Zhang Chen remained noncommittal to Zhou Qiucheng's words, for indeed, the most formidable presence in Kyoto was the military.
"Stop for inspection!"
As Zhang Chen and Zhou Qiucheng's carriage approached, a guard stepped forward and shouted, blocking the road.
Zhou Qiucheng lifted the curtain and pulled out a gold token from his chest: "I am Zhou Qiucheng from Chongzheng Academy, and this is a communication token."
The guard examined the token and confirmed it was authentic, then asked, "Password."
Zhou Qiucheng said, "Treasure Tower Calms River Demon!"
Upon hearing Zhou Qiucheng's words, the guard nodded respectfully and returned the token: "Sir, please enter!"
The carriage continued forward, and midway through, upon hearing commotion, Zhang Chen lifted the curtain to see a large group of scholars walking out from the mountains.
Zhang Chen, seeing this, looked curious: "Are they on holiday?"
