Pushing the shopping cart, Ling Pingan first ordered seven cartons of carbonated drinks in the mall.
That was his favorite!
He could not avoid drinking that precious drink, no matter he was playing games or writing!
Anyone would know that if they had drunk carbonated drinks before.
After signing the order, and leaving the address, and completing the payment, Ling Pingan pushed the shopping cart and was about to leave when he saw a few cartons of drinks that seemed to be in some foreign language packaging at the side of the container in the beverage area.
“What is this?” He asked the salesman.
“Kvass from Lossia!” The salesman replied with a smile. Perhaps he was afraid that Ling Pingan did not know what Lossia was, so he emphasized, “It’s the old Russia!”
Ling Pingan naturally knew such common knowledge about history.
The previous dynasty called their northern neighbor Russia.
That kind of arrogant central dynasty narrative made Taizu very unhappy.
Therefore, Taizu, the Emperor personally took charge of the translation.
Russia was translated as Lossia, which meant the country of the people of Lossia .
Of course, the people of Lossia didn’t like that translation either. They preferred the Federal Empire to call them ‘Rome’.
Their monarch claimed to be ‘Caesar’s descendant, the Emperor of the Romans’.
These were all things that Ling Pingan had learned when he was in school.
After all, Lossia was a country with many literary talents.
It was a place that liberal arts students yearned.
It was the kind of place that people would say, ‘I just like it although I haven’t been there before.
Thinking of Turgenev and Tolstoy.
Ling Pingan said to the salesman, “Then add two more boxes of kvass!”
“Okay!” The salesman immediately said happily.
Ling Pingan took out his phone, scanned the code, and paid. Then, he took the receipt and hummed as he left. It was as if he could chat and laugh with those great writers while drinking Lossia’s drink.
Ling Pingan arrived at the affordable clothing area on the second floor as he pushed the shopping cart.
That was his favorite place.
Batches of clothes were densely packed and hung all over the clothes racks.
He could just walk over and choose.
He would buy it as long as the size was suitable. It was simple and direct!
Unlike the last time when he went shopping with his aunt, he had to go to more than ten stores to try on dozens of clothes. It was terrifying!
It could be said as the most terrifying punishment.
Ling Pingan pushed the shopping cart through the clothes. He took them off and threw them into the shopping cart when he saw the appropriate ones.
Soon, the shopping cart was full of clothes. There were probably more than a dozen of them just by looking at them. Only then, he stopped buying and push the cart down to the second floor.
He came to the cat food section downstairs.
He looked at it. A bucket of cat food that cost 300 yuan was only a middle-quality food.
The ones that cost 500yuan, 600yuan, or even 1,000 yuan, or 2,000 yuan were everywhere.
Ling Pingan looked at the cat food. He scratched his head and said to Bastet, who was sitting in the shopping cart, “Look at you…”
“Your food is more expensive than mine…”
Meow…
The little one lowered his head, looking ashamed.
Ling Pingan walked forward, picked up a can of cat food that was 800 yuan and 5kg, then placed it into the shopping cart.
His pet could not be treated poorly!
He immediately pushed the shopping cart and walked toward the supermarket exit after he bought all he wanted.
He paid the bill and then picked up the cat food and clothes, putting them into the bag prepared by the supermarket.
He carried one in each hand and left.
The kitten Bastet followed closely behind.
Meow…
Meow…
The little one purred cutely and happily.
Ma Baobao stood on the upper floor of the shopping mall.
He looked at the growing crowd downstairs.
He smiled.
That was a great opportunity!
Especially…
He looked at the person behind him. That was an extraordinary person!
In the higher officer of the Dragon Palace Overseas Fishery Company of the Federal Empire!
A legendary dragon!
It was also the real noble that he had tried every means to get close!
“Eh…” the noble suddenly looked downstairs and exclaimed.
“What’s wrong, Young Master Ao?” Ma Baobao immediately asked.
“That cat…” Young Master Ao walked to the guardrail and looked at a kitten following behind a young man.
His pupils began to change.
It was like a snake, but also like a lizard.
In his eyes, although the little cat looked petite, it was full of spiritual aura.
There were also some things that he could not see through.
“Treasure!” Young Master Ao sighed repeatedly. “What a treasure!”
Such a spiritual cat was a first-class spiritual pet even in the Imperial City!
It was probably on par with the spiritual fox raised by Crown Princess Rouan.
And as everyone knew, the Emperor, who was gradually growing up, had always longed to have a spiritual pet that could surpass Crown Princess Rouan’s spiritual fox!
If he offered it to his majesty…
Of course…
Young Master Ao raised his eyes.
He knew that the Blackguard was everywhere.
So, he could not appear.
He could not even directly say, “I want it.”
The Blackguard would not care about his reasons.
His father would not be able to protect him once they found him violating the law.
