164 The Melancholic Prince Charming

The pre-federation Sun Moon Empire later annexed the Heaven Dou Empire andturned Heaven Dou City into an ordinary city. Tang Wulin clearly remembered,however, that the city was founded on a splendid location. It was right besidethe legendary Great Star Dou Forest—which teemed with soul beasts—and wasfairly close to the great Shrek City, said to be the very core of the DouluoContinent.  

I wonder when I’ll be able to visit Shrek City and Great Star Dou Forest. Whatwill it be like?

Heaven Dou City was completely different from Eastsea City. Tang Wulin hadthought Heaven Dou City would have taller and more developed buildings, butonly when he saw Heaven Dou City did he realise that it was his own imagination.

His initial impression of the city was that it was simple and plain.

That was right, simple and plain!

The city was filled with old era-styled buildings, but what was mostsurprising was that not a single skyscraper could be seen. The tallest thing inhis line of sight were actually some towering ancient trees.

“Teacher Wu, why aren’t there any skyscrapers here?” Tang Wulin quietlyinquired.

Wu Zhangkong explained, “Heaven Dou City is a historical city; in order topreserve its historical value, the city imposed regulations that buildings werenot to surpass fifty meters in height and were, at most, ten stories high.These regulations are the reason why you will see plenty of ancient treestaller than fifty meters rather than skyscrapers.”

“A lot of history fanatics love this city and come here as tourists. This cityis filled with culture and was actually where the Tang Sect was first founded.Even now, there is an important branch of the Tang Sect situated here.”

Tang Wulin’s curiosity was piqued. “Then what about the Tang Sect’sheadquarters? Where is it?”

Wu Zhangkong gave him a sharp glance. “The headquarters? It’s in Shrek City ofcourse.”

“Oh.” It suddenly struck Tang Wulin. That’s right! The Tang Sect is powerful,so its headquarters has to be in a super city like Shrek City!

“Teacher Wu, what are we doing in Heaven Dou City then?” Tang Wulin’s interesthad only grown with this newfound knowledge.

Wu Zhangkong answered with indifference, “I’m here to see a friend. Afterthat, I’ll bring you to a few places. Let’s get going.”

The duo didn’t board another vehicle, opting to roam the historical streets ofHeaven Dou City. The weather in Heaven Dou City was pleasantly warm andslightly humid. Coupled with the abundance of plant life, the air wasexceptionally refreshing.

It only took a few minutes for Tang Wulin to develop a liking for the city.Walking along these streets was a type of enjoyment.

“Wow! Teacher Wu, what’s that over there? It smells so nice!” Tang Wulinbounced with excitement as he pointed toward a fragrant shop.

At a loss, Wu Zhangkong could only doubtfully ask, “You can still eat?”

Tang Wulin nodded without a thought. “Teacher Wu, let me treat you to a meal!I have money too.”

Shaking his head, Wu Zhangkong responded, “Let’s go. I’ll pay.”

The two entered the shop. It’s signboard said “Yuhao’s Roasted Fish”.

Seeing the name of the shop, Wu Zhangkong’s eyes instantly lit up. “No wonderit smells so good, it’s actually this shop.”

Tang Wulin asked, “You’ve been here before?”

Wu Zhangkong answered, “Yuhao’s Roasted Fish is famous in the central part ofthe continent, especially in Heaven Dou City, Shrek City, and Star Luo City. Itwas said that the recipe for their roasted fish was passed down from thefounder of the Spirit Pagoda, Huo Yuhao. That’s where the shop got its namefrom. It was also said that he used his roasted fish to woo the DragonButterfly Douluo. Speaking of which, your name is rather similar to the DragonButterfly Douluo’s; her name is Tang Wutong.”

A hint of yearning colored Tang Wulin’s eyes. “So those legendary figuresloved to eat too!”

Wu Zhangkong’s face twitched. “That’s what you got out of what I said?”

“Eh…” Tang Wulin awkwardly scratched his head as he tried to suppress hisimpatience to eat. “Teacher Wu, let’s go in then.”

