The golden sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, amber glow over the mountains. Inside his lavish bedroom, Alex closed the thick book in his hands with a soft thud, exhaling deeply. The past few hours had been spent absorbing cultivation knowledge, but the walls of his room now felt suffocating. He turned his gaze toward the towering peaks outside his window, their jagged edges bathed in the last light of day. No matter how many times he looked, the scene remained breathtaking.
But a question gnawed at his mind. Should I go outside?
His mother's warning echoed in his thoughts. "Be a good son and stay home. Don't even think about going outside!"
Yet, the city beyond the walls tempted him, a world filled with secrets waiting to be unraveled. He needed to see it, experience it—not just as Alex Midnight, son of noble parents, but as someone who could explore without restrictions.
Making up his mind, he strode over to his bed and reached beneath his pillow, pulling out the small pouch he had found on the street. What secrets does this hold? He would find out soon enough.
He quickly changed into plain clothes, ones that would help him blend in rather than stand out like a noble. He grabbed a face veil, shoving it into his pocket. Though he was already dressed humbly, his looks were too striking to go unnoticed. If he wanted to avoid attention, the veil would be necessary.
Standing before the mirror, he examined himself. Even in ordinary clothing, his features remained too sharp, his physique well-proportioned. Damn it, even in disguise, I still look too good.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door slowly and peeked into the hallway. Empty.
Moving quietly, he slipped out, keeping to the shadows, his steps careful and deliberate. He made his way toward the garden—the same place where he had discovered the small hole in the wall. He crouched down and, glancing around to make sure no one was watching, crawled through the narrow opening.
The moment he emerged outside, a breeze hit his face, and he grinned. Freedom.
With a swift motion, he pulled out the face veil and covered the lower half of his face. His identity hidden, he stepped forward into the lively city streets, his heart beating with excitement.
As he weaved through the bustling roads, merchants called out their wares, the scent of grilled meat and exotic spices filling the air. His ears caught snippets of conversation—discussions of cultivation techniques, rumors of sect conflicts, and talk of rare treasures discovered in hidden realms.
Just as he was admiring a stall selling finely crafted daggers, a voice called out to him.
"Alex!"
His body froze mid-step. His mind raced. Shit. Did my mother find out already?
Turning his head slowly, his sharp gaze locked onto a familiar face.
A woman with soft cyan hair and piercing azure eyes stood before him, hands on her hips, a smirk dancing on her lips.
It was her—the mysterious beauty he had met at the inn.
Seeing his shocked expression, she tilted her head in amusement. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Alex let out a sigh of relief and muttered, "Oh, it's you. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
She laughed—a light, melodious sound. "You make it sound like I'm stalking you."
"Are you?" he asked suspiciously.
She pouted playfully, then, before he could react, she linked her arm with his and pulled him close.
His body stiffened at the sudden intimacy. What the hell is she doing?
She leaned in, whispering, "I already told you—you're my type."
Alex felt a mix of amusement and wariness. "And I told you that's not a good enough reason."
She ignored him, leading him further down the street. "Where were you sneaking off to, all mysterious and disguised?"
"Just exploring," he replied vaguely.
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Sounds fun. Let's go together."
Alex hesitated. He barely knew this woman, and yet she acted as if they were longtime acquaintances. She was too confident, too unpredictable.
But his instincts told him she wasn't hostile.
"Fine," he said, finally giving in.
She grinned. "Good choice."
As they walked, she suddenly whispered near his ear, "So, can I be your girlfriend?"
Alex almost tripped. He turned to her, brows raised in disbelief. "No."
She blinked at his immediate rejection. "That was fast. No hesitation at all?"
"I have a crush on someone," he replied bluntly.
Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Oh? And who is this mysterious girl that has caught your eye?"
"None of your business," he shot back.
She sighed dramatically. "You're no fun."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "And you're too persistent."
She smirked. "Well, persistence is a virtue, you know."
He rolled his eyes. This woman was dangerous in a different way—she played mind games effortlessly.
They soon reached an inn, its warm lantern light spilling onto the street. The lively chatter inside was welcoming, filled with laughter and music.
As they entered, the room fell momentarily silent. Eyes turned toward them—some filled with admiration, others with envy.
Alex, with his hidden yet undeniable charm, and the woman, with her striking beauty, were an unusual pair.
Ignoring the attention, they found a table near the back. She sat across from him, her gaze playful yet observant.
"Beer?" she asked.
Alex smirked. "Sure. Why not?"
In his previous life, he had enjoyed drinking, so he saw no harm in it.
She waved at the waiter. "A round of beer and some food, please."
As they waited, she leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "You're interesting, Alex. You don't act like a typical noble."
"That's because I'm not," he replied smoothly.
She raised a brow. "Oh? Then what are you?"
He took a moment before answering. "Just… someone trying to understand the world."
She studied him carefully, as if trying to decipher a hidden meaning in his words.
Before she could probe further, the waiter arrived with two mugs of beer and plates of sizzling meat.
"Cheers," she said, lifting her mug.
Alex raised his own, clinking it against hers before taking a sip. The beer was strong but smooth, warming his throat as it went down.
"So," she said, setting her mug down. "Tell me something—why are you really here?"
Alex smirked. "Didn't I already tell you? I'm just exploring."
She tapped her fingers on the table. "I don't believe that's the full story."
"And why do you care?" he countered.
"Because…" she leaned in, her azure eyes gleaming with interest. "I think you're hiding something."
Alex chuckled. "And I think you're asking too many questions."
She grinned. "That's what makes conversations fun."
Their banter continued as they enjoyed their meal, the air between them filled with an unspoken tension—a game of wits, where neither wanted to lose.
But in the back of Alex's mind, a thought lingered.
Who exactly is this woman? And why does she seem so interested in me?