Star Luo City, Buying New Year Goods

Star Luo City, along the streets.

Compared to the gentle and exquisite architecture of the Heaven Dou Empire, the capital of the Star Luo Empire exudes an air of iron-blooded toughness everywhere. The buildings here are mostly constructed from massive, dark grey stones with sharp, angular edges, radiating an inviolable majesty. However, as the end of the year approaches, this stern, murderous aura has been replaced by an overwhelming sea of festive red.

Every household has hung red knots the size of lanterns in front of their doors, and countless red silk ribbons stretch across the long streets. Since the Star Luo Empire permits the setting off of large fireworks during the New Year, children can be seen everywhere in the alleyways lighting "sky-piercing monkeys." These homemade firecrackers produce a deafening sound, and the air is thick with the pungent scent of sulfur, pine resin, and the alluring, sweet aroma of various deep-fried New Year delicacies.

"Wow! This smells so good, but it's so spicy! Hiss—ha—"

Na'er is currently squatting at a roadside stall with zero regard for her image, holding a bowl of Star Luo's signature oil-splashed spicy meat. The thick chunks of soul beast pork belly are sizzling with oil, topped with a generous layer of Qinchuan Spicy Noodles, and finished with a ladle of piping hot rapeseed oil; the fragrance practically permeates half the street.

Because the Star Luo Empire prizes martial spirit, both common soldiers and high-level soul masters maintain high activity levels, leading to a dietary preference for heavy oil and intense spice. This bold, punchy palate is a stark contrast to the delicate, heat-and-plating-focused cuisine of the Heaven Dou Empire, brimming with a wild, untamed vitality.

"Eat slowly, this whole bowl is yours, no one is going to snatch it from you." Gu Tian smiles helplessly, handing her a bottle of chilled plum juice he just bought at the corner, and reaches out to ruffle Na'er's small head, which is flushed red from the spice.

"The food in the Star Luo Empire really packs a punch. I feel like the soul power in my body is being stimulated and becoming much more active from this spiciness." Xiao Wu also wanders over. She is holding a skewer of Roasted Spirit Potato slathered in special spicy sauce. Although she is panting from the heat, her long, pinkish ears are twitching excitedly atop her head, clearly enjoying it immensely.

Gu Yue is elegantly sipping a cup of locally produced aged fragrant tea. Although her expression remains cool and detached, her dark green eyes reveal a rare hint of relaxation as they sweep over these stalls filled with the warmth of human life.

After eating and drinking their fill, Gu Tian pats the heavy Gold Soul Coin in his pocket and waves his hand grandly: "Let's go, we're heading to Jinxiu Pavilion! Since it's the New Year, new clothes are a must. Today, you just focus on trying them on; whatever you fancy, this young master will cover it all!"

"Wow! Brother Gu Tian is so generous, but that was clearly Big Sister giving money to Na'er..." Na'er pouts, looking as if she's been wronged.

"Fair point. Na'er, let me change that: I'll treat, you pay!"

"Yay!"

Jinxiu Pavilion is one of the top-tier clothing stores in Star Luo City. As soon as they step inside, a scent of high-grade agarwood greets them, and the shelves are stocked with premium fabrics from all over the continent.

"Boss, bring out the latest styles in the shop—the ones that are bright, festive, and red—bring them all out!" Gu Tian pulls the three girls to sit on the rosewood chairs, his tone filled with dominance.

The next hour becomes a visual feast for Gu Tian.

Xiao Wu is the first to emerge. She has changed into a tightly tailored pink dress with gold trim, the chest embroidered with a "Koi Leaping over the Dragon Gate" totem in gold thread. Her long scorpion braid is tied with a red ribbon. Set against the fiery red colors, she looks like a New Year painting sprite fallen into the mortal world—agile and stunningly beautiful.

"Brother Gu Tian, does it look good?" Xiao Wu spins in front of Gu Tian, her skirt blooming like flower petals.

"It looks great, like a little red berry, makes one want to take a bite." Gu Tian teases, causing Xiao Wu's pretty face to flush red.

Next is Na'er. She chooses a long dress with a white base and red plum blossoms. Her silver hair falls over her shoulders, and paired with the red plum decorations, it retains her innocent, divine nature while adding a festive New Year charm. She is breathtakingly beautiful.

