Chapter 4, Lou Jun ~/`````````````````/~

After the trio finished their food, Tengfei suggested to search for clothes in the town 'Taesu' for all of them and an extra pair for the method of removing the beast core.

Though they had some problem with storing the leftover meat from the beast but it was solved due to an idea of hanging it upon a tree branch by using cordage made from highly durable stems of plants.

Zhou Huan asked Lihua who was massaging her feet "Is your dang feet still hurting, if so, I believe we should start dragging you as to what I recommended before."

She then glared at him before replying "I'm completely fine as it was just a bruise, so please shut your mouth as I hate hearing pigs oink." She then started fixing her hair after making a 'hmph' noise.

This made Huan furious as he was about to hit her until he was stopped by Tengfei who told him to calm down while explaining as to how it ain't worth his time. Lihua was trying to get up but failed due to the pain until she found a stick on the ground.

She used used it to support herself to get up and so that is how she can walk... barely.

'At least it doesn't hurt as much as yesterday.' Lihua thought to herself.

After witnessing Lihua who was gritting her teeth as she shows pain in her expression, Huan's anger slowly subsided and so he yelled out "Lets go now." Towards them.

Though Huan can't help but feel annoyed from the action of Tengfei treating her kindly.

Tengfei made a short survey on Lihua who was walking rigidly with the stick to find that she's still in her nightgown which is quite a pitiful due to the coldness of the open night before.

Even though his pitying her, Lihua thought differently, as she thinks that Tengfei is slowly getting charmed by her appearance.

'Petite undeveloped spoiled princess' describes her easily. ~/`````````````/~

This district they are in is a famous trading spot of the town.

Not only stalls with goods that could not be seen even in the imperial cities are found but also rare pills which contains properties to boost in a complete new level for cultivators.

Also if you observe carefully... Weapons were being displayed which contains some profound aura to them.

Cobblestone streets, red brick walls of houses, cloudy weather and stuffed atmosphere.

Children with their parents buying food and toys.

A bulky warrior arguing with a merchant to lower the price of bananas.

Women getting attracted towards a stall which sells accessories for pets.

You could even see some people here in there having similar hair color to Lihua's.

Even though mot of those people didn't having the bright glossy red that Lihua had.

The city was brimming with livelihood but... certain alleys lead to the underworld in earth, black markets.

Slave trading, illegal equipment, teachings of dark cultivation, thief organization and cannibal merchants.

Due to those existence, strict laws were created while city guards increase in number.

Even a 'request guild' erected which pays money to handle certain tasks revolving around those wicked matters.

But unfortunately, instead of decreasing evil acts, it lead to the creation of 'An Yue' a famous assassin guild which hires to kill on who gets in their way including dark markets.

Internal wars between sent legions from main cities on Taesu were held hidden from the public eye.

Though no matter which army were sent, only one thing that came out of it, and that is massacre.

Not to mention the poverty rate is quite high with 38% of the population living in tattered houses or... the streets.

Normal income of a well off family is within 223 silvers per year.

Bread costs around 1-2 copper coins, rice is much more expensive.

Meat is considered too much for people unless we're talking about families that can afford them with extra earnings.

The money system is quite simple with copper coins, dull brown coins with holes, being the lowest.

Second to that is the shiny silver coins which contains a ram animal insignia.

Third and the most used currency for wealthy nobles are the gold coins which are remarkably shiny with a blood red wyvern insignia.

Commoners can't even dream of touching a gold coin... and that is how the money system displays. At the entrance of the town, Tengfei, Xiao Lihua and Zhou Huan were marvelling the bustling pathway in front of them.

When Huan spotted the different types of woman arround him...

'Finally, the heavens are showing kindness towards me... as I can attract all sorts of beautiful-' Zhou Huan continued thinking of endless women with different appearances in his head. No need for details of them.

Lihua was covering her mouth which is a habit of hers when she thinks.

'What ways are there to unblock my dantian... is it even curable... It must be! A-as every ailment definitely has a cure in the world!' She thought.

The boys at least have have something to look forward in the near future but the problem of finding clothes was still in their heads.

"Why not we just steal the clothes from the stalls in the market area?" suggested Zhou Huan as he looks towards Tengfei.

