The caravan consisted of three carriages. The lead carriage carried passengers, while the two behind were loaded with dozens of boxes, large and small.
A middle-aged couple and a beautiful young woman were disembarking from the first carriage, assisted by servants.
Besides the three carriage drivers and one male and one female servant, the caravan included four armed escorts, each with a sword at their waist, though none had cultivated martial blood qi, so they weren’t martial practitioners.
Lu Zheng noticed them, and they, in turn, noticed him.
The four escorts placed their hands on their sword hilts.
In the wilderness, a lone scholar without baggage, travelling alone, was either a supernatural entity or an extraordinary person.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, gave them a glance, and continued on his way, unconcerned.
“Young sir, travelling alone is no easy feat. Since our paths have crossed, it must be fate. It’s nearly noon, and we have plenty of food. Why not join us for lunch before continuing your journey?” the middle-aged man, who had just stepped off the carriage, called out as Lu Zheng was about to pass. “These wild paths are tough, and the next village inn is over ten miles away. A full stomach will help you travel.”
“Master!” one escort whispered in warning. “This man isn’t ordinary.”
The middle-aged man nodded with a smile, waving off the concern. “Don’t worry, I understand.”
The escort lacked keen observation, but the middle-aged man, though kind-hearted, wasn’t naive. He spoke only after Lu Zheng glanced at them and moved on without further attention, nearly passing the caravan.
This showed Lu Zheng had no ill intentions and even took care not to alarm them, avoiding further glances.
Since he wasn’t a threat and seemed considerate, the middle-aged man felt inclined to return the kindness by inviting him for a meal.
Lu Zheng paused, turning to face the group.
The middle-aged man had a kind yet subtly authoritative demeanor. His wife was elegant and gentle, and the young woman, with bright eyes and a graceful air, looked at Lu Zheng openly.
Handsome and refined, with eyes like bright stars, he was a striking young scholar.
Lu Zheng smiled faintly, shaking his head. “Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I’m fine. I travel quickly, and it’s still early. I can rest at the inn later.”
The middle-aged man shook his head. “No need for formality, young sir, or to worry about inconveniencing us. Helping each other on the road is only right.”
He bowed slightly, gesturing invitingly. “It’s windy in the woods. Our escorts have found a dilapidated temple nearby, perfect for cooking and resting.”
Lu Zheng chuckled, thinking the man was genuinely warm-hearted.
“Very well, thank you, sir,” Lu Zheng agreed with a nod.
…
The drivers and servants retrieved cooking utensils and food from the rear carriages. The four escorts tethered the horses to nearby trees, then joined the middle-aged man’s family and Lu Zheng, heading to the dilapidated temple not far from the road.
The temple was clearly a small rural shrine. Within its half-collapsed walls, only the front hall remained somewhat intact. The rear housed ruins of broken walls overgrown with weeds, abandoned for who knows how long.
In the front hall, the deity statue on the altar was reduced to a torso, its identity indiscernible.
However, a mural on the hall’s wall remained relatively intact.
The escorts cleared a corner of the front hall, retrieved chairs and fallen beams from the rear to serve as seats, and invited the middle-aged couple to sit.
The middle-aged man sat with Lu Zheng, while his wife and daughter helped the servants prepare the meal.
“No need for formalities on the road,” the middle-aged man said with a smile. “May I have your name, young sir?”
Lu Zheng glanced at the food being prepared, noting vegetables and meat, then responded to the question with a bow. “I’m Lu Zheng, from Tonglin County, Yizhou Prefecture.”
“Yizhou?” The middle-aged man was taken aback. “Yizhou Prefecture in Lingbei Road? You’re not from Yinan Road?”
“No,” Lu Zheng shook his head.
“But you’re heading east,” the man pressed.
“Indeed,” Lu Zheng replied. “I have business in Huizhou.”
“Yizhou and Huizhou are over a thousand miles apart. You’ve walked all this way?” The man studied Lu Zheng, then bowed. “I’m surnamed Du, Yu Ru.”
“Mr. Du!” Lu Zheng returned the bow with a smile. “There’s no rush. I enjoy sightseeing along the way, travelling freely.”
Sightseeing?
Du Yu Ru’s eyes flickered, realizing this scholar was likely an extraordinary figure.
“Do you hold any scholarly rank, young sir?”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “None.”
“Master, the food is ready. Let’s eat,” Mrs. Du announced.
“Excellent, Young Master Lu, please!” Du Yu Ru gestured.
“Thank you, Mr. Du. I won’t stand on ceremony,” Lu Zheng said.
The meal was simple. Du Yu Ru’s group had brought dried vegetables and meat, now cooked into a soup, served with flatbreads and steamed buns for lunch.
“Young Master Lu, do you drink?” the lead escort asked, holding a water skin.
“No, thank you,” Lu Zheng declined.
“You said you’re from Tonglin County, Yizhou?” Mrs. Du inquired.
“Indeed.”
Mrs. Du continued, “Have you been to Yizhou Prefecture? How’s the local culture? To be honest, we’re heading to settle there.”
“You’re going to Yizhou Prefecture?” Lu Zheng blinked, understanding Du Yu Ru’s earlier surprise, and said, “It’s quite nice. Yizhou is known as the most prosperous place in Lingbei Road. The people are honest, the markets lively, suitable for both living and business.”
“No downsides?” Du Yu Ru interjected.
“I’ve only been there a couple of times, so I don’t know much,” Lu Zheng said, spreading his hands. “At least on the surface, it’s quite good.”
“What about the counties?” Du Yu Ru pressed.
“I’ve been to Pingtan County, which is remote and less developed. Tonglin County, between Yizhou and Yaozhou, is quite nice,” Lu Zheng added. “But I’ve only lived in the county town. I don’t know much about the rural areas.”
Du Yu Ru nodded with a smile. “I understand. Thank you, young sir.”
Lu Zheng replied, “You’re too kind, Mr. Du. I only know the obvious things anyone could see.”
Mrs. Du and her daughter smiled, thinking Lu Zheng was refreshingly honest.
…
As Lu Zheng chatted casually with Du Yu Ru, Mrs. Du and her daughter, with smaller appetites, finished early, handed their dishes to the servants, and strolled hand in hand, soon reaching the mural on the side wall of the front hall.
