At the sa ti, outside of Lotus City, the sun hung high in the sky.
Many people wanting to enter the city stood confused at what should have been the city gate entrance.
They couldn’t see that above Lotus City, a layer of an undispersable gloom was shrouding it, nor that the sunlight could not penetrate that gloom.
However, they could sense sothing was wrong with the entire Lotus City.
With the sun this high, the city gate entrance, which usually bustled with people, was not only shut but completely devoid of any human presence.
It was as if the city had been a ghost town from the start.
"What’s going on here? Why aren’t they letting us enter today, and why isn’t anyone opening the gate?"
"I have to go to work today. If the shopkeeper can’t see , he’d be furious!"
"Oh my fish, they’re all going to die here..."
...
Many people were cursing angrily at the city gate.
So, a bit smarter, sensed sothing was wrong and felt it was dangerous to stay too long.
Especially seeing more and more people gathering at the city gate, while Lotus City remained silent.
These sowhat smarter people quickly turned and left, afraid if they lingered any longer, they wouldn’t be able to leave.
But there were also so people as stubborn as an ox.
The more the people inside Lotus City didn’t open the gate, the angrier they got, feeling like smashing down the city gate.
Not far away, the Little Paperman was watching closely.
Afraid that the thing inside Lotus City would seize the opportunity to escape and bring chaos to the surroundings.
The Little Paperman waited and waited until it was almost noon.
It had to go back and prepare lunch for its master, so it suddenly disappeared.
"Master, I’m back. The situation at the city gate is pretty much as you predicted.
So left imdiately when they sensed sothing was wrong, while others caused a scene, wishing they could tear the gate down."
The Little Paperman reported while preparing pre-made dishes for Yun Ran.
No choice, its cooking skills were limited; making other dishes couldn’t guarantee the taste.
Pre-made dishes were different, no need for seasoning, just finish cooking them.
Yun Ran, sitting in the rocking chair, raised her hand to pick up a cup of tea beside her, leisurely sipping.
Shortly after, the Little Paperman brought the prepared al in front of Yun Ran.
The Little Paperman didn’t need to eat, obediently sitting nearby, looking very well-behaved.
When Yun Ran’s gaze landed on a plate, the Little Paperman would quickly serve from it.
It looked just like those ancient serving maidens.
Once Yun Ran was full, the Little Paperman swiftly cleaned everything up.
Then, it ca over to rub Yun Ran’s shoulders and back, acting like the ’perfect servant’.
"Master, shouldn’t we find a way to warn those unwilling to leave nearby?"
It wasn’t that the Little Paperman was overly compassionate about those people’s lives, but it found them quite obstructive.
The master had sacrificed greatly for Lotus City.
But if these ’troublemakers’ ruined the city’s chance of survival, it would truly be a loss.
"No need, those sealed underground, even though they broke through all the seals for so unknown reason.
I’ve encircled it with talisman paper; now its power is less than a tenth, only capable of causing trouble inside Lotus City.
If it wants to get past the city gates, well, it needs to see if this temple master agrees!"
Those familiar with Yun Ran knew if you provoked her, she was quite petty and vengeful.
If sothing random got ruined, it wasn’t much of a deal.
But Yun Ran had been struck by lightning, had scripted events against her, and even had her fortune abruptly turn, nearly leading to her misfortune.
These were all sunk costs.
Though they say sunk costs don’t factor into big decisions, they magnify one’s pettiness.
Thus, Yun Ran had made plenty of arrangents around Lotus City’s periter.
Once that sealed thing tries to overstep the bounds, it shouldn’t bla her for being ruthless.
The Little Paperman, seeing Yun Ran’s furious look, also got angry.
In its mind, it cursed the sealed creature bitterly.
Damn beast, don’t fall into its hands, or it would surely make it taste what it’s like when Heavenly Thunder strikes!
After her fill and a few threats, Yun Ran felt wholly at ease.
Sleepiness slowly crept into her mind.
"I’m going to sleep, you keep watching over there."
The Little Paperman nodded.
Outside the tent, the Little Paperman looked at the Jade hanging and poked at it.
"Mo Zhi, keep a close watch on the surroundings!"
Mo Zhi, determined to be the top sidekick, was overjoyed—another chance to prove her loyalty.
[Rest assured, leave it to , absolutely!]
With that, the Little Paperman was relieved, going off to watch the various city gates of Lotus City.
Only it could take on that job, after all, under the scorching sun, the city gates were far apart.
Only the Little Paperman, unafraid of sun and swift, could monitor each gate in real-ti.
Ti ticked by slowly.
Seeing the sun about to set, those who’d been causing a racket at the gates all day, one by one, with stomachs grumbling, finally ran out of energy.
The Little Paperman felt exhausted just watching—it was surprising how much trouble they could cause.
"Damn it, what are those people inside Lotus City doing, a whole day gone, and they won’t open the gates, don’t they know to make a fuss?"
If those inside the city had made a fuss too, they wouldn’t have been stuck outside all day looking foolish.
Many were filled with resentful energy.
From the beginning, they just wanted to make a scene, but later, they found it hard to back down; leaving quietly would be embarrassing,
Now, they’re not just worried about face, but feeling a bit defeated.
They made a fuss all day and got nothing, not even a word of consolation.
It made many of them, tired and hungry, feel as ridiculous as clowns.
Perhaps loud curses were the only way for them to regain so dignity.
But in reality, no one cared about what happened here, nor was anyone watching their ltdown.
This only made them seem even more ridiculous.
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