Yang stepped through the gate and stopped.
Sun City stretched before them. Vast and overwhelming. Nothing like Yunxi Village or even Guanshi Town.
The streets were wide. Paved with actual stone instead of packed dirt. Most buildings rose three and four stories high with some being even taller. People filled the streets. Hundreds of them. More people than Yang had seen in his entire second life in a single place. They moved with purpose, carrying goods, leading pack animals. Shouting to each other across the crowds.
The diversity was staggering. Yang saw skin in every shade. Pale like winter snow. Dark like rich earth. Golden brown. Copper red. Clothing styles he'd never imagined. Silk robes embroidered with elaborate patterns. Leather vests over loose cotton pants. Wrapped turbans in brilliant colors. Fur-lined coats despite the mild weather.
Languages mixed together. Yang caught fragments of different tongues. Some sounded vaguely familiar. Others were completely alien. Musical. Harsh. Flowing.
"Yang," Li San whispered. His voice awed. "Look at all of them."
Yang nodded. Unable to form words.
The city was planned. Organized in a way villages never were. The main street ran straight ahead. Wide enough for three wagons to pass side by side. Smaller streets branched off at regular intervals. Creating a grid pattern.
Shops lined every street. Open storefronts displaying wares. Silks. Spices. Weapons. Jewelry. Pottery. Things Yang couldn't even name. Merchants called out to passersby. Advertising their goods in multiple languages.
The sun shone warm as gentle breeze carried the scents of cooking food and unfamiliar spices.
Yang noticed the wealth immediately. Even the person running a small stall selling porridge wore clothes finer than anything Yang owned. Clean cotton. Well-fitted. No patches or repairs visible.
The contrast to their own rough fabric tunics was stark and embarrassing.
"We need to find lodging," Yang said quietly. Trying to ignore the stares their appearance drew. "And sell the weapons."
They approached a nearby merchant. An older man selling small carved figurines from a wooden cart. His clothes were simple but clean. His beard neatly trimmed.
"Excuse me," Yang said. Bowing slightly. "We're new to the city. Can you direct us to cheap lodging?"
The merchant looked them over. His gaze assessing. Taking in their worn clothes. Their travel-stained appearance. Deciding they weren't potential customers.
"Cheap lodging?" The merchant's tone wasn't unkind. "Try Reem Square. You'll find places there that match your price range."
Li San spoke up. "We also need to sell weapons. Where would we do that?"
"Weapon dealers are on Merchant's Row. Three streets east." The merchant pointed. "But I'll warn you. Prices are higher in Sun City than in most empire capitals. Everything costs more here. Don't expect charity."
"Thank you," Li San said warmly.
Yang gave a slight head bow..
They made their way toward Merchant's Row. Walking slowly. Taking in everything. The buildings. The people. The impossible wealth on casual display.
Merchant's Row was even more impressive. Larger shops. Finer goods. Yang saw armor that gleamed like mirrors. Swords with elaborate hilts. Spears with jade inlays.
They found a weapons shop and entered. The interior was clean. Well-lit. Weapons displayed on walls and in cases. All of them far finer than anything Yang and Li San carried.
The shopkeeper looked up. A middle-aged man with calculating eyes. He glanced at the sword on Li San's belt.
"Can I help you?" His tone was polite but dismissive.
"We'd like to sell some weapons," Yang said.
The shopkeeper gestured at Li San's sword. "Are these the kind of weapons you're looking to sell?"
"Yes."
The shopkeeper's expression closed. "I'm sorry. We only keep and buy higher quality items. What you have wouldn't fit our inventory."
Yang felt heat rise in his cheeks. Embarrassment mixing with frustration.
The shopkeeper must have seen it. His expression softened slightly. "Try the blacksmith. One street down, four shops in. He buys weapons as scrap. Reuses the metal or improves them before selling."
"Thank you," Yang said stiffly.
They left. Li San was quiet beside him. His face red.
"It's fine," Yang said. "We knew these weren't quality weapons. They came from bandits."
