After walking nonstop for an entire day, Hun Yu arrived at Tsar City by noon the next day.
Tsar City was a mid-sized city located in the northwest of the Jiaxuan Empire and ranked relatively high among the many cities of the Empire. It was said that the City Lord of Tsar City had a deep relationship with the current ruler of the Empire. Back when that ruler ascended the throne, the City Lord had made significant contributions and was granted the title of a king with a different surname.
Moreover, this City Lord was a Spirit Emperor Realm powerhouse who had been at that level for ten years already. He had solid strength and was surrounded by loyal and elite soldiers who followed his every order without question. Under his rule, Tsar City had a bold and valiant culture—no one dared to provoke it.
Rumors had it that this City Lord was quite generous and straightforward. Anyone who made his acquaintance would praise his genuine and sincere character.
Tan Xisha—this was the heroic name of the City Lord. Many people felt a sense of dread just hearing it.
But Hun Yu knew that this City Lord was not as forthright and honest as he appeared.
Strolling through the streets, even though it wasn’t his first time in Tsar City, Hun Yu still felt the city’s vibrancy.
True to its name, Tsar City was built right beside the yellow sands of a desert. Less than 100 kilometers west of the city lay a vast, uninhabited desert, while to the east it bordered the demonic beast mountain range.
Although Tsar City was located on the desert’s edge, it didn’t lack water resources. A surging river known as the Abyssal River ran through the entire city.
This area, where flowing sand met the edge of the desert, formed a unique landscape. The Abyssal River cut through the shifting sands—on the left, the barren desert, and on the right, lush farmlands and forests.
There was a saying: “Waves wash sand in the Abyssal River; the Abyssal River brings fortune to Tsar City.”
Walking down the bustling streets, hearing the hawkers and seeing various stalls and shops, Hun Yu couldn’t help but sigh, feeling the true essence of human life.
“Come take a look inside, fresh hot fire cakes just out of the oven, absolutely delicious!”
“Baked buns, piping hot baked buns from Dalang~”
“Juicy pears! Cooling and thirst-quenching, freshly picked from the demonic beast mountain range! Sir, want a few? Super sweet~”
Seeing the array of snacks and fruits, Hun Yu involuntarily swallowed his saliva. His thoughts drifted again to that rainy day.
In his past life, he had lived in poverty. The sect also withheld his resources and spirit stones. He had to save money just to buy Mu Qingwan some luxurious items or small objects that could help with cultivation. Even though she always acted disgusted, and every time he gave her something, she’d toss it aside like trash, Hun Yu knew that he couldn’t give her more—so he gave her everything he had.
Because of that, Hun Yu lived in pitiful poverty. After his cultivation was crippled, even the snacks that ordinary children could afford were beyond his reach, let alone anything luxurious.
That day, he had managed to save several dozen low-grade spirit stones. He ran down the mountain alone, wanting to buy some beautiful accessories for Mu Qingwan.
Mainly because he overheard her say she wanted to eat those famous salted buns from the city. Hua Wucuo and the others had chimed in, saying they wanted them too. But heavy rain had made the usual caravans stop operating that day.
Worried, he dashed into the city under the pouring rain. What usually took only fifteen minutes by beast-drawn carriage, he ran for more than an hour.
After buying the things he wanted, he also picked up some steaming hot salted buns.
He was starving, and he really wanted to eat one. But afraid there wouldn’t be enough for Mu Qingwan and the others, he held back, swallowed his hunger, and ran back into the rain.
The mountain paths were treacherous. He slipped into muddy pits several times and was covered in filth.
When he excitedly brought the jewelry he had bought for Mu Qingwan and the other Senior Sisters, their reactions were full of disdain. They sneered that no one wore such cheap market trinkets anymore. They mocked his taste, saying he bought the ugliest, tackiest things—things they wouldn’t even glance at.
Though disappointed and panicked, Hun Yu still forced a smile and tried to explain.
But how could they feel sorry for him? How could they possibly think about how terrible the weather was, or that a boy with no cultivation, dragging his exhausted body, had run dozens of kilometers just to buy them gifts with everything he had saved? Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
They never thought he was sweet. They didn’t ask if he was tired, if he was hungry, or how he got the money.
All they did was nitpick, showing disgust from beginning to end, mocking and ridiculing him in every possible way.
Even Mu Qingwan—his fiancée—when she saw the gifts he brought, was speechless and impatient. She even seemed ashamed and threw everything Hun Yu gave her into a corner, unwilling to spare a second glance.
Seeing this, Hun Yu’s eyes reddened. All he felt was helplessness and heartache, with no one to tell.
He forced down his grievance. With trembling hands, he took out the still-steaming salted buns from his storage ring, thinking they might at least be excited about the food. That they’d show a little joy and hunger—but he was disappointed once again.
Holding the steaming buns, Hun Yu was about to enter Mu Qingwan’s room and deliver them personally when she coldly snapped, “Look at you, how filthy you are. You still want to come into my room? Get out. If you get Xiao Han’s bouquet dirty, you’ll regret it.”
“And what were you doing eavesdropping on us? Who told you we wanted buns? Who asked you to buy them? You’re so annoying! If you do this again, just wait and see how I deal with you.”
Hun Yu’s heart was full of bitterness and sorrow as he spoke in a low, pleading voice, “I didn’t eavesdrop—I just happened to overhear. I ran dozens of kilometers to buy these buns. You must be hungry by now. Please, have a few.”
Hua Wucuo said without mercy, “Tch, who knows what disgusting things you’ve done to those nasty buns? Get them away from us. Don’t make us sick. Xiao Han already brought us roast goose from Hongfu House, premium pastries, braised pigeon, and drunken eight-treasure chicken. We’re full. Take that stuff and eat it yourself, okay?”
“Still not leaving?”
Red-eyed, Hun Yu stood in the downpour and took a bite of the bun. It was salty—he couldn’t tell if it was the taste of the bun or the taste of his tears. All he knew was it made his heart ache, made him so sad that he couldn’t even cry aloud.
Coming back to himself, Hun Yu stood in the street, staring at the food vendors around him. He murmured to himself, “Hun Yu, in this life, live well… and promise yourself—only be this good to yourself.”