Chapter 23: New Adventure

DISCLAIMER: Unedited

The internal battle started. It was either take him back to his room or they escape to the city. Nie Asreal wrestled with him and his seventeen year old self that had a thousand what ifs for this situation.

He bit his lip.

No matter how close or how he felt Yi Lian was still a sect leader and meant to be king, which was something he was choosing to worry about later. So he couldn't simply kidnap him to go running around a city… no normal person could anyway.

Nie Asreal, "Have you got Winters-Gaze?"

Yi LIan smiled and tapped it at his side. Nie Asreal gave him a look.

Yi Lian flushed. "Y-yes."

Nie Asreal, "Then we're off to The Grand City."

They jumped on their swords and flew through the valley.

The Grand City flickered beneath them as they zoomed past building after building on varying sizes. The Grand City was named as such because of it's pure size. It originally had a city surrounded by a protective wall however, as the weather changed and droughts emerged all over the region people came to travel. The once far away Trade Capital City inched closer and closer to the Deserted Capital. Another wall was built to protect the new settlers as their camps became houses and tents became shops. This made for plenty of room however soon that too was not enough. The Emperor decided to make one last deal. They would build one more wall but the tiers would have to be defined by wealth. The inner tier would be the richest, the middle would be working class and the outer the most unlucky. Crime rates were high but as long as you knew your way around it wasn't much issue.

The Deserted Capital gets constant calls from the city asking for help. Demons prey on cities sometimes whether its to feed or just cause trouble. The more classy and stronger demons however did neither.

Some demons wished to be away from the Demon Realm and would use it as a holiday destination or holiday home in the upper tiered residence. It was extremely annoying when lower level demons caused chaos because it meant them getting found by the Nie Sect too.

This all meant The Grand City was half run by strong demon folk. They owned shops, houses, clubs, anything they wanted or could coerce humans to, they had.

Nie Asreal went there a lot so had no problem navigating the tiers however, now he had a beautiful white dove next to him. An immortal one at that. He was like fresh fruit for their picking.

They landed before the city gates and crossed the large stone bridge to the door where a line of travelers; merchants, farmers and tourists, all lined up to enter past the guards at the large wooden doors.

Nie Asreal but a subconscious hand around Yi Lian's waist as they waited.

Yi Lian, "What's wrong Nie Asreal?" He asked softly.

Nie Asreal's frown immediately melted away. "Nothing Orchid. It's just that this city is not like Waters Edge or any city on The Island."

Yi Lian squinted. "How so?"

Nie Asreal pulled him a bit closer. "There are more regal folk lets say."

Yi Lian nodded but still didn't quite care. He was so powerful his mind itself never worried about such things like his own protection.

They got to the door. The guard was a tall, strong looking man with a tough upper lip. He wore dark red plated armor that had gashes all scratched into it. Nie Asreal peeked at his clipboard which the guard quickly pulled into his chest.

Guard, "Name and reason for visit."

Nie Asreal smiled mischievously. "No name. Cultivators."

The Guard tutted. "You'll have to tell me more than that."

Nie Asreal shrugged. "Traveling cultivators."

Guard, "I need a name."

Nie Asreal pretended to think. "Well my cultivation partner and I thought we'd just pop into the city see what we could find."

Yi Lian's eyes widened as he gulped. "Gods save me. Please." He thought. The Guard also seemed lost for words and just vaguely waved a hand for the door to open whilst he stared at them in a dream like state.

As they entered and got into the open dark street Yi Lian stepped away from him.

Yi Lian, "We could have simply told them our name!"

Nie Asreal shook his head. "No. We tell the a sect leaders here and a sect leaders son? They would have us escorted by fifty guards up to the palace. Come follow me."

Yi Lian scratched his head but followed next to him.

The streets were dim. The were only lit by the candle light inside the small stone houses on the edge of the street. Smoke flew from the chimneys. The washing was still outside drying to be picked up tomorrow. Everything held a feeling of stillness, even sour smell and chilly air stayed consistent. Not that Yi Lian felt the cold anyway. He either felt normal or hot. He hadn't felt cold since he was young.

They continued down the street. Occasionally hearing the odd chatter from an open window but mostly it was just them and their footsteps.

Nie Asreal took a harsh turn down an alleyway.

Yi Lian stopped. "Are you sure that's the right way?"

Nie Asreal nodded and walked back to him. "Yes trust me."

He held out a hand which Yi Lian took. "I guess if we're cultivation partners I must mustn't I?"

Nie Asreal guided him and put a hand to his heart. "Did Sect Leader Yi just make a sarcastic joke? This day must be special, or maybe I am the special one?"

Yi LIan chuckled, "I take it back now."

Nie Asreal pulled him closer. "Nope. Can't go back now- ah here we are."

They came to rickety door almost falling from it's hinges… or maybe the door frame was going to collapse first?

Nie Asreal knocked on the door in a drunken manner.

A raspy voice emerged. "Who is it?"

Nie Asreal, "Someone special."

Yi Lian rolled his eyes and smiled.

Door, "Second Master Nie is that you?��

Nie Asreal kicked at the door. "I told you not to call me that it's gross."

Door, "Okay! Alright, just don't break the door again damn cultivator."