--- Chapter 24 ---
On the road toward the Jia Ma Empire's Capital, a grand-looking carriage pulled by two 3-Rank horned horses moved so fast yet steadily.
Baek Ain rested his head on Lan Rou's lap and slept soundlessly in the carriage, feeling no bumpy sensation because of the suspension he designed for this carriage.
They could have traveled with flying magical beasts with Miteer Family's power, but Yafei refused the idea. She was determined to travel on land and showed the capital the newly improved carriage.
Lan Rou caressed Baek Ain's white hair and commented, "The carriage is faster than I expected."
"Of course, It's nothing compared to traveling alone at my top speed, but with this impressive pace. We should arrive at the Jia Ma Sacred City in a day or two."
Yafei was checking some business documents when she heard Lan Rou's comments and smiled proudly. "It's another one of Ain's ideas."
"That bright mind of his is era-changing."
"Using springs, dampers, and struts. Ain improved normal carriage's performance up to 300%."
"Mm." Lan Rou deliberately nodded because she didn't understand what Yafei was saying. She should have listened more to Baek Ain's words in the future. She might learn one or two new things.
They arrived at the small city to take a breather, and Baek Ain finally awakened from his lap. "Morning." He yawned while rubbing his face on Lan Rou's thighs.
Lan Rou smiled and said, "Morning, sleepyhead."
Baek Ain chuckled in defeat as he charged his Revolver's slot with Golden Crow's Possession. It consumed all the Fire Dou Qi in his body, making him exhausted when they left Wu Tan City.
Yafei finished reading her documents and sighed, "I'm hungry. Let's check if there is a restaurant in this city."
"Sure, we haven't eaten anything for eight hours."
As they walked out, Yafei told the driver to wait and guard the carriage.
"Let's go~!" The noble lady hugged Baek Ain's left arm, pulling him to the cozy-looking city.
[Ding! Do you want to Sign In to Golden Pine City?]
'Sure.' Baek Ain shrugged. He hasn't thought much about the Sign-In location because he could do it daily now.
[Congratulations, Host!]
[You have received 3x The Branches of Sacred Pine Tree(A-), 2x Sacred Pine Tree's Saplings(B), and 10.000 Gold Coins]
[Name: Sacred Pine Tree's Branch]
[Type: Material]
[Grade: A-]
[Description: Sacred Pine Tree is an ancient tree blessed by the earth and wood qi, growing tougher than steel. Sacred Pine Trees need at least roughly seventy years to reach the maturity phase. In the past, expert sculptors from Golden Pine City would carve the branch of the tree and turn it into fine weapons]
[Name: Sacred Pine Tree's Sapling]
[Type: Plant/Material]
[Grade: B]
[Description: The sapling of Sacred Pine Tree. It can grow into a new tree in the right environment or get used in pill-making]
"Nice."
"What?"
Without Baek Ain realizing it, they arrived at the restaurant and sat on the corner. Yefei and Lan Rou have ordered their food, leaving the waitress hanging when asking for his order.
Baek Ain smiled helplessly and responded, "Can I get braised pork belly and chilled tea?"
"Right away, sir." The waitress nodded and walked away.
"Pfft, it's funny to see you were daydreaming for a minute there." Yafei covered her mouth with a fan.
"I have to agree." Lan Rou smirked, leaving Baek Ain speechless.
Baek Ain cleared his throat and leaned on the wall. "You better sleep with one eye open because I'd tease you in the middle of the night."
The two ladies slightly blushed as the tease Baek Ain talked about was dangerous for them. It was problematic because none of them could win against him.
"Hmph!" Yafei swayed her head.
...
...
After lunch, they continued the journey back and arrived a day later at the border of the capital's territory. Yafei showed her badge and made the guard pale before letting them through.
Baek Ain and Lan Rou cultivated in the carriage, breathing to adjust Dou Qi in their bodies. Yafei looked at them enviously because her Dou Qi hadn't shown any progress for two years.
Baek Ain noticed Yafei's complex emotions and suddenly remembered Dou's Technique suitable for a woman like Yafei. It was from Yao Men's memories, which contained a thousand if not ten thousand rare techniques.
What a shame some are incomplete because Soul Protection erased a good chunk of Yao Men's memories.
'Alicia, remind me later to copy the "Nine Yin Petals Techniques." for Yafei.' Baek Ain told his system. After all, He isn't at the level where he could do mind-transferring to others.
