Chapter 46: New Dreams, Old Roads
The office slowly emptied as the afternoon wore on.
Outside the windows, the last traces of sunlight painted the rooftops of Stoneford in warm shades of amber before fading into the pale blue of approaching evening. Merchants hurried to finish the day's business, wagons rumbled across the streets below, and the sounds of bargaining drifted faintly upward through the open shutters.
Yun Che remained seated across from Jin Wei's desk, his notebook resting on his lap.
His mind, however, had already wandered far beyond cultivation manuals.
Jin Wei had a point.
A frustratingly good one.
The consortium was already selling many of Yun Che's inventions throughout Lord Shen's territory.
The reinforced bicycles.
Leather footballs.
Training equipment for martial schools.
Playground equipment inspired by the parks in Mistforge.
Each of them had once been nothing more than an idea sketched on scraps of paper inside Yun Che's workshop.
Now they were real products.
Products people actually bought.
Jin Wei's family had also built an impressive toy business over the years.
Shelves filled with wooden dolls.
Carved animal figures.
Traditional puppets.
Board games.
Building blocks.
Miniature carts.
Simple mechanical toys that delighted children despite their uncomplicated designs.
There was room for much more.
Yun Che leaned back thoughtfully.
"Weapons attract attention."
"Toys attract customers."
Lord Shen and the Yun Smithy already handled the military applications of his work. Yun Che had no intention of travelling from city to city selling explosives to whichever stranger offered the most money.
He needed another kind of product—something harmless, affordable, and useful even during peaceful years.
Besides...
Cultivation was expensive.
Painfully expensive.
Manuals.
Resources.
Medicine.
Spirit beast food.
Travel.
Every step forward demanded money.
Waiting for the Yun Smithy to grow into a famous workshop would take years.
Years he simply didn't have.
Another source of income wasn't merely convenient.
It was necessary.
He glanced toward Jin Wei.
The merchant's cheerful smile hadn't changed once.
Yun Che narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"...You're making me work before lending me the money."
Jin Wei blinked innocently.
"What?"
"The football."
"You did exactly the same thing."
"I asked for help."
"You suggested football."
"I built football."
"Then you gave me the money."
Jin Wei placed a dramatic hand over his heart.
"I prefer the phrase encouraging entrepreneurship."
"You prefer free labor."
"I prefer mutually beneficial opportunities."
Yun Che sighed.
"...Same thing."
Jin Wei laughed loudly.
"So?"
Yun Che looked out the window for a moment before nodding.
"...Fine."
"I already have an idea."
His notebook opened once again.
This time he wasn't writing cultivation techniques.
He was sketching.
Simple rounded figures began appearing across the page.
Armored warriors.
Different helmets.
Different weapons.
Different colors.
Not replicas.
Inspired by the mechanical soldiers he remembered from another life, but redesigned until they had become something entirely new.
"They should look heroic."
"They don't need complicated mechanisms."
"No Ki."
"No formations."
"They're toys."
"They're meant to inspire imagination."
Children should pick them up and invent their own battles.
Jin Wei leaned farther and farther over the desk with every sentence.
His grin became wider by the second.
"We could release ten at first."
"Different weapons."
"Different armor."
"Different personalities."
Yun Che nodded slowly.
"Limited numbers."
"If people like them..."
"We expand."
Jin Wei slapped the desk excitedly.
"Exactly!"
"We launch another collection six months later."
"Seasonal editions."
"Festival editions."
"Champion editions."
Yun Che couldn't help adding his own thoughts.
"Eventually..."
"We make interchangeable armor."
"Different helmets."
"Different weapons."
"Children can customize them."
Jin Wei stared at him.
For several long seconds...
He said absolutely nothing.
Then he stood.
Walked around the desk.
Placed both hands firmly on Yun Che's shoulders.
"My brother."
He looked as though he'd just discovered buried treasure.
"We are going to conquer the toy market."
Yun Che laughed.
"I said customizable."
"I didn't say domination."
"Same thing."
"No."
"It isn't."
Jin Wei pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.
"We'll own the entire toy market," Jin Wei declared.
Yun Che's smile faded slightly. "I'd rather not."
"You object to becoming rich?"
"I object to becoming the only people allowed to become rich."
Jin Wei raised an eyebrow.
"If no one can compete with us, we can charge whatever we want and stop improving whenever we want. Maybe you wouldn't abuse that. The person running the company fifty years from now might."
Jin Wei studied him for a moment.
"You think about cheerful things in remarkably depressing ways."
"Someone has to."
"Fine. We won't conquer the market."
He paused.
"We'll merely defeat most of it honourably."
