The Bard is Fantasizing Again

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When the sturdy trees retreated behind them, and even the weary old oxen turned their horn tips toward the sun,

Tang Qi finally caught sight of it—that city standing upon the plains—

A massive, withered-yellow dragon skeleton leaning against the southern mountains was the first thing that entered his vision.

The dragon's flesh had long since turned to ash over the passage of years, scattered into the wind and sand.

But from the shape of that skeleton, one could vaguely discern that in the final moments of its life, it had laid itself to eternal rest upon the mountain ridge.

This caused its spinal bones to press into the high mountains, allowing half of a magnificent, palace-like city to stand firmly on the mountainside.

"There's even a dragon's head carved into a hall—though why does the waterfall flow from beneath the skull? Feels like it's spitting water?"

The magnificent sight filled Tang Qi with inexplicable excitement.

Wasn't his desire to embark on an adventure precisely to imprint into his memories these things that could only exist in fantasy?

"That's the [Dragon Council Hall]. It's where the Public Lord [Leon Lionheart] and those Masked Lords discuss important matters.

Of course, it's not just prepared for the lords—the [Supreme Court] is also located there.

Furthermore, the Council Hall also rents out some small meeting rooms on regular days."

As a native citizen of Longgold City, Melade could serve as an excellent guide.

"It's just that the rent is very expensive, and only the wealthy people from the [Upper District] would lease it for important matters."

Tang Qi then followed along the dragon's spine, looking toward the foot of the mountain—

Because its tail bones were long and laid flat across the open plains, the stacked city walls surrounded it, dividing up the urban districts.

The tiles and tall buildings were uneven yet orderly, no longer as opulent as the palace on the mountainside, yet still maintaining most of their vivid colors. Positioned at the foot of the mountain adjacent to an inland sea, they formed the other half of the city.

Tang Qi casually pointed in a direction: "So that's the [Lower District]?"

Melade explained:

"To be precise, that's the [Commercial District]. It's Longgold City's trade center, where all trading activities of any scale take place.

Honestly, Longgold City's district divisions are quite complex. If I were to explain them to you one by one, it would be too exhausting. You'd be better off going into the city yourself to explore.

In any case, you just need to know that they're divided into various areas according to different functions, which together comprise the [Lower City]."

Tang Qi also felt that going to see for himself would be more suitable, so he pointed toward the 'tail' area:

"Is that also part of Longgold City?"

Beyond the tail's end, outside a massive gate built of milky-white stone bricks, there was a town completely different from the buildings within the city constructed with strong colors and curved surfaces.

It looked more like Starberry Town, a settlement built with timber.

"Strictly speaking, no.

But this doesn't prevent people living outside [Dragon's Tail Pass] from calling themselves 'citizens of Longgold City.' After all, in order to receive the guards' protection, they all pay their taxes on time.

Once something serious happens—like war or beast tides—those taxpaying residents can also be sheltered within the city walls, spared from disaster.

But that's all there is to it—

Some of Longgold City's public services, like cleaning the roads, don't extend here.

There's no sewage system either, and you'll occasionally smell the stench of horse manure on the roads..."

"That sounds as familiar as [Starberry Town]."

Compared to the civilization of the entire city, what surprised Tang Qi more was that beneath this skeleton, three completely different landscapes had been clearly divided, yet they hadn't destroyed the beauty that should belong to this 'dragon.'

Under the clear azure sky, the blazing sun cast its radiance upon the 'dragon,' making it appear brilliant.

It was as if its skin and flesh had been stripped away, and the city and human culture filled in.

Making the dried bones bloom with a unique new life.

"So this is what [Longgold City] looks like..."

People can never imagine things beyond their understanding.

Just as Catherine had once believed that this city separated by the entire Dawnmist Forest was nothing more than another [Starberry Town] with a larger population.

Now she had not yet approached the edge of that magnificent city.

Just gazing at it from afar, she already felt like a frog leaping out from the bottom of a well, glimpsing one corner of this world—

And finally understanding why Lord Merle from the town was unwilling to return to his own territory.

"If it were me, I wouldn't want to go back either..."

Old David, following closely behind them, couldn't help but murmur.

As a farmer, he had never thought that the wheat fields in summer, which looked like gold scattered across the land, were anything worth praising.

At those times, he would typically just oscillate between the joy of harvest and the exhaustion of reaping.

But when the wheat fields before his eyes spread across the entire plain, blown by strong winds, stirring up waves of brilliant golden wheat—

He still couldn't suppress the exclamation in his heart:

"Even its wheat is more golden than Starberry Town's!"

"That's why I've always said Starberry Town's bread is inedible."

Melade couldn't help but complain.

"I actually really like eating bread—it's satisfying, soft, and you can even taste a hint of malt fragrance when you chew it.

But Starberry Town's bread is hard enough to smash my head!"

"You'd better not forget that this morning you were still praising that bread that could smash your pig brain, saying it had a woody fragrance like sawdust." Tang Qi glanced at him.

"That's already in the past!"

Melade couldn't help but swallow.

