The capital city of Jin, Jinchuan, finally came to sight as we passed the hill. It took three days driving, stopping twice to finally reach the city. Surrounding it are massive walls with plenty of towers. The palace can be seen nested on the side of a mountain with its own set of walls. Then-
“Are those gates made of gold?” I ask as the massive gates glint golden from the morning light
“It used to be.” Lao Meng answered, “Previously, it was made completely of gold and enchanted with a protective array. Now it’s just a normal iron gate that is gilded.”
Now that’s a flex of wealth. Using solid gold to create such a huge gate. The amount of processor we can make with that much gold. Back home, there's the artificial scarcity to maintain the value of gold after we towed an asteroid filled with gold ensures that the value of gold remains valuable on the civilian market planetside. While most are used for the separate militarized space industries.
‘You said there are three other Foundation Establishment cultivators that should be hunting me. What are the chances that they are immediately hostile to me?’ I made a telepathic link to Ruolan and Lao Meng
‘This is… unknown to us.’ Lao Meng rubs his beard in uncertainty
‘We only know from which sect they came from. From Zǐxiāo (紫霄|Purple/Imperial Heaven) palace, Jīngāng Léiyīn (金剛雷音|Vajra Thunderclap) monastery, and finally Yījiàn (一劍|One Sword) peak.’ Ruolan gives me a more useful information
Well, they are quite a mouthful. I don’t even know what they mean and the context of their existence other than the monastery one. I can’t even assume the monk from this Vajra monastery can be compared to monks from Christian monastery after reading the Summary of Arhat Path. However, this one is staying with cultivators from two other sects, so there might be a common ground we can find.
‘Senior… the Voice Transmission is still on.’ Ruolan awkwardly mentions
‘The Vajra Thunderclap monastery is a righteous Buddhist sect determined on eradicating evil.’ Lao Meng adds
‘Oh, so telepathy is called Voice Transmission here. And they can still deem me evil just from my looks.’
‘Senior, do you have the sect mission token? Usually it's enough!’ Lao Meng said once more
‘I have it. Thank you for the information. When we get there, can you try to smooth things over with the guards there?’ Both nodded then I cut off the telepathy
Alright, that’s one thing covered. At least they won’t be immediately hostile. Maybe. The last thirty minute ride is calm. Then we reached the massive golden gate. The height is twice my truck’s and the width is enough for three. We stopped in front of the gate, then I nodded at Ruolan and Lao Meng. The latter exits the truck first.
“Open the Gates!” Lao Meng shouts loudly that it echoes the plains. “Princess Ruolan from the Huoyan kingdom has arrived with supplies and help from the Tianhe sect!”
Oh fuck! Ruolan is a princess? Why are there so many princes and princesses? Then again, I realized that I am not on earth, so they might be much more common? The guards on top of the wall checks Lao Meng, who flashes him some kind of token. Then he looks back and confirms with a loud joyful shout. Cheers erupt from the city as the gate finally drifts open. Dozens of soldiers stream out to welcome Ruolan who finally exits the truck. Then the escorts began streaming out of the truck one by one. Opening the container behind to carry the supplies out. The three escorts within it, already healed mostly. I made sure they got proper seating and seat belt after apologizing for the sudden halt three days ago. Workers are also streaming out from the city to move the supplies.
Then Ruolan starts moving out more supplies from her own storage ring. The quantity is easily the same as the one within the container. Then I realized how dumb I am. I can just put the supplies into my own storage ring as I have two. No need for a truck and maybe drive here in a more comfortable truck that I can project and alter. Let’s make note of this. Finally, I saw Ruolan speaking to what looked like the commander of the soldiers. I sent my divine sense just to make sure.
