Life in the Ancient City

He walked like that for quite a while.

As he walked, he found himself growing fond of the quiet feeling of listening to the rain and strolling alone.

Only after the people in the city had gradually gotten out of bed and the shops had opened did he stop in front of an inn.

He casually picked up a pebble from the ground and rubbed it in his hand as he entered the inn.

The inn was still fairly busy in the early morning, with early risers, people rushing to make breakfast for the guests, and others tidying up for business...

As Ye Fu entered, a waiter came over, all smiles, and asked whether he wanted a meal or a room.

Ye Fu chose a room. He wanted a temporary place to stay and a chance to adjust his mindset.

After arranging a room, the waiter came over cheerfully. "Sir, your room is ready."

Ye Fu followed him to the room and gave it a cursory look. It was very plain, but as long as it was clean, that was fine.

He looked at the waiter and tossed him a silver leaf. "For the room."

The waiter saw its bright gleam and felt its heft. He exclaimed at once, "Sir, it doesn't cost nearly this much!"

Ye Fu smiled. "I know. I want you to go out and buy me a set of clothes."

"It still won't cost this much."

"Just bring back the change."

The waiter caught on and slapped his forehead. "Silly me. All right, sir, please wait a moment!"

With that, the waiter clattered down the stairs.

After entering the room, Ye Fu lay down in a rattan chair facing the window, narrowed his eyes slightly, and began to ponder life.

He knew that with his current abilities, he had no need to sleep at all, but people were accustomed to getting sleepy.

He gently closed his eyes, lay there, and fell asleep.

Chapter 6: Life in the Ancient City

While he slept, Ye Fu was still aware that the waiter had returned with the clothes and put the change on the table.

Before leaving, the waiter glanced at Ye Fu, then failed to resist and secretly pocketed two copper coins.

Ye Fu didn't stop the waiter. But that didn't mean he would indulge him. He merely placed a streak of bad luck on the waiter. That streak of bad luck was enough to make the waiter fall ill later and spend a month's wages.

Ye Fu didn't wake until noon, when the sunlight fell full and bare on his face.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. He changed out of his out-of-place T-shirt, shorts, and slippers and put on a cloth robe that looked a little scholarly. But he wasn't used to wearing it, so he grabbed scissors, a needle, and thread and altered it himself. He narrowed the wide sleeves, trimmed the trailing skirt, and opened up the collar. It was more comfortable to wear then, and it didn't look so out of place; he only looked like an outsider.

After that, he pushed open the window and looked outside.

The rain had stopped, the sun was shining brightly, and the street had come to life. Hawkers, shoppers, people playing and having fun... it was a picture of "life in the ancient city."

Although it looked quite cultured, Ye Fu still preferred Earth's modern cities by comparison.

The only thing Ye Fu could probably be satisfied with in this new world was that it was filled with Spiritual Qi, making the air excellent, with little pollution. A deep breath brought the freshness of rain, rather than dust rushing up his nose. It was, after all, a world with a cultivation civilization, untouched by industrial development.

After resting for a while, Ye Fu was back in top form, and his mood had improved considerably. He stretched languidly and thought that, if possible, he hoped for more of the quiet days he had spent listening to the rain and fewer troubles like the catfish monster and the tree-root fish monster.

Human nature was, in fact, lazy.

He had a little breakfast downstairs at the inn. The freshly ground soy milk was very fresh, though there weren't many side dishes. Washed down with it, the average-tasting steamed buns made for a standard breakfast.

Taking the opportunity, Ye Fu went to the counter and struck up a conversation with the innkeeper. He wanted to learn a few things about this world. After all, for now, he could only settle down here, so he needed to find a way to make a living and live a good life. Though it didn't sound very ambitious, those were Ye Fu's true thoughts. He had grown accustomed to an ordinary life in the first half of his life, and coming here hadn't filled him with any passion for adventure.

The innkeeper's surname was Hu. He was quite friendly and chatted cheerfully.

Innkeeper Hu was an outsider too. He had traveled north and south and knew quite a lot. From Innkeeper Hu, Ye Fu gained a basic understanding of some common knowledge, such as the division of the regions. Broadly speaking, the world had five continents and eight seas: the Eastern Lands in the east, the Demon Domain in the west, the Northern Plains in the north, the Central Province in the middle, and the Southern Borderlands in the south. At present, he was in Black Stone City, a little backwater in the Layered Cloud Kingdom, in the southern part of the Eastern Lands.

He also learned some important things about daily life, such as currency and prices. After learning about them, he found that, sure enough, gold, silver, and copper were still hard currency.

"Is there any paper money?" Ye Fu asked. He felt it was inconvenient to carry gold, silver, copper, and iron on him.

Innkeeper Hu, who wore a drooping mustache, smiled. "There is such a thing as paper money, but it doesn't circulate here in Black Stone City. When all's said and done, Black Stone City is a bit too remote."

"It is pretty remote." Ye Fu's eyebrow twitched. "Still, remoteness has its advantages. At least life is peaceful." At heart, Ye Fu was someone who liked peace and quiet. In his previous life, he had worked hard to buy a quiet house, but after buying it, he had transmigrated before he'd had much chance to enjoy it.

"The very corner of the Eastern Lands is remote indeed," Innkeeper Hu said. "But you're right, sir. It's peaceful. Still, in truth, even the quietest life always comes with a heap of troubles."

"At least there aren't many people cultivating to become Immortals."

"True."

Ye Fu nodded.

As they talked, Ye Fu pretended to reach into his pocket, but actually rubbed the stone and turned it into a silver leaf, which he placed in front of Innkeeper Hu.

Innkeeper Hu's eyes widened. "Are you settling the bill? It doesn't cost that much, sir."

Ye Fu nodded. "I know. The main thing is, I'd like to ask you a favor, Innkeeper Hu."

"What is it?" Innkeeper Hu's mustache quivered, and the bearing of a merchant emerged.

"I've just arrived here and want to stay for a while. Innkeeper Hu, you're familiar with the area, so could you help me look for a good place to live? I'm not particular about the facilities. Somewhere I can cook and sleep will do, preferably with a private courtyard. As for the surroundings, they just need to be quiet." After speaking, Ye Fu thought for a moment, then nodded in confirmation. "That's all. I wonder if you'd be willing to help. As for payment..." He tapped the silver leaf on the table.