Soon he entered the bar and found the owner. Since the owner remembered him from yesterday's visit, he didn't ask for the secret password again. Instead, he let Chen Lee slip through the back door. Chen Lee followed the stairs and arrived once more at the red-door shop.
As he opened it, the shopkeeper noticed him after lifting his head and said,
"Oh, you're back for the identity card. We've already forged a fake document at the administration office. Everything's ready. Now I'll print out the ID for you."
With that, he pulled out a magical printing machine. As he brought it out, he added,
"By the way, the identity I made for you is of a C-level elf with a lifespan of 800 years. The elf name's Puff Pezos."
Then he started the machine, which quietly produced the identity card. Once it was done, the shopkeeper handed it to Chen Lee.
Chen Lee quickly examined it and confirmed that it looks perfect.
Then without wasting time, he left the tavern and stepped back into the bustling streets.
Now he thought it was best to return home and see his beautiful wife. So he hurriedly rushed in the direction of his house.
Along the way, he came across an orc meat shop and stopped to buy some. As he couldn't forget the mouthwatering pork from Grandma's meatballs stall yesterday, so he planned to cook an orc feast for his wife and child.
After buying the meat, Chen Lee headed straight home without stopping. Just before entering, he saw his child playing with a friend outside.
The kid saw Chen Lee and came running.
"Dad! You're back so soon!"
Trailing behind him was a chubby boy who said, "Hey, Aurangzeb. Don't forget about us just because your dad got home early!"
Aurangzeb replied, "Brother Zhou, how could I forget you? I was just hoping that my dad has brought some tasty sweets so that we could all share."
Hearing the word "tasty " Zhou instantly drooled and saliva started dripping from his mouth as he thought of many delicious sweets.
Chen Lee smiled at the sight as he found it funny.
Then He said,
"Kids, I didn't bring any sweets, but I'll make a delicious meal for you both and your mother will enjoy it too."
At first, the kids looked disappointed at the lack of sweets , but the moment they heard "delicious meal," they lit up with excitement.
"Brother, let's hurry to my house for Dad's cooking!"
They quickly ran inside. But Chen Lee just shook his head after watching them run and followed behind them quietly, only to find Mumtaz Mahal chatting with an unfamiliar woman.
Mahal greeted him as she saw him coming inside, "Honey, you're back early. Is your blacksmith work done?"
"Yes, darling. I got off early today."
He also now got to know that Shahjahan was a blacksmith. Still, he kept playing the role, committed to acting like he truly liked Mahal and had sworn to take full responsibility.
As he was deep in thought, the unfamiliar woman suddenly asked, "Brother Shahjahan, do you know where my husband Ash is? He didn't return home last night. He said that he had a small job outside the city."
His alertness immediately kicked in as Ash's wife had come looking for him. So he quickly made a plan and said,
"Maybe Brother Ash got delayed and will return tomorrow. Why don't you stay here tonight? If he doesn't come back, we'll report it to the local guards."
The woman replied, "Alright, I'll stay here with Sister Mahal and sorry for the trouble."
Mahal chimed in, "Sister Sophia, it's no trouble at all. We're like family."
To steer the mood elsewhere, Chen Lee tried to lighten things up.
"Alright everyone. Empty stomachs can't solve anything. Let me cook something tasty for us all."
Then he rushed to the kitchen to prepare orc stew and hotpot, similar to pork hotpot. While cooking, thoughts stirred in his mind:
"It seems she hasn't found the body that i have hidden in the secret cabinet during my rush. I really need to get rid of it completely. But I don't have the skills—or magic—for that. I guess I'll have to buy a magical potion from the black market to dissolve the body. Thankfully, it hasn't started to smell... yet."
Soon the food was ready, and the aroma filled the house. Chen Lee served everyone the orc meat hotpot. The kids were also thrilled. The women, although reserved as one was anxious over her missing husband but still enjoyed the rich flavors.
After lunch, Chen Lee turned to Sophia.
"Miss, why don't you talk with my wife while I go out and ask around about your husband?"
Without waiting for a reply, he quickly stepped outside and headed straight for the black market.