NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3 - Entering the City, Living Together
Chapter 3 – Entering the City, Living Together
Early in the morning, the inn was already bustling with activity.
Among the traveling youths, some were practicing martial arts outside, while others were eating breakfast heartily.
On the central table, various breakfast items were laid out.
Li Mo casually grabbed a meat bun, glancing sideways.
The girl in front of him had only a bowl of plain rice porridge, as plain as her outfit.
“Just eating this for breakfast? That’s not enough.”
Li Mo pushed the plate of eggs towards her.
Ying Bing remained silent, only raising her eyes to look at him.
The young girl seemed somewhat frail, even her lips were devoid of color. Her sickly appearance added a delicate charm to her beauty.
But anyone stared at by those beautiful eyes would probably feel self-conscious?
“Ahem.”
Li Mo felt somewhat embarrassed.
Even thinking about the things he had done before made his toes curl with shame.
Apologizing to her was the right thing to do.
“About what happened before, I’m sorry. I don’t expect a few words to resolve everything. If you’re still upset, then…”
“It’s fine.”
Ying Bing peeled the eggshell, speaking lightly.
Li Mo was taken aback.
He couldn’t see any insincerity on the girl’s face.
Rather than forgiveness, it was more like indifference.
Those things seemed unworthy of being taken to heart.
Since she never cared, there was no need for forgiveness.
“That’s good then,” Li Mo smiled bitterly.
He had read too many novels and made assumptions
He had to admit though, Ying Bing’s reaction was more in line with the Heavenly Fate Divine Eye’s assessment.
Those unmoved by favor or disgrace often go further in life.
And that was indeed the case.
Ying Bing’s cheeks moved slightly as she chewed, no longer giving Li Mo any attention.
She had seen countless magnificent and splendid things.
Except for her family, memories from insignificant times didn’t even count as a page in her life, long swept into some unknown corner.
In distant memories, Li Mo had mediocre talent and barely entered the Qingyuan Sect.
After struggling in the outer sect for a year, he was expelled.
By then, she had already become the most dazzling existence among her peers.
Li Mo seemed to have changed somewhat.
But, it didn’t matter.
His name probably wouldn’t even be found on the ranking list of the Eastern Desolate Region in the future.
They might not even count as passersby in each other’s lives.
She never let irrelevant people distract her.
Across from her, Li Mo’s eating motion paused slightly.
[Investment successful, invested: one egg, one bowl of white porridge.]
[Reward calculation in progress…]
[Congratulations, host. Reward: one thousand taels of silver notes.]
[One thousand tael silver notes]: “Issued by Hengtong Money bank, accepted at all major money banks.”
Li Mo felt inexplicably emotional.
If only she could eat a bit more.
Three meals a day could make him a fortune.
Tonight, he must prepare a midnight snack!
…
Two days later.
A majestic city appeared in the distance, like a giant beast sprawling beneath the blue sky.
Ziyang Prefecture was one of the twelve prefectures of the Eastern Desolate Region, with nine counties and thirty-six towns under it. Legend has it that before the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty, this was once the ancient capital of the previous dynasty, with talented people and rich resources, experiencing extremely prosperous years.
Later, an unprecedented disaster beast tide lasted for hundreds of years in the Eastern Desolate Region, turning its glory into past splendor.
Until the Martial Emperor ascended the throne, pacifying the nine heavens and ten earths, and greatly rewarding meritorious officials. The first-generation ancestor of Qingyuan Sect rendered meritorious service and was enfeoffed Ziyang.
After thousands of years of governance, it finally restored its vitality and regained prosperity.
The Ziyang Prefecture City, at the foot of Qingyuan Mountain was rebuilt on the ruins of the previous dynasty’s ancient sites, truly magnificent even at a glance.
Fifty miles past the city was the famous Qingyuan Mountain range.
“We’ve finally arrived.”
“Is this the prefecture city? It’s so big, I feel like an ant standing at the city gate.”
“It’s so lively! as expected of an important place in the prefecture, truly bustling with activity.”
“With Qingyuan Sect about to open its doors for disciples, of course there are many people.”
…
There were many caravans passing by, and the huge city gate was like a floodgate opening, with the noise of horses and carriages never ending.
Looking towards Qingyuan Mountain, many people showed longing expressions.
The Great Yu was founded on martial strength, with sects governing the world!
In the sky above Ziyang Prefecture, there was only one cloud, and that was Qingyuan Sect!
The youths coming from various counties and towns were already extremely excited, shouting and calling out.
Passersby showed no strange expressions, clearly used to such sights.
“It’s truly magnificent.”
Li Mo couldn’t help but sigh.
Even having seen various international metropolises in his previous life, he was still shaken upon arriving here.
Compared to those steel and concrete skyscrapers, this grand ancient city with its carved beams and painted pillars was clearly more impressive
A modern city that could accommodate 5 million people and an ancient city that could accommodate 5 million people were completely different concepts.
“Travel pass.”
The city guards wore heavy armor, their silver armor gleaming in the sunlight, standing like iron towers.
The steward hurriedly handed over the iron token and paid one string of cash as the entry fee.
So the carriage was allowed into the city, as if entering another world.
Li Mo found everything novel, like a country bumpkin entering the city.
His pockets had bulged quite a bit these past two days.
The ice doll’s three meals a day had somehow earned him over ten thousand taels in silver notes, and even a thousand taels of gold.
But upon entering the inch of land worth an inch of gold prefecture city, Li Mo felt he wasn’t so wealthy anymore.
“Young master, we’ve arrived at Ziyang Prefecture city, it’s not like the county.”
The steward drove the carriage, reminding softly.
“We’ll only be staying in the city for two days anyway.” Li Mo smiled.
Even for a short trip, his father had the steward who watched him grow up accompany him, showing how much trouble he used to cause.
