapped bundle onto the table. With a flick of her wrist, she unveiled a strange crossbow and a curved foreign blade.


    "We’re transporting these to Beihai for examination," she explained.


    Gao Ren studied the weapons before letting out a low whistle. "That’s not local craftsmanship. Looks expensive."


    The official rubbed his chin. "If these weapons belong to foreign forces, we may be dealing with more than just pirates."


    A brief silence fell over the table as the weight of the situation settled in. Then, Gao Ren chuckled and took another sip of wine.


    "Well," he said, cracking his knuckles. "If they want a fight, I say we give it to them."


    The tension in the air eased slightly as the official let out a tired sigh. "Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but we should be prepared for the worst."


    One of the scholars nodded. "We’ll leave at first light in three days. That should give us enough time to finalize the preparations."


    Murong Xue leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Then we’ll meet again before departure. No surprises."


    Zhao Ming raised his cup. "To a successful journey, then."


    The others followed suit, and as the cups clinked together, the evening gradually shifted from tense discussions to lighter conversations, the warmth of the meal providing a brief respite before the challenges ahead.


    <hr>


    After the meeting, Murong Xue arranged a room for Zhao Ming at the inn. Lying on the bed, Zhao Ming activated his system.


    Zhao Ming: "I’ll join Murong Xue on this mission."


    <blockquote>


    System: "Very well. System will take note of host''s choice and adjust accordingly."


    </blockquote>


    Closing his eyes, Zhao Ming let out a breath. Tomorrow, the journey would begin.