Tristan analyzed the disciple of the South Carp Body and Spirit Sect. Although the long robes made it difficult to observe, he judged that the young man was not very athletic and that his body might not be very developed. He assumed that the person in front of him was not a dedicated martial artist, and when his eyes landed on the white sash around the man's abdomen, his concerns faded.
"How dare you call yourself a sculptor?" a female voice spoke, drawing his attention again.
After losing interest in the sect disciple who reminded him of unpleasant memories, Tristan turned his gaze to the lady in a green dress, trying to understand her confrontation with the shop employees.
"Miss Nauchang, please calm down. If you're not satisfied with your sculpture, we can make another one," Chiu said, trying to appease the situation.
"There is nothing wrong with this sculpture. I've been the best sculptor on this side of Zaguhan for over twenty years; even the city lord has praised my work. Who does this young woman think she is to question my talent as a sculptor?" said the older employee beside Chiu.
"Please, Mr. Jinbue, don't make things worse!" Chiu whispered while adjusting his glasses.
"What do you mean there's nothing wrong with this sculpture? Are you saying my face looks like this? Don't you know what family I belong to? My name is Neilin from the Nauchang family; my grandmother was a councilor of the former city lord. How dare a mere craftsman like you disagree with me?" She said, snapping her purple fan closed and pointing it in Jinbue's direction as if to strike him.
"Miss Nauchang, please wait. Don't you think this reaction might be a bit exaggerated?" asked Chiu.
"An exaggerated reaction? Next week will be my twenty-third birthday. All I wanted was a sculpture for my party, but that won't be possible with a sculpture this fat!" she said through gritted teeth.
Tristan looked at where Neilin pointed, seeing a full-body sculpture carved in a type of white marble-like stone.
"Fat?" Her words brought confusion to his mind. Observing her appearance, he judged her weight was likely below average, while the sculpture was quite an accurate representation of her body proportions.
He found the entire conversation nonsensical.
"Are you sure you didn't like the sculpture? It looks good to me," Chiu said, trying to reason with her.
"It looks nothing like me! My cheeks aren't that round, and my nose isn't that flat," she turned to Mohan and said, "You agree with me, don't you? This sculpture looks very different from me; am I not right?"
Mohan's body trembled slightly as he looked from the sculpture to Neilin. "Yes, of course, completely different!" he said, his tone a little thin.
"Mr. Jinbue, couldn't you make the changes the lady wants?" Chiu asked.
"My sculptures are perfect, and I take pride in that. They reflect reality with precision; there's nothing wrong with them!" The old sculptor declared with indignation in his voice.
"You dare to refuse the requests of a lady from the Nauchang Family?" Neilin's voice was sharp as a blade.
"If I criticize this shop, no one will ever set foot here again…" Neilin's words were interrupted when her body was pushed aside. She took a few clumsy steps before regaining her balance.
"Oh! How dare you!" Neilin pronounced these words while looking to the side, trying to identify who had pushed her.
"Young master Dusk?" said Chiu, surprised.
"Hello, Mr. Moeh, I came to see if my things were ready," Tristan spoke.
"Who are you, brat?" Neilin's companion said irritably.
He looked at Tristan's back, recognizing his sect immediately from the clothes he wore, his lips curving in disdain.
"Do you think you can interrupt a noble lady's matters and go unpunished?" he said, stepping closer.
"As a mere disciple of the Flying Sword Sect, how dare you act so arrogantly before me?" His face bore a deep scowl. "Do you know who the woman you pushed is? She's Juen Mohan's companion; I'll put you in your place, bastard!"
Mohan grabbed Tristan's left shoulder, his fingers pressing with unnatural strength.
Tristan turned his face, narrowed his eyes at Mohan, and said, "Take your hands off me."
"A foreigner? Besides not respecting the sect hierarchy, you're also an invading rat…" Suddenly, his words were cut off, and his eyes roamed over Tristan's small figure. With his abnormally pale skin, jet-black eyes, and hair, along with his foreign features distinctly different from the local people, he was not someone easily forgotten.
A look of recognition appeared on Mohan's face.
"You!" he swallowed hard.
Memories of the admission test of the South Carp Body and Spirit Sect from a few months ago crossed his mind, making him take a step back.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to put this foreigner in his place?" She shot a furious glare at Tristan, but her eyes widened when she saw the red sash on his body. She backed away from him and moved behind Mohan.
"He's just a child; it wouldn't be honorable for me to fight someone so young," Mohan said awkwardly.
"But, but what about my sculpture? What are we going to do about it?" she insisted.
"We can resolve it later; maybe there's still time to find another sculptor." He said while gently guiding her out.
Chiu and Jinbue remained in awkward silence as Chiu dragged Neilin away, but Tristan's voice caught their attention.
"So, are the things I ordered ready?"
***
Tristan crossed the walls and headed toward the slums around the city center. He looked around and, with a leap, climbed atop a small house, hanging onto the roof with one hand and grabbing a curtain covering a window with the other.
Jumping over houses, he moved toward the poorer areas, occasionally glancing at the people below. His gaze turned to an old beggar lying on the ground. 'Too old,' he thought.
He continued observing the homeless while looking for something until he saw a small figure. A child sitting in an alley caught his attention, but he was soon disappointed when he saw the child's thin body, pale skin, and red spots. 'This one won't do, next.'
After searching a bit longer, he thought he'd found what he was looking for. Three young men were wandering the streets, carefully watching the people passing by.
Looking at their appearance, Tristan thought, 'They should do.'
He wrapped the curtain around himself, hiding every part of his sect attire, and jumped from the roof. Tristan ran his hand through his hair, covering his eyes with a fringe, and walked toward the streets, pulling out some silver coins and counting them carelessly.
It didn't take long for someone to approach him.
"Hey kid, are you lost? Need some help?"
Tristan looked forward and saw a young boy around his own age. The thin boy wore old, torn clothes, his face had a few pimples, and some of his teeth were missing.
With a look of surprise and confusion, Tristan glanced around. "Um, where am I? I was taking my morning walk around the arts district when I got a bit distracted; this place looks strange."
He scratched his head and asked, "I think I got lost. Do you know which way to go to the arts district or Jade Park?"
The boy in front of him looked confused. "I don't know any place here with those names. Are you from the city center?"
Tristan nodded.
"Well, then you're really far from home. We're outside the walls."
Tristan's mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened slightly.
"It can't be! How will I get back home?" Tristan put his hands on his face, pretending to panic.
"Don't worry!" the boy said. "People call me Diji. I know this place well; I can help you get back home."
"Really? You seem like a kind person. Thank the spirits; I'm very lucky. I promise I'll reward you for your help." Tristan spoke, trying to seem like an innocent child, but his tone remained cold and monotonous.
"Here, follow me; it won't take long. I know a shortcut that'll take us to the walls quickly." Diji pointed toward an alley.
Seeing the grimy, dark place, Tristan raised an eyebrow.
"This place looks strange. Are you sure it's safe?" he asked Diji.
"Don't worry, I pass through here every day. There's no problem here." Diji replied.
As he walked toward the alley, Tristan caught a glimpse of the other two boys approaching behind him.