Second Realm

by Michael Chatfield

  Chiang Luo’s eyebrows pinched together before disappearing. If I’m not wrong, that is the head’s own personal blend of three forms of the lotus tea. Just a single tea is worth thirty gold. He’s offering him a whole box—that is worth over a hundred and twenty gold! Who is this man?

  “Thank you. I might have to take some but I don’t think that my skills will be as good as yours,” Erik said with an easy smile.

  “If you were willing to come and work with the Blue Lotus, then you would be able to have it brewed every day.” Hiao Xen smiled.

  “You and Su Wei are the same.” Erik laughed. “I’m not ready for it at this time but don’t worry—I remember who my friends are.”

  Xen bowed to Master West slightly before turning once again to Fairy Luo.

  He must be some powerful person to be able to get Head Xen to react this way.

  “Master West, this is the granddaughter of the forefather looking over the Luo family, Chiang Luo,” Hiao Xen said.

  “Good to meet you. I heard that your grandfather is sick. What are his symptoms?” Erik asked.

  Chiang Luo wanted to refute him and tell him to mind his own business with the casual manner he asked about her grandfather’s health. She remembered the respect that Hiao Xen showed him; he had called him Master. She couldn’t understand what he was a Master of with his rough appearance, looking as though he had just trekked across the desert.

  “He is short of breath. The energy of his body is sapped from him. Other than this, many great and powerful people have visited him but none of them have found a cure for his illness,” she said.

  Master West fell silent, looking as if he were in thought.

  “Head Hiao Xen, I have come today to look for someone who can heal my grandfather. All of my resources have been spent, so now I only have one remaining.” Chiang Luo’s cheeks reddened as Hiao Xen’s expression turned solemn.

  “What is your last resource?” he asked, his voice serious.

  Master West also looked to her in interest.

  “My purity,” Chiang said, unable to look at the two men.

  Hiao Xen let out a deep breath, as if sorry to hear this.

  “I will give up my purity to the person who is able to heal my grandfather,” she said, her voice becoming stronger.

  Now that the words were out there, there was no taking them back.

  “You said that your grandfather is the leader of your family?” Master West asked.

  “Yes,” Chiang Luo said.

  “Do you have any mysterious Alchemy concoctions?” Erik asked.

  “My father was interested in Alchemy and bought these different items. The family thought that they were useless. After he died, I took responsibility for them,” Chiang Luo said.

  “Good,” Erik said with a smile before he looked at Hiao Xen. “Head Xen, would it be possible to get a map of the city and the surrounding area? I have not been here long but I am interested to explore this city and what lays beyond it.”

  “Certainly.” Head Xen sent out a sound transmission. A few moments later, someone appeared with a map and passed it to Xen, who passed it to Erik.

  “How much do I owe you?” Erik asked.

  “Take this as a gesture of thanks for coming to the Blue Lotus to sell your goods,” Hiao Xen said.

  “You spoil me too much.” Erik drank the last of the tea and accepted the map from Hiao Xen.

  “There will be an auction in nine days, if you are interested in attending or wish to put up any goods for sale. Though I don’t know if the people of the Second Realm will be able to buy your goods,” Hiao Xen said.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Erik said.

  “There is also the factor of other sales.” Hiao Xen hinted at something with his eyes.

  “Has it yet reached the level of a Mana stone?” Erik’s voice dipped low.

  “It is close,” Hiao Xen said. Reading Master West’s body language, he smiled. “I will be here. I see the interest in your eyes and I will not step in your way. When you return, I would be happy to host you at my home and go over further business dealings.”

  “Thank you, Hiao Xen, for your thoughtfulness.” Master West stood and bowed to Hiao Xen, who quickly responded in kind to the bow.

  “I will need a peaceful place to work and make some items for the upcoming auction,” Erik said.

