Broken Core [LitRPG • Cultivation • Post Apocalyptic • Romance]

4.29. City of Millions


James was just relaxing in his bath with Luna when a pounding on their door began that didn't stop. Snarling, Luna rose out of the water and marched over to the door, swinging it open, only to find a panting nekorian searching for him.

"What the hell, Amber?" Luna demanded.

"We are in North America," Amber blurted out. "By the Misty Mountain Sect."

James sat up straight, the water draining off his body as he felt anger overtake him. The very air shimmered with energy as Amber staggered back. Only Luna remained calm as he climbed out of the bath.

"How far away are they?" he asked.

Amber swallowed hard. "A few hours run at most. I killed a group that was on their way to you."

Tightening the grip on his soul, James forced himself to calm down. "We will go to them and seek out my old friend."

Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Will you wait until tomorrow?"

"No," he announced. "This needs to be handled, now."

Nodding, Luna pulsed her soul, pushing all of the water from her body onto the floor. Completely dry, she moved to the closet and pulled out an outfit of black pants and shirt. Tossing a second outfit onto the bed, she pointed at him. "Get dressed, my love. Make sure you call everyone else back."

Spreading out his soul, it wasn't hard to find his family. Grace was the farthest from the group and was apparently playing with her poison when she felt him. With glee, she turned back to the temple and started running.

Jamie and Linda felt him at the same time, concern filling them before they started to return. The Elson brothers stopped pushing their souls into the earth around them and grabbed Mender before moving to the central room. Zenaria was the last to be felt, but she didn't hesitate to drop whatever it was she was doing and use the shadows to return faster than nearly all of them.

"Everyone is coming," he announced before drying off.

Getting dressed, he took the lead as the three of them went down to the central room. Zenaria walked in just as the Elson brothers and Mender were taking a seat. Her nervous energy told him that she knew something was wrong.

Luna sat on his right, and Amber took his left. Both of them leaned against him, their tails wrapped around his back as he felt his anger boiling. Zenaria stepped up behind him and started massaging his shoulders before leaning toward his ear.

"Calm down, my love. You're going to injure the dragons and our friends."

Sighing, he pulled his soul back in and calmed himself once again. Zenaria kissed his ear before nipping him and pulling away.

"I saw that," Luna grumbled.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Zenaria teased.

Chuckling, James watched as everyone else joined them, taking their seats while the kitsune stayed behind him.

"You look pissed," Linda stated, starting the conversation.

"We learned where we are," James stated. "Remember how I said I was left for dead by my old sect?"

"Yes…" Jamie said slowly before her eyes widened. "That's impossible!"

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"What is?" Grace asked.

Jamie pointed at him. "You brought us to your old sect! How?"

Everyone froze and slowly turned toward him with mixtures of anger, rage, and confusion.

Tapping the table, James nodded. "It appears we are only a few hours away from the Misty Mountain Sect. They already tried to send people to investigate the temple. Amber killed them, but I'm not going to let them send more. We are moving out in a few minutes."

"Those bastards!" Mender growled.

James couldn't help but agree. Meeting the eye of everyone there, he reminded himself to remain calm. He couldn't let his anger get the better of him as they made their plan. The first step was entering the city. They would go over the wall, just as before. Integrate themselves with the city and possibly pick up clothes and more shampoo. Only then would they move on the mountain.

"Is everyone ready?" he asked.

"More than ready!" Jamie snarled.

With a growing smile, James stood. "Good. Let's go. Grace, you might just have to show us how strong you've become."

Summoning an orb of poison, she smirked. "Gladly."

***

Reaching the city was the easy part. The population was easily in the millions, being the largest city that James knew of. The mountain range behind the city sprawled for miles, but the sect was on one of the lowest peaks.

The tall walls blocked their view from the farms which would sprawl for miles in every direction just to help feed the population. With a quick jumped, James and his team soared over the wall, avoiding the guards that were making a steady patrol around the top.

With quick movements, they hurried to the inner walls, not stopping as farmers gasped and backed away. James did his best to sense their souls and steer their approach, but there were simply too many demi-humans and humans to avoid them all.

Once they were over the inner walls, they stepped into the alleyway of a nearby block and took stock of their situation.

"Zenaria, Amber, I need you to get money," James ordered. "We are not going to steel the shampoos or anything."

"But you are fine with me stealing money?" Amber asked with a smirk.

"Yup."

Rolling her eyes, Amber grabbed Zenaria and was about to leave when she said, "I'll pick an inn for the night. Find me in the demi-human district." With that, she was gone.

James regarded the others for only a moment. "Linda, take the brothers into the demi-human district and learn what you can about the sect. How they treat people and if those in power abuse it."

Linda promptly nodded and hurried off with her husband and his brothers. Left with Grace, Mender, and Jamie, James and Luna prepared more orders.

"Jamie," Luna started. "Take your brother to the hospitals and learn what you can. We need the names and description of the elders. Don't kill anyone."

Chuckling, Jamie gave them a slight wave before stepping onto the busy street with her brother. Grace cocked her brow at them.

"Find the apothecaries," James answered the unspoken question. "We need the best products we can get and I want a regular supplier. The temple isn't moving and this is the closest city to get things we need."

"What will you two do?" Grace asked.

"We will find a park to relax in," he answered. "The two of us will go to the demi-human district and play the part of a newly married couple."

"Aww!" Luna cooed. "I still have my ring, you know."

Holding up her hand, she showed her golden band. Lifting his own hand, he smiled. The matching ring was on his finger as well.

"Fine," Grace said. "But I want to cuddle with James at least for a few hours tonight."

Cocking her brow, Luna took a step forward. "Bargaining? Do you think that will work?"

Crossing her arms, Grace smirked. "I'm not afraid of you, Luna. I know what I want and if takes pissing you off, I will tell you how I want things."

Laughing, Luna went back to his side. "Fine. A few hours, but you can't tell Amber and Zenaria. The three of us will share a room tonight and he can hold you all night if you do well."

Grace's smirk turned into a beaming smile before she ran off. Left alone with his wife, James took her hand. "Let's go show ourselves."

Humming, Luna leaned her shoulder against him, tucking herself tightly against his side. "I love you."

"I love you too." With a small chuckle, he suddenly frowned. "We forgot someone."

"We did?"

"Coral…"

Luna gasped. "Oh no! Should we go back and get her? I can make the trip quickly!"

Shaking his head, he kissed her ear. "No. Mother will handle her and Priest."

"Well, Priest gets forgotten often enough," Luna said with a shrug. "I don't feel bad about that one."

Barking out a laugh, James couldn't help himself. "I try not too! But we have so many people to keep track of now that it's easy to let Priest slip through the cracks."

Giggling, Luna pulled him in for a kiss. "I'll apologize to him for us later. It's not like he'll be able to resist the Goddess of Family." Winking, she told him exactly how she matched him.

"I'll leave the family in your hands," he said after a moment. "I'll pretend I make the choices."

"Very good, my love. I'm glad you caught on quickly."

Rolling his eyes, he kept her hand in his as they wandered toward the demi-human district.

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