"Hey, Silver, where does this road lead if we keep going straight?"

Wenwu wasn’t very familiar with this world, let alone its roads.

"Hmm… it should lead to Sor City," Silver replied. "Probably some noble’s territory, but I don’t know which one."

"Huh? Noble territory?" Wenwu’s voice tightened. "Silver, don’t you know we’re wanted?"

Hearing they’d pass through noble land, Wenwu immediately worried for his safety.

"Of course I know," Silver said. "But a detour would add days to our journey. The path is treacherous—cliffs and steep slopes everywhere. Master, you decide."

Wenwu pondered briefly. Falling off a cliff seemed worse than getting caught. He chose to cross the noble’s land.

Soon, Wenwu reached Sor City’s entrance. From afar, he spotted wanted posters of himself on the walls. Guards were checking every passerby.

"Silver, I don’t think we can even get through the gate."

"Don’t worry, Master. These guards can be bribed with money. Nothing they can’t—" Silver suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He turned to Wenwu with a dejected look. "Master… we have no money."

Wenwu was torn between laughter and tears.

"Gee! Gee!"

Horse-urging shouts sounded behind him. Wenwu turned to see a mare nuzzling his stallion. No matter how its owner urged, the pair refused to part. The owner—a merchant hauling a cart of goods—looked ready to enter the city.

A clever idea struck Wenwu.

"Uncle," he called, "your mare’s fallen in love with my stallion at first sight. She won’t leave. How about I sell him to you?"

The merchant hesitated, clearly reluctant. But his mare stood firm.

"Alright," he grumbled. "Name your price."

Wenwu didn’t know horse prices. He patted Silver’s shoulder. Silver instantly understood. "One hundred gold coins."

"What?" the merchant exclaimed. "This horse worth a hundred gold? Do you think I’ve never bought one before?"

"Is that so?" Wenwu sighed. "Truly regrettable."

He led his stallion away. The mare followed naturally.

"Fine! I’ll buy it!" the merchant cried, reluctantly handing over the coins.

As Wenwu took them, he silently apologized to Uncle Owen for selling his horse.

Encouraged by Silver, Wenwu walked confidently toward the gate.

"Halt! What’s your business?" a guard barked.

"Just passing through," Wenwu replied.

"Passing through? Why? Be honest."

Following Silver’s cue, Wenwu slipped fifty gold coins into the guard’s palm. "We’re just travelers, soldier. A little help?"

The guard’s scowl vanished. "You look harmless. Go on in."

Just as Silver said—these guards cared only about coin.

Inside Sor City, Wenwu’s priority was buying a new horse. Walking out of the Bansfaser Empire would take forever otherwise.

"Master, let’s eat first," Silver suggested.

Wenwu checked the sky—noon. He entered a random restaurant. No waiter greeted him; everyone crowded one corner. Curious, he pushed through.

"Another bowl!" a girl’s voice rang out. Cheers erupted. Wenwu squeezed to the front. A white-haired girl devoured noodles, a tower of empty bowls beside her. In seconds, she finished a fresh serving. The crowd cheered again.

"I’m full! Sister, thanks for the meal!"

*Sister?* Wenwu had only noticed the eater. Now he saw her companion—Lady Phyllis, the duke’s daughter from the grand banquet. *What’s she doing here?*

"Ladies, your total is five hundred thirty gold coins," the waiter announced.

Phyllis smiled, but Wenwu sensed her panic.

"Um… I don’t have enough," she stammered. "Could someone lend me…?"

At "lend," the crowd scattered. This was a humble eatery; five hundred thirty gold was a fortune for ordinary folk.

"Wenwu!"

Phyllis had spotted him. He regretted pushing so far forward—retreating was impossible now. She lunged at him like a lifeline.

"Quick! Lend me five hundred gold!" In her mind, he’d spent that much on her birthday party—he must carry coin.

"S-sorry, Miss Phyllis. I don’t have that much."

Phyllis slumped back, disappointed.

"What happened?" Wenwu asked.

Phyllis shot a resentful glance at the burping girl. "She fainted from hunger on the road. I brought her to eat, but who knew…"

"Master, see anything interesting?" Silver appeared at Wenwu’s side after the crowd thinned.

The white-haired girl’s eyes locked onto Silver. She sprang from her seat, drool seeping from her lips.

Silver tugged Wenwu’s sleeve. "Hey, Master… does she want to eat me?"

"Can I really eat it?" the girl asked eagerly, misunderstanding.

Just as Wenwu opened his mouth to refuse, an overly dramatic voice boomed from the entrance:

"Yo, my beloved lady! Have you met some insurmountable trouble?"