"Does this mean we won't go back home anymore?" Wen Liyun asked, leaning against the window of the carriage, turning to face Wen Xiangzhi.
"From now on, Shuishui City will be our home," Wen Xiangzhi replied, peering through the slightly lifted curtain. In the distance, the tall, solid city walls loomed, imposing and steadfast, giving a sense of security.
Hearing this, the eight-year-old Wen Liyun looked back out of the window, his young eyes full of wonder and uncertainty about the future.
By the time the long line of carriages reached the gates of Shuishui City, it was noon.
The winter sun shone brightly, but the air remained chilly.
There had been no snow recently, and the ground was dry. The carriages bore no mud, only a layer of dust kicked up along the road.
At the city gates, guards were stationed to maintain order. These guards had been dispatched by the government to assist with managing the crowds and resolving minor disputes among the people.
City officers, sent by the city lord's mansion, were also stationed at the gate, tasked with questioning newcomers entering the city for the first time.
Wen's family carriage was near the front of the queue, and soon it was their turn.
"What brings you to the city? Do you have household registration documents?" An officer at the gate gave a quick glance at Wen's family and the line of carriages behind them before swiftly noting something down in his large ledger.
"I am Wen Xiangzhi, from Fang Town in Nanhou County, Qu'nan Prefecture, Suiyan Province. I have brought my family here, intending to settle in Shuishui City. Here are our household documents and travel permits issued by Qu'nan Prefecture," Wen Xiangzhi answered politely, carefully handing over the prepared documents.
The officer took the household papers, reviewed them briefly, and then handed them back. After jotting down more notes in his register, he looked up and pointed behind him, saying to Wen Xiangzhi and his group, "Alright, head through the far left gate. Whether you plan to buy a house or rent one, there are agents inside who can assist you. Once settled, the head of the household should bring the property deed and household registration to the local district head for records. Remember, abide by the laws of the city and avoid causing trouble."
Following the officer's direction, Wen Xiangzhi turned to look behind him and noticed that behind the large main gate, there were three smaller gates. These gates were still quite tall, but they seemed small in comparison to the towering main gate.
After the officer finished speaking, he called out to the next group, waving Wen's family along so as not to block the line behind them.
Wen Xiangzhi promptly gestured to his family and the carriages to follow him through the leftmost gate, vacating their spot for the next group of newcomers.
As they stepped through the left gate, they saw two long rows of tables and chairs neatly arranged on both sides. Some of the tables were numbered, and while some had people sitting behind them, others at the front remained vacant.
These were the agents Lin Yun had recruited in the past few days, responsible for helping those who wanted to settle in Shuishui City find suitable housing and provide various necessary supplies for their relocation.
Seeing a large group like Wen's family enter, an agent sitting at table number 22 stood up and approached them, greeting them warmly, "Are you here to settle in Shuishui City? After such a long journey, come over here and have some hot tea to rest for a bit."
The Wen family followed the agent to a nearby tea pavilion and sat down at an empty table. Soon, a server arrived with a large teapot, pouring them tea.
The tea pavilion wasn't fancy—just a simple, large straw-roofed structure with many tables. Inside, a basic stove with two large pots of hot water was burning away.
The place was relatively empty, with no other customers drinking tea, only the server going around filling cups.
"I am Hu Defu, a resident of the Shuishui District in the city. May I ask the elder's name? Are you planning to buy a house or rent one? What kind of home are you looking for?" The agent, Hu Defu, sat beside Wen Xiangzhi, who was clearly the head of the family, smiling as he asked.
"My humble surname is Wen. I am 73 years old, so I'll take the liberty of calling you nephew Hu. We are new here and unfamiliar with the local housing prices. If we can afford it, we would prefer to buy, but if not, we'll consider renting for the time being. Our family is quite large, so we'd need at least a home with fifteen or sixteen rooms. I trust you can help us with this," Wen Xiangzhi responded politely.
Having been a wealthy landowner in his hometown for many years, Wen Xiangzhi was accustomed to dealing with minor officials and agents. He knew how tricky things could get when dealing with such figures, and since they were new to the area, he was careful not to offend Hu Defu.
After spending so much time living as a commoner, Wen Xiangzhi had long since let go of the arrogance many cultivators had and saw himself as an ordinary man. His cultivation, at this point, was just a means to extend his lifespan.
Hearing this, Hu Defu thought for a moment before reaching into a small, plain-looking pouch tied to his belt and pulling out a book larger than his face.
The Wen family was stunned, their eyes fixed on the pouch in disbelief.
Wen Xiangzhi nearly lost his composure, pointing at the book in Hu Defu's hands, his voice trembling, "Is… is that… a storage pouch?"
Proudly patting the storage pouch at his waist, Hu Defu said, "Yes, this is a treasure given to us agents by the city lord's office, crafted by the immortals themselves! It can hold a lot of things!"
"Such a treasure is not something every cultivator possesses. Aren't they worried that you might lose it?" Wen Xiangzhi asked.
What he really wanted to say was, "Isn't this reckless? Giving such a treasure to mortals—what's to stop some cultivator from stealing it, putting your lives at risk?"
"Haha, no need to worry! These storage pouches are specially made by the immortals. Only we agents can use them, and even if someone steals it, they won't be able to take it out of Shuishui City. Rest assured, Master Wen. Now, let me take a look at the available houses for you," Hu Defu chuckled before turning his attention to the book.
After hearing this, Wen Xiangzhi glanced again at the pouch, feeling a mix of excitement and regret.
He was excited because Shuishui City was clearly treating its people incredibly well. Even the agents working for the city lord's office were given storage pouches, a treasure most cultivators could only dream of. If he or his family could one day work for the city lord's office, they might also gain such opportunities.
The regret came from wondering why he had never heard of Lingxian Sect before and why he hadn't come here sooner. If he had, perhaps he wouldn't have wasted so many years...