Chapter 172: City Of Drifters

"What I am trying to say is…

...Sister Xing Cai will adopt all of you as well"

"...what?"

Xing Cai's eyes widened in shock as she almost choked to death. Noticing that all the children were now looking at her, she was truly at a loss as to what to say.

"She is rich", Viel continued his speech, "So, she will be able to buy us a big house where all of us can fit"

Hearing Viel's words, the children then all looked at each other.

Most of them were still crying, not knowing what to do. Of course, they still wanted to go home to their families, that will never change. But if they truly can't go home, then the only thing they could really do was to follow the people that rescued them.

"Viel…", Xing Cai was about to pull Viel to stop him from talking, but he evaded her by spinning around elegantly.

"In fact… you are already looking at your home", Viel then continued to spin until he reached the door and slammed it open, "From henceforth, the Heaven Stick sect will become known…

...as Xingcai city!"

The sun once again reflected in Viel's back, his golden hair helping illuminate the darkness that was in the hearts of the children, even if it was ever so slightly. Their moist eyes that reflected the light continued to bring tears.

"I… will follow you, Viel"

A voice then resounded from the crowd of children, Tilly's.

"I miss my family, I do", she sniffed, "But if there really is no way for me to go back… huck", she hiccuped as she once again started to cry.

"Then I will stay here...", she then stepped forward as she kneeled on the ground, "By your side, Lord Viel"

"Eh?"

"I come from a long line of knights, and I know my family will be more than proud for me to serve the person who rescued me from this hell", although there were still tears coming from her eyes, her gaze was resolute as she looked at Viel straight in the eye.

"Why… why me?", Viel slightly backed away as he looked back and forth towards Tilly and Xing Cai.

"Sister Xing Ca--"

Before Viel could even say another word, another one kneeled on the ground, Jiff. "You helped rescue my sister and saved my life, sir... No, Lord Viel. And for that, I am forever indebted to you"

Jiff's words were without any hesitation as he placed his ring weapon on the ground, showing absolute loyalty. Seeing her brother kneel, Amira, followed suit.

"Pft…", Xing Cai quickly covered her mouth as she snorted, "... Congratulations on gaining your first retainers, Lord Viel"

"I can give you the sect for free, Viel", Princess Cha Jin-ri giggled as she covered her mouth with her fan, "But you need to call me big sister as well. The Empire would be happy to assist you in rebuilding this into a city"

"W… what!?", Viel stuttered as he once again tried to back away, "No--"

But once again, before he could say anything, another drifter kneeled. And then another.

And another.

Until every drifter was kneeling on the ground. They were children, some even younger than Viel. Of course, most of them did not know what they were doing. But the only thing they know is that Viel had power and strength, and they were drawn to it.

And so, today marks the birth of a new Lord.

"Oh… oh no", Viel grabbed his head, completely stupefied from the sudden turn of events.

Sofia, who has been quiet the whole time, could only pat Viel on the shoulders, "We... will be here to assist you", she said as she fixed her spectacles, "Also, please provide me a laboratory where I can make experiments"

"Noo!"

***

It took almost an hour to calm the children down. Jiff was currently lining them up, to count how many there actually were.

Viel was currently sitting on top of the Heaven Bamboo sect disciple again, still holding his head in shock. Tilly was beside him, standing still as if she was guarding Viel.

"I guess I will hand the rights to Heaven Bamboo sect to you?", Cha Jin-ri approached Xing Cai, "He's still too young to handle a city on his own, so hold it for him until he is. Let us adults handle all the politics for now"

"What... are you serious?", Xing Cai blinked her eyes a couple of times. She thought they were just messing around.

"Yes", Jin-ri's tone was full of weight, "These children are now a citizen of Choryu, so it is my direct responsibility as a Princess to make sure they at least have a house. I am sure there will be many more, so we can just send them all here…

...A city for drifters"

"I… see", Xing Cai could only nod in response, "But we're not naming it Xingcai City", she then said bluntly.

"I don't know, kind of has a nice ring to it", Cha Jin-ri slightly chuckled as she waved her fan, "Like the name of an ancient city, very suitable for you since you're ancient"

"You are not much younger than me!", Xing Cai raised her head, she was going to say more, but just let out a sigh of frustration instead, "Did you get anything from the sect master yet?", she then said as she looked at the Heaven Bamboo sect master.

"Just a name...", Jin-ri shook her head, "It's a name I don't recognize. But we're now sure that it's someone in the palace. We're going to interrogate him more once he is done being shocked with… what happened with his sect"

"This is… far from done", Jin-ri could not help but sigh as she looked at the disheveled Heaven Bamboo sect master.

"Do you want me to interrogate him?"

Out of nowhere, Sofia approached the two of them, "I don't have my tools, but I can get creative with the things here", she said as she fixed her spectacles.

"N...no need", Jin-ri awkwardly chuckled, "He's... ready to tell everything". Jin-ri was still mighty curious as to Sofia's identity. But she wasn't really comfortable in talking to her that much since she somewhat reminds her of her Uncle Fu.

"It's very admirable that you are giving these children a home", Sofia praised, "If it was my father, he would train all of these children to be Shadows"

"I… I see"

Yes. Definitely like her uncle, Jin-ri thought. She then placed her attention towards Viel, "Is he going to be okay?", Jin-ri asked.

"He moves on fast", Xing Cai sighed, "He should recover in about a minute or so".

And without even a minute of Xing Cai saying that-- Viel stood on top of the elder and clapped his hands.

"Fine!", he said, "I will be your Lord!"

"See?", Xing Cai hummed as she pointed her finger towards Viel.

"And as your Lord, here is my first decree!", Viel raised his hand in the air, "Meals should always end with dessert!"

Hearing Viel's words, the children could not help but release hums of awe. Xing Cai and the others, however, could only shake their head with a sigh.

"...And secondly"

Viel's tone then suddenly turned serious as his gaze became full of weight.

"We will build an academy, and everyone will attend it!", Viel stretched his arms, "I do not need to go because I am strong", he said.

"But all of you… are weak", he continued his speech as his voice turned solemn, "All of you must become strong that you don't need anyone to protect you!"

"But until then… I promise to you", he then slowly closed his eyes, and then, a golden light slowly seeped from the crevices of his eyes.

And as soon as he opened it, his eyes which were glimmering in gold almost blinded the children. A small ring of light also appeared on top of his head.

[Lu Yi… is now available]

"No one will dare harm you until then!", Viel climbed down from the elder and started to walk around, with Tilly following him around, "Because you are under the protection…

...Of Heavenly Fetus City!"

Hearing Viel's words and seeing him glowing, the children could not help but raise their hands in unison and cheer.

"..."

"Still think Xingcai city is a bad name?"

***

In the vast darkness, Lu Yi was currently staring at the giant screen in front of her.

'He is… back in Xanthus' world?', she released a sigh of relief as she gently touched the screen.

Her eyes then turned fiery as she looked up, "What the hell are you doing, you shitty Mr. Voice!?", her shouts echoed throughout the darkness.

"What is it you really want from us!?"

[Merging Original Player: Rain to Player: Viel]

[...0.0025%]

"W… what?"

Hearing Mr. Voice's words, Lu Yi quickly looked towards the direction of Rain's soul.

But her eyes did not even reach Rain.

It stopped.

It stopped as soon as her eyes laid on Viel… or rather, Viel's soul.

Although it was faint and almost transparent.

She was sure… Lu Yi was sure that it was Viel's soul.

"What…

… What are you trying to do!?"