Chapter Twenty-One

Inside the Chen estate, Li Feng and Lam Bai sit next to each other on a luxury sofa. In front of them is a coffee table, and on the other side of it are three cushioned chairs. The walls of the room are lavishly decorated with silver and gold, likely from the very mines below the city. In a glass case on the wall, Li Feng recognizes an object from his past.

Magic makes every aspect of life simplier, and enchanting allows those without affinity for magic to enjoy some of the same benefits. For miners, pickaxes with enchanted heads can be made, allowing the wielder to strike through bedrock with ease. The particular pickaxe on the wall of the Chen estate is enchanted with melting magic, allowing it to melt stone it comes into contact with.

“Two yellow teas!” Chen Yan announces, coming through the door to the kitchen in front of Li Feng and Lam Bai. He’s carrying two cups in one hand and one in the other hand, gracefully walking to where Li Feng and Lambai are sat. “Here you are,” He says, handing the first cup to Li Feng, then hands the second cup to Lam Bai. With the third cup, Chen Yan sits in the chair in the middle of the three opposite from Li Feng and Lam Bai.

“Very good,” Li Feng judges the tea after taking a sip. It’s hot, but has a wonderfully mellow flavor.

“I’m glad you enjoy it,” Chen Yan says, placing his own cup on the coffee table. “The other members of my family might find it silly, but I take great pride in my ability to fashion a cup of tea.”

“I’m sure the young master’s father would enjoy this, too,” Lam Bai says, already having drank half her cup.

“Now that we’ve had our tea, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Chen Yan asks, laying back in his chair. Li Feng takes a large sip from his tea, then sets it on the coffee table and leans back on the sofa.

“My servant and I have come here to sightsee,” Li Feng says. “From what I’ve seen so far, you have quite the impressive city.”

“Ah, I’m glad you think so,” Chen Yan says and smiles more heavily. “Please, drink up.”

“Do you have any suggestions for the young master?” Lam Bai asks Chen Yan, now finished with her cup of tea.

“First, let me get you another cup of tea,” Chen Yan says, holding out his hands for Li Feng and Lam Bai. Li Feng quickly finishes his cup and hands it to Chen Yan, and Lam Bai holds on to her’s.

“I couldn’t,” Lam Bai says, secretly wanting more but trying to be polite.

“I insist,” Chen Yan says. “If you don’t, I’ll have to give you my own cup.”

Settled, Lam Bai hands off her empty cup, and Chen Yan returns to the kitchen. “He’s a very gracious host,” Lam Bai comments, and Chen Yan quickly returns will two full cups of tea. Li Feng and Lam Bai take their cups back, and Chen Yan sits down in his chair.

“Recommendations,” Chen Yan says, thinking. “I’d suggest the aquarium, first. Here in Quanchang, so far from the ocean, many of our miners haven’t seen a fish in years! We try to keep the aquarium stocked with fish from all across the empire, and we’ve recently acquired an octopus.”

“After that,” Chen Yan continues. “Head to the museum across the street. There, we have examples from almost a hundred types of ores and minerals. We also have an extensive collection of gems and crystals.”

“That sounds very entertaining,” Li Feng says, almost finished with the second cup of tea.

“You won’t be disappointed,” Chen Yan says. “I guarantee it.”

After finishing their cups of tea, Li Feng and Lam Bai decline a third cup and leave the estate. Chen Yan sees them out of the gate, giving them directions to the aquarium and museum. Meanwhile, Chen Yan’s cup of tea remains on the coffee table, untouched.