The Eastern Continent Swordsman
CH. 51 – Split in Maundo

The atmosphere in the port of Caihong was quite crowded and busy. Port officials were directing ships to land at Caihong and at the same time escorting ships leaving Caihong. That afternoon, there were about five ships coming along with the Blue Peacock. The other four ships seemed to contain Caihong nobles who were returning from vacationing outside the island. This is evident from the way the port officers treat them with great respect and care.

Unlike the four ships, Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei's entourage did not receive any special treatment at all. For example, there were no servants who stuck to cover Zhao Yunlei even though the sun was hot. While on the other ships, all female passengers were immediately approached by a paddled servant who was in charge of dispelling the sunlight on the smooth skin of the nobles who were beautiful.

“Speaking where you are from and what is your destination for Caihong?” one of the port officers was blocking the steps of Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei who had just set foot into the Caihong mainland.

“I am driving this lady to register to be a citizen of Caihong, we are from Yimin.” replied Zhou Fu flatly.

“Show identity, letters of recommendation, and property required for citizenship change,” the officer gives the order while preparing his stationery. It seemed like he was a scribe whose task was indeed to take down such things.

One of Zhao Yunlei's servants instantly showed all the requested files. After checking, the officer took Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei to Maundo, the entrance gate to Caihong. Zhao Yunlei said goodbye to the stewards and crew of the Blue Peacock, asking them to greet the good news to his uncle that he had arrived at Caihong safely.

***

Port Caihong is a cliff slope that is built with a degree of slope of 5% so that it looks like a terraced land filled with buildings walled in mountain rocks. The sloping land is arguably quite unique and interesting, where there are many humans who go back and forth from one post to another. Some are walking, some are riding, and some are using horse carriages.

The port officers had the same uniform, dressed all in gray and wearing black headbands with a prominent inscription on the forehead. From a distance, the busyness that occurs in the port of Caihong is not much different from the sight of someone who saw a herd of worker termites running back and forth carrying out their duties.

Zhao Yunlei continued to flick his hands to his face, the blazing sun successfully caused his cheeks to develop a red rash. Seeing the incident, the port officer suggested that Zhao Yunlei order the services of an umbrella carrier, and of course was immediately agreed by the woman. Meanwhile, like not paying attention to his colleague, Zhou Fu seemed busy observing the buildings on the cliff slope.

“Uncle, what if the sea water is tidal or receding, or even there is a sudden water storm appearing, will not this port be destroyed in a storm?” Zhou Fu asked a little astonished because in fact the Caihong land does not have a coastline, which means of course the wave rate will immediately meet the cliff slope containing port officer posts.

“Oh, means Young Master is visiting Caihong for the first time, am I wrong? Caihong Port has seven layers of buildings, currently sea water is in normal condition, we are in the third layer. If the sea water is high, then the ships will dock at the fifth or sixth tier port, there it is!” the port officer pointed at a sloping land that was quite far above Zhou Fu standing.

“We have quick access to go up or down to each layer of the port, later the young master will understand because we will also use the access to get to Maundo, the,” was obviously the officer in answer to Zhou Fu's question.

Before long, Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei arrived at a cave-shaped entrance that had illumination from the reflections of sunlight. It seems, the light is reflected continuously using mirrors that have been arranged in such a way. The width of the cave is about four meters, so the air inside the cave is not so stuffy even though Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei have walked about 300 meters.

Previously, all of Zhao Yunlei's luggage was stopped at the door of the cave and processed by another officer who took care of the equipment parts of the noble candidates. All of Zhao Yunlei's belongings were put into a large wooden box that had two wheels on the right and left, the wooden train was pushed by the officer to the other side of the cave door.

“Let's turn right, Mister and Miss!” the officer who was carrying Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei guided them towards a staircase with a fairly steep slope. They all stepped up by causing a slightly echoing reflection of the sound of footsteps. Sounds a bit creepy but also melodious in the ears.

In the port of Caihong, there are more than fifty cave-shaped entrances that not all caves take someone to Maundo. Only people who meet certain conditions will be led by officers to Maundo.

Zhao Yunlei and Zhou Fu could not help but be amazed when they saw the sizable Maundo gate. The two of them were like an ant entering a giant door. Inside the Maundo gate, there was a crowd of people more crowded from the port, it was a settlement of Caihong citizens who did not enter the noble family.

Tens of kilometers from the settlement in Maundo, there is a large wall that separates the commoners with noble families. That was where Zhao Yunlei's goal was, being someone who lived within the circle of nobles and conducting investigations according to the orders of the head of the Five Forces.

“Master and Miss, we have arrived in Maundo. The process of applying for a citizenship change will usually take one full day. For that, you must find lodging first while waiting to get a letter from the immigration bureau,” explained the port officer after he drove Zhao Yunlei and Zhou Fu at the immigration bureau in Maundo.

Seen by them, Zhao Yunlei's luggage had in fact arrived there ahead of its owner. Zhou Fu and Zhao Yunlei expressed their gratitude to the port officer who was delivering, but it seemed that the officer was not very happy to receive thanks from his two guests.

“Stiffy guests!” grumbled the officer where he had walked far behind his two guests.

“Well, it looks like we have to split up here!” Zhou Fu took a deep breath, preparing for his farewell with Zhao Yunlei. However, Zhao Yunlei immediately pulled Zhou Fu's arm.

“Didn't all your property be on Guichuan's ship? You'll have trouble traveling without money! I'll give you some gold pieces to take with you to Juda! At least, you should buy a good horse to make your trip to Judah easier!” zhao Yunlei whispered softly.

“Ah, I'll make some money for a while to the settlement. It's usually not that hard to get a few gold pieces! All right, I don't have much time, take good care of yourself, don't be flashy. Remain a meek miss Zhao,” Zhou Fu muttered at length while patting the girl's shoulders gently.

Although he was sure Zhao Yunlei had reliable strength, but still the girl's physique was quite fragile and alarming.

“We meet again in Maundo one month ahead, dare?” Zhao Yunlei smiled and challenged Zhou Fu to meet each other.

“One month you said? Do you doubt me? Haha, alright, one month from now we meet again. Remember, take good care of yourself Miss Zhao!” Zhou Fu said goodbye for the last time. He wants to hunt gold coins through wild fighting events that are usually always in each region. That way, he would pocket a few gold pieces and be able to afford the best horse to bring to Judah.

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