Star Luo City, along the streets.
Compared to the gentle elegance of the buildings in the Heaven Dou Empire, the capital of the Star Luo Empire was steeped in a rugged, martial air. Most buildings here were built from dark gray megaliths, their sharp angles radiating an imposing, unassailable dignity. But with the New Year drawing near, this murderous chill had been replaced by a sea of blazing red.
Red knots the size of lanterns hung in front of every household, and countless red silks stretched across the long streets overhead. Since the Star Luo Empire allowed people to set off large fireworks during the New Year, children could be seen everywhere lighting sky-rockets at alley mouths. These homemade firecrackers were deafening, and the air was thick with the smell of sulfur, pine resin, and the irresistible sweet aroma of all kinds of fried holiday treats.
"Wow! This smells so good, but it's so spicy! Hiss—haa—"
Na'er was squatting without a care in the world in front of a roadside stall, holding a bowl of Star Luo's signature oil-splashed spicy meat. Huge chunks of Soul Beast pork belly sizzled in their own fat, blanketed beneath a thick layer of Qinchuan Spicy Noodles, then drenched with a ladleful of scalding rapeseed oil. Its fragrance carried nearly halfway down the street.
The Star Luo Empire prized martial prowess, and everyone—from ordinary soldiers to high-ranking Soul Masters—got plenty of exercise. As a result, their diet favored rich oil and heavy spice. This robust taste was worlds apart from the refined cuisine of the Heaven Dou Empire, where careful attention was paid to cooking times and presentation. It was brimming with a wild vitality.
"Slow down. This whole bowl is yours; no one's going to steal it." Gu Tian smiled helplessly as he handed over a bottle of chilled sour plum drink he had just bought around the corner. He gave Na'er's little head a fond rub; it had turned rosy from the spice.
"Star Luo's food really packs a punch. I feel like the heat has even stirred up my Soul Power." Xiao Wu came over too, carrying a roasted spirit potato coated in a special chili sauce. She kept panting from the heat, but her pair of soft pink long ears bobbed excitedly atop her head. She was clearly loving it.
Gu Yue held a cup of aged local tea with elegant poise. Her expression remained cool, but when her dark green eyes swept over the lively stalls, a rare hint of ease shone in them.
After they had eaten their fill, Gu Tian patted the heavy pouch of Gold Soul Coins in his pocket and swept a grand hand through the air. "Come on, let's go to Jinxiu Pavilion! It's the New Year, so new clothes are a must. Try on whatever you like today. If you take a fancy to it, this young master will buy it all!"
"Wow! Big Brother Gu Tian is so generous! But that's clearly what Big Sister gave Na'er..." Na'er pouted, sounding deeply aggrieved.
"True. Na'er, let me rephrase, then. It's my treat—you're paying!"
"Yay!"
Jinxiu Pavilion was one of the finest clothing shops in Star Luo City. The moment they stepped inside, the rich aroma of high-grade sandalwood washed over them. The shelves were packed with top-quality fabrics from every corner of the continent.
"Boss, bring out all your latest styles—the bright red, festive ones!" Gu Tian led the three girls to sit on rosewood chairs, his voice brimming with authority.
The next hour became a feast for Gu Tian's eyes.
Xiao Wu was the first to come out. She had changed into a close-fitting pink pleated skirt with gold trim. The "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" motif was embroidered across her chest in golden thread, and a red ribbon tied up her long scorpion braid. Framed by all that fiery color, she looked like a nimble, radiant New Year's painting sprite who had tumbled down into the mortal world.
"Big Brother Gu Tian, does it look good?" Xiao Wu twirled in front of him, her skirt blooming like flower petals.
"Beautiful. You look like a little red fruit, makes me want to take a bite." Gu Tian teased, making Xiao Wu's cheeks turn scarlet.
Next came Na'er. She had chosen a long white dress dotted with red plum blossoms. Silver hair fell over her shoulders, complemented by the red floral ornaments. It preserved her pure, divine air while adding a festive New Year's touch. She was breathtaking.
Gu Yue remained as aloof as ever. She had chosen a deep red brocade robe, its collar edged with black fox fur. On her, it looked anything but vulgar. Instead, it lent her the cold pride and regal bearing of an imperial general.
