Tao Hua looked from one side to the other, following behind Shan Si. The street was wide, capable of fitting four of Siyue Town's lone street.
The ground was complicated in its design, offering a walkway in the middle that extended further than the eye could see.
Ornate patterns sailed along the edges. From the looks of each, they had been carefully chiseled deeply and filled with high-quality gold. Bordering them was a light, pale green stone, which Tao Hua could only assume was jade.
To import such a large amount…the Imperial Capital certainly held up to its standards.
Each of these patterns, splotched with flowers and vines, all twining and twirling as if to create a long dragon, led them further into the city. It was as if this golden dragon was meant to direct them toward something important.
The Imperial Palace, I wonder?
Tao Hua followed them, careful with his steps. There was this irrational thought in his head that if he were to step on something as magnificent as a path's border, then he'd be doused in more bad luck.
He already had enough of that, it seemed.
In order not they think about it, he casually glanced right, his head turning as he took in each building.
See, in Siyue Town, most buildings were in disrepair, patched up when necessary. They all had a similar look, as there really was only a single carpenter to rely on.
Here?
Every building was slathered in different colours, yet all matched. Either it was red beams, blue banisters, or green roofs. They all complemented each other without sticking out like a sore thumb. Compared to Siyue Town, these were tall and well-maintained, and the patterns weren't anything Tao Hua had ever seen, not even back at the Tao Esate.
Whoever painted them had a true eye for detail, and certainly wasn't whoever wrote the note at the entrance to the Imperial Capital.
Tao Hua wanted to approach them and grab a closer look, but given how Shan Si was so heavily focused on the path ahead, there really wasn't any time.
The other problem was his subtle fear. It felt so quiet and barren—the type he'd read in tragic tales.
Why was the Imperial Capital so quiet?
Glancing up at the sky, Tao Hua still found himself at odds. The sun was just about atop them, meaning the afternoon was just around the corner. In Siyue Town, this was when the streets were busiest.
Did the Imperial Capital work differently? The more Tao Hua thought about Siyue Town, the more his stomach twisted. To add to this, there wasn't even a single scent of food to help churn his stomach sick.
He knew people within the Capital were typically rich—the snobby type of rich, but rich people basked in food. It was a great way to flaunt, as most weren't cultivators but government officials, merchants, etc.
Therefore, food was essential.
Well, under Tao Hua's assumption, of course.
So, Tao Hua took one last peek at the buildings, its intricately latticed windows, and whimsically designed doors, and then turned his head to keep up with Shan Si. These were all questions he'd have to tuck away for later.
Huh.
The thought of later made him feel rather odd—tingly.
The further the two walked through that city, the more impressed Tao Hua found himself. Most things were unexpected—many statues, most of them golden, and all seemingly cleaned off from the heavy snowfall.
But even after an incense time of travelling that city, Tao Hua couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It took him a moment of hesitation, swaying from one side to the other as he followed behind Shan Si like a duckling.
There were so many things he wanted to ask him, but had an awful habit of choking them back.
Why?
The entire time, Shan Si felt intimidating. He wore the expression of someone who ran the city, which made him feel important. Next to Tao Hua? That was like comparing a pebble to jade.
For a solid five minutes, Tao Hua hesitated. He pressed his fingers together, pinching the tips of them, before raising a hand, opening his mouth, and only breathing.
It would snap shut, just as Tao Hua strenuously looked down at the ground. This repeated a few more times until he finally mustered up the courage, lifted his hand, and reached for Shan Si's sleeve.
Then, tugging it, he felt a slight tinge of regret course through him, but it was already too late.
Shan Si had stooped and looked over his shoulder at the man who refused to look at him.
After a moment of waiting, and delicate, slipping fingers, Shan Si merely replied with: "What?"
"Um…the city," Tao Hua began. Using his other hand, he pointed in the direction of a few buildings.
Shan Si glanced over, his brows pinched. "What about it? They're normal."
Nothing about this was normal to Tao Hua—nor should it have been normal to anyone, for that matter. The Imperial Capital wasn't known to be quieter than a ghost town.
"I…it's, um," Tao Hua struggled, his dampened fingers grinding against the black fabric of Shan Si's robe. "I thought you said it was well governed and safe…?"
"…" Shan Si, watching as Tao Hua stumbled and shyly refused to face him, lifted his brows. Then, he looked around at the buildings, and that's when things pieced together. "Nothing's going to harm you here, Tao Hua."
"Er—well, no. I mean, maybe? That's not it!" Tao Hua awkwardly smiled, his head stiffening with each strained jitter. Shan Si just patiently waited, his lulled eyes returning to Tao Hua. "You said back in a Land Lost—um, The Bookstore—the place we met back home. You said that the Imperial Capital had plenty of opportunities and was well governed. How can that be true when we haven't seen a person once? Um, sorry."
"Ah," Shan Sis reached for Tao Hua's hand and gently pried it off his arm. "Don't. It's on me for not explaining it sooner."
