The sun had yet to rise, and mist veiled the river city beneath a fine drizzle.
When Yang Fan emerged from the secret chamber, he found that dawn had broken. A thin morning mist shrouded all of Heaven Dou City.
Standing on the second floor of the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion and gazing out over the streets, Yang Fan saw that the city was already beginning to bustle.
Half a year ago, this had been the poorest district in Heaven Dou City, forever steeped in a lingering stench of mildew and despair.
But now, with Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion on the rise, even this desperate corner had taken on a touch of prosperity.
Back then, women in tattered clothes and elderly men had no choice but to push rickety wooden carts loaded with handmade goods all the way to the distant academy or central districts, begging for a few meager copper coins beneath the disdainful gazes of nobles and Soul Masters.
But now, they didn't have to.
Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion itself had become an attraction that no one on this street could ignore.
If this had been some lofty auction house or merchant guild, they would surely have driven away these poor folk in their sour-smelling, ragged clothes like stray dogs, all to preserve their dignity.
But Yang Fan did things differently.
Not only did he have no intention of driving them away, he had also set aside dedicated manpower and resources to mark out a clean, level plot of land in the area where they could settle and make a living.
With the wisdom left behind by the sages of his previous life, along with the covert assistance of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, everything had gone smoothly over the past six months.
No troublemakers had come to provoke them, either. If any had, they had likely been dealt with by the people around Xue Qinghe.
Yang Fan looked down at the crowds bustling below.
When poor, tend to yourself; when prosperous, help the world.
On paper, he hadn't made any money. In fact, he was running at a loss. But he thought the deal was well worth it.
In a place called Shambhala Village, he had been an orphan, raised on the meager rations of villagers who had nothing themselves.
After ten years in the Douluo world, Yang Fan understood all too well the hardships ordinary people faced in this era.
Even a One-Ring Soul Master, after all, received enough Gold Soul Coins in monthly stipends to let an ordinary family live comfortably for a few weeks.
After brushing past the gates of death, Yang Fan had gained a new understanding of many things. Without godhood, one remained an ant. He, too, wanted to leave his mark on this world.
Since he had come here, he had a responsibility to fulfill.
Yang Fan's gaze swept casually across the street before he suddenly spotted the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Little Demoness. Somehow, she had slipped back to the entrance of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion.
At that moment, she was sitting listlessly on the bluestone steps, her exquisitely crafted, ornate little boots dangling in the air and swinging gently, now and then, with her mood.
Beside her stood two guards, as straight and steadfast as pines, their gazes warily scanning their surroundings.
"Goodness, how many times have I told you? I'm only here to see Pavilion Master Yang!"
Ning Rongrong's clear, bright voice rang out, tinged with a hint of spoiled pride.
She tipped up her petite, fair nose and gave a soft snort. "Heaven Dou City's security is so good. Why do you have to follow me around every second?"
Then, as though remembering something, she muttered, "Besides, Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion is about to open. The two of you are standing there like a pair of wooden posts, blocking the entrance. Aren't you obviously getting in the way of the young miss's... ahem, getting in the way of business?"
Yang Fan took in the whole scene. Seeing the two guards standing there like clay statues, deaf to their mistress's complaints, he couldn't help laughing.
"Who dares laugh at me behind my back?"
Ning Rongrong had excellent hearing and immediately turned toward the sound.
She looked around but saw no one. Then she unconsciously lifted her delicate, fair face and spotted Yang Fan by the second-floor window, waving leisurely at her with an amused smile.
Caught red-handed, the girl's jade-white cheeks instantly flushed crimson, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.
"Lazybones Yang Fan! Since you're awake, hurry up and get down here to open the door!"
To cover her embarrassment, Ning Rongrong glared at him indignantly and said in a coquettish tone, "I've been sitting on these steps in the cold wind for ages, and you still have the nerve to laugh!"
Yang Fan strolled downstairs and unhurriedly pushed open the pavilion's heavy wooden door. The cool morning air poured in, clearing his head at once.
"Yes, yes, sorry to keep you waiting, young miss. My fault."
He smiled and cupped his hands, though there wasn't a trace of apology in his voice. He didn't mention how leisurely he had been on his way downstairs, either.
Seeing him act like that only made Ning Rongrong angrier. She stomped her little foot and turned to walk inside.
Lifting her dainty chin, she gave a soft snort. "I have something important to tell you today, so you'd better treat me well. Otherwise, my memory isn't great. I might just forget!"
Yang Fan stepped aside and swung the door open wider. Watching her haughty little back, he felt even more like laughing.
What important business could a little demoness like Ning Rongrong have? If her family really trusted her to pass on a message, Ning Fengzhi must have been awfully carefree.
"The young miss's gracious presence has truly brightened my humble shop."
As he spoke, he led her to a seat on the second floor. "What's so important? Keep it short—or shorter. You know how busy this pavilion is. Once A Wu gets here, we'll be open for business."
Ning Rongrong sat down in a rosewood chair by the window. Her gaze passed over the teacup already set out on the table. She picked it up, took a sip, and only then spoke. "This tea's no different from last time. Should I steal some of the tea my dad keeps hidden away and bring it for you to try? As for the matter..."
She paused, her eyes glimmering with a sly light.
"You have so many strange and unusual things here. If you give me something I haven't seen before, I'll tell you!"
Yang Fan sat down across from her and personally refilled her cup. His movements were smooth and deft, without a flaw to be found.
"I don't care for tea myself; I only serve it to guests. The Crown Prince gave me this, and I don't know whether it's any good. Since you've said so, I may have to discuss it with His Majesty Qinghe one of these days."
He looked up at her. The morning light fell across her splendid white dress, bathing her in a soft glow.
"Besides, my pavilion is still in its infancy. How could it compare with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? I'm afraid I don't have anything worthy of the young miss's notice. If you don't want to tell me, then don't."
Ning Rongrong cradled the teacup, feeling its warmth against her fingertips.
"Don't tell Big Brother Qinghe! He's just as boring as my dad."
She cried out loudly, her voice a little brighter than before.
"You really can't take a joke! Father said you've joined Xue Qinghe's side. Then you should know that his coming-of-age ceremony is in a few months. You'd better prepare a gift."
Once the serious business was out of the way, Ning Rongrong looked this way and that, clearly still hoping to find something new to play with.
"Since you really want to see something new, I've got something here that's good for passing the time. I'll give it to you to play with."
Seeing her reaction, Yang Fan casually took several boxes of playing cards from his Space Bracelet.
He hadn't expected this sort of pastime to exist even in the Legend of the Dragon King era. His favorite thing to look forward to every Friday was playing Fight the Landlord with Na'er and his teacher.
At first, his teacher hadn't wanted to join in, saying it was childish. But when Na'er pleaded with her, she softened.