Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1191: Chapter 402: Strong Army and Leisure, South City’s Vibrant Life, Ji Jiang’s Romance, Guarded Hearts Unraveling

However, he hadn’t had a chance to speak when a middle-aged voice from outside the shop interrupted him.

”Is the shopkeeper here? I want to try on this clothing!”

The shop actually had staff, but it seemed there were too many people at the moment, so the person had called out.

Ji Jiang quickly wiped the tears from her face, hurried outside to greet the customer.

”Brother Ji, the boat naturally straightens when it reaches the bridge, Lord Xu’s brother is a trusted aide of the lord, and holds a high position in the camp. The Xu Family itself is influential, Xu An may not agree, so don’t rush.”

Hearing Zeng Rou’s advice, Ji Hong sighed slightly and ultimately just nodded, following him outside.

Once they stepped out, Ji Hong’s expression froze upon seeing the four who just walked into the shop.

”Oh, Ji Little Friend?”

”Senior Chen, this... is quite a coincidence indeed.”

A total of four people entered the shop, and leading them was Chen Yiqing, whom he had met outside the city earlier. Behind him were the two men and one woman, three young individuals with Earth-digging Realm cultivation, whereas the four middle-aged men from earlier were not present.

”I was just worried about where to find Ji Little Friend, and by chance saw this summer clothes store with nice clothing, so I decided to bring people in for a look. Coincidentally, we meet again, it seems Chen truly has fate with Ji Little Friend!”

Chen Yiqing remarked, then turned to Ji Jiang with a smile, ”I noticed this young lady bears some resemblance to Ji Little Friend, could she be Ji Little Friend’s sister?”

Since he was her brother’s friend, Ji Jiang naturally couldn’t be rude and quickly cupped her hands with a smile, ”Ji Jiang greets Senior Chen.”

After confirming Ji Jiang’s identity, Chen Yiqing’s expression brightened slightly, he then remembered something and continued with a handshake, ”If Ji Little Friend doesn’t mind, how about joining me for a few drinks at the nearby restaurant? I’ll host, I have some questions for you.”

Hearing this, Ji Hong hesitated for a moment, but seeing it was still dark outside, he finally nodded and accepted the invitation.

”Ji Jiang, you are also welcome to join if you wish.”

”Thank you, Senior Chen, but I’ll pass. Brother, don’t drink too much!”

Ji Jiang politely declined the invitation, reminded Ji Hong, and then continued to busy herself with shop matters.

Ji Hong followed Chen Yiqing and the others and soon arrived at the adjacent restaurant.

”Zhao’s Restaurant, what a domineering name!”

Before entering, upon hearing Chen Yiqing’s remark, Ji Hong immediately looked up at the restaurant’s signboard, seeing ”Zhao’s Restaurant,” his expression instantly showed a hint of gloom.

But he said nothing and continued to follow Chen Yiqing inside.

”Would the five of you prefer a private room or the main hall?”

”What are the charges?”

”Private room 30 taels, main hall is free.”

Upon hearing the price, Chen Yiqing immediately clicked his tongue, but still bit the bullet and said, ”We’ll take a private room then!”

The attendant saw the five opting for a private room, immediately smiled, and respectfully led them upstairs.

From ordering the private room to the attendant bringing the menu, seeing the prices of dishes on the menu, Chen Yiqing occasionally showed surprise, but ultimately gritted his teeth and ordered five dishes each priced over 20 taels, accompanied by a bottle of 1300-taels lower-quality Phoenix Yang Drunk.

Upon hearing Chen Yiqing ordering Phoenix Yang Drunk, Ji Hong immediately objected, ”Senior Chen, there’s no need to spend so extravagantly.”

Chen Yiqing gestured dismissively, first handed a Ten Forged silver ingot to the attendant, indicating to serve the dishes, then turned to Ji Hong and said loudly, ”Since I’m hosting, I shouldn’t be miserly. Chen’s financial resources are limited and I have to save some silver for shopping, so I can only afford lower-quality Phoenix Yang Drunk, I hope Ji Little Friend doesn’t find it lacking.”

Upon hearing these words, Ji Hong felt a sense of appreciation but also some caution. After a moment of silence, he said, ”Pardon Ji for being cautious first, but if Senior Chen is looking to extract any secrets, then he’s found the wrong person. Ji is merely a nobody in Great Xia, even the owner of this restaurant is far above me in status...”

Chen Yiqing immediately interrupted, ”Ji Little Friend is overthinking, Chen merely admires Great Xia’s prosperity and desires to visit. Ji Little Friend, young as you are, part of the Dragon Martial Army, there is no need to belittle yourself, if you’re considered a nobody, then how should Chen regard himself?”

Being young, Ji Hong couldn’t help but feel a bit flattered hearing this, but remembering his sister’s situation, he didn’t respond.

Chen Yiqing was in no hurry, waited till the drinks were served, after a few rounds, his eyes showing slight intoxication, he remarked, ”I’ll be honest, Ji Little Friend, Chen has lived over fifty years, but I’ve never seen a camp as prosperous as Great Xia. Everyone lives in peace and joy, and there seems to be no social hierarchy here. Compared to our village-level camps, and even the Eight Towns, life here is akin to paradise.”

After downing his drink, Ji Hong’s eyes also showed slight intoxication, his face revealing pride, ”Of course, our Great Xia Lord Xia Hong, unmatched strength among the Eight Towns, renowned as the Moao’s foremost figure, when the next days arrive, our Great Xia will utterly establish itself as Moao’s top town, what’s worth for the Eight Towns before Great Xia?”

At this point, Ji Hong’s expression suddenly darkened, continuing in a solemn tone, ”To speak of the absence of social hierarchy in the camp is not entirely accurate, take this restaurant’s owner, the Zhao Family, their status is far above mine, not just by a little.”

Hearing this, Chen Yiqing’s face showed a hint of surprise, curiously asked, ”Zhao Family, so Great Xia also has family standings? Does this mean there is some inequality within Great Xia?”

”Hmph!”

Ji Hong suddenly snorted coldly, not completely oblivious, he first gazed at Chen Yiqing, ran through what he wished to say to ensure no significant intel was revealed, then, with a pained expression, slowly spoke, ”Of course there is inequality, my sister Ji Jiang...”

......

While Ji Hong and Chen Yiqing were drinking in the restaurant, the sky outside gradually brightened.

As the sky brightened, street pedestrian numbers immediately reduced by seventy to eighty percent.

Yet despite this, many shopkeepers continued operating, and the main street in South City wasn’t completely deserted, at least five to six thousand people remained.

Meanwhile, the top floor of the Hongmen City Ministry Building welcomed two extraordinarily special guests.

”Minister Xia Chuan, long time no see!”

Sitting in the main seat, Xia Chuan smiled immediately upon seeing the two entering from outside the hall.

”Please come in!”