There was an air of silence between the two, interrupted by the nearby sound of trickling water. Tao Hua craned his neck upward to look at Shan Si, lost and curious. Shan Si just took Tao Hua's hand and lowered it back to his side.
"We're not in the capital."
Immediately, Tao Hua's eyes sharpened. During this, Shan Si let Tao Hua's hand go entirely and turned back toward what looked like a long stone bridge.
Through a series of questionable noises, Tao Hua's head darted around, taking in more of the scenery. If this wasn't The Imperial Capital, then where were they?!
Not a single city within Zhonglai was ever known to compete with the grandeur of the Imperial Capital, and yet this one put it to shame! Cold sweat slathered Tao Hua's skin.
He bounced in place a few times while watching Sahn Si step onto the bridge, as if the question was just another necessary answer.
After a few jagged breaths,Tao Hua finally exhaled before dashing toward Shan Si again.
He'd look around just in case, sticking closer to
the man than he had entering the city.
He wasn't sure what it was about this city, but it wasn't normal.
As they crossed that bridge, Tao Hua noticed not a speck of snow graced it, in comparison to the city. It was cleared off so cleanly that the sun practically reflected each smooth slab, defining the grooves between.
He followed each odd statue on the bridge, some in the shape of a dragon, others in the shape of a lion, crane, but many of them distorted and mythical in appearance. They were all painted bronze, but too dull to reflect, so all Tao Hua could see was the black that smothered against their reflection.
When he peeked past Shan Si, he noticed a gate much grander than the one they'd pass through to get into this mysterious city. Though the door wasn't as large, it was two stories taller and had an outpost on either side. The walls weren't nearly as red either. They were muted—closer to coral, if anything. And the roof was a deep, gentle blue.
What a choice for what Tao Hua assumed was the so-called "Palace".
Tao Hua was so immersed in the glory of this gate that he hadn't once noticed Shan Si stop.
So, at the whisper of "Wow, that's--", he rammed into his back, muffling the rest of his sentence, "—so…cool." As his face lay planted against the warmth, Shan Si's muscles seemed to stiffen, thus causing Tao Hua to rip himself off the man, but before he could yell an apology, he saw Shan Si wasn't even looking at him, nor did he seem to care about Tao Hua's clumsiness.
He did, however, look annoyed. So much so that Tao Hua was convinced Shan Si's eyebrows would jump off his head with how aggressively they were twitching. However, Tao Hua somehow had a feeling it wasn't directed at him this time—which was a first. Maybe.
Upward, toward the left outpost, there was a balcony, and over that balcony leaned the silhouette of a man, cast by the midday sun. It was hard to see him, so Tao Hua could only make out his movements.
He had his arms crossed over the banister, with long, straight hair flowing past his shoulders and dangling.
Ever so casually, this mysterious man inched forward, almost resting seductively along the balcony. In a calm, clear, and easily amused tone, his deep voice penetrated the area with its alluring command.
"Finally," was all he'd say, and that was enough to piss off Shan Si.
But Tao Hua didn't understand. He found it rather pleasant and inviting, thinking, this man doesn't sound like an awful person.
So, when Tao Hua turned to look at Shan Si's ever-growing irritation, he couldn't quite understand what had him so disgruntled.
Holding out his hand toward Tao Hua, Shan Si kept his eyes on the man above. Shaking it a few times, he slowly and quietly said, "The paper."
"…?" Tao Hua, puzzled, reached into his sleeve, grabbed the crumpled-up piece of paper, and passed it to Shan Si. Just as he was about to ask, Shan Si swiftly took that ball, hoisted it back, and hurled it toward the balcony with every exhausted might of his ever-growing fury.
His aim went straight for the man's blacked-out face.
"Well! So glad you missed me!" the man proclaimed cheerfully, straightening himself. With ease, he caught the paper with a casual lift of his hand.
"And here I thought you got lost out in the storm. The gods certainly do favour you, Little Sisi. You even brought us back a souvenir!" he said, smoothing out the paper. "That's a first."
Tao Hua could see Shan Si's shoulders shake, and from the door, back to the man he looked. Though he found himself rather confused, turning around a few times, he thought, A souvenir…?
He didn't recall bringing anything else with him.
"Just going to leave us out here? Open the goddamn gate. I'm not in the mood for these games."
"Tsk—but I enjoy them. Is that anyway to great your loved ones, Sir Greatness, Your Highness, informally known as Little Sisi?"
Holding the paper up to his face, he studied it carefully, completely unfazed by Shan SI's reaction. Though Tao Hua was fully capable. He was entirely caught off guard at the sheer anger being held back, showcased through how Shan Si clenched his hands into fists—one resting on his sword, and the other stiffened at his side.
The man only continued to speak, unperturbed, and blocked out by the paper.
"It's good to see you home, Boss."
Chapter end.
End of Act 1: Siyue Town.