Legend of the Heavenly Swordsman
Ch. 143 - Border

"It's more crowded than I thought." Fu Chen circulated his gaze, he slightly raised an eyebrow when he found so many tents installed around the border.

Fu Chen could tell that the people around the tent were not warriors, nor warriors. They were just traders who were forced to stop there because they were not allowed to cross the border.

Those merchants actually already knew that the Meng Empire had been in chaos since a few years ago. But those merchants did not notice it because the business opportunities in the Empire were quite large, especially for those who sold wine and weapon supplies.

Fu Chen approached the tents slowly, not least the merchants peddling their wares, just adding their allowance while waiting for the border guards' approval.

This place was already like a Village according to Fu Chen, not even a few soldiers bought goods from the merchants.

Fu Chen stopped at one of the crowded merchant tents, the merchant sold liquor in the form of wine and wine so that quite a number of warriors approached.

Fu Chen had never been to the border before so any information he obtained would be quite useful.

The people in this tavern talked a lot about identity, as the chaotic situation of Meng Empire made the border guards more careful to give permission to the merchants and warriors on the border.

In addition, some people also talked about the rumors circulating in the Meng Empire. Ranging from quite a dangerous location to the beautiful girls in the Empire.

Fu Chen felt lucky that Ye Kong had previously given him an identity as a member of the Gem Star Tower. It was likely that Fu Chen could cross the border without any obstacles.

"I think I have a lot to learn in this place." Fu Chen realized as he finished touring it turned out that the culture in the Meng Empire was quite different from the Song Empire, so he delayed the trip for a few days.

Not far from the border wall, it appears a group of young men are training under the guidance of a soldier who looks to have a fairly high rank. The youths numbered at least ten, half of whom had rested while the other half were still continuing training.

"One! Two! One! Two…!" said the soldier who was then followed by the young men behind him.

The young men followed the movements of the soldier who mounted the horses and started punching the air with a certain pattern. Although it looks easy, but the movement requires a high enough endurance to be able to do it long enough.

Fu Chen then leaned his body against a shady tree not far from the young men practicing. He felt exhausted, the young man had been speeding nonstop for several days to avoid unnecessary trouble.

As the sun began to move to the western horizon, a group that came out from one of the large tents immediately moved towards the field in front of Fu Chen. From the group there are two people who look striking because their bodies are much larger.

Fu Chen who was disturbed by the noise they made then opened his eyes. Fu Chen raised his eyebrows when he found that the previous field had been crowded with many people.

"Ah, sorry. What the hell is going on?" Fu Chen asked a man who had just returned from the crowd.

"It's nothing, it's just the usual brawl of a drunk during the day." Answer the man.

Fu Chen thanked the man and glanced at the crowd before shaking his head softly. Sometimes the world he lived in was quite strange. Fu Chen quickly moved away from there and looked for a quieter place.

As the day neared night Fu Chen began to realize that there was no inn in this place. However after he observed the situation further the people began to make groups of each and gathered around the bonfire.

Fu Chen felt the need to interact with the people around him yet most did not welcome Fu Chen kindly.

Fu Chen let out a long sigh, he intended to make his own fireplace before finding a troupe containing small merchants.

Fu Chen drew closer to them and offered one silver coin for them to let Fu Chen join. The merchant accepted Fu Chen kindly, they also refused Fu Chen's money.

"I am from the Capital City," Fu Chen replied with a gentle smile.

"The distance between the Capital City to the border is quite far, seeing you alone traveling that far you must have high abilities, right?"

The middle-aged man was quite surprised earlier, but after noticing Fu Chen further, the man felt that if Fu Chen had a few bodyguards it was just that they were left behind or killed during the trip.

The clothes Fu Chen wore did look simple, but the man could see the materials used were quite valuable.

"You're too complimentary, my ability can only protect myself." Fu Chen smiled gently.

The man then introduces himself as Jin Taeso, although not too big but he dedicates his life to trading. Fu Chen then introduced himself and called himself 10 years old, making Jin Taeso and the others surprised.

As the atmosphere began to awkward Fu Chen volunteered to make their meal. Fu Chen took out a few pieces of meat from the bag his horse was carrying. Although only limited to roast meat but because of the recipe and different ways of cooking Fu Chen made the group amazed.

Then as the night grew late, one by one the merchants began to sleep soundly. Fu Chen rested his body but his consciousness remained awake and alert.

When the sun gradually appeared Jin Taeso found Fu Chen had woken up first. He was happy to see a young man like Fu Chen who was so healthy and energetic, he began to be interested in asking the child's next goal.

"Your body is very good even though you are only 10 years old," Jin Taeso walked over to Fu Chen who was stretching. Despite not understanding martial arts, Jin Taeso was able to judge Fu Chen as a gifted child.

"Grandfather Jin, good morning!" Fu Chen lowered his head while saluting.

"Son Chen, if you want to tell me where you're going next? Maybe we can help you even if there's not much."

Fu Chen was silent for a moment, he did not even know exactly where the location he was going because Dou Huang was taking care of him.

"Let's know, I myself don't know exactly where I'm going, but my next goal is to enter the Meng Empire."

Jin Taeso stroked his chin for a moment while watching Fu Chen from top to bottom before opening his voice.

"I don't know what your goal is, but as you know the Meng Empire is being unstable for now, it would be very dangerous for a child like you to travel alone."

"Yes I heard about it on the way here." Fu Chen realized that the road would not be easy, there might be many conflicts that he faced during the trip but it would be an experience for him.

Jin Taeso sighed for a moment, "Our entourage is going to set off across the border five more days, we have obtained permission a few days ago. If you want you can join us to cross the border, then I won't stop you from leaving."

Jin Taeso did not know what Fu Chen was going to do in the Meng Empire, but Jin Taeso could not bear to see a youngster like Fu Chen having a hard time. Although a little at least Jin Taeso wanted to help Fu Chen.

Fu Chen pondered for a moment, from the many merchants trapped at the border signifying that the procedure for obtaining a permit was not easy. It would be best if Fu Chen accepted Jin Taeso's offer while saving time.

"Alright, sorry that it'll trouble you again." Fu Chen smiled warmly.

"Don't think about it."