In the year 640 of Da Liang, it was October 9th.
Chen Mu slung a small cloth pack on his back, locked his door, and left Shanglin Neighborhood, heading for Jian'an Gate, east of the city.
He went through two more searches—the government officials who came to his door were increasingly irritable, smashing many things, and silver was of no use.
Chen Mu worried and nearly thought of giving gifts to those few officials.
After much thought, he still restrained himself.
In the end, he decided to head to Lijiang Guard City as soon as possible to get away from this nest of trouble.
...
The gates of Nanyang Prefecture City were shut tight, with only the An'ding Gate to the south and the Jian'an Gate to the north open.
There were also checkpoints set up along Luo River, intercepting and inspecting passing boats.
Near Jian'an Gate, Chen Mu encountered many people with their belongings on their backs, leading their families out of the city.
The extensive search uncovered many evil spirits and demons, causing chaos and affecting the civilians. The officials also used the search as an excuse to oppress and extort the people. Many chose to temporarily flee to the surrounding countryside to avoid disaster.
Chen Mu blended with the crowd, appearing nothing more than a weak and ordinary scholar.
He moved forward while surveying the throng.
There were those leaving the city, bewildered and anxious with their belongings on their backs.
There were those entering the city, carrying burdens of vegetables and grains to sell.
And there were several burly Jianghu folks, likely recruited by the ongoing efforts of the Startling Swan Gang and the Tangshan Army.
"Who knows how many will survive," Chen Mu murmured silently.
Wicked and dangerous; death and injury were bound to be severe.
"But the bait is too enticing," he reflected.
Wealth, power, beauties, cultivation techniques, secret medicines; there's always something suited for you.
Even Chen Mu couldn't suppress his own excitement.
...
The line was long, and the inspection slow; it took half an hour before it was Chen Mu's turn.
The gate soldiers questioned his origin, name, and the purpose of his departure from the city in detail.
Learning he was from Liangpu County, an old soldier even specifically inquired about the positions of market districts within the county and the names of various grain and oil shops. It took a good while before they let him pass.
"Thankfully, Jie Jia provided sufficient identity information," he thought.
Even the splendid carriages of some major families were stopped.
If there were women among the occupants, several middle-aged women would be specially assigned to board the vehicle and check.
"Leaving Nanyang Prefecture was the right decision," Chen Mu felt a lingering fear.
If the search continued, sooner or later he would have problems.
...
Stepping out of the city gate tunnel, Chen Mu realized the line did not disperse and, looking up, saw that there were still two more checkpoints outside the city gate.
One belonged to the city guards, mainly inspecting people entering the city.
The other was set three hundred meters from the city gate.
The other person deliberately lowered their voice, whispering to a companion.
Others might not hear, but Chen Mu, with his sharp ears and eyes, heard the voice as if it were right next to him.
"I've racked my brains to change my appearance, all for nothing," lamented the owner of the lively voice.
Chen Mu couldn't help but turn back, glancing over at two people about five or six meters away.
Two young male scholars who clearly looked like girls.
Racking your brains? Cross-dressing? Heh...
One with a melon seed-shaped face, phoenix eyes, a small turned-up nose, fair skin. Clearly a bright young girl at first glance.
The other one was even more absurd, with such a thin body yet such developed pectoral muscles—no burly brother could achieve such a physique!
The owner of the lively voice was precisely this "burly brother."
Next to him, the phoenix-eyed companion patted him, consoling with a magnetic, husky, clearly male voice, "Relax, he might not see through it." Explore more adventures at m,v l'-novelhall.net
Chen Mu: "..."
Phoenix eyes and it's a guy?!
What a twist in the human world!
"Xing Lao Liu's family has been coroners for generations, expert at examining people's bones. Even the best face-changing technique can't evade his discerning eyes."
"Last year, there was a flower-picking thief who disguised himself as a woman, infiltrated various women's organizations unnoticed, marking his targets and causing much harm."
"It was said that the thief could adjust the flesh on his face, thin or plump, and was known as the 'Man of a Thousand Faces.'
"It was Xing Lao Liu who noticed the discrepancy in the man's facial bones and muscles and caught him for interrogation, leading to his arrest."
"How could my little trick get past him?" said the burly brother, full of dejection.
Initially, he had been planning to sneak to the Tangshan Camp to find his brother.
But as soon as he left the city gates, his plan started to fall apart.
Examining bones? The flower-picking thief?
Could that thief be the master of the 'Golden Wind Jade Dew Secret Method'?
Chen Mu's heart clenched, and he quickly looked up.
At the front of the queue, there stood an emaciated old man with a goat beard, accompanied by two burly men, scrutinizing each passerby.
The man's eyes were sharp and ice-cold, like the blade of a knife.
"Oh crap!"
If his adjusted muscles were found inconsistent with his bones, once discovered...
"It looks like I'll have to revert to my true face," Chen Mu thought with annoyance.
He immediately lifted his sleeve to cover his face, slowly tweaking his muscles.
Halfway through, he saw a young man step out of the checkpoint's wooden shed looking solemnly into the crowd.
Two meters tall, agile, dressed in white, with a face as flawless as white jade.
Zuo Sheng?!
Chen Mu: "..."
Fuck!