Chapter Five: District Thirteen

Passing through the outskirts of Cloud City, Bai Ye led Li Le toward the city's center.

As they walked, a fierce and sharp aura gradually rose from Bai Ye’s body. His already cold and hard features took on an even more intimidating, iron-blooded aspect—as if he were a ferocious carnivorous beast, baring his fangs and teeth, watching his surroundings with wary vigilance, both threatening and on guard.

Li Le soon realized the reason for Bai Ye's change—the closer they drew to the center, the fewer people there were, and those they passed seemed to exude a far greater sense of power than those on the outskirts.

How could Li Le describe that sense of power? There were few women at all; most of the passersby were tall and imposing, their eyes sharper and brows shadowed by a savage aura that set them apart from the outer rings of the city.

Every so often, someone would glance at Li Le—not with murderous intent, but with a look that made her hair stand on end, as if she had caught the eye of a natural predator and every warning in her heart blared in alarm.

Whenever she met their gaze, she wanted nothing more than to keep her distance.

Sensing Li Le’s discomfort, Bai Ye quickened his pace, his presence enveloping her as he guided her down a side street to the left of the inner city.

This road was somewhat remote. Though paved with blue stone, it was uneven and hard to walk. Even so, Li Le breathed a sigh of relief; the crowds had thinned considerably, and she felt a little more at ease.

The tension in Bai Ye’s muscles seemed to relax as well. His steps slowed, and they continued along the narrow path.

Li Le’s sharp eyes caught sight of an iron sign by the roadside marked “District Thirteen.”

Beyond the entrance, sprawling fields of strange crops lined both sides of the road, with a few people working among them. Here and there, scattered wooden cabins dotted the farmland, their silhouettes rendered peaceful under the golden glow of the city’s central lighthouse.

Following Bai Ye, Li Le found that they occasionally passed other people. These individuals were clearly much more familiar with Bai Ye; some of the “youths” even greeted him as they passed:

“Brother Bai… Back from patrol?”

Whenever Bai Ye met a familiar face, his expression would soften almost imperceptibly—perhaps a nod, perhaps a brief word in reply.

These people were all quite tactful. Even if their curiosity led them to glance at Li Le, they refrained from prying, showing clear respect for Bai Ye.

Their curiosity was friendly, not cold or assessing as it had been outside. Their gazes did not make Li Le uncomfortable, a fact she attributed to Bai Ye’s presence.

It was clear: she was under his protection.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at Bai Ye’s home.

It was a sturdy-looking log cabin. Li Le hardly had time to look around before Bai Ye led her inside.

Stepping in, Li Le was immediately struck by the sheer simplicity of the place: a single table at the center of the room, flanked by two chairs; against the left wall, a bed cobbled together from wooden planks, covered with a black sheet of rough fabric, a wooden chest at its foot.

As for decoration, there was little save a few spears with sharpened tips, several knives, and swords of various lengths hanging on the wall.

Li Le glanced around and noted two doors inside, likely leading to storage or a kitchen.

Truth be told, the cleanliness and austerity of the place exceeded her expectations.

Bai Ye, for his part, seemed unconcerned. After setting down his bundles, he looked over at Li Le, his expression unchanged, and asked in a curt, almost gruff voice, “Are you hungry?”

Li Le hadn’t felt hunger in some time, but the slick texture of those mushrooms still turned her stomach. She needed something to settle herself.

She nodded.

Seeing her response, Bai Ye turned and walked into one of the adjoining rooms—presumably to cook for her.

Wouldn’t it be easier to buy food outside? He was going to cook himself?

Li Le was momentarily taken aback, recalling the image of this grim man clutching a spear with a cold, formidable air. Suddenly, she felt a twinge of guilt.

She had chosen to trust this severe man partly because he had saved her life at their first meeting, but also because he seemed to hold some authority—his bearing was that of a soldier.

Her intuition had been correct; he had brought her straight into the inner city, a privilege not granted to just anyone in Cloud City.

She had no devious intentions, but she had hoped to benefit from his status—and now, watching him prepare to cook for her, she felt restless.

With that in mind, Li Le quietly followed Bai Ye, hoping to help in some small way.

As she entered the kitchen, she found the severe man busy over a simmering pot, his expression as frosty as ever. He heard her footsteps and, without looking back, said flatly, “It’ll be ready soon.”

Li Le paused, then quickly responded, “Brother, let me help you…”

Bai Ye pursed his lips and replied in his usual gruff manner, “No need. You can go have a look around, spend some time with the local youngsters. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”

Li Le stiffened, reminded of how, back in her own world, she’d always been shooed away when the adults were working.

Standing there, she noticed Bai Ye’s watchful gaze, as if he was determined not to let her meddle.

Fine.

Li Le fell silent, eventually deciding to use the time to gather some information.

She turned to leave the cabin, but before she could step outside, Bai Ye’s cool voice came from behind her, “Take some copper coins—if you see anything you want, bring it back.”

Li Le hesitated, glanced back at the kitchen, then walked to the table and untied the pouch of coins.

Her eyes were immediately drawn to the four gold coins at the top—bright and lustrous, even more radiant than the gold from her own world, truly beautiful.

But her fascination lasted only a moment before she shifted her attention to the silver coins and the copper ones with their brownish sheen.

Unsure of the local prices, she settled on taking five copper coins before heading out.

Outside, clutching the coins, Li Le surveyed her surroundings and set off in a chosen direction.

She recalled seeing a boy of about fourteen or fifteen by the fields when she first arrived—he had glanced at her with curiosity.

Compared to the intimidating adults, a youth would certainly be easier to approach and more likely to share information.

She needed to understand this world as quickly as possible.

Glancing at the countdown on her system, Li Le quickened her pace.