Chapter 084: A Wandering Heart
“As for this question…”
Chen Ran thought for a moment before answering, “Colin, if you can, help me find a suitable residence. I plan to buy my own house first.”
Colin smiled. “What, are you planning to settle down here?”
“I’ll settle down first—” Chen Ran’s tone was slightly wistful. “I’ve been wandering for so long, stopping and going, always drifting outside without a fixed place to live. It always feels a bit desolate. Although I’ll still go out, at least I’ll have a stable home here. No matter where I go, no matter where I am, I can think of myself as someone who has a place to return to. Walking on the road of life, there’s always some spiritual sustenance. That might be the simplest form of happiness.”
“You make it sound so profound, as if you’ve experienced a lot,” Colin said, patting Chen Ran’s shoulder. “Leave the matter of the house to me. I’ll definitely take care of it. Young man, cheer up. A great world is waiting for us to advance, and a lot of girls are waiting for us to conquer. It’s better to live a little happier.”
Chen Ran smiled and shook his head. “Perhaps I’m overthinking things.”
For some reason, the familiar Sacred and Demonic Edict from the Holy Codex couldn’t help but appear in Chen Ran’s mind.
“Once an obsession takes root in the heart, one will inevitably spend their entire life in its pursuit. To be born for it, to die for it. If this is destiny, it cannot be defied…”
Perhaps he had other social engagements, so Colin temporarily took his leave for a while. Chen Ran wandered alone in front of the dining table, picking out his favorite food, not caring about the looks of others. Occasionally, two or three local wealthy merchants would come up to talk to him, and some even asked if he was interested in investing in some of the city’s industries. Chen Ran just casually replied a few words, saying that he would consider it.
It had to be said that the impact of Chen Ran’s nouveau riche reputation was too great. Just one deal had propelled him into the ranks of the few richest people in the city. Although there was an element of luck, in the eyes of others, to be appreciated by the legendary Lady Angélique was an honor that surpassed money itself. More and more people came to talk to him afterwards.
The official time for the ball had arrived. At this moment, the lights in the venue changed. Except for the stage, the other places were a little dim. Everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but focus on the spotlight of the ballroom.
After a skilled opening by a few of the city’s famous entertainment industry hosts, the city lord, who was hosting the ball, also came out and said a few words.
“I’m very happy that everyone has graced us with their presence here. Most of the people gathered here are the most prestigious people in this city. This year, there are a few more new faces than usual. Especially this afternoon, the largest transaction in the history of the auction house occurred, and the person who became a rich man the fastest in this city. I’m sure everyone is very interested in getting to know him. Mr. Chen Ran, could you please come up?”
A spotlight suddenly and unfriendlily shone on Chen Ran. As a result, Chen Ran, who was eating a cheesecake, trembled, and accidentally got cream on his face. Seeing everyone in the hall looking at him, Chen Ran felt a wave of embarrassment. He picked up a napkin and casually wiped his face, not knowing if he had wiped it clean, and then walked up.
“I am Chen Ran.”
Walking to the stage, Chen Ran enjoyed the attention of multiple spotlights. It seemed that such treatment was indeed rare.
The city lord of Xilan was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a dignified appearance and a rather noble temperament. He looked the current Chen Ran up and down and praised, “Mr. Chen Ran seems to be only in his twenties, yet he already has such a net worth. He is truly a formidable young man. By the way, how old are you, sir?”
Chen Ran answered directly, “Twenty.”
A wave of admiration came from the audience. A twenty-year-old millionaire. It was estimated that not many people in the Turin Empire could reach this height.
Speaking of which, Chen Ran’s real age before he transmigrated was already twenty-four. But after he transmigrated, he looked a few years younger. No one would doubt it if he said he was eighteen.
“Truly a young and promising man,” the city lord praised. “You didn’t live here before. I’m sure everyone is very curious about your identity now. Can you introduce yourself?”
“I can,” Chen Ran nodded, took the magic microphone, and began his speech.
“Hello everyone, I am Chen Ran. As you may have seen, I am now an acting high priest in Xilan City, responsible for managing the local church. Before coming here, I was an ascetic priest, constantly cultivating my abilities until I came here. I felt a little tired, so I wanted to stop and live a simpler life for a while. I’m very happy to meet everyone here. In the days to come, while living in Xilan City, please take care of me.”
A round of polite applause. In a seat near the front of the stage, someone couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Chen Ran, you received such a huge sum this afternoon. Do you have any investment plans for the future?”
“I haven’t considered that for now,” Chen Ran said with a smile. “I am a priest, and my greater mission is to spread the faith of God. What I need to do now is to expand the church until the people from the Holy Court arrive.”
Hearing this, someone in the audience couldn’t help but laugh. “Your Excellency High Priest, your so-called divine grace doesn’t seem to have shown any ability in this city. I’ve only seen the people of the church give alms to the poor who don’t have enough to eat. I haven’t seen them do much else. Are you sure you can bring the glory of God here?”
“I’m not sure, but I will try my best,” Chen Ran said, not minding at all. “Among us, many are indeed weak and cannot spread the faith of benevolence to every corner of the world, but we hold firm to our faith. Perhaps we can’t help everyone, but we can teach some useful things to those who are capable, and then, through them, tell more people. Although my current strength is not worth mentioning, I am not as useless as you might think.”
At this, Chen Ran said to the audience, “I wonder if there is anyone present who has any congenital or acquired physical defects and cannot live a normal life?”
At Chen Ran’s words, the crowd was curious. A reaction gradually came from the crowd, until an attendant pushed a middle-aged noble in a wheelchair in. Everyone noticed that one of the middle-aged man’s pant legs was empty.
The middle-aged man said curiously, “Mr. High Priest, my legs were accidentally poisoned by a beast during a hunt when I was young. To save my life, I had to have my entire lower leg amputated, which has been a lifelong regret. I wonder if I am the person you are looking for?”
“You are,” Chen Ran said, walking confidently off the stage and toward the disabled noble. Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, he stopped in front of the middle-aged man. “I have a question. If you were to pray to the heavens to grant you a complete right leg again, what would you be willing to trade for it?”
