Busy.
No, extremely busy.
This was the only thing Xi Shen could describe the streets they were walking on.
The reason was rather simple, it was because of his birthday.
He didn’t know, or rather, he did know how big a deal it would be, but now that he himself was walking around a city like this and experiencing it he realized it was bigger than he had initially thought.
He was the second prince of the Maple Continent, a birthday celebration that symbolize his coming of age for someone like that had cause the entire continent to immediately become bustling with a festive atmosphere.
Even cultivators and mortals alike would succumb to it.
The streets were lined with various banners with congratulatory messages. Red decorations were cast along buildings entrances and streets.
Xi Shen couldn’t see it but some establishments were even offering dishes in honor of his upcoming B-day.
For some reason, Xi Shen began to get a little nervous. It was new to him that so many people were all collectively coming together to wish him a happy birthday. There were so many eyes focusing on him.
If he wasn’t mistaken, it was four days out until his actual birthday but these people were already going all out on decorations.
“Hm, everyone’s coming together to celebrate the second prince's fourteenth birthday. Brother Bai, have your family received invitations to the Imperial Palace yet?”
Xi Shen was on the left of Bai Xiaofung, while Zen was on the right, so it went unnoticed by him when Xi Shen tensed up a bit at hearing his words.
“Of course brother Zen, my Bai Clan already has several invitations.”
After saying that, Bai Xiaofung hurriedly said, “Oh, but unfortunately I’m unable to give one to brother Zen, my father prohibits it.”
Zen shook his head and said, “It’s fine brother Bai, I had indeed brought it up to ask this of you, but I knew it was impossible.”
Bai Xiaofung had on a regretful expression, but Zen only further shook his head and changed the subject.
“Brother Bai, it’s good that I saw you now. Recently, I heard rumors going around about a certain matter.”
Zen’s voice went low as he said that and his expression turn serious.
Bai Xiaofung seeing this sudden change became curious as to what Zen was referring to. Xi Shen on the side was too as well.
“Brother Zen, what kind of rumors may that be?” Bai Xiaofung asked curiously, matching Zen's low tone.
Zen looked to his left and right and then brought his head down low before he began to talk.
“Brother Bai, I manage to hear a rumor about the second prince and your Bai Clan. Is it true that he was attacked by an elder of your Clan?”
Bai Xiaofung was taken aback by Zen’s question, and he side-eyed Xi Shen who wore a calm expression next to him.
Bai Xiaofung then said to Zen, “Brother Zen, this matter, I-brother Zen.”
Seeing Bai Xiaofung’s pleading look, Zen realized what he did, and his expression changed.
He then hurriedly said, “I’m sorry brother Bai, I didn’t mean to do that!”
The group paused as Zen bowed in apology towards Bai Xiaofung.
He realized that he was slightly taking advantage of their friendship and placed Bai Xiaofung in a difficult position. He had never meant to do that, as he hadn’t become friends with Bai Xiaofung because of his status or him trying to find benefit in it.
Even his family didn't know he was this close with Bai Xiaofung, if he had told them he would have be pressured on all sides to start sucking up to him, trying to take advantage of his friendship. So he kept it a secret from them and everyone else.
The only thing they knew was that he was acquainted with him but not to the degree of being so close.
Zen’s expression was filled with regret at his blunder and he kept his head lowered.
Bai Xiaofung's expression relax upon seeing Zen’s sincerity, and he released a small smile before he said, “Brother Zen, it’s okay. I knew you aren’t that type of person so you can raise your head.”
“I’m sorry brother Bai, it’s just that my curiosity had blinded me. I never intended to put you in a difficult position.”
Bai Xiaofung reached up a bit because of his short stature, and patted Zen on his shoulder before he laughed and said, “Didn’t I say it was fine? Although I thought for a moment there that I would lose a friend today.”
While being pushed to continue walking by Bai Xiaofung, Zen's expression became bitter as he heard those words.
As they continue to walk, Bai Xiaofung leading the way to their destination, Xi Shen looked between the two of them.
Such friendships in the cultivation world were really rare.
A true friendship where their status wasn’t a concern, and they weren't trying to gain something from each other.
