Chapter 127: Maiden In The Dawn Wind
Walking on the main street, Xilutiya passed through the bustling streets, hearing a burst of music from afar in her ears; it was the sound of bagpipes and a seven-stringed zither playing together.
Behind the stall selling potatoes and lovage in the distance, two people sat on stacked wooden barrels and crates, one pressing the bagpipes’ air sac to play, the other lightly plucking the strings of the qin in hand.
From their mud-spotted clothes, the two should be the stall owners selling goods rather than professional musicians; the melody they played was also simple and leisurely, their actions relaxed, as if improvising freely with their mood.
Most people were busy on the noisy streets, some transporting goods, some selecting things; few listened to the music of those two, and the most attentive was probably the destitute tramp in the corner.
Xilutiya did not walk away, but stood under the stall’s canopy not far off, quietly listening to the end of their performance before continuing to browse the marketplace.
If asked whether listening to this piece had any use, probably not, but this peaceful and natural atmosphere made Xilutiya feel a faint fondness.
Perhaps years later, she would have long forgotten what things she bought at the marketplace today and how much price she negotiated with the merchants, but the sight of those two casually playing instruments at the marketplace that day would be remembered for a long time.
This is a nice place, the maiden thought, her footwork also slightly lighter.
After resting yesterday, she planned today to properly tour this fortress; the population living here was considerable, probably over ten thousand, not even a quarter of Jiaoshi City, but in the Shadow World, this was absolutely one of the major cities.
After touring for a day, Xilutiya had a preliminary understanding of the general situation of this fortress, and felt much more at ease in her heart.
Though the population was smaller, the shops in the city and the levels of various guilds and associations were far higher than in Jiaoshi City; here one could even see Third Order items directly for sale, as well as equipment, potions, and so on, of course the prices were also very attractive, ones she couldn’t afford.
Returning to her residence to sleep and rest, the next morning they gathered together again to receive guidance from that old man.
“In these two days, I presume everyone has already walked around the city; those more prominent guild organizations, no need for me to introduce one by one. Now let’s talk about some practical matters for daily life.”
“First, living in the woodland, whether for daily needs, collecting secret arts resources, or buying things to improve yourselves, all require money, but how to make money is a matter that needs long-term attention.”
“For gardener students, it’s easy; just rely on selling produce. Students seeking the craftsman path can craft themselves, or help repair for others, apprentice and help at a big blacksmith for remuneration.”
“As for you few members choosing the knight path, the association has currently arranged patrol tasks, though the pay isn’t high.”
“If you want to earn some side hustle money, either find a side hustle yourselves, or go patrol the border of the Golden Plain; if you can kill a few monsters, you can earn some, but that’s more luck-based. If you feel it wastes time, then focus on improving your own strength; once you reach Second Order, your options will be much broader.”
“Additionally, whether selling your own harvest or procuring desired things, remember on the third day of each month to come to the marketplace in the fortress; that day everyone gathers for transactions, not only able to sell at better prices, but also find the things you want.”
“Basically, that’s all I have to say; in the future if you have anything you don’t understand, you can come to the association to consult me; I’ll be stationed here.”
“Thank you, Teacher Bede.” Though only teaching some basic things, they were quite practical, so everyone was not stingy with respect.
……
After staying temporarily for a few days, association personnel notified Xilutiya that the valley plain she had selected before had been preliminarily prepared.
That day, a guard in a white coverall found Xilutiya.
“You are Miss Xilutiya, right? I am a patrol cavalryman of White Stone Fortress. Five days ago, the Woodland Association notified us to assist in clearing the newly opened valley plain, and it was tidied up yesterday.”
“According to your requirements, we built a two-story stone cottage for you on the sunny side of the valley, with a newly dug well beside the house that can be used for irrigating crops, however…” He hesitated slightly, then continued.
“Because it’s newly opened land, the water there still has some pollution, that is, it contains a certain Twisted Nature, needing regular use of Shadow Reducing Powder to precipitate and purify it before it can be drunk.”
“Considering that drinking water does have a big impact, we will additionally supply you with half a year’s worth of Shadow Reducing Powder afterward, but after that, you may need to purchase and handle it yourselves.”
“I see…” Xilutiya didn’t mind this; she could even drink water with ‘Twisted’ Nature directly without issue, after all, her origin was the stars, unafraid of twisted pollution.
However, water with ‘Twisted’ Nature would affect irrigating crops.
“I understand your difficulties, but long-term use of Shadow Reducing Powder consumes a lot and will also affect my future crop cultivation.” She spoke up a few words.
“Can you subsidize from other aspects? After all, most of my crop output is also handed over to White Stone Fortress.”
“This… My authority isn’t enough to decide, but I can report your situation to my superiors later.” The other party also knew the water issue greatly affected crops.
Afterward, the two discussed for a while, then that afternoon several patrol guards came over to help Xilutiya load her luggage onto the cart.
“Today we will take you to that valley on the west side of White Stone Fortress.”
Soon, tall dark gray draft horses pulled the cart out of the association’s station, heading toward the streets in the city.
Sitting on the stacked wooden crates and straw piles in the horse carriage, Xilutiya lightly held the guardrail with one hand, looking at the four cavalrymen escorting below the carriage.
The leader was a Second Order Castle knight attendant, said to have already begun learning the prerequisite abilities for White Knight; the others were First Order Castle light cavalry, probably senior male students one class ahead of Xilutiya.
The group of five rode along the streets out of the city, walking on the vast plain; on the way, several occasionally chatted, and Xilutiya heard them talk about recent training and interesting stories in White Stone Fortress.
“The strongest in the city should be Knight Captain Charles; he entered Fourth Order long ago and just completed his trial last year, successfully condensing the Saint White Knight class.”
“Besides him, there are two other Fourth Order transcendents in the city, but their main directions aren’t combat, so little is known about them outside.”
Hearing this, Xilutiya couldn’t help inquiring: “In the woodland, are Fourth Order transcendents common?”
“Of course not common; Fourth Order are often high-level in small organizations, and even in large organizations, Fourth Order are core backbones, generally exploring peripheral secret realms in the Shadow World or carrying out dangerous and difficult tasks, rarely appearing at stable inland stations.”
“Higher levels of power, we don’t know, since we can’t access them.” After they finished speaking, they continued riding forward; at this point, one of them started humming an unknown ballad.
“That’s a tune from his hometown; he always likes to hum a few lines when idle.” A companion teased.
“I guess it carries his poignant romance from his youth, haha.” The remaining two also laughed playfully for a bit, then spurred their horses to follow.
Xilutiya lay in the middle of the dry straw pile, her skirt scattered on the golden wheat straw; her two hands slightly spread open, eyes gazing at the blue sky overhead, her body like a drifting little boat, slowly advancing with the carriage.
It had been a long time since she last looked at the sky like this; back when working, the streets were full of high buildings, she couldn’t even see the sunrise or sunset, only the glaring sun at noon.
Recalling her past ordinary life, Xilutiya leaned on the straw pile and closed her eyes; her body warmed by the sunlight, that faint gentle heat brought sleepiness, so she slowly drifted into a short nap.
The carriage continued along the small road in the wilderness, the maiden in the golden wheat straw accompanied by the morning breeze, slowly drifting toward the distance.