Gu Yue, as always, remains aloof. She picks a deep red brocade robe with black fox fur inlaid at the collar. Wearing this, she doesn't look tacky at all; instead, it highlights a cold arrogance and nobility, much like a female general of the empire.

Gu Tian waves his hand, not only buying all the clothes they tried on but also beginning to visualize the figures of the girls who aren't present.

Lin Xi is usually dignified, but this dark red palace gown with gold trim will surely command her aura; Lie'er has a fiery temper, that backless crimson outfit is practically tailor-made for the Fire Dragon King...

As Gu Tian calculates in his mind, he orders the shop assistants like he's clearing out the shelves: "This row, this row, and those three large sizes over there—wrap them all up. I'll write down the measurements for you right now, use the best Su Brocade, money is no object!"

Beyond these, Gu Tian also buys new clothes for his parents, Gu Yuena, Bi Ji, and Meng Yiran, who is far away in the Heaven Dou Empire.

In addition to clothes, Gu Tian takes them to purchase a large amount of New Year goods. Top-grade tobacco leaves produced in Star Luo City, two jars of aged ten-thousand-year spirit fruit wine, and several large crates of beauty powder ground from deep-sea pearls.

A small portion of these items is for them to consume on the road, but the majority are gifts Gu Tian intends to bring back to Ancient Dragon Village for his parents and the villagers. In his view, since he is returning home in glory, neither the spectacle nor the sincerity can be lacking.

Just as the girls are discussing which hairpins look better, Gu Tian leans against the counter, bored, but his ears sharply catch the whispers of two sales clerks behind him.

"Hey, have you heard? There's a huge scandal in the royal family; it's spread all over the city now." An older clerk lowers his voice, his tone thick with gossip.

"You mean... the business with the Third Prince Dai Mubai?" The other young clerk's expression turns extremely disdainful. "Who doesn't know! As a royal bloodline, he actually ran away in the middle of the night, jumping over the wall because he was afraid of the life-and-death competition with the First Prince Dai Weisi! I heard he fled Star Luo City overnight; who knows where he's hiding now like a coward."

"Tsk tsk, he's really brought shame upon us Star Luo people." The older clerk snorts coldly. "Our Star Luo Empire has always valued martial spirit. Which family doesn't have a son on the battlefield? Yet a dignified prince is a deserter who fled before the battle. Military men hate such spineless cowards the most."

"Exactly. The most pitiful one is the Second Miss of the Zhu family, Zhu Zhuqing, getting stuck with such a fiancé at her young age. Now the whole city is watching her as a joke, saying she married a spineless deserter. Because of this, the Zhu family's prestige in the military has dropped quite a bit recently, and I heard her family is pressuring her..."

Gu Tian's eyes turn icy cold in an instant.

A deserter.

In this iron-blooded empire that views honor as life itself, these two words are more despicable than murder or arson. By running away, Dai Mubai not only threw away his own dignity but also carved an indelible mark of humiliation onto Zhu Zhuqing's spine.

To save your own life, you leave your fiancée in hell and run away?

Gu Tian sneers, leaning against the corner of the counter to weigh his options.

Normally, this Dai Mubai would flee to Suotuo City and continue living a life of debauchery there, calling it "finding himself," when in reality, it is nothing but the irresponsible escapism of a coward. Under the high-pressure environment of Star Luo City right now, the isolated Zhu Zhuqing is likely enduring despair and a sense of betrayal from her clan that is unimaginable to ordinary people.

It seems this abandoned little kitten is ready to be taken home by her master.

Gu Tian looks out the window; the wind in Star Luo City seems to have grown colder because of this gossip.

Just then, the fitting room door opens.

Xiao Wu runs out wearing that bright red koi-patterned pleated skirt, looking like a leaping little flame. Under the interplay of gold and red, she appears both agile and stunning.

"Brother Gu Tian, the New Year goods and clothes are all bought, where are we going next?"

Gu Tian suppresses the chill in his eyes, puts on a gentle smile, and walks over to take her hand: "Beautiful. My Xiao Wu looks good in anything. Let's go, after we finish the last of the New Year shopping, we'll take a stroll by the entrance of the Zhu Residence."

Since Dai Mubai has vacated his position, he will have to go and collect the inheritance.