Yun Che stared at him, "You might be trustworthy."
"But companies aren't just one person."
"They become systems."
"And systems can become greedy."
The room became surprisingly quiet.
Jin Wei eventually nodded.
"...Maybe."
He folded his arms.
"I'll think about that."
Then his familiar smile returned.
"But before we worry about becoming too successful..."
"...help me become successful first."
Yun Che laughed.
"That sounds much more reasonable."
"Now getting back on topic, the loan comes from me," Jin Wei said. "The company funds production. You own the designs, and we receive the exclusive right to sell the first collection for one year."
Yun Che stared at him.
"You had those terms prepared already."
"I began preparing them when I brought you the gift three months ago.'"
By the time they finished discussing shipments, contracts, and toy designs, the sky outside had grown dark.
Instead of returning empty-handed, the two young men stopped by several food stalls along the way.
Fresh steamed buns.
Roasted meat skewers.
Hot vegetable soup.
Rice wrapped inside fragrant leaves.
A basket filled with warm flatbread.
The comforting smell followed them all the way back to Lin Guo's new shop.
The building looked very different now.
Though still cluttered with crates and stacked furniture, lanterns illuminated the first floor with a warm golden glow.
Lin Xia had already swept most of the dust away.
Several shelves had even been assembled.
"It almost feels like a real shop," she said proudly.
Lin Guo accepted the food with obvious gratitude.
"I was too busy to remember dinner."
Everyone laughed.
There was no table yet.
So they sat wherever they could.
Crates became chairs.
A rolled carpet became a bench.
Someone even used an unopened box of cloth as a dining table.
For the first time that day...
The empty building felt alive.
As they ate, Yun Che asked the question that had been lingering in his mind.
"We'll be leaving Lord Shen's territory soon."
"What should I expect?"
Jin Wei swallowed another mouthful before answering.
"Well..."
"The rest of the kingdom definitely has opinions about us."
"What kind?"
Lin Guo chuckled quietly.
"They say we dress plainly, speak too directly, and treat smiling at strangers like unnecessary labour," Jin Wei said. "They also say a northerner will complain about you all morning and still stand beside you when the fighting begins."
"We're supposedly terrible at small talk."
Jin Wei pointed toward Yun Che.
"Honestly..."
"They're not completely wrong."
Everyone laughed.
"They also think we're incredibly stubborn," Lin Guo continued.
"Loyal to a fault."
"Simple people."
"Hard workers."
Yun Che looked puzzled.
"Why?"
"The mountains."
Lin Guo answered without hesitation.
"Our winters shape people."
"Life here isn't easy."
"When survival depends on your neighbors..."
"You don't waste time pretending."
"You say what needs saying."
"You help when help is needed."
"You work."
He smiled faintly.
"And..."
"We're generally taller than people from the southern provinces."
Jin Wei nodded enthusiastically.
"They notice that immediately."
The conversation gradually became more serious.
Jin Wei lowered his voice.
"There is something you should remember."
"What?"
"When we leave this territory..."
"Don't casually praise Lord Shen."
Yun Che looked surprised.
"...Why?"
"Many nobles dislike him."
"Some openly."
"Some quietly."
"They think he's too independent."
"Too powerful."
Lin Guo slowly nodded.
"There have been rumors for years."
"What rumors?"
Jin Wei glanced toward the window before answering.
"That even the royal family is uneasy."
"They say the Crown Prince—and perhaps even the King—watches Lord Shen carefully."
"No one knows how much of it is true."
"But rumors usually begin somewhere."
Yun Che frowned.
"You think they'd really act against ordinary people just because they come from Lord Shen's territory?"
"No."
Jin Wei answered honestly.
"Most wouldn't."
"But all it takes is meeting one arrogant noble having a bad day."
He looked directly at Yun Che.
"You don't need to lie."
"You don't need to hide who you are."
"But..."
"...don't go looking for arguments."
Lin Guo smiled wearily.
"The world beyond these mountains is larger than Mistforge."
"And people carry different loyalties."
"Different prejudices."
"Different ambitions."
He picked up another piece of bread.
"The sooner you learn when to speak..."
"...and when to remain silent..."
"...the longer you'll live."
The warm laughter from earlier faded into thoughtful silence.
For the first time, Yun Che understood that leaving Lord Shen's territory meant carrying more than luggage and weapons.
He carried a name. A homeland. A badge. Loyalties other people might judge before learning anything else about him.
Beyond the northern roads, choosing when to speak could be as important as choosing when to draw his sword.
---------------------------
The following morning dawned beneath a pale winter sky.
