On the way to "Moon's Radiance," Aleia insisted that Zhao Yun buy some hot brown sugar cakes.
Sugar stains dotted her nose tip, and her fluffy tail unconsciously wrapped around Zhao Yun's wrist before quickly recoiling as if shocked. Her amber eyes were full of curiosity.
"Lord truly intends to custom-order armor from your homeland?"
Zhao Yun nodded slightly, a hint of nostalgia for the past flickering in his eyes.
"Yes, that set of armor holds a special meaning for me."
The storefront of "Moon's Radiance" was unremarkable. The wooden sign swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a faint creaking sound. The Crescent Moon carved on the sign seemed to truly shed moonlight, cloaking the shop in a mysterious veil.
Entering the shop, a dim and quiet atmosphere washed over them. The air was filled with a unique scent blending ancient Magic Arrays and precious materials.
"Welcome, esteemed guest."
A gentle yet magnetic voice sounded behind Zhao Yun. He turned around to see a woman in a long purple dress slowly approaching.
Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, resting smoothly on her shoulders, every strand shimmering faintly. Her eyes were like stars in the night sky, deep and bright, seeming capable of seeing through people's hearts.
"What a magnificent spear!"
The proprietress's gaze swept over the Star Shattering Spear's star-patterned edge before finally resting between Zhao Yun's eyes. She narrowed her eyes slightly, a captivating smile curving her lips, revealing perfectly white, neat teeth.
"The guest wishes to custom-order Battle Armor? Please describe the specific style to me."
Zhao Yun nodded and began detailing the features of the Han Dynasty Bright Light Armor: "This set of Battle Armor is called Bright Light Armor. It consists of Beast Tusk shoulder guards, fish-scale plating, and is worn with a plain white battle robe."
A flicker of surprise crossed the proprietress's eyes. She had been in this business for many years and had seen countless bizarre armor designs, but the set Zhao Yun described was exceptionally unique.
She frowned slightly, listening intently to every word Zhao Yun spoke, trying hard to sketch the appearance of that armor in her mind.
After a long moment, she spoke softly, "This is a very unique set of Battle Armor, blending Strength and aesthetics. However, crafting it will require considerable thought, and I will need time to ponder the manufacturing process. Please return tomorrow evening to collect it; the crafting fee is twenty Gold Coins."
Zhao Yun did not hesitate. Knowing the value of this armor, he immediately paid twenty Gold Coins and then left with Aleia and Nia.
As they left, Aleia kept looking back, filled with curiosity about the mysterious shop.
After leaving "Moon's Radiance," Zhao Yun found an Inn for Aleia, Nia, and himself in the city. The exterior of the Inn was unremarkable, but the interior was very clean and cozy. Wooden tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and the walls were adorned with paintings depicting stars and magical creatures, adding a touch of fantasy atmosphere to the establishment.
While waiting for the armor to be made, Zhao Yun decided to take Aleia and Nia sightseeing in this town, which was several times larger than Leeds City. They wandered through the streets and alleys of Emerald City, experiencing the unique local customs.
Aleia and Nia were as excited as two cheerful little birds, darting from one stall to another, then rushing toward a different shop.
Aleia took a strong interest in a magical accessory shop. She browsed for a long time before finally choosing a bracelet inlaid with a blue gemstone.
Nia, however, was captivated by a dessert shop and pulled Zhao Yun inside to sample various delicious pastries. Watching them happy, Zhao Yun felt an inexplicable sense of relaxation.
They also visited the Magic Plaza in Emerald City. In the center of the plaza stood a massive Magic Fountain, the water spraying from it shimmering with multicolored light, resembling flowing rainbows.
People nearby were either resting by the fountain or admiring the magical performances around them. A Magician was demonstrating levitation in the plaza; with a gentle wave of his Magic Wand, surrounding objects slowly rose, drawing cheers from the audience.
The next evening, Zhao Yun brought Aleia and Nia to the "Moon's Radiance" armor shop and gently pushed the door open. The Starlight Bell hanging above the lintel chimed in unison, its crisp sound echoing inside and startling the proprietress who had been dozing over her desk.
