Chapter 80: There's No Harm in a Little Pilfering

Bishui Port, city gate.

The early morning mist had not yet dissipated. The flag above the city wall hung limply in the breeze, a corner occasionally lifting to reveal a sea-green sail insignia.

A long line had formed before the city gate.

The line of people waiting to enter snaked from the gate's archway to over a hundred meters away. Most were merchants with packs on their backs, traders leading mules and horses, and adventurers who had arrived in small groups.

Unlike usual, the inspection at the city gate was much stricter than before.

Two squads of fully armed city guards stood on either side, shortswords hanging from their waists. With hands on their hilts, their sharp gazes swept over every person who passed.

A long table was placed in the center of the gate, and behind it sat a scribe, head down, writing furiously in a thick register. The quill pen scratched across the paper.

The line moved slowly forward, and whispers rippled through the crowd.