After several long hours of waiting in line, it was finally their turn. The guards, dressed in well-maintained armor and carrying spears, observed each villager with suspicion but without hostility. One of them extended his hand and said in a firm tone:
Entry tax. Three copper coins per person.
Gao Min was the first to pay. Then the others followed suit, including Ian, who curiously examined the small copper coins with a relief depicting a serpent-like dragon. At his side, one of the young villagers whispered:
That dragon is the symbol of the continent. It's called the Azure Dragon Continent.
Ian nodded, mentally noting this detail. He remembered that the village chief had mentioned it during a conversation a few days ago when they were discussing the different regions and how dangerous it could be to travel without knowing the currency or customs.
In this world, the monetary system was divided into copper coins, silver coins, and gold coins. Copper coins were the most common, used for basic expenses like food, lodging, or minor taxes. Silver coins were worth ten times more and were used in larger transactions. Gold coins, on the other hand, were rare and highly valuable, used by wealthy merchants, nobles, or high-level cultivators.
After paying the tax, the guards allowed the group to pass and they finally crossed the city's massive gates.
Misterio Lake City unfolded before their eyes like an entirely new world.
The streets were paved with smooth stone, and on both sides stood buildings made of wood and stone, many adorned with colorful signs and eye-catching decorations. The hustle and bustle was constant: merchants shouting their deals, children running, cultivators in exotic robes walking with an arrogant air, and domesticated beasts pulling carriages far more sophisticated than their own.
In the distance, beyond the city center, the glimmer of a massive lake could be seen, giving the city its name.
Welcome to Misterio Lake City murmured Gao Min, letting out a sigh of relief and awe.
Once inside the city, the group took a moment to catch their breath. They had survived a long journey, faced real dangers, and had finally crossed the tall walls of Mystery Lake City. But not everyone had the same plans. That's when Gao Min, the middle-aged villager, approached Long Tian.
"Boy, we'll go run the village errands and return tomorrow. Are you… planning to stay?"
Long Tian nodded calmly.
"Yes. I still have much to learn, and I don't want to return just yet."
The other young villagers looked at him with respect. Even if they didn't say it out loud, they knew not everyone would have had the courage to face what he had.
"Then good luck, Long Tian. I hope you come back to the village someday," said Gao Min with a sincere smile before turning with the others and disappearing into the crowd.
Left alone, Long Tian took a deep breath and began walking through the city.
The hustle and bustle was overwhelming. Street vendors offered everything from fresh bread to strange, brightly colored fruits. At every corner, there was music or the sound of someone practicing combat techniques. There were shops selling gleaming weapons, others with ancient books, and even places offering potions with strange names.
Long Tian observed everything carefully, recording each detail in his mind. He didn't want to look like an outsider, so he walked with confidence, even though inside he was amazed by everything he saw.
After an hour exploring the streets, his steps took him to a quieter area. The market's noise faded behind him, and the buildings here looked older, with dark stone walls and reddish tile roofs.
That's when he saw it: a tavern decorated with a large red rose carved in wood just above the door. A hanging sign swayed gently in the breeze: "The Red Rose."
The door was open, and inside came the murmur of voices, laughter, and the soft sound of a flute.
Without hesitation, Long Tian pushed the door and stepped inside.
Upon entering, Long Tian ordered a mug of beer. The frothy liquid had a strong but comforting aroma. He sat in a corner near a window overlooking one of the side streets and focused on listening to the stories around him.
The murmur of the place mixed with laughter, shouting, and the clinking of mugs. But soon, one voice stood out above the rest: that of a drunkard with flushed cheeks and glassy eyes.
"I swear I saw her with my own eyes!" he shouted, raising his mug. "A mermaid! Beautiful… her voice was enchanting, half fish, half woman. But her songs… they can bewitch us."
Several people laughed around him, but the man didn't stop. His voice trembled with both excitement and fear.
"I was fishing in my boat… everything was normal… until a thick mist surrounded me. And then I heard it… a soft, magical voice… drawing me in. I couldn't resist… it was like I was hypnotized."
The patrons began to fall silent, captivated by the tale.
"I don't know how much time passed, but suddenly I heard a loud bang, a crashing sound. It woke me up! In the fog, I saw a man standing on the water… walking! He shouted with force: 'Human-eating monster, this is your end!'"
Some started murmuring among themselves. The drunkard lowered his voice, almost as if sharing a secret.
"I ran away as fast as I could. But I think… it was him. The legendary cultivator from the ancient stories. The one who appears when sea beasts awaken..."
Silence reigned for a moment, before another customer burst out laughing nervously, and the tavern returned to its usual noise.
Long Tian said nothing, but a spark of interest lit up in his eyes. Stories like thatreal or not fueled his desire to become stronger.
Everyone in the tavern burst into laughter after the old drunk's tale. Some slapped their legs, others nearly spilled their mugs of beer. Amid the laughter, one of the village youths shouted:
"Old man! You change that story more every time!"
"Last time you said the mermaid kissed you and flew you back to the port!" another added between laughs.
"And that the man you saw was a sea spirit who saved you because you reminded him of his grandson!" joked another.
The drunk belched and waved his empty mug.
"Doesn't matter how many times I tell it the truth is still there! The mist was real! The voice too!"
But even though they were mocking him, the atmosphere in the tavern shifted slightly. One of the elders, who wasn't drinking, spoke with a grave voice:
"Jokes aside… we all know that if the mist catches you, you're destined not to return."
The noise in the room quieted a little. Several villagers lowered their eyes or crossed their arms. The legend, although embellished with fantasy, held a core of fear that everyone shared: the mist on the lake could take the careless.
Long Tian listened silently, watching the gestures and emotions of those around him. This wasn't just a story exaggerated by drinkthere was real fear behind those words.
Intrigued by the story and wanting to know more about the mysterious mist, Long Tian took a sip of his beer and turned to the young woman sitting beside him. She had light brown hair, curious eyes, and a calm expression as she listened to the tavern's conversations.
"Excuse me," he said. "Is that story about the mist common around here?"
She looked at him with a slight smile, as if she'd heard that question many times before.
"You're not from around here, are you?" she replied. "You must've just arrived. But yes, we have a legend: a ship that sails into the sudden mist... is a ship that never returns."
Long Tian frowned, intrigued.
"And has that really happened? Or is it just a story to scare outsiders?"
"They say it's real," she said, glancing down at her mug. "Fishermen gone missing. Boats found empty. Some believe sea monsters are involved. Others say it's a punishment from the ancient gods of the lake. But we all agree on one thing: when the mist appears, it's best not to be sailing."