  “I will see to it personally.” Hiao Xen smiled and looked to Chiang Luo. “Your father was a good friend to me and we shared many drinks in the past. I cannot do much with my position but know that you and your mother have a place with my family if you so need.”

  Chiang Luo bowed deeply, her eyes becoming wet at the depth found in Hiao Xen’s eyes. “I know that my father’s soul is at rest and would thank you deeply,” she said with a shaky voice.

  “Chiang Luo, would you guide me to your grandfather? I would like to see if it is possible to heal him.”

  Chiang Luo, a bit stunned by the events that had happened, could only nod her head.

  “Very well. Manager Xen, until we meet again.” Erik cupped his hands and bowed to Hiao Xen, who went even a bit lower than Erik.

  “I wish you good travels!”

  ***

  Chiang Luo and Erik boarded a carriage and headed for the Luo family estate. Erik pulled out the map Hiao Xen had given him and pressed it together with the Ten Realms map he had gained from completing the Welcome to the Ten Realms quest.

  There was a flash of light as the maps combined.

  Erik pulled out different ingredients and tasted them. He didn’t realize it but his mind was automatically categorizing the different ingredients, drawing from the information that he had already stored up.

  Only if it was a complicated ingredient or concoction he had tested would he have to think on them.

  “Root plant, high Experience gain, but then there is also properties to nurse one’s bones and increase Mana affinity,” Erik muttered.

  A noise went off in his head as another notification appeared.

  ==========

  You have found out all of the effects of an ingredient. Your information on the ingredient increases and you are rewarded with a name.

  Mana-festation root.

  ==========

  “That was a horrible pun. Reminds me of that comms guy Krout. I swear, he created puns just by talking,” Erik complained with a soft smile, filled with memories.

  Chiang Luo continued to look out of the carriage as Erik tasted another ingredient, increasing his knowledge.

  As he learned more about the ingredients, based off his previous knowledge he was starting to build up a plan of what he could make from the different items.

  “If I was to use cheaper substitutes or common ingredients that would work better, take more prep but then for the work, the Ten Realms should reward me more, right?” Erik said hopefully, looking up at the ceiling of the carriage as if talking to the Ten Realms itself.

  Why do I have the feeling that the Ten Realms just scoffed at me? Well, I’ll just have to test it out!

  They crossed through the gate into the Luo family estate.

  Erik looked up. Through the windows, he was able to look upon the estate. He let out a whistle as he saw the beautiful sculptured estate.

  People were talking with one another and wandering about. Others were practicing their fighting skills under various Masters in different training areas. Guards marched up and down the paths in their dominating silver and sand-colored armor.

  Houses away from the roads made up their own domains, separate from the hustle and bustle of life.

  “Now this is an estate,” Erik said, looking it over.

  “Have you not seen an estate like this before?” Fairy Luo asked, immediately closing her mouth as a red flush appeared on her cheeks.

  She hadn’t said anything all trip but rather looked out of the window with a forlorn expression. Even now she didn
’t look at Erik but continued to look outside of the carriage.

  It didn’t look as if she had returned home; if anything, her expression was even more guarded than it had been in the Blue Lotus.

  “Nope,” Erik said simply.

  Chiang Luo’s face went through a number of different emotions.

  Erik didn’t pay it any attention as he continued to look over the estate.

  Sometime later, the carriage stopped. A guard opened the door for them both.

  “Fairy Luo, I was wondering when my dearest cousin might return!” A young man’s voice crossed the air.

  Erik stepped out of the carriage and saw a rounder-looking man, his eyes filled with lust as he looked over Fairy Luo.

  “Cousin Hong, don’t you have other matters to attend to than greeting me?” Fairy Luo said, her voice icy.

  “Cousin Luo, you do me an injustice! I am here to attend a meeting coordinated by the elders.” A smile filled with hidden meaning appeared on Hong’s face.

  Fairy Luo stiffened with these words.

  Erik didn’t know the man but the clear way he stared at Fairy Luo as if she were nothing more than an object made him frown and think about smacking him a little.