“Are you certain?” The commander said with a fearful frown
“For the last time, yes.” Ruolan seemingly repeat again
“Alright then. I will forward this to the king.” The commander wipes the sweat on his forehead before moving to the truck
Ruolan nods towards me. Behind the heavily tinted glass. Then I open the door and step outside. Let’s just say, everyone other than the escort guards pauses at the sight of me. Immediately ruining the joyful atmosphere. I looked down at the commander in front of me, half my height, visibly shook in fear but maintained his dignity. Then I pulled out the red sect mission token from Tianhe sect. With a loud gulp, he cupped his hand and kneel on one leg.
“We thank the Tianhe sect for saving us!” He declares loudly and bowed
The other soldiers of Jin, look visibly hesitant before doing the same. The workers followed last in a fearful manner. I already expected this. After all, I look like a horrifying custom character like this. Though the color of fear surrounds everyone.
“Alright raise. Just… continue what you are doing.” Still haven’t used to this somewhat royal treatment where everyone is bowing at me
Everyone then raises and continues what they are doing while giving me a very wide berth. The commander along with Ruolan and Lao Meng moves inside first.
‘Senior, we will notify the King of Jin first. I will send some men to find you afterward.’ Ruolan said with telepathy
Now I am stuck with nothing to do. Do I just wait here until these cultivators from the Nether Bone sect arrive?
“Boy!” I called out to the young escort that sat beside me. Immediately he drops whatever he carries and runs to me “Can I have your name?”
“Immortal master, my name is XiaoChuan. What do you need?” A wisp of blood red glow exits his mouth as he says his name. A thin red thread connecting the red glow to his mouth. Is this what taking names mean? Let’s not try this one. I don’t know what it will do but if this works the same way a fae does it, then I will take more than just his name but his entire identity and maybe even more than that. So I did nothing as the red glow flew back into his mouth.
“Do you know some good places to eat? I can hire you as my guide for today… standard fare.” I add the last sentence after a pause. I don’t know what’s the standard price for hiring a guide but I am confident I can pay it. The old man gave me a huge pile of silver and gold coins in my storage ring.
“I know a good noodle place. I’m sure the immortal master will like it!” The boy nods enthusiastically. Then he guides me inside.
Like on the outside, the people give me and the boy a very wide berth. The boy frowns at the sight but I told him to let them do it. We pass by the quite empty market. Emptier after anyone catches a glimpse of me. Then we finally reached a road filled with food vendors and street stalls.
“Here’s the noodle shop!” Xiaochuan points at a noodle shop. The place is packed inside and outside below the extended roof. The shop owner, an old middle aged man have his eyes wide in fear as the boy pointed at him and run towards him
“Get the boy a bowl. As for me,” I look at the shop. The roof is not even my shoulder’s length. So I projected an entire table and chair for me to sit in front of his shop. “Let me try your boiled egg and broth first.”
“Of course. Of course.” The shop owner immediately ran inside. Then swiftly return with a bowl of two eggs and broth. I take the bowl, a cup sized at most in my hand. Then drink the broth and try the eggs. The broth is smooth on the tongue and tastes well with the eggs. But it can be a little bit saltier.
“Nice. Fill this entire bowl with the noodles and eggs.” I project a large serving bowl fit for my size. Giving it to him, the diameter is easily wider than his torso’s width. Almost twice in fact. He held the bowl and two of his staff immediately came and helped. Carrying the bowl inside.
“Also make it more salty. Just my preference.” I then adds
“Ehehe, excuse me, Immortal Master.” An uncertain voice surprisingly beside me. Another middle aged man, carrying a tray of roasted pork belly. “Would you like to try our roasted pork too?”
Ah, yes. Capitalism. Enough to make a man daring enough to advertise their product to a creature like me. Eh, sure. Why not? I project a chopstick and pick one slice of roasted pork belly and taste it. After that, I project a serving plate fit for my size.
“Fill this with the pork belly.” I said as I gave the plate to him. His staffs, already waiting, immediately took it and went to their own side of restaurant.
After that, various shop owners from other restaurants offer their own best dishes. I decline all of them as those are dishes I am not familiar with and I am not a wastrel to waste money on something I might not like. However, I called the tea shop owner. I project a glass cup fitting for my size.
