Unless it is in some specific activities, he can only occasionally show his face. This is well understood by Xiao Xi—— As an anime lover, he always wears eccentric clothes and becomes more extravagant when he participates in anime exhibitions and game exhibitions.
In fact, to be precise, they are also a branch of the strange beasts lineage, and their abilities are not to be underestimated. This reminded Ah Jun of the bird people he had encountered before, further confirming his suspicions. It is evident that the royal familys anxiety is clear, though it is not solely due to these....
And just as the old man said this, Xiao Xi seemed to think of something and excitedly answered——this child, the answer was so accurate that even the staff were a little confused, where did I get my intelligence?
When Xiaoxi mentioned that his idea came from a storyteller, the advisor finally had an epiphany——The boy often sneaked into teahouses in the western part of the city to listen to storytelling from a young age, sometimes even skipping class to do so. Many of his jokes and stories originated from these experiences. Of course, he was beaten countless times by his mother for this, yet he remained unrepentant.
As for the extraordinary storyteller, he also liked the boy very much, and they became friends later, so Xiao Xi could often learn a lot of gossip from the elder brother.
In reality, the royal family is not only concerned about these issues but also faces growing concerns about abnormal evolutionary phenomena across regions in recent years. These developments echo the aftermath of the previous great war, fueling growing unease among the ruling elite. To address this, the royal court has tasked the current Prime Minister with establishing a special Surveillance Bureau, hoping to uncover new evidence while seeking practical solutions. After all, relying solely on the staff at the Beast Management Bureau to investigate these matters seems like a tall order.
But this has also made life increasingly difficult for outsiders who are distant relatives of the Wicked Ones. Some have been forced to leave their homes, some have gone into hiding in the mountains... while others are still enduring a repressive life in order to preserve and uphold the original purpose of their families.
Consider Yao, the top-tier warrior Ajun encountered. A multi-time champion of the Martial Arts Tournament, he once led the City Heroes Headquarters to glorious victories and personally apprehended a fellow clan fugitive during that pivotal battle. Even the royal family had to bestow upon him an honor ring in recognition of his valor. Yet now he languishes like a prisoner—under constant surveillance, stripped of freedoms, and isolated from society.
Due to the unique nature of its components, Yaohuo Life had to become like rats scurrying through the streets—everyone cast aside their status and pride. Fortunately, with the protection of the benevolent President and Chief Strategist, he managed to maintain a relatively stable existence here. There were many such outsiders like him.
They either endure humiliation and survive on the urban hero platform, or stubbornly cling to their homes while living in hiding. Of course, the royal family values talent—after all, this era demands exceptional individuals. While recruitment is open to all, retention requires both capability and social standing... But first, you must accept such humiliating treatment and endure the torment within...
"Then no one will stand up for them!" Xiao Xi heard her heart agitated and shouted out her and A Juns doubts.
"There are those who can sway the royal family, but their influence is hard to bend——," the advisor exclaimed, then reminded the two young men, "At that time, there were indeed three righteous individuals who spoke up for the Hu people, but they couldnt match the power of the royal family. One of them was even dismissed from his post, while the other two..."
"—— How?"
"Its nothing, after all, the royal family will only pick on soft things, but it doesnt mean that the relationship is broken."
While sipping tea, Uncle Advisor patiently guided his two children through historical analysis and worldview development. Though adept at steering sensitive discussions with tactful evasions and subtle cues, he occasionally resorted to lip-reading tactics. Yet Ah Jun remained visibly uneasy throughout the session.
"Sir, you have said so much and there are many secrets that are not in the books. Will there be no problem? It may not be safe here," A Jun whispered, worried about his uncle.
" reserved and explicit!"
Only to see that the staff officer laughed and touched Ah Juns little head, reassured calmly: "Dont worry, this suite is actually one of our secret bases—— renovated, very safe!"
——forsooth!
At this moment, the two children suddenly saw a bright light in front of them, exchanged a look at each other, and gave a thumbs-up to praise. The old man is worthy of being a rabbit, and the cunning rabbit has three holes!
"——I wonder if those people can always find a way to eavesdrop on something?" The people mentioned here by Ah Jun refer to the spies of the Supervision Bureau and the ears on the wall mentioned by the staff officer.
"Ouch... them!"
Looking at the innocent and naive child, the old man couldnt help but laugh. He steadied himself and whispered with confidence, "Just hear it then. Its nothing more than facts that the higher-ups all know anyway. It doesnt matter if you know—— Besides, those few people have enough IQ..."