Snow still rested upon the rooftops of Stoneford, though the city's main streets had already been cleared by workers before sunrise. Lanterns hanging outside the shops were extinguished one by one as merchants prepared for another busy day, while the eastern gate slowly filled with wagons, travelers, and cultivators setting out before the roads became crowded.
Yun Che arrived just after breakfast.
Mirage sat comfortably on his shoulder, looking around with endless curiosity, while Whisper remained nestled inside the Frost Necklace, quietly absorbing the cold aura stored within it.
Amon followed a short distance behind.
The Frost Drake's heavy footsteps echoed across the stone road, drawing attention wherever he walked.
Even in a city accustomed to spirit beasts, a creature of his size was impossible to ignore.
The caravan had already assembled outside the gate.
Yun Che stopped for a moment.
"...Smaller than I expected."
There were only five wagons.
Four cargo wagons.
One passenger carriage.
Jin Wei chuckled.
"You're thinking about ordinary caravans."
"I was expecting twenty or thirty wagons."
"So was I the first time."
He walked toward one of the cargo wagons and patted a large steel-banded crate resting securely inside.
"These changed everything."
The crate looked unremarkable at first glance, apart from the formation lines carved across every surface.
"Spatial Storage Crates," Jin Wei explained proudly.
"Each one can hold several dozen times its actual volume."
Yun Che's eyebrows rose.
"So that's how..."
"Exactly."
"A few years ago the Azure Wolf Consortium invested almost its entire yearly profit into these."
"It nearly bankrupted us."
"But..."
He smiled proudly.
"They paid for themselves within a year."
"Fewer wagons."
"Fewer beasts."
"Less manpower."
"Faster travel."
"Lower costs."
He shrugged.
"The only limitation is that living things can't be stored inside."
"So livestock..."
"...living plants..."
"...and spirit beasts still travel normally."
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully.
"Expensive."
"Very."
"Worth it?"
"The best investment our company has ever made."
The wagons themselves were impressive.
Each was reinforced with dark iron bands around thick oak frames, while complex suspension systems reduced shaking on uneven roads.
Painted proudly across every carriage was the emblem of the Azure Wolf Consortium.
A Blue wolf running beneath a crescent moon.
Simple.
Elegant.
Easy to recognize.
Four wagons carried merchandise.
The fifth had padded seats, blankets, and storage for the support staff who would rotate during the journey.
The wagons weren't pulled by ordinary horses either.
Massive draft beasts snorted clouds of white mist into the cold morning air.
Standing nearly two meters at the shoulder, the enormous mountain horses possessed thick winter coats, broad chests, and powerful legs capable of hauling astonishing weight.
Although none had reached the Foundation Realm...
Even the weakest among them could trample ordinary Mortal Realm beasts without slowing down.
"They're Mountain Chargers," Jin Wei said.
"Calm."
"Patient."
"And stubborn enough to pull wagons through snowstorms."
Around the caravan, dozens of workers hurried through their final preparations.
Drivers checked harnesses.
Loaders secured crates one final time.
The company mechanic crawled beneath a wagon muttering complaints about loose bolts.
The cook argued with an assistant over whether dried meat had been packed correctly.
An elderly accountant repeatedly counted sealed documents before placing them back inside a leather case.
Everyone had a job.
Everyone knew exactly what to do.
Near the lead wagon stood the man overseeing everything.
A lean elderly merchant with neatly combed gray hair and sharp eyes that missed very little.
Though dressed simply, every employee greeted him with obvious respect.
Jin Wei smiled.
"Master Liang."
"This is my teacher."
The elderly merchant looked toward Yun Che with a warm smile.
"So..."
"You're the famous young blacksmith."
Yun Che bowed politely.
"My name is Yun Che."
"I'm Liang Wen."
"The old fellow responsible for making sure this company doesn't lose all its money."
Jin Wei coughed.
"He also makes sure I don't lose all our money."
"Someone has to."
Liang Wen laughed before looking toward Amon.
"...I must admit."
"I've seen many caravans."
"But never one escorted by a Frost Drake."
Several employees nearby had already stopped working.
They stared openly at Amon.
One loader whispered,
"Is that thing really coming with us?"
Another scratched his head.
"I thought Frost Drakes lived deep in the mountains."
The mechanic folded his arms.
"If it gets hungry..."
"...does it eat bandits?"
The cook answered immediately.
"I hope so."
Everyone laughed.
One younger driver looked worried.
"What if it decides our horses look tasty?"
Amon slowly turned his head toward him.
The poor driver immediately took three careful steps backward.
Mirage chirped indignantly from atop the drake's head.
As if offended by the accusation.
Liang Wen chuckled.
