Ning City was a small harbor city. It was built on the coast of Hummingbird Island. The city itself consisted of multiple buildings joined together at different levels like Kowloon walled city just it was in the shape of a "U" facing the sea. The heart of the city were the four large ports where goods were constantly being loaded and offloaded as the "ships" came in. Wu Liang Hui's mouth hung open as he watched the gigantic monstrous sea turtles pull into the various posts. Large metal arms were used to remove the watertight shipping containers after the workers released the straps securing them to the turtle's back.
Old Li carried Liang Hui to the fifth floor where most of the clothing stores were located. As they moved of store-to-store Wu Liang Hui noted their sign boards trying to pin down the word "store" in this alien language. Last night he had tried to decipher what was written in the books but gave up halfway and just focused on the diagrams until he fell asleep. He also noted the currency used, silver slates with their value carved into them. He figured that he'll need to know these things when he's on his own on the mainland.
They had spent the whole morning in Ning City Li Qingyun was fussing over Wu Liang Hui the entire time. He dragged the boy over 10 different stores and in the end, Liang Hui stepped onto the warp gate with a gigantic, loaded backpack filled with clothes, snacks and other necessities. In all his fussing the old man decided against having the young man travel by sea due to the lurking beastmen. Old Li had lost his only son to war and when the young man had shown up mysteriously in the village, it felt as if his son had returned. Though looking at the young man's thin waist, bony limbs covered by pale skin and his long inky black hair, one could make the argument that he was taking the word son too lightly. The old man coughed awkwardly into his fist, discreetly turning into another hallway. Hence dragging Wu Liang Hui to a total of 10 stores. He wanted to ensure that no one could take advantage of the young man because he was lacking in resources.
The warp gate was a 12 by 12ft pentagram carved into the ground in the middle of the 7th floor. A bored looking blue robed old man seated at a desk was operating the gate. On the desk were a white crystal and the list of destinations and their relevant costs. Old Li passed the man 2 slates worth 500 each making Wu Liang Hui choke. He really owed the man a lot. He resolved to make as much money as he could on the mainland to pay Old Li back as soon as possible. After saying a goodbye to a tearful Li Qingyun, Wu Liang Hui stepped onto the warp gate. The old man placed his hand on the crystal in front of him and the pentagram glowed red. Old Li wiped his tears as the red light engulphed the young man.
"Good luck my boy," he sighed before walking away.
As he rubbed his eyes adjusting to his new surroundings, Wu Liang Hui found himself in the middle of a mall. Looking around in confusion, unsure if he was in the correct place, he was suddenly shoved to the side as someone else appeared on the warp gate. He was continuously shoved to and frow as more people entered and exited the warp gate the pots dangling from his large backpack clanking with each turn. Each person entering swiped a black card on a totem near the gate.
"Out of the way idiot!"
"Sorry," he spun.
"Where did this bumkin come from?"
"Sorry," he spun the opposite way, bowing with each apology.
"Would you like to buy a pill to help you in the bedroom? For you only 400 Silver Slates," the scantily clad woman eyed Liang Hui up and down with a chuckle.
"No thank you ma'am," he said over his shoulder trying his best to get out of the crowd, and far away from her as possible. The look she gave him sent chills down his spine.
Finally, a safe enough distance away he spun in wonder. It was at least double the size of Landmark Mall in Hong Kong. Sunlight poured in through the glass ceiling causing the towering opal walls to shimmer and sparkle. The stores were framed in gold. Not just the building but the people were colorful and glamorous. The place screamed luxury and elegance. Walking around in amazement Wu Liang Hui was accidently caught up in the flow of a crowd once more. By the time he freed himself he was outside the building.
Standing alone on the street he looked out at wide open empty roads. Panicked he walked back towards the grant building. He was supposed to be picked up by someone from the Lightning Sword sect. Old Li had asked a friend on the mainland who was an elder in the sect to take care of Wu Liang Hui.
"Fuck," he stared wide eyed at the map. He couldn't understand a word and he didn't know what any of the little symbols meant. How was he going to find them in a place like this? He didn't even know what the person looked like. Feeling a headache brewing he turned away in time to see the old lady from before making her way towards him. He started running in the opposite direction as she chased after him.
"You look lost, let me help you," she shouted.
"No thanks!"
Making two lefts and a right he found himself by a stage in the middle of a crowd once more. A man gland in all white with spiked hair was onstage singing so softly and sweetly it felt like he was trying to cleanse your soul. Adjusting the straps of the backpack he discreetly looked around to see if he had lost her. Sighing one minute because he was safe only to clutch his head in frustration. Just when he was lost in thought someone grabbed his arm causing him to jump.
"Hey are you my bumkin?" A girl asked as she waved a sign in Liang Hui's face.