Chapter 17: Umber

The two towns were worlds apart. The differences were glaringly obvious, speaking volumes about the disparity in their power and prosperity.

The towering white stone walls immediately inspired a sense of security, standing in stark contrast to the modest wooden fences of Karagados. Beyond the city, fields were intricately partitioned, interlaced with numerous stone waterways and imposing windmills. The crops were clearly superior to what they had seen in the smaller town they had left behind.

“These canals and wells are the masterpiece of a great mage, commissioned by the city’s three major guilds during its expansion,” the coachman informed Wu Qingsong. “For him, it was but a trivial task, yet it resulted in an irrigation network that’s the pride of all Umber. Those windmills, you see, are actually built over wells. Thanks to these ingenious systems, Umber manages to sustain a large population on surprisingly limited arable land.”

This was Wu Qingsong’s first hands-on exposure to the magical prowess indigenous to this world. As they passed by the waterways, he studied them closely. They were nothing like the water channels in his own world, neither made of concrete nor lined with makeshift stone walls. It appeared as though the earth itself had been transmuted into stone.

“That’s a spell for transmuting mud into stone,” a fellow traveler announced, a note of pride in his voice. “The mage wasn’t drawn by this place merely by financial gains. He had some sort of special connection with the head of the commercial guild. Otherwise, it’s unlikely such a big shot would grace such a remote outpost.”

“He’s rumored to be the mage’s illegitimate son,” the traveler added in a hushed tone, exuding the air of someone privy to exclusive inside knowledge.

Before they knew it, the number of pedestrians and carriages around them began to swell, as if they had sprung up from the earth while they weren’t looking. The carriages were mainly for cargo, the passenger carriages were few and far between. Many people walked with large bundles strapped to their backs, all heading toward the city gates.

The road started to get crowded.

As the carriage drew closer to its final destination, the passengers in the carriage grew livelier. One fellow, who bore a striking resemblance to a fox, began to regale everyone with various legends about Umber. Another passenger, resembling some kind of rodent-like beastman, started asking about Wu Qingsong and his companions’ intentions in Umber.

“We’re simply aiming to broaden our horizons,” Wu Qingsong replied cautiously.

In a bustling city home to nearly thirty thousand souls, the chances of crossing paths with the same individual were slim. Nonetheless, exercising caution when dealing with strangers was a universal rule.

“If you’re searching for a place to stay, you might consider the southern district,” the rodent-like beastman suggested, offering Wu Qingsong a business card adorned with intricate calligraphy. “It’s a safe area with reasonable prices, and it’s close to the docks as well.”

Unable to make heads or tails of the elegant writing, Wu Qingsong could only offer an awkward smile as he accepted the card. 

“My real estate agency is located in the southern part of the city. We pride ourselves on providing exemplary service to all gentlemen,” the beastman added, grinning.

By this time, the carriage had neared the city gates and halted. The passengers began collecting their luggage and alighting from the vehicle.

“Isn’t the carriage entering the city?” Wu Qingsong asked, somewhat taken aback.

“Entering the city would require paying a tax, which I can’t afford,” the coachman replied, shrugging his shoulders.

“Do you need a guide?” the foxman asked, his enthusiasm evident. His minimal luggage, a single small bag, offered no clues as to his occupation.

“No, we’re good, thank you,” Wu Qingsong said, still on guard.

“In that case, until we meet again,” the foxman said, courteously tipping his hat before melting into the crowd of people streaming into the city.

Wu Qingsong, Ling, and Liuli stayed in the carriage for a moment longer, watching as the crowd dispersed before they finally disembarked. The carriage then executed a swift U-turn and made its way to a nearby inn, evidently its resting place for the time being.

After pondering for a moment, Wu Qingsong resolved to first enter the city, secure accommodations, and then take his time to familiarize himself with the area.

Although they had gleaned some information about this bustling commercial city on their journey, all they knew came solely from the coachman. And Wu Qingsong couldn’t discern how much of that was fact and how much was merely hearsay. As the saying goes, seeing is believing.

