85 War

As it came with these times of games, the time passed fast, without any worries on the outside. Few things had changed though, unknown to those who paid little heed to the Store of Fates.

For one, Ah Laing and An Bai had scheduled a meeting for their golden circle again. Though it was already the second time, and most of them were busy, the two of them did not expect anyone to join them. It was, after all, only a courtesy for their long-lasting relationship. If they weren't interested, that was their loss.

However, contrary to their expectations, there was one person that had appeared, and from his face, he had been waiting for a while.

"Sir Hao," the two of them hastily said and gave a quick bow.

The three of them were at a bar, one they'd usually deem a commoners' one, but Ah Liang particularly had insisted on going to one of these places. He himself did not know where this urge came from. Maybe it was that through mere coincidence he had discovered a treasure, realizing that every piece had its worth, or maybe, through his two store clerks, miss Lin Zhuyue and Ran Wei, he acknowledged that even those without money had a story to tell. But whatever the reason, the deed was done, an unnamed drinking lounge, the richest men of the city, started discussing its fate

An Bai spoke first. He had also approved of this place, which was unlike himself to allow such an undignified store his presence, but for better or worse his mind was similar to his friend Ah Liang. "Sir Hao, I hope we aren't disturbing you, in the late of this night, I mean."

"As a matter of fact, you are," the old, bearded man spoke and grumbled. Unlike his two juniors, he did not appreciate this, loud, obnoxious atmosphere. Wherever he looked, there were peasants downing then puking their beer out. Women with wide bosoms served men with no dignity, it was a vicious cycle. Nobody held respect for the atmosphere, and even with all these overcharged prices, they could never hide the cheap quality of these places. "I wonder, what was so important for you guys to call us out, even after you had done so only a few days ago?" Fu Hao took a sip of his liquor, then immediately spat it out. To say he did not fit into this establishment was an understatement.

Ah Liang rubbed his cheeks. "Well, it is like that. Remember when you and the City Lord had given us the mission to check out the Store of Fates?"

Fu Hao rubbed his beard. He had to think about what Ah Liang referred to for a while. "Ah," he remembered, "You mean that insignificant meeting place for the three families? I think we've been through that already no?"

'I would hardly refer to it as insignificant,' Ah Liang thought to himself while biting his lips. That was why he did not want to meet Fu Hao. The old man had a strict aura that judged you regardless of your achievements, and for people like him, it was hard to meet his eyes. Thankfully there was just the right person here.

His friend An Bai took over. "We haven't talked about it, actually. Not to its fullest extent, to my knowledge," he told him. His straightforward kind was really helpful in this situation. "I've wanted to say it last time too, but hadn't found the chance to confirm it yet. But, Sir, are you truly sure that following the City Lord will be the best option."

"An Bai, are you questioning my decision," Fu Hao asked back, frowning in displeasure.

An Bai cupped his hands and bowed down. He didn't even dare drink from his cup, for fear of messing up. "I wouldn't dare," he explained, "It is just that you haven't seen the fullest extend of the Store of Fates' abilities."

Fu Hao scoffed. "Preposterous. You haven't seen the extent of the City Lords' abilities either. How dare you insinuate you know more than me?" He slammed his drink on the table.

"That's not what he meant at all, Sir Hao, you know how An Bai always offends with his straightforwardness without meaning to." Ah Liang hastily corrected. The two of them had not expected such a drastic reaction. "Are we not all on the same side, all from the Golden Dragon Circle? We've just been trying to tell you, there's something magical at the store. It isn't about the three families or the City Lord; this is much grander than you could possibly believe.

"Explain then." Fu Hao crossed his arms.

An Bai and Ah Liang stopped talking. They grumbled. How exactly were they supposed to explain the illusory world, the high-level mortal, the world-grade martial arts, without sounding crazy? "Sir, I beseech you, you will have to see for yourself."

"I refuse to enter such a lowgrade establishment," Fu Hao said angrily, his long beard rising up and down. "You two have strayed from the wrong path, I am disappointed." He shook his head. "I've told you to follow Lord Tian Lan, but you keep doubting my decisions."