  He had worked with a number of women in different wars and battles. They were no weaker than any man he had fought beside and seeing someone degrading Fairy Luo, who just wanted to heal her grandfather, made Erik feel protective.

  Not your fight. Just here to heal the old dude and get them concoctions.

  “Oh, who is this?” The fat man’s eyes fell on Erik, turning vicious in a second.

  “Oh, come on! I just got to this place and you’re angry at me because I was in a carriage with her? Big fucking whoop. Go and jerk off a few times, you sexually frustrated panda! Lady Luo, where’s your grandfather? I don’t have time to spend with idiots who think about nothing more than their dicks and pride.” Erik looked to Lady Luo.

  Yeah, way to keep a low profile. Dude had it coming. Too many guys thinking with their genitals instead of brains! Maybe that Ekeem kid did piss me off.

  His words had come out so fast, surprising people, that none of them had time to say anything.

  “Y—you!” Hong started, his mass shaking in anger as veins appeared on his head.

  “Christ, boy. You look like a half-finished Jell-O, shaking all over the place. Watch out or else you’ll blow a blood vessel,” Erik said in a professional tone.

  Hong was reduced to sputtering as the people around him moved forward.

  “How dare you insult our young master!” one yelled out.

  “He’s your young master? Then maybe you can put that cock holster of yours to work. Seems that all he wants is to stick it in something.” Erik made an overly shocked expression, covering his mouth. “Oh! I didn’t realize you were all part of the same handsie, pandsie lemon fucking squeezy butter tart club! Well, use lube, guys! Lady Luo, we’ve got places to see, people to heal and all that.”

  Erik started walking forward. Fairy Luo quickly moved to catch up with Erik.

  “That was not the best idea,” Luo said once she was close enough to Erik that she didn’t need to shout.

  “Eh, kid’s a perv—should keep it in his pants.” Erik shrugged.

  “He’s eighty-seven years old,” Fairy Luo said.

  “Huh. Old pervert then,” Erik amended. This whole not aging shit or aging really slowly is going to be a pain in the ass.

  “He is the strongest applicant to the position of clan leader,” Luo said, her words harsh.

  “Well, if he’s going to be the next leader, then I don’t think that your family is going to stay on top for very long,” Erik said.

  Fairy Luo didn’t say anything, moving a bit ahead to lead him through the estate.

  The guards ranged in strength from level thirteen to level nineteen so far. The clans that ruled Taeman weren’t as powerful as the Blue Lotus and could entice people away from ascending and instead have them help in maintaining their strength.

  Lady Luo led Erik to a large building. All kinds of people moved around the building and guards were posted all around, surveying the different people with severe looks.

  “Isn’t that Fairy Luo? Who is that person with her? He neither looks like a healer nor an alchemist,” someone said as they headed for the entrance.

  “With his eccentric dress, maybe he is a young master from another city who caught Fairy Luo’s eyes?” another asked.

  “What nonsense! No one in this city has been able to attract Fairy Luo’s eye. Are you saying that our city is unable to hold Fairy Luo?”

  “Agreed! If anyone will have Fairy Luo, it will be Young Master Hong! As the son of the third elder and with his abilities, it is a matter of time until they are announced husband and wife!”

  “Ah, I have always adored Fairy Luo. Why couldn’t she run away with me?”

  These cries and more came upon Erik’s ears.

  He was stuck in a state of confusion. She’s pretty, but what the hell? Do these people not have anything better to do with their time?

  Erik’s frown grew deeper.

  Erik didn’t realize that back on Earth, he had been exposed to supermodels, touched-up pictures, actresses, and all kinds of beautiful women who would cause a stir within the Ten Realms.

  If actors and actresses from Earth were to come to the Ten Realms, then there would be an uproar!

  “Have these people never seen a pretty woman before?” Erik muttered.

