Chapter 117: Unexpected gains.

Chapter 117: Unexpected gains.This was the first time anyone had ever said they’ll think about Xie Wuking’s demand. He was always careful to choose people with no backing, and the usual responses were either immediate submission or refusal, which was followed by a beating during the challenge.

Bullies didn’t manage to process Lee’s words, when he already limped inside and closed the door behind him. He didn’t lie – he was dead tired and the pain in his leg was excruciating. Normally it would’ve been healed by now, but him getting carried and then shaken in the wagon didn’t allow the water spark to fix the leg on its own.

His new room wasn’t big, nevertheless, he barely made it to his bed and immediately passed out. It looked like the next day was going to be as exhausting.

***

Maybe it was because of the rich air, but Lee woke up with the sunrise fully rejuvenated. Even though he had seen sun climbing over mountains or treetops during the conquests, he missed the sight greatly and enjoyed while limping towards the inner sect.

He was in a good mood and felt fresh after washing himself, although his old and stinky clothing was the first thing he intended to change.

The bullies were probably still sleeping, but he figured it was a good idea to pretend to be weaker than he actually was. No one didn’t need to know of his abilities.

The only two things he had with him was the branch Xiao Lian found him and the waterskin bag. Lee grabbed it along purely out of habit – after spending a year in Ashland it had almost become a part of him.

The inner sect, as expected, was located in the center of the Nethermoon sect, surrounded by outer sect’s districts. The center was similarly separated in nine parts, but it wasn’t as obvious. In fact, the place resembled a large park with giant trees, towering to the sky, soft grass everywhere and neat pavilions, probably to hide from the eyes of the onlookers.

Lee, obviously, stood out here, but to the few lofty-looking sect members who arrogantly requested to explain his presence, he showed the token he got yesterday and asked for directions to Chi Yanzhen’s and Li Hanchen’s places.

Turns out the inner disciples led completely different lives compared to regular people. While Lee’s room was considered to be very desirable, the so called senior brothers each had a small villa for themselves.



The two guys lived like kings. Well, in some aspects – like queens, if one took into account the mirrors in the bedroom with hair brushes arranged as if those were weapons and wardrobes full of colorful robes.

But Lee didn’t intend to judge. With how strong the two were, they could do anything they wanted. More importantly, every world had its own traditions and it would be for the best if Lee could blend in more.

After superficially inspecting the two villas, he realized there was nothing really to clean. Moreover, he couldn’t understand what the fuss was about. Why would the kid from yesterday make trouble to become a cleaning lady around here?

With nothing better to do, Lee sat down in the middle of the living room. There was nothing better to do than to meditate, but, purely out of habit, he picked up the waterskin bag and raised it to his mouth intending to eat the disgusting Ashland stew.

He laughed involuntarily upon noticing his own action. Not only there was no stew, the waterskin was made into an actual bag.

Then he remembered he threw the empty bag he stole from Lunax’s place inside and pulled it out to verify whether he really lost everything while on the run. And then he froze in shock.

The bag looked droopy and lacked substance, clearly indicating it was empty. But when Lee put in his hand to verify that it was really so, he could clearly touch all the items he threw in there!

It didn’t make any sense, and he still couldn’t believe his eyes, when one after another he pulled out the large wooden box covered in the strange markings, pieces of clothing and even the gloves he wanted for himself.

"What the fuck?" Lee blurted out, pinching himself just in case.

It was generally accepted premise that the God Lunax had magic items in his vault, but this was a bit too much. Lee closed his eyes, took few deep breaths, but after opening them the items still lie in front of him.



"Crap!" He cursed.

There were a ton of items in the vault, but all he took was few pieces of clothing! What if there was a magic wallet that never ran out of money, or boots that gave wearer ability to fly, or ...

... Sigh ...

Well, he had what he had. For the blunder Lisa probably would’ve skinned him alive, but at least he got new clothes. They were gray linen shirt and trousers, and a cloak, but contrary to what he had on, they were clean.

After quickly assessing the situation, Lee ran out in the court yard, washed himself for the second time today, and wore the new clothes right after.

Then he went back in and put the box back in the bag, and it in the waterskin.

’Ok! Lee thought to himself, ’New plan. I need to make me a new bag to be able to hide this one more conveniently.’

He was slightly upset with himself for not looting more from Lunax’s place, but his gains were incredible nevertheless. Who knew how much such bag was worth. Of course, he was not going to find out – there was no way he would tell anyone he had such item.

On the second thought, if Lunax had one, there were surely more like these in this world. The people from this sect treated him like a young punk, it only could mean they were stronger and richer. Who knows what incredible items they owned.

All of the sudden Lee had the urge to visit Refining Hall and see what were the guys capable of crafting there.

He forced to calm himself down, though. The afternoon was probably going to be eventful, thus he meditated for the rest of the day, sitting right there, in the middle of Li Hanchen’s living room.



***

After having a meal in one of the outer sect’s canteens, Lee slowly proceeded back to his room while exploring the outer sect at the same time. As expected, the bunch of hooligans were there, waiting for him.

Trying to appear weak, Lee limped toward them, but this time there was no fooling them. The big guy, Xie Wuking, had a wooden plaque in his hand, and the moment Lee arrived, showed it in his face.

"Sign this or the challenge!" He said.

"I can’t read it." Lee calmly said. In Ashland the only people who knew how to read and write were the caretakers, and probably higher ups in the fortresses.

"You got to be kidding me! This country bumpkin wanted to steal my room!" The smaller guy next to him said, exasperated.

Lee glanced at him, and asked, "Who are you again?"

"So you’re a tough guy, huh?" Xie Wuking said, "Let’s see how tough you are! I hereby officially challenge you!"

"Oh?" Lee made a clueless expression, "Are you going to beat me up right here?"

"No! I’ll do it in the arena!" Xie Wuking said, punching his left palm with his right fist so hard, that the heavy thud it made forced to Lee realize his plan might’ve not been the best idea.

He decided to go through with it nevertheless.

"Lead the way!" He said.