Once he arrived in the guest quarters, he sprawled out on the extravagant beds that had been prepared for him, and went to work studying the Help menu for his weapon. At some point, the sun completely disappeared below the horizon, but he was so much absorbed in reading that he didn''t even notice.


    On the plus side, he was able to find out a lot of useful information. Apparently, the legendary weapon were almighty tools that didn''t require maintenance. On top of that, if their owner diligently leveled up and fused materials into it, new forms would unlock, which were recorded in something called the "Weapon TalentsTree". That sounded interesting, so hedecided to try pulling it up.


    ''Swooosh''


    The screen that appeared was filled with icons that extended well beyond its borders, all marked as "Locked".


    Amazing...


    It looked like hecould develop hislegendary weapon through various branching paths. It was just like a skill tree from an online game. And in order to learn theskills, heneeded to unlock the power sleeping in the weapon...?


    "This gonna be fun, Shall I kill the demon lord and become one instead?"


    Hespoke up suddenly, but no one could really heard, he was in his personal chamber after all.


    While he certainly thought this world seemed game-ish, it didn''t remind him of any virtual games in particular that he was playing.Xiao Feng was a realexpert on online games, it would be strange for him to have such a glaring gap in his game knowledge...He kept absentmindedly rubbing his head as he remembered today''s events.


    Personally Hethought it was pretty cliché, saving the world, becoming a legendary hero, then returned back to China.


    "Anyway, before I knew it I was here."


    He laughed off about this weird setting put on him. But, even though he didn''t wanted to become a Hero, that was fine.


    "If I really want freedom, then I need to leave this empire."


    Hecouldn''t leave the castle until now,but hegot the feeling that in the castle, people were looking down on him. He feels that this empire was already rotten from the beggining.


    Few minutes later, when he was still looking the legendary weapon''s guide, someone knock his door. A maid entered then said.


    "Honorable Hero, we have prepared a meal for you."


    Oh? Apparently it was time to eat dinner.


    He left his room, and the maid escorted himto the knight corps'' dining hall. It was like a scene from a fantasy movie. Rows of tables were packed with food, like an all-you-can-eat buffet.


    "Please help yourselfto whatever you like."


    "Seriously? I have to eat at the same time as the knights?"


    The Maid shook his head then explained.


    "After you''ve had your fill, the food here will be used at your introduction."


    Hmm? As Hetooka closer look at the dining hall, he realized that the boisterous throngs of people filling the room were all cooks. So this was what they called "preferential treatment", huh? Apparently they intended to introduce meto the knights when we finished.


    "I see, thanks for the food."


    And so, Xiao Fengindulged in the cuisine of another world. It was a bit bland for my tastes, but there wasn''t anything hecouldn''t eat. Though, a lot of it was bizarre.After he was done eating, he returned to his room.


    "I hope there is a bathroom in my chamber."


    He took his shower and went to sleep. Tomorrow his journey finally started, so he needed to be mentally and physically at best conditions.


    =======


    Xiao Feng''s PoV:


    The next morning.


    After breakfast, I eagerly waited to be summoned by the emperor.But of course, nothing was going to happen so early in the morning. Judging from the position of the sun, it must have been around ten o''clock when they finally came to get me. I left my room and headed to the audience chamber.


    "Welcome, Hero."


    Inside the audience chamber, twelve womens dressed like adventurers had been gathered. There were even a few that looked like honest-to-goodness knights. The emperor''s assistance was really amazing...


    I bowed in greeting.


    "As promised, we have gathered companions to follow you on your journey. They are all eager to make your acquaintance."


    This was actually better than I thought. There were just only beautifulfemales knights lined up.


    "Now, future hero of this empire. Choose 3 retainers thatyou wish."


    I can really choose anyone I want? That was surprising, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought that all these females knights are probably also spies. Letting the hero wondering around the world without any report was stupid. Obviously they would favor their own citizens over a bunch of strangers, so most of them must have high loyalty to their emperor.


    "You''ll be the first."


