Unlike Yuyang City, Darati City was a city only in name. Instead of a city, it would have been better to call it a small village. The population of Darati was less than a thousand people, which was a far cry from the population of big cities like Yuyang.
It was a city that was geographically located in valley terrains. There were small hills that were roughly fifty meters long. While the majority of the people were living at the bottom of those hills on plain ground, there were still some houses that were located on the hills.
Right now, on one hill that stood at the end of Darati City, there was a small pavilion. The small pavilion was made out of evergreen trees. In front of it, there was a small garden that was filled with all kinds of flowers with a small pond in the centre.
"From now on, this is your house, young master."
A middle-aged man was standing there respectfully. In front of him was a teenager with long black hair tied up in a ponytail. His white robe which was stained with dust gave others the feeling of a traveller.
"Thank you, steward Li."
The middle-aged man smiled flatteringly before asking him again. He was the current steward of the Yang family in this city. Even though he received the news that the second young master would arrive here, he didn't expect him to arrive this early.
"Is there anything else you need young master?"
"I'm tired. Just send me some food." Xen nodded with a clear exhaustion. Thinking for a while, he then continued.
"Other than that, send me some clothes too. The simpler the better."
"As you wish."
Steward Li gave him a polite bow before turning around and leaving that place. The moment he turned around, the smile from his face faded as his eyes were filled with coldness.
...
Yang Li was a member of the Yang family too. Even though he wasn't a direct member of the main family, his grandfather was one of the elders. When he was a child, he too had high hopes of becoming strong and assisting the Yang family. Unfortunately for him, he had no aptitude for both martial arts and cultivation.
In fact, if not for his grandfather, he would still be staying with the Yang family, living a life of no value, just like many other servants. It was only after his grandfather pulled some strings, that he was able to move to Darati as a steward of the textiles industries.
Even though this city was nowhere near as prosperous as the Yuyang city, it was better to live like a king here than to live as a dog there.
As soon as he reached back to his house, he was greeted by a young anxious voice.
"Father!"
"Shhh!"
Signalling his son to keep quiet, Steward Li raised his hands meaningfully. The boy nodded for a while before following his father quietly into the distance.
"Father, did you confirm his identity?"
Even though the boy tried to suppress his voice, one could still feel a great deal of anxiety from it.
"Yes. There is no doubt about the family seal. As for his identity as the second young master... I am inclined to believe it."
"Why would the second young master from the main family come here? They have much better industries in other places too."
The boy's voice was filled with dissatisfaction. For him, it was his father who built up the entire industry. Now that the industry is making some money, the main family decided to take it back.
"Heh. I am afraid he is the second young master in name only."
Steward Li, who visited the family twice a year, was aware of many things. It wouldn't be wrong to call the second young master who wasn't even able to cultivate or practice martial arts the most famous person there. It was normal for him to know about Yang Ze, too. It was just that he never saw him in person, hence the initial confusion after meeting him in person.
"Dad, what do you mean?"
"It's like this."
As the two of them slowly made their way back, Steward Li was describing the complete history of Yang Ze to his son.
"You mean to say that he is sixteen and still hasn't condensed his qi?"
"Exactly. I guess this is the reason why the family kicked him out here."
After a short silence, the boy looked at his father before asking again.
"What should we do next Father? We can't just hand over the entire industry to trash like him." If Yang Ze was still a talented individual, then he wouldn't have dared to utter these words. But for someone with no qualifications... he disdained to even think about it.
"Hahahaha."
Laughing with a sneer, Steward Li shook his head.
"Let's observe the situation first. Remember, even if we don't like him, he still has a status that is higher than ours. Don't make any mistakes and don't go around provoking him. I will consult with your mother before reaching any conclusion."
After a long pause, he looked at his son.
"Cheer'e I have high hopes for you. I was never able to practice. You, on the other hand, my son, are much more talented than me. Don't worry about anything. Just focus on your practice."
Listening to his father's words, Yang Che puffed his chest before declaring in a firm voice.
"Ten years father. In another ten years, I will be able to step into the Qi Guiding realm. At that time, I will be able to share your burden."
"Mmm."
Patting his shoulder with a proud smile, Steward Li began to think about his next course of action.
.....
By the time Yang Ze woke up, the distant horizon was beginning to welcome the warm day. Looking at the small town that was shrouded in a hazy mist, he felt his exhaustion disappear.
