Zhao Mu didn't stand on ceremony.
He picked up a pastry from the plate and took a bite.
The moment it entered his mouth, it seemed to melt instantly. The pastry was soft, flaky, and rich without being overly sweet. The texture was delicate, and the taste was exceptional.
After chatting for a while, Meng Qiuqiu finally returned.
The moment he spotted Zhao Mu, his grin stretched from ear to ear.
"Xiao Mu!"
He walked over excitedly and slapped Zhao Mu on the shoulder.
"You really made me proud today! Thank you!"
Meng Qiuqiu laughed loudly.
"When I saw that old Third Uncle's sour expression, I almost burst out laughing. I've never been happier!"
Zhao Mu casually waved the bank card and Spirit Source in his hand.
"Then I should be thanking you."
He smiled.
"It's great being friends with a rich person. I didn't expect to receive so many gifts just for attending a gathering."
His straightforward attitude made Meng Qiuqiu even happier.
Unlike many people who pretended to refuse gifts while secretly wanting more, Zhao Mu was completely honest.
What he liked, he admitted.
What he accepted, he acknowledged.
There was no hypocrisy.
And Meng Qiuqiu appreciated that.
"Come on!"
He stood up enthusiastically.
"It's rare for you to visit Qingzhou. Today I'll show you what the real world looks like."
There wasn't much to do inside the Meng Family estate.
The residence was grand and luxurious, but it wasn't exactly a place for entertainment.
Soon, the four youths left the Meng Residence and boarded a luxurious RV.
Meng Qiuqiu leaned back in his seat and waved his hand.
"Driver, take us to the Tulip Club."
The moment Zhao Mu heard the name, his expression became slightly strange.
The Tulip Club.
It was famous throughout the entire Xuanfeng Empire.
Over the years, a saying had spread across the nation:
"The Tulip of the South, the Heavenly Pavilion of the North."
These two establishments were regarded as the finest clubs in the Empire.
They offered everything imaginable—fine dining, entertainment, luxury accommodations, rare treasures, and extravagant experiences beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Hearing their destination, Lu Yan immediately lowered his head.
His face turned bright red.
"This... this doesn't seem appropriate."
He stammered nervously.
"We're all going there together?"
Even Zhuo Yun's usually cold expression became awkward.
"Hmph."
He crossed his arms.
"Women only slow down the speed of my sword."
"Qiuqiu, we should stay away from places like that."
Meng Qiuqiu stared at them for several seconds before rolling his eyes.
Then he nearly exploded.
"Are you idiots?"
The two blinked.
"What?"
Meng Qiuqiu slapped his forehead.
"What exactly do you think the Tulip Club is?"
Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun exchanged glances.
Their faces instantly became even redder.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Lu Yan muttered.
"Everyone knows it's a place of indulgence and pleasure."
"Exactly," Zhuo Yun agreed seriously.
Meng Qiuqiu nearly choked.
"Pah!"
He pointed at the two of them.
"Do you really think wealthy people spend all their time doing such low-class things?"
Then he turned toward Zhao Mu.
"Even Xiao Mu isn't that ignorant."
Zhao Mu smiled faintly.
"Are you sure?"
Meng Qiuqiu froze.
For a moment, he couldn't tell whether Zhao Mu was joking.
After clearing his throat, he explained seriously.
"The Tulip Club is actually partly owned by the Meng Family."
"It serves both refined and ordinary guests, but its primary focus is elegance."
"There, you can appreciate poetry, listen to music, discuss philosophy, and enjoy performances by the finest dancers and artists from the Southern Kingdom."
"It attracts nobles, wealthy merchants, government officials, and influential figures from across the Empire."
"Most important business negotiations are held there."
"It isn't some cheap brothel."
Meng Qiuqiu lifted his chin proudly.
"It's a place for cultured people."
Then his expression suddenly became mischievous.
"Of course..."
"It also has sections designed for less cultured people."
His grin widened.
"The kind you two seem interested in."
Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun immediately protested.
"We're not!"
"Absolutely not!"
The two spoke at the same time.
Their reactions only made Meng Qiuqiu laugh harder.
Even Zhao Mu couldn't help smiling.
Compared to his two friends, Zhao Mu remained unusually calm.