And verbally sharing techniques with Yafei in the carriage would be an unwise move, considering several presences hiding when they entered the capital's territory.
[Okay, host]
'Shadow Guard isn't the only hidden organization in this empire.' Baek Ain expanded his Sixth Sense, frowning because the capital wasn't as safe as he believed.
And the Miteer Family/Primer Clan wouldn't let such meddlesome things happen to him.
The carriage entered the Jia Ma Sacred City, allowing Baek Ain to view the grand capital city of the Jia Ma Empire. He was surprised by the sheer size of this place as his Sixth Sense barely covered 1/100 of it. The street is clean, and every building he has seen is "regularly." treated without leaving a single crack.
"Wow, just how big is the Miteer Family?"
"Fufu, you'll see soon~!" Yafei giggled while having a smug expression on her face.
After another fifteen minutes, the carriage stopped, and a loud moving metal noise echoed in the area.
"Lady Fei." Someone opened the carriage door from outside.
Yafei grabbed Baek Ain's hand and said, "Follow me."
Baek Ain took a single step off the carriage and was "actually." stunned by the scenery before his eyes. "God damn..." He blinked his eyes in disbelief.
A grand castle stood firmly with tall gates spanning over several kilometers. Several clean paths lead to the main entrance and are "literally." decorated with expensive-looking bonsai trees and marble statues on each side.
"I know you're rich, Fei... However, this is something else."
Yafei shrugged her shoulders casually and replied, "This is just the tip of the iceberg."
"I felt like a countryside bumpkin for some reason. Well, I am." Baek Ain laughed helplessly.
Yafei escorted Baek Ain and Lan Rou to the Miteer Mansion, showing him unique places only she could enter. This place is where she grew up and became what she is right now.
The tour lasted an hour, and they ended up sitting in a garden full of white roses. A strong presence suddenly pressed on Baek Ain's body.
Baek Ain instinctively turned around and saw a white-haired middle-aged man with a neat mustache in a stylish white-red suit.
SWOOSH!
Baek Ain resisted the pressure without any problem and clasped his hands against each other.
"Nice to meet you, elder." He greeted the middle-aged man with a small smile, ignoring the sounds his bones made.
"Oh?" Primer Tengshan raised his eyebrows.
"Stop! Don't bully my AIN!" Yafei hit Primer Tengshan's stomach, making the imposing middle-aged man whimper in pain.
"..." Baek Ain. Women are scary.
Even Lan Rou watched this sight with a surprised look.
Yafei laughed and introduced the middle-aged man to Baek Ain, "Ain. This person is Primer Tengshan. One of the Miteer Family/Primer Clan's elders."
"Don't worry. I shared your situation with Elder Tengshan months ago, so please don't get the wrong idea about his intentions. He only wanted to test you a little earlier."
"I know." Baek Ain nodded calmly. "I didn't sense any killing intent from him."
"HAHAHA~!" Primer Tengshan laughed his heart out.
"He's truly an interesting young man."
"As expected from a young hero who defeated the magical beast maniac."
Primer Tengshan offered Baek Ain his right hand and added, "Welcome to our family, Baek Ain."
Baek Ain shook the elder's hand and answered, "Thank you, sir."
"But you're not the only one who comes here, right?"
"Hoho, interesting."
"Very interesting indeed."
"This kid might be able to surpass the Ice Emperor and bless our family with good fortune."
Three people walked into the garden, two middle-aged men and one middle-aged woman with a similar facial feature to Yafei.
[Ding! You have triggered a quest]
[Name: Show-off your abilities]
[Objective: Make at least two Elders of Primer Clan impressed(0/2)]
[Penalty: None]
[Time Limit: 1 hour]
[Reward: Yafei's affection +10%, Three drops of Geocentric Cleansing Milk, and a small chunk of Meteorite]
[Do you want to accept the quest?]
[Yes/No]
'Yes.' Baek Ain bent his body respectfully.
"Elders, May I have Yafei's hand in marriage?"
Cracks!
The floor cracked when Baek Ain finished his words.
"W-What did you say?"
"I want to marry Yafei! I Love her!"
The four elders grimaced and stared at Baek Ain solemnly.
The female elder opened her mouth and questioned, "What can you do, kid?"
"I won't let you marry my one and only niece so easily."
Baek Ain grinned and confidently said, "Allow me to introduce myself."