Chương 66: Shopping

The paper crane didn't take long to arrive at West Block, landing at a wide opening. Tens of paper cranes rose and fell in orderly patterns, people bustling around as guides in identical uniforms led the way. Wenhai and Ruolan jumped first. Liuxue followed, though her steps were a little wobbly. Ren moved, too, but just then, the guide leaned forward, his small head bobbling.

"Young Master, the Governor will personally ensure that neither you nor your disciples are disturbed. You may rest assured. She said that if you have any requests— any needs at all— she will do her best," he said, then paused as if hesitating. He gritted his teeth, avoided eye contact, and continued, "She also wants to meet with your great self, should you desire it." Ren shared a glance with Demoness. Her brows shot up, jaw tight.

Heh, who would prefer messy politics and boring talks instead of going on a shopping spree? He couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Especially her. She might even blow a few places out of frustration.

"Convey my thanks, but perhaps another time."

"As you wish, Young Master," the guide replied quickly, bowing.

"I'll be close if you need anything, then. Have a wonderful day." Ren gave a short nod and jumped out. He didn't tell the guide to leave as he knew there was no way the governor could let him walk free without surveillance. After all, even a slight disturbance might incur great annoyance, and such a thing was no different than career suicide. As for an attack… Heh, if they can find Ascendants with death wishes, yeah, they may try, he thought, smiling to himself.

Leaving the political part aside, he noticed Liuxue's wide eyes moving around, mouth ajar. Ren couldn't blame her, since he had the same urge as the buildings around them were truly colossal. He wasn't a frequent traveler in the past, thanks to his never-ending business meetings, but he still had witnessed tons of glamorous sights thanks to the internet: Skyscrapers reaching more than one hundred floors, mega-stadiums capable of holding more than a hundred thousand people. But they can't hold a candle to this.

He had to admit that he made a mistake. He had underestimated this world as he was used to the sect's ancient and modest architecture. Skyscrapers? The hell with them! Can they stretch all the way to the horizon? Can they be bigger than towns— than small cities? The answer was obvious. No. They fucking can't!

As they had probably traveled more than fifty or sixty kilometers, what Ren had taken for a distant city block was, in truth, a single structure— a sprawling behemoth whose pillars were spaced as far apart as city streets. Marble and glass rolled outward like waves, pavilions stacked upon pavilions, terraces spilling into skybridges. The farther his gaze traveled, the more the structure simply… continued, as if the thing had no end. It might be… excessive.

Fortunately, its height seemed normal, considering how absurd everything else was. Just ten or so stories tall. Quite ordinary, alright?

"Hey," he said, voice coming out strangely dry, "…what was the population here again?" The guide scratched his head awkwardly.

"Umm, it should be around eighty million—" he paused, and pulled his hair as if the question might decide his fate, "in permanent residents, I guess. Daily traffic should be higher, but I'm not sure…"

"No matter how many times I see, I still struggle to believe humans can build such things," Demoness chimed in.

"Ah, you haven't visited any of their markets. It's shocking, right? Right?"

"Yeah, I can't even imagine how they managed to draw its plans, let alone actually building," Ren said, clicking his tongue. True nightmare-level job for any new graduates, he added, but didn't voice it aloud.

"Heh, that's why they are holding onto the most crowded peak even with their meager strength. Though I still can't understand why they are called Mundane despite such monstrosities existing," Demoness muttered. Ren rubbed his chin, his stubble sharp.

"It's not that easy to change a peak's name. Anyway, we should take care of our business and move on. We can't lose any more time."

"Relax, we'll be done before you know it. Isn't that right, girls?" Demoness's eyes curled into two crescents that felt very-very dangerous. Um… I didn't make a mistake, did I? Ren had a bad feeling. … Wang Ren was someone who overthrew countless powerhouses, forced majestic Eldest Brothers and Sisters to their knees, and even slew noble beasts, feasting on their tasty meat. His title, Terror Incarnate, was carved in and through blood.

And Ren, not to be outdone, was someone who had faced numerous challenges, borne the pressure of corporate giants, and learned to hold his ground against shareholders and investors, each more shrewd than the other. Yeah, a little bit of exaggeration never hurts. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Even though he hadn't 'dominated' at all, at the very least, his sheer obsession had been carved in tears and sweat.

As a workaholic, that should deserve a title, too, right? Definitely! However, there was one simple thing both men stumbled on, no matter how many times they tried: accompanying a woman while shopping. Six hours passed. He would've liked to say time flowed like water— he really did— but at best, it had been a trickle. Memories of the same suffering his soul brother carried didn't help either, since this wasn't the first time Demoness let herself loose, knowing he would be the one to settle the bill.

Heck, she wouldn't even leave the stray cultivator stands. That silent, authoritative, and even scary woman vanished entirely, replaced by an addict who loved haggling with the yellow-faced cultivators to no end. Worse, Ruolan was no different than her, and she truly had the skill. By constantly finding almost invisible faults thanks to her out-of-the-world knowledge, she slashed prices more ruthlessly than an executioner.

More than a few times Ren had to intervene before some of the poor cultivators collapsed from heart failure. She and Demoness stopped only when the sky had already darkened. Ren couldn't be more grateful for the early closure of the colossal mall. On the way back, the most miserable one was unsurprisingly Wenhai.

