[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-above-the-mage":3,"chapter-above-the-mage-above-the-mage-chapter-80":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Above the Mage!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2257084,4404,"Chapter 80: Goo Ditu","above-the-mage-chapter-80",80,"\u003Cp>The woman furrowed her brow: “I am. What is it you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De raised the bundle in his hand: “I’ve come from Kamengde City to seek livelihood in Bremen City, and I need to rent a house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fortuitously, my neighbor Mr. Ma Qieyi used to be a watchmaker in Bremen City and rented this very house—he heard I was coming to Bremen and strongly recommended I find you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Ma Qieyi said Lady Mi Su is attentive and thoughtful, generous and fair to tenants—the best choice for any renter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mi Su was a woman around forty, well-kept and possessing great poise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Gao De’s effusive praise, she offered a restrained smile, recalling after a moment: “Ah, you’re the one Mr. Ma Qieyi, who moved out two years ago, recommended to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Ma Qieyi was a fine tenant—he left the house spotless and even gave me a watchband he made himself, thanking me for my care over the years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you come through Mr. Ma Qieyi’s recommendation, come in. Let’s discuss the details.” Lady Mi Su invited Gao De inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lady Mi Su.” Gao De pressed his hand to his chest in a bow, then turned to Lyman beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, I’ll wait outside for you!” Lyman promptly said, ever tactful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De nodded and, under Lady Mi Su’s guidance, entered the house and sat beside the hearth in the parlor. Mi Su’s parlor was spacious, occupying most of the first floor, adorned with many decorative paintings and numerous ornamental plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you like some black tea?” Lady Mi Su brought a teapot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De nodded. “Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask your name?” Lady Mi Su poured him tea, her eyes flickering slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goo·Ditu, madam. You may call me Goo.” Gao De had already prepared his alias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although from the letter Mi Su sent to Master Se Da, it was clear Master Se Da had not told her the specifics of his activities in Hogen City, nor mentioned any apprentices in the herb garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He likely wished to shield his wife from his misdeeds, preserving his image in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if she had learned something? For safety, a false identity was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Mr. Ma Qieyi, that name too came from the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two years ago, Mi Su had happily shared with Master Se Da: the watchmaker tenant, Mr. Ma Qieyi, had given her a fine watchband before leaving Bremen City for Kamengde City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only tenant in all these years to leave her a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she specifically mentioned it in her letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De lifted the teacup and took a small sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It differed from the refined, elegant black tea he was accustomed to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tea was rich and full-bodied, with a faint floral aroma and a slight astringency—likely a blend of several black teas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very fine black tea,” he politely complimented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How has Mr. Ma Qieyi been lately?” Lady Mi Su asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s well, enjoying his retirement,” Gao De replied cautiously, avoiding any specifics to prevent exposure, then swiftly shifted topic: “Madam, do you have any houses still available for rent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi Su smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fortuitously, last month a tenant left—he heard there were many opportunities in Hogen City below and went to try his luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The house is now vacant, but I’ve been occupied with other matters and haven’t yet sought a new tenant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s at 437 Kamengdejie. But I should warn you—it’s a row house with only one parlor, a modest kitchen, a washroom, a dining area, and a large hall with a closet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, this hall is nowhere near as large as mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, that’s perfect—I’m alone and don’t need a house as big as yours,” Gao De said earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De’s prompt agreement pleased Lady Mi Su, who continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rent for 437 is twenty gold per year. I expect at least half a year’s rent paid upfront, plus a two-gold deposit for the furniture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But given Mr. Ma Qieyi’s recommendation, I’ll waive the deposit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you accept, we can go see the house right away.” “Madam, your generosity matches exactly what Mr. Ma Qieyi described.” Gao De thanked her for waiving the deposit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This price is acceptable. I’d like to see the house now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s go,” Lady Mi Su nodded, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Gao De’s nonstop praise had deeply pleased her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De drained his teacup, rose, and followed Lady Mi Su out of her home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir,” Lyman, waiting at the door, immediately stepped forward upon seeing Gao De emerge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“437 is just a short walk from here—we’ll go on foot,” Lady Mi Su said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Lady Mi Su’s guidance, Gao De arrived at the house at 437 Kamengdejie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, Lyman waited outside and did not enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi Su opened the door and led Gao De inside, showing him every room in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Mi Su’s home, 437 was clearly much smaller.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was quite good—the dining area had excellent light, the kitchen extended backward, and there was even a small balcony suitable for drying clothes and growing flowers—an unexpected bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than enough for one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interior was fully furnished, clean and tidy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De nodded repeatedly, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, I’ll take it for half a year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi Su had brought the lease agreement when she left her home; she now pulled it out and prepared to sign with Gao De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Goo, what is your profession?” Lady Mi Su asked before signing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a background check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao De practiced some special trade that might bring her risk, she would refuse to rent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a repair artisan.” Gao De had long prepared his cover identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The kind who repairs magical items?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but only the lowest-grade ones—just enough to make a living.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi Su raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. “You look quite young—I didn’t expect you to master such advanced craftsmanship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao De gave a light laugh. “My father and grandfather both did this—I learned from them since childhood, so...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Mi Su’s lips curved slightly; she no longer hesitated, swiftly wrote the date and rent on the contract, signed her name, and handed it to Gao De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may receive guests in the house, but try to avoid doing so at night,\" she warned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, if you plan to stay in Bremen City long-term as a repair artisan, you should join the local Artisans’ Guild.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though you’ll pay some dues, the benefits outweigh the cost—those fees are negligible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood, madam.” Gao De signed his alias “Goo·Ditu,” then, with visible reluctance, counted out ten Sein gold coins and handed them to Lady Mi Su.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are clean blankets and sheets in the cabinet.” After securing the lease, Lady Mi Su handed Gao De the key and added: “It’s getting late—Siel will soon finish his lessons. I must return to prepare dinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you have any problems or needs later, you may come find me again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Siel is your son?” Gao De asked, feigning casual interest as he escorted her to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, he studies at the Church School,” Lady Mi Su smiled warmly. “He does very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1205,"2026-06-19T14:28:48.629Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e81e03ddbd56257c3e3205e65a7b0ed1628a64521acea741921405fa947d342a","above-the-mage-chapter-81","above-the-mage-chapter-79",529,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fabove-the-mage-cover.jpg"]