He had to take a second look at Zen as well, despite his initial look of being a typical pampered young master, he had come out decent than most of them.
It’s been about fifteen to twenty minutes that they have been walking. Xi Shen finally decided to ask where exactly they were going.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Bai Xiaofung smiled and said, “Don’t worry brother Shen, where I’m taking us is probably the best place to have some fun in this city! Just leave it to me, we'll reach there soon.”
Zen next to him smiled knowingly while nodding at Xi Shen before he said, “That’s right brother Shen, you won’t regret visiting this place.”
Xi Shen became really curious now to where he was being taken.
‘This should be good, I think the pressure of my birthday is getting to me so a bros day out should make me relax a bit.’
However, a little over ten minutes later, the group of three youths appeared in a bustling square-like area.
“Brother Shen we’re here! You’re surely going to enjoy this.”
“Really?”
Was Xi Shen's only response as he looked at the sign board in the air.
It said, “Ten Thousand Fortune Gambling Den”
“You must be joking to think I would enjoy my time here.”
Xi Shen’s entire hopes and expectations were immediately deflated, and he couldn’t believe these two thought this place would interest him.
“Brother Shen, don’t be deterred. This gambling market is owned by the Fei Clan and they have numerous of them spread out across the Maple Continent. When I first came here I didn’t think it would interest me, but after entering and experiencing everything first hand I immediately got hooked!”
“Hm, that’s right brother Shen, just give it a try, you’ll immediately get addicted.”
Both Bai Xiaofung and Zen were staring at Xi Shen with smiles.
Frowning, Xi Shen said, “That’s the point, why would I want to get addicted to wasting my money? That’s completely ridiculous. I’m not going to fall into the cycle of winning and losing, haven’t you two heard gambling is the root of all evil? The monks spoke of avoiding the pleasure of man to reach an enlightened state of mind that is pure of the vile and corrupt. Amitabha, Amitabha, Amitabha.”
After saying all of that, Xi Shen positioned his right palm vertical to his chest and actually began reciting Buddhist scriptures.
Bai Xiaofung and Zen were completely dumbfounded at his actions.
With a strange expression on his face, Bai Xiaofung said, “Brother Shen you-I didn’t know you were into Buddhist teachings. If anything I would say brother Shen is just unwilling to let go of a bit of his wealth. Isn’t that a sign of being greedy? The monks also say- ahh, wait wait wait brother Shen!”
Bai Xiaofung stop what he was about to say and quickly held on to Xi Shen who began walking away.
“Brother Shen, why don’t you just have a look inside? I’m sure you could find something you enjoy.”
A situation suddenly occur where Zen and Bai Xiaofung was each holding one of Xi Shen’s shoulder trying to pull him towards the square. However, he didn’t even budge one bit and instead continue to recite his scriptures.
Zen who was a bit shocked by this used a bit of his cultivation that was at the 2nd stage of the Foundation Realm to try and pull Xi Shen, but he was immediately stumped for words when Xi Shen didn't move whatsoever.
In fact, Xi Shen had even taken a step forward.
Zen was surprised at Xi Shen's physical strength. He didn't know it would be this ridiculous that he seemed completely unfazed by their efforts to pull him back.
“Alright, fine brother Shen, you don’t have to participate! You can just accompany us and look around!”
“That’s right brother Shen, watching the bets is just as entertaining as participating, why not accompany us?”
With Zen and Bai Xiaofung urging him, Xi Shen finally stop resisting and said, “Fine.”
Xi Shen then turned around and began walking towards the large square, Bai Xiaofung and Zen following behind him.
However, not long after entering the large square, a frowning Xi Shen and an excited Bai Xiaofung and Zen heard the voice of someone behind them.
“Oh look who it is! It’s brother Zen from the Huang Clan. Have you come here to squander your family’s fortune?”
The group turn to see a handsome and neatly dressed-looking young man, who was older than Zen, coming up to them. Three bodyguards that had on stone cold expressions were following closely behind him.
The young man had a sneer on his lips as he stared at Zen, making it obvious he didn't come here for a friendly interaction.
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