Even though he had seen his fair share of scenery in his previous life, there were seldom any views as breathtaking as the one in front of him. Compared to the air of his previous life, the air here was filled with a muddy smell. Other than the chirping of birds and insects, there wasn't any other sound. The usual noise of machines, horns, aeroplanes, and music that he was so tired of in his previous life wasn't there.
Taking a deep breath, he marvelled at the quality of the air that was free from any pollution before looking at the screen in front of him.
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{Name: Yang Ze}
{Realm: Early Stage Qi Guiding}
{XP: 400/500}
{Technique: Seaheart Art Second Layer}
{Martial Arts: Black Tiger Blade Technique 'Great Accomplishment'} [0/500]
{Efficiency: 100 XP/day}
{Level: 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)
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"Just one more day."
After watching the performance of Old Xie, Yang Ze was tempted to improve his strength as soon as possible. Every breakthrough in the Qi Guiding realm was a huge improvement to overall strength. Just breaking through two times earlier has already given him a significant boost in strength. He could only imagine the strength he would gain after further breakthroughs.
"Let's take a walk."
After making up his mind, he decided to take a walk around the city. The city, which wasn't even two thousand meters, was perfect for his morning walk.
Climbing down the hill, Yang Ze soon reached the city. Unlike his previous life, where everyone seemed to be in a hurry, life here seemed tranquil. There were only a few houses where lanterns were lit, giving off a hazy glow in the preceding darkness. In a world like this, the majority of the people didn't wake up until it was completely bright outside.
Looking around, he noticed just how different this place was from the one where he was living earlier. Unlike Yuyang City, Darati City wasn't divided into an inner circle and an outer circle. There wasn't any prominent martial arts family here. Other than the city lord who lived in the centre of the town, there weren't any people who held real power in this place. Even the so-called city lord was only responsible for collecting taxes and making personal requests from the Yang family.
Walking down the street, Yang Ze saw some shopkeepers who were picking up their shop's wooden doors and placing them inside the shop. People in some shops were already brooming the floor. Some of them paid attention to the unfamiliar faces in front of them for a moment before getting busy with their work.
Almost all of the buildings in Darati were made coarsely with stones and wood piled on top of one another. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't pleasant either. If Yang Ze had to describe them, it would be 'alright'.
"Oh. Now this is a new face."
While Yang Ze was walking in a trance, he was suddenly stopped by an old voice. It was an old man in his seventies with a head full of white hair wearing a long coarse robe with a gentle smile that made his wrinkled face a bit more amiable.
"Hello there. I just came to this town yesterday."
Looking at the old man who was standing there with a smile, Yang Ze introduced himself with a smile. Were it any other time, he would have ignored the old man and would have kept on walking. But at the moment, he was in a pretty good mood. Since this was a new place, a new life and a new world, he wanted to start anew. He wanted to get to know people, listen to their stories and even share his own.
"It is rare to see a new face here, especially someone as young as you."
By the time the old man was done speaking, he was already near Yang Ze.
"Hmm." Nodding his head, Yang Ze continued walking with the old man. Throughout that time, he was thinking about what to say.
"Not a man of many words, I presume."
After a short laugh, the old man looked at Yang Ze with a smile.
"I am... But I am a bit tired after that long journey." Yang Ze just shook his head with a smile.
"I see." The old man paused for a moment before asking again, "So, young man. What brings you to this humble city of ours?"
"Just here to take care of some family business." Yang Ze shrugged.
"I see. You must be really talented to take reigns of business at such a young age."
"Hahahaa." The moment he heard it, Yang Ze let out a peal of laughter before nodding "Yeah. In the entire family, I was the only one worthy enough to take care of business."
"Good job young man."
Looking at the old man who didn't understand his sarcasm, Yang Ze let out a slight smile before thinking for a moment and asking a question.
"Do you often take a walk in the morning old man?"
"HAHAHA. Yes. After all, people of my age need to take care of their health, don't they?" The old man wasn't angry that the boy addressed him this way, instead, he replied to every question with great enthusiasm.
The two of them kept on walking through the dirt road. Yang Ze didn't know where he was going. He just came out on a whim and was now following the old man around. As for the old man... he too didn't seem to have any particular destination in his mind.
In silence, the two of them kept on walking, leaving behind the sound of their heavy breathing. It was only after almost an hour that the two of them finally arrived at the backskirts of the Darati City and for the first time, Yang Ze saw the scene in front of him...