Unlike the girls just carrying a few shopping bags hanging at their wrists, most of them filled with underwear, Wenhai couldn't even be seen at all— only a pair of boots shuffling beneath the mountain of bags led by pitying Liuxue. Ah, and also Ashthorn peeking from time to time, chewing a long, green grass languidly. Ren wasn't much different, but at least his head was out in the open. I'm sorry Baozhai…

I hadn't realized you were actually quite humane, Ren thought, his regret over calling her packing crazy almost palpable. Women are quite scary. He smiled wryly as his mind wandered. Thinking now, she also loved shopping. Though her sense was different than most. If she goes alone, she'd spend at most ten seconds picking whatever is needed. But if I make a mistake and tag along, oh god, even the thought of it gives me chills.

Demoness was a shopping addict— he was so sure of that— but even she couldn't compare to a certain someone. After all, she would try every couple outfit she saw, even mismatched ones just because they shared the same color. Furthermore, she would first make full combinations down to shoes, then drag him along, snap countless silly pictures, and steal a quick kiss in the booth before anyone noticed. The curve of her lips in those moments remained crystal clear, even in his fading memories. His one and only love.

The one he should have forgotten: Eda. She had a longer, more elegant name that everyone else used, but he had always preferred to call her Eda. He wasn't sure why— maybe because it rolled off his tongue so sweetly, just like the way she used to call him honey… I wonder how she is doing. Is she eating well, or just making do with anything like she always did? Is she still not getting along with her father? What nasty schemes is her uncle up to this time? Her grandmother was sick the last time I met.

Did she get better? Thoughts flashed past his mind, until only one of them remained. Am I still missing her? The answer to that wasn't something he could give easily. Telling no would be a lie, but telling yes… It's not something I can accept either. Ren couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, almost blowing one of the thin bags at the top.

"What, missed your sweet Baozhai?" A devilish whisper, accompanied by a sharp breath, brushed past his ear. He shivered and nearly dropped everything if not for the Demoness acting quickly to hold them with her energy.

"Wow, don't tell me you were really thinking about her? You didn't even notice me?"

"If you don't act like a ghost, I would," Ren grumbled, shaking his head in exasperation.

"Remember, my cultivation hasn't returned to its peak."

"Yeah, yeah, I believe," she snorted, but the curiosity in her gaze couldn't be hidden.

"Then who were you thinking?"

"No one in particular," Ren lied through his teeth.

"Come on, you can't think I'd believe such low-level tricks? That look in your eye, I know it."

"Can't I think about how I'm supposed to pay for all this on top of my already mountain-like debt, hmm?" Ren asked, narrowing his eyes, his amused gaze swept over her.

"Unlike certain someone who likes to act like a bigshot and dump everything onto others."

"Hey, just so you know, they are expensive because certain someone shut me up and bought everything at full price!" she started to complain, but her brows shot up the next second.

"Wait, you're changing the topic!" Yeah, silly, I am. Ren couldn't help but chuckle. Although he couldn't compare to her in some departments, he had taken his lessons. There was no way he'd let her control the flow now. He shook his head and fixed bags her energy holding. The kids had arrived at the opening where the paper crane was already waiting for them, helping Wenhai load the bags onto it. The guide stood there too, though his small face seemed anxious.

"If you aren't thinking of Baozhai, then who could it be? Who, who… ugh, what other woman are you affiliated…" Demoness muttered, rubbing her chin. Her words drew an eye-roll from Ren. Affiliated? The heck is that? Do you take me for some kind of government body?

"Ah, I found it! You must be thinking of your parents." Demoness eyes glimmered. My… parents? Ren rose a brow. He had to admit that he had ignored, or at least tried to, think about his soul brother's parents for a long time. He knew he couldn't do that all the time, and one day he had to face the fact, but that day wasn't today. Seeing his expression, Demoness put on a haughty expression. It was clear she was smirking behind the mask as if trying to say, 'Heh, you underestimate this lady!'

"You haven't seen them for the last few years, right? I wonder how Uncle and Auntie are doing on the front lines, and whether they heard the news about you. They must be worried if so," she said.

"I don't think they do," Ren answered at last.

"Father wouldn't stay put if he learned, considering his temperament." Father, huh? The word rolled out his tongue fine, but only he felt the barbs covering them. Never thought I'd utter this. His soul brother had a loving family; he knew that. But those memories were too alien for an outsider like him.

"You are right," Demoness muttered, putting her thumb on her head. She looked silly.

"Uncle wouldn't hesitate to wreak havoc just by hearing somebody tried to assassinate you, let alone knowing they suc—" she trailed, feeling his sharp gaze suddenly sweeping around. Fortunately, there was nobody close enough to hear her.

"Sorry, I'm still in shock," she said and lowered her head.

"Just be more careful." Letting out a deep sigh, she fell silent. They quietly arrived at the paper crane, and Ren used his moonlight energy to coat everything and place it inside. As for why they didn't use their Spatial Rings… Demoness—with Ruolan taking her side—had strongly objected, insisting that it went completely against the spirit of shopping. Of course they don't care since they aren't the ones carrying. Ren felt the same urge to facepalm, but resisted, thinking he had to care about his face in public.

Throwing his idle thoughts aside, he turned to the guide struggling to stay still.

"What's the matter? Governor wanted something?" he asked, his head tilted, a slight smile tugging his lips.

"Umm…" The guide's face paled.

"Young master…" At the same time, Ren felt a vibration in his pocket. While waiting for the guide to continue, he took out his token and noticed All-seer calling him. He raised a hand to stop him and answered the call, but the guide didn't notice and his voice mixed with All-seer's panicked cry:"Your father… the Grand Marshal returned…"

"Young Master, the Grand Marshal is here! And he is angry!" All-seer's face appeared. Ren froze, his heart skipping a beat. He suddenly shot a sharp glance at Demoness. You jinx!