  The strong rule and the weak obey. Fairy Luo is good-looking and from the Mana around her, she should be pretty powerful in her own right. She’s a level seventeen as well. Add in her position as the granddaughter of the current clan head and the daughter of the previous—like fricking kingdoms and alliances through marriage once again.

  Even though it was adverse to him, he knew that in certain places on Earth that this was still a common idea.

  He had no thoughts of owning another person, but he did understand that the weak in this world could only bow their heads to those who were stronger. If they didn’t, then they’d be beaten into submission.

  As they were making their way into the building, the people thinned out and they passed a few checkpoints.

  Fairy Luo was about to walk through another checkpoint when the guards moved to intercept her.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Her voice dropped low as she looked at the guards.

  “Sorry. For the safety of the forefather, the third elder has said that you are to remain outside,” a guard said, his face impassive.

  “Who is he to stop me? The forefather is my grandfather!” Fairy Luo’s aura ballooned. She was a level seventeen powerhouse. As her strength gathered, the guards also flexed their strength, showing that they were level eighteen to nineteen and suppressing her aura.

  Erik blinked a few times. The pressure in the room wasn’t hard to deal with.

  He let out a light cough and looked at the guards. He was just here to see an old man and help him out but it seemed that it was getting more complicated the further they went.

  “Chiang Luo!” A voice filled with reproach sounded. An old man walked down a hallway, flanked on either side by guards.

  As Erik saw the man, he saw a resemblance to Hong.

  “This is not your place to start fighting with the guards, or bring in scraps from the street!” the man said, berating Fairy Luo.

  “Third Elder, this is Master West. He has come to see Grandfather.” Luo barely held onto her anger as this third elder treated her as nothing more than a misbehaving child.

  “You have taken to getting street rats from the street to sully Father?” the third elder said.

  He was Fairy Luo’s uncle and her father’s brother, making him Lady Luo’s grandfather’s son.

  “I would never do something like that!” Fairy Luo said, her anger getting the better of her as she shouted.

  The thi
rd elder let out a deep sigh, rubbing his forehead as if a father tired of their child not seeing the truth.

  Wow, good acting, fuckwad. Erik pulled out a can and spat out a wad of the chewed-up ingredient in it before he put more ingredients in his mouth.

  “Look at him! You don’t know where he comes from and he chews on whatever he can find! I know that your grief is hard to bear—it is hard for me too. Why must you hurt your fiancé like this and bring around someone to insult him, daughter-in-law?” The third elder’s tone sounded as if he were trying to calm her.

  “All right, I’m about fucking done with this.” Erik had a lot of patience, but through the day, only Hiao Xen seemed to be accommodating.

  Erik pulled out a badge from the Blue Lotus.

  The third elder’s admonishing tone and the cold look in his eyes changed.

  “Shift it—I’m here to heal some old dude and get some Alchemy testers.” Erik moved forward, past the third elder.

  A guard reached out for him and Erik’s fist shot out; the guard went flying backward and hit the wall.

  “Next one who touches me, dies.” Erik continued forward and no one made to approach him. It was like a lion walking through the plains: all other creatures moved aside.

  The guard let out a pained groan.

  Erik cast Ranged Heal. The man’s groans simmered down as the others looked at Erik’s casual use of a healing spell.

  “Fucking people just pushing my goddamn buttons today,” Erik growled.

  Fairy Luo once again hurried to catch up as the third elder shook in rage but kept his mouth closed.

  Chapter: Gaining Favor

  Fairy Luo didn’t look back at Erik as they walked through the massive building. They reached the back of the building. Going through different passages, they gained access to a simple garden and a home.

  They passed more guards, who bowed to her as she passed.

  These were not guards controlled by the disciplinary third elder but directly under the command of the clan leader.

  Although the clan leader was unconscious at this time, they had defended both him and his son for most of their lives. As such, they had been around Fairy Luo’s mother for a number of years, increasing their familiarity with one another.