The caravan travelled for a day.
Fang Ming followed in the third section, where several Rank three traders had arranged their carts and beasts. The road was not peaceful, but the caravan only encountered two small beast groups. One was killed by the guards, and the other fled after several Gu Masters released their aura.
By evening, the caravan chose a valley to camp.
The black skin fat beetles lowered their bodies. Servants climbed up and down with ropes, unloading boxes and bundles. Colored ostriches were fed grain mixed with crushed herbs. Mountain spiders folded their legs near the outer ring of the camp, and winged snakes coiled around wooden posts under the watch of beast handlers.
The camp was arranged quickly.
After the tents were raised and the outer guards were placed, the caravan became lively.
A small bazaar opened.
Mortals and servants carried goods onto cloth mats. Some sold freshly cut beast meat. Some sold buttermilk, dry rations, herbs, leather straps, needles, clothing, and cheap tools. The smell of roasted meat mixed with sweat, animal feed, and damp soil.
Fang Ming walked through the bazaar.
He did not buy immediately.
He first observed.
The market here was not the Gu Master trade meeting. That would be held separately, and only those with enough status could enter. This bazaar was mostly for mortals, servants, and low-level goods. But even this place had its own rules.
Those with backing occupied better positions.
Those without backing were pushed to the edges.
Servants with strong masters spoke louder than ordinary servants. Those who were punished or abandoned by their masters stood near the corners, staring at food stalls with hungry eyes.
Fang Ming saw a young servant approach a stall selling meat soup.
"Brother, can you give me a bowl? I have not eaten since morning," the servant said.
The stall owner glanced at him and waved his hand impatiently. "Go away. Don't block my business."
The servant lowered his head and walked away.
Not far from him, several sturdier servants laughed quietly. One of them kicked the young servant's leg as he passed, causing him to fall into the mud.
The surrounding people saw it, but no one interfered.
This was normal in the caravan.
Mortals had cheap lives. If they died on the road, the caravan could recruit more at the next settlement. Even if they were not killed by beasts, they still had to endure hunger, beatings, and the struggles between servants.
Fang Ming watched calmly.
He had no intention of helping everyone he saw.
He could not help them all.
More importantly, helping people without reason would only attract more people wanting help. Kindness, if not backed by rules and strength, would quickly become trouble.
At this moment, noise rose from the entrance of the bazaar.
"Lady Zhang is here!"
"Lady Zhang came again!"
"Quick, line up! Lady Zhang brought food!"
The hungry servants immediately moved in that direction.
Fang Ming turned his head.
A young woman in green clothes entered the bazaar.
Her hair was black and smooth, falling over her shoulders. Her face was gentle, and her eyes were clear. She did not have the sharpness of a Gu Master, nor the arrogance of a merchant's daughter. She carried a basket of steamed buns in her hands, and several servants followed behind with more food.
Beside her stood an old Gu Master.
His body was aged, but his aura was steady. His eyes swept across the crowd like a blade.
"Line up," the old Gu Master shouted. "Anyone who pushes forward will be cut down."
The noisy crowd immediately became quiet.
The hungry servants formed a line.
The green-clothed girl began distributing steamed buns one by one. Her voice was soft, and her expression did not show disgust even when facing servants covered in mud and bloodstains.
"Eat slowly. There is still more," she said.
The servants received the food with trembling hands.
Some bowed.
Some cried.
Some only lowered their heads and bit into the buns quickly, afraid that someone would snatch them away.
Fang Ming stood among the crowd and looked at her.
Zhang Xin Ci.
Or rather, Shang Xin Ci.
At this time, most people in the caravan only knew her as Lady Zhang. Few knew her true background, and even fewer understood what kind of future she would have.
Fang Ming knew.
She was kind, but to Fang Ming, she was also an opportunity.
Through her, he could reach Shang clan city more safely. Through her, he could approach Shang Yan Fei. Through her, he might later touch a Rank five level opportunity.
But as he watched her hand food to the hungry servants, Fang Ming also understood another thing.
Her kindness was real.
It was not a performance.
In this world, many people knew how to act kind when others were watching. Shang Xin Ci was different. She lowered her hand toward people that most Gu Masters would not bother to look at.
This made her valuable.
It also made her vulnerable.
After the food was distributed, the crowd gradually dispersed.
The old Gu Master remained beside her. His gaze was vigilant, especially toward strangers who looked too long.
Fang Ming walked forward.
He stopped several steps away and cupped his fists.
"Lady Zhang."
Zhang Xin Ci turned around.
The old Gu Master's eyes immediately landed on Fang Ming.
Fang Ming did not step closer.
"Lady Zhang's action today was rare. In this world, many people have wealth, but few are willing to lower their hand toward those beneath them. Fang Ming admires this."
Zhang Xin Ci was slightly startled.
Many people had praised her before.
Some called her kind. Some called her foolish behind her back. Some used sweet words only to take advantage of her.
But Fang Ming's tone was calm. He did not praise her beauty, nor did he show eagerness. His words seemed to come after careful observation.
Zhang Xin Ci returned the greeting.
"Young master Fang is too polite. It is only some food. It cannot be considered much."
"To those who are hungry, it is enough," Fang Ming said.
Zhang Xin Ci looked at the servants who had already left, then smiled gently. "If it can let them suffer less for one night, then it is worth doing."
Fang Ming looked at her for a moment, then asked, "Lady Zhang, do you give food because you pity them, or because you believe people should be treated this way?"
The old Gu Master's brows moved slightly.
This question was direct.
Zhang Xin Ci did not answer immediately.
She lowered her gaze and thought for a few breaths.
"Perhaps both," she said softly. "They are servants, but they are also people. Many of them did nothing wrong. They are hungry because their masters are angry, or because they were slow, or because they were unlucky on the road. I cannot change the caravan's rules, but if I can give them a meal, I should do it."
Her voice was gentle, but her words were sincere.
Fang Ming's expression did not change much, but his gaze softened slightly.
"Then your heart is stronger than many Gu Masters I have met."
Zhang Xin Ci's eyes widened slightly.
The old Gu Master looked at Fang Ming more carefully.
Fang Ming cupped his fists again.
"I will not disturb Lady Zhang further."
He turned and left.
Zhang Xin Ci watched his back.
After Fang Ming walked away, the old Gu Master spoke in a low voice, "Miss, this person is not simple."
Zhang Xin Ci nodded lightly.
"He is a Gu Master?"
"Rank three," the old Gu Master said. "Young, calm, and careful with his distance. He approached with purpose, but he did not act frivolously."
Zhang Xin Ci looked toward the direction Fang Ming had left.
"His words did not feel false."
The old Gu Master did not deny it.
He had seen many Gu Masters.
Most looked at Zhang Xin Ci with greed, contempt, or hidden calculation. Fang Ming also had calculation, but his respect did not seem fake.
That made him harder to judge.
On the other side of the bazaar, Fang Ming walked back to his own area.
He did not look back.
The first encounter was enough.
If he stayed longer, it would appear impatient. Zhang Zhu was not an ordinary old man, and Shang Xin Ci was not someone who could be won through a few sweet words.
Fang Ming understood this clearly.
The correct way was to leave a good impression, then appear again when it mattered.
He returned to his cart and sat down.
Around him, the bazaar continued.
Merchants bargained, servants carried goods, and Gu Masters walked past with indifferent expressions. The caravan was still noisy, but Fang Ming's thoughts had already moved to the next step.
He had met Shang Xin Ci earlier than Fang Yuan.
That was only the beginning.
A month was not long, but if used well, it could decide many things.