The armored soldier called Yue Fu didn’t object but watched as the mixed-blood youth packed up his own stall into a bundle and dragged him forward. The handsome youth gestured for Lu Zigang to follow as well.

Lu Zigang had no choice but to pull Tang Yuan along, following step by step behind them. He was told this Yue Fu was responsible for maintaining order in Dawn Market—anyone caught violating the rules would be thrown into the jail at the street corner for solitary confinement. Of course, cases like this mixed-blood youth would also be taken to the law enforcement office to be interrogated about their accomplices’ whereabouts.

Lu Zigang maintained the attitude that there would be a way when they reached the mountain, pulling Tang Yuan along while casually browsing the bustling market.

The road beneath their feet was made of polished, gleaming blue bricks, and wind lanterns were lit on both sides of the street. At first glance, the items sold at those stalls were no different from the ghost market before—all sorts of strange and unusual objects—but everyone wasn’t using currency or silver to purchase them; instead, they were bartering.

Besides these roadside stalls, there were actually shops on both sides of the street that looked like similar antique stores. People constantly went in and out, while some shops weren’t open, their doors tightly closed.

Lu Zigang looked around and couldn’t help but freeze in expression. He hadn’t seen wrong, had he? The shop he just passed—didn’t the plaque above it read “Mute House”? Although it looked like it wasn’t open, the sign and exterior decorations looked exactly the same as the Mute House he had taken over!

Lu Zigang wanted to go back for a closer look, but the handsome youth and armored soldier were already walking farther away. He could only grit his teeth, put his doubts aside, and chase after them with Tang Yuan. Tang Yuan naturally also saw that “Mute House” shop and wasn’t too surprised.

If his master hadn’t deceived him, then his second senior brother should also be a monster who had lived for many years. If his second senior brother had never been to this Dawn Market, Tang Yuan would find that strange. However, seeing that the Mute House here wasn’t open either, Tang Yuan was a bit disappointed. If his second senior brother were here, he’d have someone to rely on…

Lu Zigang had also realized this point and quickly caught up with the handsome youth: “I am Lu Zigang. May I ask how to address you, brother?”

Along the way, due to his and Tang Yuan’s strange clothing, Lu Zigang had already attracted many gazes, most of them ill-intentioned. In comparison, this handsome youth was truly someone worth befriending.

“I am Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao.” The handsome youth turned around, closed the folding fan in his hand, and bowed with a smile—elegant and refined. The expressions on both Lu Zigang’s and Tang Yuan’s faces froze simultaneously, both doubting their ears.

Who was Guo Fengxiao! Known as the “genius strategist”! The most outstanding advisor of the Three Kingdoms period. It could be said that Cao Cao’s initial foundation was built bit by bit relying on Guo Jia’s strategies, and his early death directly led to the Cao group’s decline.

Zhuge Liang was only skilled in domestic affairs; in military strategy and planning, he couldn’t even match Zhou Yu, let alone Guo Jia. If Guo Fengxiao had continued living, who would have the last laugh in the Three Kingdoms would hardly need consideration.

Lu Zigang didn’t think he would encounter someone with the same name, surname, and even courtesy name as this genius strategist. Dawn Market was an unusual place to begin with, so meeting unusual people wasn’t surprising.

After a year of various historical time travels, having seen emperors and met generals, Lu Zigang’s heart was quite strong. He even began searching for the name “Yue Fu” in his mind and quickly found an answer. “Brother Yue’s given name—could it be the ‘Fu’ character from ‘In the east there is Fu grass, I drive forth to hunt’?”

“Correct.” Yue Fu concisely uttered two words, casually glanced at him, then withdrew his gaze.

Lu Zigang was filled with respect.

Yue Fu wasn’t as famous as Guo Jia in history, but his grandfather and father were known to all. Yue Fu was Yue Yun’s eldest son, Yue Fei’s legitimate eldest grandson. When Yue Fei and his son were wrongfully killed, Yue Fu was only four years old and was exiled to Lingnan with his uncle, grandmother, and mother.

Later, after Yue Fei’s trumped-up charges were overturned, he inherited the position of Shenwu Rear Army Commander and was later appointed Minister of Personnel—the most outstanding among Yue family descendants. Although this was partly due to his ancestors’ influence, as the saying goes, you can’t help someone who won’t help themselves. Yue Fu himself was also a tiger cub from a general’s family, worthy material.

