The golden rays of light pierced through the window, as it shone it's light on the handsome face of a young man.
Lucian's eyes slowly opened painting his blue irises in a golden hue, as he slowly stood up from the bed. His bones made continuous clanking sounds, satisfied of the good sleep which he never had for almost three months.
Lucian immediately jumped up from the bed gathering the book of the Azure Dragon province and some of his clothes into the bag. He was ready to embark on a journey.
He moved out of the inn as he gave it one last look before leaving. While the innkeeper was dead, it could at least serve as a refuge for the homeless.
-- -- --
Three hours later
The street was crowded with people going about their daily business. The traders and buyers engaged in a heated arguments, each trying to get what they want by trying to convince the other. The loud voice of traders advertising echoed throughout, resulting in a cacophony of noise.
But while one should feel unsettled about the noise, it strangely wasn't and one would actually feel it to be slightly pleasant instead.
Amidst the bustling market place, a young man with dark hair, clothed in a dark robes, could be seen walking around the place.
His eyes were a beautiful blue colour as his gaze shifted here and there, distracted by bustling of the market while also seeming to be searching for something.
Lucian walked around the place as he finally moved away from the remote area of the inn, and finally arrived in Azure market, one of the most popular markets of the Azure Dragon province. Off course he didn't know where the divine battle sect is and if he wants more information, here was the perfect place.
What he needed was a map of the place, but he'll always get distracted by the noise. The bustling was something he had never witnessed before, so he just kept marvelling at the beauty of it and forgetting that he needed to get a map.
He continued walking through the place when a voice suddenly echoed into his ears.
"The Azure Dragon hall, the Zenin Forgery House, the Sword Dao Sanctuary.
The location of all this can be known with just a small price and curiousity. Get the map of the entire Azure Dragon province here."
Lucian slowly directed his attention to the place where he could here the voice coming from and arrived in front of a small kiosk.
Piles of rolled up maps were arranged in front of the kiosk while behind the kiosk itself was a middle aged man dressed in shabby clothing.
His crooked eyes were seemingly innocent with a big smile was held on his face revealing his hole ridden teeth. While he tried to appear as harmless as possible, one look and Lucian could tell he was no good soul.
"What place would you like to go to my long lost brother...", the man asked his expression as polite as possible while his gaze roamed around Lucian's body stopping slightly at the place where his pockets were.
"Umm, I would like to get the map to the location of the Divine Battle sect." Lucian said arriving at his main points.
"Ahh, the map to one of the three greatest sects of our exalted Dragon province. The Divine Battle sect. A sect know for it's power and powerful students. You must know brother that a place as powerful as such would naturally want to make their location secret, at least mortals like us are simply unworthy of knowing the location of such a place.
But luckily for you brother, I happen to have a map of such a place. I can still remember the chase and struggles encountered to lay my hand in this map. Tt, You know I lost a third of my blood on that journey.
But it's a only a map in the end, if it will make you accomplish your goals, then I'll unwillingly sell it to you." the man said as Lucian saw his face suddenly becoming lit with determination.
"I'm sorry for all the pain you go through to obtain it, so how much will you sell it for me?"
Lucian asked sympathizing with the man, not knowing it was just part of the ploy to rip him of every of his penny.
"Well because I'll be selling to you, a person I've considered my brother, how about we both agree on 50 Azure coins." the man asked his hands dragging on his long beards which had a part of it gone, while his hands trailed the other half, as he stared at Lucian.
"Hmm..." Lucian looked at his pockets as he knew how much he had left. All the money on him was giving to him by Uncle Jason's.
It was a total of 1000 star coins. A sum which is enough to make Lucian and Mia live comfortably without having to worry for the next hundred years.
A map costing 50 coins wasn't too much.
"Ok, 50 coins it is." Lucian said as he brought out the coins from his pocket.
The man asked gleamed with surprise as he couldn't believe how easily the young man before him could bring out such sum. Actually a map to the Divine Battle sect is usually be around 10 coins and if one could bargain well, he'll probably obtain for 5 coins, but this young man agreed on buying it for 50. it seems his luck was a little too good today. Then why not try to push it even harder a little.
"You knew brother, while the map I have with me here is 50 coins. But due to the chase some places are incomplete, and if not properly understood well, might make you lost on your journey. I'm not sure you want to take such risk. But luckily I have the true complete map with me here, something I found about three years ago. It's price is only 150 coins. What do you say? brother." the man asked Lucian with a wide smile almost reaching his ears.
Lucian's eyes narrowed a little as he wondered whether it was wise to obtain the map for 150 coins. While the former was just 50 coins, it was incomplete. The other was expensive compared to that but complete. Well he didn't have time to waste so he could still go for the 150 coins.
Lucian dipped his hands into his pockets as he was about to bring out 150 coins when a fat hand suddenly landed on Lucian's shoulder, making his stomach churn a little from their weight as a voice said to the trader.
"You damn old foggy, are trying to rip off my brother?" the voice of a young man echoed out as spittle flew out from his mouth with every word landing on the old man's face.