A blue-robed man gently unfurled the scroll on the table. The spirit stone lamp, beside the man, dimly lit the room. It was enough for the man to read what was in front of him. Contrary to the norm, there were no words but rather a blueprint.
It was a design for a weapon…
As the man read the description and instructions, his eyes widened. Every moment onwards, more and more sweat formed on his forehead while his breathing quickened. When he finished, the man closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm down.
At this time, a green-robed man opened the door and walked in.
"How is it?"
"Shocking, to say the least."
The door closed.
Suddenly, the blue-robed man's eyes were filled with confusion and anger. His hands quivered as he reached for his throat. Soon, he fell over with a thud.
The green-robed man put away his crossbow before quickly grabbing the scroll and leaving.
The two guards outside saluted the green-robed man.
"Your master wants to contemplate something and cultivate while at it too. He told me that he may not be leaving for a while. I'll be leaving first."
"Yes, Sir!"
***
A stream of tea poured out of the pot as Ye Tian held it over a cup. While gently sipping, he looked out the window to see the first sign of snow.
_Years ago, I never would've thought this could happen. Well, the only thing missing is coffee for a caffeine junkie like me, but tea will do._
While a cultivator's body was resistant to cold, the leisure tradition of drinking warm liquid during the cold season had never left Ye Tian. As he sipped, he thought back to what he had experienced in the past 5 months and truly felt like it was a dream. However, the hardships and pain told him otherwise.
Ye Tian appreciated the snow until Nan Feng's head popped up.
"Ye Tian, come with me and Yu Ling to the Harvest Festival!"
The Harvest Festival was a 7-day festival that occurred when the yearly harvest was good and there was a surplus of food. Throughout the year, most people are busy planting, reaping, and tilling thus the festival was in the winter season when everyone is holed up in their homes.
Back then, Ye Tian looked on from the alleys with jealousy as people roamed the streets while eating street food and other special snacks, that were made during this festival. Now, he could experience the food and joy of a bountiful year.
"Sure, let me get ready."
***
The skies had stopped snowing after lightly coating the ground.
The roads were bustling with people sometimes having to squeeze past each other. Mixed smells of all sorts of food filled the air along with the boisterous sounds of joy and excitement. There were even cultivators shooting off dazzling abilities into the air like fireworks to attract more customers.
The three, in their white robes, made their way down the street with skewers and candy from the energetic vendors that were seizing the festivity. The stalls lined the streets with all sorts of delicacies; poultry drumsticks, alcohol, fried dough, bowls of noodles, pastries with red bean fillings.
Ye Tian gulped in amazement at the mouth-watering food. At this moment, he noticed that a few people walking by were looking at the trio with chuckles.
Ye Tian turned to his side to see Nan Feng buying up numerous skewers before eating multiple of them at once.
_… I wish I had this dude's stomach._
Yu Ling also looked at Nan Feng with disapproval while nibbling her pastry.
Of course, there wasn't just food but also many street performers that were trying to outcompete each other. Crowds of people with snacks surrounded each performance. Ye Tian had also overheard that there was a parade around the city to wish good luck on next year's harvest.
There were so many things to look forward to today.
_I wonder if I should bring some snacks for Lu Yin._
After reaching the bone stage, the three have essentially passed the exam and went to find Hao Nan to upgrade themselves from recruit to a soldier. If they didn't privately find Hao Nan then it would be as if a paid intern promised to work for a company and later ditched the company to work for the rival company. The city lord's faction would not let such talents fall into others' hands.
As a result of this promotion, there was no more need for a servant, but Ye Tian was quite fond of Lu Yin for what he has done. Besides, Ye Tian did promise Lu Ning to help Lu Yin.
"Ye Tian?"
Ye Tian turned around to see Vivian beside a light pink-robed girl while little Hua and two black-robed guards followed the two. The girl was also a beauty with fair skin and long, black hair.
While Ye Tian could feel little Hua's muscle stage power and the girl's bone stage power, the black-robed guards were completely null without any aura.
Ignoring little Hua's glare, Ye Tian asked, "Long time no see, Vivian. She is?"
"This is the pearl of the Lu clan, Lu Lan."
_!!!_
Ye Tian could not help but glance at Lu Lan for a second time.
"I've heard of the pearl of the Lu clan."
The girl named Lu Lan politely smiled, "You must be Ye Tian. Indeed, age does not limit great deeds. I've heard of how you saved Big Sis Vivian. Thank you."
"Little lass, don't be so polite to Ye Tian. He's a good friend of mine and not a stranger."
Yu Ling politely bowed and Nan Feng strolled over with a mouth full of food while holding a bowl of noodles.
"Miss Vivian! It's nice to see you again," Nan Feng spoke with his mouth full.
Not minding his improper actions filled with good intention, Vivian nodded at Nan Feng and asked, "Would you three like to join us? I'll pay."
"Sure. We have enough money for ourselves so it's no problem," Nan Feng responded.
After selling off their gains from the forest, receiving Hao Nan's rewards, and repairing their clothes, the three had a combined asset of around 183 spirit stones. Before they had come out to the festival, 10 spirit stones were exchanged for around 10,000 silver coins which was the standard imperial currency.
