(Mc POV)
The whole journey to Tang city was very quiet as I just sat alone in the carriage looking at the passing trees.
The rapid growth of the trees created a very lovely scene, but remembering those humans that were turned into dryads gave me a very unpleasant feeling in my stomach.
Even though I was a tyrant before in my previous life, I knew my boundaries as a human. Sure, some people hated me for sacrificing those evil men to Kabbal that time, and some of my actions made children orphans and partners lose their loved ones, but all those things were not intentional.
I never kill unless I have no other choice or the people I am facing are monsters in human clothing. There are some people who we call heroes and saviors, but they are usually the real monsters. Even that hero that killed me back in the spirit realm, I feel more sympathy than hate toward him.
Being summoned to another world and forced to fight someone just because those that summoned you said that you are the chosen one that has to kill the evil ruler of the land.
I mean, who said just because you summoned me I have to follow your whims and plans? I had caught him crying one time. Could have just killed him then and there, but for some reason, I could not; he just looked lonely at that time.
Mind you, this guy has a harem of six beauties, so him having the air of being alone was really weird.
I am sorry for being this emotional; I just can't stand it when people in power believe that they are better than others, and just because they can get more power by killing others, they would do it at the drop of a hat.
I guess my first life as that weak old man made me realize this.
"Master, we are here," Chuyan called out as she opened the partition, allowing me to see the city walls of Tang city.
Even though it was a city for practitioners, it did not mean that normal humans never lived here, since most practitioners see it beneath them to sit inside stalls calling out for other practitioners to buy their wares.
They should come to the heavenly realm, and they would know that they are actually nothing there, since almost 80% of the people there are practitioners in one way or another.
As we got to the city gate, after showing the guards my Elder token, they respectfully let us in.
See, having a disciple was not so bad. Why was I against this again?
The sun was slowly setting, and seeing Chuyan trying to stifle a yawn, I made the disciple driving the carriage head to an inn, since two weeks on the road was very exhausting, and I myself was tired of sitting down.
Normally there is a rule against bringing carriages into the city. But of course, as an elder of a sect, I can bend that rule a little. Since that rule was there, why can't I use it? Do you expect me to walk with the others? The annual sect's meeting is an exception, though, since I needed time to slowly recover my memories.
I wanted to lodge in the finest inn in the city, according to the disciple, since I had not come here in years, so things might have changed, and the best inn, the first and last time I came here, was Purble Place. Now, looking at the signboard in front of the current best inn, I knew time had changed; it read Royal Steam Inn.
Walking in, what first greeted us was the soothing zither music playing in the background, and the ambient lighting of the place made the whole place look welcoming and grand.
"Greetings, sir, and welcome to the Royal Steam. What can we do for you?" A lady suddenly appeared dressed in what looked like a qipao with a very long slit by the side of her leg, almost showing her nǚshì nèikù, and an open area around her chest showing just the right amount of skin and allowing one to only guess what was in that valley.
For some reason, Chuyan came closer to me when she saw her; it seems she does not like this girl.
"I want three rooms, please," I said, giving her a gold coin.
"This way, please," she said, bowing again. As we passed the hall, I looked around and saw other practitioners, all donning their sect robes; some, of course, were disciples, inner, core, or personal, and I also saw some elders of other sects.
We got to a receptionist who had numerous tokens behind her as she handled them with care, giving them to practitioners after they had given her some gold coins.
"Welcome to the Royal Steam. how many rooms would it be, sir?"
"Three, please, and make sure that one of them is only in the female area," I added.
"Master?" Chuyan suddenly grabbed my sleeves, pulling them. "We won't stay in the same place?"
"Yes, I can't let you sleep in the same room I'm in, and I don't want to have your room near another man's room lest he have some ideas about you," I explained, patting her head.
I heard her mutter under her breath about not minding staying in the same room as me, but I ignored it.
"A night is 200 gold coins, sir, and since you are taking three, that is 600 gold coins." The receptionist said, handing me the tokens.
"Ah, Master Zen, why don't I take the servants quarters?" The disciple who was with me said, looking at me with a smile.
"Are you saying I can't afford it?"
"Huh? N--no master Zen, I just don't feel it's appropriate--"
"Just take the token." I cut him off as I took mine and took exactly 600 gold coins from my storage ring and handed it over to the girl.
"Oh, and when does the next day's auction start?" I asked.
"That would be in the morning, sir, but I would recommend the noon auction since the master might find better goods by that time." I nodded my head, showing I understood.
The receptionist then rang a bell, and three girls, all wearing the same outfit as the first girl, came from the side of the wall of tokens, all bowing to us and stretching out their hands.
I handed the girl in front of me my token, and she led the way. I and the male disciple went left, and Chuyan, with her own guide, went right since women are always right.
Of course she could have followed me, but I did not want her to stay alone in a section that had men. I have not forgotten about those men that followed me back at Jin City. I had carried a carriage to my residence back then, and since they followed my carriage specifically, it showed that they had an agenda.
"Would sir like some entertainment?" My guide asked after we got to my room door, coming closer to me.
"No, thank you. I am tired."
I'm sure that male disciple would accept the entertainment.
That was all I said, and placing my token on the door to open it, I then entered. I did not even take off my clothes and just lay on the bed.
...
The sun was high up in the sky when I got to the only auction house in Tang City.
The whole entrance was crowded, but after showing my Elder token, I was taken directly to the VIP section of the auction hall reserved for elders of high-ranking sects. Of course, there were other sections depending on the amount of money you deposited, ranging from first tier to fourth tier.
First was those that deposited 50,000 gold coins, second was 100,000, third was 200,000, and fourth was 500,000. To also be ranked as that of an elder of a high-ranking sect, one must deposit 500,000,000 gold coins. The title of an elder of a high-ranking sect was not easy to attain, so it should not also be easy to attain just because you have the cash.
The room that I was given was large enough for ten people to occupy, and the glass window that showed the entire auction hall only allowed those inside to see outside, but those outside couldn't see a thing.
"Greetings, everyone! I hope all bidders are settled in their seats, for the noon auction is about to begin!" A lady wearing a red cheongsam appeared on the stage, swaying her body sensually with every word, highlighting her shapely curves and drawing applause from the men below.
"Today very special goods have appeared that one can only see once in their lives, thanks to some special guests, so if you want these goods for yourselves, then you have to outbid others who also want them," She said, with a smile. "Hope you have your gold coins and elemental stones ready! Because the auction has officially begun!"