    I pointed a girl amongst the females knights. She was a lovely young woman who''s probably aroundher early 20''s with shoulder-lengthred hair. Actually, more than that, she was stunning, wasn''t she? Her features were a bit childish, but even so she was only a little shorter than me.


    "You."


    The young girlwasn’t more than 17 years old. Although her beauty wasn’timmediately evident, her long blue navy hair and blue eyes beaufitully shined though the room, her small childish face combined with her innocence captured the attention of the audience.


    "Last... You."


    Another young girl in her early 20''swas in front of him.


    She had delicate features, her eyes clear as spring. Her small mouth bloomed into a smile that was as gentle and refined as flowing water. Her lustrous blondehair was pulled up high into a bun, barely decorated with a single golden hairpin, simple and elegant but yet still stylish. Looking at her as a whole, her expression seemed to appear even more beautiful and full of wisdom. Adorned in a sky blue gown and a jade bracelet on her wrist that was hugging the small girl, she was a sight forthe entire audience, one would said that she was the one standing the most amongst them.


    Just then, a robed man whispered something to the emperor.


    "Oh? Are you sure?"


    "Yes."


    The king breathed a sigh of regret.


    "Very well. Xiao Feng, from this point on you are the hero of our empire, and you shall fight only for the empire until death coming to your door.I will make a special exception just this once and increase your aid for the month."The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Yes,Your Majesty!"


    It was a sound judgment. For now, let''s just fake our alliegance, then I just had to go out and find some people more worthy.


    "Then, I shall distribute the funds."


    At the emperor''ssignal, I was presented with aheavy, jangling moneybags. As promised.


    "I hereby bequeath 800 silver coinsto theHero. Use it to equip yourselves, and then begin your journey!"


    "Yes!"


    And so, my audience with the emperor finallyended. Everybody filed out into the hall, and began their self-introductions.


    "Nice to meet you all, my name is Lu Miling. Let''s do our best together, okay?"


    The first womanto spoke was the red haired woman. She introduced herself, this one seems intelligent and devoted.''She probably gonnabe problematic,if she cannot betray her emperor,I''ll just kill her anyway.'' Ithought.


    "Ai... Nice to meet you all, my name is Nuan Yun."


    The young girl with blue navy hair was the second one to introduced herself, she seems to be shy, that was a good choice, she seems inexperienced and young, after torturing her, she would most likely obey every orders. When thinking about such things, the last woman introduced herself.


    "I''m called Feng Ai hope we can get along together."


    This last woman will be most likely the most easierone to handle with, her eyes reflected the same as my father, someone who''s always scheming plan, someone who always take the less dangerous risk encounter, someone who can betray anyone if the situation become dangerous. Well, whatever even if she betrayed me, she won''t be able to escape alive. No one actually succeeded to escape from me in my former world. Someone who has the gut to run away from me deserves more praise than anything, but still get punished though.


    Once she finished introducing herself, the 3 retainers looked at me,waiting for me to introduce myself.


    "Xiao Feng, I''ll cut anyone who doesn''t listen to my order. Let''s go!"


    Everyonenodded without saying anything, the glared Isent actually make them silent.''Is he really a Hero?'' they thought.


    =======


    The spectacle that greeted us when we crossed the drawbridge from the castle into the town nearly blew me away. Though I had caught a glimpse of it through the window yesterday, seeing it up close really drilled in the fact that I had come to another world. Wooden signboards hung over stone streets and storefronts, and delicious smells wafted through the air. It really made quite an impression.


    "What should we do now?"


    "First I want to find a shop that sells weapons and armor. We should definitely be able to buy something decent with this much money."


    Right. Since I only had a sword, the first thing I needed was a defensive gear. Without that, I would never be able to fight monsters and catching up to those guys (3 retainers)would be next to impossible. On the other hand, they all had scratch weapons. If I couldget stronger fast, it won''t be a problem once we crossed the border.


    "In that case, I know of a great little shop I can take you to."


    "Better be a good one."


    "Of course! We''re partners, aren''t we?"


    Maybe this is your thought, but not mine.


