[Vol. 8] Chapter 80: So you’re Mister Shui?
“Amy… if there really were any traces like that, not just me, even the Holy Knights patrolling the streets would have noticed. The Holy Capital has strict rules. People aren’t allowed to use magic for anything except daily life. If I could understand what happened, I wouldn’t have to come all the way here to ask for Mister Shui.”
“Hmm…”
Amy didn’t give a clear answer. Seeing the unsure look on her face, Ayla shook her head with a sigh. She knew Amy, and all Lightborn tended to be very independent. They usually only believe what they see with their own eyes and don’t easily change their minds because of what others say. That’s why Ayla had once made up her mind to uncover the truth behind Faith-based Magic, even when it led to so many unexpected things.
By the way, Miss Amy was the captain of the guard at the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild’s western headquarters in Bright Light City. Since the Lightborn were few in number, they kept close contact among themselves. Although Amy and Ayla had known each other for a while, they lived far apart, one in the east, one in the west, so they didn’t talk often.
This time, Amy came along with the Bright Light Saintess, who traveled from West Capital to co-organize the Goddess's Chosen Hero Trial, just to join in the fun.
Lightborn were always very curious. In this current timeline, it had been 300 years since the goddess last used her divine power to drive away a demon king. Now, for only the second time, she was showing signs of her presence again, and even more clearly than before. She had chosen to appear in person and give guidance to her believers.
Not just Amy, countless Lightborn had come to Angel City in the Eastern Capital. After all, if we’re talking about who might become a chosen hero, there weren’t many races in the Holy Empire more suited than the Lightborn.
As the two women walked and chatted, Amy’s lively and open personality slowly helped Ayla calm down from the tension of the strange events earlier. The Mister Shui she was hoping to meet was said to be a hidden master inside the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild in the Holy Capital. Rumor had it that he was closely connected to Miss Dawn herself. If anyone could help Ayla now, it would probably be him.
As they kept walking, the tunnel ahead suddenly opened up.
This was Ayla’s first time here. She had expected Mister Shui to live in some small hidden room or secret chamber. But to her surprise, the end of the secret path led to a much larger space than she ever imagined.
They walked up a staircase from below, and what greeted them was bright sunlight. Birds fluttered from tree to tree, chirping happily but softly. The sound of flowing water came from somewhere nearby. The air was fresh, filled with the gentle scent of flowers.
Ayla couldn’t help but relax her brows and look around with her bright sapphire-blue eyes, a feature unique to the Lightborn.
They had stepped into an open-air garden built in front of a house.
The plants and flowerpots were neatly trimmed. Beautifully carved rocks decorated the area, showing that someone had clearly cared for this place over a long time. In the middle of the garden was a small pond. The goldfish inside had been attracted by their voices and gathered near the edge, popping up to blow bubbles in the clear water.
Next to the pond was a stone pavilion. Standing there was a young man in a simple robe, with sharp fox ears on his head. He was facing away from them, calmly tossing fish food into the pond.
“Mister Shui!”
Ayla’s eyes lit up the moment she saw him. She and Amy quickly walked toward the pavilion side by side. The young man with fox ears heard them and stopped what he was doing. He turned around slowly.
For some reason, his expression changed slightly the moment he saw them—but then quickly disappeared under a gentle smile.
The man had a tall, slim figure and fair skin. He looked like the gentle, cultured type that most women would naturally feel comfortable around. His face was mostly hidden behind a white fox-shaped half-mask, but even with the mask, Ayla could still tell that he was quite handsome. Judging just by his appearance, he didn’t seem older than thirty.
But Ayla knew very well that his real age was likely far more complicated than that.
From what she had learned, the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, famous for its wealth and rare treasures that made even powerful nations wary of offending it, was primarily because of the true backing hidden behind them. That force came from a mysterious and extraordinary island far across the Eastern Sea, an island untouched by the normal world. This island was also where the name "Spirit Veil" people truly came from.
This Mister Shui had arrived at the Holy Capital’s Spirit Veil branch a few months ago. Ayla happened to be visiting the Merchant Guild at the time and met him by chance. He was said to be a messenger from that very island, bringing with him large amounts of rare goods and supplies from the real headquarters.
Later on, the local branch leader had shared with Ayla some hidden truths about Spirit Veil.
He told her that the Spirit Veil Immortal Island was made by a being known as the Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden, someone who was seen as equal to a true god. The island had existed since the days of ancient legends, tens of thousands of years, and the group behind it was far beyond what normal people could imagine.
The island’s people were called the Spirit Veil Tribe, and they were said to be immortal, never aging or dying. Each member of the tribe had power equal to that of legendary beings. The only reason they rarely showed themselves to the world was due to some special reason that made them keep to themselves.
If the Immortal Island ever decided to act seriously, even the five greatest nations in the world wouldn’t dare fight against it. But the island folk didn’t care much for power or politics. They only acted through business, selling things they didn’t need from the island, items that were seen as priceless treasures in the outside world.
Every member of the Spirit Veil Tribe was beautiful and had fox ears. When high-ranking members went out into the world, they often wore masks to hide their faces. No one really knew why, but it made them easy to recognize.
The branch leader had told Ayla this to warn her to be respectful and not offend anyone from the island. But what caught her attention even more was how this description matched someone else she knew, Miss Dawn, the mysterious and powerful woman who had once helped her greatly.
The mask, the fox ears, the looks and strength, and the close connection to the Spirit Veil Merchant Guild, all of it fit too well. If Ayla couldn’t figure out the truth from all this, she thought, then she had no right to keep calling herself a scholar.
That’s why Ayla had always felt deep respect and trust toward this “Mister Shui,” who came from the same place, and might even be from the same tribe, as Miss Dawn. They had talked a few times before. When Mister Shui learned that she had a connection with Miss Dawn, he didn’t explain who that mysterious fox woman was, but his attitude immediately changed. He began treating Ayla with more care and attention, which only confirmed her suspicions.
Miss Dawn was either a member of the Spirit Veil Tribe or someone closely tied to them. And this man in front of her… was very likely her true kin.
So when the two Lightborn girls showed up in this beautifully kept courtyard, part of a home that seemed to be lived in by Mister Shui alone and didn’t quite match the usual style of the Holy Empire cities, he didn’t seem surprised at all. He simply looked at them with a warm smile.
Just as Ayla stepped forward to speak and politely greet him, he spoke first, and what he said made her pause in place.
“I already know about what happened, Miss Ayla. There’s no need to worry. Please, have a seat first.”
“?”
….………………………..
Note:
Shui Menshu = Ming Lan