Night Stroll Through Vast Sea City
Qian Xunji at the group of people in front of her.
City Lord Clement, another mastermind behind the collusion between the Bishop of Hanhai and the extortion of protection money from fishermen, still has evidence of this guy's crimes in his hands, but he has not taken direct action due to the jurisdiction of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The two deacons, instead of thinking about how to rectify the Holy Temple's discipline, came to flatter the previous bishop who had just been dismissed and investigated.
He had seen far too many of those fawning smiles on their faces.
Everyone was smiling, but beneath each smile lay guilt, probing, and scheming.
All he wanted today was a quiet meal with his wife and children; he didn't want to see these fake faces.
"I'm here today to spend time with my family, not to conduct an inspection."
"The welcome banquet is unnecessary, the private rooms are unnecessary, and the singing and dancing are unnecessary. Everything is over."
"Furthermore, Lord Raymond, I have already sent someone to present certain financial transactions between your city and the Vast Sea Temple to the Heaven Dou Royal Family."
"Instead of throwing a welcome banquet here, you should go back and think carefully about how to explain things to Xue Ye."
The color drained from Clement's face instantly; he felt a surge of anger, yet dared not vent it.
Qian Xunji stopped looking at him and turned her gaze to the two deacons. "You two are the same. You saw with your own eyes how the previous bishop fell."
"If you want to stay in this position for a few more days, focus your attention on Holy Temple affairs, not on flattery."
The two deacons turned ashen-faced and bowed repeatedly in agreement.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please take care; Madam, please take care; Miss, please take care..."
Qian Xunji glanced down at Qian Renxue, then took her hand and continued walking forward.
Bibi Dong walked beside him and casually asked, "Where shall we go to eat?"
"Let's go to the seafood market."
Qian Xunji pointed to the most brightly lit area at the end of the Seaside Street, "There are restaurants there that serve freshly killed and cooked seafood. If you come to the seaside to eat seafood, you have to go to that kind of place."
Fish Market is the oldest market in Vast Sea City, and it is said to have existed since the day Vast Sea City was built.
During the day, the market is the domain of fishermen and vendors; at night, it transforms into a paradise for food lovers.
Before the three even reached the entrance to the market street, a wave of noise already rushed towards them.
There are two rows of red lanterns hanging at the entrance of the market. The word "fresh" is written in ink on the lantern paper, which is swaying in the sea breeze.
Once inside, there are stalls on both sides, with tanks selling live fish arranged in two rows. The seawater in the tanks is drawn directly from the Nine Star Sea using water troughs.
The tank was filled with sea fish, including Silver-Scaled Shuttle, three-foot-long Green-Spotted Sea Eel, and Pufferfish covered in sharp spines.
The shellfish stall next door was piled high with scallops and conches.
Further away, at a stall, were several enormous Crystal Giant Crab. Their shells were a translucent ice-blue color, and you could see the pale golden crab roe flowing inside.
This is Nine Star Sea, which lives beneath the deep-sea ice layer.
Qian Renxue squatted in front of the water tank, one hand gripping the edge of the tank, the other pointing to a large shrimp with two long golden whiskers growing from its mouth in the water.
"Dad, I want to eat this!"
The stall owner, a middle-aged woman with a tanned complexion, smiled and introduced the family of three, noticing their distinguished air. "Young lady, you have excellent taste! These are Golden-Whiskered Sea Shrimp, with firm flesh. One prawn is enough to fill you up."
Qian Xunji nodded. "Give me two."
Qian Renxue then ran to the shellfish stall and picked out a few palm-sized scallops, followed by Pufferfish, Green-Spotted Sea Eel, and Three-Eyed Demon Octopus.
Legend has it that a thumb-sized magic crystal is hidden in one of the octopus's three eyes. When it's grilled and you bite into it, it bursts out with a wasabi-flavored juice, a unique taste of Vast Sea City.