As they approached Qingfen City, Nemo felt a new blinking point with five stars appear on his mind map. A countdown hovered below it, 30 days. By now, he had a good idea what these points meant, opportunities waiting to be seized. He made a mental note to visit that location when the time was right.
They soon reached the city gates and moved swiftly through the bustling streets until they arrived at their destination: Jade Silk Pavilion.
Jade's mother promptly took her daughter into her office, leaving Nemo in the care of the ever-enthusiastic Dorian.
"Come, boy! Let me show you around the city!" Dorian said, flexing a tricep and stroking his long goatee with pride.
"Actually, I really just want to rest," Nemo muttered. After the grueling days in the forest, all he wanted was to collapse into a bed and sleep for a week.
"Nonsense! The city awaits, and heroes like you must be introduced!" Dorian insisted, dragging him along while two equally pumped lackeys trailed behind.
As they walked, Dorian explained every mundane thing with the excitement of a kindergarten teacher. "This is a trash can! We throw grabage here. And this is a street lamp! It lights up at night. Amazing, right?"
Nemo rolled his eyes. "Bro, I'm from the 21st century. I know what these things do."
Eventually, they entered a nearby garden where a group of young men were putting on a strange show for a group of women.
"Look! There's John, Jacob, and Jingles trying to impress the ladies," one of the lackeys said.
Curious, Nemo watched, and he felt goosebumps all over his body at the sight.
One guy was doing a handstand while flexing, another spun in awkward circles around the women, and the third had somehow managed to balance his body horizontally in midair on his boner and was even spinning.
"...Okay, that's impressive and horrifying at the same time," Nemo thought.
Dorian, stroking his beard again, said proudly, "Hmm, not bad. To up their game so much in such a short time. They're fast learners."
Giving Dorian a side-eyed glance, Nemo thought, "Brah, you call that game? If this is the level of local game, I might just be a god among men here," Nemo smirked inwardly.
The women, however, looked like they were quite enjoying the show.
They continued their tour of the city. Nemo noticed five buildings standing side by side.
"What are those?" he asked.
"Those are Martial Arts Schools established by sects," Dorian explained. "They test young talent. The top scorers are transferred to the main branch of the sect to cultivate as outer disciples."
"What about you? Are you also a member of a sect?" Nemo asked.
"Ah, I took the test when I was young but lacked a spiritual root," Dorian said wistfully. "Having no spiritual root means you can't absorb Nature's spiritual energy."
"Can I join a sect? Or am I too old to join one now?" Nemo asked hopefully.
"Too old? Nonsense! Eighteen to twenty is the perfect age. You're golden," Dorian replied.
They kept strolling through the area, and Dorian showed him the City Lord's mansion. As they were about to return to Jade Silk Pavilion, they encountered a stunning, mature woman surrounded by a shifty-eyed butler and attendants. Her beauty radiated confidence; her gown hugged her figure in all the right places, accentuating her huge breasts.
"Madam Xiulan, what a surprise!" Dorian said, clearly flustered.
"Oh, Dorian," she purred. "Just finalizing details for the upcoming ceremony. My son is to become the new city lord, after all."
Her gaze shifted to Nemo. "And who might this charming young man be?" she said, as her eyes roamed over Nemo's body.
"This valiant hero is a guest of the Jade Silk Pavilion. He saved Lady Jade from an ambush," Dorian answered.
She stepped dangerously closer to Nemo and sniffed him. Nemo was startled and stepped back, beads of sweat forming on his temples.
"Indeed, quite the specimen. Bring him to the ceremony next week. I'd like to... get to know him at a deeper level," she said as she gave Nemo a wink.
Nemo shivered under her predatory gaze. "Fuck, did I just get marked by a cougar?"
...
Back at the pavilion, Jade and her mother finally emerged from the office.
"Thank you for saving my daughter," her mother said. "A room has been prepared for you. Rest well. Your reward will come later."
"Reward?" Nemo blinked.
"Of course. Did you think I would let the saviour of my daughter go empty-handed?"
She clapped her hands. Two maids appeared, both quite beautiful and dressed in rather revealing clothes. They took Nemo along toward his room.
Jade looked at her mother, alarmed. "Mom, stop! Don't do this! He is not like others, and I really like him."
"My dear, we must test his character, whether he's truly worthy of you or not."
Nemo, who was just halfway down the hallway, twitched. "Can you guys not plot this in front of me?"
Entering the room, one maid locked the door. The other flung herself into Nemo's arms with a dramatic cry. "My hero!"
She sniffed his shirt and nearly gagged because of two days of sweat, dirt, and smell. She tried her best to keep her composure.
The second hugged him from behind, pressing her breasts against his back.
Surrounded by softness and perfume, for a moment Nemo felt he was in Heaven. But he quickly recovered.
With a solemn expression, he gently pushed them both back, took a deep breath, and raised one hand to his chest, the other reaching toward the heavens.
"Ladies... please. Stay your advances," he said, voice noble and dramatic. "My heart is already taken. It beats only for my Jade. My eyes see only her radiant smile. My ears yearn only for her gentle voice. My nose craves nothing but her sweet scent. My soul, my very being, is devoted to her alone."
He turned slowly, imaginary wind blowing through his hair as if a symphony of music played behind him.
When he opened his eyes, the two maids were crying.
"Was my acting that good?" he thought.
One ran out of the room wailing, "Wawa Wawa! I've seen true love with my own eyes!"
The other wiped her snot, saluted him with a shaky thumbs up, and exited in stunned silence.
Seeing the maids go, Nemo collapsed on the bed with a sigh. "Mission accomplished."
Finally, he could sleep.