Looking up at the city wall looming overhead, approximately 30 meters tall, Ash felt deeply impressed, as this was his first time seeing such a structure with his own eyes.
Above the city gate was a large symbol depicting a majestic silver leaf and an enormous plaque bearing the words 'Baiye City.'
"Baiye City? Interesting…" Ash smiled and nodded his head satisfiedly for some reason, as he had a hunch that today was going to be a good day.
"Young man, what are you dawdling at? Your friends are already waiting for you," An old man in his 60s tapped Ash's shoulder once, reminding him with a kind smile across his face as he carried a little girl in his arms.
Ash immediately snapped back to reality when he felt the tap on his shoulder.
"It's nothing," Ash replied slowly, shaking his head.
When his gaze fell upon the little girl, a hint of sadness appeared in his eyes as he was reminded of his little sister from his previous life.
"What's her name?" Ash asked with a smile.
"Hello, my name is Mei Mei, but people usually call me Xiao Mei," replied the little girl, who was about seven years old, waving her hand cutely at Ash.
"Xiao Mei is so cute…" Ash instinctively reached out, intending to pinch her cheeks as he used to do with his sister, but quickly pulled his hand back upon realizing they had just met and had barely exchanged words.
With a bright smile, Ash asked gently, "Xiao Mei, tell Big Brother Ash what kind of snack you like. Candy? Cookies? Or something else? I'll buy them for you as a gift since you remind me of someone special."
"Xiao Mei likes sweet things…" Xiao Mei answered excitedly but then paused, seemingly recalling something important. She then asked Ash an unexpected question, "But, if Big Brother Ash wants to buy something for Mei Mei, could you buy rice and flour instead?"
Ash raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Rice and flour? Why do you want those instead?"
"This…" the old man hesitated, clearly about to explain, but Ash waved his hand reassuringly. "It's okay."
"Brother Hao said we need to prepare for the worst. He said rice and flour are the most important things because they last a long time and keep us full," Xiao Mei explained innocently.
Ash's heart stopped beating for a second when he heard it, then he replied with a bitter smile. "Alright, Big Brother Ash will buy so much rice and flour that Xiao Mei won't ever have to worry about it again. Okay?"
"Really?" Xiao Mei became extremely excited, clenching her tiny fists and squirming cutely in the old man's arms.
"Of course—"
Before Ash could speak further, something interrupted him as he heard a loud, commanding voice echoing from behind him.
"Get out of the way!"
"Get out of the way!"
Ash tilted his head, gritting his teeth in annoyance. 'Which motherfucker is shouting arrogantly like that?'
Ash thought to himself, but then his expression turned into a wicked smile when he suddenly had an idea in mind.
"Young man, let's move aside quickly," the old man urged, anxiously pulling Ash by the hand, but Ash stood firm.
"Don't worry, trust me." Ash tilted his head, smiling reassuringly as he casually waved his hand.
Li Jian instantly appeared about five meters ahead of Ash, asking respectfully, "What's your order, My Lord?"
Looking at the incoming young man who had shouted just now, Ash raised an eyebrow.
'Interesting… To think there's actually someone so entitled, just like in those eastern fantasy novels,' he mused.
"Stop him first. We'll deal with him afterward," Ash instructed with a chuckle.
"Did you not hear me? Move aside, or face the consequences!" shouted a young man riding atop a horse with fiery hooves.
"Big Brother Ash, let's go quickly. We can't afford to offend someone like him." Xiao Mei pleaded fearfully, tugging desperately at Ash's hand as she recognized the young man's powerful background.
"Xiao Mei, I know you're scared, but trust Big Brother Ash that everything will be alright, okay?" Ash patted her head softly with a calm smile.
At the same moment, the fiery horse arrived in front of Li Jian, neighing loudly as it raised its front hooves high before stomping down toward Li Jian's head.
Li Jian calmly responded by raising his index finger, forming a thin sword-like energy, which he casually slashed sideways, cleanly decapitating the horse.
As the horse's head began to fall, Li Jian disappeared from his original spot and reappeared two meters closer to Ash.
A Nobility-rank beast was slain instantly, shocking the young man, who immediately jumped back in vigilance, staring at Li Jian with fear.
"Who are you? Do you know who I am?" The young man in white robes frowned deeply and asked in anger.
"What? Are we supposed to know every insignificant person in the world just because they exist? Are you stupid or something?" Ash mocked, sneering disdainfully at the young man.
"You!" The young man pointed angrily at Ash, veins bulging on his forehead as he shouted furiously, "How dare you!"
"So what? What can you do about it? Kill me? Come, try it if you dare," Ash taunted, his grin growing wider as he continued to humiliate the arrogant youth.
'So this is how the main characters feel, huh? It feels so good to face-slap dumb people like him. No wonder they always did this shit.'
"You're dead today!" The young man took out a white token and immediately crushed it.
"Oh no, I'm so scared!" Ash acted 'scaredly' and looked at Xiao Mei. "Xiao Mei, are you scared too?"
"Mhhmmm-Mhhhmm. Mei Mei is scared, please don't kill Mei Mei." Xiao Mei was really scared as she was about to tear up and cry in fear.
Cough!
Ash coughed awkwardly and instantly became normal.
"Xiao Mei, don't be scared. I was just joking, okay?" Ash petted her head softly, trying to console her since he forgot that she was just an innocent kid.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Everyone who watched the scene was speechless with Ash's behavior. Even the young man was made speechless by it too.