"I think your companion has already become the most popular member of this caravan."
Before Yun Che could answer...
Another elderly man approached.
Unlike Liang Wen, this elder carried himself like a soldier.
His back remained perfectly straight despite his age.
A thick gray cloak rested over weathered armor, while an old sword hung quietly at his waist.
Eleven of the escorts were active members of the Wolf Brigade, most still in their twenties. The assignment formed part of their road training—protecting civilians, maintaining caravan discipline, and learning how danger changed beyond the mountain cities.
The twelfth was a retired brigade captain assigned to supervise them.
Their movements were disciplined.
Their eyes constantly scanned the surroundings.
Each wore the silver wolf emblem of the Northern Wolf Escort Company, Lord Shen's official security company responsible for protecting trade routes throughout the territory.
Walking beside every warrior was a massive Frost Wolf.
Some white.
Some gray.
Some almost black.
Each beast moved with calm confidence.
The elderly warrior smiled when he saw Yun Che.
"Elder Ruan."
Liang Wen greeted him with a respectful nod.
"Master Liang."
The two old men clearly knew one another well.
Elder Ruan turned toward Yun Che.
"I've heard much about you."
Yun Che bowed.
"Senior."
Ruan studied him for a moment before smiling.
"It would be wonderful if a young man like you joined the Northern Wolf Escort Company."
"We're always looking for talented people."
Before Yun Che could answer...
Liang Wen burst into laughter.
"You old wolf," Liang Wen said. "You've started recruiting before we've even left the city."
"I recognise talent."
"So do I. Which is why I know limiting him to escort work would waste half of it."
Elder Ruan folded his arms. "Protecting travellers is not a limitation."
"Neither is building the wagons, clothing the guards, or creating the goods they carry."
"And when beasts attack those goods?"
"Then we become grateful you insisted on carrying that sword."
Elder Ruan grunted. "At least you understand something."
Liang Wen replied calmly.
"Lord Shen has expectations for him."
"Very high expectations."
"It would be a shame if the Steel Dragon of Mistforge settled into an ordinary job."
Elder Ruan folded his arms.
"...Perhaps."
Then he smiled.
"But if he ever changes his mind..."
"My doors remain open."
Liang Wen simply laughed.
"You're impossible."
The two elderly men exchanged another respectful nod before returning to their own duties.
Neither had truly intended to argue.
It was simply how they had greeted one another for years.
Meanwhile, a short distance away...
Lin Guo fussed over his daughter one last time.
"You packed your medicines?"
"Yes."
"Your talismans?"
"Yes."
"Extra winter clothes?"
"Yes."
"Emergency money?"
Lin Xia sighed dramatically.
"Father..."
"...yes."
Lin Guo looked unconvinced.
"Stay with the caravan."
"I will."
"Don't wander off."
"I won't."
"If anything happens..."
"I'll tell the guards."
He finally smiled.
"I expect great things from you."
Lin Xia's expression became surprisingly determined.
"I'll make the Cloudweave name known throughout the kingdom."
Her father nodded proudly.
"I never doubted it."
Lin Guo reached toward her cloak as though intending to adjust it again, then stopped. There was nothing left to check.
"Write when you reach the next city."
"I will."
He nodded, although neither of them pretended a letter would completely quiet his worry.
With most preparations complete, Yun Che wandered toward the escort company.
Several of the younger warriors greeted him with curious smiles.
One in particular immediately stood out.
He was enormous.
Well over two meters tall.
His broad shoulders looked almost as wide as the wagon beside him.
A massive shield rested comfortably across his back, while an equally impressive greatsword hung from his belt.
Beside him padded an equally enormous Frost Wolf whose thick white fur looked soft enough to sleep on.
The giant scratched the wolf behind one ear.
The beast leaned happily into the affection.
"I'm Bao Kun."
His voice was surprisingly gentle.
"This is Snow."
The wolf wagged his tail once.
Despite their intimidating size...
Both somehow looked incredibly approachable.
Standing beside them was their complete opposite.
A lean young man dressed in dark gray leather armor.
Twin daggers rested across his waist.
His movements were almost silent.
Even his Frost Wolf seemed sharper than the others, its amber eyes constantly watching every direction.
The scout offered a polite nod.
"Shen Rui."
"My partner's name is Fang."
Unlike Snow...
Fang didn't wag his tail.
He merely watched Yun Che carefully before giving a single approving snort.
Yun Che smiled.
It seemed this journey would introduce him to far more than distant cities.
Yun Che had spent years learning how to defeat whatever stood before him.
These people had spent years making certain danger never reached those standing behind them.
He suspected the road ahead would teach him that those were not the same skill.