NOVPUBAnd the person on the right was a middle-aged man.
He wore a white robe, his long hair bound into a bun behind him.
Sitting upon a piece of bluestone, his white robe covered the entire stone, and a vague sense of pressure emanated from his gaze.
"The affairs within the sect have been restless lately," the man in the green robe said with a smile as he placed down a black chess piece.
"It’s all superfluous," the white-robed man snorted coldly.
"You’re aware of what has happened in Safety Sky City," the green-robed elder said with a smile.
"With such a commotion, it would be hard not to know," the white-robed man frowned slightly as he spoke.
"Now the Phoenix Perching Empire is on guard, and the pursuit of our followers has grown fiercer."
"One gets used to it, but what about those people?
Being escorted to the capital city of the empire is not to our advantage!" the green-robed elder said indifferently.
"Every step now is critical; we cannot afford any mistakes."
"What are your thoughts, Elder Qing?" the white-robed man asked pensively.
"Let’s ensure they never reach the capital city," the green-robed elder said with a smiling face as he placed down the chess piece in his hand.
"I have my own plans," the white-robed man said, shaking his head slightly.
...…
Phoenix Hoaring City was located to the north of Safety Sky City.
It is said that after the divine phoenix successfully transcended its tribulation, it flew to this location, cried out thrice, and ultimately ascended to immortality.
The legendary story goes like this.
Therefore, the founding place of the Phoenix Perching Empire was named Phoenix Hoaring City.
An imperial phoenix cries for nine days and ascends to immortality!
When Xu Zimei and his group escorting the three men in black robes arrived at Phoenix Hoaring City, seven days had already passed.
The group was travel-stained from the journey.
The Yellow Three Envoys had been interrogating, but the three men in black were tight-lipped, saying nothing at all.
The ancient city walls stood tall on the earth.
The bluish-brown city walls had several damaged spots, showing the city’s great age upon closer inspection.
It looked rather shabby!
The city gates were wide open, with four people sweeping by the doors; the citizens coming and going made the place very lively.
It was nearly noon at this time, and the sun, almost in summer season, felt scorching hot.
The party walked through the city gate.
"Hold on," the group had just reached the gate when they were stopped by the soldiers guarding it.
"There is a fee to enter the city," the soldier on the left said indifferently.
"Whose rule is this?" Huang Xing said coldly.
"I was not aware that my Phoenix Perching Empire had such a regulation."
"It doesn’t matter who made the rule; no payment, no entry," the soldier said flatly.
"You," just as Huang Xing was about to take action, Huang Ri quickly stepped in to stop him.
"We will pay," Huang Ri said with a smile, casually handing over a Spirit Stone to the other party.
The soldier took the Spirit Stone and nodded with some satisfaction.
Usually, those people paid with silver, but with this Spirit Stone, he could take a decent cut for himself.
"Go on in and try to avoid trouble within the city," the soldier said smoothly as he pocketed the Spirit Stone.
...
As the group walked into the city, Huang Xing couldn’t help but ask Huang Ri, "Big brother, why did you stop me just now?
A lowly soldier daring to collect an entry fee, it’s lawless."
"You also know a lowly soldier wouldn’t dare do such a thing, so who could be behind this?" Huang Ri countered.
"Are you suggesting... the City Lord?" Huang Xing quickly caught on.
As one of the Seven Emissaries,
their authority in the Phoenix Perching Empire was quite significant; they represented the emperor to inspect the entire empire.
He even had the authority to execute before reporting.
Especially when encountering someone like Huang Xing, who harbored a hatred for evil and would tolerate not a speck of dust in his eyes.
"This matter is not easy to discuss," Huang Ri said indifferently.
"We can inquire within the city for a few days, and when we return to the capital, we just report to the Emperor.
Our current primary mission is to escort these three followers of the Evil God Cult; we cannot afford any disclosure.
It’s possible that we’ll be intercepted en route for a rescue attempt."
"I understand," Huang Xing nodded.
A few of them checked into several rooms at the inn.
Xu Zimei stayed alone in one room, Huang Yue slept alone in another, while Huang Ri and Huang Xing, who were in charge of guarding those three, shared a large room.
After returning to his room, beside comprehending the "Demonic Skills," Xu Zimei also studied the map with Taiyang Zuzhao.
After all, this map was from before the fragmentation of Yuan Central Continent, and many of the locations had changed significantly from the present.
The Way of Inquiry is boundless; it can be infinitely vast or infinitely small.
Xu Zimei found that grasping this "Demonic Skills" was as if it were tailor-made for him, advancing swiftly as a fish takes to water.
After dinner, as the evening gradually darkened, the nights in Phoenix Hoaring City seemed very quiet.
Although this city counted as a large one, it had somewhat declined due to years of neglect.
The early summer breeze blew through the streets.
Xu Zimei was immersing in his understanding when suddenly, from the next room, a loud "boom" was heard.
That room happened to be where Huang Ri and Huang Xing were staying.
He rushed over there to inspect.
All the people inside the room were still safe, but the roof appeared to have been busted through.
"What happened?" Xu Zimei walked over and asked.
At the doorway, Huang Yue, having hurriedly dressed, also arrived in haste.
"Someone tried to kill these three," Huang Ri, with a troubled look, said, pointing to the three black-robed individuals tied up beside him.
"It seems it was the work of the Evil God Cult," Xu Zimei said.
"Let’s all be cautious. It looks like we won’t have a peaceful night," Huang Ri nodded and said with a solemn tone.
The strength of the Evil God Cult somewhat exceeded his expectations.
The cult recruited members at an alarming rate, with many talents shrouded in mystery within their ranks.
Truly a severe thorn in the side of the Phoenix Perching Empire. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Xu Zimei shook his head slightly and returned to his own room.
As the night deepened, the town crier passed through the streets, striking his clapper and calling out for peace and safety.
Xu Zimei felt the door of his room being slowly opened.
A figure entered from outside and quietly approached his bedside.
Because he was sitting cross-legged, the moment he opened his eyes, he saw a shadow flash before him.
It then quickly fled outside.
By the time Xu Zimei reached the door, he discovered that Huang Xing and Huang Ri had also come out in pursuit.
"Someone slipped into your room?" Huang Xing, looking at Xu Zimei, asked anxiously.
Xu Zimei nodded, his gaze fixed straight ahead, where he could see several shadows running across the rooftops.
Huang Yue also came out of her room, and upon seeing this scene, said to them,
"You go after these people. I will guard these three."
Huang Xing and Huang Yue did not object, and after saying "Take care," they gave chase.
Xu Zimei also nodded slightly and followed.
...
The group pursued swiftly; there were over a dozen figures, but Xu Zimei perceived that their cultivation levels were not high.