“Fill this thing with sweet ice tea.” I give him the massive cup compared to his body
“Ice tea!? Sweet?” He asks, flabbergasted. Oh right, they might not have a refrigerator here.
“Just fill it with lukewarm tea then. Also, add sugar until this point.” I point at the small line at the bottom of the cup.
“Lukewarm tea…? Sugar…?” He said dazedly as his staff took my cup from him. (Apparently sweet tea is not popular in Ancient China as they prefer tea’s natural taste. So I based this on that)
What’s wrong with an ice tea man? It looks like my request broke his mind or something. After that, the meal came one by one. The noodle arrives, carried with an improvised stretcher to hold the bow in the middle by two staff. The plate filled with roasted pork belly slices came second, carried by two men. Lastly is the glass cup filled with lukewarm tea. I place all of them on my table. Then a stirring spoon for the tea and stir before projecting ice cubes inside. Thank God for once again allowing me to dine like kings out of my own pocket! Then I start eating.
“They said that there's help coming from Tianhe Sect. But isn’t that thing the one we should be hunting?” A sharply dressed man with a sword on his hips, though his face, hair and beard are unkempt
“Could it be that that thing is a spiritual pet of an elder in Tianhe sect? That might explain how we are unable to find it. Still, it is quite distasteful if the Tianhe sect sent the very thing that started this crisis to help.” Said a young woman in purple daoist robe and long skirt, the symbol of yin and yang emblazoned at the robe’s back, carrying a Dao brush in her hands
“On the contrary, the elder might send it here to resolve the karma of his rampage.” Said an older manly voice in buddhist garb, huge prayer beads on his shoulders. The only one that doesn’t refer Danxing as an it
The three have been observing Danxing from the time he enters from the inner wall. For better or worse, Danxing visage can only be explained as demonic. His head is but the skull of a deer. Three pair holes filled with purple orbs like eyes. Humanoid eyes, serpent eyes, and deer eyes. Black mane covering the back of his body, his hands are furred and scaled, digits ending in claws. Tail hidden under his outer robes. But surprisingly, wearing very high quality boots. At least from the cursory glance of how far their divine sense can go. The woman has sensed his powerful soul strength and therefore advises on not sending their divine sense too close.
“Well, better introduce ourselves.” The sword cultivator went and drop from the inner wall
“Wait! We still have to be cauti—
“What? You need an invitation!? Get down here!” The sword cultivator shouts from below, already walking towards the creature
“I think it is best if we follow him. After all, we will be depending on each other. Making a good impression is not a problem.” The buddhist monk adds before following
Then the last one followed reluctantly
Hmmm. The food was nice. I pick up the glass, then drown all the salt from the noodle and the roasted pork with sweet ice tea. This feels amazing. I should do this more often.
“Alright, How much is it?” I tap the table to call the three shop owners to pay
“It- uh, the portion of five people. So five silver Xia immortal master.” The noodle shop owner came and said first
I check my storage ring and pull out five silver coins. On it is the word Xia as in summer. I give him five. Then I look at the tea shop owner.
“Including the sugar, it will be four silver Xia.” I give him his dues, then finally, the one from fancy restaurant that give me a huge plate of roasted pork belly
“All will be one gold Xia.” Immediately I taste his lies. It tastes overwhelmingly sweet like a cup of water with five cups of sugar. The two shop owners balk at his answer, even the ones eating inside the noodle shop stop at the notion of how greedy he is
“That is not the real price.” Immediately he rubs his palm and start sweating
“Fifty silver Xia?” He answers awkwardly, and is still lying. But now asking if he can have that many silver
“Still not.”
“Twenty five?”
“A little bit closer.” The lie does not taste as egregious as before
“It’s all twenty silver.” He finally admits, face red in shame and looking down
I take out twenty silver. Then look at him. Hmm. The roasted pork does indeed taste good. Do storage rings preserve heat? One way to find out I guess. So I take out another twenty.
