The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 125 The one who owes money is the master.
Perhaps it was because it was midsummer, and according to Chuck, the next city-wide celebration, the 'Twin Moon Feast,' was just around the corner.

On that day, the moon in the sky will turn a deep, dark blue, and not far from it, a pale yet scarlet full moon will appear.

The red moon will hang in the sky intermittently, lasting from a few days to the end of the year.

At that time, the red moon will completely engulf the blue moon, the sky will be covered in crimson, and the entire continent will be in a state of 'eternal night' for an extended period of time until the dawn of some day.

Therefore, in most regions, people regard a red moon as an ominous sign.

At least in the [Terran Empire], the Emperor will order a curfew, forcing everyone, including royalty and nobles, to stay in their rooms and forbid them from going out, lest they bring misfortune upon themselves.

However, in a few cities within the Lords' Alliance, such as Dragongold City, large-scale celebrations are held to commemorate this special day.

"We cannot change the celestial phenomena, much less control fate. Please face the unknown with an optimistic attitude, and even if misfortune is coming, at least die happily."

As the 'double moon' approached, the weather became increasingly gloomy and rainy.

Fortunately, it wasn't a torrential downpour, allowing Tang Qi to hold up an umbrella and shelter himself and Anbi from the rain.
"Brother Tang Qi, my sister said that your 'Guide to the Dawn and Dusk Forest' was finished a long time ago, but you haven't been able to find a publisher willing to take it over."

"Yes."

"So, did you find it this time?"

"nor."

"Where are we going?"

“There’s more than one publishing house in Longjincheng, and the commercial area is huge. Let’s try our luck again.”

"Why is no one willing to publish it? Amby thinks it's wonderfully written..."

"Perhaps it's just a difference in preferences."

Tang Qi shook his head, also unsure of the situation.

Since the 'Story Section' of the Guide is basically a re-edited version of the [Log] content, with the addition of some sensational false information, it is actually quite easy to write.

The 'Illustrated Guide' chapters interspersed throughout the story are mostly compiled from Tang Qi's knowledge base. Since there are few parts that require thinking, he usually delegates them to his clones.

With their collaboration, the Dawn and Dusk Forest chapter was completed in less than a month.

He also tried submitting his manuscripts to various publishing houses in Longjincheng, but whether he submitted them by email or visited them in person, the result was the same as throwing a stone into the sea.

This even made Tang Qi begin to doubt himself, thinking that "The Guide" might be an utterly boring book.

I vaguely remember my mentor, Ulasang, once admonishing his students in this way—

"Do not give your works to your friends to read, because the response you will receive will be nothing but praise."

This is not because your article is exceptionally brilliant.

Rather, as friends, they don't want to see you sad.

Ambi didn't understand these things and still asked:

"What if we can't find a publisher today?"

"If you can't find it, just wander around Longjin City. You've been out for so long, haven't you seen the city's sights yet?"

"My sister won't let Amby run around..."

"It's fine today."

"Really?"

"That's what your sister told me."

Tang Qi answered truthfully, but did not elaborate on his reasons.

He could also tell that the little girl had been in a bad mood ever since she realized that her father had really left.

To avoid worrying Catherine, she pretended that nothing had happened.

However, as a beast-like being, her psychological state will be reflected in her physical body.

The increasingly thick fur proved that, under the collapse of her mental state, the curse of bestiality was gradually eroding her mind.

She needs some outlets to release stress so that she can deal with the primal instincts ingrained in her blood with a calmer mind.

That's why Catherine asked Don Qi for help, using the opportunity of finding a publishing house as a pretext to take Ambly into the city for a change of scenery.

Whether feigning joy or genuinely so, Ambiya skipped and hopped all the way to the city gate, as if the gloomy weather hadn't dampened her spirits.

When Tang Qi reached the city gate and presented two lists of 'stay tax' purchased for 1 gold coin, he was easily allowed to pass:

"Brother, we all know you. Next time, just walk right in. There's no need for all this trouble."

Despite the numerous caravans and carriages coming and going, the guards still found a moment to pat him on the chest and say something.

Tang Qi then recognized that the 'black-robed' man in front of him, wearing a steel helmet, seemed to be one of those who had been drinking all night.

Because of his hangover, he was using his spear to prop himself up on the ground to keep himself from passing out.
"Where's the captain of the guard? I haven't seen him."

He drank so much last night that he forgot to ask the other person's name.

"He just brought out a prisoner who didn't want to leave from the jail next to the city wall. If you walk a little faster, you might run into him ahead?"

Longjincheng's prisons have different responsibilities. Generally, those escorted into the "City Wall Prison" are mostly outsiders or temporary suspects.

The crimes committed by such individuals are generally not very serious, and their detention time will not exceed seven days at most.

