The Rich Cultivator
Chapter 147 - 146. Kong Shen

Chapter 147: 146. Kong Shen

The girls strolled through the bustling streets of Rich Berg Island, heading towards the clothing shop they had eagerly planned to visit. The shop, nestled between tall stone buildings, exuded a medieval charm with its timber-framed exterior and intricately carved wooden sign that swayed gently in the breeze. The entrance was adorned with iron lanterns, their soft glow inviting customers inside.

As they stepped into the shop, the air was filled with the scent of freshly woven fabrics and the faint aroma of herbs from the nearby apothecary. The interior was spacious, with rows of wooden shelves lined with vibrant rolls of fabric, ranging from rich velvets to delicate silks. Garments of various styles hung on display, from simple peasant dresses to elaborately embroidered robes fit for nobility. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of knights, maidens, and mythical creatures, adding to the shop’s enchanting atmosphere.

Silvia’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she began to browse through the garments, her fingers trailing over the fine materials. Mathilda, ever the leader, guided the group, picking out outfits with an expert eye. Lily and Darla eagerly followed, each finding something that caught their interest. Even Mana, usually more reserved, found herself captivated by the intricate designs and craftsmanship.

Taka, the octopus fishman, hovered behind them, his tentacles skillfully carrying the growing pile of clothes the girls selected. Although he grumbled about being included in the "Girls and Squid group," his quiet murmurs went unnoticed as the girls lost themselves in the joy of shopping.

Though they had storage items, the satisfaction of holding up their purchases and admiring them in the shop was something they all cherished. It was a simple pleasure, but one that brought them together, their laughter filling the shop as they tried on different outfits, each more extravagant than the last.

As Lily Gomes noticed the subtle presence of someone trailing them, her instincts immediately sharpened. Her eyes scanned the crowd, catching a fleeting glimpse of a shadow darting between the rooftops. Without hesitation, she subtly signaled the girls to keep moving forward while she veered off to confront the mysterious figure.

Slipping through the narrow alleyways, Lily moved swiftly, her eyes fixed on the figure in a black dress that danced across the rooftops with ease. Her mind raced as she pursued, the familiar thrill of a chase igniting her senses.

"You came back, huh?" Lily called out as she gained on the figure, her voice laced with a mix of irritation and anticipation.

The figure halted at the edge of a rooftop, turning slowly to face Lily. With a swift motion, the hood was lowered, revealing the striking features of a tanned-skinned woman with a dangerously alluring figure. It was Isadora Nightkiss, the infamous "Manhunter."

Lily’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I thought you were part of the Phantom Pirates," she said, her tone cold and probing.

Isadora smirked, her lips curling in a mocking smile. "Oh, why are you such a loser? Losing that girl to unknown pirates... I just came here to check whether it was real or not." She paused, her gaze assessing Lily’s reaction. "Looks like you did lose her to a pirate. How boring..."

Lily’s eyes narrowed further as she carefully chose her next words, ensuring Isadora believed her ruse that the group had no connection to the Phantom Pirates. Satisfied with the confusion she had sown, Isadora turned and darted off into the shadows, leaving Lily to decide it was better not to pursue her, at least for the time being.

Meanwhile, after Lily’s departure, the girls continued their shopping spree and then made their way to a nearby restaurant. As they approached the entrance, they were met by a waiter who quickly stepped forward to intercept them.

"I’m really sorry, but the whole restaurant has been booked by the Kong Family’s young master," the waiter explained, bowing apologetically.

Just as the girls were about to turn away, a group of well-dressed men entered the scene, led by a young man with an air of arrogance. He was tall, with sharp features and piercing eyes that glinted with amusement as they swept over the group. His lavish attire, adorned with symbols of wealth and status, marked him as someone of importance.

"Young Master Kong," the waiter greeted him with a deep bow.

The man, Kong Shen, the youngest scion of the powerful Kong Family, offered a charming smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His gaze lingered on the group of girls, but his attention was particularly drawn to the young elf, Silvia. His eyes widened slightly as he took in her delicate features and ethereal aura.