"If you were talking to my past self then I would have gone with your suggestion, but now it's unreasonable to lower ourselves in stealing mere clothes as it ain't involving life or death." Said Tengfei.

"Bread thief..." Lihua said in a low voice towards Tengfei.

Tengfei glared at her then yelled "No one is talking to you!"

She quivered slightly before replying "J-Just you wait till I fix my pond... and... and"

"And what? as it will never happen." Zhou Huan finished her sentence.

Lihua crossed her arms and started pouting with an angered expression as she can't rebuke towards them due to her powerless condition.

Surprisingly when Tengfei never showed any anger when he shouted and instead... smiled again afterwards.

"Jobs can help us gain money, right? So why not just just look for one." Tengfei questioned.

"If it was that simple then we would have done that immediately but sadly... jobs nowadays are hard to find." Zhou Huan answered while crossing his arms behind his head and leaning on the wall.

"How so?" Tengfei asked.

"Due to the migrants or refugees from what seems to be a war between Xoplis and Krehor nation which increased this town's population and hence less jobs to find." Lihua answered his question.

This shocked both of them from as to how she answered it in a mature like way.

"...Thanks for answering?' Said Tengfei with puzzled expression.

Zhou Huan made a low grumble from her answer being correct even he has to admit.

Lihua made a 'hmph' noise before replying "You're welcome, trash bumpkin." To Tengfei.

Though she was ignored by them as they continued conversing which made her agitated with a mixture of annoyance but nothing could be done by her... again.

"We should split and search for people who can hire us and I'll be with Lihua as she might run away. Oh and also we we'll meet back at the inn from before." Suggested Zhou Huan.

Tengfei nodded in response while Lihua just made her usual 'hmph' approval.

They then asked each person separately in the market district for some sort of place that can hire them.

Though it was quite hard and too a lot of time to find one but Tengfei eventually found a restaurant which is in need for employees.

A not so large wooden two floored house with a logo written on a board indicating 'Jewel Mantou's Restaurant' was in front of Tengfei currently as he reads a flyer on the door which is in need for help.

'6 copper coins paid each day for six hours work seems good enough considering how hard to find a job already is.' Thought Tengfei as he looks upon the flyer.

As he was about to knock the door, it opened before so and a young girl around the age sixteen appeared who shows that she was about to leave.

Her forehead was knocked upon by his hands as he was intended towards the door instead of that girl. Without Tengfei’s notice, he was surveyed thoroughly.

'Eh..' The girl said from the pain.

She pouted while mumbling quietly some words while rubbing her forehead.

Immediately Tengfei said "Sorry about that..." The girl then responded with an apologetic voice "It's okay... as it's an accident that can't be helped."

A nod was replied by Tengfei after he bowed slightly.

She showed a bright smile towards him which then she continued by saying "What may I help you with?"

"I would like to apply and with my other subordinates in this restaurant if possible." Replied Tengfei.

"Oh, you're going to work here where I just joined just recently." Said the girl.

"Wait...you just started working?" Asked Tengfei with a curious look."Mn, it's my first day working here." She answered with a delighted look.

"So, is it allowed to hire more like me and my friends.?" He asked.

"Yes, but unfortunately the head of the restaurant can only hire one more so please think wisely as your friends may not join except you." She said with a calm voice.

Tengfei thought thoroughly before saying "...Please let me think about it with my subordinates before replying my answer."

"No problem, but can I perhaps know your name?" She asked.

"Tengfei." He answered.

The young girl smiled with a nod before saying "Lou Jun, as for my name."

Her golden brown straight hair flutters in the air as the wind passes through which caused Tengfei to be awestruck by her beauty.

Soft pink luscious lips, green jade eyes, and especially her smooth peach skin tone.

Wearing a sky blue robe with beautiful orchid patterns.

Lou Jun then said "Well, see you later then." She then bowed before heading out alone. Though no one noticed that the girl was paying attention to his hair.

Strangely enough, Tengfei felt something off putting about her... but can't seem to trace the reason. Like her eyes felt hollow.

After some motionless moments, he started walking after sighing.

His thoughts while heading towards the Inn were still filled with her pretty appearance and gentle personality. Not of admiration or struck of love but instead wanting to point out the vast difference between her and that Lihua.

