Chapter 8: Strange Customs

But before Yu left, he asked the youth if he knew a few places that sold sweets. Of course, as he was someone who grew up in the City, he knew a few good places. Giving him directions to a few stores, Yu and Yaya expressed their gratitude as the two of them gave him a light bow.

With this, Yu and Yaya left the Guild building. But as they did, the whole lobby exploded in an uproar with topics to figure out who that youth is! Some even began to piece together the previous events a few weeks ago, wondering if Yu is that Saint Level Rogue expert!

Fortunately, Yu and Yaya have long left the area, headed towards one of the nearest stores the youth recommended. After a while, Yu and Yaya reached the front of the store, its exterior decorated with an orderly design that had a calm elegance to it that made it seem high class, mostly made of light colored wood as a large sign is hung outside.

“Mortal Pleasures… A very unusual name…” Yu whispered as he felt that this name was bit questionable.

“Mortal Pleasures? Weird!” Yaya who did not understand such things tilted her her cutely as she deemed the name of the store as being weird.

Going inside, he was pleasantly surprised, as the interior was as pleasing as the outside. Inside is a large assortment of cakes and sweets! The room was large as there were multiple chairs tables.

It seems like this place is more like a café back in my world.  Yu thought as he went to one of the tables, seating Yaya on one side before sitting next to her. Picking up the menu on the table to browse its collection of cakes.

Seeing this, Yaya imitated him as she picked up another menu, sadly, she cannot read a single character on it! Causing her cheeks to puff and her small mouth to pout.

“Welcome to Mortal Pleasures, oh my! What an adorable child!” A woman in her 20s exclaimed as she approached, dressed in a light blue colored uniform, giving her a gentle and easy to approach aura.

“Big sister is pretty!” Yaya cheered up as she greeted her with a wide and heart-warming smile, causing the woman to smile even brighter.

“Aww! Thank you. Now, how may I help you today sir?” The woman politely asked Yu who she assumed to be her guardian. After all, looking at the two of them from an outsider’s perspective, Yu and Yaya look nothing alike! One was like an angel that descended from heaven, the other was an above average male with looks that are at most a 6.5/10 in most women’s eyes.

“Can you recommend something that’s light but tastes good?” Yu asked as he’s visited many places like these in the past.

“Hmmm, oh! Then I suggest that you try our Heart Plum Shortcake.” The woman suggested as she pointed towards one of the items in the menu.

5 gold per slice. Expensive, but oh well. Yu wasn’t picky as he asked for two servings as well as a cold cup of orange juice along with a cup of Yin Jasmine Tea. Yu has tasted Jasmine tea in the past and found it to be alright, but upon seeing the word Yin added to it, Yu showed great interest as he ordered one right away, wanting to experience another of this world’s unique flavors.

“Yaya, are you good with a slice of Heart Plum Short Cake?” Yu asked.

“Un! Papa! I want! I want!” Yaya exclaimed as she nodded her head, growing more excited as she did.

“Eh?!” The woman released a surprised cry that was heard by Yu.

“Is something wrong?” Yu asked, seeing the shock on her face, he thought that there was trouble nearby as he grew increasingly vigilant to his surroundings! His eyes grew sharp and facial expression became serious, making him somewhat more handsome.

But the woman grew even more depressed when she saw Yu’s expression change as her face grew pale! Large beads of sweat started flowing from her forehead as her knees started shaking. He got mad! I’m done for!

After all, Yu didn’t flinch at the price of the cake he just ordered and along with that he picked one of the most expensive teas in the cafe, his pockets must be immensely deep! Not just that, but his daughter is too beautiful! With these two facts alone, she assumed that he must be a big shot young master from one of the major clans, causing her to sweat profusely as she believes that she must’ve offended him!

“Ah… it’s nothing... I didn’t think that this girl was sir’s daughter.” The woman did her best as she awkwardly replied, changing her evaluation of Yu in the process.

Realizing that it was a misunderstanding, his face calmed as he awkwardly smiled, giving out a hollow laugh as he said: “Ha hah… I get that a lot...”

Seeing his expression, the woman’s complexion grew better, but she was still fearful as she bowed while explained herself: “My apologies sir! Forgive me if I have offended you!” 

This made a few of the surrounding customers glance over. Seeing Yaya, this adorable child, caused them to smile uncontrollably, but after glancing at Yu who was beside her, their thoughts start to wonder. 

It should be his first time here yet he managed to make Liu Feng apologize in fear! He must be the young master of one hell of a powerful family! Evil and arrogant! But that he doesn’t look familiar at all…. they thought but decided not to continue. After all, delving too deeply with these enigmatic figures will bring nothing but trouble!

