The castle town is a bustling hub of activity, with vendors shouting out their wares and the sounds of clattering carts filling the air. The main streets are wide and well-maintained, lined with shops and stalls selling everything from silks and spices to pottery and jewelry. The architecture is varied, with traditional-style buildings mixing with more modern structures.
As you move further away from the main streets, the atmosphere changes. Narrow alleys and dimly lit lanes lead to a maze of small homes, some in disrepair and others carefully tended. This is the slum area, where the poorest residents of the town live. It's a stark contrast to the opulence of the castle and the wealth of the upper-class citizens who populate the main streets.
Despite the poverty, the slum area has its sense of community and culture. Small shops and vendors line the streets, and residents gather in the few open spaces to play games or chat with their neighbors. The air is thick with the smells of cooking fires and the sounds of children playing.
All in all, the castle town is a fascinating and complex place, full of both luxury and hardship, beauty and grit.
Zenki and Mengting woke up early in the morning to get ready for their trip to the castle town.
Zenki and Mengting dressed in simple, but elegant, clothing to blend in with the common nobles of the town. Zenki wore a dark green robe with gold embroidery, while Mengting wore a light blue dress with silver accents. Both outfits were designed to be comfortable yet stylish, a perfect fit for their day out. They left the palace discreetly with their shadow guards following them from a distance.
As they entered the castle town, the first thing they noticed was the bustling atmosphere. People from all walks of life were going about their daily business, buying and selling goods in the market, and going to and from their work.
Mengting was fascinated by the colorful displays of fruits, vegetables, and other goods in the market stalls. Zenki was equally impressed by the architecture and design of the buildings, some of which were centuries old.
They walked through the main street of the town, passing by shops, restaurants, and tea houses. Zenki and Mengting even stopped at one of the tea houses to have some refreshments and watch the people go by.
As they continued their stroll, they came across a slum area, which was a stark contrast to the more affluent parts of the town. Zenki felt a pang of sadness as he saw the poverty and hardship that some of the people were enduring. He made a mental note to improve the living conditions of the slum area in the future.
Mengting noticed the difference too and asked her father about it. Zenki explained to her that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a comfortable life as they do and that it's important to help those in need when possible.
After exploring the town for a few hours, they decided to have lunch at a small restaurant that specialized in local delicacies. They enjoyed a variety of dishes, including dumplings, noodles, and steamed buns, all of which were cooked to perfection.
As they ate, they talked about their experiences in the castle town and what they had learned. Zenki was pleased to see how much Mengting had grown and matured during their trip.
After lunch, they continued their tour of the castle town, exploring more of the sights and sounds it had to offer
As they were walking around the town, they happened to stumble upon a boy being abducted. Even though the boy was outnumbered, he was still struggling to break free. Upon seeing this, Zenki signaled the shadow guards to help the boy.
The kidnappers, seeing the shadow guards approaching, started to pull out their weapons. Zenki and Mengting, who were watching from a safe distance, saw that the shadow guards were using magic in their fight against the kidnappers. The guards' movements were fluid and precise, and their attacks were infused with powerful energy that sent the kidnappers flying.
Zenki couldn't help but feel the desire to improve his cultivation so that someday he could fight alongside the shadow guards. As the fight ended and the boy was safely rescued, Zenki made a mental note to devote more time to training the Dragon Ascension Manual.
As Zenki looked at the boy, he noticed that he had some bruises and scratches on his arms. He felt a pang of sympathy for the poor child, who looked like he had been through a lot. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
The boy looked up at Zenki with grateful eyes, "Yes, sir, thank you for your help," he answered, his voice shaking slightly.
"Why are they trying to abduct you?" Zenki pressed, curious about the boy's situation.
The boy looked down for a moment before answering, "It might be related to my grandfather, he always had enemies prowling around," he said, his voice low and hesitant. Zenki's heart sank at the thought of the boy being caught up in his grandfather's troubles.
