Book 2 Chapter 78: Phoenix Ascending - Martial God

Chapter 78: Phoenix Ascending He Yi Ming didn’t linger long at the manor. After delivering the news to his uncle, he left with ease and grace. His presence was akin to a gust of wind that swiftly spread throughout the entire manor. The people waiting outside were all hopeful to catch a glimpse of this young master. Although the battle with Cheng Fu had only ended a few days ago, it was already a topic known throughout Tianluo Kingdom. Whether they knew him or not, the citizens of Tianluo were thrilled and joyous about He Yi Ming’s victory over the innate master from Kaihong Kingdom. The crowd outside was no exception. However, while they were excited, they didn’t dare to enter the manor recklessly. By the time He Yi Ming finally emerged, they realized he had already left without anyone noticing. No one knew exactly how he left, but aside from feeling regretful, there was no doubt or suspicion in their hearts. If an innate master could be discovered by them, it would truly be strange. Nonetheless, ever since He Yi Ming’s visit, the manor had become bustling, with no moments of peace. He Quanxin and his son were living in both agony and delight. They were pleased with Hejia Zhuang’s fame spreading across Tianluo City, but exhausted by the endless receptions that were incongruent with their cultivation lifestyle. ※※※※ Like a breeze, He Yi Ming returned to Shaoming Residence. As he walked into his courtyard, he saw Yuan Lixun sitting in a wide chair, resting her chin on her hand while quietly gazing at the courtyard pavilion. There was an indescribable sense of melancholy about her. He Yi Ming paused, hesitated for a moment, and then, inexplicably, he had this feeling: Yuan Lixun was homesick… He thought for a moment, suddenly smiled, and moved to her side. With a gentle cough, Yuan Lixun trembled, like a startled rabbit, and jumped up. When she saw it was He Yi Ming, the alarm and caution in her eyes faded, and she showed a hint of bashful shyness. “Young Master, you’re back.” He Yi Ming nodded heavily and said, “Come, let’s go out.” “Go out?” Yuan Lixun asked, puzzled. “Where are we going?” “We’ve been here for quite a while without going out to explore. Let’s see the prosperity of the city today.” He Yi Ming chuckled. “What, don’t you want to?” Yuan Lixun nodded excitedly, then paused, shook her head, and realizing her mistake, her face flushed a deep red, like a ripe apple, tempting one to take a bite. Seeing her excitement, He Yi Ming also felt inexplicably relieved. They left Shaoming Residence with him leading and her following. Along the way, any servants who saw them quickly bowed in respect, not daring to obstruct them in any way. ※※※※ The wide streets were lined with many tall restaurants. Though not all were filled to capacity, a glance from the outside revealed at least sixty percent occupancy. He Yi Ming and Yuan Lixun strolled down the street, savoring this rare leisurely time. Noticing the woman beside him being captivated by the various stores, He Yi Ming couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. Since he began his cultivation journey, his days of strolling through the streets had dwindled. Especially in the past two years, aside from shopping with his mother and siblings in Taicang County, he hadn’t had this kind of relaxation. And Yuan Lixun, who was diligently taking care of his daily needs, had even less time to spare. This outing was a spur-of-the-moment decision after He Yi Ming saw the loneliness in Yuan Lixun’s demeanor. After some time on the streets, He Yi Ming found nothing of use. It wasn’t that his standards were too high, but he was wholly focused on cultivation and had no interest in ordinary items. However, Yuan Lixun bought some makeup and perfumes, wrapping them into a small bundle. Without a word, He Yi Ming took the bundle from her, carrying it himself. Yuan Lixun opened her mouth to speak but ultimately blushed and acquiesced. They walked leisurely along the street sides, avoiding the main road's center. It wasn’t about their status, but the leisurely feeling that came from strolling this way. Suddenly, He Yi Ming’s eyes flickered as he pointed ahead and said, “Lixun, it’s been nearly two months since you followed me, and I haven’t given you any gifts yet. How about we take a look there?” Yuan Lixun looked up and saw a three-story building ahead, with a sign reading “Phoenix Ascending.” Seeing the sign, she immediately understood what it was. She hesitated and said softly, “Young Master, the jewelry at Phoenix Ascending is among the top. Perhaps we should try somewhere else.” Indeed, in the Northwestern