The Town of Qian has this medievalist theme. The residential area have houses made up from red bricks, pinnacles atop and pointed spires, clustered columns, and huge houses with windows containing stained glasses. There are pared walls supported with flying buttresses, metal pointed gates, and backyards filled with geraniums and tulips.

The market district is no where left behind. Shops with glass walls opened left and right, products displayed showcasing the finest of the brands. Restaurants and pub houses are also decorated with red wood, colorful paintings hung on the walls, with criss crossed windows planted with creeping plants. There are also smaller shops that sell the basic necessities, and some peddlers spreading out mats ready for day trading.

The merchants have their own position in the town, mostly to the central part of the market district. From here, goods from outside the capital can be bought with prices relatively sky high. One reason is due to the high quality product and the rarity of the object. Merchants mostly sell high level medicine and herbs, rare meat from wild beasts, weapons forged by the best blacksmiths, and fabrics from the other country. Though, the prices can still be negotiated.

Second reason is due to the high toll fee. The merchants have to pay in gold in each of their baggage, almost depleting their profit from selling. That's why to those who can't afford to buy a cart and travel would use the guild to have adventurers collect their things. It's easier and cost efficient, they also don't have to worry about being cornered by bandits.

The eyes of the people are focused on a certain young man who is currently walking on the streets with his horse while listening to a younger man on his side. The younger man would often point some places, here and there, and would return to look at the man with a smile. The young man will nod, giving off an elegant allure that made every girl's heart squeal.

Shen Qi expertly explained the rough map of the capital and so as the main spots where most of the tourists would want to stay. He pointed the inns with the best commodities, theater houses where famous stars would often perform a show, the part of the market where anyone can buy the cheapest price without sacrificing the quality, bath houses, and tailor shops. Now, he's pointing towards a building that is currently wafting a good smell.

"This restaurant is owned by Mister Qiu Jiangou. Not only did they have the best braised pork and chicken and egg congee in the town, but also they offer cheap rooms for only ten copper coins for a week. Though the food is not free, it's not expensive either. You only have to pay one silver coin for one week to have three meals per day."

Shen Qi looks at the gallant horse Lang Yuan is holding.

"They also have stables for horses. Don't worry, it's free. But you have to pay for the caretaker. A copper coin for a day, seven copper coins for a week."

Lang Yuan touched his chin and thought that it's a good deal. Not only did he have a stable for his horse, he can also have a meal inside. The other inns offer food and lodgings but the prices didn't really satisfy him. One gold coin a week with three meals per day, with no stables for cattles, and he have to pay for an additional if the food is not enough.

"Ten copper coins plus seven, and a silver coin..." Lang Yuan muttered. "It's a good deal."

Shen Qi's eyes shone : "Would the young master wanted to inquire inside?"

"Mnn." Lang Yuan nodded.

The younger boy enthusiastically ran towards the restaurant to have a reservation. Lang Yuan slowly followed, softly tugging the horse to follow. He noticed the stares of the people around him that made him nervous.

Wh-why are they looking at him? Is there a dirt on his face?

Lang Yuan is rather walking very slowly that Shen Qi needed to come back to see if the young master is still following him. The elegant figure of the young man shone amongst the crowd, his eyes looking crimson with a faint smile on the lips. Shen Qi can't help but to be start struck!

Who made this young master this beautiful ba?

His heart is skipping fastly while watching the young master. He never met this kind of person before. Shen Qi is a kid from a very poor family. He has five younger siblings and two older brothers, all are working to earn a living. He would go to the gates to serve as a guide and met a lot of people on the way.

He have served a noble once who is from outside the wall. The noble man only gave him five copper coins, and even deducted three coins when he accidentally tripped on the way. That noble man kicked him on the streets while sputtering some insulting words, and never came back to at least treat the wounds he created. Thanks to the guards that they didn't ask any commission from giving him the job because they already know the situation of Shen Qi.

He also served some arrogant people, mostly are scholars who had just graduated from the academy. They are boastful about their ability to read and count, and would often insult him for being illiterate. Shen Qi knows how to read, to write, and to count. But he just let them slip pass to earn the money. At the end, the scholars only gave him ten copper coins.

The most traumatizing experience that he had is from a lady with the plump breasts and bloody red lips. She is together with a spouse that has a muscular built, a towering height, and a sneering look. One can see that the guy is rich and the lady is just a bitch. But seeing the way on how the lady ordered the bulky man to 'bully' him with bruises, everyone can say that she's the most favored bitch.