After all, the Commander-In-Chief of the Blackguard had been making the descendent of the demons acknowledge The Charcoal-Seller.
More than a thousand catties! If officials choose to take it away, the woodman may not complain.
Half a piece of red silk and a single yard of damask, The Courtiers have tied to the oxen’s collar, as the price of a wagon of coal!
He recalled the recitation of the Commander-In-Chief in his mind.
Young Master Ao shuddered. He knew that the Commander-In-Chief hated those extraordinary and foreign species who relied on their foreign skills to oppress the commoners the most.
They would be killed at once if they were discovered!
That was because he had already taught them.
That was not killing without teaching.
But…
He could hint at someone!
The important beings never needed to speak directly.
Hints were enough.
So, Young Master Ao looked at the spiritual cat and began to sigh. “Speaking of which, His Majesty’s birthday is only next month…”
“As a loyal and filial citizen, I have been looking for a suitable tribute!”
“If someone can help me solve this problem, he will be my guest!”
Ma Baobao immediately patted his chest and said to Young Master Ao, “Young Master, please wait for a moment. I will be back soon…”
It was just a cat.
He could just buy it with money, no matter how precious it was.
10,000yuan or 100,000yuan or 100,000yuan or even 1,000,000 yuan!
Ma Baobao looked at the kitten following behind a young man who carried two bags of things.
He did not believe that such an ordinary citizen could resist in front of the lure of money.
There was still an extra trick if it did not work!
In short, he wanted that cat for sure!
Even the Emperor of Heaven could not stop him!
However, Young Master Ao immediately stopped him. “Mr. Ma, I’m just saying!”
“Don’t take it seriously!”
Ma Baobao listened, and his enthusiasm grew.
He cupped his hands and said, “Don’t worry, young master. I know what to do!”
Among the nobles in the imperial city, dignity was the most important thing!
Especially those who had some connections with the royal family cared about their reputation the most.
Ma Baobao was aware of that!
However, Young Master Ao still seemed to be worried. He repeatedly reminded him, “Mr. Ma… I’m just saying it!”
He was indeed just saying it.
Ma Baobao smiled. “I understand!”
He led his people directly downstairs.
Ling Pingan carried the things he had bought and walked through the shopping mall’s lobby.
He walked forward with his head lowered in the dense crowd.
The kitten Bastet followed behind him and was very obedient and sensible.
The man and the cat walked out of the mall and crossed the parking lot in front of it. Soon, they turned around and walked to the bus stop in front of the mall.
“Please wait…”
At this moment, a voice came from behind.
Ling Pingan scratched his head and turned around. He saw an old man in a green coat walking over to him with a few bodyguards.
“Old sir?” He looked at the old man and thought about him carefully. Finally, he connected the old man to Ma Baobao, the successor of the 18th generation of Tai-Chi Hsing-i, whom he saw on the big screen of the supermarket.
He was helpless about it. It was difficult for a person with face blindness to recognize people.
It was even harder to recognize a stranger.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t remember, but it was easy to confuse them with others.
It was similar to a stuttering patient. It was difficult for them to speak, but they could talk.
It was the same for him. He could remember some people, but he needed to see them often.
They would become blurry and confused in his memory if he didn’t see them for a long time.
“What can I do for you?” Ling Pingan asked politely.
Ma Baobao walked towards the young man.
He only took a glance at him.
He was wearing cheap casual clothes. The total price of the clothes on the young man wasn’t even enough to buy just the sleeve of his clothes.
The spectacles on his eyes were bought from the e-commerce department.
He might even have gotten them by bargaining.
The items in his hands were also cheap goods.
This kind of commoner was easy to deal.
Thus, Ma Baobao revealed a smile that he thought was very friendly. “Young man, I am the 18th generation of Tai-Chi Hsing-i’s successor…”
Hmm…
Generally speaking, most people would be in awe when he revealed his title.
They would still be shocked, even if they weren’t awe!
After all, his martial arts school had opened dozens of branch schools.
It could be considered famous in the ancient martial arts world!
More importantly, he had also tutored several blackguard officers!
Thus, he was doing well regardless of whether it was the political or business classes.
He had reputations!
Unfortunately…
The young man opposite him scratched his head and had an expression that was not difficult to understand.
Moreover, he did not show the slightest bit of respect for his title.
He frowned and said, “Old sir, what would you like to speak to me? Please tell me directly… I still have to rush to catch the bus!”
Ma Baobao immediately became a little angry!
He came on purpose to talk to the young man, but he didn’t appreciate it.
It was fine for him if he didn’t appreciate it.
He said such a blatant insult by saying, ‘I still have to catch the bus’.
Was he, Ma Baobao, more important than the bus?
Ma Baobao shook his head in his heart and sighed, “Mortals are just mortals… short-sighted, rude…”
However, his face was still smiling and very amiable.