countries, Phoenix Ascending was the premier jewelry brand, far surpassing its competitors. It’s rumored that the jewelry store had more than just the shadowy influence of the three major Western nations; even the famous superpower Dashen in the East seemed connected. Because of this, Phoenix Ascending could open branches in all Northwestern countries, with stores in almost every capital and major city. Of course, such a huge investment yielded considerable returns. Anyone of status looking to buy jewelry would consider Phoenix Ascending first and foremost. He Yi Ming waved dismissively, saying, “No worries, just pick whatever you like.” His voice brimmed with confidence. At that moment, He Yi Ming was a very wealthy man by any standard. Although he couldn’t buy the entire Phoenix Ascending, purchasing a branch would be well within his means. Under He Yi Ming’s insistence, Yuan Lixun reluctantly entered Phoenix Ascending. While she also hailed from a prestigious family, being born a concubine's daughter and having lost her mother early, she had little experience with such places. Her few precious pieces of jewelry were her birth mother's relics. Before going to the He family, Yuan Chengzhi, surprisingly generous, prepared several sets of exquisite or luxurious jewelry and clothing for her, but she used none. So, when she entered Phoenix Ascending for the first time, her eyes widened, dazzled by the brilliance of the expensive wares inside. He Yi Ming glanced around, noting the presence of precious stones and jewelry. Though in the past they might have impressed him, his interest diminished significantly upon reaching the innate realm, leaving him indifferent. Suddenly, a disdainful voice rang out, “Where did these bumpkins come from, showing up at Phoenix Ascending? Mister Xu, your standards are falling.” He Yi Ming frowned slightly, while Yuan Lixun blushed with embarrassment, worried that her earlier behavior might have disgraced him. Looking up, He Yi Ming saw a tall, spirited young man at the staircase entrance on the second floor. This man, around twenty-five or twenty-six, had a handsome face marred by arrogance and disdainful eyes that detracted from his image. "Young Master Zi, please be generous and overlook this small matter," chuckled a harmonious-faced middle-aged man in a brocade robe, bowing deeply. “Please come upstairs. We’ve prepared specialized jewelry for you, guaranteed to satisfy.” Young Master Zi seemed pleased by this obsequiousness and, with his entourage, strutted up to the second floor. No one noticed a servant behind him instinctively ducking away. The brocade-robed man turned briskly towards He Yi Ming and Yuan Lixun, offering a wry smile. “Please forgive the earlier incident. If you were to shop in our humble store today, I assure you a ten percent discount on all purchases.” Given He Yi Ming’s wealth, the discount hardly mattered. However, the man’s sincerity struck a chord with He Yi Ming. "You have the authority here?" he asked. "I am Xu Shan, the humble manager of this jewelry store," Xu Shan replied, offering a polite half-bow. “Please pardon the earlier incident.” "So, it’s Manager Xu. A pleasure," He Yi Ming responded, though his tone conveyed no such sentiment. Xu Shan chuckled, unfazed. His keen eye discerned that although the young girl lacked worldly experience, this young man was by no means ordinary. Even standing next to the young man, Xu Shan felt a prickling sensation at his back, a clear sign of this person’s extraordinary nature. Yet, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t recall any noble youth in Tianluo Kingdom similar to him. He Yi Ming's gaze swept across the first floor, and suddenly he asked, "Manager Xu, what’s on the second floor?" Xu Shan hesitated momentarily before replying, "The second floor houses some of the finest jewelry, incomparable in quality to the first floor, though the same can be said for their prices." "Great, then please lead us upstairs to have a look," He Yi Ming said casually. Xu Shan sighed wryly and remarked, "Sir, I can see you’re someone of considerable stature. If I’m not mistaken, you must be from out of town, correct?" He Yi Ming was taken aback. “How did you know?” Xu Shan gave a bitter smile. "Judging by your demeanor, you're no ordinary person. If you resided in Tianluo capital, you’d have certainly heard of the Zi family, one of the Five Great Families." He Yi Ming’s interest was piqued. "The gentleman who just went upstairs, he's from the Zi family?" "Indeed, that was Zi Ruiguang, a direct descendant of the Zi family and the third son of the current head," Xu Shan hesitated again. "You're an outsider, don't