“Pack me another roasted pork with a similar portion to take away and you get this extra twenty.” Immediately he brightens up
“No take backs.” He swiped all forty silver and run back to his restaurant
The other two shop owners look at me somewhat expectantly.
“Maybe later.” I dashed their expectations, then I saw Xiaochuan exits the noodle shop
“Oh, almost forgot.” I take out one silver and give it to the noodle shop owner, “For the boy’s portion.”
“Where to next Immortal Master?” Xiaochuan asks
“Well, I guess that place over there.” I look at the inner palace and points, “But we can take a short detour through the market. There might be something I like.”
After getting my take away and putting it in my storage ring, I get up and my table and chair vanishes along with all the tablewares. Xiaochuan guides me to the palace through the market.
“Xiaochuan, how does the money denomination work here?” I ask curiously as I look around the market. After eating, the people in the market seemed to be a little bit more welcoming.
“You mean coin conversion rates? Well, ten bronze coins equal to one silver Xia.” He starts and I nod. Seems simple enough. “But one gold Xia is worth 200 silver Xia.”
What the fuck!? Did that restaurant owner want to fleece me ten times the price of his roasted pork? Motherfucker! I should have beat his ass!
“How come the conversion is so high?”
“I don’t know. Apparently there was a war between immortals a few hundreds years ago and all the gold in the world is spent or something like that.” Xiaochuan tells me the only thing he knows.
Hmm, I will need to ask about this later. Oh, holy shit! Is that potatoes? Immediately I swerve and glide away from my intended destination to a small rundown stall on the side street. The stall owner, a thin and frail woman. Carrying a baby in her baby sling and another boy in his teens. She shielded her sons from me. Ah well, guess I need to get used to this.
“This is potatoes, yes? How much do I get for one silver?”
“Its- it’s not…” the woman stammers, but then his teen boy moves forward
“1 bronze is for four catties. 1 silver is 10 bronze, so 1 silver is…” The teen boy speaks confidently and tries to count much to his mother’s horror. (one catty is around half a kilogram)
“1 silver is everything!” The boy shouts after finishing his calculations. I don’t know how heavy one catty is and how well the boy can count. But I like his energy.
“I see, pack me everything then.” The teen picked up a sack and began filling it with potatoes. His mother followed suit hesitantly.
“B-but immortal master, potatoes are not sweet.” The mother hesitantly speak
“Yes.”
“It's not local. And it's starchy and disgusting. We only sell it for livestock feed.”
“I know.” After this, the mother doesn’t try to dissuade me from buying anymore. Perhaps what I am saying is too good for her ears. Nevertheless, she and her son packed everything into twenty sacks. I gave the boy the silver and put everything in my storage ring. Now I will have my potato chips!
“Mama! Mama! Look! Our first silver!” The boy shows her mother the silver with joy
“This is your first silver?” I take the silver coin back, surprising the boy and the mother sighs. I blow the coin with my breath. “Then this will be your lucky silver.” I said and gave it back to the boy. Surprised by the fact that I felt some of my Qi drained.
“Waaa! Thank you, deer immortal!” The boy jumps in excitement and the mother laughs mirthfully. “But how can I make a difference between the lucky silver and other silver? Do I not spend it at all?” The boy asks surprisingly good question
“That’s not how lucky silver works. Even if it is mixed with other silver or spent unknowingly, as long as you still have a silver coin with you, it will still be your lucky coin.” I reassured him and felt more of my Qi drained. Okay, I definitely do something here and I don’t know what. Well, if the silver really becomes a lucky silver then good for him.
“That’s wonderful dear. But you still need to eat your vegetables.” The mother is now relaxed, no longer on edge like before
“Yuck. Deer Immortal, do you eat your vegetables too?” The boy suddenly reels me into the conversation.
“No. Yuck.” Then I grin at him. Which is just opening my jaw, but the boy suddenly gets the idea and laughs too. The green halo of joy is everywhere. This also felt nice.
