83 The Surrender Order of Wuwei City

Xiaobai Village lay about 150 li from Wuwei City. With the swift pace of a courier horse covering 300 li a day, it took only half a day to reach the city.

The entire Xiliang region was divided into seven prefectures. Along the Silk Road’s main artery ran Jincheng Prefecture, Wuwei Prefecture, Zhangye Prefecture, Jiuquan Prefecture, and Dunhuang Prefecture. Nearby, Xiping Prefecture bordered Jincheng, and Xihai Prefecture lay adjacent to Jiuquan. Wuwei City was the largest and most developed settlement in Wuwei Prefecture and served as the capital of all Xiliang.

Zhan Xiaobai rode his courier horse upstream along the river, passing through vast stretches of wilderness. Wolves of levels 17 to 19, leopards at level 25, packs of wild dogs at levels 13 to 14, and groups of wild boars between levels 16 and 18 roamed intermittently. Lone players caught by these packs faced almost certain death. Most preferred to travel in groups, leaving villages to hunt prey beyond the frontier.

Mounted on his courier horse, Zhan Xiaobai easily evaded any fierce beasts encountered along the way.

Only when passing through player villages did he sense bustling activity. Each village was enclosed by simple fences of varying sizes. Some had developed rapidly, boasting clusters of buildings and flourishing farmland; others were just beginning, with only one or two structures and uncultivated fields.

By evening, Zhan Xiaobai finally arrived at Wuwei City. Outside the city, the ground was paved with thick stone bricks.

The city walls were massive and stretching far, towering high with Han banners fluttering atop the battlements. Guards clad in shining armor, wielding halberds and spears, stood watch, though their ranks and levels were unknown. At the gate stood twelve sets of chevaux-de-frise, and dozens of fully armored soldiers armed with heavy spears guarded the entrance.

Seeing such a formidable city, Zhan Xiaobai marveled at the system’s might—any one of those high-level armored spearmen could easily take down an entire village’s worth of players.

Because the city was heavily garrisoned by imperial troops, no bandits dared appear nearby, and no players would risk robbery or chaos here. Hence, a free trade market had formed near the gate, where many players liked to set up stalls, hawking various goods.

“Finest pelts! Look here—top-grade sable fur! Only one piece in the entire market!”

“Hey, big brother, you look like someone well-off,” a player vendor called out as Zhan Xiaobai approached. “How about a stamina recovery pill? Eat one and you’ll feel vigorous for three hours straight.”

“How much?”

“Ten copper—cheap as dirt! Wait, don’t go! Eight copper, eight copper! Any cheaper and I’ll have to move to the city tower!”

Zhan Xiaobai smiled faintly. His stamina recovered naturally with rest; he had no desire to waste eight copper coins. Ignoring the vendor, he led his weary horse toward the city gate.

The vendor, bored, turned to beckon other customers.

At the city gate, as Zhan Xiaobai sought entry, a squad leader among the guards suddenly blocked his path, raising his spear and shouting, “Who dares trespass the city without a permit? Show your travel pass at once!”

Zhan Xiaobai froze. “Travel pass? I don’t have one. Sir, I’m the village chief of a distant village. I have urgent business to see the Prefect. Please, allow me entry.”

The squad leader eyed him with suspicion. “No pass, no entry... but since you’re riding a horse, you must have money. Slip me some coin, and I might consider letting you in.”

Zhan Xiaobai cursed inwardly. Even system soldiers had their share of bribery—last time, border troops took bribes when dealing with bandits. Now, Wuwei City’s soldiers were the same. Resigned, he pulled out a few copper coins and handed them over.

“Feeding a beggar, give more!”

Zhan Xiaobai reluctantly added enough to make twenty copper coins.

The squad leader sneered, pocketed the coins, and said, “Get in. Next time, bring a travel pass... Damn, all poor folk, no grease on the palm.”

Zhan Xiaobai grumbled silently, “Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know!”

Leading his courier horse, he entered the city.

Inside, the streets were broad and lined with neat houses, shops, inns, grand taverns, and sprawling mansions. Many NPCs bustled about, but only a few were players willing to pay twenty copper coins just to enter.

Zhan Xiaobai stabled his horse at a courier station within the city, then prepared to submit the bandit suppression ebony token.

Uncertain where to submit it, he headed straight for the Prefect’s residence. After questioning the guards at the gate—and paying another five copper coins—he learned that bandit affairs were overseen by the military commander of the prefecture, and the token must be handed to him.

Zhan Xiaobai made his way to the commander’s mansion and requested an audience, again greasing the guards’ palms.

Fortunately, the NPC commander was still attending to official duties and allowed Zhan Xiaobai inside. The commander was somewhat portly, seated in a hall flanked by subordinates and attendants. This official commanded the prefecture’s military forces—between one thousand and five thousand troops—much like a battalion leader, wielding significant power.

“What brings you here?”

Zhan Xiaobai promptly presented the bandit suppression ebony token and explained, “I am the village chief of Xiaobai Village, a hundred miles away. Having completed the task on this token, I’ve come to submit it for your inspection.”

The commander glanced at the token, set it aside, and gave a faint, insincere smile. “Hmm, well done. Here’s your reward.” He gestured to an attendant, who handed Zhan Xiaobai the prize.

A system prompt appeared: “You have submitted the bandit suppression ebony token. Task complete. Reward: 1,000 copper, 6 reputation points.” With this, Zhan Xiaobai’s total reputation rose to 28.

He was delighted—1,000 copper! After deducting all expenses, he had earned over 800 copper just from this trip to Wuwei. The task was worth the effort. He gratefully accepted the money and thanked the attendant.

The NPC commander shifted in his seat and chuckled, “A mere youth who has managed to slay ten notorious bandits—Village Chief Xiaobai, your bravery is commendable. I have more tasks here; would you be willing to take them on?”

Eager for profit, Zhan Xiaobai bowed politely. “Please, sir, guide me. If I am capable, I will accept.”

With a wave, the commander summoned an attendant who brought forward a tray covered by a cloth. The cloth was lifted to reveal dozens of mission tokens of various types, levels, and hues.

Ranks ranged from first to ninth level. The lowest was the bandit suppression ebony token.

The sight of the others made Zhan Xiaobai’s heart falter. As a mere village chief with only five NPC militia under his command, how could he possibly undertake those formidable tasks?