"The guest is quite punctual."
The purple-dressed proprietress lazily propped her chin up, her gaze somewhat hazy. But when she looked up at Zhao Yun, she froze instantly.
The young man stood against the light, the afterglow outlining his tall figure. In a trance, she seemed to see thousands of troops arrayed behind Zhao Yun, and that invisible aura rushed toward her, making her heart tremble.
The purple-dressed proprietress then brought out the finished white-robed Silver Armor. Moonlight filtered through the glass Dome, spilling into the shop and casting a cool radiance upon the white-robed Silver Armor.
The glaring eyes of the Beast Tusk shoulder guards flowed with crimson gold Runes, majestic and imposing; the fish-scale plating opened and closed with his breathing, resembling a Flood Dragon swimming deep in the abyss; the plain white battle robe moved without wind, its hem's star pattern echoing the flowing light of the Star Shattering Spear.
Zhao Yun was very satisfied. He immediately took off his dark green vine armor and donned the familiar Bright Light Armor. When he put on the white-robed Silver Armor, he attracted the gaze of everyone present.
The proprietress couldn't help but extend her fingertip to lightly touch the battle robe, but she was pushed back half a step by the protective aura autonomously activated by the Dragon Mark. Her eyes were filled with astonishment.
"The armor plates are forged with Starfall Iron; they generate a Blood Pattern when encountering Killing Intent—it's as if they were born for you."
The brown sugar cake in Aleia's hand dropped with a soft thud. Her Beast Ears flushed a faint pink, and her cheeks also reddened slightly.
"Lord Zhao Yun is even more imposing than the Beast God worshipped by our tribe."
Nia's Silver Bell jingled chaotically as she bounced excitedly. Not noticing what was ahead, she suddenly bumped right into Zhao Yun's Silver Armor, crying out in pain.
Zhao Yun stroked the beast head on the shoulder guard; his fingertips felt the familiar cool touch. The cloud-and-thunder pattern on the armor joints was exactly the same as his old armor from Changban Slope.
In an instant, he seemed to be back on the Drill Ground where Liu Bei gifted him the armor amidst falling snow—snowflakes drifting down, landing cold and real on the armor; he could hear the sound of the Azure Gown Sword splitting the Cao Army's great banner, the declaration of victory; and the sound of A Dou crying, as if shattering time and space, pulling him back to that life-or-death battlefield.
"The killing aura on the guest reminds me of the Holy Empire Knight who visited Emerald City ten years ago."
The proprietress suddenly said, her eyes filled with reminiscence.
The proprietress's words broke Zhao Yun's reverie.
Zhao Yun paused slightly, then closed his eyes to calm his breath. When he opened them again, the warlike fire in his gaze had dissipated, returning to its usual tranquility.
"Add two more straps to the hem of the robe."
He untied his blood-stained old cloak and tied it around his waist. The tattered strips complemented the Silver Armor, paradoxically adding the vicissitudes of a seasoned veteran of the battlefield.
The rhythmic beat of the night patrol guards' clappers sounded from afar, echoing in the silent night sky.
Aleia, blushing, carefully tied her ancestral Beast Tusk necklace onto Zhao Yun's wrist guard; the necklace shimmered with an ancient luster under the moonlight.
Nia stood on her tiptoes and pinned a glowing Night Orchid onto the Star Shattering Spear's Spear Tassel. The flower emitted a soft blue light, adding a unique touch of color to the entire ensemble.
The proprietress leaned against the door, chuckling softly, lightly pointing her gilded pipe toward the western night sky.
"When the Black Moon hangs high, this set of armor will give you a surprise."
When they emerged from "Moon's Radiance," the moon was already high in the sky, casting down its cool radiance.
Zhao Yun's white robe faintly glowed silver-blue under the moon, and the armor revealed a mysterious Star Chart after absorbing the Starlight.
Aleia and Nia bustled around Zhao Yun, chattering incessantly. Aleia constantly praised Zhao Yun's heroic bearing in the armor, while Nia curiously asked all sorts of questions about it.
Zhao Yun patiently answered Nia's questions while leading them toward the West City Wall Section clock tower to meet Leah.