Yaya who was has been watching this whole time finally spoke: “Did big sister do anything wrong papa?”

Hearing the adorable child call Yu her father, the surrounding customers wore expressions of shock! As Yu started to become sensitive to these things, a vein appeared on his forehead as he grew a bit annoyed, but disregarded them in the end as he calmed down.

“No, it was just a misunderstanding, right miss?” Yu said as he gave a gentle smile, trying to ease the situation.

The woman did not reply, instead, she violently shook her head up and down. This caused Yaya to be confused, but seeing her father’s gentle smile, she thought nothing of it.

Reconfirming their order, the woman left hastily.

The total amount he had to spent was 23 gold, as the Yin Jasmine Tea cost 10 gold! But Yu didn’t mind, as when he looked into the bag that contained his rewards, he was surprised to find that it was a spatial bag! One should know that these things are expensive! Giving them out just like that means that the reward he obtained was no joke! Even Yu could figure that out!

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And he was right, after looking inside, he estimated that the amount of gold inside easily amounted to a few dozen thousands! Rich! He’s filthy rich! Fortunately, Yu was someone who did not enjoy wantonly spending just because he can.

Unfortunately, he just did! One should also know that spending 23 gold on a small meal is seen as absurd in the eyes of the populace! As 23 gold is enough for a small family to live for three months at ease in Nantian City! Keep in mind that Nantian City is one of the largest cities in the Divine continent! The living cost here is quite expensive!

He placed the spatial bag back into his sling bag as the two waited for their cake.

“Excited?” Yu asked Yaya who sat beside him.

“Un! I want to see what delicious sweets are!” Yaya exclaimed as her eyes sparkled brightly.

“Ha ha, I haven’t had a cake in a while, so this one should be good.” Yu smiled as he said.

“Cake?” Yaya asked.

“Yep, cake. It’s a kind of delicious sweet!” Yu explained!

“It must be good then!” Yaya exclaimed as her imagination ran wild! Imagining what these cakes looked like. Seeing this, Yu could not help but rub her little head, making her comfortable as she wore a relaxed smile on her small face and leaked out a small laugh.

“Hehehe~”

The other customers could not help but smile after seeing such a heart-warming scene, dismissing their original image of Yu as being an arrogant young master in their hearts, replacing it with the figure of a caring father.

A short while after, the woman returned with a tray in hand, placing down two plates that had a Heart Plum Shortcake on each as well as placing their drink on the table. Bowing lightly, the woman left, leaving Yu and Yaya be.

“Oooh! Pretty!” Yaya exclaimed as she admired her cake.

Yu nodded as well in agreement. The slices of cake were nearly pure white! On top of each slice were three cuts of a pink colored transparent fruit, making it look like a fine piece of art.

As much as he wanted to continue admiring the cake, Yu grabbed a fork, pressing it on a cake as he grabbed a piece with it, placing it in his mouth.

“Delicious!” Yu said as he was pleasantly surprised! This was simply one of the best cakes he’s had!

Yaya saw what Yu did and got curious! Imitating what him as she grabbed a fork and clumsily placed a piece of the cake in her mouth.

“Mmm!” Her eyes widen in joy as she shrieked with her mouth closed in delight as she tasted the cake. Seeing her adorable reaction, the surrounding customers, as well as the woman from before, could not help but smile.

Truly, the power of a child’s smile contains a destructive punch to the heart of the masses!

But as her hands were clumsy, a few of the cake’s frosting were left the corners of her mouth and cheeks, enhancing her cuteness by ten folds as she quickly shoved more of the cake into her mouth.

Seeing this, he put his fork down as he wiped the frosting off her face with the corner of his sleeves before warmly saying: “Hey hey, eat slower, the cake won’t run away you know?”

“Okay!” She replied with a giggle, but her hands did not slow down at all!

Rolling his eyes as Yu wore a satisfied smile, he called the over the woman from before, asking for another serving for Yaya, as one didn’t seem like it will be enough for this expensive cake eating monster!

As Yaya thoroughly enjoyed the slices of cake, Yu slowly ate his as he appreciated the cup of Yin Jasmine Tea. The tea had a strange transparency to it despite being nearly pitch black, not only that, but it seemed to swirl by itself even without Yu’s help. Its fragrance was wonderful! Much more potent than the 5 Petal Blooming Flower Tea! As for the taste, Yu was thoroughly satisfied as it was similar to earth’s Jasmine Tea yet it was not!

