Yang and Li San had been walking for weeks. The initial excitement had long faded. Even Li San's endless chatter had dried up after the first week of nothing but dirt road and sparse trees.
They walked in silence now. Their feet moving automatically. One step after another. The same monotonous rhythm they'd maintained for days.
Yang's pack dug into his shoulders. His boots were holding up well, but his legs ached from the constant walking. Beside him, Li San trudged along with his head down. No longer pointing out birds or commenting on the landscape.
The road stretched endlessly ahead. Empty except for them.
Then Yang saw it. A dark shape on the horizon. Too distant to make out clearly but definitely man-made.
"Li San," Yang said quietly.
Li San looked up. Followed Yang's gaze. His eyes widened.
"Is that..."
"Must be," Yang said. "The town."
Energy flooded back into them instantly. Li San straightened. His pace quickened. Yang felt the exhaustion lift from his shoulders like a physical weight being removed.
They walked faster. Then faster still. Not quite running but close. The shape on the horizon grew clearer with each step.
Buildings. Walls. Smoke rising from chimneys.
Guanshi Town.
They reached it in mid-afternoon. The sun hung hot and bright overhead as they approached the weathered walls.
The town looked old. Worn down by decades of harsh weather and harder living. Two-story wooden buildings lined what Yang could see of the main street. The roofs were made up of mismatched tiles. Some original glazed green or blue. Others replaced with plain clay after damage or storms.
Lanterns hung from sagging eaves. Their characters barely legible. Faded by sun and rain until they were more faded marks than symbol.
The walls themselves stood maybe fifteen or twenty feet high. Stone and packed earth. The stonework showed decades of repairs in different colored patches. Like a quilt made of rock.
Two watchtowers flanked a simple gate. Guards stood there in worn armor. Their postures spoke of boredom more than vigilance.
Yang and Li San approached the gate together. One guard stepped forward. His hand resting casually on his sword hilt.
"Names," the guard said. His voice flat. Routine.
"Yang," Yang said.
"Li San."
"Where from?"
"Yunxi Village," Li San answered. "East of here."
The guard's expression didn't change. "Reason for entering?"
"Looking for work," Yang said.
The guard nodded. Apparently satisfied. "Any weapons beyond personal defense?"
Yang and Li San showed their daggers. The guard barely glanced at them.
"Entry granted. Keep the peace or you'll answer to the magistrate." The guard waved them through without interest.
Yang and Li San entered Guanshi Town.
The main street was unpaved. Packed earth and worn cobblestones. Open-fronted shops lined both sides. Weapons. Herbs. Food stalls. Wooden awnings provided shade from the afternoon sun.
People moved through the street with purpose. Most were armed. Swords at hips. Spears carried casually over shoulders. Daggers visible at waists and boots.
A prominent inn dominated the center of the main street. Tables spilled outside where armed travelers drank and rested. Their conversations a low murmur punctuated by occasional laughter.
The town was larger than Yunxi Village. Larger than Yang's original village. But it felt smaller somehow. Compressed. Everyone watching everyone else from the corners of their eyes.
"We need to find work," Yang said quietly. "And lodging."
Li San nodded. "We don't have money for an inn."
"We have food for a few days," Yang said. "But we'll need to earn something soon."
They still had dried meat and nuts from Yunxi Village. Water from the last stream they'd passed. But no coins and nothing to trade.
"If we can't find work today, we'll have to sleep in an alley," Yang said. Stating the reality without emotion.
Li San grimaced but nodded. "Let's split up. Cover more ground. Ask around."
"Meet back here in an hour," Yang said. Pointing at a distinctive shop with a faded red door.
They separated. Yang walked down the main street. Approaching shops and asking about work. Most shopkeepers barely looked at him before saying no. A few were ruder about it.
Yang maintained his calm. Moved to the next shop and repeated the same question again and again.
He was questioning a herb merchant when Li San appeared. Running. His face flushed with excitement.
"Yang! I found work! And somewhere to stay!"
Yang thanked the herb merchant and turned to Li San. "Where?"
"Follow me!"
