Thomas sadly recounted the tumultuous downfall of his early life.
Wang Jixuan played the role of a qualified listener.
For Daoist Wang, although Thomas's story might not be particularly interesting, just by observing the lives of mortals, he could enhance his understanding of the mortal world.
The handmade car, bumping along the pitted, winding road, entered the 49th Floor, deliberately avoiding the standoff area between the Black Fire Gang and the Wanli Gold Gang, and smoothly drove into Wanli Gold's territory.
Like the Black Fire Gang-controlled area is nicknamed "Resurrection City," Wanli Gold's territory also has a unique moniker.
"Jade Manor."
This place was a vast farm supplying materials for brewing.
The size of Jade Manor was similar to that of Resurrection City, with white greenhouses for planting crops visible everywhere. The main residential area was squeezed into a narrow space, creating the peculiar sight known as the "Boxed Forest."
Wang Jixuan suddenly heard children's happy screams.
He looked out through the car window;
Kids were frolicking and playing in the labyrinth-like "Boxed Forest," many box-shaped houses had energy-saving lamps shining at their doors, and adults were sewing and mending under the lights.
Jade Manor, besides Joyful City, was the area in Lower City with the most lighting and electricity consumption.
Apart from fermenting alcoholic beverages and supplying vegetables and fruits to Upper City, Wanli Gold's third-largest business was hand-sewn garments, with forty percent of Lower City's clothing and hats originating from this very "Boxed Forest."
Including the green sportswear of their rival, the Black Fire Gang.
Wang Jixuan could also see many people gathered in twos and threes, drinking and chatting on platforms, and many armed men and women patrolling everywhere.
His attention was quickly captured by those greenhouses.
In his perception, the Spiritual Energy over there was…
Very pure!
And slightly more abundant!
Was it because of the abundance of plants?
This accidental discovery made Wang Jixuan's heart surge with eagerness.
As it turned out, he was quite lucky today.
The mediator who brought him here, "goat's ass" Thomas, finally stopped his narration and sentimentality. Pointing to a vast stretch of greenhouses, he said with a raspy voice:
"We're heading over there in a bit.
"Thank you, Brother Zhou. I've never told my story to anyone else, except for my driver... just now, you made me re-evaluate my life.
"As a thank you, I will introduce you to my foster mother, that's where my old home is, she's the most prestigious old lady within the Wanli Gold Gang.
"Alright, I'll tell you the truth.
"Because your uncle is a man with power, I've been planning this from the start, to arrange for you to stay at my old place, in hopes that you can get along with my brothers and sisters, and offer them a bit of favor when they need help in the future.
"Hang on, I need to change my style of dress, otherwise that cantankerous old lady will hit my sexy buttocks with her broom."
Thomas began to wipe his face, removing the makeup.
"Thanks," Wang Jixuan said softly.
Daoist Wang listened to the story all the way, also feeling somewhat moved.
"Thomas" is his stage name, used for convenience in doing business in Joyful City. This fellow also has another rather poetic real name, Hua Queyue, which he hardly uses anymore.
He plays on the contrast.
Thomas "claims" to be conservative in terms of sexuality, having a secret girlfriend. His flamboyant dress style, way of speaking, and way of conducting himself are all meant to enhance people's recognition and acceptance of him from different communities.
In his line of business—moving people from Middle City to settle in Lower City, and relocating those from Lower City to Middle City—the most important thing is networking.
A few minutes later.
Thomas wiped away eye makeup, foundation, bright red lipstick, and put on a black shirt. He skillfully covered his hands with sticky hair gel and swiftly adjusted his originally cockscomb-like hair into a sleek 6-4 parted hairstyle.
A charming, muscular man in his forties quickly emerged before Wang Jixuan's eyes.
Daoist Wang: The transformation techniques of this world do not even require casting spells or incantations!
"How do I look?"
Thomas deliberately used a lilting tone:
"Could I be a cover model? Actually, my very first job in Joyful City was as a window mannequin, as you know."
Wang Jixuan managed a smile: "What's next for us?"
"Follow me, tone down this wanton expression, just... try to be as calm on the inside as possible, and make yourself look like an intellectual."
Thomas rubbed his nose:
"My foster mother has a bad temper and hates slackers who don't work hard. Don't tell her why you were forced down to Lower City, she hates murderers the most.
"Just say you offended some well-connected people in Middle City who wanted to ruin you and that your uncle arranged for you to hide down here for a while. That will suffice.
"Got it?"
"Roughly."
"Get out and wait for me a bit; I'll go sort things out and get them to look after you in the future."
Thomas put on a pair of ordinary sneakers and squeezed out of the car door.
There was an immediate outburst of warm greetings nearby: "Hua! It's been a long time since you've been back!"
"Hahaha! Long time no see!"
"It's been a while since you brought someone over, got another peanut ripe for squeezing for cash this time?"
