Nie Huo could hardly believe it.
Today’s experience had been… overflowing.
With weirdness.
With danger.
With noodles that might have brainwashed him.
But his body was still moving according to his own thoughts.
That was enough to call it a victory.
He escaped.
He got out of that insidious convenience store.
That realm of chicken enlightenment and noodle-born fanaticism.
Meanwhile, back inside the store…
Hao calmly sipped his Lime Fizz behind the counter.
His eyes, half-lidded and lazy, had been tracking Nie Huo the entire time.
From the moment that thief swaggered in with suspicious confidence, to the second he bolted out like a ghost had licked his earlobe.
Scorching Soul City.
No longer a place of respectable cultivation talent.
Now firmly rebranded in his mind as Cracked Head City.
The sun must’ve melted something important in their brains.
He glanced at Dou Xinshi.
’Brain deep-fried… extra crispy.’Hao thought with a sigh.
Time passed, but Dou Xinshi and Old Tiger Zhao were still inside the store, now locked in a discussion that looked more like a slow-paced chess match.
The door creaked open.
The regulars were arriving!
As expected, a few came in from Sovereign City.
But what Hao didn’t expect… was for all of them to show up at once.
First to enter was Emperor Yunlan Haorang’s group, aura farming as usual the moment they stepped in.
Following them was the Drifting Sword Sect, dressed in simple robes with swords at their waists.
And last was the Snow Petal Sect, their appearance as elegant and alluring as ever.
Emperor Yunlan Haorang stood at the front, naturally.
But today, there was a new face in the emperor’s circle.
She stood beside him, just tall enough to barely reach his shoulder, with a small, delicate build that made her look like she might blow away in a strong wind.
Her aura was bright, glowing faintly without even trying.
As if she was sunlight wrapped in silk.
Her eyes, round and slightly upturned, shimmered with a soft lavender color.
She had a young, gentle face.
Cute, even.
Her hair was black, half tied up in a loose bun, pinned messily with a silver butterfly.
The rest tumbled down in soft waves, brushing lightly against her waist with every step.
She wore a simple green robe, just a little too big for her.
The sleeves hung long.
The hem dragged slightly.
She resembled a quiet cat who had borrowed someone else’s clothes to sneak into the store.
Hao’s first thought was –
’Cousin of the princess? Sister?’
Hao’s mind paused as everyone began stepping forward.
One by one, they greeted him with cupped hands and respectful nods.
Hao simply replied with one word.
“Welcome.”
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Definitely 10 out of 5 stars customer service. Not rigged at all.
But the new girl suddenly giggled.
A soft, bubbling laugh, like someone had just whispered something silly into her ear.
Everyone turned toward her in surprise.
Even Emperor Yunlan Haorang gave her a side glance, then let out a helpless smile.
He was uncertain whether to scold or laugh. He scratched the back of his head with a soft sigh.
“Forgive her, Senior Hao. She’s a bit playful at times.”
With the confidence of someone who knew he bagged a jade beauty way out of his league, he stepped forward to do the honors.
“This is my beloved wife, Shen Qianrou.”
Hao.exe stopped working for a second.
The gears turned in his head.
Nothing loaded.
’Emperor’s wife?’
’The empress?!’
He glanced again.
This soft, quiet, tiny young girl?
No way.
Unless… unless she was actually hundred years old and just had good skincare!
Hao slowly turned back toward the emperor.
His expression became serious.
Then slowly, he lifted his hand –
Palm open, slightly tilted to the side.
Going in for… the dap.
The emperor froze.
The air stilled.
Cultivators from three groups all turned in confusion.
What was this gesture? A secret martial art? A hidden greeting? A forbidden technique?!
But Emperor Yunlan Haorang’s body moved on its own.
His palm slapped against Hao’s with a clean –
Pap!
The sharp clap sound rang in their ears, smooth and satisfying.
Then they slid apart.
Dap complete.
They stared at each other.
No words.
Only understanding.
Two men. One dap. Infinite respect.
’Haorang… you the great shrouded rizzler.’ Hao thought solemnly.
No one else in the room knew what just happened.
But somehow, it felt… sacred.
A legendary bond had just been formed.
And Empress Shen Qianrou blinked with bright eyes, obviously enjoying the chaos without needing to understand a single part of it.
She just smiled again.
Her sleeves fluttered slightly as she bowed.
A little slow.
A little off-timed from everyone else.
But still polite and sincere.
“Um… I apologize.” she said softly.
“I didn’t mean to laugh just now… I couldn’t help it.”
She glanced at Hao shyly.
“You really do appear just like my husband described you, Senior Hao.”
She paused, then her hands cupped again, this time with a little more strength.
“My name is Shen Qianrou. This is our first time meeting.”
“I know this is a little late…”
She lowered her eyes, then looked up again with quiet resolve.
“But I still wish to thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
“For saving our daughter, Qingyi.”
The room grew silent for a moment.
Hao looked at Empress Shen Qianrou.
Her expression didn’t quite match the words.
Soft face. Calm eyes.
But a mother…
A mother didn’t need to look the part to be the part.
Even if Hao couldn’t see it in Empress Shen Qianrou’s face.
He could feel it.
That quiet strength.
That heart full of worry, still lingering even after the danger had passed.
How many times had he seen that same feeling?
When his own mother used to fuss over nothing.
Scolding him for wearing his shoes in the rain.
Then drying them behind his back with old towels when he wasn’t looking.
He blinked.
The memory passed.
But the feeling stayed.
Still, his tone didn’t change.
Casual.
Like he was just another guy behind a counter.
“No worries about it.” Hao said, waving a hand.
“I’ve said this before.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
Hao glanced at the emperor, then back at her.
“Not even your daughter.”
“She paid for the product.”
“It helped her.”
“Fair trade.”
No righteousness. No strings.
Not that he was being cold.
It was just the truth. He wasn’t saving people.
He was running a store.
That was all.