As he spoke, the advisor couldnt help but recall and chuckle. He also mentioned the bald head he had met on the street before, a short man. The horticulturist here looked normal, but in fact had an identity.
The two children, confused by the situation, followed suit and actually found their own amusement. The conversation with the advisor was both enjoyable and relaxing. Ah Jun felt like he had returned home, yet time flew by quickly. It was already bedtime for the children, and the girls had all fallen asleep by now.
The uncle glanced at his watch and said goodnight to the children with determination. "Early to bed, early to rise" was a principle from the Holy Medical Clan. The two kids obediently began their morning routines. Of course, Xiao Xi still managed to play a few games before finally falling into a deep sleep.
But after acquiring so much information, Ah Jun was a little restless in his heart. So he lay on the bed and looked out of the window. Although the moon was not very bright, it had a special beauty.
Just as he was admiring the crescent moon, suddenly, something crashed into the glass with a bang, interrupting the fluctuations in Ah Juns mind, while Xiao Xi just rolled over and spoke in her sleep.
——That is, what?
Ah Jun felt both surprised and excited. Could it be that his long-lost friend had written? Without hesitation, he pulled off the quilt, slipped on his coat, and opened the window—— Sure enough, a pair of tiny wings fluttered in with the letter. Though thrilled, Ah Juns heart skipped a beat when he took a closer look.
——Oh, poor thing. This time, the feathered letter looked as if it had been mistreated somewhere. It seemed to fly with great difficulty, its wings were missing a lot of feathers, and the shell of the letter was wrinkled. Maybe it had just bumped into something?
Ah Jun quickly picked up the letter, checked the stamp, and put away the fluttering little wings, letting it rest properly. He then smoothed out the uneven letter —— Indeed, it was from that good friend, asking about the progress of their cultivation journey, with warm and encouraging words throughout the text, eagerly awaiting news... after Ah Jun completes his trials.
Ah Jun read the letter over and over again until he was in a soft mood, then put it in his arms and fell asleep comfortably.
It was a very fragrant night. It had been a long time since I felt like at home. It was not until Xiao Wonnes voice rang out and the door was knocked on that Ah Jun woke up with lingering satisfaction. It was already the morning of the next day. It was the Holy Maiden who brought back the energetic kitten to call the boys for breakfast.
Since her arrival in Xuanwu County, Xiao Jiuwoo has been in a bad mood. Ah Jun is also a little worried that she may be homesick and in a bad mood. She has been listless these two days and went to bed early.
Just as everyone was enjoying the hotel buffet, Uncle Staffer came in a hurry, because last night Ah Jun mentioned that they would leave this morning, so the elder looked a little anxious——but now it is still early, why?
"This doesnt match the old mans usual demeanor. Why does he look so busy? —— Turns out, President had specifically asked him to drop everything and come over immediately. Since Ah Jun is Yis relative, the President had made a special request to treat the children to lunch. Hes been working hard to squeeze this in between his current tasks." Hearing the old mans words and seeing his eager expression, Ah Jun decided to adjust the plan.
This suggestion was immediately endorsed by Xiao Xi and Xiao Jiwo. The cafeteria, though unremarkable in appearance, held a special significance – even the Holy Maiden had no objections, and Ah Jun was more than happy to oblige. Seeing the childrens beaming faces, the staff officer chuckled, stroked his beard with satisfaction, and then led everyone on a casual stroll through Wulin Town, which felt like home to them.
The town lives up to Xiao Xis imagination. Though compact with three distinct zones, its a unique blend of architectural styles—— Each area features a mix of retro neighborhoods, tech-savvy hotel clusters, sleek modern office towers, and even an industrial mecha-themed martial arts arena. The lush greenery between zones creates a refreshing environment where breathing in fresh air feels like a daily ritual.
While most visitors might find the design overly eclectic and chaotic, Ah Jun discovered the true magic of this towns architecture lies in its seamless transitions between districts and architectural styles. These carefully crafted connections perfectly harmonize every element, creating a cohesive whole that makes the entire town feel like one harmonious entity.
Perhaps due to the fact that most people here come from all over the country, the immense inclusiveness has given this small town its unique charm, much like the diverse and distinctive food in the cafeteria—— Ah Jun has had a good sense of aesthetics since childhood, with his own unique insights and understanding of beauty. However, he is often criticized by others in his hometown, perhaps due to prejudice or simply because he is too unconventional.
But my uncle once said, let others say that I go my own way—— Ah Jun agrees with this view, how you want to say is your freedom I can not care, so, what I do is my own business, thank you!