CHAPTER 13: Journey Alone

Since Lang Yu wasn't focused on him his flushed face still turned away, clearly caught up in whatever fantasy he'd built in his mind. Lui Ming didn't hesitate.

He turned and left.

Quietly at first, then faster, until he was practically jogging out of the alley.

By the time he reached the end, he stopped. The stone under his feet felt colder here, the open street empty and silent at this hour.

His hands clenched at his sides. His brows furrowed deeply.

I don't have a reason to follow Mu Lingfeng..and not giving a reason would arouse suspicion 

And from that exchange just now, the weight in Mu Lingfeng's tone, to the warning buried under polite words

Something bad is going to happen in this city.

Lui Ming exhaled sharply, jaw tight, and muttered, "Tch… how annoying."

Behind him, slow footsteps approached.

He turned just enough to glance over his shoulder.

Lang Yu had emerged from the alley, still covering part of his face with his sleeve. His head was lowered slightly, avoiding Lui Ming's eyes, and he walked like someone unsure if they were allowed to get closer.

Lui Ming said nothing. He wasn't sure what Lang Yu was about to say, and frankly, he didn't want to hear it. Just now his conscious told him to get out of there

Lang Yu finally stopped a few steps away, looking like he wanted to speak—but his mouth opened, then closed again.

The silence stretched uncomfortably.

Lui Ming couldn't take it anymore.

He spoke first, flatly. "Hey, about that rat powder business."

Lang Yu blinked, caught off guard.

"Since I wasn't around much," Lui Ming continued, keeping his voice even, "how much did it actually make?"

Lang Yu looked stunned. "What…?"

"You spoke like it made you rich," Lui Ming said, folding his arms. "So? How much?"

There was no emotion behind the question. No teasing. No smile.

Just cold detachment.

Lang Yu's flushed expression stiffened. "…Enough," he muttered under his breath. "It made enough."

"Good," Lui Ming said curtly. He turned his back on Lang Yu again, adding as he began to walk off

Lang Yu stared at his retreating back, lips slightly parted. He hadn't expected that.

Lang Yu stared at Lui Ming's back for a long second… then hurried after him.

He caught up quickly, falling into step beside him. For a while, the two walked in relative silence—well, mostly silence.

Lang Yu talked.

A lot.

Random things: how the market was unusually quiet that day, a strange dog he saw chasing its own tail, and a passing complaint about how difficult it was to find proper sleeping incense that didn't smell like rotten fruit.

Lui Ming just nodded. Sometimes he gave a hum of acknowledgment. That was it.

Lang Yu didn't seem to mind.

Eventually, they arrived at a crooked old storefront tucked into the corner of a narrow lane. The sign above read: **"Boa's Odd Goods – Honest Wares, No Refunds."**

Uncle Boa, a wiry man with eyebrows that moved more than his mouth, greeted them with a grunt.

Lang Yu chatted with him like an old friend. Lui Ming stood a little behind, quiet, listening closely. Watching.

Not long after, Uncle Boa reached under the counter and brought out a small, worn-looking pouch. He handed it to Lang Yu with a nod.

Lang Yu accepted it, turned, and walked over to Lui Ming.

"Here," he said, holding the pouch out, "This is your half."

Lui Ming blinked at it. He took the pouch, opened it, and looked inside.

One gold.

Three silver.

He stared at it for a beat.

If his memory served him right and it wasn't guaranteed because frankly, this world's economy still confused the hell out of him one gold should feed a person for a year. Right?

And three silver? A few months?

Plus the two silver he'd received when they first sold the rat poison… which meant…

That meant…

Welp. He still didn't know.

He hadn't fully figured out the currency system in this world. It was all a bit vague. But hey one gold had to be worth a lot, right?

It's good to be optimistic once in a while.

"Thanks," Lui Ming said, tucking the pouch into his sleeve. "You too, Uncle Boa."

Lang Yu opened his mouth like he wanted to say something—maybe to ask where Lui Ming was going, or if he needed company but stopped himself.

He looked at Lui Ming's face and could already guess the answer.

So he just sighed softly, and watched as Lui Ming walked off.

Only when Lui Ming's figure had disappeared completely into the distance did Uncle Boa break the silence.

"…For a man, he sure has a fine-looking ass."

Lang Yu froze. His brain stuttered. And then, without thinking, he muttered under his breath,

"…And a soft-looking one at that."

The realization hit him three seconds later.

His face flared red as he spun toward Uncle Boa.

"You perverted bastard look away!"

Uncle Boa just smirked and walked back into his shop, whistling.

—

Meanwhile, Lui Ming was already halfway down the street.

He'd been heading toward the house but at the last second, his feet turned sharply and took him toward the market.

He had things to buy.

Things for travel.

Mu Lingfeng's words echoed in his head.

> "I told you to leave this city."

He hadn't been talking to Lui Ming but the warning was clear.

Something was going to happen here. And Lui Ming? He didn't want to be caught in it.

Besides… he didn't think there was any point chasing Mu Lingfeng anymore. The man was cold steel wrapped in silk, and Lui Ming had already missed the one moment that might've meant something.

No point in crossing paths if you're only going to be discarded.

So, he would leave.

Become a wandering cultivator.

At the very least, he could learn more about this world, get stronger, and run when the next disaster came without looking back.

He moved quickly, buying what he needed: a plain travel bag, a week's worth of dry food, a basic water talisman, a metalic hand fan , two spare sets of clothes, and shoes. All practical. All quiet in color. He wasn't trying to stand out.

The total came to two silver, which was disappointing.

He had half-expected silver to stretch a bit more.

But then again, this was his first time shopping in a market. Ever.

He bought a simple map too. Folded it neatly. Tucked it into his sleeve.

And without hesitation, Lui Ming walked straight toward the city gates out into the unknown.

Only one goal in mind:

Survive.