The marketplace is packed, people moving in different directions, just like fishes in the river. Among them were some sneaky little thieves and sweaty uncle who just came back from the farm.
Most of the interesting shops are concentrated here, weapon shop, smith, clothing shop, restaurant, heck, and even the woman underwear shop, etc...
Now that he had the chance to look at the place properly, it was hundreds of times better than when he sees in a historical drama show.
Large buildings are towering on each side of the street, with people walking in and out, never stopping.
Wandering amidst the flow of people, Zhu Dingxiang occasionally checking the status of cultivators at random.
His aura is dignified and elegant.
Sometimes he would stop by a stall, moving his eyes to one thing and then another. Sometimes, Zhu Dingxiang would engage with the seller in a conversation just to feels that he is a part of this place.
However, they would always respond predictably, some with ulterior motives and goals to achieve.
'Perhaps I should leave Little White back at the courtyard next time... She attracted way too much attention.' Zhu Dingxiang lamented internally.
Growl*
As if sensing his thought, Little White let out a low growl with an expression 'As if you are very low key.'
(o_O) !
Ever since he walked into the Blue Lake Town, there are more than forty pairs of eyes spying his each and every move. Even though they lessened when he was in the Qiao estate, now that Zhu Dingxiang is in the market, he was being observed again.
'This feeling, I hate it.' Despise his displeasure about the stalkers. Zhu Dingxiang didn't blame them since everything about himself is too conspicuous.
Zhu Dingxiang stopped by a stall and asked the owner.
"Hey, boss, how much is this bamboo hat?"
(✧∀✧)/
"Young Miss, it's one silver coin." The stall owner replied politely.
"..." (-_-;)・・・
"W-what did you call me? I'm a man!" Zhu Dingxiang corrected the stall owner.
(＃`Д´)
"Yes, yes, you are a man, Young master." The stall owner immediately said with the 'as if I did believe your expression.' (¬‿¬ )
'Whatever, I wouldn't waste my precious time arguing with you.' With this thought in mind, Zhu Dingxiang paid the one silver coin and walked away with the bamboo hat.
ヽ(ˇヘˇ)ノ
The hat was made by many strands of bamboo weaving together, round and flat, with a long, almost see-through white veil attaching to it.
"The classic bamboo hat for chivalrous expert, Ha! I'm awesome." Wearing the newly bought bamboo hat, Zhu Dingxiang exuded a mysterious yet graceful air.
Ignore the attention he is getting from the crowd; Zhu Dingxiang continues to explore the market.
A while later, he arrived in front of a huge and impressive building. On top of the door was a big sign with calligraphy written in black ink.
"Blue Lake Pavillion."
'This should be the one?'
"Little White, stay out here for a bit, okay?"
"Huff"
One of the employees noticed someone with an extraordinary bearing entering the pavilion. It was a beautiful girl dressing in what resembled a cheongsam; upon discovering Zhu Dingxiang, she immediately rushed up and greeted him.
"Greetings, respected customer, welcome to Blue Lake Pavillion." She said in a sweet but low voice.
"Oh, hello! I'm looking for some pieces of jade and a carving knife."
Seeing Zhu Dingxiang's casual attitude, the girl was delighted. Usually, this type of customer would give a handsome tip, and if by any chance she could seduce them, then she would be set in the future.
'Is this the gentleman who just comes to the town today?' The girl, though silently in her mind.
Zhu Dingxiang's tails were too unique; he has attracted too much attention back at the gate. Not to mention, the young miss of the Qiao clan, Qiao Qiuyue, steps out and vouch for him. At this point, the rumor about his appearance has already spread throughout the town.
Walking seductively, the girl leads Zhu Dingxiang to a separate room somewhere on the upper floor.
"Sir, what type of jade would you like?"
"I don't know. Let me see a few samples first."
"Sir, please wait for a while~." Shaking her hip left and right, the girl walks out of the room.
(' ∀ `)ノ～ ♡
Watching this evil seducive witch, Zhu Dingxiang's face reddened under the bamboo hat, and he feels his blood boil.
'Amitabha, my heart is pure as a mirror while my mind is as calm as a lake. My heart is pure as a mirror, while my mind is as calm as a lake... '
Sometime later, the girl is back, holding a wooden tray with many pieces of jade on it.
...
Looking through it, Zhu Dingxiang casually chooses a few pieces with fist-sized. There were also a few carving knives, and he picks the one that looks like a beautiful surgeon knife seemingly made out of crystal.
The total cost amount to about one thousand gold coins. Zhu Dingxiang was stunned; he reluctantly took out almost one-third of his saving and paid for the stuff.
"What? Is there something else?" Seeing the girl standing there as if waiting for something, he asked her.
"N-no, sir, have a good day." She bowed with an awkward smile and walked back to the counter. (//ω//)
"A beautiful but weird one, whatever." Feeling hungry, he walks out of the Blue Lake Pavillion and takes Little White to explore the food market.
Smelling the delicious aroma in the air of the bustling and lively night market, he is feeling famished.
As Zhu Dingxiang was eating his spicy lamb kabob, he comes across a restaurant called Little Fairy's Dumpling Shop. He decides to give it a try because, unlike the other restaurant, the seating area of this place is in an open courtyard.
He has skipped the other restaurant since they wouldn't let Little White go inside, and he wouldn't force them either simply to have a meal.
There is a sturdy man behind the counter with a short and chubby little girl.
Zhu Dingxiang walked in and asked the middle-aged lady who was taking the order.
"Hello, can my spiritual beast go inside?"
"Yes, sir, but please keep an eye on it." The lady replied after talking with the sturdy man in the back.
He takes a seat and has Little White next to his side.
"I want ten portions of soup dumplings, please."
"Yes, sir, please wait for a while."
__________
While eating, Zhu Dingxiang ignored the curious glance that the other customers give him now and then. Instead, he listened to the conversation from the other table.
In a restaurant like this, you can hear about all kinds of things, as people usually relax, drink wine, and chat.
At another table, three men were drinking and talking carelessly.
"Hey bro, it's almost the end of the month. The Rainbow Auction House is about to open again."
"Yeah, I remember. I hear that there would be some rare thing this month. Too bad we brothers are dirt poor; they don't even allow us to go inside with paying ten gold coins."
"I hear that the auctioneer is a gorgeous woman. I wish I could see her once."
"Bah, stop dreaming. It would be best if you focused on other things instead of thinking about beauty."
"If we could rent a big boat this time, maybe we could strike it rich if we caught a few Aurora Wine Fish at the night of the full moon."
...
Listening to their conversations, Zhu Dingxiang was interested.
'There's an auction house? But I'm almost out of money...'
( ; ω ; )