After the family split up, I achieved martial arts sainthood.

The inner city and the outer city appear to be separated by only a wall.

However, the social status of people living both inside and outside the home is worlds apart, as different as heaven and earth.

Those who could live in the inner city were all high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy families.

At the very least, one must possess a certain level of reputation and economic strength.

Ordinary poor and lowly people couldn't even afford the toll to enter the inner city.

The toll for crossing the bridge is ten copper coins per person per trip.

One copper coin could buy two steamed buns.

The toll for the bridge is enough for a person to live frugally for almost a week's worth of meals.

This is just the most basic entry fee.

It is said that the cost of living in the inner city is ridiculously high, several times that of the outer city.

That gap is greater than the difference between Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen and remote second- or third-tier county towns.

Ordinary people work hard their whole lives and still can't afford a latrine in the inner city.

Although Gu Xin had always had a surplus of income, he had never been willing to venture into the inner city to broaden his horizons.

"Does Third Senior Brother often go to the inner city?"

Gu Xin looked at Zhou Tai and asked, "Isn't the latter a farmer?"

Are farmers really that wealthy?

"Yes! Ever since I became Master's disciple, Master would often take me to the inner city to broaden my horizons whenever he had free time."

Zhou Tai answered without hesitation, his words filled with gratitude for Yang Wei.

Yang Wei stood tall and proud, a smile on his face, showing no surprise or humility in his gratitude toward Zhou Tai.

It seems I've found a good master...

Gu Xin looked at Yang Wei with a hint of respect.

"Atai, flag down a carriage, let's go into the city."

Yang Wei, however, kept his eyes straight ahead and calmly instructed Zhou Tai: "We are still quite a distance from here to Tianxiazhen. If we walk, we might miss our mealtime."

Knowing the route, Zhou Tai immediately went to find a box-shaped carriage from a horse-drawn carriage company and returned.

"Master, get in the car!"

Zhou Tai eagerly invited Yang Wei to get on the bus first, followed by Gu Xin.

He was the last to board the train and sat near the door of the carriage.

The carriage traveled along, turning several streets, until it arrived at a moat.

The moat was several meters wide and was built around the inner city.

A road bridge has been built across the river in the four directions of east, west, south, and north.

All passages, both inside and outside, are made by crossing four bridges.

At the entrance to the inner city, there were people stationed to check the household registration and identity documents of pedestrians entering the city.

Those not registered in the inner city were required to pay a bridge toll of ten copper coins per person.

Otherwise, beat them with sticks!

Upon arriving at the inner city gate, Yang Wei took out the household registration book from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Tai.

Zhou Tai handed over the carriage to the guards at the city gate for inspection.

After checking, the other party returned the household registration information and promptly allowed the person to pass.

The carriage crossed the bridge smoothly and entered the inner city.

Once you pass through the inner city gate, the scenery outside the carriage changes dramatically.

Gu Xin peered curiously through the carriage window at the streets and alleys of the inner city.

The inner city was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful flags, a scene of prosperity and splendor.

Compared to the old, dilapidated, and decaying outer city, the inner city is more like a heavenly palace.

It's like I've accidentally wandered into the imperial palace...

Gu Xin couldn't help but sigh. Before today, he had never imagined that two different scenes could appear in a single city.

If he were to appear in the inner city completely unaware of this, he might mistakenly think that he had reopened the game.

"Junior brother, isn't that incredible?"

Zhou Tai's voice rang out in the carriage: "The prosperity of the inner city is completely different from that of the outer city."

The streets of the inner city are wide and clean.

Pedestrians are dressed more neatly and look more energetic.

It's a vibrant and lively scene.

"Incredible, absolutely incredible!"

Gu Xin sighed in response, admitting that he was truly shocked.

It wasn't the bustling scene of the inner city that impressed me.

While the inner city is indeed bustling, it still pales in comparison to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, which were Gu Xin's hometown in his previous life.

What shocked Gu Xin was the difference between the inner city and the outer city, and the differences between people.

At this moment, Gu Xin suddenly truly understood the poem from his previous life.

I entered the city yesterday, and returned with tears streaming down my face.