This was to prevent his wayward temperament from causing trouble.
“As the young master says.” The steward breathed a sigh of relief, repeatedly agreeing.
This troublemaker had indeed changed a lot recently.
He could worry a bit less now.
The carriage passed over a vermilion painted bridge, crossing over the dense boats below.
Not only was the city larger, but the luxurious and extraordinary carriages could be seen.
For example, the carriage coming from the opposite direction was pulled by four crimson horses covered in scales.
The carriage compartment was several times larger than the one Li Mo was riding in, inlaid with gold and jade, exuding an ancient elegance.
“Cousin!”
Suddenly, someone called out from behind.
It was Wang Hu, who jumped off his horse with a delighted expression and ran to the front of the carriage.
A young man came down from the carriage, tall and wearing a white brocade robe.
His arms were long and slender, his lower body stable and powerful, walking with somewhat of a dragon’s stride and tiger’s step.
A token hung at his waist, inscribed with two characters: ‘Inner Sect.’
Qingyuan Sect’s Inner Sect!
Everyone looked at Wang Hu with more caution.
Although many people were traveling together, only a few could enter the outer sect, let alone the inner sect.
The difference between Inner and Outer Sects was like heaven and earth. An Inner Sect disciple could command respect even from a county magistrate.
“Xiao Hu, I figured you’d be arriving soon.” The young man smiled as he swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes lingering on Li Mo for a moment.
“You’re new here and probably don’t know where to stay.”
“There’s an inn whose owner is acquainted with me, why don’t we go there?”
The young man smiled leisurely and got back into the carriage.
“My cousin is called Wang Hao, in his early thirties, already an inner sect disciple.”
“Following him, you definitely won’t lose out.”
Wang Hu raised his head, a look of arrogance appearing on his face, as if he was the one who had entered the inner sect.
Everyone naturally flattered him.
Being unfamiliar with the place, following an inner sect disciple of Qingyuan Sect would save a lot of trouble.
“What’s he looking at?”
Li Mo was stunned for a moment, then realized.
The other person wasn’t looking at him, but at the cold girl beside him.
Indeed…
Even in the prefecture city, Ying Bing’s stunning beauty hadn’t diminished at all.
Though dressed simply, she made the city girls in their silks and satins lose their luster.
After feeding her these past few days, their relationship should have… progressed a bit, right?
At least they shouldn’t be strangers anymore.
As these thoughts tumbled through his mind, they approached an inn by the canal.
Seven stories high, exuding an air of luxury, this ancient city’s scenery reached its pinnacle here.
The waiter’s eyes were sharp, seeing Wang Hao, he immediately went to call the manager.
The manager respectfully offered tea and began negotiating with Wang Hao, while the rest of the people felt somewhat awkward.
They had just seen it earlier.
The most ordinary room here cost twenty taels of silver, with premium rooms being more expensive. Moreover, because Qingyuan Sect was about to open its doors, there were many guests and prices had risen even further.
“A hundred taels for a premium room?”
Li Mo glanced and walked straight to the counter.
This amount of money wasn’t worth economizing on.
“Excuse me, two premium rooms please.”
One for him, one for Ying Bing.
The steward and the accompanying people had already unloaded the luggage and returned with the escort agency.
“I’m sorry sir, we don’t have many rooms left, those who came together can only have one room,” the gentleman at the counter apologized.
“That’s fine then.”
Li Mo thought for a moment and nodded.
“Second floor, Plum Blossom Room, please keep it safe.”
Just as he paid and the counter gentleman brought out the sandalwood room token, Wang Hu sneered:
“Be glad someone arranged a place for you to stay. A hundred taels doesn’t buy much prestige in Ziyang Prefecture. Money isn’t everything here.”
Li Mo: “?”
He remembered now.
This guy was the son of the Six Harmony Gang leader in the county.
His own father was the county captain, in charge of the entire county’s security.
One generation was a rat, the other a cat, so naturally the next generation didn’t see eye to eye.
Meanwhile.
Not far away.
Wang Hao also walked back to the nervous youths, feigning apology:
“There are only thirteen premium rooms left. Since you’re all my cousin’s fellow townspeople, you’ll have to make do.”
“No problem, no problem, we’ll squeeze in.
“Thank you, Brother Wang, you’re truly a good person.”
The group was overjoyed, repeatedly expressing thanks.
Li Mo couldn’t help but laugh.
Who expresses apologies with hands behind their back and chin raised?
The three things men think about most in life are:
One: How to show off.
Two: That girl is beautiful.
Three: That girl is beautiful, I need to find a way to show off in front of her.
Sure enough, Wang Hao then looked towards Ying Bing again and said:
“Miss, we’re short on rooms, but luckily I have a private room here that’s usually unoccupied. It’s kept fairly clean.”
“If you don’t mind, perhaps you could stay there?”
His tone was quite confident.
This wasn’t the first time he’d used this trick. It worked every time on girls from small places.
Didn’t they see the envy and jealousy in the eyes of the other country girls nearby?
When someone of higher status who could potentially help their future showed goodwill, very few people could resist.
“No rooms left?”
Ying Bing glanced at the manager.
“That’s right… uh, that’s right.”
The manager’s back chilled, and he nodded repeatedly while wiping sweat.
Wang Hao smiled and was about to say something, but the next moment his smile froze on his face.
The girl took the sandalwood room token from in front of Li Mo and went straight up to the second floor, to the Plum Blossom Room.
Bang- !!!
The wooden door closed.
“Well…”
Looking at Wang Hao’s face alternating between blue and white, Li Mo instinctively found it amusing, yet couldn’t bring himself to laugh.
Enjoying the show?
Look in the mirror!
Shaking his head, he also went up to the second floor.