My Wife Is A Sword Immortal

Zhao Rong and Liu Sanbian disembarked the ship and paid another visit to the Qingfeng Residence's branch at Zangzhou Wharf.

When they walked out, Zhao Rong had an extra silk pouch in his hand, embroidered with a pattern of a tall tower, containing fifteen Lower Grade Spirit Stones that Qingfeng Residence had refunded, almost half of the boat fare.

According to Zhao Rong's knowledge, on the mountain, Spirit Stones were the most circulated currency, with one Top-Grade Spirit Stone equaling one hundred Middle-Grade Spirit Stones, and one Middle-Grade Spirit Stone equaling one hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones. As for whether there were higher grade Spirit Stones, Zhao Rong had no idea.

However, Zhao Rong actually had little desire for Spirit Stones at the moment.

Firstly, he had yet to formally embark on the path of cultivation and did not need cultivation resources.

Secondly, he naturally had a casual attitude towards money, feeling that as long as he had enough, it was fine. Of course, in his past life, he had not yet suffered the beatings of society; otherwise, he would have known how difficult it was to achieve this "enough".

Thirdly, he discovered that exquisite poetry seemed to be quite valuable in the mountains, the kind that was priceless. Thanks to his passion for classical literature, he still had many such poems in his mind...

Zhao Rong shook the money pouch in his hand, which jingled, and looked back at the bustling shop. The Shopkeeper and steward were so busy they could not attend to everything, their smiles forced as they pacified customers by refunding the boat fees.

Zhao Rong sighed, I really don't want to take these Spirit Stones, can I give them to you? I can add some more—will you take me to Du You City?

"Where does Brother Sanbian plan to go? I'm headed to Du You City, but now, it seems I can only hurry on foot at the foot of the mountain. I've no idea when I'll arrive."

"Great Wei."

Liu Sanbian spoke concisely and indifferently, without the kind of worries Zhao Rong had, as if he was not in a hurry to get to that place called Great Wei.

Liu Sanbian glanced at Zhao Rong's expression, thought for a bit, then took Zhao Rong to a firm to purchase a Mountain And River Map of the northern part of Wangque Continent.

Zhao Rong stared at the densely packed place names on the map, full of admiration. There were no less than a hundred secular dynasties, not to mention those famous mountains and great rivers. The record was extremely detailed.

"Who drew this map, so detailed? How much effort must it have taken?"

Liu Sanbian's gaze stayed fixated on a certain spot on the map without moving.

"It's traced from the Xuan Furnace."

Zhao Rong raised an eyebrow, Xuan Furnace?

Suddenly, he remembered something.

There was a line in the Xuanhuang Chronicles, which he had worn out from reading so much.

"Emperor Xuan gathered troops from myriad clans and metals from the Nine Provinces, forged nine furnaces, symbolizing the Nine Provinces, to stabilize the mountains and rivers."

In that era, Emperor Xuan led the Xuanhuang Human Clan to their peak, collected divine weapons from myriad clans and metals paid as tribute by the Nine Provinces, and cast nine great furnaces, one for each province, used to suppress the qi fortune of the mountains and rivers.

So the maps of the Nine Provinces were also painted on the nine furnaces?

"Wouldn't a map drawn thousands of years ago be outdated by now?"

So much time had passed; the landscape must have changed completely.

"Hmm?"

Liu Sanbian looked up at Zhao Rong, not expecting him to ask that question.

The corners of Liu Sanbian's mouth twitched, his expression turning fierce. Zhao Rong knew he was smiling, but due to his appearance, it looked quite intimidating. However, after spending time together, Zhao Rong was used to it and even found Brother Sanbian quite endearing.

They say that one's countenance reflects one's heart, but Brother Sanbian is quite the opposite.

"As for your question, Master..."

"Hey, how many times have I said, don't call me Master, just call me little brother, or Ziyu."

Liu Sanbian awkwardly called out little brother.

"I haven't seen the Xuan Furnace of our province because aside from Tianya Sword Pavilion, almost no one knows where this important artifact of the Human Clan is located."

"However, I've heard that the map of the Nine Provinces recorded on the Xuan Furnace is not constant but evolves over time with the changes in the landscape and the passage of the years. It is said that within this furnace, every detail within a province, from grass and stones to mountains and rivers, and all living beings, is vividly represented."

"Currently, the maps of Wangque Continent that circulate in the mountains are abridged versions, periodically updated and announced by Tianya Sword Pavilion."

Zhao Rong nodded as if he understood.

Liu Sanbian bent over to scrutinize the map again and pointed.

"We are in Zhi Shui Country, and Du You City is separated from us by over a dozen dynastic nations. Moreover, because Anling Country has been sealed off by Punishment Mansion, it seems we cannot pass through there and will need to take a detour, adding several more countries to our journey. If we rely solely on foot or horseback, even taking the shortest route, little brother, it would take you no less than five years to reach your destination."

Zhao Rong's eyelids twitched at this, what a long wait; the vegetables would cool down completely. It might be better to wait here for the blockade to lift and transportation in the mountains to resume before taking a boat to Du You City. However, according to the people at Qingfeng Residence, the blockade might not be lifted for another half a year.

It turned out that ancient people rarely traveled far; a long journey could take up half a lifetime. If there was turmoil or war, chances were they would never make it back home.

"But..." Liu Sanbian's finger tapped a certain spot on the map painted in blue.

"But what?"

"But little brother, you are in luck. Look here, there happens to be a Great River running from south to north across Wangque. As long as you make it there and board a large ship, following the current downstream, your speed could be dozens of times faster than that of a common horse. You should reach Du You City at the Great River Estuary in less than a month."

"We still have the distance of a few countries to cover to get to this Great River, but it will be quick. We'll just be passing through their borders."

"Am I to board the ship alone, Brother Sanbian? Won't you come with me?" Zhao Rong asked curiously.

"I can accompany little brother part of the way between Zhi Shui Country and Great River, but halfway through, I'll reach Great Wei."

Liu Sanbian helped Zhao Rong mark a few points to pay attention to on the Mountain And River Map, then folded up the map and handed it to Zhao Rong.