The caravan arrived the next day.
Before noon, dust rose from the southeast road. The guards on the stone wall saw it first and shouted toward the hamlet. Soon, the originally quiet place became lively.
Villagers carried cured meat, herbs, hides, grain, and baskets of mountain fruits toward the entrance. Some brought small pieces of ore wrapped in cloth. Others led goats and chickens, hoping to exchange them for salt, needles, cloth, tools, or primeval stone fragments.
For a mortal hamlet, the caravan was more than trade; it brought news from the outside world and gave people a chance to earn a little wealth.
Fang Ming stood near the inner wall and looked toward the road.
The caravan slowly entered his sight.
Black skin fat beetles as large as carts carried boxes and people on their backs. Colored ostriches pulled drays. Mountain spiders crawled forward with containers tied to their bodies. Winged snakes moved between the carts, their bodies winding like ropes, and large toads carried bundles piled higher than their heads.
Around them were Gu Masters, merchants, servants, and mortal laborers.
The caravan was not small.
It was also not simple.
Fang Ming watched for a while and quickly understood that this was not a caravan controlled by one clan. It was a mixed caravan. Several groups had gathered together for the road, with one leader above them and several vice leaders managing different sections.
This kind of caravan was more complicated.
But for Fang Ming, it was also better.
More people meant more goods. More Gu Masters meant more Gu worms, more skills, more information, and more possible targets.
At the hamlet entrance, temporary stalls were already being set up.
Villagers shouted prices carefully. Caravan servants inspected goods with practiced eyes. Some merchants complained that the herbs were too damp, while some villagers insisted the hides had been cured well. A child stared at a winged snake until his mother dragged him away.
The village head came to Fang Ming's side and bowed.
"Lord Gu Master, the caravan has arrived. This old man will take you to the vice leader."
Fang Ming nodded.
The village head led him through the crowded entrance.
When mortals saw Fang Ming, they hurriedly stepped aside. Some already knew he was a Gu Master, and some sensed the attitude of the village head and did not dare block the way.
The caravan's central area was busier.
Servants fed the black skin fat beetles. Beast handlers checked the winged snakes' mouths and wings. Gu Masters ordered mortals to tie ropes tighter and unload goods carefully. A man was whipped for dropping a box, but no one nearby looked surprised.
The village head stopped before a middle-aged Gu Master wearing a brown merchant robe.
This person was speaking to several servants. His tone was calm, but the servants listened with lowered heads. Fang Ming sensed his aura.
Rank three.
The village head bowed. "Lord Chen, this is the Rank three Gu Master staying in our hamlet. He wishes to speak with the caravan."
The middle-aged Gu Master turned his head.
His gaze swept across Fang Ming once.
"Rank three?" he asked.
Fang Ming released a trace of aura.
The vice leader's expression became more serious.
"I am Chen Luo, one of the caravan's vice leaders," he said. "May I ask your name?"
"Fang Ming."
"Which clan?"
"A small place. Not worth mentioning," Fang Ming replied.
Chen Luo smiled faintly.
This answer meant he did not want to say.
But Chen Luo did not press immediately. In a caravan, many people carried secrets. Some had offended clans, some were searching for inheritances, some were demonic path Gu Masters hiding under clean clothes, and some were simply unwilling to expose their roots.
As long as they did not bring disaster to the caravan, their background was not the most important matter.
"What does Brother Fang want from our caravan?" Chen Luo asked.
"Passage and trade access," Fang Ming said. "I am heading toward Shang clan city."
"Shang clan city is far away."
"I know."
"Why come to this region first?"
Fang Ming's expression remained calm. "I heard there was a rumored inheritance in the nearby mountains. I searched for some time, but found nothing useful. Since I am already here, I might as well follow the trade road."
Chen Luo looked at him.
This explanation was not completely believable.
But it was believable enough.
Southern Border had countless inheritances. Some were real, many were fake, and many more had already been emptied long ago. Gu Masters wandering after rumors was common.
Chen Luo said, "Brother Fang should understand that the caravan cannot accept people casually. A lone Rank three Gu Master is useful, but also dangerous."
"That is natural."
"Do you have goods to trade?"
"I have some," Fang Ming said. "But I will first look at your caravan's prices. If the price is suitable, I will sell. If not, I will keep them."
Chen Luo's smile deepened slightly.
This was the tone of someone who understood trade.
"What kind of goods?"
"Gu worms, materials, and some things picked up along the road."
Chen Luo did not ask too deeply.
Asking too much about the origin of goods was not good business.
Fang Ming continued, "I also plan to buy some goods and resell them to settlements along the route. If your caravan allows it, I can join as a trader."
Chen Luo thought for a moment.
A Rank three Gu Master joining as a trader was not a small matter. It meant the caravan would gain one more fighting strength, but also one more independent interest. Still, the road ahead was not peaceful. A Rank three Gu Master who could pay his own way and fight when needed was worth accepting.
"Our caravan has rules," Chen Luo said. "During ordinary times, you may trade. You may buy and sell to villages and settlements along the way. But during movement, camp setup, or battle, you must obey the caravan leader's orders. If danger comes, every Gu Master in the caravan must help defend it."
Fang Ming nodded. "I accept."
"There will also be a joining fee. Since Brother Fang is Rank three, you may set up as an independent trader, but you must register your goods and pay a share according to caravan rules."
"That is fine."
Chen Luo stretched out his hand.
"Then welcome, Brother Fang."
Fang Ming clasped his hand lightly.
The matter was settled.
The village head at the side let out a silent breath. If Fang Ming could leave with the caravan, the hamlet would avoid the pressure of hosting a Rank three Gu Master for too long.
Chen Luo called over a servant and gave instructions.
"Arrange a place near the third section. Give Brother Fang space for one cart. If he buys more goods later, register them properly."
"Yes, vice leader."
Fang Ming followed the servant into the caravan camp.
As he walked, he observed quietly.
The caravan leader was Rank four. Fang Ming had not seen him yet, but his presence held the caravan together. Below the leader were Rank three Gu Masters like Chen Luo. These people were similar to clan elders, but in the caravan, they were also traders and faction heads.
Rank three Gu Masters could bring their own carts, servants, goods, and lower-ranked Gu Masters.
Rank two Gu Masters usually joined under Rank three groups. They received protection and trade space, but paid fees or shares. Rank one Gu Masters were mostly juniors, family members, or dependents, helping with errands, guarding, or small trade.
Mortals were servants, laborers, beast handlers, and hired hands.
The structure was similar to a clan: the clan leader became the caravan leader, while the elders took the roles of Rank three trader-leaders.
The lower-ranked Gu Masters attached themselves to stronger people.
The mortals worked beneath them.
The names were different, but the logic was the same: strength created position, position created benefits, and benefits attracted people.
Fang Ming joining as a Rank three Gu Master meant he was not just a passenger. In caravan terms, he had the qualification to become a small independent faction. At the next village or settlement, if mortals or low-ranked Gu Masters wanted to join the caravan temporarily, they could attach themselves to his name and pay a fee for protection and trade access.
Fang Ming understood this quickly.
But he did not care about expanding a small faction right now.
His goal was Shang clan city.
Before that, he needed Gu food, information, trade goods, and useful people to observe.
The servant stopped near a cleared space between two carts.
"Lord Fang, this place has been arranged for you. If you need a cart, beast, or servants, you can buy or rent them from the caravan."
"I understand."
After the servant left, Fang Ming looked around the busy camp and began exploring, asking questions about the things he needed.