When Kyrian returned to the Crimson Lotus Residence, the sky had already darkened completely.
The spiritual lanterns along the narrow street were lit, casting a soft light over the bluish stone walls. The gate of the residence was closed, and no presence could be felt beyond the discreet formations embedded in the wood and the ground.
Silence.
Kyrian crossed the formation effortlessly and entered. The inner courtyard was impeccable, as always, but empty. No low conversations, no sound of footsteps, no grumbling from Bai Zhu.
"They went out." Kyrian concluded to himself.
They had probably gone to explore the capital or deal with their own matters.
That pleased him.
Kyrian climbed the inner stairs without haste and entered his room. He removed his outer robe, sat for a mont on the edge of the bed, and looked at the closed window, behind which the diffuse glow of the eternal clouds illuminated the city.
He did not feel like going out again.
The day had been productive enough.
He lay down, closed his eyes, and let the silent fatigue envelop him. His sleep ca quickly and deeply, without dreams.
...
The next morning, a light knock sounded at his door.
Kyrian opened his eyes instantly.
"Co in." He said in a neutral voice.
The door opened, and i Li put only her head inside.
"Good morning." She said, in a light tone.
Kyrian stood up, already dressed in simple clothes, and walked to the door.
"What do you need?" He asked, as always, directly.
i Li blinked, surprised, and then smiled faintly.
"Actually... nothing. I was thinking of going to see so shops around the city. I wanted to know if you’d like to go with ."
Kyrian remained silent for a few seconds, considering.
The Coliseum would only open in seven days. There were no urgent trainings he could not cultivate, nor did he have imdiate tasks.
"All right. I don’t have anything better to do today." He replied, finally.
i Li seed pleased.
"Do you plan to call the others?" Kyrian asked.
She shook her head.
"Except for Bai Zhu, who is still sleeping. Yan Ling, Kai, and Li Fen went out early to deal with their own matters. I thought it was better not to bother them."
Kyrian nodded.
Shortly after, the two left the residence.
Even early in the day, the streets of the Fifth District were already busy. rchants opened wide doors, porters pushed carts loaded with goods, and cultivators passed in small groups, so with discreet emblems, others without any identification.
Guards of the Empire of Clouds were stationed at strategic points, wearing light-blue armor with silver details, attentive but not oppressive.
"Security here is constant." i Li comnted as they walked toward the main avenue.
"An empire needs to appear stable." Kyrian replied.
The main avenue was alive. Weapon shops displayed gleaming blades on floating stands. Tailor shops showed fabrics that rippled on their own, reacting to the ambient wind. Stalls of smaller artifacts competed for attention with sellers of pills and rare ingredients.
That was when i Li stopped suddenly.
"I need new clothes."
Kyrian followed her gaze to a shop with an elegant façade, light wood, golden details, and discreet display windows. There were few custors.
He simply nodded.
"Let’s go."
Upon entering, Kyrian imdiately realized that this was not an ordinary place. The environnt was perfud and silent, and the clothes on display were clearly aid at young nobles of the capital. Long dresses, delicate robes, and expensive fabrics worked with spiritual threads.
The prices reflected that.
Nothing seed below average.
i Li, however, was not intimidated. She picked up one piece, then another, and disappeared behind a curtain.
Kyrian remained standing, arms crossed, observing without particular interest.
"Kyrian. What do you think?" i Li called, erging in a light-colored dress.
He analyzed it for a mont.
"It doesn’t suit you that much."
She raised an eyebrow.
"And this one?"
Now the dress was darker, with deep tones and simple cuts.
Kyrian nodded.
"It looks better."
She smiled, satisfied.
In the end, i Li bought several pieces. When they left the shop, it was already almost noon.
"I’m hungry." Kyrian said.
" too. Let’s go to a restaurant." i Li replied.
They chose a busy establishnt with a reasonable line at the entrance. They waited their turn and entered, staying on the first floor. Kyrian ordered a full table without ceremony.
The food arrived quickly.
He ate in silence but noticed that i Li kept up the pace without any difficulty.
After finishing, Kyrian asked.
"What do you think of the city?"
i Li thought while taking a sip of tea.
"I still haven’t ford a complete opinion. But... it seems like a good place to live. Safe. Organized."
Kyrian agreed.
"I had the sa impression."
As they left the restaurant, they noticed unusual commotion just ahead. A small crowd was forming.
Curious, they approached.
"He really had the nerve... Robbing a noble in broad daylight..." Soone comnted.
In the middle of the street, a young man lay on the ground, covered in wounds, barely breathing.
"So, he was a thief." i Li murmured.
On the other side, a little girl held a small box against her chest, surrounded by a few guards, probably the ones who had beaten the thief.
"And once again the Duke’s daughter sneaked out. If sothing happens to her, the entire city will feel it..." Another voice said.
Kyrian observed attentively.
’Duke’s daughter...’ He repeated in thought.
For him, the matter was concluded. He turned to leave.
"Let’s go." He said to i Li.
She agreed, but before they could take two steps, a clear and sharp voice echoed.
"HEY! YOU!"
The two turned around. Only to find the little girl pointing at them and smiling openly.
Kyrian frowned slightly.
"Do you know her?" Kyrian asked i Li in a low voice.
"No, I’ve never seen her in my life." She replied.
The child ran toward them, slipping away from the guards, and stopped in front of i Li.
"Miss! Your dress is very beautiful! Where can I get one like it?" She asked, lightly tugging at the edge of the fabric.
i Li understood imdiately and smiled.
"I bought it today at a shop nearby. Do you want to take you there?"
The girl’s eyes lit up.
"Yes! Now!"
i Li looked at Kyrian in silence. He thought for a mont, then nodded.
The girl then truly noticed Kyrian.
Her steps faltered.
She looked at the pale face, the defined features, the black hair... and then at the crimson eyes without pupils.
Her little face turned red in seconds.
Instinctively, she took two steps back and hid behind i Li’s leg.
Kyrian blinked.
’... Is she afraid of ?’ He thought.
i Li, however, understood perfectly. She placed her hand on the child’s head.
"His na is Kyrian. And mine is i Li. It’s a pleasure to et you."
The girl took a deep breath.
"My na is Xue Yin. I am the daughter of Duke Rong." She said softly.
"I see. Co on. I’ll take you to the shop." i Li replied gently.
Xue Yin nodded excitedly and began to walk behind her, the guards sighing and following behind the girl as well, apparently already accustod to such a situation.
Kyrian followed shortly behind. Every few steps, the girl looked back, stared at Kyrian for a second... and then hid behind i Li again.
Kyrian sighed, understanding.
’So it’s not fear...’
It was sothing far more complicated than that, Kyrian thought.
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