risk offending the Zi family over mere pride." He Yi Ming chuckled lightly. "Oh, and what if I do offend them?" Xu Shan’s gaze froze, treating He Yi Ming as though he were clueless. His lips twitched slightly as he contemplated the young couple standing before him, wondering which family dared let such ignorance roam free. Despite wanting to ignore them, compassion held him back from letting them walk unawares into fatal peril. Clearing his throat, Xu Shan spoke earnestly, "Sir, the Zi family stands among the top five in Tianluo. Even His Majesty shows them due respect." He Yi Ming feigned a look of sudden understanding, as if truly comprehending the other’s warning. Privately, Xu Shan thought this youth's guardian must be negligent. Without his intervention, He Yi Ming wouldn’t even know how he met his end. As these thoughts lingered, He Yi Ming, holding Yuan Lixun’s hand, circumvented Xu Shan and headed towards the stairs. Xu Shan was momentarily stunned and hurried after them, asking, "What are you intending to do?" “Why, go up, of course,” He Yi Ming replied, innocently blinking. “Why waste time down here when we could see the finer things?” Xu Shan's face flushed red; fixing his gaze on He Yi Ming, he said, "Sir, did you not hear a word of what I just said?" "I did," He Yi Ming responded earnestly, "but I forgot to mention something." Xu Shan was puzzled. "What’s that?" "When the King of Tianluo sees me, he ought to give four parts respect," He Yi Ming declared, ignoring Xu Shan further as he proceeded upstairs. Xu Shan’s eyes widened, in absolute disbelief of such arrogance. The King afforded the Zi family three parts respect; He Yi Ming claimed four — this was audacious beyond measure. Furrowing his brows in mild anger, he resolved to stop them. After all, this was Phoenix Ascending. Any scuffle would harm the store’s reputation. Determined, he channeled power into his legs and dashed forward, attempting to seize He Yi Ming by reaching over Yuan Lixun. However, his grasp met nothing but air. He Yi Ming’s arm had vanished just as Xu Shan's hand reached for it, disappearing right before his eyes. Stunned, Xu Shan hesitated to retreat, only to see the young pair already on the second floor. They moved at an incomprehensible speed, leaving him rooted in astonishment, their agility unsettling him to the core. After a brief pause, he gestured for a nearby attendant, who promptly approached. Xu Shan whispered, "Quick, go to the neighboring inn where the eldest Zi resides, and inform him the third young master might be in trouble. Have him come at once." The attendant nodded, quickly exiting. Xu Shan took a deep breath, straightening his attire before proceeding up. ※※※※ The second floor offered a striking contrast to the first in both décor and furnishings. While the first floor was simple yet elegant, the second exuded luxury and grace at every corner. For He Yi Ming, even a little curiosity filled him on his first visit to such a place. But fear or awe? Certainly not. The second floor featured over ten rooms, doors either closed or ajar, guarded by attendants and a few charming maids. As He Yi Ming and Yuan Lixun ascended, one attendant shrank back slightly, face paling then steadying, though uncertainty flickered in his eyes. Having reached the second floor, He Yi Ming didn’t need sight; he sensed everyone’s actions with his keen ears. The attendant's movements didn’t escape him, yet he didn’t dwell on it. Fighting Cheng Fu at the royal manor had exposed him to thousands. This attendant, being Zi Ruiguang's follower and from one of the Five Great Families, likely recognized him — not surprising. With a cold smile, He Yi Ming confidently approached the guarded room. Although surprised, the attendants silently raised their hands, intending to subdue him without disturbing those inside. In the next moment, their expressions darkened with disbelief and shock. He Yi Ming and Yuan Lixun had inexplicably vanished, as if diffused by the wind before their eyes. The door they guarded miraculously opened as if caught by a breeze, leaving them spotting only the shadow of a swiftly disappearing figure. The attendants exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes laced with fear. Who exactly was this mysterious figure? At that moment, a swift figure ascended — the shrewd but now visibly troubled Xu Shan. Seeing the attendants’ alarmed expressions confirmed his worst suspicions, prompting him to quickly enter the room himself, brushing aside his apprehensions as he braced for what lay ahead. The attendants only looked at him hopefully, as one would greet a savior when grappling with the unexpected and unknown.