Chapter 21
Luoyang was as big a city as I’d heard. Even when approaching from a mile outside the city gates, the grandeur of the city was visible from the hill. The city walls were incredibly high, seemingly stretching on for dozens of miles. Since my life as a courier never required me to travel to Luoyang, this was my first time visiting.
“Indeed, it’s the largest city under heaven… the fortress of the emperor…”
I was constantly filled with awe as I passed the guard posts. Unlike other cities, where one security check is enough, Luoyang had an unusual setup. First, there was a check at the outer wall, then another a hundred paces away, and I heard that yet another check was required to enter the inner city. This gave me an idea of the immense scale of the place.
A guard inspected my belongings and said, “What’s this? Are you a diviner?”
I’d already concealed the scroll in a hidden compartment of my luggage. The only incriminating item I carried was a scroll with a map of the royal palace, so it shouldn’t be suspicious.
I grinned and replied, “I’m still in training.”
“Heh… you should go to Vermilion String1 Street. You’ll find many people like you there.”
The guard clucked his tongue and strangely offered me this advice.
‘Vermilion String Street must be a gathering place for diviners and fortune tellers.’