That was very normal. Most people were not worth his anger in the eyes of people like him.
Why bother?
Right!
Why would he be angry with a mortal who was not from the same world?
Who would he complain to if he was ill because of the anger?
Moreover, there would never be a winner in a fight with a mortal!
He couldn’t win with the Blackguard around!
The Blackguard was best at siding the mortal.
His disciples had told him about the Blackguard’s way of thinking.
The strong must restrain their strength!
The strong must take the initiative to make sacrifices to protect the weak.
The words carved in front of the Blackguard’s official residence by Emperor Gaozong were the benchmark for the Blackguard to enforce the law: It would lead to the exploitation and oppression of the weak by the strong if the use of strength was not restricted!
Therefore, when the Blackguard dealt with related matters, they would try their best to protect the interests of the commoners within the framework of the law and the system.
That was a kind of balance.
Thus, an ancient martial art practitioner like Ma Baobao, who had one foot in the ranks of the transcendent being, would do his best to avoid conflicts with the commoners under normal circumstances.
Many things were handled by his subordinates.
It was only this time, that he took the initiative to volunteer when it came to Young Master Ao’s matter.
That was to submit his name, and also to express his attitude which was Young Master Ao’s matters were his matters.
Ma Baobao narrowed his eyes and said with such mentality, “Young man, it’s like this…”
“I am an old man that is reaching his seventies…”
“I don’t have any other hobbies…”
“I just love raising little pets…”
“I wonder if you sell your pet to me?”
He smiled and said, “Young man, don’t worry. Money is not a problem!”
“Just name a price for your cat!”
Ling Pingan looked at the old man in front of him and then at the kitten beside his feet.
The little kitten was scared and hid behind his feet and whimpered.
The fur all over its body was trembling as if she had remembered something terrible.
“Little darling…” Ling Pingan patted her head. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t abandon you…”
He thought of the night when he first met the little one.
She was small, pitiful, and covered in blood. She was trembling in fear.
How pitiful!
Thus, he knew that this kitten’s previous owner was probably like the old man in front of him.
At the same time, Ling Pingan also remembered that pets like cats and dogs could recognize good and evil if they were intelligent!
So…
Was that seemingly amiable old man, a pervert who abused small animals?
Of course, these were all guesses without any evidence.
Therefore, Ling Pingan gazed at that old man, the so-called 18th generation Tai-Chi Hsing-i successor.
He said very politely, “I’m sorry, old sir, my pet is my family…”
“And family is priceless!”
“So… I can only reject your request…”
“One million!” Ma Baobao immediately said a price that he felt he could not refuse.
Ling Pingan shook his head.
One million?
Was his kitten so valuable?
But unfortunately, he was not interested in money!
Moreover, he had no concept of money at some point.
Money was good enough when it was just enough!
Therefore, he was too lazy to answer and directly walked forward.
The kitten Bastet immediately followed its master.
At the same time, she turned around and glanced at the few humans.
The Cat Goddess was already boiling with anger.
“Stupid humans!”
“Ridiculous bugs!”
If her master were not right in front of her, she would have revealed her original form and crushed all these idiots who blasphemed it!
“Two million!” The old man behind it continued to bid.
That made Ling Pingan walk even faster.
Because he felt that he had met a swindler.
Two million for a cat?
Was Bastet made of gold?
She couldn’t be so expensive even if she was made of gold!
It was obvious…
Countless cases of fraud flashed through his mind.
A smart young man would not fall for such a fool’s trap.
Moreover, he had no desires!
Money was like dirt to him!
Tao Yuanming had said that he would not bend down for anything.
And that was how he did it.
He only relied on his interests to earn money other than his business in the bookstore!
He did not have the slightest intention of changing his profession even though he knew that his culinary skills were excellent.
That was him.
His attitude finally angered the people behind him.
“Bastard!” Ma Baobao didn’t say anything. The bodyguards behind him were already furious.
The Lord was humiliated, and the subject died!
Having been trained, they knew that now was the time to show their worth.
They immediately walked out in unison.
Meow!
Bastet, the kitten, seemed to have been frightened. She jumped high in an instant and jumped onto Ling Pingan’s shoulder.
Ling Pingan was also shocked by his pet.
He turned around and looked at the bodyguards in black clothes and sunglasses.
The young bookstore owner was not afraid at all.
He looked at these people calmly.
Then, he looked up at the surveillance camera at the intersection in front of him.
The surveillance camera had already turned around in his direction.
So, he laughed.
“What do you want to do?” The righteous in him puffed out.
He had enough confidence in the country, in the law, and the system!
As the country with the best security in the world.
The police of the Federal Empire was very efficient!
Jiangcheng City’s fastest response time was five minutes, and the longest response time was less than ten minutes last year.
And that was a business district, with several security sentry posts.
So, he was not afraid even if he was alone.
The country and the law were his best backup!