The journey that followed was smooth.
After approximately ten more days of traveling, the group finally entered the boundaries of the Capital City.
The Great Yan Capital City constitutes a county in itself, with an area not much smaller than Yunxiao County.
Upon entering, the official roads became noticeably busier, with an endless stream of merchant caravans from various counties. At some major intersections, traffic jams even occurred.
Along the way, small towns began to appear, providing inns and rest stops for merchant caravans. Although not large, they were fully equipped with inns and restaurants, bustling with activity.
After all, it was the Great Yan Capital City, established for several hundred years. Despite its decline, remaining traces of its past glory far surpassed other places.
However, from the bullet holes and knife marks on the merchant caravan carriages, as well as the occasional presence of vagrants by the roadside or in certain corners, one could still feel a strong sense of an impending end.
The reason for saying ’occasionally’ is because when vagrants gathered, government officials quickly forcibly removed them to maintain an appearance of prosperity and stability.
Pedestrians on the street were not surprised by this, not even sparing it a glance.
Witnessing this scene, Shang Jingchuan, who was eating at a small roadside restaurant, was almost heartbroken.
"Ten years ago when I left the Capital City, it hadn’t reached this point. Why has the situation collapsed to this extent in just ten years?"
No one answered him.
Only Yun Yuan sighed slightly but said nothing.
As a member of the Yun Family, he felt most deeply about the decline of Great Yan over the past decade or so.
For the illustrious Yun Family, once boasting two prime ministers, had also withered with the rapid downfall of Great Yan’s imperial power, becoming nothing but yesterday’s news.
The great edifice is about to collapse!
This was a sentiment Yun Yuan once overheard his grandfather express in private while drinking away his sorrows.
At the time, Yun Yuan felt these four words were like a thunderclap, awakening his senses.
Thus, Yun Yuan embarked on a long journey to Linhai County to visit his grandfather, whom he hadn’t seen in many years.
The goal was to leave himself a way out, but unexpectedly, shortly after arriving in Linhai County, he received news of his father’s sudden illness and death, prompting him to rush back.
Seeing his father’s grief-stricken face, Shang Luoluo sighed silently in her heart and then quietly approached Zhao Ya.
Throughout, Zhao Ya made no comments, sitting from a distance observing the pedestrians coming and going outside the establishment.
"What are you looking at?" Shang Luoluo asked.
"What do you think... becomes of those vagrants taken away by the government officials?" Zhao Ya asked softly.
Shang Luoluo was taken aback for a moment before pondering, "Maybe they were driven out of the Capital City."
Zhao Ya glanced at Shang Luoluo and then smiled slightly, nodding.
"Yes, maybe they were just driven out of the Capital City."
By this time, the meal was finished.
Shang Jingchuan, full of fervor, wished he could immediately enter the capital to report all he had seen and heard along the way.
To him, surely treacherous individuals had misled the Holy Emperor, resulting in nationwide grievances.
As a civil servant of Great Yan, he was obliged to speak out, to awaken the Holy Emperor, to restore order, and bring peace to the world.
With such thoughts, Shang Jingchuan was unwilling to delay for even a moment, urging everyone to proceed quickly.
Although the jurisdiction of the Capital City was vast, due to well-equipped official roads, they reached Changting Town, thirty miles from the Capital City, in just over a day.
This was the must-pass route into the capital, hence was extremely bustling and lively.
Most merchant caravans stopped here to rest and replenish their supplies.
Because once they entered the city, the prices would skyrocket by thirty percent.
The saying "Living in Kyoto is no easy feat" was not just idle talk.
Just as Zhao Ya and the others arrived, a group of people quickly came to greet them.
Upon seeing Yun Yuan, this group hurriedly bowed and greeted him.
"Young Master!"
Previously, Yun Yuan had already sent word of his return to the city from the post station outside the town; these were people sent by the Yun Family to receive him.
But Yun Yuan was cautious, afraid they were once again sent by Yun Hao, only believing once the leader presented Sir Yun’s seal.
Then he turned around, clasping his hands in thanks to Zhao Ya and the group.
"Thank you all for taking care of Yun over these past ten days. I am deeply grateful. Now it is time for us to part ways, for I have many matters to address. If you encounter any trouble in the Capital City, feel free to find me at the Yun Residence in White Pagoda Alley."
Shang Jingchuan returned the gesture, "Young Master Yun, farewell. Once I have some leisure time, I will surely visit Master Yun."
Yun Yuan nodded, then took out a small box, handing it to Zhao Ya, "Young Hero Zhao, this is my personal seal. After you enter the city, you may use this to find me at any time, and I will honor my previous promise."
Zhao Ya accepted the box, "Alright!"
Surrounded by the guards sent by the Yun Family to greet him, Yun Yuan departed.
The group took a brief rest in Changting Town before heading toward the Capital City.
Just over ten miles out of Changting Town, they could already see the towering, majestic city walls of the Great Yan Capital City.
The walls were nearly pitch black, covered with various scars, remnants of wars from the previous dynasty, showing its long history.
Shang Jingchuan began to feel excited and spoke to Shang Luoluo beside him.
"Luoluo, do you remember when I previously took you away from this Capital City? Back then, you were only as tall as a cart shaft, yet you neither cried nor fussed. When asked if you would miss your little friends, you said nothing. Now that you’re finally back, aren’t you excited?"