Mountains are stacked on top of each other, and the walls are strong.

A tall bluestone silhouette looms at the end of the road, surrounded by buildings of varying heights.

"Brother Mouse, wake up!"

The boy looked around and stretched out his hand to wake up the sleeping figure on the side.

The gray mouse rubbed his sleepy eyes and rolled over, his face extremely reluctant.

"Brother Fang, there is Qingzhou City in front of you, I don't know if there is a place to stay outside the city?"

Fang Yan moved his muscles a little, and nodded slowly: "Qingzhou City has a large population, and there are two cities, inner and outer cities. The so-called inner city is the inner bluestone city, and the outer city is composed of several areas on the outskirts of the city. The building you see today is under the jurisdiction of the outer city. ”

Mr. Huang stroked his white beard lightly, and also bowed his head slightly: "What Fang Dutou said is good, although this outer city is not as prosperous as the inner city, it brings together many people from three religions and nine streams, so it is more lively. ”

"It's just that the outer city is chaotic, and you have to be careful in everything. ”

The young man was a little puzzled: "The inner and outer cities are interconnected, and there are no restrictions on access, how can anyone be willing to stay in this remote place on the outskirts of the city." ”

But seeing the old man shook his head, he said with a smile: "Shaoxia is wrong, prosperity has the benefits of prosperity, and remoteness also has the magic of remoteness." Many things that cannot be done in the inner city can be solved here, and many transactions that cannot be done in the inner city can also be seen here. ”

"The water in Qingzhou is deep, and the government and the forces of the rivers and lakes have been fighting openly and secretly all year round, and the relationship is complicated. The establishment of this outer city is a balance between the two. ”

Speaking of the rivers and lakes, Fang Yan glanced at the young man meaningfully: "Besides, Qingzhou has been famous for a long time, and there are many people coming and going. The outer city exists as a temporary post station, but behind it is the heartstrings of countless people. ”

"I see, I don't want to have such a stake in this. ”

The young man nodded slightly, already knowing in his heart.

"Stinky boy, how is it? This Qingzhou is not as simple as you think. ”

The gray mouse crossed Erlang's legs and smiled with a spring breeze.

The boy snorted and gestured at him.

"Appeal ——!"

There were a few shouts ahead, and the caravan slowly stopped.

A red-maned horse marched backwards, the figure sitting upright on horseback with its head held high, and its aura was extraordinary.

"Brother Jiang, the front has reached the boundary of the outer city of Qingzhou, I don't know if you will follow me into the city, or if you have other plans?"

The young man faced Qin Yun and said with a smile: "Just as I was about to inform Qin Gongzi, we will get off here, so we won't bother too much." Today's events, thank you Qin Gongzi for your kindness. ”

"Brother Jiang is polite, and I would like to thank you for clearing the siege today. ”

As he spoke, Qin Yun took out a jade plaque from his arms, handed it to him and said, "Since the little brother has something important to do, it is inconvenient for Qin to ask for it." I hope that the little brother will take this jade plaque, and all the large and small chambers of commerce in Qingzhou City can become guests on the table with this. ”

When the young man heard this, he hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Gongzi Qin's good intentions are received in my heart, but this thing is too valuable, and I hope that Gongzi will take it back." ”

"The little brother just said that between friends, there is no need to worry about this. Isn't it Qin's thin courtesy, and the little brother can't look down on it?"

The young man smiled, how could he shirk it again, so he had to take the jade plate and said: "Since this is the case, I might as well obey my fate respectfully, and I will visit the prince's mansion in person another day." ”

"That's Qin's honor, the little brother has just arrived in Qingzhou, if you have any needs, just let me know. ”

"Qin Gongzi, don't worry, I'm a very thick-skinned person. ”

The two of them looked at each other and laughed loudly.

"Qin is leaving, you guys be more careful, let's meet another day!"

Qin Yun clasped his hands into fists and turned around to ride his horse. With a command, the caravan continued on its way and slowly drove into the city.

