Chapter 21: Storm on the Horizon
Si Chen stepped out of Wanbao Pavilion and stood at a busy street corner, warm sunlight spilling over him in gentle waves.
He rubbed his stomach as a grave question rose to the forefront of his mind.
Where should he eat lunch today?
Over the past few days, he had worked his way through nearly every notable restaurant in Wanggu City.
"Zuixian Ju" on East Street had spirit fish that was absolutely divine — but he'd just eaten there yesterday...
"Baiwei Lou" on the west side had roasted suckling pig with a bold, domineering flavor, yet the portions were enormous, and finishing one alone felt wasteful.
Yesterday, passing through the north of the city, he'd spotted a newly opened "Suxin Zhai" — the aroma wafting from it had smelled rather enticing...
Too many choices was its own kind of pleasant dilemma.
Like a prime minister weighing matters of state, he carefully deliberated the merits and drawbacks of each establishment in his mind.
While he stood there lost in thought over his "daily menu," the Liuyun Sword Sect disciples keeping watch from a distance saw something else entirely.
"Senior Brother, that kid has been standing at the entrance of Wanbao Pavilion without moving for ages — do you think he's spotted us?"
One disciple crouched at a street corner, voice hushed.
The square-faced disciple addressed as Senior Brother was one of those who had gone pale with fright the day Si Chen had scared them off.
He forced himself to stay calm. "Don't panic! Elder Lü said he's just a lucky Rogue Cultivator. He's probably figuring out how to spend all that ill-gotten wealth of his. Stay sharp and keep your distance!"
They thought themselves well-hidden, unaware that Si Chen had noticed these little "tails" several days ago.
He recognized their auras — these were two of the people who had drawn swords on him alongside Zhao Qinghe that day.
Yet neither had approached to speak with him, nor had they charged forward with shouts and drawn blades. They simply hung back at a distance.
His mother had said: don't pick fights with people lightly.
His Third Uncle had said: anyone who wants to kill you, beat them to death.
Since these people weren't trying to kill him right now, they fell under Mother's jurisdiction, not Third Uncle's.
Si Chen thought it over and decided that was about right.
The road was wide, and other people's legs were their own. If he ran over and slaughtered everyone just because they happened to be walking in the same direction as him... well, that would be overstepping.
Forget it. As long as they didn't interfere with his meals, it was fine.
He quickly pushed the minor distraction to the back of his mind and settled on heading to South Lane to try the charcoal-grilled spirit lamb he'd heard about. Just the smell alone had been enticing — the taste surely wouldn't disappoint.
Decision made, he set off.
The watching disciples immediately let out a collective breath of relief and quietly fell into step behind him, blissfully unaware that their little lives had just walked a tightrope through Si Chen's mind.
..................
The charcoal-grilled spirit lamb in South Lane lived up to its reputation.
The skin was roasted to a golden, crackling crisp, dusted with unnamed spices, while the lamb beneath was tender and juicy — not a trace of gaminess, only a rich, savory fragrance and Spiritual Energy that melted across the tongue.
Si Chen ate with deep satisfaction, feeling that coming to Wanggu City had been the right call.
While he savored his meal, over at the Liuyun Sword Sect's lodgings, Elder Lü Yan was listening to a disciple's report, his fingertips lightly tapping the pear-wood armrest of his chair.
"He went to Wanbao Pavilion and asked about 'Yang Thunder'?" A flicker of surprise crossed Lü Yan's eyes, quickly swallowed by a deeper, more voracious greed. "It seems the secrets this boy carries are far greater than I imagined."
A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator searching for such a rare natural treasure? Either he was recklessly ignorant, or the Inheritance he had obtained contained a Cultivation Technique that required Yang Thunder to practice!
A Cultivation Technique that required a rare natural treasure? No wonder the boy's physical body was so formidable. If he could obtain it...
