There were no dark clouds or rumbling thunder in Nanzhou; the azure sky was dotted with soft, white clouds. When Wei Wuxian and his group arrived, the sun had already set and night had fallen. Lanterns along both sides of the streets were fully lit, and under the interplay of colorful lights, Nanzhou appeared even more dazzling and vibrant.
Standing atop the city wall and looking down over the entire city, one saw a magnificent sea of lights. On the streets below the wall, crowds bustled and traffic flowed like a weaving stream of horses and carriages. From the shops and teahouses lining the thoroughfares came waves of joyous laughter and melodious music. In the distance, boats shuttled back and forth across the river, their lights twinkling, occasionally accompanied by the singing of boatmen drifting over.
Walking deeper into Nanzhou, the scene became even more prosperous. The shops on either side of the street offered a vast array of goods: gold and silver jewelry, silks and satins, porcelain wares, the four treasures of the study, and much more. It was a dazzling feast for the eyes, leaving one overwhelmed by the choices. Wei Wuxian and his companions strolled leisurely. When they passed a teahouse, a storyteller inside caught Wei Wuxian's attention—the tale being told was none other than the story of the Yiling Patriarch. Inside the teahouse, people of all ages, from middle-aged patrons to youths, listened with rapt attention, occasionally conversing among themselves to…
Chapter 244