Chapter 152: Night Tour of the Imperial City
Chapter 152: Night Tour of the Imperial City
The two soldiers who led the way arrived in front of Prince Zheng Tai’s residence and were about to leave. Mu Yuan grabbed them, casually took two taels of silver from his sleeve, and said with a beaming smile, “Thank you for your trouble!”
These two soldiers were both around fifteen or sixteen years old. They had joined the army because they had no other choice to make a living. Their monthly pay was only a few coins of silver. They never expected that just by leading the way once today, they would receive such a generous amount of money. They were overjoyed and repeatedly thanked Mu Yuan.
After the two had gone far away, Yun Xi smiled and said, “Brother Mu, you are quite considerate of these people!”
Mu Yuan chuckled, “It’s nothing. For you and me, money is just an external thing, usually used for pastime. But for these people, it means the livelihood of their families. It’s just a small effort to ease my conscience!”
Yun Xi smiled slightly and said nothing more!
Like Xing Yuzhu, he came from a wealthy family and never had to worry about food or clothing. Naturally, he did not understand the difficulties of life and could not appreciate Mu Yuan’s intentions.
Experience shapes life—this statement was absolutely correct.
Although both Yun Xi and Mu Yuan were Cultivators, their family backgrounds were different since childhood, leading to vastly different perspectives and views. Usually, it was not obvious, but when dealing with people, these differences gradually revealed themselves!
Yun Xi went to the prince’s residence gate and handed the token to the doorman. Not long after, voices were heard from inside. A portly middle-aged man, wearing the kind of headpiece commonly used by scholars and dressed in a purplish-gold robe, came running out in short steps. When he reached the two, he was slightly out of breath and kept wiping the sweat from his neck and forehead.
“Two Immortal Masters have arrived, please come in quickly. My master is currently hosting guests in the main hall and cannot get away, so he sent me to greet you. Please forgive the lack of courtesy!”
Mu Yuan did not mind, but Yun Xi raised his brows slightly. He did not say anything, but as he followed the middle-aged man who looked like a steward into the residence, he casually asked, “I wonder where the fellow Cultivators in the main hall come from?”
The steward carefully replied, “I’m not very clear about that. Those few Immortal Masters seem to be about the same age as you two, but they appear to have a bit of a temper…”
The steward stopped here and said no more.
Yun Xi nodded and did not ask any more questions along the way.
The main hall for receiving guests in the prince’s residence faced the entrance, but it was about ten zhang away. On both sides were planted bright flowers and grass, along with a few lush green small trees, creating a quiet and serene atmosphere.
As they approached the entrance of the hall, a young man dressed in a light yellow robe with a coiled Flood Dragon embroidered in gold thread on his chest appeared. He looked to be only about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with a broad forehead, an eagle-like nose, and thin lips pressed into a line. He wore a jade belt with only a coiled dragon jade pendant hanging from it, exuding an aura of nobility and respect.
“Two Immortal Masters have come from afar. I failed to greet you properly and am truly ashamed!”
This person was none other than the Eighth Prince, Zheng Tai!
Yun Xi curled his lips. Mu Yuan smiled and said, “Your Highness is busy with numerous affairs and cares for the people’s livelihood. How could we trouble you?”
Prince Zheng Tai seemed extremely pleased. He led the two into the main hall. Mu Yuan swept his gaze around and saw that there were already three people who looked like Cultivators sitting in the hall—one man and two women. The man sat on the left, and the two women sat on the right.
“Come, come, let me introduce you to the various Immortals!”
The male Cultivator sitting in his seat stood up with a smile, cupped his hands, and said, “No need to trouble Your Highness. I am Tian Zhong from the Tianyin Sect. These two fairies are Qiong Hua and Fei Yu from Fengming Mountain. May I ask where you two fellow Daoists are from?”
Yun Xi seemed somewhat lazy and listless after arriving at the prince’s residence. He weakly reported his names, “You flatter us. We are Yun Xi from Star Metal Mountain, and this is Mu Yuan.”
Tian Zhong smiled and sat back down. Mu Yuan and Yun Xi also chose seats and sat down. The prince seemed extremely attentive to Qiong Hua and Fei Yu, constantly trying to strike up conversations. The three men, Mu Yuan and the others, decided to pretend not to notice and closed their eyes to rest.
Not long after, another woman arrived. She wore a white dress and had black hair, with features as beautiful as a painting. She was even more radiant than Qiong Hua and Fei Yu, but she sat next to Tian Zhong and called him senior brother.
It turned out she was another disciple from the Tianyin Sect, Tian Yu.
To be honest, Qiong Hua and Fei Yu were not particularly beautiful. They were just as cold as ice, with an extremely arrogant attitude, indifferent to everyone, giving off a sense of being above others. But the more they acted like this, the more it provoked men’s desire to conquer them. This Prince Zheng Tai was clearly one of them.
Tian Yu was much more pleasant to look at than Qiong Hua and the others. Unfortunately, she lacked such a temperament and failed to attract this Prince Zheng Tai.
Seeing that the two were neither cold nor warm toward him, Prince Zheng Tai straightened his expression, adjusted his collar, coughed once, and smiled as he looked around. “Respected Immortals, the alliance of various states is in two days. Tomorrow, we must enter the palace to see my father. At that time, my elder brothers and younger brothers will also bring Immortal Masters from other places. My father will undoubtedly assess your strengths and weaknesses to select participants for the grand banquet at the alliance meeting in two days! I beseech all Immortals to fully display your Divine Abilities tomorrow so that I may gain some honor!”
