My Dreams Connect to Ancient Times-Chapter 125 - 1: Wutong City, Kongtong Mountain Range

Chapter 125: Chapter 1: Wutong City, Kongtong Mountain Range

「Late July.」

Wutong City was located on the edge of Langya Province. Most of it was in Langya Province, while a small part was in the neighboring Central Plains Province. It was hard to say which it truly belonged to, and the two Provinces would bicker over it several times a year.

This was because Wutong City was a major commercial hub. It was the size of a first-tier city, with a population exceeding one hundred million. Moreover, its high commercial status made it no less famous than an ordinary provincial capital; in fact, it was even more prosperous.

"The most expensive thing in Wutong City is the price of land. Every inch is worth its weight in gold. In the cheapest areas, a single square meter can sell for over a hundred thousand... The natives have it okay, but it’s tough on the younger generation that moves here."

At Wutong Airport, the middle-aged guide took the luggage from the young man and woman’s hands, shaking his head as he spoke:

"Many young people struggle for half their lives, shouldering enormous loans, just to afford a small apartment of about ten square meters. Even more of the ’Wutong drifters’ are still crammed into tiny rented hovels with six or seven other people..."

The young man and woman were both dressed in ordinary casual clothes, but no matter how plain the outfits were, they couldn’t hide their stunning looks.

This was especially true for the girl. With delicate brows and beautiful eyes, her fair skin, as smooth as fine cream, glowed under the midsummer sun. Though she didn’t look very old, her figure was already strikingly curvaceous, truly deserving of the term ’femme fatale.’

Many passersby on the street couldn’t help but turn their heads for a second look.

The young man, who seemed slightly more ordinary in comparison but possessed a unique sort of temperament, chuckled softly and asked:

"Since the housing prices are so high, why are so many people still flocking here?"

The middle-aged guide, carrying two suitcases, laughed and said:

"The land is expensive, the cost of living is high, so naturally, the wages have gone up too. A cup of milk tea that costs ten yuan in other cities can sell for sixty or seventy here because of the rent."

After a pause, he continued:

"A young person’s salary here is several times higher than in other cities. Even if they can only save ten or twenty percent each month to send back home, it’s still equivalent to an entire month’s salary for the same job in a smaller town."

Lu Xuan nodded thoughtfully. Beside him, Xiaoyan listened quietly. Because of the crowd, she had reverted to her initial icy demeanor, radiating an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.

"Speaking of which, if it’s just a financial hub, the land prices shouldn’t be this expensive, right? Wutong City doesn’t seem small in scale, either..."

The guide glanced around and said in a low voice: 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Sakata Heavy Industries’ largest branch is right here. Years ago, Sakata Heavy Industries bought up more than half of the land in Wutong City. They were the ones who drove the prices up."

Lu Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’Sakata Heavy Industries, huh?’

After they walked out of the airport, the guide looked around and said:

"You two are heading to the Kongtong Mountain Range, correct? There aren’t many convoys that go there. I’ll take you to ask around. If you’re lucky, one will be leaving tomorrow or the day after. That would give you a couple of days to enjoy the city."

"Then we’ll be counting on you," Lu Xuan said with a gentle nod.

"It’s my duty, my duty!" The guide bowed obsequiously. ’These two paid a hefty sum, and their temperaments are anything but ordinary. They’re clearly from a wealthy family, probably out enjoying their summer vacation...’

’That makes sense. An ordinary family couldn’t afford a trip to Wutong. Even the worst, smallest room costs over a thousand for a single night!’

They got in a car, and before long, they arrived at a place that looked like a travel agency. The guide led the two out of the car, saying as they walked:

"There are no fixed routes to the Kongtong Mountain Range. It’s always groups of people banding together to form a convoy, and they leave once they have enough members..."

As he spoke, he switched to a local dialect and called out a few times. After asking around for a moment, he turned back with a good-natured grin.

"Mr. Lu, Miss Yan, you’re both in luck. There’s a convoy heading to the Kongtong Mountain Range tomorrow. It’s on the smaller side, though, just three or four vehicles..."

Lu Xuan nodded calmly, handed over the money, and said:

"Alright, we’ll just stay here for one night then..."

Before he could finish, a man and a woman burst in, looking flustered.

The woman, panting for breath, asked:

"Excuse me, when is the next convoy to the Kongtong Mountain Range?"

She wiped the sweat from her brow, her expression extremely anxious. She looked to be in her early twenties and was quite attractive—enough to turn heads on a busy street.

The guide was slightly taken aback.

"Tomorrow morning..."

"Can it be changed to today?" the woman interrupted urgently. "We can pay extra!"

The guide hesitated. He spoke with a few people to the side for a moment, then turned his head and said:

"The convoy itself is not a problem, but it depends on what the other clients think. It’s three vehicles with six clients in total right now. Two are here, and the other four are staying in the city."

As he said this, he pointed to Lu Xuan and Yan Jiangxue.

"What if I cover the cost for the other clients?" the woman asked again.

"Well... I’m afraid that won’t work. It still depends on the clients’ opinions... I’ll ask for you."

Nearby, another guide who was one of the drivers made a few calls. Soon, the middle-aged guide received a response and said:

"The other clients have no objections. Now it’s up to these two."

With that, he looked at Lu Xuan and his companion, and everyone else turned to look as well.

Lu Xuan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he looked at the girl beside him.

"Xiaoyan, what do you think?"

"I’m fine with whatever..." Xiaoyan, still unused to so many eyes on her, leaned in closer and whispered:

"We could have just gone by ourselves anyway. It’s just more fun to have a guide with a convoy, but really, it’s all the same!"