16 Underground City

"Grandma Lucy, you are looking better and better."

"Miss Lynne, this set of clothes suits your demeanor perfectly."

In the general store, Xu Mo smiled at the customers.

"Xu Mo, you are also looking better and better. Did you grow taller?" A white-haired granny smiled as she shopped.

"Indeed, you are becoming increasingly good-looking. Is Old Mister Batu considering you as his son-in-law?" The middle-aged woman named Lynne was clad in more 'fashionable' clothing. There was a light layer of makeup on her face, and she smiled when she heard how Xu Mo addressed her.

"Grandma Lucy, Miss Lynne, what do you guys need?" Bai Wei who was at the side also called out. She knew that Xu Mo was teaching her.

Bai Wei was somewhat impressed with Xu Mo. He could remember the names of every customer and even knew what they liked. He could always make the customers feel very happy in a very polite manner.

Sometimes, she thought how good it would be if she could be as 'sunshine-like' as Xu Mo.

Xu Mo could indeed sense his own transformation. He had been transforming every day since he arrived in this world and after he cultivated the breathing art.

Or in other words, he was evolving!

There seemed to be a mysterious stream of energy causing his brain region and body to evolve. He could clearly sense that his memory and learning ability was far stronger than before. That day after he had taught Mia the song Windy Hill, Mia also tried teaching him musical instruments, and Xu Mo learned them very easily.

His physical fitness was also rising every day.

"Xu Mo, I'm done packing."

Mia carried her musical instruments and came down. Her right hand was holding onto Yao`er who had just changed into a new set of clothes.

"Yao`er looks really cute today." Xu Mo stretched his hands over to hug Yao`er, who smiled happily in response.

"Have you thanked Miss Mia?" Xu Mo asked.

"Mn." Yao`er nodded.

Mia surveyed Xu Mo and looked at the old clothes he was wearing.

"Mia." When a voice drifted from outside, Xu Mo turned and saw a carriage driving over. Elsa was currently seated inside and was waving to Mia.

"Coming," Mia answered. She smiled. "Xu Mo, let's go. Elder Sister Bai Wei, I will have to trouble you to look after this shop. In the future, we can all go together when there's a chance to do so."

"No worries. See you later Miss Mia." Bai Wei smiled.

Mia and Xu Mo went to the carriage, and Elsa pulled Mia to sit together with her. After that, Mia also carried Yao`er in, while Xu Mo sat together with the coachman.

Xu Mo, who was on the carriage, lifted his head and saw Old Mister Batu standing at the window on the second floor.

"Xu Mo, pay attention on the way there." Old Mister Batu reminded Xu Mo.

"Old Mister Batu, please rest assured. I will take care of Miss Mia." Xu Mo nodded.

Mia wanted to participate in a concert and had asked Xu Mo to bring Yao`er along. Xu Mo didn't reject it. He actually felt a little ill at ease to let Mia go alone. Besides, he also wanted to understand this world.

From the current information of what he knew, he was truly underground.

Not only so, but he faintly sensed that the thinking and technology level of the Subterranean World was restricted. There were almost no schools here, and ordinary people could only do labor-intensive work for the most basic right of survival. In addition, there was no insurance. He really wanted to know what was the secret his parents learned, which got them killed.

"Let's move out," Elsa spoke. The coachman immediately drove off. In the Subterranean World, other than carriages, one could also see bicycles and locomotives as a means of transport. Currently, he hadn't seen a sedan yet, and he didn't know if he could see one this time around.

"Elder Sister Bai Wei, see you when we are back." Mia waved to Bai Wei.

"Miss Mia, smooth journey ahead." Bai Wei smiled and nodded. The carriage then departed from the general store and drove through the main road.

In Xu Mo's memories, the original host of this body had never gone to any faraway places in the Subterranean World. He who had no means of transportation could only limit his range of activities in the surroundings. The black market was most probably the furthest place the original host had been to.

"Mia, the concept within 'Windy Hill' is too beautiful. I heard Susie say that back then, everyone was immersed in the concept of 'Windy Hill'. In addition, they have never heard this piece of music before. Is this really not something you created?" As the carriage drove forward, Elsa pulled on Mia's hand and sighed in admiration. Both of them were music lovers.

In the Subterranean World, the majority of people were struggling to keep themselves clothed and fed. And those who didn't need to do so also didn't have enough entertainment that could satisfy their minds. Hence, music and poetry were something many girls were fond of.

As for what men were fond of, Xu Mo had witnessed this in the black market.

Mia revealed a strange look in her eyes when she glanced at Xu Mo who was sitting together with the coachman. After that day, Xu Mo had taught her several pieces of music, and the concept within those music pieces wasn't in any way inferior to Windy Hill. Xu Mo said that these pieces of music were something he had heard, but he didn't describe clearly where he heard them from. This caused her to feel suspicious.

In addition, Xu Mo told him not to tell others. If others asked, she should just say that she heard it from somewhere before.

"Mn." Mia nodded. "Elsa, do you feel I can create such a beautiful piece?"

Elsa then looked at Mia, who didn't seem to be lying.

"Oh right, Elsa. Is Miss Irina really someone who's living in the Surface World?" Mia asked. The Miss Irina she was talking about was the initiator of this concert. She wanted to invite the creators of Windy Hill to participate as well. Hence, Elsa invited Mia.

"Mn, Miss Irina is the daughter of a city-state representative. In the past, I've never seen her either," Elsa spoke.

"In that case, she surely knows what the Surface World looks like." Mia felt some yearning. "I wonder if I have a chance to ask Miss Irina."

Xu Mo who sat in front heard the conversation between the two, and he couldn't help but ask, "Miss Elsa, I heard Miss Mia say that the journey is very far. I've never been to such a far place. Where is the concert held exactly?"