"Yes, Master. Manager Qian of Wanbao Pavilion received him, after which he departed." Zhao Qinghe reported respectfully. "Our people are still following him."
"Wanbao Pavilion..." Lü Yan murmured. This behemoth with branches everywhere was not something he wished to offend lightly. "What else did Manager Qian say to him?"
"Our people couldn't get close enough to hear the specifics. However, when Si Chen left, he had a jade token from Wanbao Pavilion in his hand." Zhao Qinghe added, "And three days from now happens to be Wanbao Pavilion's monthly auction..."
"An auction?" Lü Yan's tapping finger paused, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
How perfectly convenient — just when he was dozing off, someone had delivered a pillow!
Making a move inside the city was inconvenient. Outside the city, a Core Formation Stage Elder directly targeting a junior would look unsightly and invite criticism.
But an auction was different.
Those places were a tangle of dragons and serpents, filled with greedy hearts...
What would happen to a young man carrying a fortune, with no backing, who flaunted his wealth at an auction?
A cold smile crept across Lü Yan's face.
He wouldn't even need to act personally — just a gentle nudge to fan the flames...
"Very good." A smile of complete control spread across Lü Yan's face. "Qinghe, make the arrangements. Three days from now, we'll attend this auction as well — to enjoy the spectacle."
"Yes, Master."
Zhao Qinghe withdrew with a bow. Though he didn't fully understand his master's specific intentions, he could sense it — a storm aimed at Si Chen was quietly brewing.
......................
Over the next three days, Si Chen's life was simple and fulfilling.
He continued to immerse himself in exploring Wanggu City's culinary offerings. Mornings might bring a bowl of thick, fragrant spirit rice porridge brewed from spirit grains, accompanied by a few light side dishes.
At noon he varied his choices — yesterday it had been charcoal-grilled lamb ribs, today perhaps a carefully braised pork knuckle.
Come evening, sometimes it was simply a hearty bowl of beef noodle soup, the hot broth warming him from the inside out.
After eating his fill, he would return to the quiet little courtyard where he was staying and continue cultivating the Yimu Everspring Art.
This Cultivation Technique progressed slowly and could not be rushed — he had long grown accustomed to this. Five years of patient accumulation had taught him the importance of a solid foundation. He felt no urgency to advance his cultivation, simply letting that vast, surging vitality flow gently through his body, nourishing the flesh that had been tempered by thunder.
Occasionally he would head out, seemingly at random, asking knowledgeable stall owners or seasoned old Cultivators about any news regarding "Yang Thunder."
Unfortunately, the results were the same as before — most people had never even heard of such a thing.
He wasn't discouraged. He would find it slowly.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the day of the auction, the area around Wanbao Pavilion was noticeably more lively than usual. Cultivators of all kinds converged from every direction, their auras ranging from weak to strong, their attire a colorful assortment.
Si Chen held his jade token and followed the flow of people toward the entrance of Wanbao Pavilion. He had barely reached the door when his steps involuntarily faltered.
Of all the people to run into.
A group from the Liuyun Sword Sect was approaching from another direction at that very moment.
Elder Lü Yan, dressed in a deep-blue Daoist robe, carried himself with a heavy, composed bearing as he walked at the front. Zhao Qinghe and the others followed close behind, their gazes shifting away with visible unease the moment they met Si Chen's eyes.
Si Chen's brow furrowed — a rare occurrence.
Once, twice... how many times was this now?
Outside the city, they had drawn swords on him.
At the inn, they had surrounded and questioned him.
After that, they had sent people to tail him.
Now he had come to attend an auction, and here they were again.
He wasn't one to dwell on grievances, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel the nuisance of it. For the first time, something akin to the irritation of a fly buzzing endlessly beside one's ear stirred in his heart.
Why did these people keep appearing before him?
A thought — one that had never surfaced so clearly before — rose silently from the depths of his mind.
If he had killed all of them back in the wilderness outside the city that day...
Would he... be free of this trouble by now?