Ultimately, Chen Fei and his companion decided to follow the Xianyun Caravan. Not for any other reason, but simply for safety.
The eerie occurrences they encountered on the way to Xingfen City had left a profound impression on Chen Fei; he had no desire to experience such things again. A single red candle cost a thousand taels; if they had followed a smaller caravan and accidentally used one, wouldn't the loss be even greater?
The Xianyun Caravan clearly knew its own value, which was why they dared to charge such prices.
By the time Chen Fei and his companion arrived at the Xianyun Caravan's station, they found the area already teeming with people.
Of course, most were there to trade with the caravan, while only a small fraction intended to travel with them. Yet, even this small fraction numbered nearly a hundred people.
"They've already made a hundred thousand taels," Chen Fei said with a hint of envy.
Despite the fact that Chen Fei could now refine Changfu Pills—which seemed to yield decent profits—it would still take several months of work to save up such an amount, and he couldn't afford to be lazy.
Furthermore, if he truly earned that much, it would likely attract trouble.
But to have money and not earn it was simply too agonizing.
"The Xianyun Caravan won't depart for another three days. So, it's more than just a hundred thousand taels," Chi Defeng remarked with a sigh. He liked money too and had saved quite a bit, but compared to the Xianyun Caravan, he wasn't even in the same league.
"The caravan departs at the hour of Chen in three days. We will not wait for latecomers. Take this token; we recognize the token, not the person."
At the payment station, a member of the Xianyun Caravan glanced at the two of them, collected the money, and tallied it. They didn't ask for names or origins, as such details were unimportant to the caravan.
"Thank you!"
Chen Fei cupped his hands, looking at the cloud pattern on the token. It shouldn't be difficult to forge this, but it might contain something hidden to allow the caravan to distinguish it.
Besides, few would have the audacity to try and board using a fake token. If caught, they would likely be stripped of their skin even if they survived.
As the two turned to leave, Xingfen City, which had been somewhat quiet, seemed to have regained its former bustle due to the arrival of the Xianyun Caravan.
People were coming and going in the streets when a figure suddenly seemed to collide with Chen Fei, appearing to be walking too hastily. Chen Fei stepped aside and caught a hand.
"Hey, hey! Let go of my hand! What are you doing?!" Xu Liu's face turned pale with pain. He tried to break free, but it felt as if his arm were caught in a pair of pliers; he couldn't move at all.
"If you're going to steal, you have to pick the right person!"
Chen Fei glanced at Xu Liu and tossed his right hand. Xu Liu was thrown to the ground, hitting his head and bleeding.
Realizing he had run into a tough customer, Xu Liu didn't dare cry out again. He scrambled up and scurried into the crowd, disappearing from sight.
"He probably saw our tokens," Chi Defeng said, shaking his head with a smile.
The Xianyun Caravan recognized the token, not the person. If one were to steal such a token, it was worth a thousand taels. Even if they didn't use it themselves, they could flip it for several hundred taels—it was practically a violent business.
"It seems there will be quite a lot of theft in Xingfen City over the next few days."
Chen Fei couldn't help but shake his head. Some martial artists might rely on their strength to steal, or even resort to outright robbery.
The two of them wandered the streets for a couple of rounds, purchasing many supplies.
The journey to Xianyun City would take over ten days. The Xianyun Caravan only agreed to let them follow; they did not provide food or water, so everything had to be prepared themselves.
After weaving through several alleys to shake off any followers, Chen Fei and his companion returned to their courtyard.
***
At the Kexian Restaurant.
"To be able to invite Supervisor Dong here today is a great honor for me," Xu Wangliang said to Dong Yi, drinking a cup of wine himself as a gesture of politeness.
"The caravan has matters to attend to later. If you have something to say, speak plainly," Dong Yi replied, maintaining a distant and unapproachable demeanor. He had only come to this banquet because a close friend had requested it. However, before arriving, Dong Yi had learned of the recent events involving Xu Wangliang and had no intention of meddling.
"My son was murdered; this is a blood feud that cannot be reconciled. I take the liberty of asking Supervisor Dong for a favor!"
Seeing Dong Yi's attitude, Xu Wangliang did not get angry. Instead, he took a stack of silver notes from his robe, placed them on the table, and pushed them toward Dong Yi.
Dong Yi instinctively glanced at the notes. Each was worth a thousand taels; this stack was worth no less than ten thousand taels of silver. This was a massive gesture, enough to soften Dong Yi's expression significantly.
While the Xianyun Caravan charged a thousand taels per person—amounting to over a hundred or two hundred thousand taels in three days—that money belonged to the caravan. Even as a supervisor, Dong Yi did not see much of it.
But this ten thousand taels might very well belong to him in a moment.
"I have heard of your son's passing. However, that thief is cunning. You haven't been able to find him all these days; even if I wanted to help, I don't know how I could," Dong Yi said.
"That thief must still be in Xingfen City, waiting for an opportunity to leave. As long as we are close enough, I have a way to find him. Therefore, I hope that in three days, Supervisor Dong can allow me to delay the caravan slightly so that I may search for the thief!"
Xu Wangliang's expression was grim. Based on the deductions from Squad Leader Wu Li, Xu Wangliang had recently followed many caravans, but none had found the man.
The most likely possibility was that the man was waiting for the Xianyun Caravan.
During the on-site inspection, Wu Li claimed that if they were close enough, the Gu worms could identify the person. Thus, Xu Wangliang had invited Dong Yi, hoping the latter could assist with this request.
If it were any other small caravan, it wouldn't be this complicated; Xu Wangliang's own strength would be enough to pressure them into agreeing. But the Xianyun Caravan was different. Xu Wangliang lacked both the strength and the courage to force them, so he had to use connections.
"The people departing in three days have all paid. Doing this would put me in a difficult position," Dong Yi said, his brow furrowing slightly.
The price of a thousand taels per person was already high enough. Because safety was essentially guaranteed, the Xianyun Caravan could collect the money with a clear conscience. But to collect the money now and then "sell" the people again in three days would be quite unsightly. Even as a manager, it was difficult for Dong Yi to do something that would damage the caravan's reputation.
"I hope Supervisor Dong can show some understanding."
Xu Wangliang reached into his robe again and produced another stack of silver notes, placing them on the table.
Dong Yi's eyes blinked. This stack was also ten thousand taels. Combined with the previous one, that made twenty thousand taels. It would take Dong Yi a very long time to earn such an amount.
Now, with just a nod, this money would be his.
Dong Yi struggled internally. After a moment of hesitation, he shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I cannot help with this; it would easily invite criticism."
"I also know that the rest of the caravan members have been working hard lately. I have no other way to express my gratitude, but I hope this can buy some wine and food for the others."
As Xu Wangliang spoke, he placed another ten thousand taels of silver notes on the table. He did not stop there, adding another five thousand taels to the other side.
"I feel guilty for delaying their time to search for the man with me. Let these five thousand taels serve as my apology when the time comes."
"This... how can this be done!"
Dong Yi looked at Xu Wangliang, shaking his head repeatedly, but his hands were not slow. He quickly swept the thirty-five thousand taels on the table into his sleeve.
"Thank you, Supervisor Dong, for your assistance!"
Seeing Dong Yi accept the money, a smile finally broke across Xu Wangliang's face.