Chapter Ten: The Ancient City of Rosemary

“Isn’t that so?” Chi Yuan laughed. “How could I not try to win your favor?”

“Smart move!” Xiaoyuan turned to Chi Yuan, pulled a funny face, and teased, “Aren’t you worried you’ll run out of money and have nothing to eat?”

“No need to worry about that,” Chi Yuan patted the pouch at his waist, “I don’t know exactly how much, but my foster father put quite a few treasures in here.”

After wandering for a while, dusk began to fall, the glow of sunset stretching their shadows long across the street. Yet Xiaoyuan’s enthusiasm remained undimmed; as she saw the vendors packing up, a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes. Chi Yuan quietly counted the time and called out, “It’s time to go pick up the clothes.”

Seeing they’d reached the end of the street, Xiaoyuan had no choice but to follow Chi Yuan back. When they arrived at the shop, though their bodies were sustained by spiritual energy, both felt a measure of fatigue.

The shopkeeper greeted them warmly, “Sirs, your clothes are ready, just waiting for you to collect them.”

Chi Yuan glanced around and saw the finished garments neatly displayed on the counter.

“Will you take them directly, or would you like to try them on first?” asked the shopkeeper.

Chi Yuan was about to say he’d take them, but Xiaoyuan had already found a chair and sat down. “Try them on—it’ll save us another trip if they don’t fit.”

Chi Yuan nodded, taking the new clothes into the fitting room.

A maid approached Xiaoyuan and poured her a cup of tea. She couldn’t help but praise, catching sight of the shimmering bracelet on Xiaoyuan’s wrist, “Miss, your bracelet is truly exquisite.”

A little embarrassed, Xiaoyuan touched the jade stone on the bracelet. “I just bought it from a wandering sorcerer.”

While they chatted, Chi Yuan pulled aside the curtain and stepped out. Dressed in an ink-black martial robe, his youthful features were accented by sharp contours; his neck glowed pale under the candlelight, and his arms were outlined by dark red silk ribbons tied at the wrists. The slightly cinched waist further emphasized his tall and elegant figure, exuding an air of dignity.

Xiaoyuan scrutinized Chi Yuan closely, thinking, “This boy never pays much attention to his appearance, but now that he’s dressed up, he looks rather handsome.”

“It’s true what they say—clothes make the man, gold makes the Buddha. You look rather impressive in this outfit.”

“Miss, you flatter him! With such looks, stature, and bearing, he’d stand out anywhere.”

“You jest, shopkeeper. The clothes fit well, so we’ll be on our way.”

The shopkeeper beamed, bowing as he said, “Safe travels, come again whenever you have a chance.” Chi Yuan and Xiaoyuan had only walked a few meters before the shopkeeper called out again, “Sir, do come again!”

“This shopkeeper is polite indeed,” Chi Yuan remarked.

“Of course, sons of wealthy families are welcomed everywhere they go,” Xiaoyuan replied.

The two bantered and played as they returned to the inn.

“Brother Chi, you look truly dashing in your new attire.” Before they reached the entrance, Sun Lang was already leaning against the doorframe, waving them over. “I’ve been waiting for you a while, ordered some dishes—let’s eat together.”

“Much appreciated,” Chi Yuan and Xiaoyuan responded readily, following Sun Lang upstairs.

No sooner had they pushed open the door than they heard a porcelain cup slammed heavily onto the table. “You dare show your face!” Ling Yan sat at the table, glaring at Sun Lang with fury.

“Come now, little lady, don’t be angry,” Sun Lang greeted them with a cheerful smile, hosting Chi Yuan and Xiaoyuan as though he were master of the house.

Ling Yan’s face flushed, her fists clenched as she pounded the table with a thud.

“Come, eat. The food’s getting cold,” Sun Lang said, acting as if he hadn’t noticed the commotion, naturally pulling out a chair beside Ling Yan and sitting down.

Ling Yan saw the awkward expression on Chi Yuan’s face and felt unable to continue her tantrum; she bit her lip and moved her chair a few steps away.

Xiaoyuan lowered her head, fiddling with the beads on her wrist, not much interested in the dishes. Chi Yuan placed a small stir-fry in her bowl, saying, “Eat a little.”

Xiaoyuan looked up, rolled her eyes, “I don’t necessarily need to eat, you know.” Still, she picked up her chopsticks, tasted the dish, and added, “I’m just eating to try it, that’s all.”

“Ah—” Sun Lang sighed deeply, looking pitifully at Ling Yan. “See how considerate she is.”

Ling Yan didn’t even spare him a thought, shooting him a glare as her shoe pressed down hard on Sun Lang’s foot beneath the table. Sun Lang grimaced in pain but tried to look composed.

“By the way,” Sun Lang said, withdrawing his foot, “I heard something strange today.”

Ling Yan tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, scoffing, “Oh? Why haven’t I heard about it?”

“Of course not—since I’m always by your side, where would you find time to pay attention to anything else?” Seeing the anger rising in Ling Yan’s eyes, Sun Lang hurriedly changed his tone and addressed Chi Yuan seriously, “Brother Chi, have you heard of the Ancient City of Mide?”

“The Ancient City of Mide?”

“Yes, it was once called Yiling, though few use that name now. Rumor has it that strange events occurred there in the past, hence its current name—the Ancient City of Mide.”

Sun Lang continued, “I haven’t heard exactly what those events were, but apparently something has happened there again.”

“What could possibly happen?” Ling Yan asked offhandedly, tending to her nails.

“About two days ago, the city turned into a ghost town. No one has come out since, and they say there are many dead bodies lying by the gates. Some brave souls ventured inside, but none have returned.”

“That does sound peculiar. Where is this ancient city?” Chi Yuan inquired.

“As luck would have it, the city is only a few hours from here. So, I thought I’d go see for myself. Brother Chi, would you care to join me?”

Before Chi Yuan could answer, Ling Yan interrupted, “Absolutely not! If anything happens, will you take responsibility? Chi Yuan, don’t listen to him, he’s not thinking straight.”

Chi Yuan stood, a smile tugging at his lips. “Then tomorrow, we’ll set out for the Ancient City of Mide.”

Xiaoyuan shook her head at this, helplessly muttering, “This guy…”

Back in their room, Chi Yuan asked with a smile, “Aren’t you curious why I want to go to the Ancient City of Mide?”

“You, young hero, are moved by compassion, wishing to save the people trapped within, no doubt.”

Chi Yuan smiled, offering no reply, and sat down to begin his cultivation.