Yuan Xue An got a new goal once Yuan Shao left. She was determined to be healthy and learn cultivation once her body was ready. She wanted to be strong as she didn't want to burden her brother in the future. Yuan Xue An decided to head to the White Dragon Palace with Jin Hao to hasten her treatment.
The number of people in the Yong Heng manor dwindled but the restoration of the manor was soon completed. Zhao Li Xin and Lory's room was even bigger and luxurious than before. Zhao Li Xin also added a large bathroom with a massive pool in the middle to replace the bathtub. The pool was made out of special stones that kept the water hot. All this made it look like Zhao Li Xin had created a hot spring inside his manor.
?
Lory appreciated the pool when she saw it and she didn't waste time using it. She wondered how they managed to place the hot spring in the manor but was too lazy to ask questions. She took her time soaking in the pool. She left the bathroom and found Zhao Li Xin examining the old map from Yuan Shao in the room.
"No news from the Sacred Mountain Peak?" Lory watched as a smile touched Zhao Li Xin's face when he saw her. He put the old map on the table and leaned back in his chair as she walked towards him.
Zhao Li Xin clasped his hands over his stomach as Lory took the seat opposite him, "It is about time for us to visit the sacred mountain peak."
"Yes, we have pushed this matter for too long," Lory agreed.
"This is the best time to sneak in since Xie Xiu Wei's death blindsided them. They are struggling to choose another leader for the Sacred Mountain Peak society at the moment and they will not be as vigilant," Zhao Li Xin smirked. It was also the reason the Sacred Mountain Peak society had not bothered him for a while.
"Then we better hurry. We don't want someone else to discover those records before we do," Lory smiled with excitement.
"I think you just can't wait for a new adventure," Zhao Li Xin joked. Lory had the same look she had when they decide to go to the ancient tomb. Thoughts of that journey reminded him to not lose her this time around. "You can come with me but..."
"Don't leave your side," Lory finished the sentence for him.
"I mean it this time. Humans are crueler than beasts" Zhao Li Xin reminded her.
"I know..." Lory agreed as her smile grew wider. "So when do we leave?"
"How about now?" Zhao Li Xin tilted his head and gave her a cunning smile. Lory reciprocated with a naughty expression.
Mong Ki and Mong Yi joined the couple for the journey. It took them two weeks, by carriage, to reach Tang Sheng city which was the entrance to Cloud city. Most of the people who lived in Tang Sheng city were affiliated to the Sacred Mountain Peak. The city was seen as an extension to Cloud city as it was under Sacred Mountain Peak's control. The Tang Sheng city Governors even had to bow down to Sacred Mountain Peak.
Tang Sheng city was not as glamour as Jing An city, as picturesque as Nan Jing city or as lively as Ching Su city. Tang Shen city was crowded and was cluttered with big and old buildings. The disparities between the rich and poor were as obvious as heaven and earth. The difference in wealth was more conspicuous in Tang Sheng when compared to other cities.
It was a good thing Zhao Li Xin's carriage looked modest on the outside as they were trying to be inconspicuous as they passed through the city. Zhao Li Xin used the identity of a merchant to enter the city but some guards stopped them with a ridiculous reason to reject their entry permits. Mong Ki had to pay a bribe to ease their entry.
The guards beamed and drastically changed their attitude after they received a pouch glowing with silver. The guard who received the pouch showed his yellow teeth as he smiled widely and open the gates to allow them through without further disruptions.
Zhao Li Xin was unperturbed by the treatment, but Lory scowled in annoyance as she watched. She always felt bitter when she met corrupt people and she especially hated it if they were part of the military. Being able to bride a person who was supposed to protect the citizens meant no one was safe in that region.
"Corruption took root in this city a long time ago. Don't take it to the heart," Zhao Li Xin warned Lory what to expect.
Lory let out a long sigh, " I can only imagine how bad the corruption is in this city if small soldiers like them dare to take bribes openly."
"Danger is lurking everywhere. You can feel it in the air. The Sacred Mountain Peak uses all these people to do their evil deeds. So… Don't you dare leave my side!" Zhao Li Xin reminded her with a serious face.
"I wouldn't," Lory rolled her eyes. She was tired of his constant reminder.
"And don't forget to hide Girsha as it can attract unwanted attention."
"Oh…okay," Lory nodded then frowned at a new thought. She wiggled her eyebrows and teased, "How about you? Your face will be our biggest problem if we are to talk about unwanted attention."
Zhao Li Xin turned sullen but he didn't refute her words. He took out a wooden box from his spatial ring and opened it carefully. There was a skin mask inside the box. Zhao Li Xin placed the mask on his face and tapped it carefully so that the mask could stick on his face naturally. Zhao Li Xin's exquisite face turned into a humble young man's face. He then added a mustache to cover part of his face.
Lory grinned widely when she looked at his new face. He looked like a humble merchant in his late thirties. Lory covered her mouth as she burst out in laughter. She soon fell back on the pillows next to her as she laughed uncontrollably. She never thought he would choose such a face.
Zhao Li Xin didn't mind Lory's laughter. He instead wondered if he looked too weird, "You don't think it suits me?"
Lory struggled to hold her laughter. She calmed herself but giggles still escaped her, "Not like that. I have seen you wear skin masks before but I never thought you would choose to be a middle-aged man. Your new look is hilarious."
"I think my disguise is nothing if I was to compare it to yours," Zhao Li Xin reminded Lory of her changed looks. She choose to look like a boring and ordinary woman yet she was a radiant beautiful goddess with purple irises.
Lory pursed her lips, "It is less conspicuous..."
Zhao Li Xin smiled faintly. He was glad Lory hid her real face as he didn't want to imagine the number of love rivals he would face if she showed her real face. "I think you also need to change your face a little in case someone recognizes you from their visit to the Lu Clan during our fight."
"Ah… You are right!" Lory had forgotten about it. Infiltrating the Sacred Mountain peak meant meeting members of the society. She couldn't risk someone recognize her.
Lory rubbed her thumb on her left wrist and the small circle dimly glowed with a purple light. She then rubbed her face slowly. Her big eyes transformed to small and slanted eyes with thin but long eyebrows. She looked a little like a fox but not in a good way. She lowered her hands and blinked her new eyes repeatedly as she asked for a compliment. "What do you think?"
Zhao Li Xin loved Lory's eyes more than anything and was unhappy with the new eyes. He frowned and stared at her new face with utter dislike.
"That bad huh?" Lory could easily tell how Zhao Li Xin felt.
"Change that look immediately after we complete our quest," Zhao Li Xin told her sternly.
"Noted!" Lory gave him a playful wink.
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