"I know," Li San said. "But it still feels bad. Being dismissed like that."
Yang nodded. Understanding completely.
They walked one street down. Counting shops. The area grew gradually less prosperous. Buildings slightly older and storefronts smaller. Still far nicer than anything in Guanshi Town. But clearly the poorer section of this wealthy city.
The blacksmith's shop was easy to identify. The heat. The sound of hammering. The smell of hot metal and coal smoke.
They entered through the open front. The interior was dim after the bright street. A large forge dominated the space. An anvil beside it. Weapons and tools hanging from walls and ceiling.
The blacksmith was working. A man perhaps fifty years old. Heavily muscled. His face covered in soot. He looked up as they entered.
"Help you?" His voice was gruff. No-nonsense.
"We'd like to sell weapons," Yang said. "We were told you buy them."
The blacksmith set down his hammer. Wiped his hands on a rag. "Let's see them."
Yang and Li San unpacked their extra weapons. Laid them out on a clear workspace. Swords. Daggers. Knives. All taken from the bandits.
The blacksmith examined each piece. His hands moving with practiced efficiency. Testing edges. Checking balance. Looking for cracks or flaws.
"Not much here," he said finally. Gruffly. "I'll have to remake most of these. Poor quality. Bad maintenance." He paused. Picked up two daggers. "These are decent. The rest is barely worth the metal."
Yang waited. Trying to hide his nervousness.
"I'll give you twelve silver," the blacksmith said.
Yang's mind went blank. Twelve silver. That was more money than he'd ever seen. More than he'd imagined possessing.
Li San's expression mirrored Yang's shock.
"We accept," Yang said quickly. Before the blacksmith could change his mind.
The blacksmith looked at them. His expression shifting to something like pity mixed with disdain. "First time outside your village?"
Yang nodded slowly.
"Thought so." The blacksmith shook his head. "The weapons you gave me are worth twice that at least. Maybe more."
Yang and Li San looked at each other. Shocked. Then helplessly back at the blacksmith.
"We have no idea," Yang admitted. "We killed some bandits. Took their weapons. We don't know prices."
"Strong simpletons, both of you," the blacksmith muttered. But he reached for a different pouch. Counted out coins. "Here. Twenty silver. What they're actually worth."
Yang's eye twitched at being called a simpleton. But he held his tongue.
Li San had no such reservation. "Uncle, you yourself quoted an unfair price. And now you're insulting us. How is that fair?"
The blacksmith actually smiled. Slightly. "This is the merchant city. Everything is haggled for. If you're here to naively agree to the first price, you won't even be left with the clothes you're wearing."
He handed over the pouch. Heavier than Yang expected. "Take it. Consider it a lesson."
Li San's embarrassment showed clearly but he still asked knowing that at least he was honest if if a bit insulting. "Where would you suggest we stay? And what should the rate be?"
The blacksmith looked at him for several seconds. Assessing. "Four coppers per night. Try Grey Thorn Inn at Reem Square."
His expression grew serious. "A warning. This is a merchant city. People can tell at a glance if you can be swindled. No one will rob you at sword point. But if you agree to the wrong price, that's none of the guards' business. Understand?"
"We understand," Yang said. Bowing slightly. "Thank you."
They left. Yang clutched the coin pouch carefully. Twenty silver. A fortune.
Finding Reem Square took time. They asked directions repeatedly. The city was massive and easy to get lost.
Reem Square was smaller than the main plaza. Less traffic. The buildings older. But still well-maintained compared to Guanshi Town.
Grey Thorn Inn occupied a corner. Two stories looking weathered but sturdy. A faded sign showing a thorny branch.
They entered. The interior was dim. Tables and benches scattered around. A few patrons eating and drinking. The smell of cooking food and old beer.
A man approached. Middle-aged and balding. Wiping his hands on an apron.
"Welcome. Looking for a room?"
"Yes," Yang said. "Single room. Two beds."
The man looked them over. Taking in their appearance. "Seven copper coins per night."