They walked through several side streets. The buildings grew even shabbier. Less maintained. Li San stopped in front of an old house. Two stories. Weathered wood. Paint peeling.
Yang recognized what it was immediately. The red lanterns were a different shade than the ones marking regular businesses. The women visible in the windows wore specific makeup. Specific clothing.
A brothel.
Li San pushed open the door. Yang followed him inside.
The interior was dim. Smoky from incense and cheap tobacco. Several women lounged on cushions. Their expressions bored until they saw Yang and Li San but none come forward as they were discerning enough to recognize customers.
An older woman approached. She was perhaps fifty. Still beautiful in the way that spoke of youth spent trading on that beauty. Her robes were finer than the other women's and her hair elaborately styled but like the others she wore no jewelry or any sign of wealth.
"This is Yang," Li San said. "The one I told you about."
The madam studied Yang. Her eyes shrewd. "Strong?"
"Very," Li San said confidently.
"Good. I need workers. Not customers." Her voice was firm. Making the distinction clear. "The barn out back. You'll sleep there. Take care of the horses. Offload deliveries of wine and food when they arrive. Keep the place clean."
"In exchange for?" Yang asked.
"Lodging. Two meals a day. Nothing fancy." The madam's expression was calculating. "My last boy died. Some disease. I don't have money for proper wages. But I can give you a roof and food. Its far better than the street."
Yang glanced at Li San. Li San nodded eagerly.
"We accept," Yang said.
The madam smiled slightly. "Good. I'm Madam Lin. Don't cause trouble with my girls. Don't steal. Don't get drunk. Work hard and we'll have no problems."
"Understood," Yang said.
Madam Lin led them out back. The barn was small but sturdy. Four horses occupied stalls. The smell of hay and manure was strong but not overwhelming.
"Clean bedding is in that corner," Madam Lin pointed. "There is well in the town, you'll have to fetch your own water. Meals are at dawn and dusk. Don't miss them or you don't eat."
She left without waiting for acknowledgement.
Yang and Li San looked at each other. Then at the barn. Then back at each other.
Li San started laughing. "A brothel. We're working at a brothel."
Yang smiled despite himself. "Better than an alley."
"Much better than an alley," Li San agreed.
They set about making the barn livable. The bedding was thin but clean. They arranged it in the corner furthest from the horses and the smell of manure. Created a small space that felt almost private.
The work wasn't difficult. Just tedious. Mucking out stalls. Brushing down horses. Carrying heavy crates when deliveries arrived.
Days turned into a week. Yang and Li San fell into a routine. Work. Meals. Sleep. Any free time was spent asking around about martial artists.
The responses were consistent. Vague. Unhelpful.
"Martial artists? Sure, they exist. Powerful people. Never seen one myself."
"Try the cities. Not border towns like this."
"Sun City might have information. It's a trade hub. All kinds pass through there."
Sun City. The name came up repeatedly. A larger city. More important. A neutral ground where merchants from different empires met to trade goods.
Two months passed. Yang and Li San learned what they could about Sun City. The journey would take weeks. Maybe a month on foot. Caravans passed through Guanshi Town occasionally. They could wait and join one for safety.
But waiting felt wrong. Yang wanted to move forward. Needed to keep progressing toward whatever his future held, he had no desire to spend more months waiting for a caravan with no guarantee that they would even let them join it.
Li San felt the same restlessness. The journey had been less exciting than he'd imagined. Just walking and working and more walking. But he'd made good use of the time.
One of the brothel's regular guards, an older soldier named Chen, had started teaching Li San sword work. Basic forms. How to hold the blade properly. How to strike and parry. Yang was also invited but he felt he won't be able to hide his strength and speed during practice and doubted the old guard would be able to teach him leaving no reason for him to even risk disclosing his advantages.
Li San on the other hand practiced every spare moment with the wooden sword. His movements growing smoother and more confident.
He also started teaching Yang the movements and forms he has learned so far.
Yang watched and felt pleased. Li San was learning and has found something he enjoyed.
"We're leaving in a week," Yang announced one evening. They were sitting in the barn after finishing their work.
