"Next!" a voice rings out.
A man with a fox on his shoulder walks forward.
"First time here?" the guard asks.
"Yes," the man answers.
"Then the entry fee will be 4 copper coins," replies the guard.
The man reaches into his pocket and takes out 4 shining brown coins, marked with interesting symbols.
He then extends his hand toward the guard and lets the coins fall from his palm into the guard's.
"Here," he says.
The guard carefully inspects the coins.
After a moment, he nods and turns back to the man, locking eyes with him.
As he does, he feels himself being drawn in by those green orbs.
Quickly, the guard breaks eye contact, a drop of sweat trickling down his cheek.
He didn't know why, but the man before him seemed dangerous.
Still looking at the ground, he steps aside, unblocking the man's path.
"Welcome to Bachuan City. We wish you a most satisfying stay," the guard says.
The man nods toward the guard and moves forward.
This man was none other than Lao Jianming. He had finally entered the city after a long wait at the entry point. A large line had formed, caused by the guards' need to control entries and exits from the city.
He could have forced his way in with his status as a cultivator or even entered incognito by jumping over the wall where there were no guards assigned.
But he preferred not to take such risks. You never know who's watching. In this world, it was better to be safe than sorry, lest he offend some hidden powerhouse.
As he passes through the gate, he takes in the city that had been obscured by the guard blocking his way.
It was a refreshing sight, completely distinct from the cement prisons that cities in his previous life seemed to emulate, with their claustrophobic streets and tall, lifeless gray buildings stretching as far as the eye could see.
This city was different.
If he compared it to the architecture styles of his previous world, it followed a traditional East Asian aesthetic.
At the top of the hill sits a grand manor where the Mayor likely spends his time, a symbol of authority looming over the city.
As you wander downhill, the city unfolds like a vibrant painting. The streets bustle with people going about their daily routines. At the heart lies a bustling market, offering an array of intriguing goods.
Stores and stalls line the streets, offering everything imaginable. It's a melting pot of cultures and flavors, where you can indulge in a meal at a cozy restaurant, catch a show at the theater, or simply unwind at a tavern and absorb the lively ambiance.
Bachuan is a celebration of human achievement, where tradition harmonizes with innovation, and every corner tells a tale.
"Hey, Hui Jing, you've never been here before, right?" Lao inquires.
A flicker of annoyance flashes in the fox's eyes.
"You're still using that name?" he retorts.
"Absolutely! Can you imagine the confusion if I called you Lao Jianming? Our audience would be lost. I'm just trying to keep things clear for our readers," Lao counters.
"I get your point, but why am I the one named Hui Jing? Shouldn't I retain my original name? It's the only connection I have to my past life," questions the fox.
"Oh, my dear Hui Jing, I'm doing this for your own benefit. If I continue to refer to you by your old name, you'll never move on. You'll be haunted by your past failures," Lao explains.
'Yeah, right. Who does he think he's fooling?' the fox thinks.
Despite his thoughts, the fox's voice betrays him.
"I understand. I apologize for reacting with hostility. I appreciate your concern for my well-being," the fox responds.
"No need for apologies, my dear fox. Just avoid making the same mistake again," Lao replies.
'Bastard,' the fox almost yells inwardly.
Lao seems unfazed by the fox's mood and continues.
"And besides, we couldn't waste such a beautiful name that I've given you, could we? My naming skills are unparalleled. It perfectly encapsulates your essence, wouldn't you agree?"
By now, the fox curses his luck, or lack thereof.
'How can he think that name fits me perfectly? This is the worst, most thoughtless name I've ever heard,' the fox muses.
However depressing it was to imagine being called by that name for the foreseeable future, there wasn't much he could do about it at the moment. He had to grit his teeth and bear with it.
The two continued forward through the bustling streets.
Lao could feel occasional glances from passersby. His extremely worn clothes and the fox on his shoulder certainly made him stand out.
That didn't bother him, though. In fact, he preferred to make a strong impression on the people he passed. It would make his plan easier to execute.
As they continued, the fox was mostly preoccupied with deciphering Lao's intentions for being in that place. His curiosity grew the longer the question remained unanswered.
Still, he didn't have the courage to bring it up out of nowhere, remembering the previous awkward encounter.
'My face still feels warm from such a blow to my dignity,' he thought.
He decided to only broach the topic when he got some sort of hint as to what Lao was thinking.
And that hint came sooner than expected.
'If I remember correctly, there seemed to be a Cultivation sect nearby. It should be located somewhere in that mountain range behind the city. Does his plan have something to do with it?' he wondered.
That was a reasonable assumption. After all, there was nothing else in the city that seemed valuable to a cultivator. While there was still the possibility that Lao knew of some secret treasure stashed away in the city itself, it seemed far-fetched. Such a treasure wouldn't have remained hidden from the sect for long.
The most reasonable explanation was that Lao wanted something from the sect.
He decided to put it to the test.
"So, how do you plan on attracting the sect's attention? They wouldn't easily accept someone with a dubious background like yours into their ranks," Hui Jing asked.
Lao smiled, seemingly satisfied with the question.
"Of course, we make sure they simply cannot afford to pass up the opportunity. I ensure my value is so high that they could never risk letting me fall into the hands of a rival sect. At that point, forget any security protocols; they will abandon their pride and beg for my services," he replied.
"You make it sound easy. We know how powerful THAT is, but how do you plan on convincing the sect of your expertise? They are rarely present in the city and mostly operate from a distance. Even if you make your presence known to them, how will you convince them that you're such a valuable asset? I doubt they'll give you the chance to showcase whatever knowledge you've acquired from THAT," Hui Jing countered.
"Indeed, we won't be showcasing the knowledge directly. I'll make them understand the value I bring through actions alone. And this city will be the perfect place to demonstrate it," Lao said.
"Are you planning to interfere directly in the sect's affairs? Aren't you taking this too lightly? Your actions might be interpreted as a direct challenge to the sect. And as you know, in the cultivator world, nothing fuels violence more than a challenge to one's prestige. Are you sure this is wise?" Hui Jing pressed.
Lao smiled.
"You worry too much, little fox. If everything went according to plan, life would be dreadfully dull, wouldn't it? We need some risk to spice up our lives," he remarked.
'Huh, what have I gotten myself into? This guy is a complete maniac, and he's going to drag me down with him into the depths of hell,' thought Hui Jing.
The two continued making their way down the street.