The Jade Plains was the formal name for these endless plains of yellow and green grass, these gently rolling hills, vast flatlands, and wide river basins. The Dangerous Region was only the colloquial name for the area the west and north that touched upon the King's Mountains, where ferocious bandits of the Duanmu Clan ruled the land.

Jade Hill Town, where the caravan was heading, was just south of the Dangerous Region but still right in the middle of the Jade Plains. It belonged to the Rising Sea Kingdom but it was closer to the mountains than to any other town within the kingdom. Still, it was the most prominent place in these plains, the seat of power for the Lord of the Jade Plains, a safe place where people could go about their lives without worrying about spiritual beasts, bandits, or other threats.

The caravan entered the town's zone of protection and encountered the first of many patrols. These guard patrols deterred bandits from trying anything too crazy.

Everyone's mood changed significantly. Their long and difficult journey was over. The workers and guards became cheerful and relaxed. Amin Baba turned from a surly cheapskate back into a sociable merchant. Even the horses and oxen seemed more energetic as if they sensed their home.

The dirt road that led to town widened and other travelers soon appeared. Some headed in the same direction while others headed for plains. On either side of the road, there was evidence of human industry. Patches of grass were cleared and being excavated. Teams of miners worked inside holes that were anywhere from waist deep to so big that their heads could not be seen. There were old holes that were abandoned, new ones with mounds of fresh dirt around them, as well as future sites marked by fluttering flags. The scale of the operation, one which went on in all directions as far as the eye could see, meant one thing; Jade Hill Town was a mining town.

This was perfect for Gray. He didn't know what valuable ores could be found here but he was eager to find out and make some money!

The town proper eventually came into view, a huge set of walls that rose steadily above the grassy horizon. The sand-colored construct stretched for two thousand strides from edge to edge. Beyond the walls, numerous domed roofs of all sizes were visible.

As the caravan approached, the road became crowded. There were farmers and livestock, wagons and carts, travelers on horseback or on foot, everything imaginable. It was more people than Gray had ever seen in one place at one time.

“Those entering, line up!”

“Don’t push! Wait your turn!”

The caravan stopped before the gate, a small hole in the wall that could barely fit a horse carriage through. A squad of guards watched over this vital entrance and inspected the line of people coming and going.

It was soon the caravan’s turn. Despite the presence of Harsh Patel, they were still thoroughly examined. Even Gray was forced to exit his carriage and subjected to some strange questions.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“By the mandate of the holy king in the 1,830th year... demons are the enemy of humanity and have to be killed on sight. Have you seen any demons on your journey?” The guard asked him.

“No?” Gray had no idea. He didn’t even know what a demon was.

“Are you sure?” The guard asked again, leaning close.

“No!” Gray said firmly.

The overly zealous guard wasn't satisfied and soon another one joined him and cornered Gray against the side of the carriage.

"Do you accept the holy king as the savior and forefather of the human race?"

"How often do you curse the demons that seek to corrupt and destroy us at every opportunity?"

"Huh?"

"Answer us!"

"Are you a demon-loving betrayer?"

"Are you a demon in disguise?"

Gray didn't know what to say. He didn't like their tone or what they were trying to imply. He tried to push them away but that had the opposite effect. Things were about to get messy when a figure came behind the guards and places a firm grip on their shoulders. It was Harsh Patel.

"Captain!"

"Sir!"

Harsh Patel grinned fiercely, "I will vouch for this young man. He is fine. And you two... are due for extra training. Report to the lord's castle after your shift is over. That is all."

"Yes... sir!"

The guards paled and quickly retreated.

"What just happened?" Gray asked.

"Hah! Don't worry about it, just a couple of newbies. There are no demons in Jade Hill Town, it is simply a question that we ask out of habit. Nobody takes it seriously."

Gray had so many questions but he didn't feel like it was the right time to ask them. He simply nodded and Harsh Patel returned to the front.

The inspection finished soon after and the caravan crawled forward. They were finally entering Jade Hill Town.

They passed through the gate which was made of solid metal and then through the walls which were at least two stories tall and as wide as three horses. These fortifications were formidable, seemingly capable of holding back an army of cultivators.

Once through the walls and across a wide plaza, they entered a street packed with people. Those on foot stayed to the side while carriages and sedan chairs tried to squeeze past each other in the center.

The busy street was lined with buildings of all sizes, including many that were taller than the walls. Unlike the mountains, wood was scarce here so stone and brick were used for construction. The resulting houses were big and sturdy with arched windows and doorways. Atop of each house was a domed roof that miraculously held itself up despite the weight of the material. Some houses had open doors and signs that indicated they were shops for various goods. Some even displayed their wares outside to entice people passing by. There were clothes, tools, jewels, and even food for sale. Gray wanted to leap off the cart to buy some food but he held himself back. He first had to get his money, then he could spend to his heart’s content.

The caravan eventually pushed through the throng and headed for a quieter part of town. Here, there were no crowds. There were fewer houses, wide-open spaces overgrown with grass, and even patches of farmland. Everything looked a bit shabby in comparison and the road was dirty and filled with potholes.

Amidst this blandness was an eye-catching sight, a massive building complex made of the same stone as the walls. It was over four stories tall at its highest point, a domed tower that overlooked the whole town.

It was even more impressive than the walls. It was hard to believe that something so large could be built from rocks and not crumble under its own weight. It put everything in the King’s Mountains to shame. This was the first example of the wider world and even more exciting sights that awaited Gray on his journey.