At Huxian’s signal, Silverwing transformed into a large, 330-foot falcon. They hopped onto his back and flew east toward the capital of the Golden Kingdom, Gold Leaf City.
Chapter 2: The Favor
The journey to Gold Leaf City proved uneventful. Cha Ming and Huxian walked through the city gates, where they were welcomed by the head of the city guard. To their surprise, the man was a peak-core-formation cultivator. The nervous man took great care in explaining the rules of the city.
After assuring the man that they wouldn’t cause any trouble, they proceeded to the city’s bustling streets. Gold Leaf City was the most prosperous place on the continent, as evidenced by both its architecture and the people inhabiting it. They saw very few non-cultivators as they walked through the compact yet large city. The vital underclass remained mostly hidden, relegated to slums kept far away from busier streets.
They really like ostentation, Huxian said as he admired a particularly dazzling storefront. Delicious and decadent ostentation.
The building resembled a local fruit-based dessert, and the runes on its walls could literally be smelled and tasted. There were many buildings like it competing for the precious attention of the masses. Every street-facing structure was covered in runes that both enhanced their beauty and drew uncertain eyes.
The entire spectacle was overwhelming even to them. They rushed past it all, making their way to Gold Leaf Square. Unlike other cities, the central square was designed more like a park than anything else. Families led their children through the carefully tended rows of gold-leafed trees while spirit arborists tended to the flowers that grew beside them. Only four buildings stood tall in the square: the Jade Bamboo Pavilion, the Greenwind Pavilion, the Red Dust Pavilion, and the Spirit Temple.
“What a peculiar square,” Cha Ming thought out loud, stopping in front of a tree and admiring a beautiful golden leaf that was about to fall off. Most central squares would be hubs of commercial activity. Gold Leaf City, the commercial hub of the continent, had instead relegated it to a public attraction.
How so? Huxian asked. Seems symmetrical. And the plants here are all very tasty. I’d eat them if it wasn’t against the rules, and if that pesky cultivator wasn’t hiding behind that tree over there.
“It’s peculiar because of who’s in charge in the kingdom,” Cha Ming explained. “The Golden Kingdom is officially ruled by the Jin royal family. It’s a monarchy that draws its divine mandate from the Church of Justice. That they would allow a thorn like the Spirit Temple to exist here is curious. What’s also curious is that they aren’t located in Central Square with these other four powerhouses. If I were the Church, I’d want the cathedral on the continent in one of these four spaces, if not directly in the center.
“It’s largely symbolic,” a familiar voice said from behind them. “They keep their church to the north, and their reasoning is that faith should be kept separate from money. A doctrine the Spirit Temple obviously doesn’t subscribe to.” A figure they both knew all too well walked out of the shadows.
“Wang Jun,” Cha Ming said, grinning. He gave his friend a tight hug. Huxian ran up to him and hopped onto his shoulder, licking his cheek. Wang Jun laughed and pet his small head. The man had changed substantially since last time they’d met. He looked harder, more practical than before—something Cha Ming hadn’t considered possible. Moreover, his cultivation had increased by leaps and bounds. He was now a half-step transcendent, just a sliver away from carving his core. “I see your advancement is as quick as ever. If only I were so talented.”
“Nonsense, my friend,” Wang Jun said. “You’re much stronger than I am as it is now. I wouldn’t stand a chance fighting against you. If you could catch me, that is.”
“I could catch you,” Huxian said.
“I don’t doubt you could,” Wang Jun affirmed, chuckling. He scratched the back of the little fox’s ears as he looked back to Cha Ming. “It seems my estimate on how long you’d be gone for was off. You’re getting old, Cha Ming. I didn’t give you nearly enough tea.”
“Look who’s talking,” Cha Ming said, picking a lock of white hair from Wang Jun’s long blond hair. There were many more than before. “You’re right, I ran out of good tea decades ago. Fortunately, Jin Huang invented Strongman Coffee, so all is well in the world.”
“Bah,” Wang Jun said. “Coffee is just a passing trend, a trend I’m happy to ride out until it stops making me money. Tea is integral of the Ling Nan Plane’s culture. And I insist we have tea after such a long time apart. Follow me. I know the perfect place.”
Wang Jun began walking, not toward the Jade Bamboo Pavilion like Cha Ming had expected, but toward the red building in an adjacent corner of Gold Leaf Square.
“Wang Jun, I never took you for the type,” Cha Ming said as they entered the red-and-gold establishment. They were greeted by two women in red, who bowed as they entered. Wang Jun thanked the “mistresses” on their way in.
“Young Master Jun,” a voice said. “I didn’t expect to see you today. With an important guest no less.”
“Mistress Bai Ling,” Wang Jun said, greeting the newcomer. The pretty lady in red had a competitive look about her. “Cha Ming, Bai Ling is the best Angels and Devils player I’ve ever met. You’d do well to learn from her.”
“Nonsense,” Bai Ling said, only giving a token protest to hide her pleasure at the mention. “You’ve never lost a game, though you’ve tried very hard. And you,” she said, looking to Cha Ming, “must be the illustrious transcendent elder from Haijing City, Cha Ming.”
“I’m surprised you’ve heard of me,” Cha Ming said. “I just left Haijing a couple weeks ago.”
“We’re in the business of knowing,” Bai Ling replied with a sweet smile. “What will you be needing today, Young Master