Lu Zigang calculated that when Yue Fei’s injustice was cleared, Yue Fu should have been at least twenty-five or twenty-six. Looking at his current age and the resolute, melancholy expression on his face, he knew this was when he should still be staying in Lingnan.

Looking again at Guo Jia beside him, historically Guo Jia was still a hermit in his twenties and definitely hadn’t met Cao Mengde yet… This sense of temporal confusion was enough to drive one mad! He didn’t even dare ask what the full name of that mixed-blood youth who got caught and beaten was—Helian what…

“How long have you two been in Dawn Market?” Lu Zigang suppressed his inner unease and asked seriously.

“There are no years within Dawn Market,” Guo Fengxiao smiled. “This place should exist in a spacetime rift. Only those carrying tokens can see dawn’s light. Those without tokens can only remain in this endless night, never seeing daybreak.”

“So what was said earlier about this place becoming ruins at dawn—that’s actually for those with tokens who can freely enter and exit?” Lu Zigang quickly understood.

“Exactly. Dawn Market can’t feel the passage of time, so there’s no sensation of hunger, thirst, or fatigue,” Guo Fengxiao opened his folding fan with a swoosh and smiled helplessly.

“So there’s no way to judge time within Dawn Market, though Yue Fu arrived before I did.”

Regarding Guo Fengxiao’s explanation, Yue Fu offered no additions, apparently not knowing much more himself.

“Haven’t you thought about leaving?” Lu Zigang glanced at the mixed-blood youth who appeared submissive on the surface but kept darting his eyes around slyly. Dawn Market was perpetually nighttime—such an oppressive environment, combined with how the surrounding passersby had looked at him and Tang Yuan earlier, Lu Zigang could guess how sought-after those so-called tokens were.

He couldn’t be blamed for not trusting Guo and Yue.

Tang Yuan still had a concentric knot on him! Lu Zigang’s own token had been stolen, and he knew he deserved it for carelessly trusting others, but how innocent was Tang Yuan! He shouldn’t have come here in the first place—Lu Zigang had to ensure he was sent back completely intact.

Lu Zigang’s suspicion was clearly written on his face, but Guo Fengxiao didn’t mind at all and chuckled, shaking his head with a sigh: “From brother’s reaction upon hearing our names, have you heard of us before?”

“This…” Lu Zigang was about to say who didn’t know Guo Fengxiao, but found he couldn’t make any sound—he couldn’t even mouth the words.

So this was the power of the rules—as long as one was in Dawn Market, words that would disturb history couldn’t be spoken. It was really true.

Guo Fengxiao unhurriedly fanned himself and chuckled: “Though you can’t say it, your expressions have already told us that we’ll become famous in the future—famous enough for many people to recognize us.”

“Since history destines us to appear, that means sooner or later we’ll leave this Dawn Market. What’s the rush? Moreover, no matter how long we stay in Dawn Market, when we leave, it will still be the same morning we entered.”

“Though this place is oppressive and boring, it’s a zone beyond Heaven’s jurisdiction. Being here is equivalent to immortality—when we get bored, we can just leave.”

“So don’t look at how many people here are interested in tokens, eagerly wanting to leave. Actually, there are many people outside racking their brains trying to get in!”

This speech from Guo Fengxiao mostly dispelled Lu Zigang’s wariness while also arousing his curiosity. As they walked and talked, Lu Zigang helplessly complained that he and Tang Yuan didn’t actually know each other—he had just happened to pick him up, which unfortunately caused this child to follow him into Dawn Market.

Guo Fengxiao felt everything was fated and that no one was dragging anyone down.

“Dawn Market follows the principle of equivalent exchange—that is, bartering or trading in mutually agreed ways. If violated, one will face punishment from the rules and arrest by the law enforcement team.”

“Helian’s type obviously got too carried away, afraid you’d be warned by others. If it were me, I’d definitely take advantage of your ignorance and casually trade things from my stall with you,” Guo Fengxiao said with a smile while fanning himself.

Lu Zigang found these words completely uncomforting and could only smile helplessly.

However, Tang Yuan heard hints contained in Guo Fengxiao’s casual words.

Since this place followed equivalent exchange principles, they could also trade some things from Dawn Market to take out. You had to know that the ghost market outside was full of fakes, but here everything was genuine antiques! No wonder some people would fight tooth and nail to get in.

Chatting as they walked, the group soon reached the law enforcement office. Since Lu Zigang still needed to follow up on his jade pendant’s whereabouts, he followed Yue Fu as he dragged the mixed-blood youth inside.