CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: NOT THE FEAR OF SCARCITY, BUT OF INEQUALITY!

Yang Jianfei looked indifferent, nodding slightly to Gu Yuan and the others, which could be considered a greeting.

However, anyone could tell that this fellow was arrogant, clearly not putting Gu Yuan and the others in his eyes.

It’s understandable though, with Yang Jianfei dressed in luxurious clothing, a beautifully crafted long sword at his waist, and a glossy jade pendant hanging from it, he looked like the son of a wealthy family, and most likely had a close relationship with Yang Han.

He indeed had the capital to be proud.

Gu Yuan and the old man with the smoking gun didn’t care much about Yang Jianfei’s attitude, only Zhou Zhong muttered something discontentedly, but his voice was too low for Gu Yuan to catch anything.

Yang Han observed all of this but said nothing. He turned to Xia Xiuxue and smiled, "Niece Xue, traveling with us can be inconvenient for a lady like you. Why don’t you ride in this carriage?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the only empty carriage.

Xia Xiuxue nodded slightly and agreed as a matter of course, "Alright, thank you, Uncle Yang."

With that, she was helped into the carriage by the eager service of the two maids.

"Alright, now that everyone is here."

Yang Han also mounted a tall horse, clapped his hands, and announced, "Let’s set off!"

The caravan immediately set out.

Gu Yuan, carrying a bundle and holding a long sword, followed the side of the caravan, with Zhou Zhong beside him.

The elder with the smoking gun, named Guo Jin and self-referred to as Old Guo, was on the other side of the caravan.

As for Yang Jianfei, he was riding a horse, his handsome appearance and upright posture giving him somewhat of a young hero’s demeanor in the martial world.

...

In a feudal society with inconvenient transportation, long journeys could often be quite troublesome.

The mountains were high and the roads were distant, the journey was bumpy and winding.

Encountering bad roads or mountains sealed by snow could also be very dangerous.

And these were just some minor troubles.

In those mountain valleys, there would often appear highwaymen robbing and looting, and even vicious horse bandits who spared no lives. If encountered, at best you pay to avoid disaster, at worst you lose both lives and wealth.

If even worse off, encountering demons causing mischief or mountain spirits attacking, it would be even more terrifying!

Fortunately, the route chosen by Jade Cauldron Tower this time was a well-tested official road, relatively easier to travel, and more peaceful.

After traveling for three days, aside from occasionally encountering small problems, the journey had been quite smooth.

At noon, the sun hung high.

The caravan continued traveling at a leisurely pace, Zhou Zhong with a biscuit in his mouth approached.

"Brother Gu, how do you feel these past few days?"

His face bore dense stubble, and his clothes were somewhat dirty and disordered, looking quite scruffy, obviously having been worn out by the continuous travel these past few days.

It’s one thing to just be on the road, but the key is the weather is cold, the biting wind ceaselessly drills into the clothes, coupled with poor food and rest, even an iron man wouldn’t be able to take it!

Although Zhou Zhong was a Martial Master, his physique and strength were quite a bit greater than ordinary people.

But even a Martial Master of Innate endurance like a galloping horse, strength capable of tearing tigers and leopards would tire from prolonged travel, let alone him, merely a Refining Tendons Martial Master?

Gu Yuan chuckled, "Not bad."

His physical strength and endurance were not inferior to Zhou Zhong in the slightest.

Although long travels left him somewhat exhausted, Gu Yuan didn’t feel bored or weary at all. Instead, he found some enjoyment in it.

Because he wasn’t just idling, he was also pondering the "Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship" from time to time during the journey.

If he got tired, an occasional bite of Yellow Spirit could replenish his strength.

The "Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship" itself wasn’t particularly profound or exquisite, yet it emphasized swift and agile sword momentum. Once mastered, its power was definitely not small!

Additionally, after realizing something was off about this mission, Gu Yuan, to be safe, brought along the Iron-backed Centipede Awu and the Iron-toothed Rat Ah Huang.

At that time, Awu was trailing behind the caravan.

As for Ah Huang, it scouted ahead of the caravan like a sentry.

Zhou Zhong glanced at Gu Yuan several times, seeing he looked truly in good spirits, felt somewhat frustrated but didn’t dwell on it.

"Brother, we are all people of hard fate, destined to toil and labor!"

He glanced ahead, then said somewhat sarcastically:

"Unlike some people, who have clothes laid out and food served, with horses for travel and even a pretty companion, making it much easier than us."

"I just don’t know whether this is a mission or a pleasure trip."

Gu Yuan followed his gaze and saw Yang Jianfei on horseback chatting with Xia Xiuxue in the carriage, a gentle smile on his face, with a hint of pride.

Gu Yuan chuckled, finding it amusing as well.

Zhou Zhong was from a poor hunter family, naturally having a casual, carefree nature. But such a person was clearly not liked by Yang Jianfei, who prided himself as a young master from a wealthy family, especially after noticing Zhou Zhong’s dislike for him.

Thus, the two had a slight mutual dislike throughout the journey, with Yang Jianfei, relying on being Yang Han’s nephew, often giving Zhou Zhong trouble.

Constrained by Yang Han’s presence, Zhou Zhong had to swallow these frustrations quietly, feeling rather discontented and resentful.

He could only occasionally find Gu Yuan to chat as a way to vent his frustrations.

"Alright, stop complaining."

Gu Yuan shook his head, advising:

"We should reach Cyan Willow Town tomorrow. According to the Steward, we’ll have a day or two to rest then. Why don’t you think about what mountain goods or special products to buy from Cyan Willow Town to bring back?"

"What good things can Cyan Willow Town have?"

Zhou Zhong pouted, unimpressed, "I’ve been there a few times on missions before, besides having more poisonous insects and fierce beasts, and slightly better herbal quality, there’s nothing special about the place."

More poisonous insects and fierce beasts?

Gu Yuan’s heart stirred a bit, glanced at him, and said nothing more.

By evening, as the sky darkened.

The caravan pulled off the road.

The guards spread out to scout for any potential dangers in the surroundings.

Once safety was confirmed, they decided to camp there for the night.

The horsemen busied themselves with fetching fodder for the horses, while the leader conducted a thorough inspection of the goods.

Those on the cooking duty had already set up an iron pot, piled firewood underneath, and began preparing dinner.

Soon, the aroma of the meal spread.

Gu Yuan, Zhou Zhong, and Old Guo huddled together, each with a bowl of stew containing a few pieces of meat, accompanied by two thick pancakes, a decent meal.

But compared to what Yang Jianfei and Xia Xiuxue were having, it was far too humble.

At that moment, the two maids had already set up a tent and arranged tables and chairs, laden with salted meat, sausages, roasted lamb leg, and even fresh fruits and vegetables, making one’s mouth water.

There was even a small bowl of medicinal cuisine in front of each person, exuding a rich aroma.