Just when the city gate soldiers were puzzled, the curtain inside the carriage was lifted from inside.
A tall and handsome man sat majestically within, clothed in a sharp black silk robe, his features clearly defined.
His eyes were deep and shadowy, inspiring an inexplicable sense of awe.
Lu Xuan's appearance made the city gate soldiers stand at attention.
Is this the young master of the Lu Family Pharmacy?
Indeed, he is worthy of being the young master of the Lu Family Pharmacy, with an imposing aura that is far from ordinary, even causing a great sense of oppression.
Even the city gate soldier, who has seen countless people, was deeply shocked by the extraordinary demeanor emanating from Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan's presence completely dispelled the city gate soldiers' doubts.
Without a doubt, Lu Xuan must be the young master of the Lu Family Pharmacy.
Otherwise, how could an ordinary family produce such an extraordinary young man?
So the city gate soldiers did not hesitate for long, simply glanced over the carriage, finding nothing hidden.
Then, he picked up the token in his hand, glanced at it perfunctorily, and handed it back to Li San with both hands.
At this moment, the city gate soldier spoke with some curiosity.
"Why isn't the Lu Family Pharmacy bringing more people when leaving the city? The highways outside the county have been quite unsafe lately."
"You'd better not go too far from the county town."
"There are some refugees from other places turning into bandits on certain highways, specifically robbing travelers."
"The authorities have sent people to wipe out those bandits, but every time the bandits escape, hiding deep in the mountains and forests when they see officers."
Li San received the token handed back by the city gate soldiers and put it inside his chest.
After hearing the city gate soldiers' friendly reminder, Li San showed a grateful smile, clasped his hands together, and thanked the city gate soldiers.
"Thank you for the reminder, sir. Our young master is just out for a stroll not far outside the city; we shouldn't encounter those bandits."
"Hmm, that's good. Alright, you can go now."
"You're too kind, Mr. Li. Please give my regards to the old master of the Lu Family when you have the chance."
The city gate soldier returned the salute in the same manner to Li San.
He only gave the special reminder to the Lu Family Pharmacy because the old master of the Lu Family had once treated him.
Li San: "Of course, of course."
After saying his final words, Li San waved to the burly man beside him, signaling him to drive the carriage straight out of the city gate.
After the carriage exited the city gate, Li San cautiously spoke towards the inside of the carriage.
"Young master, they say there are bandits on the highway lately. Should we..."
"No worries."
A nonchalant voice from inside the carriage interrupted Li San's words.
From the county town to Liugou Village is about two days' journey, especially since Lu Xuan and his group are traveling light.
Soon, the setting sun's afterglow adorned the sky, casting its light on the dusty road where the carriage rolled on.
In the distance, buildings with traces of human habitation gradually appeared.
"Young master, up ahead is our resting place, called Shili Town. It's a must-pass spot for most villages heading to the county town, where travelers stop to rest."
......
"We've arrived, young master."
Lu Xuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed along the way, only opened his eyes after Li San's reminder, lifted the curtain, and stepped down from the carriage.
Before him was a rather large inn, sparsely populated with a few tables of guests inside.
"Drunken Immortal Inn"
Then, Lu Xuan expressionlessly sensed his surroundings, discovering many Martial Artists practicing martial arts.
There were quite a few like Li San in the Skin Refining Realm.
Indeed, if one doesn't possess some strength, they may not even know how they died while traveling on the highway.
Li San led the way, while Lu Xuan followed wordlessly with his hands folded behind him.
As soon as Lu Xuan stepped into the inn's door, he slightly frowned, sensing gazes from all directions.
No wonder, with his tall and upright stature and youthful, handsome face.
His unmistakable aura of a noble family descendent was hard not to notice.
Lu Xuan suddenly looked towards a corner of the inn, where three people sat beside a table.
Beside them were about a dozen individuals resembling guards.
Among the three at the table, two appeared to be somewhat haggard middle-aged men, and the third was a slender young woman.
However, the woman's face was covered with a thick white veil, concealing her features.
The woman, upon sensing Lu Xuan's gaze, immediately looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Two Martial Artists in the Bone Refining Realm, mostly surrounded by those in the Skin Refining Realm, along with five or six in the Refined Flesh Realm.
Lu Xuan glanced deeply in that direction, pondering, for he'd already sensed the exact strength of those people.
With so many Martial Artists in accompany, including two in the Bone Refining Realm, this woman's identity is surely not trivial.
"Shopkeeper, give me a nice room, and a humble room next to the stable."
Li San shouted, his voice echoing in the inn's hall.
As his words fell, a short and plump man, dressed in rich satin, quickly came out from an inner room.
His face wore a flattering smile, yet his eyes constantly darted towards Lu Xuan.
The shopkeeper, having been in the business for years, had developed shrewd perceptivity.
In just one look, he knew this young master must be a wealthy benefactor.
"Honored guests have graced us, what a bright day!"
The shopkeeper rubbed his pudgy hands, bending his body like a bow, "Please, please come in. I'll arrange the best room for you right away!"
The finest room, naturally, was for Lu Xuan alone, while the modest room by the stable was for Li San and the honest coachman.
Though the inn's stable could park the carriage and had someone to watch over it,
drivers would typically have someone guarding the carriage to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from tampering.
So, Li San and the honest boor took turns watching over the carriage, which is why they chose a room near the stable.
Lu Xuan had no intentions of staying in the inn's hall, disliking being ogled like an exhibit, so he strode up to the second floor following the shop assistant.
Once Lu Xuan left, the minor disturbance he'd caused subsided, and normalcy returned.
Yet some continued silently observing the direction in which Lu Xuan departed.
For instance, at the table in the inn's corner, where Lu Xuan had previously looked at the woman.
"Mr. Chen, Mr. Huang, did you notice that young man just now?"
The woman spoke in a very low voice, one that only the two middle-aged men sitting opposite her could hear.
"Yes, miss, I noticed him."
"That young man certainly has an extraordinary demeanor, seems like no ordinary person."
"Indeed, his aura immensely distinctive, on par with the promising youths we've encountered in the capital."
"Unexpectedly, on the road back to Qingyun County, we encounter such a noble descendant."