Li San looked up from cleaning his practice sword. "For Sun City?"
"Yes."
"Without a caravan?"
"Without a caravan," Yang confirmed.
Li San nodded slowly. "It's dangerous. The road between here and there."
"I know."
"But faster than waiting."
"Much faster," Yang agreed.
Li San grinned. "Good. I'm tired of shoveling shit."
A week later, they stood in Madam Lin's office. The woman looked unsurprised.
"Leaving already? I thought you'd stay longer."
"We appreciate your kindness," Yang said, bowing slightly. "But we need to keep moving."
Madam Lin waved off the formality. "You worked hard. No complaints from me." She pulled out a small pouch and tossed it to Yang. "Some coins. Not much. But you earned them."
Yang caught the pouch. Felt the weight of bronze inside. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me. Just don't come back dead." Madam Lin's expression softened slightly. "The road to Sun City is dangerous. Bandits. Wild animals. Worse things. Be careful."
They said goodbye to Guard Zhao. The old soldier clasped Li San's shoulder. "Remember what I taught you. Keep your guard up. Don't get cocky."
"I won't," Li San promised.
"And watch out for each other," Chen added. Looking at both of them. "The world's a harsh place. Having someone trustworthy at your back makes all the difference."
Yang and Li San left through the opposite gate from where they'd entered. Heading towards Sun City and whatever opportunities or dangers awaited them there.
The road stretched ahead once more.
Almost a month later, Yang felt the stirring in his chest. His inner instincts warning him. Something was wrong. Danger nearby.
He maintained his stride. Didn't pause. Didn't give away that he knew. But he moved closer to Li San. Pretended to be asking him a question.
"What?" Li San asked. Genuinely confused.
"Something's coming," Yang said quietly. "Stay alert."
Li San's remained walking without making any movement towards his dagger but his expression sharpened. "How many?"
"Don't know yet."
They walked for almost an hour. The tension building with each step. Yang's instincts screaming louder. Closer. Soon.
Then the bandits appeared.
Nine men stepped from the trees on both sides of the road. Surrounding them. Armed with swords, spears, knives. Wearing mismatched armor. With scarred faces and eyes that had seen violence and taken joy in it.
Apart from the Guanshi Town guards, Yang hadn't seen people so well armed. These men were professionals. Or close enough to what you could get in the area.
"Look boys, we caught ourselves two little lambs!" The leader laughed. A harsh sound. His companions joined in.
"Fresh meat!"
"Let's see what they've got!"
"I call the tall one's boots!"
They joked with each other, comfortable and confident at their odds of success. This wasn't their first ambush, they were roo comfortable and relaxed for that.
Yang and Li San both gripped their daggers. Yang felt completely calm. His enhanced strength meant these men were no real threat. But Li San was vulnerable.
Yang knew what the bandits saw. Two poor village boys. Thin travel packs. Simple clothes. No visible wealth. The bandits didn't expect profit from this ambush. Just cruel entertainment.
The only way out was through them.
The leader opened his mouth. Starting his villain monologue. Probably threatening. Maybe boasting.
Yang didn't wait to hear it.
He moved.
Four bandits died before anyone understood what was happening. Yang broke their necks with brutal efficiency.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
Snap.
Bodies dropping like puppets with cut strings.
The leader's mouth was still open. His speech unfinished.
Li San engaged the bandit closest to him. Their blades clashing. Li San's training showing in his form and movements. He was holding his own even with just a dagger.
Yang rushed toward Li San's opponent. Grabbed the man's neck and crushed it with one hand. The bandit didn't even have time to scream.
The remaining four bandits saw Yang's speed. Saw the bodies. Saw death walking toward them.
"Run! It's a martial artist!"
They scattered in different directions. Screaming. Begging. Promising anything if Yang would just let them live.
Yang didn't give them the chance. He chased each one down methodically. They weren't beasts with enhanced speed. Just men. Slow men. Desperate evil men.
He caught them one by one. Broke their necks quickly. Cleanly. No torture. No cruelty. Just efficient death.
When it was done, Yang returned to where Li San stood, breathing hard, and covered in a light spray of blood that thankfully wasn't his.