He can't help but start whistling a tune that he remembered from before... Even if the tune causes everyone that he passes to cover their ears as they agonize...

As Tengfei was walking and making that dreaded tune, an armored person spotted him and thought 'Gray hair... What is a person of our clan doing all the way here?'

~/`````````````/~

Meanwhile at the inn where Zhou Huan tried getting a room before.

He and Lihua were sweeping the wooden floor in the table area just in front of the main entrance.

Apparently, Huan somehow managed to get a job from the inn keeper.

Though it was in a way where he had to clung upon his feet and refusing to not let go until he gets his jobs for... a long time.

An epic feat of him as he refuses to let go even through stairs, rugged stone streets and even the bathroom...

He also gotten his elbow and knees scraped from the ground to him getting dragged as he hold on...

The job that the innkeeper gave for him and also Lihua was something simple as they just needed to keep the inn clean and so a salary of 4 copper everyday to them.

Right now he was immersing himself with self gratification to what he done.

As he sweeps, he took a short look on Lihua who was sweeping carefully and naturally before saying "I thought princesses don't know how to perform chores?"

She made an annoyed expression before replying "I'm the one who cleans my room and bathroom everyday you know?"

"Ho ho~, at least you have something you're good at instead of plainly yapping with complaints." Said Zhou Huan as he makes a teasing look.

She made a 'tch' noise before using the broom stick to bash his manhood... hard.

It caused Huan to scream in pain as Lihua crosses her arms while saying out "Fwah, a sound pleasant to the ears."

Zhou Huan falls down to his knees as he grabs hold and cover his fragile friend.

Lihua then continued and said with a sadistic tone "Well~ if things went bad, I'll have a new female companion~ fufu."

In the middle of the commotion, Tengfei after a long walk finally entered the inn and the first thing he heard was his brother Huan's scream.

His eyes were blinking as he watches the crazily laughing girl and the boy on his knees grasping his friend...

'Great... did my only brother become a sister...' Thought Tengfei which was similar as to what Lihua said.

~/``````````````````/~

Side Story:

There once lived a monkey with six eyes and a tail of a scorpion in the deep dark woods of Krehor.

Having red coloured hair and white pearly teethes, it was the most famous beast in the woods.

The size might be of a toddler, but the beast's intelligence is not something to ignore.

They call this beast 'Monkorpion'. (I know, I know my naming sense is horrible)

Currently right at this very moment, the Monkorpion seemed to have found its preys.

The beast slowly observed a man and a woman holding hands trespasses his territory.

His eyes payed attention to the sword hanging on the man's waist and also the metal gauntlets.

It seems like this beast wants this stuff that he eyed on as a grin appears on his mouth.

He then decided to make his appearance to his guests.

Monkorpion's sudden appearance causes the couple to be surprised as the man immediately moves his somewhat girlfriend to his back as he sheaths out his sword.

He then points it towards the beast while have a proud look in his face as surveys the Monkorpion.

In the man's puny mind, a thought arose 'If I can show her that I can beat this weakling then maybe it can change her damn father's mind!'

The man then yelled as he charges towards the beast while slashing his sword aimlessly.

It took no sweat for the Monkorpion to dodge all the strikes easily with the help of the beast's agility and observations from his six eyes.

Without having the man notice, the beast picked up a sharp stone and pounced to his idiotic enemy.

While in the air, the beast slammed his rock brutally on the man's eye.

The beast's scorpion tail then pierced on the poor man's neck before the Monkorpion uses the person's body to jump backward.

A loud agonizing scream can be uttered from the man and the woman beside him was flabbergasted.

The man couldn't help but slash randomly in front of him as anger welled up.

While standing still from far, the Monkorpion awaits the poison to affect the foolish person.

After a while the man finally succumbed to the ground.

The woman shook the dead man's body while yelling out "Wake up! Wake up!"

Observing the women waking up the man, he approached her before whacking the rock on her head.

Having a triumphant face, the Monkorpion then retrieved his loot.

A refined iron sword and gauntlet plus a woman's body.

With a naughty smile, he dragged the woman into his cave.

~/``````````````````/~ Thanks for reading.