He also served some nice masters but there's only a few of them. Nice, in a way, that they would ignore him on the entire trip, giving him a very cold shoulder. These people... he can't tell if they're satisfied enough by his service or something is lacking on his way of delivering. They will not respond to any of his questions and would look at him coldly as if they paid a huge amount of money for a crappy garbage.

Shen Qi thought that Lang Yuan is also the same with that noble. But not only his appearance is beautiful but also his heart and mind is very good! He paid the one gold coin ahead of time as if believing that Shen Qi will not run his money. He even told the younger boy to take good care of him during the tour.

Never did Lang Yuan embarrassed him, instead would carefully listen to his words. He would ask a few questions about this and that, his words are light and charming as if he's only inquiring a few things. Shen Qi even thought that this young master is a bit clumsy, especially that one time when the guy accidentally tripped in front of the shop. He shyly apologized to the shop owner and even bought a fee things for compensation.

Lang Yuan never hit him nor complained. Shen Qi is the one who is satisfied with the service!

"Young master, is there a problem?" Shen Qi asked.

"Ah... no, there's none. Don't worry," Lang Yuan timidly said while shaking his head.

Lang Yuan caught glimpse to a part of the district with red lanterns and red posters. He scrunched his nose, wondering why that place is familiar. Why... where have he seen this kind of place before?

"Young master?" Shen Qi saw the young master looking to the road towards the red district. He grinned. "Young master, would you also want to check some pleasure houses?"

"Huh? Pleasure houses?" Lang Yuan said in confusion.

"Yes," Shen Qi nodded. "But I rather recommend to check when it's dark. Most of the best hosts are available during the night!"

The young master wasn't able to understand his words until the fifth minute when he realized what he meant. Red flush painted his face. Lang Yuan quickly turned around and hastily walked inside the restaurant. Shen Qi can't help but to stifle a laugh. If it was any other master, he could've been beaten up for laughing. But it was just Lang Yuan and this guy will never hurt anyone unless it is related to his unhatched egg. (≧∇≦)b

Lang Yuan was welcomed by a warm atmosphere. The first thing he saw are round tables accompanied with barrel seats and aquamarine floor mats. Small potted plants and a candle holder is in place on the middle circle, with the usual condiments of pepper and salt. There are more tables on the side walls where the seats are rather attached to the walls decorated with frames of sailor pictures and paintings.

It was already noon so it's normal for the place to be crowded. Shen Qi entered the scene and found Lang Yuan standing lost on the side. A fat bellied man notice Shen Qi and a new guess, assuming that this is the young master the boy is telling him.

"Mister Qiu," Shen Qi called. "This is young master Lang."

"Hello, I'm Lang Yuan," he cupped his hand while bowing to show respect. Mister Qui did the same.

"I heard from Qi-qi that you're looking for a room? Fortunately, we still have a few rooms free. The upcoming wedding caused an uproar and most of the rooms are booked in advance. I would like to offer the cheapest rooms but the only vacant ones are on the mid-level and King-sized room."

"I'll take a mid-level room then," Lang Yuan answered.

Even though it wasn't the room that he expected to get, Lang Yuan only needed to add two coins of copper, which is still cheaper than the other inns that costs one gold coin per room. He checked the room after paying and found it satisfying. The size isn't large bit not small either, enough for a single person to live in.

He gave Shen Qi another gold coin for the good service, to which the younger man is happy about. After everything is done and settled, he closed the door and locked it. He placed all of his things on the corner of the room and carefully tucked the egg on the other side of the bed. JiDan grew bigger overnight again.

"How unusual for you to be quiet today."

He might not be able to hear JiDan's words but somehow his heart knows what the egg is telling him. He sat unto the side of the egg and caressed the smooth shell softly, feeling the hardness of the layer. He then placed his one ear to the shell and listened...

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

He can hear the heartbeat, there's a living thing inside. And knowing that it is alive makes his heart flutter. Lang Yuan never felt this kind of thing before but he liked the very idea of it.

"Well, I'll be leaving to eat something so behave okay?"

He cut a bit of skin on his palm and smeared it to the shell. The egg glowed after a while, sucking the blood in while healing the open wound. The egg returned to its former status, clean and clear, with no hint of the smeared blood. The wound also healed leaving no scars to his palms.

Lang Yuan only left the egg when he's sure everything is safe. But what he didn't catch is after he closed the door shut, a loud crack echoed across the room.

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