Chapter 38: Injan again
A week had passed since Nitaan arrived in the capital. A dormitory is one of the privileges of being a Core officer, so Nitaan quickly moves in. He finally doesn’t have to spend money on rent anymore.
There weren't many people there since most of the Core officers have their own families. Dormitory was a surprisingly good option. The room was clean, there was food and water, and most importantly, it helped Nitaan save more money.
Nitaan's first month's salary will be received next week. After a fierce two-hour negotiation with Colonel Lalanta, Nitaan's salary was 35,000 Gaia.
Almost double his previous salary!
Just thinking about his upcoming salary made Nitaan smile.
Combined with not having to pay the expensive rent in the capital, Nitaan is now able to breathe a little easier.
Today was another day of hard work. City Guard unit was as busy as Fang Ming had said. He had to patrol the city, receive information about crimes through various informants, participate in battles, suppress terrorist groups, and more.
As Nitaan was packing his things to go home from his daily work, Napha, who was sitting at a nearby desk, suddenly asked,
"Tomorrow's your day off, Nitaan. Do you have any plans? How about sightseeing or going for a walk?"
"I can take you to some great restaurants or places where wealthy young ladies from prestigious families often visit," Napha said with a knowing smile.
"Napha, it’s only been a week, and you start giving Nitaan trouble?" Leader Mei shouting across the room with a laugh.
"I'm coming too!" Gion shouted from the other side, knowing exactly what to do.
"Gion, you and I are on duty tomorrow. Don't even think about skipping," Kasa's stern voice rang out.
The lively banter in this atmosphere was part of Unit 3's charm.
"I was planning to visit some acquaintances tomorrow," Nitaan said with a strained smile.
It would be a lie to say Nitaan wasn't interested in love, but his current responsibilities and goals didn't allow for a committed relationship. He still had to think about the future tournament, their second Engraving Ceremony, and what they would do after if they lost.
"Sure, come to me anytime. If you have any problem. This senior will show you around the city," Napha winked knowingly.
Nitaan chuckled softly, bid farewell to everyone, and walked out of the building with Kiita. The sound of laughter and conversation still followed him.
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The next morning, it was Nitaan's first day off. He initially planned to buy all the necessary supplies in one go, take Kiita for a walk, find something delicious to eat, and then return to his room to relax. But he still had errands to run.
Nitaan arrived in front of a large house near the city center. The house stood out from the bustling city center. It was filled with plants, colorful flowers, and beautifully trimmed grass.
Around the house was a large fence, with plants and vines densely intertwined around the gate, creating a plant fortress.
Above the gate was carved a symbol of a flower, blooming beautifully and covering the area. Just gazing at it evoked a sense of serene beauty.
This house was the residence of Chao Phraya Uthumpohn, one of the highest-ranking nobles, second only to the four Great Families and the royal family.
As Nitaan looked through the large gate of the house. Several stern-faced burly men glared at Nitaan and Kiita. Soon, two of them approached.
These men were all dressed in shades of purple, with the Uthumpohn family crest embroidered on their chests.
"This is the territory of the Uthumpohn family granted by the queen. Unauthorized persons are prohibited from entering," said a large man in a purple uniform.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"Please inform Injan Uthumpohn that Nitaan and Kiita wish to see him. He previously instructed me to meet him upon arrival in the capital," Nitaan said politely.
The guards exchanged glances, discreetly surveying Nitaan and Kiita from head to toe. After a moment, they nodded in acknowledgment before rejoining their group.
Nitaan saw one of the guards raise a transmitting stone to his lips. After a brief conversation, the guard returned to Nitaan.
"Young Master Injan has been informed. Please follow me into the house," the guard said respectfully, gesturing with his hand.
The large door opened. Inside, a large and beautiful garden appeared. Flowers and trees bloomed magnificently everywhere, yet they were meticulously trimmed—neither too much to look overgrown nor too little to appear merely decorative.
Further in, a massive house stood. The architecture was constructed from fine wood and stone. Although wood was the primary component, its strength is on par with City Guard unit headquarters. Just by feeling the spiritual energy those woods exude, Nitaan could feel the quality and robustness of the wood used to build the structure.
The house continuously exuded an aura of immense life. While approaching the main building, he could feel the air become purer. He sensed that the levels of toxins and pollution in the surrounding area were remarkably low.
As he drew closer, Nitaan noticed that the central core of the house was a giant Uthumpohn flower. This Uthumpohn flower grew taller than the roof of the house, its flower and leaves spreading to cover the structure, while its stem merged with the house, becoming the central support of this colossal wooden structure.
The biggest flower buds bloomed beautifully above the house, providing safe shade and pure, unpolluted air to its inhabitants.
Kiita looked up at the Uthumpohn flower with wide eyes, his tail wagging slightly.
Nitaan, Nitaan, Kiita wanted to mark territory!
Kiita's voice echoed in Nitaan's mind. The moment the voice faded, Nitaan, who was about to burst into laughter, trembled, sensing a malevolent intent.
This malevolent intent pierced both their minds. Kiita, startled and bristled, instinctively preparing for battle.
