Descendants of the False Gods - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Imperial Capital

The Imperial Capital, the residence of the emperor, the commercial and administrative center of the empire, and the largest city in the empire.

From a distance, the Imperial Capital is built against the mountains and by the sea, bordered by Tianma Mountain to the north and the East China Sea to the east. The city’s buildings radiate in all directions from Ma Tou Peak, extending ten miles southeast, southwest, and west. The northern slope of Ma Tou Peak is the imperial hunting ground and royal gardens of the empire.

Tianma Mountain is named after the shape of the mountain, which resembles a celestial horse with a single wing extended.

The capital at the base of Tianma Peak is the crown of a giant, with the watchtower atop Tianma Peak serving as the highest point of the crown, and the imperial palace on the slope of Tianma Peak as the jewel embedded in the crown.

The western slope of Tianma Peak is home to the empire’s elite Imperial Guard, while the east extends into the sea, with Tianma’s wing reaching the lighthouse on the coast. Beneath the wings is the empire’s largest harbor.

Additionally, the Imperial Capital is divided into the Imperial City, the Inner City, the Middle City District, and the Outer City. The total area of the capital is 100 square kilometers, not including the surrounding Outer City.

The Outer City starts ten miles south of the capital, where both sides of the road are lined with shops, stalls, and endless rows of small houses.

Many people living in the Outer City are refugees from the central plains who sought refuge in the capital. There are no city walls, but it is still considered part of the city.

When the refugees first arrived, they had no place to stay and set up tents outside the city. After fifty years of turmoil in the central plains, the refugees gradually formed a community, and over time, this grew into the Outer City.

Due to the lack of regulation, the Outer City has a reputation for poor public safety, with frequent robberies, thefts, and even murders.

However, most people traveling on the roads to the Imperial Capital have some power or background, so it is rare for travelers to be troubled. The most common nuisance is persistent hawkers trying to sell their goods.

Lan and Luo, both curious and excited, arrived at the gates of the Outer City. At the gate, Yan Tie showed their documents, and they were smoothly allowed into the Imperial Capital.

This area is the Outer City of the Imperial Capital, where two 20-meter wide central roads form a cross that connects the four gates of the Outer City in the north, south, east, and west.

Ox carts travel along the roads, with people, stores, and goods visible on either side. Occasionally, patrolling city guards pass by, giving the area a bustling, stable, and prosperous atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the disorder of the Outer City.

Traveling north from the South Outer City Gate, when they approached the Middle City Gate, Yan Tie guided the ox cart to the side of the road.

The first courtyard to the left outside the Middle City Gate was the destination for their journey.

This courtyard is a single-story complex with two shops on the northeast and southeast sides. Inside the courtyard, there is a space of about a hundred square pings. The southwest corners of the courtyard contain their living quarters.

Yan Tie explained that the shop to the north would be a blacksmith’s shop, and the shop to the east would be a carpentry shop for Yan Bo.

The two brothers had originally learned these trades, and now they relied on these skills to make a living. From now on, their family would live in this small courtyard in the Imperial Capital.

While Yan Tie was tidying up the house, Yan Bo asked the two children to go nearby and get to know the neighbors, as they planned to stay here for a long time. Lan and Luo happily left the courtyard.

However, once they reached the street, the two children were bewildered. Having lived in the mountains all their lives, they had never seen such a spectacle.

Standing on the street, the only soldiers guarding the Middle City Gate were on the north side, where entry required documents and registration. On the other three sides, there were shops, many of which the children had never seen before.

From the time they were old enough to understand, they had never encountered so many stores in one place.

Next to the courtyard they lived in was a general store selling a variety of goods, including food, drinks, clothing, and small household items.

The two children nervously greeted the shopkeeper: “Hello, we are the new neighbors next door.”

The shopkeeper, a kind-hearted man, responded warmly, “Oh, it’s the two children! My surname is Qi, just call me Uncle Qi. If you need anything, feel free to ask.”

“We were sent by our second father to greet the neighbors.”

“Well, that’s very polite! We’re neighbors now, so don’t hesitate to ask Uncle Qi if you need anything. The other shopkeepers around here are all decent people. Just go introduce yourselves, but don’t go to the fifth shop on the left; that one isn’t a good place. By the way, here are two honey beans for you; they’re sweet. Go ahead and enjoy them.”

The children hesitated at first, unsure about accepting the gift from a stranger. After a moment, they replied, “Our eldest father says we shouldn’t take things from strangers.”

The shopkeeper, understanding their hesitation, smiled awkwardly but insisted, “We’re not strangers now, are we? We’re neighbors. Take them!”

Lan and Luo exchanged a look and decided to accept the honey beans.

The shopkeeper was pleased and encouraged them, “Try them, they’re delicious. If you need anything, come find Uncle Qi!”

The children then visited a few more stores nearby, and the shopkeepers were all kind and welcoming. But when they reached the fifth shop on the left, they stood at a distance, too scared to approach.

This shop was a three-story building with six storefronts. Several women stood outside the building, dressed provocatively and laughing, but they didn’t appear menacing.

However, Uncle Qi had warned them not to go, so the children, feeling nervous, quickly turned around and hurried back, worried the women might take them inside like they had done to the elders in their mountain village.

Breathing heavily, they returned to the courtyard. Yan Bo noticed their strange expressions and asked what happened.