Gu Tian made a grand sweep of his hand. He bought every outfit they had tried on, then even began picturing the girls who weren't there with them.
"Sister Lin Xi is usually so imposing, but that dark red palace gown with gold trim would surely match her presence. Sister Lie'er has such a fiery temper; that backless crimson outfit was practically made for the Fire Dragon King..."
As he calculated in his head, Gu Tian ordered the shop assistants about like he was sweeping the shelves clean. "This whole row, this one too, and those three plus-size outfits over there. Wrap them all up. I'll write down the sizes for you now. Use the finest Su Brocade. Money's no object!"
He didn't stop there. Gu Tian also bought new clothes for his parents, Gu Yuena, Bi Ji, and Meng Yiran, who was far away in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Besides clothes, he took the girls to stock up on all sorts of New Year goods. There were the finest tobacco leaves produced in Star Luo City, two jars of aged spirit fruit wine that had been fermented for ten thousand years, and several large boxes of beauty powder ground from deep-sea pearls.
A small portion of these things was for the girls to snack on during the trip. Most of it, however, was meant to be gifts for his parents and the villagers when he returned to Ancient Dragon Village. In his eyes, since he was returning home in glory, neither the grandeur nor the thoughtfulness could be lacking.
While the girls discussed which hairpin looked best, Gu Tian leaned idly against the counter. His ears, however, caught the whispered conversation of two saleswomen behind him.
"Hey, have you heard? There's a huge scandal in the imperial family. The whole city's talking about it." An older shop assistant lowered her voice, gossip practically dripping from every word.
"You mean the Third Prince, Dai Mubai?" The younger shop assistant's face twisted with scorn. "Who doesn't know? He's imperial blood, yet he was so afraid of competing with the Crown Prince, Dai Weisi, for the throne that he snuck out over the wall in the middle of the night! They say he left Star Luo City that same night. Who knows where he's hiding now, cowering like a turtle?"
"Tsk, tsk, what a disgrace to the people of Star Luo." The older shop assistant snorted. "Our Star Luo Empire has always valued martial prowess. Whose family doesn't have a son who's gone off to battle? Yet a prince of all people turns out to be a deserter who fled when the fighting was about to start. In a military family, nothing's more despised than a spineless coward like that."
"Exactly. The one I feel most sorry for is Second Miss Zhu Zhuqing of the Zhu Family. She's so young, and she got stuck with a fiancé like that. Now the whole city's laughing at her, saying she's betrothed to a gutless deserter. The Zhu Family's standing with the military has taken a serious hit over this. I hear her own family's pressuring her too..."
Gu Tian's gaze turned icy in an instant.
Deserter.
In the iron-blooded Star Luo Empire, a nation that valued honor as dearly as life itself, those two words were more despicable than murder or arson. Dai Mubai hadn't just thrown away his own dignity by running. He had carved an indelible mark of shame into Zhu Zhuqing's back.
"So he ran for his life and left his fiancée in hell?"
Gu Tian gave a cold laugh and leaned against the corner of the counter, considering what to do.
Normally, Dai Mubai would flee to Suotuo City and carry on living a life of wine and women there, calling it "searching for himself" when in truth it was nothing but a coward's flight from responsibility. As for Zhu Zhuqing, alone in Star Luo City's oppressive atmosphere, she was likely enduring a despair and sense of betrayal by her own clan that most people could scarcely imagine.
"Looks like this abandoned little cat is ready to be taken back by her master."
Gu Tian looked out the window. It seemed the wind in Star Luo City had grown even colder because of that bit of gossip.
Just then, the fitting-room door opened.
Xiao Wu came bounding out in her bright red carp-patterned pleated skirt, like a leaping flame. The red and gold made her look both lively and radiant.
"Big Brother Gu Tian, we've bought all the New Year goods and clothes. Where are we going next?"
Gu Tian banished the chill from his eyes and replaced it with a gentle smile. He walked over and took her hand. "Beautiful. My Xiao Wu looks good in anything. Come on, let's finish buying the last of the New Year goods, then take a stroll by the Zhu Residence."
Since Dai Mubai had vacated the position, Gu Tian was going to claim that inheritance.