Chapter 689 Daily Life in Hebai City!
The leading soldier looked Luo Chen up and down, and then said: "This is Hebai City. Every outsider must register at the City Lord's Mansion. Why did you enter without registration?"
"Registration? What registration? It seems that there is no such thing when entering the city!" Luo Chen was slightly stunned. He had never heard of such a rule before, but he still answered respectfully: "Sorry, I just arrived in Hebai City not long ago and I don't know the rules here. How do I register?"
The soldier's face was still cold when he heard this.
Luo Chen followed the soldier to the City Lord's Mansion, and saw two rows of armored soldiers standing in front of the mansion. They held spears and looked serious.
The architectural style of the City Lord's Mansion is simple and solemn. A plaque is hung above the tall gate tower, engraved with the words "Hebai City Lord's Mansion".
After entering the City Lord's Mansion, Luo Chen was taken to a spacious hall.
In the center of the hall was a huge sandalwood table, and behind the table sat a middle-aged man in a brocade robe. He was the city lord of Hebai City.
The city lord had a dignified face and his eyes were like lightning. He was obviously an experienced official.
The city lord looked up at Luo Chen and said in a calm tone: "You are a new traveler, right? According to the rules of Hebai City, all outsiders must register at the city lord's mansion so that we can understand the flow of people in the city and ensure the safety of the city."
Luo Chen nodded to show his understanding and asked: "What information do I need to register?"
The city lord gestured to the clerk beside him, and the clerk took out a thick booklet and began to record Luo Chen's name, hometown, purpose of coming to Hebai City and other information.
Luo Chen cooperated and answered respectfully.
After the registration was completed, the clerk told Luo Chen that he needed to pay a certain registration fee.
Luo Chen took out some silver from his arms and handed it to the clerk.
Seeing Luo Chen's cooperation, the city lord showed a satisfied smile on his face.
"Very good, since you have registered, you can move freely in Hebai City."
"However, I still want to remind you that although Hebai City is small, it also has its rules."
"Don't make trouble at will, otherwise, the City Lord's Mansion will not sit idly by."
The City Lord's words carried a hint of warning.
Luo Chen nodded again, indicating that he would abide by the rules of the city.
Then, he left the City Lord's Mansion and returned to the inn.
In the next few days, Luo Chen continued his travels in Hebai City.
He began to try to integrate into the local life and participate in various activities with the residents.
Such as festivals, farming ceremonies, etc.
Luo Chen found that although Hebai City was not large in scale, the residents here lived in harmony, full of mutual help and friendship.
......
At noon.
Hebai City, East District.
At this time, Luo Chen was standing silently on the edge of a farmland.
He looked calmly at the people who were working hard in the farmland and the young children running and playing around.
On his calm face, he couldn't help but reveal a smile that he didn't even notice.
"Big brother, big brother."
"Want to eat candied haws?"
Suddenly, a little girl with two braids ran towards Luo Chen.
Perhaps she thought that Luo Chen was good-looking and had a very comfortable aura.
So, she was willing to get close to Luo Chen.
Luo Chen looked down at the little girl, her eyes were as clear as lake water, and there was an innocent smile on her face.
He smiled and shook his head: "Thank you, little sister, but I'm not hungry now."
The little girl blinked her big eyes, seemed a little disappointed, but soon regained her smile: "Then big brother, what are you doing here?"
Luo Chen squatted down, looked at the little girl, and answered gently: "I came here just to walk around casually, thinking of relaxing outside."
The little girl tilted her head and thought for a while, then said seriously: "Then big brother, come with me, I will take you to see our secret garden!"
Luo Chen was infected by the innocence of the little girl, smiled and nodded: "Okay, then trouble you to lead the way."
The little girl happily took Luo Chen's hand and skipped into the depths of the farmland.
Passing through the green rice fields, they came to a small garden surrounded by tall trees.
The garden is full of various flowers, colorful and fragrant.
"This is where we usually play, big brother, do you like it?"
The little girl looked up and looked at Luo Chen expectantly.
