Above the Great Dao
Chapter 485 - 231 Lurking Claws and Teeth Endurance (Double Request for Monthly Tickets!)

Chapter 485: Chapter 231 Lurking Claws and Teeth Endurance (Double Request for Monthly Tickets!)

Baili Mu’s heart lurched, and he immediately led his men in a charge outside, prepared to kill Chen Shi, but then he stopped in his tracks, his expression flickering uncertainly.

Governor Gao Chang of Niandu City had just instructed him not to harm Chen Shi within a hundred li of Niandu, otherwise he would annihilate his entire Banshan Sect. With Gao Chang just gone, if he turned around and killed Chen Shi, what would Gao Chang think?

Gao Chang, with the Prefecture Soldiers of Niandu City in his control, could easily exterminate the Banshan Sect!

Would the young master really offend this Governor, offend the Gao Family, for him and the Banshan Sect?

However, a talisman had just killed a hundred-odd people of the Banshan Sect, and this incident had just occurred, and now the perpetrator was coming with a menacing aura!

Saintess Xuan whispered softly, "Calm yourself, Sect Master Baili. Lord Gao will handle this matter and give you an explanation."

Baili Mu steadied his spirit and said with an expressionless face, "It’s best if Lord Gao handles this fairly, otherwise it will be hard to convince the crowd!"

Chen Shi entered Niandu City and looked around, seeing that Niandu was filled with workshops for making carts and wheels, much busier than other provincial and county cities. Here, cart-making was divided into different specializations; some workshops made only the carriage shafts, some made only wheels, and others made only axles.

There were workshops specifically for designing canopies and drawing talismans, and there were even stables specializing in breeding mutant beasts and fine horses, and he even saw a market for hiring grooms!

There were many shops selling entire carts, each with their own signs.

Here, there were different kinds of carriages, horse-drawn carriages, ox carts, those with canopies, open-topped ones, drawn by two, four, six horses, and even chariots.

There were also various carriage decorations, pearls, colored glazes, agates, and strings of pearls—things considered treasurable elsewhere were laid out in rows along the streets, shining differently under the sunlight.

Each street was crowded with people, everywhere were people making purchases, and bargaining voices filled the air with accents from all over.

"Xiao Wangsun, coming here, would surely linger and forget to return. If only he had the money."

Chen Shi slowed his pace, examining the shops alongside him.

He wanted to buy some decorations for his wooden cart.

The wooden cart had been turned alive by a Creation Talisman, and Chen Shi once thought to modify it, spending a great sum to buy two horses mixed with dragon blood, intending to have them pull the carriage. Yet as soon as they were harnessed, the wooden cart devoured them.

He also tried to ride other carriages; however, all were devoured by the wooden cart.

This wooden cart was his grandfather’s relic, quite simple, with four wheels and a pivoting system for easy steering, and very good at absorbing shocks. As long as the roads weren’t terrible, one could hardly feel any bumps.

Nevertheless, the carriage lacked a roof, a canopy, and had no horses or beasts of burden for locomotion.

The space inside the carriage was small, seating two people and a dog, plus a book chest and a talisman stall, it felt a bit cramped.

Moreover, sitting in the cart without a cushion was a real pain in the butt.

As Chen Shi was looking around, a voice came through, "Chen Jieyuan, you’ve traveled from afar; are you here for revenge, or to buy a cart?"

Chen Shi stopped and turned around, seeing a middle-aged man in casual clothes standing not far away, with two attendants beside him. The attendants looked like officials and carried a strong bureaucratic air; in contrast, the middle-aged man seemed unaffected by this demeanor, his face appearing amicable and approachable.

When Chen Shi heard the words ’Jieyuan’, a sense of kinship involuntarily arose, and he smiled, "You know of me, sir?"

The middle-aged man smiled, "Chen Shi, Chen Jieyuan, the top scorer of the village examination in both Xinxiang and Gongzhou provinces, who doesn’t know, who isn’t aware? I am Governor Gao Chang of Niandu City, I’ve seen Chen Jieyuan."

"Not at all!"

Chen Shi was overjoyed and hurriedly returned the courtesy, laughing, "I somehow muddled through and became a Jieyuan, yet I am still somewhat bewildered. While I admit some literary accomplishments, in the provinces of Xinxiang and Gongzhou, there are many young talents, what qualifications do I have to rank as a Jieyuan? It is nothing but Heaven’s favor." frёewebηovel.cѳm

Gao Chang stepped forward and laughed heartily, "Chen Jieyuan, you needn’t be so humble. Even across the entire West Bull New Continent, Chen Jieyuan’s scholarly achievements are highly regarded. The new year is upon us; when do you plan to head to the Western Capital?"

In just a few words, he became very friendly with Chen Shi, as if they had long known each other, and it was just like old friends meeting to catch up.

Chen Shi replied with a smile, "After I deal with matters in Niandu City, I’ll return to Xinxiang, spend the New Year, and then head to the Western Capital for the Imperial Examination."

Gao Chang nodded gently, "The journey to the Western Capital is long indeed; you will certainly need a good cart. I have long admired Chen Jieyuan and would like to offer you a fine carriage, wishing you victory in the upcoming Imperial Examination and success in achieving the top three academic honors!"

Chen Shi shook his head, "Many thanks for your generosity, my lord. I already have an old wooden cart, and though it is aged, it being my grandfather’s relic, I cannot bear to part with it. This time I am just planning to purchase some spare parts to refit it."

Gao Chang responded with gravity, "Chen Jieyuan is truly a gentleman, cherishing the old and never forgetting the roots; admirable indeed."

Chen Shi, flattered by his words, felt as if his heart had been smoothed with an iron, ineffably comfortable.

Seizing the opportunity, Gao Chang continued, "Chen Jieyuan, I have an unseemly request. As you can see, Niandu City manufactures half of the carriages across the West Bull New Continent, with bustling commerce, contented citizens leading peaceful and productive lives, harboring no evil thoughts, and not harboring thieves—a veritable treasure land of the West Bull New Continent."

Chen Shi nodded.

He, too, had observed that the citizens near Niandu City indeed seemed to live better than people in other places, as its industry sustained many.

Where there’s industry, there’s food to eat, clothes to wear. The logic was simple.

Gao Chang said, "I, a mere official, am in charge of this place; I sincerely do not wish to spoil Niandu City’s commerce, causing the populace to become displaced. Therefore, I earnestly request you, to keep all grievances from being settled by force within Niandu City. Once outside a hundred li of Niandu, you may resolve matters as you see fit."