No matter what he heard, his expression barely changed.
Meng Qiuqiu eventually noticed.
"Xiao Mu."
He looked puzzled.
"Why are you always so calm?"
"No matter what happens, you never seem surprised."
Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun also became curious.
They turned toward Zhao Mu.
Zhao Mu looked out the window.
The bustling city passed by outside.
After a brief silence, he answered softly.
"Because everything in this world follows its own laws."
"There is nothing worth being surprised about."
The three listened quietly.
Zhao Mu slowly clenched his fist.
A powerful feeling surged through his body.
Ever since awakening his talent, he could clearly sense his strength growing with every passing day.
His eyes became calm and resolute.
"For me, only cultivation truly matters."
"As long as I become strong enough..."
His fingers tightened.
"I can control my own destiny."
"I can protect what matters."
"And eventually..."
"I can control everything."
The car suddenly became silent.
The three boys stared at him.
Several seconds passed.
Then Meng Qiuqiu began applauding.
"Brilliant!"
He laughed loudly.
"Xiao Mu, that was an excellent speech."
Lu Yan and Zhuo Yun burst into laughter as well.
In their eyes, they were all eighteen-year-old youths.
Hearing Zhao Mu speak so seriously made him sound like some ancient expert trapped inside a young man's body.
Zhao Mu merely smiled.
He didn't bother explaining.
Some experiences changed people forever.
Those who had never stood on the edge of despair would never understand.
A single tragedy could destroy a person's innocence overnight.
Only those who had experienced true helplessness understood the value of power.
The vehicle continued moving through Qingzhou.
Outside the window, the city was vibrant and prosperous.
Towering buildings rose toward the sky.
Crowds filled the streets.
Everything appeared peaceful.
Suddenly—
Honk! Honk! Honk!
A series of urgent horns echoed throughout the road.
The RV came to an abrupt stop.
Zhao Mu opened his eyes and looked outside.
Something strange was happening.
Every vehicle on the road had stopped moving.
Pedestrians along both sides of the street also halted.
One after another, they lowered their heads respectfully.
Even drivers climbed out of their vehicles and stood silently by the roadside.
No one dared move.
"What happened?"
Zhao Mu frowned.
The driver immediately turned around.
His expression had become serious.
"Young Master."
"A royal motorcade has entered Qingzhou."
"Please exit the vehicle immediately."
Meng Qiuqiu's eyes widened.
"A royal motorcade?"
Without hesitation, he opened the door.
"Hurry! Everyone get out!"
Zhao Mu and the others followed him outside.
Lu Yan looked confused.
"Which royal family?"
Even someone like Meng Qiuqiu seemed cautious.
That alone was enough to prove the importance of the visitors.
Standing beside the road, Meng Qiuqiu explained in a low voice.
"The Imperial Family and the Royal Families possess special privileges throughout the Empire."
"Whenever their motorcades pass, everyone must yield."
"However..."
His expression became serious.
"Only a handful of royal families receive treatment like this."
"If I'm not mistaken..."
"They are one of the Four Great Royal Families who guard the Empire's borders."
Hearing this, Zhao Mu narrowed his eyes.
The road ahead had already been completely cleared.
A wide path stretched through the middle of the city.
In the distance, a convoy slowly approached.
Black luxury vehicles moved in perfect formation.
At the center was a silver-gray RV unlike anything Zhao Mu had ever seen.
Its design was elegant and imposing.
It was obviously custom-made.
More importantly—
A flag fluttered from the front of the vehicle.
On the banner was a majestic Black Tortoise.
The symbol looked as though it had been forged from iron itself.
The instant Zhao Mu saw it, his pupils contracted sharply.
A terrifying killing intent erupted from his body.
The temperature around him seemed to drop several degrees.
Meng Qiuqiu, Lu Yan, and Zhuo Yun all shivered involuntarily.
However, Zhao Mu reacted immediately.
He activated the Turtle Breathing Technique.
His emotions rapidly stabilized.
The murderous aura disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.
Lowering his head, Zhao Mu concealed the hatred burning within his eyes.
Yet at that exact moment—
Inside the silver-gray vehicle—
A white-haired man with a youthful face slowly turned his gaze toward the roadside.
And directly toward Zhao Mu.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)