Chapter 470: The Princess Who Left the Palace
[Side Quest 10: Find a Shopfront (Completed)
Quest Reward: +2 Spirit Power Levels (Claimable), Customizable Shop Interior Style (Claimable).]
As Qi Han paid the money, completed the handover, and officially took possession of the shop at Mingke Street No. 13, Side Quest 10 was considered complete.
The shop was about the same size as his original one in Shrek City, which was one of the reasons he liked it. Because of its relatively remote location, the price wasn't high. Including agency fees, it totaled only 100,000 gold coins. In a city where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold like Mingdu City, that was quite rare.
Though, of course, 100,000 gold coins was still a considerable sum.
All in all, Qi Han was very satisfied with the deal.
Standing inside his very own shop, he decisively claimed the Spirit Power level reward.
Warm currents surged through his limbs and meridians. The Spirit Power flowing quietly within him swelled and strengthened once more, leaping from Level 53 to Level 55 in an instant.
Feeling the noticeably thicker and more powerful Spirit Power than before, Qi Han subconsciously clenched his fist, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Not bad.
Next, it was time to choose a decoration style.
Instinctively, he was about to select the same fresh, minimalist style as his Shrek City shop. But just before confirming, he hesitated.
It's always been minimalist… why not try something different this time?
For example, this cyberpunk style?
It looked high-end, and more importantly, it matched Mingdu City's futuristic architectural aesthetic perfectly…
That's the one!
With that thought, Qi Han moved his finger from the minimalist design option to the cyberpunk decoration plan beside it and clicked confirm. Then he entered the training space.
He could leave the renovation to Ru Yi. For the next twenty-four hours, he would continue training Zilong Sheds His Armor in the training space.
But before that…
"Ru Yi!"
Qi Han locked his gaze onto the newly popped-up Side Quest 10-1 that appeared after Side Quest 10 disappeared. After a moment of silence, he turned and grabbed Ru Yi—who was trying to slip away—pinching her cheeks hard.
"What the heck is this Side Quest 10-1?!"
[Side Quest 10-1: The Temptation of Delicacies
The host must obtain one thousand returning Han Shi customers within Mingdu City, capital of the Sun Moon Empire.
Quest Description: Didn't you say you wanted to lie low and get rich? Let's see how you lie low now!
Quest Reward: +2 Spirit Power Levels, 3 Star Optional Recipe Fragments x3.]
"Wuuu…" Ru Yi puffed out her cheeks and mumbled, "Who told you to slack off? Of course I had to modify the original side quest to urge you to run the business properly."
Qi Han: "…"
"…So, uh… is it still possible for me to change shops?"
"Too late. Renovations have already begun. The Han Shi signboard has even been installed."
"Ah… this…"
…
"Happy birthday, Your Highness!"
Inside a luxurious palace hall, several round-faced, adorable maids held colorful lighting spirit tools, casting beams of different hues throughout the hall. The lights intertwined into a dazzling display. One by one, they presented exquisite dishes prepared by the imperial chefs, placing them before a young girl dressed in an elegant, luxurious gown.
Within the Sun Moon Empire, only the emperor's children could be addressed as "Your Highness." The beautiful young girl before them was in fact one of the empire's princesses.
Yet despite the maids' attentive flattery, there was little joy on the princess's face. She let out a faint sigh, then rolled up the wide sleeves of her gown, revealing a slender wrist as she rested her chin on her hand. Staring at the array of exquisite dishes laid before her, she had not the slightest appetite.
All of the dishes were delicious, but she had grown up eating food like this. By now, there was no longer any sense of surprise or excitement for her.
"Has Third Brother not arrived yet?"
"Princess…" At those words, one of the maids seated below immediately showed a troubled expression.
"If you have something to say, just say it!"
"Yes…" The maid hurriedly replied. "This servant went to look for the Third Prince earlier, but he is busy handling affairs today and likely won't be able to come."
"Third Brother…" The girl in the gown immediately showed a hint of displeasure. She puffed out her cheeks and muttered softly, "Father won't come to keep me company, and Third Brother is busy all day without even a shadow in sight. What's the point of celebrating my birthday like this?"
"What stupid struggle for the throne—after fighting for years, even the warmth of family is gone!"
The girl slapped the table angrily, while the maids all lowered their heads deeply, pretending to be quails.
Such rebellious words were something the princess could say, but they absolutely could not afford to hear.
"Who's outside?" After grumbling a few more dissatisfied remarks, the girl suddenly raised her head and looked toward the palace entrance.
A palace attendant quickly revealed himself and entered the hall. He first bowed to the girl and was just about to speak when she interrupted him.
"I recognize you—you're an attendant by Eldest Brother's side. Has he remembered his Fifth Sister and sent some kind of gift?" the girl asked with a smile.
"Fifth Princess, the Eldest Prince is occupied with various matters and cannot spare the time. He has sent this humble gift and wishes Your Highness a happy birthday."
"Leave the gift. You may go."
"Yes!"
As the attendant departed, the polite smile on the girl's face instantly disappeared. She merely glanced at the gift box from the Eldest Prince and tossed it aside without even opening it.
Among the Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire's children, only the Third Prince and she were born of the same mother. This half-brother of hers appeared gentle and courteous to everyone on the surface. Every year on her birthday, he would send someone with an expensive gift. But in private, whenever they met, he had never once truly looked at her.
That guy was nothing but a smiling tiger. She had no interest in his gifts.
Only Third Brother was truly close to her. Unfortunately, ever since the Third Prince returned from the other continent called Douluo, the struggle among the princes had grown increasingly fierce. Faced with the Eldest Prince's various schemes in the shadows, he barely had time to breathe—he couldn't even attend her birthday.
As for Father, he had recently been busy making moves against the Douluo Continent, holding daily discussions of state with important ministers. He had no free time to accompany her.
And Mother…
She had caught a chill some days ago and had yet to recover. The princess had visited her this morning. Naturally, she couldn't let her sick mother drag herself here just to celebrate her birthday.
Counting it all up, it seemed that only a few maids were left to keep her company on this birthday.
"So boring!" The girl stood up, feeling the constraints of her gown. She tugged at it irritably, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. "You all help me change out of this dress, I'm leaving the palace!"
There was nothing interesting inside the palace. She might as well go out and wander around!
With the help of several maids, she changed into fine everyday clothing woven from high-quality fabric. After redoing her makeup, she strode toward the palace gates.
"Your Highness…"
Turning to look at the timid maids following behind her, the girl's eyes softened slightly. "I'm a Fifth-Level Spirit Engineer. I don't need you to protect me. Stay here. I'll just take a stroll outside the palace and come back."
"Oh, and you can divide those dishes among yourselves. It would be a waste otherwise."
"Yes!" The maids were overjoyed. The princess might be tired of such delicacies, but to them, these dishes were supreme cuisine they normally had no qualification to taste.
Watching the maids leave, the girl smiled faintly and turned her gaze beyond the towering palace walls.
So…
Where should she go?
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