The young man looked at the cars and horses that were moving away, and his eyes were uncertain.

"Show me! It's a good thing!"

The gray mouse snatched the jade plaque from the young man's hand and looked at the sunset carefully.

"Dead mouse, is this thing as valuable as you say?"

The stone leaned down slightly, and his head was lying on the shoulder of the gray mouse, looking incredulous.

But I heard Mr. Huang chuckle and said: "This thing is called Ziyu Linglong, which is a symbol of status in the Qingzhou City Business Alliance, and the price can no longer be measured simply by money. ”

"I don't want that Qin Yun to be willing to give this thing to you. ”

The young man turned to look at Fang Yan: "Brother Fang—"

Fang Yan didn't wait for him to finish, and spoke first: "It's better to have one more friend than one more enemy, not to mention that with his identity, he won't have any crooked thoughts about you." ”

The boy nodded slowly, and withdrew the jade plaque from the gray mouse's hand. With a thought, he silently deposited it in the ring.

"It's getting late, let's go to the city and find an inn to settle down. ”

The sunset shrouded the group, and a group of people who had been running for nearly half a day carried large and small packages on their backs and walked into the outer city.

Compared to the inner city, the outer city does not have a clear boundary and does not have any sentry points.

The boy thought that he had stepped into the outer city from the moment he saw the old men who were setting up the stalls.

There are many buildings in the city, but they are scattered and orderly. Several main streets stand out, and countless paths lead in all directions, weaving into a vast network.

Although it is almost dusk, the streets are still full of people and lively. The jugglers set up their lamps, and the ground was sprinkled with bounty. Bursts of applause and the smell of vegetables wafting everywhere are mixed, and the smell of fireworks in the world is spontaneously born.

"Hey, look at this...... Look at this again......."

The gray rat danced in front of him to lead the way, dragging the stone from time to time and cheering and shouting.

Mr. Huang walked side by side with the young man, and his face was full of smiles.

"Little knight, do you know that there is still a unique name for this outer city?"

The young man was a little curious and said, "Oh, old man, please speak." ”

"The biggest charm of the outer city is not how lively it is during the day. Instead, the closer you get to the night, the more you can appreciate its unique wonders. ”

"That's where the name 'City That Never Sleeps' comes from, you thought it was coming to an end, haha, but it's just the beginning. ”

The old man's eyes were full of memories, and his tone was rarely excited.

The boy nodded, also infected by the atmosphere around him. This kind of scene is the first time he has seen it since he walked out of the Great Wilderness. Even in the prosperous past life, I have never had such a wonderful feeling.

"Brother Fang, why do you look a little depressed. ”

The young man knocked his arm against the dialect on the side and slowly stepped forward.

Fang Yan smiled and said with a soothing expression: "Is it difficult for me to be like you babies, jumping left and right, making a lot of noise." It's a shame to see how you guys haven't seen the world!"

The young man pursed his lips: "You don't understand this, this is called the generation gap." ”

Fang Yan was stunned: "What ditch?"

The boy sneered: "I said you were an elm head." ”

Hearing this, Fang Yan smiled and kicked out, but was sensitively dodged by the young man.

"Brother Fang, seriously, how about teaching me to practice qi?"

"Baby, ask me to learn skills, but I have to pay tuition. ”

"Brother Fang, don't be so stingy, I promised you fifty taels of silver a month. ”

Fang Yan waved his hand and smiled: "One yard is one yard, besides, who knows if your fifty taels of silver are tricking me." ”

The young man smiled and shook his head: "Then let's see!"

Suddenly, I heard a voice from the gray mouse in front of me: "Come here, everyone, this inn looks good." ”

The young man followed the voice and looked at a strangely decorated building, with four dark green characters on the plaque at the door: Bamboo Forest Inn.

The boy smiled meaningfully, and a faint light flashed in the wordless book on his chest.

"Bamboo forest outside the city, bamboo forest outside the city ......"

The corners of the young man's mouth raised slightly: "Tonight, we will stay here for one night." ”