Then I turn to Xiaochuan so we can continue. His face looks forward, but he sometimes moves his eyes up towards me, mouth moving. It’s clear to me he wants his own lucky silver.
“You will get yours when this is done.” I said and he immediately brightens
Then I pause as in front of me are three people that are out of place. A sharply dressed man in cultivator robes but with an unkempt face and a sword on his hips, a huge buddhist monk, and a woman in purple robe that carries a comically large brush. Ah, these three must be the other three Foundation Establishment cultivators that are already here.
“Hmmm, looks like I won’t be needing you to guide me to the palace. Instead, you are to buy me some things.” Then I fish out around twenty silver coins. “Buy me some catties of salt, some catties of cooking oil, the biggest frying pan and pot, and whatever other cooking ware they have here. You can deliver this to some guards at the palace or to Princess Ruolan as she is still technically your employer too.”
Xiaochuan nods and leaves. Now then, I look back at the front and the trio is already in front of me. I see no hostility. Yet. We assess each other. Well, mostly them. I have no context even if I look at something that might be important. Though my eyes keep darting to the comically large brush. Like, what’s the point of a brush that large?
Then something flashed from behind them. I tried to follow the movement. Following it down near me and our eyes met. Then everything looks as if in slow motion. Another cultivator, this one is much younger, looking at me wide eyed as if not expecting me to see him. In his hands are boxes of pills I get from Qingfeng. Motherfucker! I try to seize him but he moves too fast. Dodging my hand in a panic, throwing him off balance to the side. Then as soon as we break eye contact, the world returns to normal.
“THIEF!” I shout as I project a winchester rifle and fire
Then like a flash, he dodges the bullet and runs away. I give chase.
“My pills!” The buddhist
“My talismans!” The daoist
“My collection of fine arts!” The sword cultivator
The trio shouts as they realize that they have been swiped too and chasing after the thief. Zooming faster than my sprint. Okay, that’s just unfair. Is there a technique I can learn to move that fast? I discard my Winchester and project a rail rifle. Replicating the 8mm rail rifle that is now standard issue for the US army. (remember that everything he projects is scaled three times so that is not an 8mm rail rifle but a 36mm) But I make the rail length as long as my entire arm. First, I sent my divine senses so I could see the thief. I don’t know how I can move as fast as him with eye contact, let’s scratch it as another soul art mumbo jumbo for now.
I found the thief with my divine sense. Like a taut thread, my divine sense latching onto him. Allowing me to aim straight at him. But also see how many people will be caught in the crossfire. The thief is now running haphazardly, trying to juggle the pursuer off. Nearing the outer wall, he jumps. With nothing else to do, I jump up as high as I can. Shooting me straight up a few stories tall. The buddhist and sword cultivator jumps and attacks but the thief, as fast as lightning, manages to dodge. I look at the female daoist on why she doesn’t give chase, but her face is red and clutching her long skirt in rage. Did the thief manage to swipe her underwear? I aim with my rail rifle, using the divine sense thread as some sort of an aimbot. The thief was already over the wall and outside. Then I project my A.T.Field for dampening the inertia. Then I shoot.
BOOOM!
With a deafening crack, the soundwave shook the entire city, the bullet flew straight at the thief. With the divine sense, allowing me to see directly the bullet’s trajectory. The hypersonic bullet meets the flash of a thief. The latter continue running while the bullet strikes the hills in earth shattering sound from sheer kinetic energy and creating a huge landslide.
I gasp in surprise. Did-did that motherfucker just dodged a railgun? Well, not entirely. Through my divine sense, I saw that he tries to bend and twists awkwardly in avoiding the bullet. Shooting his right arm clean off but he manages to flee with all the loot. Hmmm, I will need to revise my confidence with my guns.
Unfortunately, Danxing still doesn’t teach any movement technique. And like a rigid brick, he falls back to the ground in a loud thump.
I climbed myself out of the crater I made. Well, at least for a brick, I fly pretty good.