Elsa lowered her head to look at Xu Mo. From her point of view, Xu Mo's status was the same as her coachman, a servant. She didn't know why Mia was treating her servant so well. In addition, this youth was so young, but he had mixed into the black market. From Elsa's perspective, he was a delinquent.

However, although she had a sense of superiority in her heart, she still answered Xu Mo due to politeness.

"The concert will be held in the church located in the city-state main city district. That place is the core of the Subterranean World." Elsa's voice contained a faint hint of pride, and Xu Mo naturally could hear it. He didn't say anything much. In fact, he even felt an indescribable feeling.

If someone had been living in the Subterranean World from the moment they were born, they might feel that this place was the entire world, right? From Xu Mo's point of view, this was undoubtedly something very sorrowful.

"Thanks, Miss Elsa," Xu Mo said.

Elsa didn't reply.

"It's also very rare for me to go to the main city district. The previous time I went there was a very long time ago. This time around, I must definitely take a good look around." Mia was afraid that Xu Mo would feel awkward, hence, she laughed and changed the topic. "Xu Mo. Later on, let us bring Yao`er to shop around."

"Mn." Xu Mo nodded lightly.

The carriage continued on its way. The coachman was very quiet and wouldn't say anything unless spoken to. Hence, Xu Mo also stayed silent. On the way there, Mia and Elsa were the only ones who chatted.

The journey was indeed very far. Two hours later, the carriage came to the outer perimeter of the main city district. Xu Mo could see that there was a large-scale gate that one must pass before they could enter. The human flow was extremely high, with many coming and going. There were also several locomotives passing through and small-scaled four-wheeled quadricycles that fetched people around.

The buildings and street style gave Xu Mo a mechanical feel. It seemed to be a more primal city of steel.

After passing the large gate and walking on the broad streets of the main city district, the human traffic could truly be described with the word 'unceasing'. Evidently, the place Xu Mo and the rest were staying in was considered the outer perimeter of the Subterranean World. This place was much more luxurious in comparison.

Small stalls could be seen on both sides of the streets, and many people on the streets were doing small-scale businesses.

"Elder Brother, what's that?" Yao`er pointed to a stall selling tanghulu*.

"Elsa, I wish to go down for a little while," Mia said.

"Stop the carriage," said Elsa and the coachman stopped the carriage. Xu Mo then helped Mia down and saw her running over to buy a stick of tanghulu for Yao`er.

"Thanks, Elder Sister Mia." Yao`er happily smiled.

Elsa couldn't understand it when she saw the smile on Mia's face. She would also tease Yao`er while they were traveling, but she wasn't too passionate and she only did so to give Mia face. She really didn't understand why Mia was treating the younger sister of a servant like her own younger sister. Mia had been carrying Yao`er throughout the journey.

However, Elsa was very friendly to her friends. Her family conditions were clearly superior to Mia's, but she still treated Mia as one of her very good friends. They had similar hobbies and Elsa had always felt that Mia was a very good singer. She felt some envy for Mia's singing skills.

"There's still some time. Mia, should we go shop around Fragrance Street? There are many beautiful dresses there." Elsa continued, "Many of the designs there are from the Surface World."

"Mn, let's go with your suggestion." Mia nodded.

The carriage then drove into the main city district. Xu Mo could see steel castles standing in different places far away, and he didn't expect that there would be such luxurious buildings in the Subterranean World. Once again, he grumbled silently about the original host's knowledge of the Subterranean World.

After arriving at Fragrance Street, they could see that both sides of the street were filled with dazzling merchant stores, with uniquely-styled decorations. This caused Xu Mo to feel as though his horizons had been broadened. The culture here was completely different when compared to the world he was from.

After that, the group of them got down the carriage. Elsa then pulled Mia into a store to choose beautiful dresses.

When they were shopping, Mia would bring Yao`er along, and Xu Mo would wait for them outside.

They went to a few stores and Elsa bought several clothes. However, Mia was still holding on to Yao`er hand, while her other hand was still as empty as ever.

"Mia, there are so many beautiful dresses that suit you. It will be too much of a pity if you don't buy them." Elsa and Mia walked in front of Xu Mo as they conversed.

"They are too expensive. Anyway, I still have plenty of clothes at home," Mia casually replied.

"Mn?" At this moment, Mia halted her steps and stared at a store at the side that sold children's clothes. The decorations made the store seem very dream-like.

"This place is so beautiful." Mia's eyes brightened and she pulled Yao`er into it. "Let us go and try out a few clothes."

Elsa was startled. Earlier, she kept asking Mia to try out clothes, but Mia would always refuse. But now, she actually brought Yao`er in to try?

She was so angry that she stomped her feet and didn't follow them in, choosing to stand outside to watch instead.

Xu Mo felt like laughing when he saw this scene. He didn't care about Elsa's attitude. It was all fine as long as she had no malicious intentions.

As for judging people from different social classes, who wouldn't do that? Not everyone was as 'silly' as Mia.

"Xu Mo, quickly come and look. Is this piece nice?" Mia had Yao`er change to a new dress, and she called out to get Xu Mo's attention.

"Beautiful." Seeing how happy Yao`er was, Xu Mo also revealed a smile.

"Elder Brother, can I wear this?" Yao`er asked Xu Mo.

"Mn, you can as long as you like it." Xu Mo nodded. Elsa then cast a glance at Xu Mo before turning her glance to Mia as she silently sighed.

Any set of clothes sold at Fragrance Street would cost tens of federal coins at the cheapest. Just casually buying two sets would be equal to a month's worth of income for an ordinary person. Mia had always been stingy toward herself, yet she was now picking dresses for someone's younger sister. Elsa could only feel that Mia was too silly!

[1] tanghulu = sugar-coated chinese hawthorn