"How can we not doubt it, when you have told us nothing of your plans!" An Bai slammed his hands on the table, furious. "We've followed you for years, the least you can do is show us some decency and respect when it comes to our fates!"

Fu Hao took a sip of his liquor. He frowned at the taste. "Then leave."

"What?"

"If you cannot follow the dragons will, then leave," Fu Hao reiterated.

"Are you seriously kicking us out, your peers, to side with the City Lord?" Ah Liang could not believe his ears. "We've known and supported each other like family for decades, and you are willing to forgo that for. . . this?"

"As far as I know, we are done." Fu Hao placed a gold coin on the table and stood up. He lightly patted his robe, then walked away. The last thing they saw was his fervent expression while he whispered, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

...

"Shou, it is time for you to have a breakthrough, aren't you excited," Si spoke.

"No, not really," Shou told her bluntly, though she did not really care. "What about the Qi gathering manual? Don't I need one?"

"Who do you think I am." Si puffed her cheeks. "With me around, there's no need for these kinds of tedious steps! You won't need any techniques at all, as I will inject you with the purest Qi there exists. In the first place, the Mortal Fortification realm is so insignificant, that it doesn't matter what way you use to reach it."

'Wasn't that cheating,' Shou thought to himself. If every system did that, how would its host gain insight into the Dao? He sighed. "Too bad, I was hoping to experience tribulation lightning again. It's one of the few things that can still kill me, you know?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Si waved his ridiculous thoughts away. In this backward city, if lightning really came striking, they'd think God himself had descended, or that one person had reached the mythical realm, causing uproars throughout the empire. The Store of Fates, with its limited instances and V.A.R's, was not ready for that kind of exposure yet. "Get into a meditative state."

"I will, I will, don't rush me." Shou sat down in a lotus position. How long has it been since he took this kind of stance? He was hoping that he'd never have to do it again. Truthfully speaking, he had gotten rusty and was unsure of the proper position to cultivate. Would this cause his Qi to deviate?

While he let his mind randomly wander, an enormous essence of Qi promptly floated through his veins, unknown from where it came from. It was pure and white, indicating it was of the highest quality. The whole process felt refreshing, unlike any other cultivation methods, and he imagined himself drifting away in a cool river on a warm afternoon.

Shou breathed out, a cloud of turbid air. He clenched his fists. Truly, Qi had become part of him again, showing that he had taken the road of cultivation once more. It indicated that the wheels of his story had once more begun churning—though this time, he did not know of its end. He felt nostalgic, yet melancholic for some reason. His past memories floated back to him, from the first time he vyed for the Dao, and ultimately for the last time too. It was a strange, strange feeling.

"Should I seal it away?"

"Don't you dare!"

...

The City Lord always moved in the night. It was hard to tell what went through his thoughts, even for his secretary. Still, she followed him obediently, just as she always did. Today too, as he entered the underground prison and the red-glowing room, she stood beside him.

Whenever the City Lord entered that room, his expression would be filled with joy and yearning. It was so unlike his carefree yet calculating nature. However, the secretary understood. 

After all, in front of them, was the embryo of a true demon from the nether realm. The secretary shivered, whenever she thought of that. In fact, she never lifted her head while in this room, as she felt taking a single look would place her in damnation. One thing was for sure though, whatever came from that embryo, it was strong, unbelievably so, and even she, who had reached the sixth stage, could not fathom the might it held; not even a drop of it.

With this. . . thing, taking over the empire would be easy for the Lord. But only she knew, that was not his true wish.

"I always get sentimental when in this room. Whenever I make big decisions, it is this place that furthers my conviction." The City Lord turned to the secretary. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, Milord!" She knelt down with passionate loyalty.

The next day, the City Lord announced a world-shattering order:

'Due to corruption, fraud, and embezzlement, the three families in the Extended Delight are stripped from their positions, and the core members will face jail time. Any resistance will be deemed terrorism and met with war.'

This message was so grand, that the others failed to realize what came right after.

'Those who enter the Store of Fates will be charged with conspiracy.'