Chapter 559: Traveling Merchants and the Western Regions

After breakfast, Merchant Xie kept his promise and invited Song You for a stroll, accompanied by a few other merchants.

This was their destination.

Merchant Xie made this journey once every year. Starting from his grandfather’s time, his family had been traveling this stretch of the Silk Road, which was also known as the Golden Trade Route.

Setting out from Changjing, it was a journey of nine thousand li to reach this place. Without stopping along the way, even with their endurance and pace, it would still take three to four months to get here. A round trip would take seven to eight months in total.

They had to avoid the coldest and hottest periods of the year, so they could manage only one round trip annually.

Merchant Xie had spent half his life walking this road.

The year before last had been the hardest journey. Last year, a spring mysteriously appeared in the desert, making the trip slightly easier than the year before. This year, with the drought easing somewhat, the road became a little more manageable again.

It was merchants like them who sustained the prosperity of the Silk Road. It was also they who built the bridge that connected Eastern and Western civilizations. Take something as simple as the watermelon Song You ate along the way—those, too, were carried from a far-off land by them, transported all that distance just to provide water during the journey.

Perhaps in this era, they were just unremarkable merchants—but in the annals of history, they are destined to be grains of stardust in a brilliant galaxy.

At the same time, they knew Jade City very well.

“Daoist Master, you’re a traveler of the world. Since you’ve come to Jade City, you must visit the eastern gate. It’s the grandest of all the city gates, built with great splendor,” Merchant Xie said to him.

“Whenever envoys from the imperial court or generals from the border garrisons arrive in Jade City, the king himself greets them there. Every morning, the place is bustling, with all kinds of vendors. By late afternoon, hundreds gather there to sing and dance. The people of Jade City love dancing more than anything. With so many dancing together, it’s truly a unique sight.”

“I’ll be sure to remember it.”

Song You could already picture the scene in his mind—the earthen yellow city of the Western Regions bathed in twilight with melodies drifting through the air, hundreds dancing together as dusk fell.

“Daoist Master, if you’re interested, you could join them. They’re quite enthusiastic.”

“I’m not particularly skilled in that art.”

“Hahaha...”

Merchant Xie chuckled, then added, “If you ask what’s so great about Jade City, we honestly wouldn’t know how to answer. It’s not as prosperous as Changjing, nor does it have as many amusements. When we get here, we finish our business, eat heartily for a few days, rest a while, maybe look for, well, some fun—then we head back. But strangely enough, when we arrive, we miss home. We miss Changjing. Yet once we leave, we start missing this place all over again.”

Another merchant beside them laughed and said, “Maybe we were just born to roam this road!”

At that, all the merchants burst into laughter.

For a moment, there was a kind of boldness and open-heartedness among them.

Ten thousand li from home, in a foreign land with endless mountains and rivers, countless dangers, and long stretches of solitude and monotony—walking this road took immense courage.

Throughout history, those who lived on this land had many moments where they displayed great bravery. But among all those moments showcasing the peak of human courage, there must have been one that belonged to the very first pathfinder who, alone, stepped into the Western Regions and walked ten thousand li.

All the countless merchants and travelers who came after were merely following in his footsteps.

These merchants all bore the surname Xie—originally close neighbors, kin or fellow townsmen. Such connections were common in caravans traveling this route.

When one person gained great wealth from this road, it was only natural to bring along those closest to them. When help was needed, especially on such a long and perilous journey, the first ones to be considered were always family or fellow villagers. These natural social bonds would draw them together, and over time, they would form a stable caravan.

It remained to be seen whether, after the fall of Great Yan, the new dynasty would still manage to bring the Western Regions under its rule.

“If you want to ask about the scenery outside Jade City, we wouldn’t know,” Merchant Xie said. “Besides the road we came by, all these years, we’ve never ventured to other parts of Jade City. But if you’re asking about good food, good drinks, and fun places inside the city... well, we do know a few.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the young girl beside Song You and added, “Though some places may not be convenient for you to visit.”

“Then I’ll pass.”

“Well, then you’re missing out,” Merchant Xie said with a grin. “The beauty of the Western Region’s dancers is something completely different from the women of the Central Plains.”

“...”

Song You simply smiled and said nothing.

But the young girl beside him looked utterly perplexed. Unable to contain herself, she asked curiously, “What beauty? I want to see it too!”

The merchants burst into hearty laughter, declining to elaborate further. Instead, they continued leading them through Jade City.

With locals guiding him, explaining the customs and traditions as they wandered, Song You found the experience vastly different from exploring alone.

The sun rose gradually, nearing noon.