As he looked at the boy, Zenki couldn't help but wonder what kind of life he must have had, constantly living in fear of danger. He resolved to do what he could to help the boy and his family.
Zenki's expression darkened at the mention of enemies. "Who is your grandfather?" he asked.
The boy hesitated for a moment before replying, "His name is Liu Yong. We have been roaming the land as nomads for as long as I can remember."
Zenki nodded thoughtfully, "I see. Do you have any idea why your grandfather's enemies would want to abduct you?"
Liu Wei shook his head, "I'm not sure. Maybe they think they can use me to get to him."
Zenki's gaze hardened, "We will make sure that doesn't happen. Can you take us to your grandfather?"
Liu Wei's eyes widened in surprise, "You would do that for us?"
Zenki smiled reassuringly, "Of course. We can't just leave you to face danger alone."
Liu Wei's face lit up with gratitude and relief, "Thank you, sir. My grandfather is in the slum area. It's not too far from here."
Zenki and Mengting followed Liu Wei's directions to the outskirts of the town, passing by bustling markets and narrow alleyways until they reached a quiet residential area. The houses here were older, made of weathered wood and brick, but still well-maintained.
Liu Wei led them down a narrow street until they reached a modest house with a small garden out front. The garden was well-tended, with vibrant flowers and a few fruit trees. The house itself had a simple design, with wooden shutters over the windows and a thatched roof.
As they approached the front door, Zenki noticed a faint aura of cultivation emanating from within the house. He realized that Liu Yong might not be simple. His curiosity was piqued, and Zenki couldn't wait to meet the old man.
Liu Wei knocked on the door, and after a moment, it opened to reveal a kind-looking old man with a long white beard. His clothes were simple but well-made, and his eyes sparkled with wisdom and experience.
"Grandpa!" Liu Wei shouted and ran towards the old man, hugging him tightly. Liu Yong was surprised to see his grandson and the guests that he was with.
After the initial surprise wore off, Liu Wei narrated to Liu Yong what had happened earlier, how he was nearly abducted by some unknown assailants, and how Zenki and his shadow guards had come to his rescue. Liu Yong listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment.
After Liu Wei finished his story, Liu Yong turned towards Zenki and Mengting and bowed deeply in gratitude. "I cannot thank you enough for saving my grandson's life. You are true heroes."
Zenki waved away Liu Yong's thanks. "It was the right thing to do. We couldn't just stand by and watch an innocent child get abducted."
Liu Yong nodded, understanding Zenki's sentiment. "May I know the names of my saviors?"
Zenki took a deep breath and made a decision. "I am not a noble sir," he said, looking Liu Yong straight in the eyes. "I am the Emperor of this land."
Liu Yong's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked at Zenki and Mengting with renewed interest. "The Emperor?" he repeated, his voice laced with awe. "What brings you here to our humble abode, Your Majesty?"
Zenki explained the events that led them to the slum area and how they stumbled upon Liu Wei's abduction. He also shared his desire to experience the town incognito and learn more about the lives of his subjects.
Liu Yong listened intently, nodding his head from time to time. "I see," he said. "You have a kind heart, Your Majesty. It is rare for an Emperor to show such concern for his people."
Zenki smiled warmly. "I believe that a good ruler should always be in touch with his subjects and understand their needs," he said.
Liu Yong bowed again. "I am honored to meet such a wise and benevolent ruler," he said. "If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, please do not hesitate to ask."
"May I ask what your cultivation level is, Master Liu?" Zenki inquired.
"I am currently at the Beginner level of Void Interpretation, Your Majesty," Liu Yong replied respectfully.
"Beginner level? I see," Zenki muttered, taking in the information.
Liu Yong noticed Zenki's surprise and added, "Your Majesty, each level of cultivation is further divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced stages."
Zenki nodded, acknowledging Liu Yong's explanation. He was intrigued by the concept of cultivation levels and wanted to learn more.