"You ladies are welcome to join me for a meal," Kong Shen said smoothly, his voice laced with entitlement. "It would be an honor to dine with such beauties."

Mathilda stepped forward, her expression calm but resolute. "Thank you for the offer, but we’re not interested."

Kong Shen’s smile faltered slightly, his eyes narrowing at the polite refusal. "Do you think you’re in a position to refuse my hospitality?" His tone grew colder, and with a snap of his fingers, he ordered his lackeys to move forward.

"Teach them some manners."

As the lackeys stepped towards the girls, their menacing grins evident, Mathilda’s eyes flashed with annoyance. "Seriously? Aren’t you too arrogant?" she retorted, pulling a small vial from her pocket. With a swift motion, she tossed the pill at the approaching men.

The pill burst into a thick, noxious cloud of smoke as soon as it hit the ground. The lackeys staggered back, coughing and clawing at their skin as red spots began to spread across their faces and hands. Small pustules erupted, followed by a sickening popping sound as the spots burst, releasing more of the vile smoke.

The girls instinctively stepped back, their faces twisted in disgust. Even Taka, who had seen his fair share of strange things, looked appalled.

"Poison pills?" Mana muttered under her breath, impressed.

Kong Shen’s expression darkened as he watched his lackeys writhing in pain and panic. The confident smirk he’d worn earlier was gone, replaced by a seething anger. He hadn’t expected such a strong and immediate retaliation.

Mathilda’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "This is a warning," she declared firmly, her eyes cold and unwavering. "We came here to shop, not to cause trouble. But if you insist on pushing us, you’ll regret it."

Lily then appeared beside Mathilda, her expression hardening as she exuded a terrifying pressure that made the air around them feel heavy and oppressive. The sheer force of her presence caused Kong Shen to instinctively take a step back, a flicker of regret flashing in his eyes as he realized the danger he had underestimated.

"We’re leaving," Lily said with finality, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Kong Shen’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t dare to move or make another demand. The realization that he was dealing with individuals far more powerful than he initially thought held him in place. He could feel the weight of Lily’s gaze, and for a brief moment, he understood that crossing them any further would lead to consequences he wasn’t prepared to face.

As the girls turned and began to walk away, Kong Shen could only stand there, his pride wounded. His eyes narrowed, glaring at their retreating figures, silently vowing to make them pay for this humiliation. But deep down, he knew that any attempt at revenge would require careful planning—these were not ordinary travelers.

"His eyes were focused on Silvia. Looks like he wants our cute elf," Lily analyzed, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Ah... No... This cutie pie is ours," Mathilda declared, wrapping her arms protectively around Silvia, who blushed under the attention.

"Why was he even arrogant? How is he even alive?" Darla wondered aloud, her confusion evident.

"He said Kong Family, right? One of the top powerhouses on this island. The other one is the Bank of Atlantis, but they don’t really care about anything other than their branch here," Mathilda explained, her tone thoughtful as she pieced together the situation.

"He will definitely try to do something," Lily said, her expression darkening as she considered the potential consequences.

"Ah... It’s a pain in the ass," Mana mumbled, her tone conveying more annoyance than concern. While they weren’t worried about retaliation, they all felt dealing with Kong Shen was an unnecessary complication.

"Just tell our captain, and he’ll handle it," Lily suggested, her tone casual. To her, it was a small matter that Tyler could easily take care of.

"Oh... He’s on a date with the angel... I’ll be a party pooper," Mana said mischievously, her lips curling into a grin as she sent a voice transmission to Tyler. As his Ghost Spirit, she had the ability to communicate with him over a certain distance, making it easy to reach him even in moments like this.

The group exchanged knowing glances, a silent agreement passing between them. Whatever trouble Kong Shen might stir up, they knew they had Tyler to rely on. The encounter had been an annoyance, but it wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle together.