Chapter Twenty-One: Choosing Sides and Antiquities
Under the influence of the matriarch of the Gain family, every corner of the household exuded a rich Eastern flair. Beyond the lotus ornaments hanging on the windows, the Bagua mirrors on the doors, and the calligraphy and landscape paintings adorning the walls, the most distinctive trait was the family’s unique custom of conversing over meals—a tradition that stood out in the entire Kingdom of Blossoms.
In the span of a single meal, thanks to Tia’s gracious hospitality and Alice’s occasional support, the relationship among the three drew noticeably closer. To Liu Tian, Tia and Alice now held a place in his heart above even Allen; if either asked for help, he would readily lend a hand if the matter was trivial and convenient.
For Tia, understanding a man inclined toward introversion, who disliked pretense and spoke frankly, was not difficult. Yet, haste rarely leads to success. Since Liu Tian had saved her sister and shown an ardent passion for relics of the Lost Empire, there was no need to rush; the days ahead would offer ample opportunity to nurture their relationship through frequent exchanges and maintain the current harmony.
The Kingdom of Blossoms appeared tranquil on the surface, but within, storms were brewing. With the aged Tulip Queen favoring the succession of Princess Lilia von Ein, the sole daughter of the Crown Prince who perished in the world war, a struggle for the throne and political upheaval could erupt at any moment.
The Gain family wished to avoid involvement in this grand affair, reluctant to choose sides among the Second Prince, who controlled the military, the Third Prince, who enjoyed the support of most nobles, and Princess Rose. Yet, their noble status made neutrality impossible; in such tumultuous times, a family holding an earl’s title could not escape the obligation to take a stand.
One may evade crisis for a time, but not forever. Thus, more friends meant more backing—more avenues for retreat. Preserving good relations, and encouraging Alice and Liu Tian to deepen their friendship, was the wisest course. Should unspeakable misfortune arise, the Heavenly Way behind Liu Tian would at least protect Alice for his sake.
With this in mind, Tia not only refrained from resisting Alice’s overtures toward Liu Tian but actively facilitated them, aside from subtly probing Liu Tian’s character. A simple debt of gratitude for saving a life would not have motivated the Gain family to such lengths.
Without wholehearted commitment and the willingness to pay unexpected costs, the Gain family could not have assembled so many relics of the Lost Empire in just three days. Anything associated with the Lost Empire was a treasure, no matter where it was found.
“Thank you for your generous hospitality.” Sated with food and tea, Liu Tian did not forget his true purpose. “May I ask where the relics are displayed? I can hardly wait.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied.” Tia smiled, rose from her seat, and cast a meaningful glance at Alice. “All recent acquisitions are kept in the storage room on the fifth floor. More may arrive in time. Alice, why don’t you take Liu Tian there?”
“There are other matters I must attend to, so I’ll leave you to it,” Tia added.
“Alright!” Catching her sister’s intent, Alice responded quickly, though her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.
“Thank you, Alice.”
…
On the fifth floor, in a storage room meticulously maintained with stable temperature and humidity, two visitors arrived—Alice and Liu Tian.
As the doors, protected by layer upon layer of security, swung open, Liu Tian’s eyes shimmered in delight. The room, spanning several hundred square meters, was lined with glass display cases, each containing precious relics. Exquisite patterns adorned plaques describing each artifact.
From left to right, extending all the way to the entrance, the room resembled a grand exhibition of human civilization. Relics from the Kingdom of Blossoms, the Scarlet Cloud Empire, the Morningstar Alliance, and the Lost Empire—all nations Liu Tian could name—were represented.
A rough estimate suggested over a thousand relics from the Lost Empire alone, and nearly five thousand when including pieces from other nations. Nearly every display case held a corresponding artifact.
Unquestionably, the combined value of these relics far exceeded the total wealth of any single earl’s family. Such a collection could not have been amassed by the Gain family alone; Tia Gain had deployed her social skills to the fullest, traversing White Sea City and its environs to gather these treasures.
Fortunately, the Gain family had a longstanding penchant for collecting antiques, enjoyed a distinguished history, and commanded respect among most nobles. Only through extensive borrowing and coordination could they host such a lavish exhibition.
“No wonder my sister has been busier than ever these past days…” Alice was startled—her own family’s collection scarcely amounted to a tenth of what lay here.
“It’s truly magnificent. Had I known it would be this grand, I would have thanked Miss Tia more profusely.” Tia Gain was indeed a woman—no, a patron—worthy of friendship.
“So, how shall we begin?” After a brief moment of awe, Alice tilted her head and asked.
“Let’s start with that piece from the Lost Empire.” Liu Tian stroked his chin, his anticipation for the coming harvest evident.
To view all these relics would take far more than a day or two. As time passed, with Liu Tian carefully handling one artifact after another, a smile occasionally flickering across his face, Alice propped her head and struck up a conversation: “Brother Tian, do you really like relics from the Lost Empire that much?”
“It’s not that I like relics, but rather that I’m fascinated by the Lost Empire itself—I want to understand it more deeply.” Having long resolved to openly show interest in anything related to the Lost Empire, Liu Tian knew that someone would eventually ask this question. As he caressed a peculiar artifact resembling a skull, he responded as he had planned, “Do you know what I felt when I learned that, six thousand years ago, there existed such a mysterious nation?”
“Hmm…” As she handed him another artifact he had yet to touch, Alice replied, “Curious?”
“Excited,” Liu Tian said, feeling the joy of a seasoned farmer at harvest as he absorbed another trace of the source. “Six thousand years ago, before humanity had begun formally recording history and civilization, there existed a vast, powerful, magnificent, and wondrous nation.”
“What were their institutions? What did they eat? How did they travel? How did they vanish?”
“So many questions, so many thoughts flood my mind.”
“That’s why I want to see more, to know more, to piece together that era—that mysterious era—through the relics they left behind.”
Liu Tian spoke with little deception, voicing his true thoughts. He knew he was no expert at lying; it was better to conceal a bit of the truth than to fabricate a clumsy falsehood.
“If possible, after graduation, I hope to travel to the New Continent and search for more information about the Lost Empire.”
This was pure truth. When relics elsewhere were exhausted, he would have to rely on himself—assuming he could seize the prism rumored to exist within Blue Dream Corporation.
Liu Tian was confident. Though it seemed that individual power in this world peaked at a certain level, with enough effort, he believed he could stand against armies and become invincible.
He would surpass the Heavenly Way, the Heavenly Warrior, the Demon Warrior, and even Bai Ciman. Sooner or later, they would be left behind.
Thus, despite Blue Dream Corporation appearing as an unshakable giant for now, Liu Tian was not worried about matching its strength, given enough time.
“That sounds so romantic,” Alice replied, stars sparkling in her eyes. “Exploring ruins, tracing the remnants of ancient empires, uncovering the truth of history.”
“Will you take me with you when the time comes?”
“You’ll have to grow stronger first,” Liu Tian answered, paying little mind to her subtle affection. “If you’re too weak, you won’t be able to explore ruins…”