“It’s almost midday,” Merchant Xie suddenly announced. “Today, allow us to treat you to some local mutton soup and roasted pastries here in Jade City.” He gestured toward a shop ahead. “The pastries here are completely different from the fried ones you’d find in Changjing. They roast them inside an oven, which gives them a unique flavor.”

“I’m already indebted to you all for your kindness yesterday, and I haven’t had the chance to repay it yet. Now today, I’ve again received your generous invitation and guidance, which has allowed me to witness the customs and scenery of Jade City. How could I trouble you again? It’s only right that I treat you to a meal instead.”

“How could we let a Daoist pay for our meal?” the merchants laughed warmly, ushering Song You into the restaurant.

The building was once again made of stone, with a storefront out front. The floor was covered with somewhat grimy cloth rugs, upon which were laid woven straw mats. Low tables were set around the room, and a few patrons were already seated.

Merchant Xie spoke with the shop owner in the local language, while Song You simply said, “Whatever I eat, my little one eats as well,” and otherwise remained silent.

Before long, the food was served.

The lamb soup was cooked in small earthenware pots, similar in size to tea cups—each person received one. Inside was a large chunk of lamb simmered with wild scallions in a simple broth, seasoned with nothing more than salt and water. The slightly oily soup, paired with the pale, tender meat, looked remarkably appetizing.

As soon as it was brought to the table, the merchants eagerly encouraged him to dig in.

Song You cooled it slightly and took his first taste.

Just the texture and flavor of the lamb alone was enough to carry the entire dish’s deliciousness.

The roasted pastry was similar to baked buns—square in shape, with a crisp, golden exterior. Inside was a filling of lamb and scallions. The juices were sealed in and roasted until bursting with flavor and aroma.

Song You followed their lead, carefully biting off a corner to start. The outer layer was intriguing—crispy and firm on the outside, while the part touching the broth and meat inside was soft and soaked through with rich oils and savory juices. The aroma of the dough mingled with the scent of the meat, creating a truly intoxicating flavor.

Lady Calico imitated Song You’s actions.

From nearby, voices in the local language rang out—animated conversations, faces lit with surprise and curiosity. The story being told must have been interesting, as it was drawing the attention of many diners.

Even the merchants sitting at Song You’s table couldn’t help but glance over repeatedly. Some listened with deep focus, while others showed occasional puzzlement. Song You guessed that even among them, not everyone had mastered the local dialect.

“Those people are talking about strange events that happened recently on the mountain outside the city,” Merchant Xie explained to Song You.

He continued, “I don’t know if you've heard about the story from over a hundred years ago—about the forty-thousand-man army frozen by a demon atop that mountain. A few days ago, for some unknown reason, people noticed a great deal of water streaming down from that mountain.

“When they went to investigate during the daytime, they found that the frozen soldiers had vanished, completely buried by mud and stones. Even the mountain’s lake had disappeared. No one knows what happened.”

“I’ve heard of it,” Song You replied truthfully.

Beside him, Lady Calico, seemingly oblivious to the conversation, was holding a chunk of mutton from her cup and chewing enthusiastically. She tore off a small strip of meat and stretched out her hand toward the doorway, intending to feed the swallow. However, the restaurant was crowded, and the bird hesitated to approach.

“I heard that the army had looted countless treasures—gold, silver, jade, and precious gems—from Weilan Kingdom before their defeat,” another merchant remarked dreamily, holding a roasted pastry in his hand. “I wonder if those treasures are still up there. If we stumbled upon them, we'd be rich.”

“You think fortune comes that easily?” someone teased.

“Watch out, or you’ll get eaten by demons instead!”

Song You simply smiled and listened, enjoying their relaxed and cheerful banter.

“These strange occurrences in Jade City seem to be growing more frequent, especially in recent years,” Merchant Xie casually remarked as they ate. “Just earlier, the owner of this very shop told me about an incident from a few days ago. He and his family were about to enjoy a freshly roasted chicken at dinner when, just as they'd placed it on the table, it suddenly vanished, plate and all. Isn't that strange?”

“...!”

The little girl abruptly stopped chewing her meat and lifted her head sharply, staring directly at Merchant Xie.

Merchant Xie had already sensed that the Daoist and this girl weren’t ordinary people. He found it especially odd that while he’d been recounting strange tales which were typically of great interest to children, the girl seemed completely indifferent until now. Her sudden intense stare puzzled him greatly.

After a brief pause, the little girl lowered her head once again, returning to her meal as though nothing had happened.

Merchant Xie couldn't help noticing something peculiar: the girl didn't actually chew her meat. She simply tore off small pieces with her teeth, bit them briefly, and swallowed immediately, without any real chewing at all.