    Lu Miling guided us through the streets with a skip in her step. Then, after about ten minutes she suddenly came to a stop. We were in front of a shop with a conspicuously huge sign, emblazoned with nothing but a sword.


    "Here it is."


    "Woah..."


    Peeking in through the door, wecould see that the walls were covered with weapons from floor to ceiling. Without a doubt, this was an honest-to-god weapon shop! And not only that, it looked like they also dealt in armor and useful tools for adventurers.


    "Welcome!"


    The shopkeeper bellowed out a greeting as we entered. His enormous, muscular frame was exactly what you''d expect from the owner of a weapon shop. But that was great! I would have been a little disappointed if he had ended up being some sleazy ball of grease. This really was another world, huh?


    "So this is a weapon shop...?"


    "Ah, a new customer! The fact that you came in means you must have an eye for quality!"


    "Actually this girl here recommended you."


    I pointed at Lu Miling, who gave a quick wave to the shopkeeper.


    "Well, thanks for that missy."


    "Oh, don''t worry about it. Your shop is famous around these parts, that''s all."


    "You flatter me! Anyway, this strangely dressed fellow is the so called ''Hero'', I presume?"


    That''s right. To the people of this world, my clothes must have seemed otherworldly. Anybody judging me by my appearance alone would think I was a total weirdo.


    "Yes you''re right, we need to buy protectives gear for him."


    "I see, what do you prefer to wear? I recommend you plate armor."


    The shopkeeper stared at me for what seemed like an eternity.


    "Do you have clothes like mine, I prefer something light for moving easily."


    "Yes, we have clothes created with magic threads but itare you really sure? It can only protect you from magic, nothing else."


    "I don''t mind. That''s my goal."


    Xiao Feng didn''t knew how strong the magic of this world was, so he prefered to take counter mesures against mage instead having heavy plate armor.


    "What''s your budget?


    "Let''s see..."


    Lu Miling looked me over like she was appraising my value.


    "I''d say... 250 silver coins, or thereabouts."


    250 of my 800 silver coins...? I wondered if she was figuring in the cost of recruiting allies and paying for lodgings.


    "Understood! Wait there moment."


    The shopkeeper left the counter and wandered around a bit, before finally returning with a pile of weapons from various sections of the shop.


    "So, kiddo. Do you have a preference for any particular style type?"


    "Make it black and white that should be fine."


    "In that case, I''d recommendthis set of clothes."


    He lined up a selection of clotheson the counter in front of me


    "All of these come with a coating of magic thread already applied."


    "I''ll take this."


    "Would you like to wear it out?"


    "Sure."


    A message popped once I wear the clothes.


    <ul>


    <li>Behemoth Suit eqquiped, ''disperse'' the next spell casted on you.</li>


    </ul>


    "Good choice, it suits you."


    This clothes is more confortable than I thought, no wonder why it was so costy, well I don''t mind it was worth buying it.


    "Yeah, okay. That sounds good."


    "How much does it cost?"


    Lu Milingaddressed the shopkeeper.


    "For you? I''ll knock it down to 120 silver coins."


    "Do you do buybacks?"


    "Hmm? Well, I guess if you brought it back in good shape I''d be willing to pay 100 silver coins for it."


    "What''s going on?"


    "Oh, Hero. I was just asking him how much we could make back on this armor once you outgrow it."


    Ah, of course. That made sense. Right now I was only level one, but as I grew stronger it stood to reason that I''d be able to equip more powerful equipment as well. This clothe wasjust the best thing I could equip at the moment.


    "Okay, I''ll take it."


    "Wonderful! I''ll even throw in the innerwear for free!"


    The shopkeeper''s generosity rendered me speechless. I handed him the 120 silver coins for the clothes.


    "Well then, Hero. Shall we head out and start our travel?"


    "Yeah, nothing more to do here, let''s go."


    I was in high spirits as I left the shop with Lu Miling. She was really useful, I wonder what would happens if I told her that I''m going to desert this empire.


    Afterward, we walked toward the edge of town and exited through the castle gates. The guards posted as lookouts acknowledged our presence with a nod, and I waved them in return.


    My adventure in this new world finally started.