Chapter 131 Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce
In order to ensure a smooth journey south, Sheng Ran went to the market in Beining City to buy some dry food.
After talking to Zhu Jiuyin, Sheng Ran never mentioned asking him to eat less again.
Finally able to enjoy the food to his heart's content, Zhu Jiuyin let go of his nature and made a list of many snacks he wanted to take with him on the road.
She even insisted that she couldn't fly if there was nothing sweet to eat during the journey. The tip of Zhu Jiuyin's tail was wrapped around her wrist tightly, like a naughty child.
Sheng Ran couldn't withstand his offensive and bought everything he wanted.
Several people acted separately and finally met at the city gate.
When Sheng Ran and Pei Xiaoxing arrived, the other beastmen were waiting for them at the city gate.
Ling Rui was raising his claws, pulling at Zhu Jiuyin's scales to compare their hardness. Neither of them was willing to give in, their faces flushed red.
Huaijun was squatting on the ground, drawing something with a branch. When I got closer, I realized it was a map of their journey south.
Yun Ling leaned against the stone pier of the city gate, a group of birds chirping and chatting with him beside his ears. He closed his eyes, frowned slightly, and looked quite helpless.
"Are you all ready?" Sheng Ran smiled, opened the cloth bag in her hand, and took out some dried fruits to share with everyone as energy supplies before setting off.
Zhu Jiuyin came over, stretched out his hand, palm facing up, his golden eyes full of anticipation.
Sheng Ran took out the largest bag from her bag and handed it to him. He immediately stuffed it into his arms, protecting it with his elbow, fearing that someone else would snatch it away.
As soon as they walked out of the city gate, they heard the customers at the roadside tea stall chatting. Their voices were not loud, but they drifted into their ears on the wind.
"Have you heard? The birthday party of the Saint Female is hosted by Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce!" A bearded orc took a sip of wine, his voice full of amazement.
"Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce?" another tall and thin orc raised his voice. "Is it the Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce that swallowed up three established chambers of commerce in just six months, the one that even the city lord had to give some respect to?"
"That's right!" The bearded orc put down his wine glass and lowered his voice. "I heard from my cousin who works in Central City that the president of the Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce has booked the entire Liuli Palace in Central City for this birthday party. He also shipped a hundred carts of exotic flowers and plants from the south and plans to build a greenhouse in the palace. He said he wants Her Majesty to see flowers bloom even in winter."
"Wow, how much does this cost?" the tall and thin orc exclaimed in amazement. "This Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce is truly wealthy!"
"Who says it's not?" A nearby merchant in brocade robes chimed in. "I heard this guild leader is very young, but his methods are terrifyingly powerful. Six months ago, no one had heard of the Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce, but now they even control the supplies of the Holy Female Palace."
"Lady Saint is truly honored to have the Nine Lights Chamber of Commerce personally host the birthday banquet..."
Sheng Ran paused.
I had never heard of this "Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce" before, but it has appeared in my ears frequently recently.
And... I always feel like something is fishy.
She looked at Yun Ling, and even he shook his head, his dark eyes showing a bit of solemnity: "I haven't heard of it, but to be able to host Sheng Jieyue's birthday party, the influence must be quite big."
"Who cares about the Chamber of Commerce!" Ling Rui clenched his fists and said wildly, "If anyone dares to bully my wife, I will burn down his greenhouse!"
Zhu Jiuyin nodded, his red scales glowing with a restless red light: "That's right! When the time comes, we will just rush in and beat up anyone who stands in our way!"
Pei Xiaoxing didn't say anything, but just pulled Sheng Ran towards him. His silver eyes swept vigilantly towards the tea stall, as if he was afraid that the discussions would hurt her.
Huai Jun also stood in front of Sheng Ran, showing a protective attitude.
Sheng Ran patted their hands, indicating that everything was fine.
But I inexplicably feel a little concerned.
What kind of person is the president of the Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce?
What is the relationship between him and his sister Sheng Jieyue?
Why spend so much money just for a birthday party?
These questions popped up in her mind one by one like little bumps.
She touched the copper bell around her waist; it was quiet and motionless.
Does Tu Shanyi know about Jiuyao Chamber of Commerce?
The copper bell pressed against her collar, and the cool touch made her calm down a little.
No matter what chamber of commerce it is, no matter who is hosting the birthday party, she has to go.
"Let's go." Sheng Ran said to the beastmen, "Let's set off early and try to find a post station tonight."
Zhu Jiuyin immediately transformed back into his half-dragon form and squatted before her, his golden eyes sparkling. "Wife, I'll give you a ride! I promise I'll fly faster than Yun Ling, the black bird!"
Yun Ling glanced at him indifferently, without saying a word, but just moved Sheng Ran's bag onto her shoulder.
Ling Rui said dissatisfiedly: "Didn't Pei Xiaoxing already make the schedule? It's my turn today. Can you guys please follow the rules?"
As he spoke, he changed into the form of a beast. The tall and mighty golden lion lay at Sheng Ran's feet, rubbing its furry head against her waist.
Ling Rui said obediently, "Wife, please come up quickly."
Pei Xiaoxing and Huai Jun had no intention of getting involved in the dispute. They followed behind and protected him closely.
The sunset glow passed through the city gate, casting long shadows behind them.
The outline of Beining City became farther and farther away, and the towering locust tree wrapped in red silk gradually disappeared. Only the copper bell around the waist occasionally made a soft sound in the wind, as if responding to something.
However, the journey south was much more difficult than expected.
As soon as we walked out of Beining City, we encountered an official road that was cut off by mountain torrents.
The muddy water, carrying branches and stones, roared in the canyon like an angry beast.
They could only take a long detour over the mountain. The road was steep and covered with thorny bushes, and Sheng Ran's trouser legs were torn into several holes.
Ling Rui always raised his hands to help her block the thorns. His limbs were scratched and bleeding, but he smiled and said, "These little injuries are nothing."
The route was originally planned for only half a day, but it took three days and we encountered continuous rain.
The raindrops as big as beans hit my body and it hurt.
Ling Rui used his earth-related abilities along the way to form an earth wall to protect Sheng Ran from the rain, while he himself explored the way in the rain, his hair getting soaked.
Drops of water dripped down Ling Rui's jawline, but he didn't even frown, he just asked her "Are you cold?"
Food also gradually became scarce.
The wild animals in the mountains seemed to have received the news in advance, and not even a rabbit was seen.
Pei Xiaoxing and Yun Ling wanted to hunt on the road, but they often came back empty-handed.
All the existing food was given to his wife, so Sheng Ran didn't feel comfortable taking it all for himself. He stuffed most of the dry biscuits with them and said, "I'm not hungry."
But they insisted on dividing the food into pieces and gave the rest to her, saying, "If my wife doesn't eat it, we won't eat it either."
"There should be an abandoned post station ahead."
On the evening of the third day, Huai Jun spread out the rain-soaked map and traced a vague mark with his fingertips. "Walk another thirty miles and we'll spend the night there."
But when they actually reached the marked location, they saw only ruins destroyed by the mudslide.
Half of the earthen wall stood there crookedly, covered with moss. The weeds in the corners were taller than people. Not to mention sheltering from the rain, there was not even a flat stone to be found.
The beastmen had been traveling day and night for three days, but Sheng Ran was resting on their backs as usual.
This can't go on.
"Let's just make do with it for one night and spend the night here."
Sheng Ran raised her eyes and looked at the five beastly husbands.
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