“What, really?! Why would the Star Bound Continent come, they hadn’t when the Crown Prince coming of age was celebrated.”
“No idea, probably only a few know why, like the Emperor, it’s a mystery to everyone else.”
“I wonder what the second prince’s coming of age is going to be like.”
“Oh yeah that’s right, the age of fourteen is a significant milestone for the Emperor’s sons. They always throw a grandiose celebration then, which means the food and wine would be extremely top quality!”
“No, I’m not talking about that you greedy bastard, I’m talking about the fact that the coming of age celebration of the Imperial Family is usually meant to celebrate that person’s first steps on the path of cultivation and becoming an adult. But the second prince can’t cultivate, remember?”
“Oh, that's right.”
Xi Shen smiled wryly at that.
‘I guess I hadn’t thought about that fact. My previous birthdays weren’t celebrated on this scale. They were small and usually consist of mother and Ling’er. Maybe father and brother would send a gift or two but that was it. Oh and that woman would send someone to congratulate me, ugh, thinking about it now, that was more of an insult than anything. Fuck, I hate that witch, I absolutely don’t want to see her face. Maybe I should ditch the party after all.’
Thinking about the Empress, and his mother-in-law, Xi Shen’s mood instantly plummeted. The wine suddenly turned bitter as well.
As Xi Shen's mood became fowl, the conversation below continued.
“The second prince, despite not being able to cultivate, I have heard rumors of him becoming a Soul Cultivator. I admire him for not letting what people say about him get to his head, and instead he’s chosen to carve out a path of his own.”
“That’s true, I think if he had just given up like that he would have been truly deserving of his infamous titles. And despite what the common consensus thinks about Soul Cultivation, people are forgetting the undeniable talents of Lady Ying. With her zither, she stood on the same stage as the Celestial Academy's top geniuses at the time, bringing fame to the Divine Star Academy's Music Department. Didn’t the second prince have two Supreme grade attributes? Surely he’ll achieve a similar feat.”
“Yeah that’s right, for some reason I think everyone is forgetting that one crucial fact.”
“No, no one is forgetting about it, it’s just that without a Qi Cultivation to support that Soul Cultivation, he might succumb to old age. As we cultivate, years are added to our lifespans, but since he can’t cultivate before he makes any waves he might die prematurely. That’s why no one is taking him that seriously.”
In that group, the other men listening to the one who just spoke couldn’t help but agree with his words.
One of them then suddenly said, “I believe in the second prince, haven’t you heard the saying, a dying star is the one that shines the brightest?’ In his short time on this earth we might see something amazing happen from him, I don’t believe the second prince is less talented than the top talents in this generation.”
‘Eh?’
Xi Shen was quite surprised he had a few supporters among the populace. He hadn’t really paid attention to his reputation that closely, he just thought everyone view him as trash, even though none would dare openly say it.
Xi Shen can’t see the second floor from where he was, but he was sure more than a few people had shot that man amused or ridiculing looks for his words.
*Burp!*
Bai Xiaofung suddenly let out a loud burp that drew a few displeased gazes of people on this floor. Though upon seeing the Celestial Academy uniform they chose to ignore it.
Slumping back into his chair, Bai Xiaofung picked his teeth with a small bone.
Seeing the contentment on his face, Xi Shen chuckled in amusement.
Seeing Xi Shen’s reaction, Bai Xiaofung rose from his slumped position on the chair, and smiling embarrassingly he said, “Don’t fault me brother Shen, my love for food is as much as it is for alchemy, I can’t help it!”
Xi Shen did a shrugging gesture and then said, “I didn’t say anything, cultivation is repetitive and might become depressing even to the strong-willed if all they do is that, so finding new things to enjoy once in a while is good. However, I assume this meal was quite expensive and you ate several families' worth of food. Are you able to pay it all?”
Bai Xiaofung showed an unconcern expression when he heard Xi Shen’s question, he then said, “Don’t worry brother Shen, this restaurant is owned by a friend of mine's family.”
“Who’s your friend?”
A voice suddenly came from the stairs leading up to this floor. The voice was followed by the appearance of a well-dressed youth that had a sword strap to his waist.
He seemed to come from a wealthy upbringing while being pampered from all sides.
His face was scrunched up into an angry expression as he looked at Bai Xiaofung, but from the joking glint in his eyes, one could tell it wasn't for real.
“Brother Zen, how coincidental! I was just about to contact you to come and join us!”
While coming closer to their table, the young man kept up his facade as he said, “Join you? After you’ve already had your fill?”
Bai Xiaofung laughed a bit and responded, “Brother Zen, as a brother of mine we don’t see each other that often!”
Zen could no longer keep up his angry expression and his face broke out into a bitter smile.
“Brother Bai, you’re really shameless, didn’t you visit me here last week? You even left a large bill for me to pay for that time too.”
“Doesn't your family own this place? Why does the young master have to pay for a meal here?”
Sighing, Zen then said rather exasperated, “I told you, brother Bai, even though my Family owns this and other establishments in the City, and I’m the young master, I’m not exempt from paying for their services. If this continues brother Bai, I might really go broke.”
“Haha, I won’t anymore brother Zen, this is the last time.”
“Hmph, that's what you said the seven other last times.”
Zen had on an ugly expression as he said that.
Chuckling, Bai Xiaofung quickly change the subject and motioned to Xi Shen before saying, “Anyway, brother Zen, this is actually…”
However, before Bai Xiaofung could announce Xi Shen as the second prince, he interjected and said, “I’m Long Shen, a friend of brother Fung from the Academy. It’s nice to meet other people brother Fung is acquainted with.”
Bai Xiaofung was taken aback by that.
Xi Shen didn’t want to reveal his status if no one knew, he’ll never know what peace was in this city if he did.
Bowing with cupped fists towards Xi Shen, Zen said, “Greetings brother Long Shen, it’s my honor to meet a respected disciple of the Celestial Academy like yourself. Brother Bai seldom has any friends with him when he comes here.”
“What’s that’s supposed to mean?” Bai Xiaofung asked with an indignant expression.
Zen shot Bai Xiaofung a teasing gaze as he responded, “Brother Bai, you hardly have any friends since all you do is concoct pills and dig a hole in people’s pockets.”
“You…” Bai Xiaofung said angrily, but his expression quickly became bitter as he said, “...what’s with the personal attack?”
Seeing the close relationship between them, Xi Shen realized the two weren’t concerned about their different statuses. He should expect this from Bai Xiaofung, he wasn’t one to hold himself over others despite his high status compared to them. He was more humble than most people in his position.
“Haha, I’m just joking brother Bai, don’t feel so offended. But, I can’t help but asked brother Shen and asked," Zen suddenly turn to Xi Shen, "have we met before? You seem familiar somehow.”
‘Crap.’
“Ah, not that I know of.”
“Hm.”
Zen made a sound of agreement, but his expression showed that he was trying hard to recall where he had met or saw Xi Shen before.
Changing the subject, Xi Shen said, “How about we explore the City? It’s my first time here, it would be a waste if we just remain here chatting like this.”
“That’s a good idea brother Shen, I know a good place to visit next next, let’s go right now.”
Bia Xiaofung said getting up.
While Zen, after shooting a glare at him, took out a small storage bag which he handed to the waiter.
"Brother Long Shen I'll pay for yours as well."
"Hm, thanks."
With that, the group of three left the Pavilion. Bai Xiaofung along with Zen then began showing Xi Shen around the city.
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