Luo Chen took a deep breath, feeling the tranquility and beauty in the garden, and nodded: "It's really beautiful here, thank you for bringing me here."
Just then, a gentle voice came from behind: "Xiaohua, you brought guests again."
Luo Chen turned around and saw a middle-aged woman walking over with a smile.
She was wearing simple peasant clothes, but her face was filled with a kind light.
The little girl ran over happily and hugged the woman's legs: "Mom, this is the big brother, he wants to know about our lives."
The woman smiled and touched the little girl's head, then turned to Luo Chen: "This young man, are you from another place?"
Luo Chen nodded politely: "Yes, my name is Luo Chen, I come from afar, and I am curious about everything in Hebai City."
The woman smiled and said, "Although Hebai City is small, the people here live happily. We welcome travelers like you to learn about us."
Luo Chen said gratefully, "Thank you for your welcome. I will respect the customs and habits here and will not disturb everyone's life."
The woman nodded, then invited Luo Chen to sit down and began to talk about the history and culture of Hebai City.
Luo Chen listened carefully and asked some questions from time to time.
Through the conversation with the woman, he had a deeper understanding of Hebai City.
Time passed unknowingly, and the afterglow of the sunset sprinkled in the garden, giving everything a golden glow.
Luo Chen stood up and said goodbye to the woman and the little girl.
"Thank you very much today for giving me the opportunity to learn about these things in Hebai City."
The woman smiled and responded, "You're welcome, Mr. Luo Chen, I hope you will have a good time every day here."
Luo Chen thanked them again, then slowly left the garden and returned to the inn.
He was full of gratitude and respect for Hebai City, and decided to stay here for a while to experience life here more deeply.
In the following days, Luo Chen not only traveled around the city, but also often helped the residents do things within his ability.
He helped repair damaged houses, participated in farming, and even performed sword dances at festivals and celebrations with the residents.
As time went on, Luo Chen established a deep relationship with the residents of Hebai City.
He began to understand that kendo is not only a martial art, but also a way to live in harmony with the world.
Every communication and help gave him a new understanding of kendo.
During his time in Hebai City, Luo Chen's mind was purified, and his kendo gradually reached a new realm.
He understood that the real kendo is to coexist harmoniously with nature, to be kind to others, and to be peaceful and firm in the heart.
Finally one day, Luo Chen stood at the highest point of Hebai City, looking at this land full of vitality, he took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.
He knew it was time to leave.
He returned to the inn, packed his bags, and then quietly walked out of Hebai City.
At the gate of the city, several residents came to see him off, their eyes full of reluctance.
"Big brother, you must come again!"
The little girl held his hand, tears flashing in her eyes.
Luo Chen smiled and nodded: "I will."
After that, Luo Chen left silently.
......
If the previous Beihong City was the world of cultivators.
Then, this Hebai City, which is many times smaller than Beihong City, is the world in the secular world.
Here, let alone cultivators.
There are even no warriors who specialize in practicing the law of the flesh.
There are only the simple folk customs of Hebai City.
It is precisely because of this that Luo Chen can't help but feel quite comfortable and at ease.
......
Outside Hebai City.
Luo Chen is still riding a horse, silently heading forward.
Riding a horse on the country road outside Hebai City, surrounded by rolling green hills, the mountains in the distance look particularly peaceful under the reflection of the setting sun.
The breeze blew by, bringing the fragrance of soil and wild flowers, which made people feel relaxed and happy.
Although he was reluctant to leave the residents of Hebai City, he knew that his experience was not over yet.
He was eager to explore more unknown places and experience different lives to enrich his sword practice.
The sound of horse hooves echoed gently on the path. Luo Chen walked forward while recalling the days in Hebai City.
Those simple and happy times gave him a new understanding of life.
He began to realize that the practice of kendo is not only about the pursuit of strength and skills, but more importantly, the cultivation of the mind and the perception of the world.
As night fell, Luo Chen found a place suitable for camping in a small forest.
He skillfully lit a campfire and prepared some simple food.
The firelight reflected his face, which looked particularly calm.
