Today was an exciting day for newcomers to Thousand Flower City. A newly constructed city block was being presented to the public. Unlike the last few which were classed as residences, this one was intended for businesses. Because of this, close to a hundred people had gathered at the main entrance before the sun had risen. By the time of the grand opening, over a thousand people were milling about.
Just like the seasons that were turning toward spring, these people were seeking a fresh start in this city, the jewel of the Dragon Flower Province. Everyone knew of Immortal Blue Dragon Chen Wentian and his immortal sect, Ten Thousand Flower Valley. They also knew of the famous disciples. Few were brave enough to dare hope to reach those heights. But there were many other opportunities for wealth, power, and cultivation.
This new city block was one of them. The square building was six stories tall and made of the same pale white marble that made up the other city blocks. It was close to a main avenue as well as future business buildings being constructed nearby. Any business that could open a shop in this city block was bound to flourish. This was what everyone believed and they were all here for a chance to do so.
"Do you know?" Someone whispered loudly to their neighbor, "The marble used came from a distant mountain range in another province. The cost of construction is so high that this building might as well have been made of gold!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Another person retorted, "Even if Lord Immortal Blue Dragon is rich, he can't be that rich!"
A discussion broke out after that, adding to the excitement of the gathered mortals. None of them had visited a place like Thousand Flower City. It was a city born from lengthy and careful planning. From the sky, it was said that the city blocks looked like hundreds of flowers in bloom, arranged in perfect rows and columns. There was none of the crowdedness and chaos of other cities that came about out of necessity. Some claimed that it was even more beautiful at night.
"Hey!" A person pointed out, "Is that the Wine Sage of the Southern Desolate Mountains? Wow, I didn't think such an impressive figure would be here!"
Many people turned their heads and saw a very fat man with an exposed belly. He had a rosy face like he had drank too much and his expression was amiable like an old friend. The only thing that separated him from a drunkard was the numerous jewels he wore around his neck and his fingers.
"Hey, that's the One-Eyed Herbal Master from the western ocean. Is he trying to open another branch?"
"Who cares…"
"I care!"
The noise grew to new heights as people started to argue. All of them were here for the same thing, to open a shop for some kind of business. The relatively famous figures were easily recognized but that didn't mean others weren't equally worthy.
Among the crowd were also people from the Wild Hunt Sect, a large mortal sect operating in the Eastern Wilderness. They had already opened up several butcher shops for spirit beast meat. It was said that they even supplied spirit beast meat to Ten Thousand Flower Valley.
Present were also representatives from the Golden Saber Clan, a group that specialized in the trade of powerful weapons. They had a shop in the central district of Thousand Flower City and they even claimed to have sold weapons to the disciples of Ten Thousand Flower Valley.
The crowd contained all kinds of people, known or unknown. Some were loud and eager while others were quiet and patient. Among the throng was a solitary figure that was unlike the rest. Although they didn't stand out, a discerning eye could still find something strange about them.
That person was of average height with a slim build. They wore clean clothes with layers of white and blue. On top of their head was a square dark-blue hat made of cloth, like those of a scholar. The person held a booklet in one hand and a small ink brush in the other. The brush glided across the page with surprising speed, revealing the smooth, pale skin of their wrist with each movement.
If one cared to look over this person's shoulder, they would have been shocked. The person's writing speed was very fast. Before one character had dried, a whole sentence was finished. Each character was small but appeared clear and vibrant. The writing was filled with energy as if it wanted to leap out of the page.
Occasionally, the person would look around with curious eyes. They would take note of the nearby people as well as the various conversations. They would also study the surrounding buildings, their architecture, and the ongoing construction. Nothing was lost, every detail was recorded in the booklet that didn't run out of pages no matter how much was written.
"Gather around! Gather around!"
A loud voice from the front of the building attracted everyone's attention. A pair of guards appeared in polished armor. They bore the character of Zhou on their breastplate, showing off their status as members of the famous Zhou Clan and the guards of Thousand Flower City. A young woman appeared behind them, wearing the clothes of a city official instead of feminine attire.
"Welcome everyone!" Her voice was clear and sharp, "This one is named Zhou Ming. I am the administrator of this district of Thousand Flower City."
Although she was young, no older than her early twenties at most, nobody dared to make a sound. The might and prestige of the Zhou Clan, backed by the second disciple of Ten Thousand Flower Valley, were absolute.
Zhou Ming continued speaking, explaining how the building would be parceled out to the public. The most attractive location, the shopfront that faced south on the first floor, would be given out based on a lucky draw. The winner would be given a three-year lease at a very favorable rate. As for the other shops would go to the highest bidder.
After much excitement from the crowd and a lot of noise, the lottery drawing was made. A small sect from the north that specialized in rare and obscure medicinal ingredients was the lucky one. People looked on envy as the lease contract was signed by Zhou Ming, sealed, and handed over to the old medicinal master. Everyone knew that from this day onward, the name of the Black Horse Medicine House would spread throughout the city.
While the crowd celebrated the lucky winner and lamented their lack of fortune, the solitary scholar amidst the sea of people was still busy writing pages and pages into their little booklet as if it was the most interesting and important thing in the world.
---
Thank you to all my patrons!
Support me and read ahead by 110 or even 220 chapters!
p atreon.com/kigreenwriting
Join my discord for updates, delays, and my ramblings :)
d iscord.gg/dY5UApw