Chapter 4 – First Steps into the City
The sun broke through the mist as Emperor Tang Zhenwu left the forest for the first time. A plain black suit, recently purchased in the town, hid his ancient robes. His hair was bound neatly, his face calm, yet even dressed as a common man, there was an aura about him that made people instinctively step aside.
He walked with steady steps toward the government hall. The wide roads beneath his feet were strange — smooth stone black as ink, marked with painted lines. Strange carriages of metal rushed past, roaring with a voice like thunder, yet there were no horses pulling them. He slowed for a moment, eyes narrowing.
"So this is the new world," he murmured. "No qi, no spirit tools, yet they bend fire and metal to their will."
When he reached the glass doors of the office, they opened automatically with a soft hiss. The Emperor paused, his sharp eyes watching. A small smile touched his lips.
"Even doors obey without hands. Hm. Interesting."
Inside, the building was bright and cold. Shining floors reflected the overhead lights. People sat in lines, waiting. Some held small boards with papers, others stared at glowing rectangles in their hands. The Emperor walked to the counter with a straight back.
The clerk, a young woman in neat clothes, looked up and was startled by his presence. She forced a polite smile.
"Good morning, sir. How can I help you?"
"I am here to register companies," Tang Zhenwu said calmly, his voice deep but smooth.
The woman blinked. "Oh, uh, of course. Please fill out these forms." She slid papers across to him.
He picked up the pen and studied it for a breath — so light compared to the heavy brushes of old. Then, with a steady hand, he began to write. His strokes were firm, elegant, and though in a modern script, each letter carried the dignity of calligraphy. The clerk glanced down and her eyes widened slightly at how beautiful his handwriting was.
Name of Company: Tang Cultural Arts and Media.
Name of Company: Tang Security Solutions.
Name of Company: Tang Medical Research and Care.
He signed each with practiced ease, then slid the papers back.
The woman smiled nervously. "Everything is in order, sir. Once processed, your companies will be officially registered. Congratulations."
The Emperor inclined his head politely. "Thank you."
With that, he stepped outside.
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The air was noisier than the forest. Engines roared. People spoke loudly on strange glass devices. Screens taller than houses flashed with pictures that moved and spoke. Crowds flowed like rivers through the streets, carrying bags of goods and food.
The Emperor walked among them silently. His eyes were sharp, drinking in every detail. The strange clothes, the endless buildings of glass and steel, the moving pictures on walls. The world was both alien and fragile in his gaze.
Then, as he passed a crowd gathered in front of a large screen mounted on a building, his steps slowed. The screen showed the face of a man in fine modern clothing, standing at a podium with cameras flashing.
The announcer's voice boomed through a speaker:
"The Zhou Family, one of the wealthiest households in the city, has announced a desperate plea. Their patriarch, Zhou Wenhai, is gravely ill. All known treatments have failed. The family promises immense rewards to anyone who can cure him."
The screen shifted, showing the Zhou estate — towering gates, gardens, and guards standing in black suits. Then it showed the frail image of the old patriarch, lying weak in a hospital bed.
The Emperor's eyes lingered on the image. His gaze sharpened, but he said nothing for a long moment.
Around him, people whispered.
"They say the Zhou family controls half the city's businesses."
"If their patriarch dies, everything will change."
"Doctors from all over are trying, but none can cure him."
Tang Zhenwu's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. He turned away, his robe sleeve brushing against his side.
"A door has opened," he murmured softly, almost to himself. "The heavens may be thin, but fate still places its pieces. The Tang Clan will answer."
And with calm steps, he walked back into the flow of the city, already planning his next move.