Chapter 2106: The Construction of a Nation, the Reputation of Mu Yan

Regarding the current diet in Daxia, although Xia Duo has provided some Guidance, he absolutely never said it must be the same as in his hometown. Any food must be rooted in the local area; forced distortion is not the right path for a diet.

If he were back in his hometown, Xia Duo certainly wouldn't be able to accept so-called radiation cuisine, but in this Reality of a Magic world, if there really were such a viable path, it might not be unacceptable.

Xia Duo put away the stone, preparing to study it when he had time, or perhaps hand it over as a special project for the Mages of the Tower of Time to research. In any case, it was not an urgent task; doing it slowly was fine.

Before long, Shifeng came from the back kitchen to Xia Duo's table again. Perhaps having sensed Xia Duo's intention to leave, the snacks he brought this time were packed in an exquisite food box. It seemed the shop frequently received similar takeout orders.

"Lord Xia Duo, here are some snacks my wife and I made. Some have Eastern flavors, and some have local Elf flavors. Both notebooks have detailed preparation processes. If Lord Xia Duo and his wife find them good, you can let the Territory Chef refer to them for preparation."

In fact, this was a polite refusal of Xia Duo's earlier invitation, but Xia Duo was not angry. He knew that with Shifeng dragging his family along, it was impossible to make a decision to relocate so easily.

Once the reputation of Daxia Territory spreads more widely in the future, the other party will naturally be attracted. Even if they don't settle down, traveling and exchanging there can bring new vitality to the Territory.

Currently, the Daxia Territory is mainly composed of Netherese and Langasi. If some Easterners could be added to make the Territory's population composition more diverse, it would be easier to integrate into a brand-new Daxia People.

In the future, Daxia People will not be defined by race, but distinguished from others by the environment they live in, the habits they maintain, the thoughts they accept, and the culture they admire.

Although these ideas might be considered heresy if spoken aloud now, in fact, the Daxia Territory residents, who belong to different ethnic groups, have already begun to gradually integrate and accept the new identity of Daxia People.

Xia Duo is very confident in his vision for the Daxia People, or rather, the Daxia nation. It is merely a matter of time; as long as he does not die, it will be realized sooner or later.

……

Next, Xia Duo chatted with Shifeng about some anecdotes among the Easterners. During the conversation, Xia Duo confirmed once again that the Easterners had been assimilated too deeply by the Elves.

Many ways of thinking and expressing themselves carried a deep Elf brand. Perhaps Shifeng himself did not feel it, but to an outsider like Xia Duo, it was exceptionally clear.

From the hint of disappointment in Niya's eyes, one could roughly see her disappointment with this group of so-called Easterners. I fear that even now, Niya still thinks the hometown Xia Duo spoke of is the hometown of those Easterners!

But the reality gap is far more than a hundred thousand and eight thousand miles!

"By the way, Chef Shifeng mentioned earlier that many Easterners here in the Andalite Community are following my news. Have you heard of Mu Yan?"

Rarely encountering Easterners, Xia Duo could not help but ask for news of another "fellow countryman." Before today, he had heard news of Mu Yan from humans, Dwarves, and Elves.

But the news heard each time was different. Either he was traveling in the Northland, heading to the Underdark, or performing in an Elf city. It felt like this person Mu Yan could never be idle for a moment and never stayed in one place for long.

However, this also fits the "persona" of Mu Yan the Bard: casual, romantic, and sentimental to the point of being heartless.

It is precisely because of this that Xia Duo did not deliberately seek him out. If they could meet in the "Jianghu" one day, it would surely be fate, and perhaps such a meeting would be more acceptable to Mu Yan.

Regarding Xia Duo's inquiry, Shifeng appeared exceptionally excited, "Of course I know Master Mu Yan! Not just me, in the entire Andalite Community, there isn't an Easterner who doesn't know Master Mu Yan!"

"Even in the Upper City, Master Mu Yan has a place. Crown King Yilise'er has invited Master Mu Yan to perform at the court more than once, but the Master only agreed when he happened to be passing through Kemansuoer."

Shifeng looked honored. Even without casting any Spell, Xia Duo could feel the other party's intense and pure admiration for Mu Yan, so he asked again:

"Have you heard Master Mu Yan's performance?"

"Of course I have! Not just me, most residents of the Andalite Community have heard it! Although Master Mu Yan often refuses invitations from the powerful, he never refuses us hometown people. And it's not just performances—it's a pity the Master never stays in one place for long, otherwise I would definitely invite him to eat at the shop every day. This culinary skill is all I have to offer!"

Although Shifeng did not elaborate, Xia Duo could fully imagine that Mu Yan must have helped many Easterners living in the Andalite Community just as he helped him, and perhaps Shifeng himself had once received Mu Yan's kindness.

"Then do you know the latest news about Master Mu Yan?" Xia Duo asked again.

"The latest—that must be that Master Mu Yan has returned from his travels in the Underdark, created a new epic of demon-slaying, and is currently on a tour in the Northland. That news is new enough!"

Shifeng said quite proudly, "And I also know that Master Mu Yan is currently performing in the southern city of Pexiya!"

"The south? Is it in Kaitemier?"

"Not Kaitemier, it's the Nan Jing of Cormanthor."

That was quite close. This should be the closest he had been to Mu Yan since seeing him in the Savile Territory several years ago. But as the saying goes, without anything particularly urgent, he was still unwilling to disturb the other party.

Knowing that the other party was doing well was enough.

……

Next came the time to say goodbye. Xia Duo was fine, but Shifeng appeared somewhat reluctant to part. As someone who ran a restaurant and welcomed guests, such a performance was somewhat deliberate.

However, Xia Duo did not expose the other party, only saying he was welcome to visit Daxia Territory, then took Niya and left this Eastern restaurant, continuing to stroll through the Andalite Community.

Although there was more of a sense of daily life, the underground city was ultimately not as prosperous or lively as the Surface, and seeing too much of this daily life inevitably led to aesthetic fatigue.

So after passing a mediocre Dwarf pottery shop, Niya pulled Xia Duo's hand and said she wanted to go back, "Let's go back, it's getting late. If there's a chance in the future, we can come play again."

"Alright, as you wish!"

Xia Duo followed her lead immediately. He was also a bit tired from walking until now—mentally tired. The most unique scenery of the Kemansuoer underground city was probably the Easterners settled here, but these Easterners actually hadn't retained much of the true Eastern characteristics, so disappointment was inevitable.

Xia Duo actually had some psychological expectations before coming, but Niya did not, and thus the gap was created.

……

After returning to the Floating City, Xia Duo lingered near Kemansuoer for another day. During this time, he also went to the Surface to play. He originally thought Crown King Yilise'er would also ask to meet him, but it didn't happen.

After visiting almost all the surrounding areas, Xia Duo decisively controlled the Floating City to begin the return journey.