Yuhao’s Roasted Fish bustled with noise. Even though it couldn’t be considereda proper restaurant, the shop was filled to the brim with customers savoringthe delicious fragrance of the roasted fish.

The two seated themselves in a corner. Wu Zhangkong had clearly been herenumerous times so he ordered several dishes quickly, but with Tang Wulin’sinput, he just ended up ordering ten of every single dish.

Roasted fish tasted the best right after it had finished roasting. The skinwould be crispy yet have tender and succulent meat. The light fragrance anddelicate fish stock combined to create one of the world’s delicacies.

For once, Tang Wulin was able to eat until he was satisfied. Although he couldeat a lot in the academy’s dining hall, there was just one problem with itsfood: their taste was only decent! Every meal he had had at the dining hall wasonly for the purpose of filling his stomach and nothing more. Yet, every biteof roasted fish was pure bliss!

Tang Wulin’s face was flushed from the delicious roasted fish. A brave lighttwinkled in his eyes, as if he was prepared to eat his own tongue together withthe fish.

After gracefully eating two roasted fish, Wu Zhangkong shifted his attentionto Tang Wulin’s eating performance.

“That’s ninety-one fish in total… The price…” Wu Zhangkong had gotten the bill.

“Thank you, Teacher Wu.” Tang Wulin was so invigorated after eating so muchthat he actually wanted to eat some more.

Wu Zhangkong merely looked at him. “It must have been hard for your family toraise you.”

Only after staring blankly at Wu Zhangkong for a moment did Tang Wulin realizethat Wu Zhangkong meant his ability to eat.Teacher Wu actually knows how totell a joke?

“Teacher, what are we going to do now?”

“We’ll find a place to stay first. You were in a deep meditation for sevendays after all. After washing up and changing into a fresh set of clothes,we’ll go out again.” Wu Zhangkong said.

“Okay.”

The inn Wu Zhangkong chose was by no means luxurious; in fact, it was veryplain. Its only merit was that it was clean.

Wu Zhangkong only rented out a single room with two beds.

The first thing Tang Wulin did was wash up and take a relaxing bath. Hechanged into a clean set of clothes and felt completely refreshed.

Wu Zhangkong took a little longer than Tang Wulin to wash up before changinginto a set of almost identical white robes.

His white robes fluttered about while his long hair draped behind him. He hadalready used his soul power to evaporate the water in his hair.

“We’re going!” A trace of melancholy swept past his eyes as he peered out thewindow.

Tang Wulin had a feeling that the moment he entered Heaven Dou City, there wasa change in Wu Zhangkong.

Leaving the inn, Wu Zhangkong chose to continue their journey on foot. It wasclear though that their pace had sped up. Wu Zhangkong lead Tang Wulin withfamiliarity along the winding streets that gradually changed from bustlingcrowds to quiet cheerlessness.

Just where are we headed?

Turning onto a small, narrow road, there were even less people to be found.Only two soul cars could fit side-by-side on this street.

On one side of the small road was a tall wall. A dense thicket of vegetationcould be seen over it. On the other side of the road was a forest.

Tang Wulin felt a clear change in Wu Zhangkong’s mood as they walked thisroad. Both Wu Zhangkong’s breathing and pace clearly sped up, but what was evenmore obvious was the disappearance of the usual coldness in his eyes, replacedby complicated feelings.

Depression, longing and melancholy could all be seen in his eyes. If he wasusually described as ‘white robes and blue swords, sky ice and snow cold’, thennow he could only be called a melancholic man. He had completely shed off hisshell of coldness to reveal his original warmth, but this change was stillovershadowed by the complex emotions within his heart.

They followed the road for another five hundred meters before a gate appearedin the large wall.

“Heaven Dou Public Cemetery”.

Tang Wulin’s heart trembled at these four words. This… is actually a cemetery?

A chill crawled down his spine. Teacher Wu brought me to a cemetery? Who is hepaying his respects to?