It was hot when it first got served, yet when Yu drank it, he felt the warm tea become a cool and refreshing liquid that washed down his throat as it entered his stomach, further spreading a cool and refreshing feeling throughout his body. He ate the rest of his cake as he gradually sipped his tea, watching over Yaya who was greatly overjoyed with the cakes she ate.

In the end, Yaya ended up devouring three servings of the cake, increasing the amount of gold he had to pay. But he did not complain as he could see Yaya’s very satisfied appearance, making him satisfied as well. Maybe it was his fatherly instincts finally starting kicking in?

The two left the store, exploring more of the city before.

“Now then, I need to pick up my identification stone and make you one as well, Yaya.” Yu said.

“Okay!” Yaya replied obediently.

With that, the two headed for the City hall, asking for directions along the way and with the help of Yaya’s charming figure, the citizens were happy to their lend help.

As they went on their way, a familiar figure came into view.

Wearing a beautiful set of clean white robes, his long black hair tied to the back of his head as his blue eyes were calm and serene. Xiamen Ru! The famous young master of the city hall! He appeared to be talking to someone to his right, and eventually, his figure was revealed!

A tall male with a fierce appearance! Wearing a fierce set of red robes, contradicting his face which had an expression of calmness. Meng Batien! He appeared with Xiamen Ru as the two happily chatted, making them the center of attention on the street they walked.

“To think that the two families would form an alliance just like that! I still could not believe it!” A young man exclaimed quietly.

“Indeed, but this is good no? Two of the greatest families joining together! Nantian City will become more and more prosperous in the coming years once these two eldest sons take over their respective clans.” A much older man replied to the youth as the two of them glanced at the two young masters.

“It was thanks to that Saint Stage expert who straightened their attitudes! I was there at the time and I have to tell you! That expert sent shivers down everyone’s spine! Domineering yet gentle like a spring breeze before the fierce storm! Worthy of being Saint Stage expert!” A woman exclaimed as the memory from a few weeks ago was still fresh in her mind! Showing just how breathtaking the scene was!

 “I heard that he easily blocked Meng Batien’s polearm with ease! Without using the slightest bit of Aura!” The young man added.

“If only I was there to witness it, you don’t get to see a Saint Stage Expert every day after all.” The much older man said as he let out a sigh.

“What did he look like anyways?” The young man asked the woman.

“Hmmm, his hair was relatively short, slightly messy but kept, his eyes were calm and gentle, and although his looks were just above average, the temperament he had was other worldly!” The woman exclaimed as she exaggerated a bit.

“Like that youth?” The young man from before asks as he points towards Yu and Yaya who were calmly strolling along the streets. His exclamation made quite a few heads turn as they glanced at Yu and Yaya.

“Yes! Exactly like that you-... eh?!” The woman exclaimed as she pointed her finger at father and daughter duo as well, causing more heads to turn towards them.

“Eh?” Yu exclaimed, confused as to why he was suddenly pointed at.

Yaya was no different as she cutely tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s the Saint Stage expert….” The woman whispered silently losing all her strength as she slumped down, her whole body limp as she realized that she’s just pointed her finger at a Saint Stage expert! Although her voice was quiet, it was like a nuclear explosion in everyone’s mind! Causing the young man who was the first to point his finger to have an expression that looked as if his soul left his body, entering the Sea of Souls as it did. Even Xiamen Ru and Meng Batien who noticed the commotion was thoroughly shocked!

It’s him! It’s the Saint Stage expert! They exclaimed in their hearts at the same time, large beads of sweat trickling down their foreheads.

Silence! The whole street became so silent that you could hear the beat of your own heart! Everybody on the street who saw and heard became as stiff as a log as they’ve realized that even Xiamen Ru and Meng Batien’s faces showed fear!

He truly is the Saint Stage expert!!! The surrounding people thought as they feared for their insignificant lives!

The father and daughter pair who all of a sudden became the center of attention became thoroughly confused.

“Papa, why did those two point their finger at you?” Yaya asked as she was still confused.

“I don’t know…” Yu answered, unable to explain why they got pointed at.

“Ehh? Then why are they quiet? Did they get frozen by an Ice Spirit?” Yaya asked again.

“I’m not sure but I think it’s one of the many strange customs in this city.” Yu explained from his understanding.

“I see!” Yaya exclaimed as she nodded her head, appearing as if she connected the dots.

“Well, let’s leave them be, we still need to get you that identification stone.” Yu said as he left the street that had frozen over due to fear.