Tang Qi asked curiously, "Are there really people who enjoy living in prison?" The guard scoffed.
"I heard he offended some noble lady and was deliberately imprisoned to avoid trouble. He was supposed to be released in a week, but he stayed for a whole month."

"That is indeed a good place."

While drinking last night, Tang Qi seemed to have heard of this person.

I vaguely remember that he was a painter who was arrested for insisting on leaving the city during martial law, but I didn't inquire about the specifics.

Uninterested in learning more, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, he led the little girl through the city gate—to the tailbone of the dead dragon.

A month ago, when I first arrived in Longjin City, this tailbone was still a yellowish skeleton, and I couldn't see its true appearance from outside the city gate.

But as early as the beginning of August, Tang Qi had already witnessed the process of the entire skeleton being gradually covered with ginkgo leaves.

I learned it from Chuck: it seemed that the ginkgo leaves were cultivated by the druidic society stationed in the Land of Bones.

The largest forest cemetery in this city, known as the "Land of Burial Bones," was built by them.

Their reason for staying in the city was to "turn the whole city into a forest and drive the factories out."

However, the proposal was too radical and remained in a stalemate, leaving the druids constantly resentful.

But they are still happy to give the keel a natural vitality.

So, on the 'New Life Day' in early spring, the dragon bone tree will be covered with fragrant flowers, and will be covered with lush green shade until the 'Midsummer Festival' in summer.

Then, before the 'Double Moon Feast', the ginkgo leaves are replaced with golden ones, and in winter they are left to be covered with heavy snow.

In Tang Qi's eyes, the ginkgo tree seemed to have wrapped the dragon in a layer of skin and was magically lifted into the air—it must have been some kind of gravity array that made it look like a floating golden dragon.

Of course, the apricot leaves didn't completely cover the area. At least through the huge gaps between the leaves, sunlight and rain still managed to get through.

Otherwise, the houses that are shaded may never receive sunlight again.

This makes it more like a garden in the air, where leaves occasionally fall—

Therefore, this is also the time of year that the city's sanitation workers hate the most:

"We cannot pay twice the labor for the same price!"

"Give a raise after the bi-monthly feast" has become one of the annual proposals.

The dragon's tail meanders towards the cliff in a winding, arcing manner, offering an unobstructed view of the straight, wide main road in front of us.

"There are so many cars!" Ambi exclaimed.

Using Chuck's explanation, Tang Qi immediately put his knowledge to use:
"This is called the Dragon Avenue, the main artery of the entire city, leading from the city gates all the way to the Dragon Stairs in the Upper District. It also connects almost all the branch roads leading to other districts."

He pointed to the lush green trees lining both sides of the wide street.

Although it was early morning, numerous two-wheeled and four-wheeled carriages, and even handcarts, were already parked there, waiting for gentlemen and tourists who did not want to walk.

"Although taking a public carriage would allow us to experience the sights of the city more fully, we do have a destination in mind. Let's splurge a little today and rent a private carriage to take us to the commercial district."

Tang Qi said as he walked.

He has the necromancer's savings, Mel's compensation, and the Red Scarf Gang's ill-gotten gains from yesterday, totaling less than 800 gold coins.

This is certainly not comparable to a teapot owned by the "Star Plum Tycoon," but for an ordinary citizen, it is still a considerable fortune, allowing him to spend without too much restraint.

But as he approached the carriages, he saw the captain of the guard arguing with a filthy, disheveled 'vagrant' who looked like he hadn't washed in ages.

"You've enjoyed free room and board in prison for a month, what more could you want?"

"Hey, you guys are out barbecuing and drinking every day, while I'm stuck in prison eating gruel and black bread. You ask me if I'm satisfied?"

"You're a prisoner, do you expect to be treated well?"

“Please watch your words. I only violated martial law, not the law—I am still a law-abiding citizen in name only!”

"So what else do you want?"

"As compensation for mistreatment of a law-abiding citizen, I order you to escort me home!"

"Keep dreaming. If it weren't for your reputation, I wouldn't have paid for your fare!"

"No, you must escort me back. What if I'm surrounded and ambushed when I get home?"

"That's your business."

"Then take me back to prison!"

The homeless man simply grabbed the guard captain's leg and refused to let go.

"Get lost! If you keep bothering me, I won't be so polite!"

The captain of the guard tried to kick him to break free, but didn't dare to kick too hard.

After all, this homeless man was heavily in debt; if he kicked him to death, all the debt would fall on his own shoulders.

These days, the one who owes money is the "master".

He was caught in a dilemma: he couldn't fight back, nor could he take the person away.

His eyes lit up when he saw Tang Qi walking slowly towards him:
"Hey, my friend! You've come at just the right time."

(End of this chapter)