I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

After a thorough discussion with Ye Yong, she fell into a state of comprehension, oblivious even to the booming sounds of fireworks in the sky.

Most cities had flight bans, prohibiting cultivators from soaring about on flying devices or mounts.

Of course, if Ye Yong were to venture out in the Ye family’s flying carriage, adorned with the family crest, he could disregard the flight ban.

After all, such bans were merely restrictions for ordinary clans and unanchored rogue cultivators.

Ye Yong wished to experience the ancient Spring Festival atmosphere without drawing attention, so he chose to land several kilometers away from the city.

“Have we arrived? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let my mind wander.” Qin Shidream snapped back to reality from her state of comprehension, feeling quite embarrassed. Clearly, Ye Yong had brought her out for a leisurely outing, yet she had become lost in her understanding of sword intent.

Clearly, there was something amiss, and she took it all upon herself, utterly unaware that it was Ye Yong who had initiated the guidance in the first place.

“It’s fine.”

As they stowed away their small magical carpet and gathered their aura-enhancing trinkets, the passersby would no longer pay heed to Ye Yong and Qin Shidream, yet they could still discern each other amidst the throng.

Though equipped with their props, Qin Shidream still donned a veil, a habit she had cultivated for public appearances.

With preparations complete, the two made their way toward the city gates of Ninghai.

Today was the first day of the New Year, and Ninghai, as a grand city of the human race, was bustling with life, a tide of people flowing in and out.

The usual entry inspections were waived; the guards merely stood aloft, scanning for any criminals matching the wanted posters.

The props served their purpose well—one a dragon among men, the other a phoenix among women. Their attire alone made them stand out in the crowd, yet no one seemed to spare them a second glance.

The streets near the city gates were vibrant and lively. Ye Yong led Qin Shidream through several bustling shopping streets, inquiring if there was anything she fancied. However, Qin Shidream was no little girl; she simply shook her head, indicating she was content to browse.

“Hurry, the Lantern Festival hosted by Governor Kong is about to begin.”

“I truly hope I’ll be chosen this year.”

Before long, a throng of pedestrians hurried toward a certain direction.

What was this Lantern Festival? Ye Yong had no idea, for the protagonist of the novel, Long Tian, had never partaken in any festive activities. His curiosity was piqued.

According to the novel’s description, Ninghai was divided into the Upper City and the Lower City, with the Qianlong River flowing between them, a vast waterway teeming with various spirit beasts and monsters. Three dragon kings of the Transformation stage ruled over the Qianlong River, which stretched fifty thousand miles around Ninghai. Due to a pact with the human race, the creatures of the river were generally amicable, provided humans did not provoke them; typically, there would be no issues.

Except for the Northern Continent, merchant ships from the other four continents almost always passed through the Qianlong River, which explained the thriving economy of Ninghai.

Ye Yong and Qin Shidream were currently in the Lower City, while the Upper City loomed across the river, the governor’s mansion standing resplendent at the riverbank, gilded and imposing.

The speed of cultivators was certainly beyond that of mere mortals; what would take an ordinary person half an hour to reach the riverbank, Ye Yong and Qin Shidream accomplished in less than ten minutes.

Several massive merchant ships were anchored in the river, ablaze with lights, and faint melodies drifted through the air. Additionally, numerous smaller vessels were moored nearby.

The riverbank was thronged with people, many common folk cradling paper lantern boats, as if waiting for the right moment to cast them into the water.

With a beauty at his side, Ye Yong could not afford to jostle through the crowd. Qin Shidream didn’t mind, but he was concerned about others brushing against his Qin Empress. Thus, Ye Yong opted for a nearby restaurant that appeared grand and upscale.

The restaurant was bustling with patrons, all adorned in opulent attire.

Having already experienced the use of aura-enhancing artifacts, Ye Yong strode directly to the counter, tossing a low-grade spirit stone onto the surface.

The shopkeeper, busy tallying accounts, caught sight of the stone’s radiant glow, his eyes lighting up in response. He looked up, but saw no one at first. Upon a closer inspection, he noticed a young man standing before him, as if descended from the heavens, a folding fan in hand. If one were to blink, he might just vanish into thin air.

To run such a grand establishment by the riverside, the shopkeeper was no ordinary citizen. He was momentarily taken aback, but quickly donned a smile. “Might the esteemed guest wish to dine?”

“No need. Is there a private room on the top floor?”

“Had it been anyone else, I would have surely said no, but with such an extraordinary guest, I shall offer you the only reserved room.”

Truly a businessman at heart, he conveyed the rarity of his private room while simultaneously catering to the inflated ego of his special guest. Yet, Ye Yong felt that it was primarily his villainous aura at play. Had it been the protagonist, Long Tian, the shopkeeper would have surely mocked him, calling him a bumpkin, driving him away, leading to a series of pointless face-slapping incidents.

Being a villain was indeed convenient. Ye Yong nodded, “How much?”

“Ten low-grade spirit stones will suffice.”

Ten low-grade spirit stones equated to a sum of ten thousand gold in mortal currency—a considerable amount. However, it was the New Year, and this was a bustling area, far from a place for ordinary folk. With Ye Yong’s wealth, haggling was unnecessary, and he quickly handed over nine stones.

The shopkeeper personally led the way, and upon reaching the top floor, Ye Yong discovered that a woman stood beside him. Even with her face veiled, her beauty was beyond compare.

The shopkeeper dared not overstep; having mentally labeled Ye Yong and Qin Shidream as scions of a prominent family, he bowed and retreated.

—

28 A Life-or-Death Situation

The view from the private room on the top floor was splendid, offering a sweeping panorama of the river. Qin Shidream was of a quiet disposition, speaking little; whatever Ye Yong did, she mirrored, both seated by the window.

As the shopkeeper had explained while leading them upstairs, the origins of the Wan Lantern Festival were steeped in history.

Over a thousand years ago, the governor of Ninghai City held an event on the first day of the New Year to fulfill the wishes of the common folk, which gradually evolved into the Wan Lantern Festival.

The people would prepare lantern boats and cast them into the river. As long as the lantern boats could navigate through the surging waters and reach the governor’s vessel, he would grant the wishes inscribed upon the boats—three wishes in total. Of course, the wishes could not be too outrageous; anything involving murder or arson would be out of the question. However, desires for cultivation resources, wealth, and property were perfectly acceptable.

Though the odds of selecting three fortunate souls from the vast multitude of common folk were pitifully slim, the people remained ever grateful.