Vivian looked at Nan Feng with amusement, "Okay."
Vivian, a native of the city Ashurias, knew where all the good vendors were along with the best street performances. Through her connections, the group even got into a top-quality theater. Of course, Nan Feng's face went pale with the cost being around 5,000 silver coins for one person. Vivian chuckled at this and paid for the group.
***
"Woooowww."
Lu Lan and little Hua's eyes sparkled as they looked at tiny pets like hummingbirds, hamsters, and kittens. Beside her, Yu Ling also showed a strong interest although she was not as excited. The two black-robed guards didn't speak and merely stood behind Lu Lan.
The shopkeeper, knowing that he had caught big fish, grinned, "You can play with them if you want. These pets are fairly cheap at around a few silver coins each. I have even better spiritual animals in the back."
Lu Lan turned around to Vivian with doe-eyes, "Big sis Vivian, can I have it? Pleaseee,"
"Miss, I want one too pleaseee."
Seeing the two like this, Vivian's expression softened and responded with fondness, "Sure, you guys can pick as many as you want."
While the three girls were messing around, Nan Feng was in a tavern with the doors wide open. He was surrounded by a bunch of people with jugs of wine.
"Haha, I've never seen a kid that can drink this much!"
"Nan Feng was it? Good drinking partners are rare to find. We're drinking till we drop!"
"Argghh, you're not beating me at drinking! I've been the undisputed champion here for years!"
Ye Tian watched all of this at the side with a smile alongside Vivian.
"You're not going to go enjoy yourself?" asked Vivian.
_Please, if I were to add my years here and back on earth then I would be a middle-aged man in his mid-life crisis._
"Watching them is enough."
"Well, aren't you a wisened old man."
_You hit right on the spot. Am I really an old man now? That just sounds and feels depressing. I still feel energetic and hot-blooded in this body though thanks to my hormones. Mmmm. Right. I'm still young._
Vivian's expression then turned serious as she looked at Ye Tian.
"I spoke to uncle Hao Nan. I know you guys are supposed to be in his faction."
Ye Tian sighed, "I didn't want to deeply involve myself with politics, but it seems like a storm is arriving. The attempt on your lives along with Hao Nan's protection shows the undercurrents."
"Oh?"
"Hao Nan is a trusted aide of the city lord, enough for him to be tasked with finding loyal recruits. There's no other reason for Hao Nan to escort you except that your relationship is close enough. I conclude that you are on the city lord's side correct?"
"Smart, but not quite."
"Hmm? May I know where my deductions are wrong?"
Vivian began to explain, "As a reward for such a brilliant mind, I'll explain the political wind for you. There are currently 4 clans in the city along with 3 factions. The Lu Clan is the strongest clan while the Hu clan, Xin clan, and Mu clan are much weaker. The three clans are so weak that they are a part of the three factions headed by Lu Clan elders."
"The first faction is the city lord's faction with the Xin clan and a huge majority of the Lu Clan. The city lord's faction is the strongest."
"The second faction is aligned with the Mu clan and headed by elder Lu Fan after his father retired. Due to elder Lu Fan's alignment with the radical conservatives and the wasted second son, the former second faction that was only slightly weaker than the first had slowly collapsed into almost nothing. The second faction is not a problem though. It was more like a counterweight to ensure that the city lord didn't have full control."
"The third faction is aligned with the Hu clan and headed by elder Lu Ka. In recent years, this third faction had devoured parts of the first and second faction to become equivalent in power to the city lord's faction. Currently, the Mu Clan already left the second faction to join elder Lu Ka's faction."
"The third faction is your enemy."
Vivian turned to sadly look at Lu Lan, "The third faction has already garnered enough support to betroth Lu Lan to elder Lu Ka's son, Lu Sha. It shows the power shift in the Lu clan. The increasingly old city lord isn't helping either. At the very least, I hope you three can survive amidst this turmoil. Hopefully, things will soon change."
_Looks like I got the short end of the stick…_
***
It had been a long day for Ye Tian as he made his way down the streets with a lunch box. The group had gone to all sorts of fun places during the day. The grand meal at the best restaurant in the city had elevated Ye Tian's palate. Now, it was night time.
Soon, Ye Tian arrived at a shabby courtyard. However, the very first thing he noticed was the unswept gate with many cobwebs at the roof of the gate. While the courtyard was in bad shape, Lu Yin never neglected his home to this point.
Ye Tian had a bad feeling as he hopped over the walls. As expected, dust and cobwebs everywhere. Lu Yin hadn't come back. Now, Ye Tian was worried.
_This guy… He couldn't have met with an accident right? I'll have to find a way to contact Lu Ning or someone to look for him. This city is so huge and I won't be able to find him just by myself._
With not much that he can do, Ye Tian went to his own courtyard.
As Ye Tian got ready for bed, he discovered a note under his door that wasn't there a few minutes ago. Upon picking up the note and reading it, Ye Tian's eyes narrowed.
It's time.