Late at night, Luo Chen sat by the campfire, looking at the starry sky, and an inexplicable tranquility surged in his heart.
He closed his eyes and began to meditate, allowing his mind to merge with nature.
On such a night, he seemed to be able to hear the breath of the earth and feel the pulse of the universe.
The next morning, Luo Chen continued his journey.
He crossed fields and streams and came to a place called "Qingyun Town".
The town was not big, but it was very lively. There were all kinds of stalls on both sides of the street, and the hawking sounds were one after another.
Luo Chen walked around the town and observed the local customs and customs here.
He found that although Qingyun Town and Hebai City were different in scale, the residents here also lived a simple and happy life.
He decided to stay here for a while and experience a different life.
And just when Luo Chen was planning to find an inn to stay.
Suddenly, a group of bandits arrived.
Disrupted this peaceful and tranquil town.
"Run, run!"
"Brother, you must be an outsider, right?"
"You should run faster too!"
"If we are caught by those thieves, things will be troublesome..."
Luo Chen stood in the crowd, watching the panicked people fleeing in all directions, his brows slightly frowned, and a sense of injustice surged in his heart.
He wanted to stay out of it, but he couldn't sit idly by when he saw innocent people being frightened.
"How dare you, thieves, do evil here!"
Luo Chen shouted, and rushed out like the wind, blocking the way of the bandits.
The leading bandit was a strong man with a face full of flesh. When he saw Luo Chen alone, he couldn't help laughing: "Boy, you are looking for death!"
Before he finished speaking, the bandits rushed forward with swords and knives.
Luo Chen was agile and his swordsmanship was as fast as lightning. He fought against many people alone, but he was not at all inferior.
The sword light flickered in the sun, and every swing hit the target accurately. Soon, several bandits fell to the ground and wailed.
Seeing this, the other bandits retreated one after another. The strong man in the lead changed his face. He didn't expect that this seemingly weak young man had such skills.
The strong man roared, pulled out a huge axe from his waist, and slashed at Luo Chen.
Seeing this, Luo Chen was not in a hurry, and easily dodged the attack of the huge axe by turning his body to the side.
He thrust out with a sword, and the tip of the sword accurately pierced the strong man's shoulder socket. The strong man felt pain and the huge axe slipped out of his hand.
"Die!!!"
The strong man roared, although the severe pain in the shoulder socket made it almost impossible for him to hold the weapon in his hand, he still tried to overwhelm Luo Chen with his body weight and brute force.
However, Luo Chen's swordsmanship is not only about strength, but also about skills and speed.
He was like a clever cat, lightly shuttling through the strong man's attacks, and every attack was extremely accurate, making every attack of the strong man miss.
Seeing this, the surrounding bandits began to panic.
They had never seen such a skilled opponent, and they were at a loss for a while.
Luo Chen seized the opportunity, and his figure shuttled through the crowd like a phantom. Every time he attacked, a burst of blood splashed. The bandits fell one after another, and wailing sounded one after another.
Finally, when the last bandit was pressed against the throat by Luo Chen's sword tip, the residents of Qingyun Town held their breath.
Luo Chen's sword tip stopped steadily in front of the bandit's throat. His eyes were like lightning, sweeping across the faces of each bandit. The imposing aura without anger made everyone dare not move.
"Get out!"
Luo Chen's voice was cold, like the cold wind in winter, which made people feel afraid.
The bandits fled Qingyun Town in a tumbling manner as if they had been pardoned.
Luo Chen sheathed his sword and turned to face the residents of Qingyun Town.
Their eyes were full of gratitude and admiration, and they thanked Luo Chen one after another.
"Thank you hero for your help. The peace of Qingyun Town has been preserved."
An elderly elder came forward and bowed deeply.
Luo Chen smiled and waved his hand: "You're welcome. This is what I should do."
The elder looked up at Luo Chen, a trace of deep thought flashed in his eyes: "Hero, you are a great swordsman. I wonder if you are willing to stay in our town for a few more days so that we can have a chance to repay your kindness?"