"When I get home tonight, I'm definitely going to feast, especially devouring an entire serving of [Amber Honey Glazed Ribs]!"

"Weren't you losing weight?"

"How can I have the energy to lose weight if I don't eat my fill?"

Looking at this drooling little white pig, Tang Qi felt that this young master's time to be 'sent to market' might not be far off.

But regardless, with their destination in sight, they had no reason to delay their journey.

When the mighty procession of three hundred people, facing the noon sun and dawn rays, traveled along the rural dirt road from north to south, passing through golden wheat fields and scattered farms, arriving at the outskirts of [Dragon's Tail Pass]—

On the cloudless and clear horizon, a touch of orange-red suddenly appeared.

"As expected, arriving before dark. Your grasp of distance is a bit too excellent."

Considering that Dawn had also once been a traveler, this didn't seem like anything difficult.

But Tang Qi still wouldn't be stingy with his praise.

After all, just a little bit of approval was enough to satisfy this paladin.

It could even spark her impulse to do more:

"I'll set up the tents!"

"No, we just arrived and are unfamiliar with the place. If we camp like before, we'll probably be driven away by the guards...

Little White Pig says [Dragon's Tail Pass] has many inns. Let's just find one to stay at tonight."

Even for land-based caravans, a group of three hundred was quite conspicuous.

Tang Qi looked around and noticed that many varied residents, not all human, were already looking in their direction.

Curious, but also with visible caution.

"What about the others?"

Dawn pointed behind them to the townspeople who had fled here together.

"Together."

Tang Qi then shouted:

"Catherine will distribute tonight's accommodation expenses later—

You don't need to worry about it. Young Master Melade says you're his subjects, and tonight's expenses will all be covered by him!"

"When did I say—"

The little white pig's eyes bulged like brass bells.

Just as he was about to 'huff,' Tang Qi covered his mouth and nose: "Keep it down. I'm earning you reputation."

Hearing the cheers from the subjects behind him, Melade did indeed feel a genuine sense of recognition.

But this pleasure didn't prevent his panic:

"But I don't have a single coin on me!"

"I still have three hundred gold coins on hand that can help you advance the payment. Just pay me back when you get home, right?"

"That's all Father's money..."

"Have confidence. You've preserved most of Lord Merle's 'assets.' Just casually ask for some rewards and you can settle the accommodation bill, right?"

"Can I really?"

"If you don't pay me back, I'll expose your sexual orientation to your father."

"I definitely can!" Melade solemnly promised.

Tang Qi then patted the snoring Stonecrusher on the ox cart:

"We've arrived at the station, wake up!"

Being disturbed from sleep isn't a pleasant thing.

So much so that the dwarf shot upright, nearly kicking Tang Qi in the chest—

This dwarf enjoyed the privilege of lying flat on the ox cart.

Because Tang Qi felt he didn't take up much space.

And without needing [Alertness] to warn him, being familiar with Stonecrusher's morning temper, he could easily dodge.

When Stonecrusher came to his senses and saw the dragon bones clinging to the high mountains, he slapped his forehead:

"Ha, the last time I came here was three years ago. Like an 'elf three hundred years later,' it hasn't changed one bit!"

"I heard that to permanently reside in Longgold City, you need to register your household and pay taxes. So I'll take Little White Pig into the city later to inquire about the situation and check out Longgold City's nightscape. Are you staying here or coming with me?"

"Even if you spent three days and nights, you couldn't explore all of Longgold City."

Stonecrusher tightened the spiked hammer at his waist and jumped down from the cart.

"I need to get something from the bank. Let's go together!"

Tang Qi nodded, gave Catherine instructions to first lead the townspeople to find an inn to stay at, then got up to head toward the city gate.

As for Yiwu, considering it was somewhat conspicuous, he left it in Anbi's care.

Perhaps it was Dawn and Stonecrusher's attire that made residents subconsciously recognize this as an adventuring party—

Their reputation for operating on the edge of the law always made residents keep their distance. So much so that no one dared to approach and provoke them.

Only one small figure suddenly darted out from the crowd, blocking Tang Qi's path and bowing respectfully:

"May fortune always accompany you, honored sir.

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is [Chuck Greenflask].

As a guide for [Dragon's Tail Pass], people always call me 'Chuck the Guide.' If you find that name too long, you can also affectionately call me 'Chuck.'

Seeing that you have an unfamiliar face, you should be newly arrived. I've taken the liberty of approaching, attempting to earn a small commission from you through my modest abilities."

"Hello, Chuck."

Tang Qi was quite curious about this diminutive halfling before him.

But with urgent matters at hand, he didn't want to waste time, so he replied:

"I'm very sorry, I just want to go to [Dragon's Tail Pass]'s main gate. With my friends guiding me, I'm afraid I must decline your help."

But Chuck blinked:

"You want to enter [Longgold City]?"

"Of course."

"Unfortunately, you're destined to be disappointed."

The halfling sighed and explained:

"Due to some special circumstances, as early as half a month ago, [Longgold City] declared martial law and no longer opens to travelers."

"Why?"

"I heard it's because of...

Orcs."