Volume One: Another World Chapter Thirteen: Let's Go Listen to Stories

Knowing that outsiders would soon arrive in the village, Li Yu was quite intrigued; it was the perfect opportunity to gather more intelligence about this world. Most importantly, the traveling merchants might carry items that could aid in the cultivation of divine arts—such things, naturally, he would find a way to acquire.

Two days passed swiftly. During that time, Li Yu slipped back to Blue Star and took the opportunity to check his accounts at the auction house. Two payments amounting to fourteen million had been deposited into his bank account. He disregarded the remainder; he wasn’t someone to fuss over small change.

A few ginseng roots he’d consigned had yet to sell; the blue-robed elder from that day suggested selling them separately to avoid a sudden influx lowering the price. Li Yu thought it reasonable—no need to quarrel with money—and agreed to the proposal. Otherwise, his balance would have doubled.

Beyond that, Li Yu had not been idle. He borrowed Mu Yinhua’s weapon, sneaked back to Blue Star, and compared it against several blades forged from common commercial materials. Without exception, each blade snapped under Mu Yinhua’s weapon, which remained entirely unscathed. The result left Li Yu deflated.

His plan to trade weapons between worlds had fallen through, and as for firearms, even if Li Yu had entertained the idea, he lacked the courage. After several attempts, he resigned himself to purchasing a batch of sugar and salt.

These ordinary goods from Blue Star were, in this other world, as valuable as hard currency.

“The day’s plan begins in the morning!” Li Yu silenced his fourth alarm and stretched lazily. Today was the day the traveling merchants would arrive. Breakfast in hand, he had intended to go out for some exercise, but on second thought, going to the other world amounted to exercise as well. So, he carried his breakfast with him and traversed to the other world.

“So early today?” Mu Yinhua looked surprised as Li Yu pushed open the wooden door.

“The early bird catches the worm, haven’t you heard?” Li Yu glanced at Mu Yinhua, then marched confidently toward the square.

Mu Yinhua pursed her lips, casting a somewhat resentful gaze at his retreating figure: How could someone like him have the nerve to lecture me?

It was her first time seeing Li Yu active outside in the morning.

Upon reaching the square, a group of young men gathered, their eyes fixed hungrily on the bag in Li Yu’s hand—filled with thumb-sized pieces of rock candy.

It was Li Yu’s recent method of winning favor in the village: handing out treats personally made a greater impression.

Each piece of rock candy delivered into a waiting palm seemed to visibly increase the villagers’ goodwill toward him.

After a short while, the bag was nearly empty. Li Yu looked around and passed the remaining candies to a boy who, after eating one, still watched him with wide, expectant eyes.

Fortunately, these natives were simple and honest—each took only their share, no one cut in line or feigned not having received one when they already had.

“Here, Er Gou, these are all for you,” Li Yu handed the bag over.

“Thanks, Brother Yu!” Er Gou gratefully snatched the remaining candies and tossed them all into his mouth, crunching away.

Li Yu watched, unsure what to say. The locals had no concept of cavities, so they feared nothing of the sort. Most importantly—

Though Er Gou’s name was carelessly chosen, his appearance was anything but. A year younger than Li Yu, he was a head taller, and, viewed sideways, three times as broad.

Such a muscular youth, yet with a boyish face—his repeated calls of “Brother Yu” made Li Yu feel utterly oppressed.

The feeling didn’t last long; a seven- or eight-year-old boy dashed over, shouting excitedly.

“The merchants are here, the merchants are here!”

“So soon?” Li Yu’s attention was instantly diverted, and before he knew it, Er Gou had grabbed him and was dragging him toward the village gate.

“Slow down, slow down, you’ll break my arm!” Li Yu protested.

Luckily, the square wasn’t far from the gate, and the roller-coaster-like journey quickly ended.

“My goodness, is it really this impressive?” Li Yu stared in shock. Was he seeing things?

He had imagined traveling merchants as a handful of people wandering from village to village, burdened with large packs, weary from their labor.

But before him were a dozen massive beasts laden with goods, leading the way into the village. Behind them rode over twenty people clad in thick iron armor atop scaled, horse-like creatures.

Li Yu tugged at his lips. “How does this look anything like merchants?”

Each beast was enormous, reminiscent of elephants, but covered in short fur and lacking a trunk.

The armored riders’ weapons gleamed coldly in the sun. If not for their careless manner and the mismatched armor styles, they would have resembled ancient soldiers.

Unbeknownst to Li Yu, Elder Mu had arrived as well. He stepped forward to greet a portly middle-aged man who emerged from atop one of the beasts. After exchanging pleasantries, he beckoned the riders to dismount, leading them into the hall where Li Yu had previously dined.

Li Yu noted that five or six men remained near the beasts, alternating their watch. He nudged Er Gou and asked curiously, “Aren’t these supposed to be merchants? Why are they so heavily armed?”

“The mountains are full of wild beasts; the roads aren’t always safe,” Er Gou replied, eyes fixed on the merchants. He muttered, “That armor looks so cool. I’d look awesome wearing it.”

Li Yu nodded, gaining a deeper understanding of the world beyond.

“There are people, too, and they’re not always safe,” Mu Yinhua’s voice sounded in his ear. Li Yu turned, curious. “What do you mean?”

“There are many bandits in the mountains. Robberies and killings are common.” As she spoke, her brows knit in displeasure; among the guards, a long-haired middle-aged man’s gaze made her uncomfortable.

Noticing her awareness, the man turned away.

“In years past, many merchants traveled alone, but after repeated robberies, they began banding together,” Mu Yinhua explained.

She assumed Li Yu, as a scion of a prominent family, knew little of these matters; seeing his curiosity, she took the time to elaborate.

“There’s strength in numbers. Lone travelers are always at risk—everyone knows to pick the easy targets,” Li Yu remarked, more interested in the restless beasts.

Whenever one tried to stand, a guard lashed it harshly, the creatures’ pained grunts audible even from afar.

“How brutal and cruel,” Li Yu shuddered, turning to ask, “Elder Mu and the merchants are dining in the main hall? Can I join them?”

Where better to gather information than at the dinner table? Amid food and drink, stories would flow from ancestors to descendants.

Receiving Mu Yinhua’s affirmative response, Li Yu hurriedly pulled her along.

“Come on, let’s go listen to some tales.”