Chapter 231: No Xiao Xiang House
“But unfortunately, your belly is a little too small…” New World suddenly sounded regretful.
“What do you mean? What do you mean!”
Liu Sheng grew anxious, retracting the thumb she had just put up.
“I’m telling you! Don’t mess around with infrastructure inside my belly! One of you is already more than enough!”
“My flesh is already filled with ‘Mothers,’ and I only have this small body. How much more do you want to put in? This is really enough!”
Liu Sheng was both angry and anxious, her eyes even a little moist.
Little Tentacle, hearing its name, innocently poked out and rubbed Liu Sheng’s cheek.
“A gentle reminder, there are many ‘Liu Shengs’ in your mind.”
“Shh… don’t say anymore, you’re going to make her break down.”
“Yes, yes, yes, we are one, we cannot break down.”
“…I can hear you. Is there a difference between speaking softly and loudly in one’s mind?”
Liu Sheng was speechless.
These Liu Shengs, too, thought she wasn’t crazy enough.
New World quickly came to the rescue, though it didn’t really help much.
“Dear Earth Mother, don’t worry.”
“As you know, I am in your belly, or more accurately, within the unique space of your Dantian.”
“And this ‘New World’ is stored within my spiritual patterns, so naturally, it can only be generated within your Dantian.”
“However, because your cultivation is too low, your Dantian is limited, and your Qi is also limited, which results in a slower generation speed and limited boundaries for the ‘New World’.”
Liu Sheng: …
Alright, alright, you few hungry ones keep complaining about my low cultivation.
Little Tentacle innocently nestled against Liu Sheng’s neck, indicating that although it often wasn’t full, it had never complained.
New World stated: “I don’t understand subjectivity, so I can only analyze objectively.”
Ling Xiaoshu blinked her big eyes and said she only needed Liu Sheng to make it rain a little for her, but Liu Sheng refused.
Mainly because she couldn’t get her hat wet.
Although there was only Liu Sheng in the cloud sedan, the journey wasn’t lonely at all!
Amidst the chatter, the cloud sedan finally descended, stopping at the cloud sedan drop-off point in Chang’an’s West Market.
At this moment, the progress bar that only she could see finally showed some progress again.
“New World” Generation Progress: 14.84%
Finally, that “three highs” progress was gone.
At this rate, she would be able to see the “New World” very soon!
Liu Sheng managed to force out a trace of optimistic and sunny smile, guided by a certain Liu Sheng.
“Yes, smile, be optimistic.”
“Do you know what 'thought realization' is? As long as you think it, it can be realized! Since cultivation cannot be improved immediately, let’s rely on thought!”
“You’ve been reading Professor Tang’s books lately, haven’t you…”
“Oh, how did you know?”
…
The West Market was much more chaotic than the East Market, with all kinds of shops. Just looking at the large and small mirages, like glowing dog plaster, flamboyantly displayed, one could tell the composition was extremely complex. Perhaps next to a tea soup stall was a foot bath shop, making it full of human warmth.
Liu Sheng judged from the clothes of the pedestrians on the street that there were people from high officials and nobles to peddlers and porters.
Unlike the East Market, where the various shops were neatly and grandly planned, and the mirages on the street were clearly three-dimensional, colorful, and exquisite, obviously costing a lot of money. The East Market, being so wealthy and exclusive, was positioned to cater to the nobles in the capital and the literati who prided themselves on elegance.
It was said that such a commercial district was formed under the impetus of famous establishments like Taibai Restaurant.
Compared to that, the road conditions in the West Market were quite complex. Liu Sheng didn’t recognize which ward or street this was, she just followed the map’s guidance.
This map was obtained from the Yunxian Residence shopkeeper, and it boldly marked the location of Xiao Xiang House.
It seemed that in Chang’an, where anything was possible, Xiao Xiang House didn’t need to hide in plain sight like it did in Qinghe!
Liu Sheng, coming from a small place, was once again filled with anticipation for Chang’an!
…
But soon, her anticipation withered.
At this moment, Liu Sheng was staring blankly at the two large seals on the door.
The Xiao Xiang House in Chang’an was indeed not low-key; instead, it was very flamboyantly situated by the river that flowed through the West Market, towering over ten stories high, with magnificent and imposing decor.
However, the carved railings and painted pillars were still there, but blocked by seals.
Liu Sheng heard two middle-aged women dressed as martial artists passing by, whispering not far away: “I told you, a place like Xiao Xiang House being so high-profile just won’t do.”
“Exactly, it’s better to be low-key. A tall tree catches the wind.”
“Sigh, let’s go, what a pity… it seems we can only go to Qinghe…”
The two were about to turn and leave when they saw a short, shifty-looking man emerge from some corner, blocking their way.
“What do you want?” The two immediately took two steps back, their faces full of vigilance.
The man secretly pulled out a small board from his sleeve, tapped on it, revealing a mouthful of crooked, yellow teeth, and smiled very unpleasantly: “Do you, need anything?”
The two looked at the board, then at his face, flatly refused, turned, and left without another word.
Liu Sheng couldn’t clearly see what was written on the board, but she was curious and accidentally glanced a couple more times. She was immediately caught by the man’s keen eyes, and he smiled, wiggled his body, and approached her.
“Miss, do you want these services?”
He looked left and right, pulled out the board to show Liu Sheng.
But just as he pulled it out for a moment, he quickly tucked it back in, put his hands behind his back as if nothing happened, hummed a little tune, and looked up at the sky.
Liu Sheng was bewildered by this elaborate maneuver.
But soon she knew why.
“You, what are you doing standing at this doorway?”
Liu Sheng looked in the direction of the voice, only to see two officers in black armor and military uniforms, wearing iron helmets and long sabers at their waists, standing not far away, staring at her side.
Liu Sheng only then reacted, looking up at the sky and pretending to be passing by as well.
But it was still a bit late.
“Judging by their attire, these should be the Jinwu Guard unique to the capital.”
“This guy looks shifty, but he’s indeed clever.”
“We just suffered from being too honest…”
She thought the man was going to pretend not to know her and distance himself, but unexpectedly, he took the initiative to explain.
“Two officers, we are just passing by, curious, hehe.”
The man bowed his head and waist, smiling ingratiatingly.
“Don’t be curious about things you shouldn’t be curious about. Haven’t you heard that curiosity killed the cat?” One of the Jinwu Guard kindly reminded him.
The other, seeing the man’s unpleasant smile, immediately turned his face away in annoyance.
“Be careful, get out.”
“Yes, yes, yes, we’ll get out now.” The man nodded and bowed.
Then he glanced at Liu Sheng, his eyes hinting for her to follow him.
Liu Sheng had no objection and followed obediently.
After walking a street away, the man looked back to confirm that the two Jinwu Guard hadn’t followed, and then let out a long sigh of relief.
“You’re openly committing a crime and still dare to loiter there?” Liu Sheng said coldly.
“Openly committing a crime? You… how did you know?” The man’s small, beady eyes widened slightly.
“Xiao Xiang House is sealed, and though I don’t know the reason, there must be some things that cannot be done,” Liu Sheng said slowly, crossing her arms. “But several items on your small board are services offered by Xiao Xiang House, and you were acting so furtively. Isn’t that openly committing a crime?”
“You…” The man’s eyes widened even more, as if they were about to pop out of his face. “Just for that moment, you saw it all clearly?”
He meant that the board was only out for a split second, yet Liu Sheng had seen everything.
“Yes, I’m good at quantum speed reading,” Liu Sheng replied calmly.