Yang expected fear. Expected horror at watching him kill nine men in minutes.
Instead, Li San was grinning.
"Yang! That was incredible! I can't wait until I can be that strong!" Li San's eyes shone with excitement. "Did you see their faces at how fast you moved? They didn't even know what hit them!"
Yang stared at him. Slightly shocked at Li San's ease with the violence. "Are you alright?"
"Alright? I'm great!" Li San laughed. "That was the most exciting thing that's happened this entire journey since we left home!"
Yang felt a mixture of relief and concern at Li San's mental fortitude. The boy had just watched nine men die. Shouldn't he probably be more affected?
"We should check them for valuables and leave," Li San said practically. "Before someone comes along and thinks we're the bandits."
Yang nodded slowly. "Good thinking."
They worked quickly. Stripping the bandits of armor and weapons. Each man had a coin pouch. Bronze coins mostly. But several had silver. The bandits had kept everything on them.
By the time they finished, both Yang and Li San had an extra pack. Heavy with weapons and coin pouches at their waists. They kept as many weapons as they could carry, they could sell them off in the Sun city. Li San also looked delighted with his new sword..
"We should thank the bandits," Li San said cheerfully. Securing his new sword. "Their contribution will save us from shoveling manure again."
Yang looked at him. "You don't seem scared. Of me killing so many men."
"Scared?" Li San's expression was genuinely confused. "Are you kidding? The journey's been so boring! I thought we'd be fighting our way out of skirmishes and hunting wild beasts by the second week!"
Yang's eyes widened. "We did the world a favor," Li San continued. His tone matter-of-fact. "Less bandits means less innocents are harmed. We can get good karma for preventing harm to innocents."
Yang's mind went almost numb at Li San's mental gymnastics. "Yes. We're right heroes," he said sarcastically.
Li San just smirked and agreed enthusiastically. Ignoring the sarcasm entirely. "Exactly!"
Despite himself, Yang felt lighter. Li San's attitude was infectious. Ridiculous but comforting.
They dragged the bodies off the road, covered them with bushes and left them for scavengers. Then continued their journey.
Weeks passed. The road grew busier. Other caravans appeared. Travelers on foot or in carriages. All merging from different roads into a single main thoroughfare leading to Sun City.
Yang and Li San saw people from all over. Different skin colors. Different clothing styles. Different languages. The diversity was fascinating after only having been to small villages and border towns. Yang, with his memory from previous life wasn't shocked but it was Li San's first time seeing so many different looking people.
They heard stories from other travelers. About Sun City's size. Its wealth and opportunities. The descriptions made Yang's anticipation grow with each passing day.
Finally, they saw it.
The walls rose impossibly high. So tall Yang couldn't see anything beyond them. Guards walked the battlements above. Armor gleaming in sunlight. Weapons clearly visible.
The city gates were massive. Almost four stories high. Two separate entrances. One for caravans and carriages. Another smaller gate for people on foot.
The caravan line stretched for what looked like miles. Yang and Li San joined the pedestrian line instead. It was much shorter. Most people arrived by carriage or with merchant groups.
They waited for a little over an hour. Watching the gates. Watching the guards process each person. The efficiency was impressive.
Finally, they were next.
A guard in official city uniform stepped forward. His armor was real and well-maintained. His expression was professional. Nothing like the bored gate guards at Guanshi Town.
"Toll," the guard said. "Four bronze coins each."
Yang pulled out his coin pouch. The one taken from the bandit leader. He counted out eight bronze coins and handed them over.
The guard examined the coins briefly. Then nodded. "Purpose of visit?"
"Seeking work," Yang said.
"Duration of stay?"
"Uncertain. Possibly extended."
The guard made a note on a wooden tablet. "Any contraband? Illegal goods?"
"No."
"Weapons can be carried but must not be drawn within city limits except in designated areas. Understood?"
"Understood," Yang said.
The guard stepped aside. Gestured toward the gate. "Welcome to Sun City."
Yang and Li San walked forward together. Through the massive gate. Into the city beyond