Lan and Luo, still shaken, stammered as they recounted their experience.

Yan Bo finally understood and explained, “Those people in the building aren’t necessarily bad, but it’s not a place for children. As for the honey beans, that shouldn’t have happened. The shopkeeper is in business to make a living, so if you want something, you should either buy it or trade for it with something of equal value.”

The children were about to ask more about the “women’s building” but, feeling guilty about the honey beans, lowered their heads and refrained from asking further.

Just then, the courtyard door creaked open.

“Second Brother!” A fat man entered, followed by a smaller, chubby boy about the same age as Lan and Luo. The man excitedly shouted, “It’s Xiao Yu! Long time no see! How have you been? You seem fatter now! Where are you staying in the Imperial Capital? I was planning to have my brother take me to see you!”

This was Yan Yu, the cousin who had escaped with several children from Xingyue City many years ago. Yan Bo hadn’t seen him in years, and their emotions were obvious when they met.

“Good! How could I not be well, living a carefree life? Wait, where’s Big Brother? Didn’t we agree to meet today?”

Yan Tie also heard the commotion and came out of the house, setting down his work. “You fatty! We just arrived and you’re already here!” It was clear that Yan Tie had already met Yan Yu in the Imperial Capital, though he wasn’t as excited as Yan Bo.

“Let’s go! It’s almost time for dinner. Let’s go to Shen Yue’s place for dinner. I’ve already told her, and I brought some wild game with me. People wanted to buy it during the day, but I didn’t sell it.”

The fat man led the two brothers outside, explaining as they went, “Shen Yue is the maid who helped at my place when she was weak. After I realized she was an excellent cook, I helped her open a restaurant. Now it’s famous in the Imperial Capital. Even the nobility eats there.”

The three adults walked ahead, chatting. The three children followed behind, turning down a few alleys before arriving at a restaurant.

The restaurant was named “Forget the Guest Residence,” a three-story building facing the street.

The owner greeted them warmly and led them to a private room on the third floor. The room had windows on both sides, offering a view of the Outer City.

The owner made a few polite remarks and excused herself, saying, “I still have business downstairs to take care of. I’ll send the dishes up soon. Please enjoy yourselves. If I have time later, I’ll join you for a drink.” She then told the child she brought with her, “Xiao Yi, go downstairs and help out. Take care of the guests.”

The child, Xiao Yi, was a little shy and didn’t say much, but nodded and went downstairs.

The three adults continued chatting while the children sat quietly.

Xiao Yu, who had lived in the Imperial Capital for a long time, spoke first. “His name is Shen Yi, but we call him Xiao Yi. I’m Liu Xiong, but you can call me Xiao Xiong. Your fathers are friends with my father, so you’re also my friends. You’re new here, so from now on, follow me. If you have trouble, just mention my name, and no one will dare mess with you.”

The first part sounded fine, but Lan wasn’t happy with the second part. “Why should we call you big brother? You’re short and fat. What do you think you’re doing? You’re not even capable!”

In fact, Liu Xiong wasn’t that short, just a little shorter than the two brothers, but his chubby figure made him appear shorter. Hearing this insult made him upset. “What? Are you questioning me? I’ll show you tomorrow, and whoever loses will bow down and call the other big brother!”

Lan and Luo were always in sync and immediately agreed, “Fine! We’ll hold you to that!”

The three adults, deep in conversation, didn’t notice the children bickering. Yan Yu only heard the noise and scolded Liu Xiong, “What are you arguing about? Be polite, they’re new here. Take them around the city. If you bully them, I’ll deal with you!”

Liu Xiong quickly explained, “Dad, of course not! I was just showing them around!”

“That’s good!” The three adults continued their conversation while the children resumed their noisy bickering.

The three kids had quite a row over their “big brother” dispute, but it was clear they were growing fond of each other.

The “welcome feast” lasted until curfew, and the children eventually fell asleep. The adults had to carry the children home.

The next morning, after the adults went about their business, Liu Xiong came to the courtyard with Shen Yi and knocked on the door.

Since Lan and Luo were still unfamiliar with the city, they hadn’t gone for a morning run. After breakfast, they planned to practice their swordsmanship in the yard when they heard Liu Xiong knocking at the door. Excited, they rushed to open it.

Lan and Luo initially wanted to challenge Xiao Yi and Xiao Xiong in the courtyard, but Xiao Xiong was afraid of getting scolded by the adults, so he led them to a better place. Lan and Luo agreed, and before they left, Luo made sure to inform Uncle Qi next door that they were going out to play.

The four children then left the courtyard.

As they walked, Liu Xiong explained they were going to help a teacher move things at school, and since the guards knew them, they were allowed to enter the city.

The streets in the Middle City were mostly office buildings and villas, and as they walked, Liu Xiong proudly gave them a tour of the area.

Finally, Liu Xiong led them to a grove of cypress trees outside the Inner City wall. There was a monument there that read:

“Meritorious Forest, where two thousand five hundred and two cypress trees have been planted to commemorate the commander, deputy commander, and two thousand five hundred soldiers of the Divine Offspring Army, who delayed the Qinglang forces and led them into the trap, eventually contributing to the victory in the battle. The generals’ names were listed in the eastern section of the stone monument.”

This marked the end of the journey into the Imperial Capital.