Chapter 47 - Demonstration

If we are gonna stay here shouldn't we build the place up a bit ? You know plant some crops.. make the place defensible .. Tom said.. So I can cultivate my seven way opposition art..

What kind of art is it ?

It cultivates dark energy.. Undead mostly..

That is strange.. You seem lively to me.. You claim to be wise and stuff... Do you have a manual ?

I do, but that's for myself.. Anyway, I've done some advances in it recently..

Larchen thought about for a while.. I think we should move on. This place isn't exactly a no man's land. It would be better for us to mix in to the crowd, otherwise we'll be surely discovered. But we can stay and grow some crops.. while you cultivate, then we'll go and sell them as posing as traders..

Tom sighed.. Where are we going to go ? To border ?

Yes.. Let's get to work.

...

Tom and Larchen were sitting in the yard in front of the house, arguing about random things..

You really slept with that smoking babe Fowliang.. I see a few images of her in this body.. Tom said. I can't believe it, you are practically a homeless person..

Yes, but it is more difficult to get rid of me, than getting rid of God. Don't you think that's a strength ?

Anyway, is she a religious one ?

No, more like.. a crazy capitalist..

So, you should find her a gift good enough.. so she would forgive you for leaving abruptly.

Anyway, i've spoke to some locals, there are a few ships taking off from here to border towns south east. A new one will sail in a few weeks, I've talked about our crops and other harvest, so they didn't oppose to us traveling on the ship.

Well, they believed it, you mean ..

Whom else would travel with more than a few stacks of crops and farm materials to the unknown end of nowhere other than traders ?
I doubt they suspected anything.

Anyway, we should still somehow change our appearances as much as we can, and stay in those permanently.. That includes the actions that are unlike our usual selves..

....

Larchen and Tom set up a spices tall, in front of the harbor of the small town. The ship was about to take off in a few days. Larchen shoved a stalk of garlic out of his way.

A few sailors were arguing on the harbor about something. Looked like situation were about to turn violent.

Tom was really busy selling stuff.. For some reason, their harvest was liked by the town folk, and business were good. Hey Weng Xi, help me out will you ? He shouted, there are a lot of customers.. Weng Xi was Larchen's fake name while they were travelling or in public, Tom didn't really need one.. He looked like a middle aged woman, with a lot of fat.. He made a few cosmetic changes to eldresses' body.. so she could pass as a normal farmer.

More people came out of the nearby restaurant, joining the argument.

We don't have any drugs.. nor we carry them.. okay ? A ranking sailor said.

If you were.. of course there would be punishment by law.. A thug answered. We know you do carry them... no need to deny it. When we find it you'll go to jail..

The sailor made an insulting hand gesture, then he swung his arm. Six or seven of the thugs were flown away, they were knocked down. The sailor knew a bit of a martial arts.. They looked at him with shock, while they were scattered on the grass. Some people were recording the fight with a few recording stones. Larchen were in shock, his invention even reached to this distant remote place.. How much his publishers really stole from him.. ?

Of course, we are willing to make bigger orders.. Tom said to a customer. I'm glad you liked our products.. Some of our items are specialty items, they have no other.. They are also good for spirit cultivation.

Just then, some military guards walked in an orderly manner.. As two sides were looking at each. Their shiny armors reflected the light in people's eyes, as the sound of boots echoed in the market.

Do you have some turnip sauce ? A customer asked..

We do.. I'll make you a discount... since you are so nice.. Tom was really getting in the spirit.. He probably was feeling very alone after he left his village.

We've some good dinner items, buy a lot of them at once, since we'll be leaving soon..

More customers curiously were examining their stall..These northern produce is very well grown, and heartily made. Tom was making up nonsensical things as he went on... They are maintained in a rich spirit garden..

Larchen looked at the fight growing, with soldiers marching in.. To him, it looked like the situation in town itself was bad. Everyone had their lives' purpose, when you were away, one only thought of these places as un important little Npcs.. But with purpose, came the conflict. The managers were trying to calm the situation down.. But it was likely to get out of hand, Larchen thought.

The sky were clear as the coast line stretched on both ends of the town's western edge. On the other side north, there was a big building, which was the town school. It provided middle and high education, as much as it went these days..

Leadership were getting involved in the conflict now.. As people shouted at each, as soldiers tried to hold down the crowd.

Larchen felt.. guilty in his heart. When he ignored others, it created unhappiness, people hated each other.. people became obsessed with the thought of freedom. Fowliang probably could figure these things out, while he couldn't, he learned better by example.

Anyway, we've done good business Tom said. Let's go eat.. I'm hungry. What's going on over there ?

Nothing, Larchen said.. As he left quietly with Tom.

...

Welcome, our restaurant is recommended by all townsfolk, and its service is top notch quality. Welcome, I'll show you a table, a middle aged woman said, in exaggerated gestures..

As they were seated, a waiter came.. What will it be ?

What can you tell me about the disturbance in the harbor ? Larchen asked..

Oh that ? Well, there were an internal tax applied recently to all businesses in town. Some left and others paid it.. It made everyone on edge.. If you ask me, the elitism is destroying this town..

A lot of dishes were on the table as they ate in peace..

Oh damn this is good, Larchen looked at the table..

I'm so hungry.. Tom took a slice of bread.. attacking other dishes..

This area were called creation province. Many shady businesses also went on in this place.. From time to time, there were crack downs on the crime.. The academy provided succor to the 'uneducated' masses who wanted to get knowledgable about the world.

As they got out of the restaurant, the disturbance had moved to academy entrance.. protesters were pushing on the stairs while the soldiers were trying to prevent them from getting in.

A lady who were quite young, passed by them, as her eyes crossed Larchen's for a moment in slow motion, she went on as she kept looking at him, then turned her head in front. She was one of those lively types, who were so graceful and athletic at the same time. Larchen could tell she was a social one, and had a sisterly attitude. It was as if, the energy in her cheek was the same spring in her step, and her heart were generous but also her thoughts weren't exactly strictly pure. Her genetic features were shockingly good too for this remote town..


Make way.. make way.. An academician with his robe hanging from his hands came out of the academy, with his entourage in similar fashion.

As someone tried to grab them, they shot a magic missile, making the protested crash landing across the wooden boxes and carriages. All hell broke loose.