“So that’s how it is! No wonder a senior like True Lord Liuguang did not want to get involved in this matter. It’s like performers competing on stage, letting these people join in the fun. What’s the point!”
Mu Yuan simply leaned his head against the chair, appearing half-asleep, listening to Zheng Tai chattering on without end.
After Zheng Tai spoke for a while and saw that everyone seemed indifferent, a flash of anger crossed his heart. However, he knew he could not afford to offend these people for now, so he forced a smile and said, “Respected Immortals must be tired from the journey. How about resting first? We can discuss further tomorrow after meeting the other Immortal Masters.”
The six of them dispersed without further discussion.
Zheng Tai’s face shifted between cloudy and clear. “I knew these people couldn’t be relied on. But tomorrow, with so many Cultivators gathered, if they don’t care about losing face for their sect, then let them be lazy!”
Setting aside Zheng Tai’s thoughts, Mu Yuan and Yun Xi were in the guest rooms of the prince’s residence. Yun Xi said lazily, “This prince is so clueless. He actually wants us to fight like ordinary people to earn honor and prestige for them. How could such a good thing happen!”
Mu Yuan laughed heartily, “Let’s see tomorrow morning. If there really is an opponent that excites me, maybe I’ll go fight to the death!”
The two looked at each other and smiled. Yun Xi suddenly felt inspired. “Let me first see what masters are in Fanming City!”
He immediately sat cross-legged, focused his mind on the Mud Pellet Palace, and spread his Divine Sense out like a dense network of threads, extending in all directions.
Mu Yuan thought to himself that this guy was quite bold. In the majestic Imperial City, how could there not be a few experts stationed? If he encountered someone with a bad temper, they might instantly destroy his Divine Sense on the spot!
The few people they met during the day had cultivations roughly similar to Mu Yuan and Yun Xi, with no overly powerful figures. However, Mu Yuan was still not at ease.
Seeing that Yun Xi had already let his spirit roam, Mu Yuan also sat cross-legged and released a faint, almost imperceptible strand of Divine Sense.
Fanming City covered an extremely vast area, stretching for a hundred li. The Eighth Prince, Zheng Tai, was just one of the many princes, but among them, he had the greatest influence and controlled military power.
The current emperor, Zheng Tai’s father, Emperor Jianming, was in his prime. His governance was clear and just, making him an extremely capable emperor!
Yun Xi’s Divine Sense swept through the city and detected many faint, elusive auras hidden in the residences of various princes, generals, and ministers. Some were lofty and elegant, some calm and quiet, some sharp as a sword, and others majestic and vast.
Some of these people noticed the probing Divine Sense, while others paid no attention. As Yun Xi swept through, he discovered several extremely powerful figures. Although they concealed themselves deeply, the occasional leakage of their aura was like the sun and moon crossing the sky or an endless ocean, which startled him.
“If the residences of the ministers’ sons are already like this, I wonder what kind of powerful figures are in the Imperial City itself!”
Yun Xi decided to go all the way. He gathered his Divine Sense into a line and headed directly toward the tallest, most majestic, and luxurious Imperial City in Fanming City.
“Be careful!”
Mu Yuan’s Divine Sense followed Yun Xi from a distance. Seeing him recklessly charge toward the Imperial City, Mu Yuan’s Divine Sense took form, and his eyes were sharp. He saw some faint golden and silver lights flickering on the tall walls of the Imperial City and grew extremely anxious.
Sure enough, as soon as Yun Xi’s Divine Sense reached above the city walls, a golden light suddenly surged upward, forming something like a Liujia Golden Light Wheel. Its edges were as sharp as blades, spinning violently like a whirlwind. The blade rays formed a net and slashed fiercely at Yun Xi’s Divine Sense!
At the same time, Yun Xi also sensed danger. He gathered his Divine Sense, and a silver light surged, forming a mountain-like entity that stood firm and immovable, exuding an unshakable, deeply rooted feeling.
“This is a Talismanic Seal specifically designed to injure the Primordial Spirit and Divine Sense!”
Mu Yuan had learned a set of techniques called “Mysterious Heaven Dragon Ascension” from Heavenly Fiend Child. He had a keen sensitivity to such spells that specifically targeted the Primordial Spirit and Divine Sense.
“Eternal and immovable, like the sun, moon, and Stars; mountains stand forever, the body remains Indestructible!”
Below the Golden Core, when a Cultivator’s Divine Sense travels out, they cannot perform spells. They can only rely on the intent, willpower, and wisdom of the cultivation method they practice to resist.
Seeing how fierce this Talismanic Seal was, Mu Yuan’s Divine Sense immediately attached to Yun Xi’s. He used the Eternal True Qi, embodying the intent of being as steadfast as mountains, sun, and moon—eternal and Indestructible—just to block one strike!
“Bang!”
A bursting sound, like a fist breaking through the air or air being exploded, was heard. The two’s Divine Sense scattered, and the Liujia Golden Light Wheel also stopped rotating, its glow dimming.
“Let’s go!”
The two shared the same thought. Their Divine Sense retreated like a receding tide, quickly returning to their own bodies.
At the same time, a faint, almost inaudible light snort came from the Imperial City. It followed the path of their retreat and directly reached their physical bodies.
Mu Yuan and Yun Xi opened their eyes at the same time. Their bodies trembled, and their faces turned red. A faint trickle of blood even flowed from the corner of Yun Xi’s mouth.
“So powerful!”
Their eyes met, both conveying the same thought.