Whoever is covered in Luo Qi is not a silkworm breeder.

"Guests, we've arrived!"

At this moment, the carriage stopped, and the coachman's voice came from outside the carriage.

Zhou Tai lifted the curtain of the carriage door, looked around, and after confirming that he was in the right place, he decisively got out of the car.

With one hand lifting the carriage curtain, he called out with the other, "Junior Brother, Master, get out of the carriage quickly!"

Gu Xin crawled out of the carriage and jumped down.

With Zhou Tai's help, Yang Wei stepped down from the carriage.

Under the expectant gaze of the coachman, Yang Wei paid the fare.

As the carriage departed, the three of them stood on the street, all looking up at the bustling restaurant across the street.

The restaurant has six floors, with a grand and imposing architectural style and luxurious and extravagant decoration materials.

Anyone with a discerning eye can tell at a glance that this is no ordinary place.

Gu Xin's gaze fell on the entrance of the restaurant, above which hung a glass plaque.

The plaque reads: Treasures of the World.

"Master, are we going to eat here?"

Gu Xin turned to look at Yang Wei. Such a luxurious place must be expensive.

Based on the restaurant rating system of his previous life, Tianxia Zhen would probably be rated five stars.

"Come on! Today, your teacher will show you what a human life is like."

With one hand behind his back, Yang Wei led the way towards Tianxiazhen Restaurant.

"Junior brother, let's go!"

Zhou Tai called out and excitedly followed.

Gu Xin dared not delay and quickly followed.

The three of them arrived at the entrance of the restaurant, where the waiter greeted them warmly.

Yang Wei pulled out a ten-tael silver ingot from his pocket and tossed it to the waiter before walking into the restaurant without stopping.

Upon receiving the silver ingot, the shopkeeper's smile deepened, and his attitude became even more enthusiastic.

He knew this wasn't someone who was freeloading; they were a wealthy person.

"Sir, please come upstairs!"

The waiter held the silver ingot, preparing to take Gu Xin and his two apprentices to a private room upstairs.

"Right in the lobby!"

Yang Wei waved his hand and walked straight to the center of the hall.

He came here today to broaden Gu Xin's horizons and increase his knowledge.

If you go to a private room, how can you broaden your horizons?

Yang Wei glanced at Gu Xin meaningfully. Did this silly boy really think that he simply brought him here to improve his meals?

Yang Wei took a seat and gestured for the waiter to bring the menu.

"Ah Xin, let's order!"

Yang Wei smiled and gestured.

Gu Xin didn't stand on ceremony and took the menu to look through it.

When I first looked at it, I was almost shocked.

The cheapest dishes here start at two taels of silver.

Two taels of silver...

The Gu family has six or seven members, and they might not even earn that much in a month.

The most precious dishes in the world are no longer expensive.

This is outright robbery!

Gu Xin took a gamble and pushed the menu in front of Yang Wei.

"Let Master make the decision!"

He dared not speak; even if he sold himself, the cost of a meal here wouldn't be enough to pay the bill.

Seeing this, Yang Wei didn't insist and generously ordered several meat dishes, the hearty dishes.

"So delicious! So beautiful!"

After dismissing the waiters, Yang Wei looked at Gu Xin and gave him a warning.

What do you mean?

Gu Xin was puzzled and somewhat bewildered.

"Oh, Mr. Hu, you've finally arrived! Come in, please!"

Just then, the voice of the welcoming waiter came from the entrance of the restaurant again.

The enthusiasm and positivity in his voice were completely incomparable to when he received Gu Xin and his two apprentices.

"Shopkeeper, Master Hu is here!"

Upon entering the restaurant, the waiter immediately called out to the manager.

Upon hearing the sound, the shopkeeper at the counter inside the hall immediately rushed out from behind the counter to greet him warmly.

Their obsequious and fawning manner was made without any attempt to conceal it.

Despite the shopkeeper and his staff's initial arrogance followed by obsequiousness, the obese Master Hu showed no courtesy whatsoever.

With head held high and chest out, he arrogantly stepped over the group of waiters and, with the manager's warm guidance, headed upstairs.