“Does the shop owner know what kind of demon took the roasted chicken?” Song You's voice broke Merchant Xie’s thoughts.

The merchant quickly refocused. “How could he possibly know?”

“Was this the first time such a strange incident happened?”

“There have been other reports in Jade City of items mysteriously disappearing, sometimes even right before people’s eyes,” Merchant Xie explained. “Usually, it’s rare treasures or valuable items that vanish, though. Losing a roasted chicken is quite uncommon.”

He chuckled lightly. “No matter how often this happens, no one ever knows which demon is responsible. Otherwise, they'd have confronted it long ago.”

“So things just disappear without any resolution?”

“What else can be done?” Merchant Xie shrugged. “Even the city’s precious treasures vanish without explanation. What's one roasted chicken compared to that?”

“True,” Song You agreed with a nod. He then casually placed the remaining mutton from his ceramic cup into Lady Calico’s bowl.

Nearby, a younger merchant teasingly commented, “Mr. Xie, you truly speak Jade City’s language impressively.”

Turning to Song You, another merchant explained with playful amusement, “What you might not know, sir, is that our friend here married a dancer from Jade City as his concubine several years ago. He's probably mastered the language by whispering sweet nothings to her every day.”

“How enviable!” someone laughed.

The table erupted into joyful laughter.

Two or three roasted pastries per person, paired with a cup of mutton soup, might not seem like much, but the meal was surprisingly filling. Amid casual chatter and laughter, everyone soon reached the final sip of their soup, using it to wash down the last bites of crispy pastry.

“Does the food suit your tastes, sir?” Merchant Xie asked.

“It does, very much,” Song You answered sincerely.

“Good, good. Meals around here mostly consist of bread and meat. I worried someone coming from the Central Plains might find it hard to adjust,” Merchant Xie said, reaching for his purse to pay.

“Please allow us to pay for this meal,” Song You immediately interjected, his tone earnest.

At the same moment, the young girl hurriedly took out her coin pouch as well.

After several polite exchanges, Song You remained firm in his insistence.

Seeing Song You would not yield, Merchant Xie finally relented, calling over the owner to translate.

Perhaps due to the cheaper local meat prices or the stronger buying power of Great Yan’s currency here, the entire meal, despite being meat-focused and serving several people, cost less than three hundred qian.

Taking the coin pouch from Lady Calico’s hand, Song You selected a small piece of silver worth roughly four qian. After confirming the amount with Merchant Xie, he handed it to the restaurant owner.

“No need for change,” he added.

Merchant Xie translated this as well.

The shopkeeper bowed gratefully, his expression immediately lighting up with joy as he walked away smiling.

“You are exceedingly generous, sir,” Merchant Xie commented.

“It’s simply due to a connection I feel with him,” Song You replied softly.

“Oh? What kind of connection?” the merchant asked curiously.

“That's difficult to explain.”

“Haha...” Merchant Xie chuckled lightly, not pressing further.

Exiting the restaurant, they turned right and soon arrived at another courtyard. This courtyard, also distinctly styled after the Western Regions, had no sign or closed gate, making its purpose unclear. Yet, the merchants appeared to have anticipated arriving here for quite some time.

“Sir, we’ll accompany you only as far as here,” Merchant Xie said with a hearty laugh. “If you wish to return, just follow this road straight ahead. Less than a li away, you'll reach our inn. As you can tell by the courtyard layout, this place and our inn are on the same street, both large compounds, each backing onto the river.”

He then lowered his voice playfully, adding, “We won’t be returning tonight, though. It'd be unsettling to wake again at midnight to the smell of roasting meat—whether lamb, horse, or even human flesh, who knows? We wouldn't dare venture outside to check anyway. Too frightening!”

“All right,” Song You said with a smile, bowing slightly toward the merchants. “Thank you all again for the invitation. I hope you enjoy yourselves.”

“Hahaha...”

The merchants immediately exchanged knowing smiles.

Lady Calico, however, was burning with curiosity, feeling as if her heart was being scratched by a cat's claw. She craned her neck and peeked eagerly into the courtyard, but refrained from entering, mindful of her Daoist’s presence.

“Farewell!”

“See you tomorrow!”

The merchants disappeared into the courtyard.

Holding tightly onto Lady Calico’s hand, Song You gently led her away, though she kept glancing back with every step.

“In the height of summer, melons are perfectly ripe. After all that mutton and pastry, our mouths must be dry and full of the taste of meat. Why don't we buy a sweet melon, find a shady spot along the street, and enjoy it together?” Song You tried his best to divert her attention.