Chapter 286 The Haunting in The Business Distric (1/2)
Gao Peng wasn't affected by the rumors spreading about him. In fact, he was rather pleased these days. Even though he didn't want Da Zi messing with Stripey, not only did Stripey not seem to mind, it actually looked like it was enjoying itself.
Now that Da Zi wasn't there, Stripey was a little antsy. ”Gao Peng, where is Da Zi? Why hasn't it come to play?” It flopped lazily onto the ground.
Gao Peng was about to tell him the truth, that he had told Da Zi to stay away, before he caught himself. Damn those large, soulful eyes.
”It is actually preparing a huge surprise for you.”
”Really?” Stripey's face lit up.
”Yup!”
”Good.” Satisfied, it shot the mansion an expectant glance, as though Da Zi would show up in front of it if it looked hard enough.
Stripey tried taking a quick nap, but all it could do was roll around restlessly wondering what surprise Da Zi was cooking up for it.
”I actually thought it didn't want to play with me anymore.” It smiled shyly. The earth trembled as it wiggled its massive body.
As Gao Peng descended the mountain, he turned around and looked tenderly at Stripey, pain written clear on his face.
He finally understood why these huge creatures with enormous lifespans spent most of their lives asleep. It wasn't that they cared for it particularly, it was the fact that there was literally nothing else to do.
Loneliness was the worst.
He wished their dreams would always be free of pain, worry, and loneliness.
Gao Peng thought of the White Dragon and the Mountain Spirit, and then it hit him. It was the faintest outline of an idea, but he would definitely think through it long and hard.
...
Yuzhou City, Adamantium Bridge Business District.
Before the Cataclysm, this had been where the most prosperous business district in Yuzhou City was located. Now, it was dotted with brothels where drinks spread quickly and money flowed easily.
Right in the middle of the district was a 50 foot tall bronze statue of the Sage King.
Along with a base of around ten feet, the entire sculpture was around 60 feet tall. Wielding a huge crescent blade and atop a scarlet horse, the striking figure made out of faintly burnished bronze was a landmark of the area. It caught the eye of the many people who passed through the area every day. As time went by, however, people grew used to the majestic sight. They were no longer impressed the way they once had been.
At dawn, a cool mist flowed through and around the streets, engulfing the area in a a ghostly cocoon of white. The streets were littered with stray leaves and empty beer cans.
Clad in blue, the sweeper silently made his way around, cleaning the streets.
Zheng Changshou wiped the sweat off his brow with a flourish. October mornings in Yuzhou could get pretty muggy.
Looking up at the majestic statue, his brow furrowed. Was it just him, or did something look a little strange?
Barely had the thought crossed his mind when he dismissed it. He still had a lot of the street to cover, and it wasn't going to clean itself. He did not want to be caught in the morning rush.
As the morning sun rose ever higher, the sunlight filtering through the steel jungle cast beautiful designs on the streets below. The statue of the Sage King was set ablaze as his massive blade was sheathed in golden light.
”Just like that. Hold that pose. One, two, three, say cheese!”
Tourists loved taking pictures with the statue and they usually did—in hordes.
”Hmm? Liu Ai, why does this picture look different that the one you showed me last time?” Lu Feng stabbed an accusing finger at the photo.
”You're seeing things. The picture was taken from the exact same angle. Are you questioning my skills?” The woman named Liu Ai wasn't happy.
”I don't really know how to explain it…” said Lu Feng as she swiped through her camera roll at lightning speed. ”Look. It's different, right?”
Liu Ai peered closely. It was the same photo she had taken her first time at the Adamantium Bridge, from the exact same location.
A chill ran down her spine.