Nitaan turned towards the malevolent intent and saw a giant petal of the Uthumpohn flower facing them. The vibrant green petal curled slightly, pointing menacingly at them.
It can read minds? Or it can sense Kiita’s body language? Nitaan broke out in a cold sweat.
Absolutely not! That giant flower will wipe us both out in one blow! Nitaan quickly sent a message back to Kiita.
Kiita also looks at the petal. When he sensed the emitted energy and intent, he instantly retracted his tail, becoming meek and submissive.
Nitaan and Kiita suppressed their anxiety and walked through the opulent grand hall into a large room decorated with countless expensive ornaments. The room was surrounded by numerous sculptures of flowers of various species and sizes.
Some of the carvings even emitted a startling aura. Nitaan doesn’t even dare to estimate their prices.
In the center of the room, two large chairs woven from vines and leaves faced each other. A large leaf-like structure sprouted from the wooden base, serving as a tea table in the middle.
"Please wait a moment. Young master will arrive shortly," a guard bowed respectfully before withdrawing. The guard didn't go far, simply settling to a corner of the room, standing calmly.
How strict, Nitaan thought.
Shortly after they sat down, a knock came from the door. The guard opened it, and numerous servants entered, their hands filled with luxurious and expensive pastries and fragrant drinks.
Desserts like Thong Yip, Thong Yod, Foy Thong, and many others gleamed beautifully.
Kiita's eyes lit up as he gazed at the sweets on the table. He turned to Nitaan, silently seeking permission while his tail wagged patiently.
Nitaan sampled a small piece of the treat to check the ingredients, ensuring nothing was harmful to the dog. Even though Kiita had already discovered 4 words, he was still concerned about Kiita's safety.
Kiita's mouth watered as he watched Nitaan happily munching on the treat, his face filled with desire to jump in and enjoy treats.
A maid noticed Kiita's adorable behavior and chuckled softly.
"When guests arrive with their companions, we always choose treats made from high-quality, natural ingredients that are safe for their health. Even the ingredients are natural resources. They can be enjoyed without worry," the maid said with a smile.
Nitaan chuckled softly, politely thanking the maid, and then offered Kiita the largest piece of the sweet treat.
Kiita took the piece, carefully biting it in half, and happily chewed.
The sweet flavor of the treat spread throughout his mouth, the fragrant aroma of jasmine wafting through the air. Kiita’s blissful faces show how much he enjoys his treat.
Maybe I should visit Injan more often. Nitaan thought happily.
A moment later, Injan's small figure entered the doorway with a smile. Beside him stood Elder Grai. Both still looked dignified, giving off the same aura of high-ranking nobles. But Injan was dressed differently than usual. This time he wore a beautiful light purple dress adorned with many floral patterns.
Seeing Injan, Nitaan stood up and politely returned the greeting.
"You don’t have to be that polite, P’Nitaan. Please sit down and have some snacks. They're delicious," Injan said, settling into a seat and taking a bite of Foy Thong on the table.
As Injan sat down, Elder Grai, who had been standing behind him, stepped back to his usual position. Elder Grai turned and nodded slightly at Nitaan, his expression still cold and emotionless. Yet there was no trace of contempt or disdain like when they first met.
"It's been a long time," Nitaan greeted with a smile.
"It hasn't even been a month, P’ Nitaan," Injan laughed good-naturedly.
"I've heard about the beauty of the Uthumpohn family mansion. But upon actually visiting, I realized that what they described was far from the real thing," Nitaan smiled.
"These plant decorations are one of the things our Uthumpohn family is proud of. Our family has always had Words of Power related to plants throughout the ages. Flowers and plants are like our guardian deities," Injan laughed.
"So I have heard P’Nitaan finally decided to move to the capital. That's excellent! Someone of your caliber deserves to be on a bigger stage." Injan continued to speak to Nitaan with the same respectful gaze, causing the guards and servants to raise their eyebrows in surprise.
"I moved in about a week ago. I'm currently working as a Core officer at the City Guard unit," Nitaan replied.
"And how is it? Are you getting used to life in the capital?" Injan continued the casual conversation.
Injan wasn't surprised by Nitaan's position. With Nitaan's skills, joining the City Guard unit wouldn't be a problem.
To be honest, Injan wanted Nitaan to work for family more than anything, whether as his personal guardian or as a vessel in the family. No matter the positions, having Nitaan join Uthumpohn family will always be worthwhile.
"It's alright, but there are so many people, and it's difficult to go outside the city wall. I usually go into the forest several days a week. Being in the city all the time isn't really my thing," Nitaan said jokingly.
The two continued their casual conversation and exchanged stories after eating some snacks. Then, Injan turned to look at the servants and guards.
Seeing this, the guards and servants nodded respectfully, bowing in a respectful manner before withdrawing one by one.
Once only Nitaan, Kiita, Injan, and Elder Grai were left in the room, the atmosphere changed rapidly.
Elder Grai, who had been standing behind Injan, suddenly moved closer.
"P'Nitaan, you didn't just come to say hello, did you?" Injan said softly.
