The morning sun rose bright and warm over the Dragon Kingdom's capital, painting the high white walls in gold. Luo Feng, Miya, Kael, and Lin Wang woke refreshed from their peaceful camp, washed quickly in a nearby stream, and hitched the oxen to the cart once more. The four of them walked side by side—Miya's hand brushing Luo Feng's now and then—until the massive iron gates of the city towered before them.
Two armored guards stepped forward, spears lowered, eyes sharp as they studied the simple ox-cart and the four travelers in plain village clothes.
"Halt," one guard called. "What are you carrying, and what business do you have in the capital?"
Luo Feng stepped ahead calmly, bowing his head with quiet respect. "We are from a far-away village called Eden, many months' walk from here," he answered in his steady, humble voice. "We come to sell and trade the goods we harvested three months ago. Nothing more."
The guards glanced at the sacks of maize, beans, roots, and the neatly wrapped barrels on the cart. They saw no weapons beyond simple spears and bows, no suspicious cargo. One shrugged and waved them through.
"Move along, then. Welcome to the Dragon Kingdom's capital. Keep to the outer market district—no trouble, and you'll be fine."
The heavy gates creaked open. The four travelers stepped inside, the ox-cart rumbling over cobblestones for the first time in months. The city unfolded around them like a dream: tall stone buildings, colorful banners snapping in the breeze, the distant spires of the royal palace gleaming under the sun. Merchants shouted, horses clattered past, and the smell of street food and spices filled the air.
They had barely gone fifty paces when a richly dressed man on horseback blocked their path. He wore fine blue velvet trimmed with gold, a silver chain of office around his neck, and an impatient expression. Two armed retainers flanked him.
The man—clearly a duke or high noble of the city—looked down at the humble group and the loaded cart. "You there. What are you carrying into my district? Speak quickly."
Luo Feng, Miya, Kael, and Lin Wang bowed deeply at once, showing proper respect. Luo Feng spoke for them all, voice calm and clear.
"Your Grace, we are here to sell the harvest from our village. Many kinds of vegetables and fruits—maize, beans, roots, and the finest grapes you will ever taste. We also bring grape wine we made ourselves from this year's harvest. It is new, but we believe it is of excellent quality. We only wish to trade fairly and return home with what our people need."
The duke raised an eyebrow, studying the plain cart and the four young travelers. His gaze lingered a moment on Miya's quiet beauty and Luo Feng's handsome, composed face. Then he gave a short nod.
"Very well. Take your goods to the Grand Market Square in the outer district. The merchants there will inspect and bid. If your wine is truly as good as you claim, it may fetch a decent price. Do not cause any trouble, villagers."
He spurred his horse and rode on without another word.
Luo Feng straightened, a small, calm smile touching his lips. He looked at Miya, who squeezed his hand gently, her eyes shining with excitement and love. Kael and Lin Wang grinned, relieved.
They guided the ox-cart deeper into the bustling capital, the wheels turning toward the Grand Market Square. The city hummed with life all around them—nobles in fine carriages, mages in flowing robes, and the distant sound of trumpets from the palace where, months ago, five blessed heroes had been welcomed with feasts and cheers.
None of them knew that the sixth, unblessed soul—the farmer once thrown away by the Goddess of Light—had just walked through their gates with a cart full of miracles and the girl he loved at his side.