There was an entry fee of twenty copper coins per person. However, the demeanor of the city guards here was notably more respectful than those they had encountered in Karagados. These guards seemed more experienced, and even though they classified Wu Qingsong as a half-elf, their treatment was neither subservient nor haughty.

Once the formalities were completed, they proceeded through the grand archway into the city.

A cacophony of sounds and voices met them head-on. It was early evening, and the streets were swarming with a variety of beast folk. Merchants had laid out their finest wares, causing the streets, already tight for space, to become even more congested, fostering a situation of rubbing elbows and jostling shoulders.

A mixture of scents also pervaded the air, making the trio’s stomachs rumble in hunger, especially since they had barely had anything to eat throughout their trip.

The bustling atmosphere reminded Wu Qingsong of the Lunar New Year markets he had visited in his previous world. Ling and Liuli, however, seemed visibly apprehensive amidst the overwhelming crowd. The sheer volume of people on this single street could easily rival the entire population of Rem City, causing them significant unease. Almost instinctively, they clung to Wu Qingsong’s clothes.

“Stay close, don’t get separated, and be vigilant for pickpockets,” Wu Qingsong instructed as he adeptly wove them through the crowd.

“Sir, are you in need of accommodations?” Perhaps because their newcomer status was glaringly obvious, a street vendor immediately approached them. “Our establishment has a ten-year history, spacious and welcoming. I guarantee you’ll love it at first sight!”

“Consider our establishment! We offer hot water all day and meals are included. It’s just one renal per person, per day!”

“Sir, our establishment offers great value for your money. Clean, comfortable, and luxurious. You won’t be disappointed!”

“Need a carriage, sir? We offer one-way and full-day rentals. Discounts are available for long-term bookings!”

“First time in Umber, sir? You’ll certainly need a guide.”

“Interested in premium spices? How about a variety of quality woods?”

“Planning to set sail? We have a ship departing for Phoenix tonight. Only a few cabins are left!”

The cacophony of solicitations overwhelmed Ling and Liuli, leaving their heads spinning. They could only grip their coin purse tightly in one hand while holding onto the hem of Wu Qingsong’s clothing with the other, following him step by step.

Fortunately, Wu Qingsong had experienced the madness of Spring Festival train stations and the throngs at popular tourist destinations during National Day celebrations, making him somewhat resilient to such sensory bombardment.

Unfazed by the aggressive hawkers, he led the way, pulling Ling and Liuli along with him. After covering another thirty to forty meters, the relentless crowd finally ceased their attempts to engage them and turned their attention to other newcomers.

Finally, a refreshing breeze flowed around them, offering a brief yet welcome respite.

“Meow~ That scared the fur off me.” Liuli’s fur clung together in sweaty clumps, and her ears drooped. She looked both disheveled and faintly comical.

Unable to hold back any longer, Wu Qingsong reached out and affectionately ruffled her head before assuring her, “It’s alright, these people won’t be a problem as long as we ignore them.”

“What should we do now?” Ling asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Up to this point, she had been feeling entirely adrift, with Wu Qingsong being her only anchor.

Surveying the maze-like sprawl of variously shaped buildings, intricate streets, and narrow alleys around him, Wu Qingsong himself felt a sense of uncertainty. The present circumstances evoked memories of his first year of college when he’d ventured far from his hometown to enroll in a distant school.

It felt like stepping through the gateway into an entirely new world.

A mix of anxiety, unease, and apprehension filled him, but these feelings were counterbalanced by a sense of eager anticipation and abundant hope for the future. Moreover, with two beastwomen now wholly reliant on him, there was no room for hesitation or weakness. He had to rise to the occasion.

“First, we’ll find something to eat and then look for accommodations,” he told them, smiling reassuringly. “Shops near the city gate are likely overpriced, and I’d wager the ones by the docks are no different. Don’t worry, just stick with me and you’ll be fine.”