The brilliant sunset painted the sky, clouds shimmering with a kaleidoscope of colors in the fading light, like a dream.
Lu Heng and his companions sat on the backs of their Gryphons, the setting sun casting long shadows of their figures onto the ground.
"Master, we cannot enter the capital city. Moreover, ordinary people are not allowed to bring magical beasts into the city," the Gryphon reminded them as they neared the capital.
"Very well, find a secluded spot near the city to set us down. It would be inconvenient for you here, so you may return to your spatial realm to rest."
In the remote town of Jinyang, only the City Lord's mansion allowed flying mounts to enter. This was due to their enormous size and for the safety of the city. Otherwise, anyone could enter and exit with flying mounts, rendering the city's defenses useless.
Even though flying mounts had appeared, the ruling administrators had not, unlike in the apocalypse, developed flying troops. These mounts were primarily used for civilian purposes, carrying people or goods.
From the Misty Forest to the capital of the Shenyuan Continent, Lu Heng and his group had traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping occasionally. When they passed by larger towns, Lu Heng would always choose to enter with Lu Bai alone.
They would wander through the towns, buying items they hadn't seen in Jinyang. Regardless of whether they could use them now, Lu Heng would purchase one of each.
Thus, a journey that should have taken four to five days to reach the capital turned into them exploring for half a month before finally approaching it.
"Master, look, that towering city wall ahead is the capital," the Gryphon said, flying higher with Lu Heng and the others. Lu Heng could clearly see the city walls stretching for tens of kilometers in the distance.
The city wall alone, as far as he could see, surpassed the length of any city wall he knew from the apocalypse. He could imagine how prosperous the capital must be.
"Yes, find a place to land. We'll rest for a while and then continue our journey tomorrow morning." In recent days, apart from occasionally staying in inns, they had almost always chosen to rest within their spatial realm.
Rushing towards the capital now, although they could reach it before the city gates closed, entering the capital was not as easy as other places. For commoners like them, the checks outside the capital would surely be strict.
A few figures on flying mounts were also seen in the distance, speeding towards the capital. Lu Heng wasn't in a hurry; he didn't want to be searching for an inn on the streets amidst the myriad of lights.
Lu Heng observed the surroundings and then looked down at the terrain. He pointed in a direction and said, "Over there."
Hearing Lu Heng's command, the Gryphon carried them swiftly towards the designated spot.
Upon finding an open space, they landed quickly. Lu Heng sensed the surrounding situation and, along with the Gryphon, vanished from their spot.
...
As they approached the capital's city walls, the number of people on the official road increased.
Some traveled in carriages pulled by magical beasts, but more, like Lu Heng and Lu Bai, made their way towards the capital on foot.
Occasionally, a few flying mounts would soar through the sky. However, now that they were nearing the capital, the speed of these flying mounts had also decreased.
Blending in with the moving crowd, Lu Heng retrieved their travel permits and household registration documents. These would be required for entry.
Fortunately, during their journey through several towns, their travel permits had been stamped with the official seals of the places they had passed. This would likely expedite the inspection process.
To conveniently access items from his spatial realm, Lu Heng wore a rather large satchel, containing some of their personal clothing.
Gradually, Lu Heng and Lu Bai neared the capital's city walls. The queue ahead had already divided. Lu Heng craned his neck to look forward.
Those who had arrived by carriage were in one line, while those on foot were in another.
Looking again at the towering city walls, the bricks were laid very neatly, each large stone square and substantial in size.
Above the city gate, the words "Dingyang Gate" were carved.
As the crowd slowly advanced, the armor of the city guards, reflecting the sunlight, shone through the gaps in the crowd into the eyes of the people behind.
Finally, it was Lu Heng and Lu Bai's turn. A guard called out, "You two, come here and present your household registration and travel permits."
Lu Heng quickly followed the example of others and handed over their documents.
"You are from Jinyang City?"
"Yes," Lu Heng replied respectfully.
"What brings you to the capital?" the soldier asked, looking at Lu Heng. Seeing their well-dressed appearance, free from the fatigue and dirt of travel, he continued his inquiry.
"My brother and I have always heard from our elders about the prosperity of the capital. With great effort, we finally got our elders' permission to come and see the capital, and also to deliver some items for the Danyang Gate's shop here." Lu Heng had mentioned his desire to visit the capital to Wuchenzi earlier. At that time, Wuchenzi had given him a token, saying that with it, he would be received at any Danyang Gate's medicine shop.
He hadn't expected it to be useful so soon.
With the reputation of the Danyang Gate on the Shenyuan Continent, Wuchenzi, who specialized in refining pills for the royal family, was not just a name.
"You know people from the Danyang Gate?" The inspecting soldier was slightly surprised to hear Lu Heng mention the Danyang Gate.
"I have some connections with the Danyang Gate and had the good fortune to know Wuchenzi. We are close friends." Lu Heng's words were not false; if Wuchenzi were present, he likely wouldn't deny it and would even call Lu Heng "young friend" repeatedly.
After sizing up Lu Heng and Lu Bai again, the soldier still hesitated.
Although Wuchenzi's name was not something people would casually claim, with so many people in the world, there might be a bold one.
Lu Heng sensed the soldier's thoughts. He smiled at the soldier and took out a bottle of Qi Restoration Pills, refined by the Danyang Gate, along with a small packet of spirit stones, and handed them over. "These are Qi Restoration Pills refined and sold by the Danyang Gate, and these are for your brothers' tea money."
Seeing Lu Heng's understanding, the inspecting soldier's face lit up with joy. He weighed the bag of spirit stones in his hand and then looked at the small porcelain bottle.
Indeed, the porcelain bottle was a unique medicine bottle from the Danyang Gate. Others wouldn't dare to forge this style, especially since the Danyang Gate's high-grade pills were exclusively for the royal family.
Quickly having someone stamp their travel permits, the soldier personally led Lu Heng and Lu Bai towards the city gate.
"My name is Meng Dazhuang. Those who usually enter through this gate are commoners, so we are more thorough with our checks. Please forgive any misunderstandings earlier. Next time you come this way, as long as I'm on duty, you two don't need to queue with the others. Just come directly here," the man said to Lu Heng with a smile.
"Hahaha, then I thank you in advance, sir."