He turned around and looked at Aidan, who was listening intently.
“This isn't just about gathering information; it's also a chance for you to learn how to survive in a place like the county seat. You can start by asking around in taverns and markets, but be careful. Don't let anyone realize you are deliberately digging for information.”
“The second thing,” Matthew picked up a piece of paper from the table, on which he had written an address beforehand. “‘No. 7 Courtyard on Shizhong Road.’ I need you to find its exact location, who the owner is, and what state it's currently in. But remember—absolutely do not go near that courtyard, and definitely do not try to enter. Just observe from the perimeter and ask around among the nearby residents or shops. Your safety is the top priority.”
Matthew paused, his tone turning serious. “There is no rush for these two tasks. I will give you three days. If you encounter any danger or suspicious circumstances during the process, abandon the investigation immediately and return to report to me. Do you understand?”
Aidan nodded vigorously. “I understand, Brother Matthew! I will definitely be careful and won't do anything reckless.”
“Good.” Matthew took a few gold coins from his cloth bag and handed them to Aidan. “Take this money. Don't be stingy when you need to spend money to get information, but you must also learn to judge the truth of what you hear. The county seat is not like Anda Town. The people here are shrewder, and the information is much more complex.”
The total amount of gold coins on him was close to a hundred, so there was no need to scrimp on intelligence. Besides, the things he needed wouldn't be hindered by a few gold coins.
“No need, Brother Matthew.” Aidan waved his hands repeatedly. “Young Master Regg gave me quite a few gold coins.”
“It's fine, take them. Once you become a Class holder, there will be plenty of places where you'll need to spend money.”
“Alright, I understand.”
“Also,” Matthew added, “while you're at it, find out about the rules of the inner city, the main commercial districts, the gathering places for adventurers, and places where precious items might be traded. This information will be useful for us to establish a foothold in the county seat in the future.”
An excited light flashed in Aidan's eyes—this was not just a task, but also Brother Matthew's trust and training in him.
“I'll get right on it!” The youth bowed solemnly, turned, and left the room, his steps light yet firm.
Matthew watched the door close and sat back down in his chair. He needed Aidan to grow, and he also needed this intelligence to plan his next moves. Whether it was investigating the truth behind No. 7 Courtyard on Shizhong Road, finding a way to repair his staff, or dealing with the various factions in the county seat in the future, accurate information was an indispensable cornerstone.
A moment later, as it grew dark outside the window, an inn servant knocked lightly on the door and brought dinner.
On the tray was a lightly charred roasted lamb chop, paired with well-stewed root vegetables and pea puree drizzled with herb sauce. Beside it was a small bowl of steaming hot thick soup, with a few drops of oil and chopped herbs floating on the surface. The portion was substantial, and the seasoning showed quite a bit of care.
Matthew placed it on the wooden table by the window, nodding slightly as he ate.
The standard of food and lodging in the inner city was night and day compared to Anda Town. However, the corresponding price of the lodging was also much more expensive—something he had already experienced when prepaying for a week's stay just now.
It seems my future expenses won't be small.
After dinner, he gathered the tableware and placed it on the collection table in the hallway outside his door.
The sky had completely darkened, and scattered lights began to flicker on along the inner city streets outside the window. However, pedestrians were already scarce, and most shops had closed their shutters. If he rashly went out to investigate now, he would probably find it difficult to get any useful information, and it would instead be easy to attract unwanted attention.
“Forget it. I'll rest for tonight.”
He bolted the door, blew out the oil lamp, and sat cross-legged on the bed.
The street noises outside gradually quieted down, leaving only the occasional, distant sound of horse hooves clicking on cobblestones filtering through the cracks of the window, faint and far away.
He closed his eyes and concentrated.
His breathing ebbed like the tide. Between each inhalation and exhalation, it gradually lengthened and slowed until it was barely audible.
His consciousness seemed to sink into dark, still water, slowly submerging and dispersing, before gradually tightening into a thread of clarity, reflecting inward and extending outward.
The Spirit throughout his body flowed with his breath, like a faint stream of light appearing within him, slowly circulating along established pathways.
At the same time, his Perception quietly reached out like tentacles, merging into the surrounding air, walls, floorboards, and even the night-shrouded streets outside the window, seeking to capture the thin, scattered energy permeating the environment.
A moment later, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The energy level in this inner city was actually even thinner than he had anticipated. Not only was it far inferior to the depths of the Shadow Forest—where ancient trees reached the sky, magical beasts lurked, and energy was like mist and springs, touchable with every breath; it was not even as good as the uninhabited wilderness they had crossed on the grasslands before—where the wild winds still carried the natural fluctuations rippling from the earth's pulse and the breathing of flora.
The energy flow here was scattered and gentle, like fine sand that had been sifted multiple times—even, yet barren. He could hardly feel any natural rising and gathering, let alone that wild, abundant, almost "living" energy tide.
But on second thought, Matthew understood.
For settlements like the county seat, especially the inner city where nobles, Class holders, and the powerful gathered, the primary consideration when choosing a site was never "abundant energy." Instead, it was "safety and control."
Flat terrain, sturdy city walls, stable water sources, and an orderly layout that was easy to defend and rule... These were the cornerstones of building a city, the foundation for mortal groups to establish a foothold in a world fraught with danger.
As for those energy-rich places, they were often accompanied by the breeding of magical beasts, elemental chaos, treacherous terrain, or the residual influence of ancient ruins. They were by no means the preferred choice for establishing long-lasting, stable, and large-scale settlements.
Therefore, it was only natural that the energy in the city was thin.
What was more, a faint trace of mockery crossed Matthew's mind: in a kingdom territory dominated by mortals and low-level Class holders, whether there even existed beings who truly mastered and needed to rely on environmental magical energy was still highly doubtful.
It seems this county seat is not suitable for meditation.
Matthew kept his eyes closed, but his mind was crystal clear.
In the short term, he would still remain in the county seat. Here, he had the connections of Regg and Porter, channels to obtain intelligence, repair his staff, and gather resources, as well as an environment where Aidan could gain experience.
He would use this time to figure out the truth of No. 7 Courtyard on Shizhong Road, complete the repairs to his staff, and further accumulate funds and connections.
In the long run, he had only two paths: go north to the royal capital, or return to the Shadow Forest.
The royal capital might have richer resources and a broader horizon, but the essence of the energy environment might not necessarily be different. On the other hand, a perilous place like the Shadow Forest—though crawling with magical beasts and fraught with danger—was also a place rich in energy and hidden treasures.
...
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