A Heroine's Aura

Mudan guided Xinyu through the streets with purposeful steps. Her feet were nimble and quick. She wasn't going particularly fast, but the streets were a bit crowded and hectic, especially after all those other contestants arrived. Xinyu struggled to not lose sight of the short girl and keep her three-step distance at the same time.

Finally, Mudan stopped in front of an inn.

The inn was not overly extravagant, but it was not lacking in size nor quality. There were nine floors of rooms, not including the ground floor of the building. Lanterns were intelligently placed for maximum light, and the architecture was sturdy, built with the finest redwood and masonry. A large sign atop the entrance read: Nine Gates of Heaven Inn.

"What a bold statement," Xinyu thought.

Everyone knew that Heaven did not truly exist. There was only the Five Realms, namely the Sky Nation, the Wildlands, the Mortal Realm, the Sea Kingdom, and the Underworld.

All these realms were home to several Gods and Goddesses. Only the Mortal Realm lacked Gods and Goddesses. The highest level of cultivation one would be able to reach in the Mortal Realm was that of an Immortal, a level that many were already born with or could achieve easily in the other realms. Thus, mortals were often disregarded by the other realms.

It was foolish to think that there was any Heaven. How vain mortals were. After dying, their bodies would only become one with the Earth again. Their souls would be released only to become the Qing energy that these Immortals and Gods would use to strengthen their powers and lengthen their lives. Only those with a strong will would be able to hold onto their soul until it was reborn.

Heaven? The Afterlife? What rubbish!

Xinyu could not help but sigh at their futility.

"We'll be staying here until the entrance exams start." Mudan was oblivious to Xinyu's exasperation for the sign and beckoned her to follow as she approached the building with the ridiculous name.

When they entered Nine Gates Heaven Inn, Mudan went straight to the innkeeper.

"Lin Cheng, the usual room please!" Mudan waved her hand.

"Ah, Lady Mudan! It's good to see you again! How have you been?" The innkeeper's face lit up with familiarity. He was a middle-aged man dressed in grey; the robe wasn't silk, but it was of a fine quality fit for the simple but established inn.

"I've been doing well. How about yourself?" Mudan leaned on the counter.

"You know me! I've been too busy managing the inn. Even my wife is threatening to leave me if I don't stop being such a workaholic!" Lin Cheng laughed heartily and reached for a locked cabinet.

"I keep telling you, you need to take a break sometimes!" The girl scolded.

"Aiyah, I wish I could, but this old one has no one to help him around. My sons are still too young to help me manage the inn," he sighed.

"That's why you gotta teach them your ways! The sooner they learn, the better!" Mudan advised sternly.

"Haha, I will keep that in mind," Lin Cheng chuckled and handed a key to Mudan. "Here's the key to your room. We've been keeping it clean and secured, just the way you like it."

Mudan nodded with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lin Cheng."

"It is always my pleasure," the innkeeper lowered his head.

"Now, now, no need to be so polite," Mudan said and tossed a bag of silver onto the counter. "Here's the pay for the next few months."

"I wouldn't dare accept!" Lin Cheng shook his head and pushed the bag back.

Mudan frowned. "This won't do."

She leaned across the counter and brazenly grabbed the innkeeper's robe, stuffing the bag of silver into the crevice.

"Have a good evening, Lin Cheng!" Mudan smiled brightly and scurried to the nearest hall.

"Lady Mudan!" Lin Cheng cried in distraught as he watched Mudan's back disappear.

Xinyu said nothing the whole time and swiftly followed behind the girl.

Along the way to the room, Mudan and Xinyu crossed paths with many people. Just like the innkeeper, everyone that they met seemed to be familiar with Mudan. Some greeted her with respect while some greeted her in a casual manner.

Despite her status as an immortal's daughter, Mudan regarded everyone as an equal; and therefore, they all had a favorable view of her. She had this spunky charisma that pulled in everyone that she met; she was even a beauty to boot! Even if someone wanted to hate her, they wouldn't be able to bring themselves to—no one could mess with this girl's charm!

"This must be the heroine aura that Old Deng always spoke of in his stories!" Xinyu thought and nodded to herself as she studied the interactions.

Indeed, this heroine aura did not fail to impress Xinyu. This way, she could quietly follow behind Mudan like the shadow on the wall while people buzzed about her like bees to a flower.

The greetings seemed to go on forever. It was only when they reached the room that the hassling ceased. Mudan unlocked the chains binding the double door and bid her farewells to the remaining people as Xinyu slipped into the room.

Although it wasn't extravagant and didn't have many decorations, the room was spacious and had two beds set on opposite sides. There was a large table in the middle with lanterns positioned at all corners. Two windows gave view to the city-life below.

"How do you like the room?" Mudan asked as she closed the door behind her. "I come here often, so they usually leave it the way I like it. I hope it's not too plain for you."

Mudan did not look or sound the least bit tired from all that talking. Her voice was still crisp and clear.

"No need to worry. This is just fine," Xinyu answered and took a seat at the center table.

"Would you like something to eat? Perhaps some tea too? I know you must be famished after flying all day," Mudan offered.

"Yes, I would like that very much. Thank you." Xinyu nodded gratefully. Now that Mudan mentioned it, she was quite hungry—especially after that life-threatening crisis on the flying sword. She couldn't even let her guard down for one second!

Mudan smiled knowingly and headed out to order some food.

Xinyu let her choose from the menu because she wasn't too familiar with what they had here.

When Mudan came back, maids lined up behind her carrying trays of various cuisines. The smell of stir-fried pork with cabbage, grilled chicken, and fresh, steamed dumplings engulfed Xinyu's nose. Immediately, her mouth started watering, and she realized how much she missed eating meat.

Back home, Aunt Yanfei never cooked anything with meat for the sole reason that it was too expensive; hence, they always ate vegetables. It was only when Xinyu went out to Shuijing City that she got to eat meat, but those moments were rare because she didn't like interacting with people.

However, sometimes a negligent food-stand owner would have to go do some business with their lower half, leaving such delicious meat hanging around. But who could leave such good meat unattended? So, of course, Xinyu took the liberty to give a purpose to these mouth-watering meat and gobbled them up. They would always end up in her stomach, where they belonged.

Right now, the luster in Xinyu's eyes as she eyed the various cuisines had the same glow as when she looked at those neglected meat upon the streets of Shuijing City.

As soon as the maids set the food on the table, Xinyu grabbed a bowl of rice and began to eat before Mudan even got to sit down. She could hear Mudan giggle and say something, but Xinyu was too busy eating to understand what she was saying as the savory taste of meat filled her senses.

At this moment, Xinyu was the happiest person alive.

Mudan could not help but laugh at the sight. Although Xinyu was so guarded this whole time, it seemed food was one way to get her to open up. She picked up her chopsticks and began dining.

They ate silently for a while. One by one, the dishes were emptied. Just as Xinyu was about to grab the last piece of grilled chicken, however, loud footsteps at the door caught her attention.

Bam!

Someone busted the double door open, knocking the panels down. Xinyu watched helplessly as the wooden boards fell off its hinges and smashed the table along with the last piece of grilled chicken. It laid sadly among the rubbish of wood and broken plates.