"This time it's different, his uncle manages logistics on the eleventh floor and has a lot of influence... Don't tell anyone about this, especially not my old lady."
"Wow! Why would such a person come to our slums?"
"They have enemies too, and this poor sap was framed and had no choice but to lay low for a while..."
Wang Jixuan got out of the car and saw Thomas chatting with a group of seven or eight men and women under the street lamp.
More members of the Wanli Gold Gang were hurrying over, gathering around Thomas to talk and taking turns receiving cigarettes from his hand.
The driver, a middle-aged man, opened the trunk and took out two foam boxes.
"Zhou, come give me a hand."
"Sure," Wang Jixuan took one of the boxes and found it was filled with bags of flour.
The staple food of the Fortress was starch sticks, which were not made from this type of wheat flour; flour was considered a relatively expensive commodity in Lower City.
Wang Jixuan and the driver waited for over ten minutes before Thomas finally finished distributing cigarettes and the small talk.
Beaming, he walked over, gave Wang Jixuan a hearty slap on the shoulder, took out a compact flashlight, and headed towards the Greenhouse Area.
As they neared the greenhouses, Wang Jixuan felt the presence of Spiritual Energy growing stronger.
The Spiritual Energy here was indeed purer.
Unexpectedly, he had stumbled upon a great place for Cultivation!
The greenhouses were tightly arranged, each one ten meters long and three meters wide, housing a single family, all of whom were families of the Wanli Gold Gang members.
Thomas, while lighting the way, explained to Wang Jixuan:
"The soil for growing crops is Wanli Gold's top-secret technology.
"Don't underestimate this seemingly ubiquitous dirt; each family's greenhouse has a fixed annual quota of this special soil.
"Correspondingly, each greenhouse must produce enough crops each year, primarily grapes for wine-making and vegetables for Upper City. Fail to meet the set quantity, and the family will lose their planting rights for the next year.
"Taking care of plants is the easiest work in Lower City.
"If they manage to exceed the yield, they can earn some rewards for the surplus produce.
"To ensure fairness, harvesting is conducted by the Wanli Gold Gang. If they catch growers pilfering, they'll lose their planting rights permanently and also get a good beating."
Wang Jixuan said, "It actually sounds not too bad."
"Environmentally speaking, choosing Wanli Gold was the smartest decision you could make. But as a middleman, I must say that the chance of making something of yourself here is relatively low unless you go against the Black Fire Gang."
While talking, Thomas cleared his throat and straightened his back instinctively as he looked towards the three-story wooden building standing out behind the Greenhouse Area and exhaled softly.
The wooden building was somewhat ancient, having stood for many years.
Word of Thomas's return had reached ahead of time, and seven or eight children aged from three to thirteen crowded around a dim porch light at the entrance, gazing expectantly in their direction.
"Hua!"
A little girl shouted with joy.
"Hahahaha!"
Amidst laughter, Thomas opened his arms and rushed over, his flashlight swaying erratically.
All eight children converged on him, like a flock of excited magpies chattering away.
Throughout the journey, Wang Jixuan had listened to Thomas's rambling—besides learning about Thomas's turbulent, violent, and risque personal growth story, he had also heard multiple references to the 'adoptive mother's wooden hut.'
These children were taken in by the old lady.
The reason they had a defined area here, a courtyard with fruit trees resistant to darkness, and some simple vegetables was all thanks to Thomas. — After Old Tuo became a person of status in Lower City, he did everything he could to repay the foster mother who had raised him.
Wang Jixuan watched the scene before him, feeling a touch moved.
This is human emotion...
Hmm?
Wang Jixuan's brow furrowed involuntarily as he looked at a new figure emerging under the porch light.
It was an old lady with snowy white hair, looking to be in her sixties or seventies, wearing a light-colored floral dress and a brown sweater coat. She was leaning against the door frame, smiling as she watched her adopted sons and daughters playing noisily in front of the door.
In Lower City, it was rare for someone to live to such an age, but that wasn't what made Wang Jixuan frown.
Maybe it was the keen look that had suddenly appeared in Wang Jixuan's eyes, but the old lady looked up and noticed him.
Lit by the light from a nearby greenhouse, she could clearly see Wang Jixuan disguised as 'Zhou Tiantian.'
She frowned and said, "Xiao Hua! You little rascal! So you're finally bringing your business to my door!"
"Mom! This young man is different!"
Thomas approached with a beaming smile, reaching out for a hug, but was repelled by an attempted kick from the old lady.
"You're as strong as ever," Thomas exclaimed admiringly, secretly gesturing to Wang Jixuan and the driver.
Wang Jixuan's expression had returned to the previous smile, holding the foam box and moving closer, carefully sensing the presence as he approached.
That was it.
The haphazard and mottled Qi was swirling around the elderly lady.
The same Qi that belonged to Wen Heisen, a D-level Spiritual Ability User and the third in command of the Black Fire Gang.