"Two," Yang countered immediately. Remembering the blacksmith's warning.
The innkeeper's eyebrows rose. "Six."
"Three."
"Five. And that's my final offer."
Yang looked at Li San. Li San still looked bitter from being called a simpleton. He shook his head stubbornly.
"Four," Li San said firmly.
The innkeeper sighed. "Five. Two meals included. No drinks. Take it or leave it."
Yang calculated quickly. Five coppers per night was reasonable if meals were included. "We'll take four nights. Twenty coppers."
"Done." The innkeeper held out his hand.
Yang counted out the coins. The innkeeper pocketed them and gestured to a back room. "Meals are morning and evening. Don't cause trouble and don't bring fights inside."
"Understood," Yang said.
"Bowl of porridge now if you want. Then I'll show you the room."
They accepted the porridge gratefully. It was simple. Just rice porridge with a few vegetables. But it was hot and filling.
The innkeeper led them upstairs afterward. Down a narrow hallway. He pushed open a door near the end.
The room was small. Two narrow beds. A single window. The walls were bare wood. Stained with age. The floor was uneven. But it was clean. No vermin visible. The blankets looked worn but serviceable.
"Yours for four nights," the innkeeper said. "Water pump in the courtyard. Privy out back."
He left. Closing the door behind him.
Yang and Li San stood in the room. Looking around. Then at each other.
Li San started laughing. "We have a room!"
Yang smiled. "With actual beds."
They dropped their packs. Each claimed a bed. The straw mattresses were thin but better than the ground.
Li San sat on his bed. Bouncing slightly. Testing it. His expression was pure joy.
"Yang," he said. His voice filled with wonder. "I could have never imagined something like this existing. This city. These people. It's beyond my imagination."
Yang smiled at his friend's enthusiasm. He pulled out the coin pouch. "Let's divide the money."
Li San immediately shook his head. "No need. Keep it all."
"Li San, we're partners. We should split it."
"We're brothers," Li San said firmly. "It doesn't matter who keeps it. And you're stronger anyway. It's safer with you."
Yang wanted to argue. But Li San's expression was stubborn.
"Fine," Yang relented. "But we spend it together. On what we both need."
"Agreed."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Then began planning.
"Tomorrow we need to buy new clothes," Yang said. "We stand out too much."
Li San nodded. "Everyone could tell we were outsiders. The blacksmith. The innkeeper. Everyone."
"After clothes, we look for information about martial artists," Yang continued. "That's why we're here."
"Should we ask around? Or look for a specific place?"
Yang considered. "Both. We ask general questions. See if there's a martial arts school or training hall. Somewhere official."
Li San's eyes brightened. "A real martial arts school. Like in the stories."
"Maybe," Yang cautioned. "Don't get your hopes too high. We might not be able to afford it."
"But we have twenty silver!"
Yang smiled at Li San's enthusiasm. "Which might last us a month here. If we're careful. Remember what the merchant said. Prices are higher than in empire capitals."
Li San's expression fell slightly. "Right. The merchant city."
They talked longer. Making plans. Discussing what they'd seen. What they'd need. How to avoid being swindled again.
The excitement of being in Sun City sustained them despite their exhaustion. This was the place where their real journey could begin. Where Yang might find answers about martial artists. About what path forward existed for someone like him.
Li San yawned. Wide and jaw-cracking. "I'm tired. But I don't want to sleep. There's so much to see."
Yang felt the same. But his body was heavy. The weeks of walking catching up now that they'd stopped.
"Sleep," Yang said. "Tomorrow we can explore properly."
"Tomorrow," Li San agreed. His eyes already closing.
Yang lay back on his bed. The mattress was lumpy and the blanket scratchy. But it was a real bed. In a real city. With possibilities stretching ahead like the wide paved streets.
He closed his eyes. Anticipation and exhaustion mixing together. Pulling him down into sleep.
Tomorrow they'd start finding answers. But for tonight, they could rest. Safe. Sheltered. In the City of Gold.