Ye Chui and his group were still dressed in the bizarre outfits of the circus members. After alighting from the carriage, they attracted the attention of onlookers. However, as the capital of the empire, the imperial capital saw merchants and travellers from all corners of the world every day, and various strange attires here did not seem particularly unique. Thus, there was no need to worry about causing any trouble on that account.
Only now did Ye Chui have the opportunity to take in this prosperous city.
Standing on Silent Sisters Street, his line of sight was filled with the bustling districts: mansions, pavilions, barns, shops, inns, and market stalls; taverns, cemeteries, and brothels, one after another.
Even from a distance, the clamour from the markets could be heard. Wide tree-lined avenues, winding narrow lanes, and alleys too cramped for two people to walk side by side threaded between the buildings. Directly ahead of the east city gate stood the grand cathedral, its marble walls encircling a massive dome, with seven crystal spires rising within. Beneath them was a bronze gate that was rarely opened.
Before the cathedral, Silent Sisters Street stretched straight as an arrow.
The holy capital was situated by the Bay of Silro, with sturdy city walls encircling it. Over a hundred docks lined the waterfront, and the harbour was filled with countless ships.
Deep-sea fishing boats and river ferries came and went ceaselessly, boatmen poling their way to and fro, while merchant ships continuously unloaded goods from all across the continent.
Overlooking all of this was the imperial palace at the very centre of the city. It comprised seven enormous drum towers reinforced with steel structures, a colossal and forbidding keep, a domed hall connected by enclosed bridges, barracks, dungeons, and granaries, as well as thick defensive walls riddled with arrow slits. All were built from precious red bloodstone.
The two carriages slowly came to a stop outside the Heavy Timber Inn. This was one of the premier large inns in the imperial capital, relatively close to the Second Prince’s residence. With the Second Prince’s naming day banquet about to take place, he had always been a prince who enjoyed revelry. Although the banquet was not until the day after tomorrow, numerous bards and jugglers had already gathered in the imperial capital today. Some had been specially invited by the Second Prince, while others had come of their own accord hoping to try their luck.
Those invited were generously accommodated by the Second Prince in inns, of course, not in high-end establishments like the Heavy Timber Inn. But since Ye Chui was now spending the Second Prince’s gold, he felt no qualms and deliberately chose this place. One room per person, with food, clothing, and amenities all selected as the finest. The motto was to choose only the most expensive, not the most suitable, since it was not his own money anyway…
In truth, after entering the imperial capital, Ye Chui could have easily chosen to abandon the circus disguise. There was no need to attend the Second Prince’s naming day banquet. What he should do most now was to find ways to conceal his identity. However, after discussing with Debbie, Raisa, and the others, Ye Chui decided to join in the fun anyway. That way, he could also provide some support to Xi Lesi when the time came.
This left Xi Lesi utterly speechless, deeply impressed by Ye Chui and his group’s audacity. They truly believed that more debts meant no additional burden. Having already offended the Beggar Prince, the Beast Prince, and the Moonstone family, and bearing the crime of killing the Ninth Prince, they had no fear of offending one more: the Second Prince.
As for Xi Lesi, she continued to pose as a Red Clothed Guard, preparing to control the fat steward and return to the Second Prince’s residence.
In a secluded room on the second floor of the Heavy Timber Inn, this world had no concept of private boxes, but large inns and eateries all set aside some hidden rooms similar to boxes for conducting important discussions.
Ye Chui had arranged a communication method with Xi Lesi: the token from Cold Blade Jiali was still in Ye Chui’s possession. This token was not merely an assassin’s emblem; it also served a communication function. The cicada sculpture on the token had two translucent wings carved from a magical mineral called “parent-child stone”. They were paired, mutually attracting each other. When the two stones were separated, they would still sense one another within a certain distance. Flicking the cicada’s wings would cause the wings on the paired cicada token to vibrate in response.
Among partners in the assassins’ guild, the Cicada Castle tokens came in pairs, allowing simple communication in this manner. The Chill Tremor token in Ye Chui’s hand paired perfectly with the one in Xi Lesi’s possession, enabling them to contact each other within the imperial capital. Actually, for Ye Chui, if he mastered even more powerful space spells, he could communicate with Xi Lesi anytime and anywhere via [WeChat]. But the ability for real-time calls appeared in nearly every modern film now; Ye Chui wanted to [comprehend] it but did not know which film to choose.
The Second Prince’s naming day banquet was to be held the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, Ye Chui and the others could properly explore the imperial capital.
“I am most familiar with this place in the imperial capital. Later, I will take you all to the Anduin family’s hot spring resort. The hot springs there are infused with magic, which can relieve bodily fatigue and restore one’s magic power content. Most importantly, they are super enjoyable.” Danni, back in the imperial capital, was in high spirits and happily told the group. She pulled a card bearing the emblem of the Luring Joker from her bosom. “This is an exclusive card. With this card, we can enter the hot springs freely, and our identities will be concealed. We do not need to worry about being discovered. In the entire imperial capital, only a handful qualify for such a card.”
Was this like a VIP premium membership card?
“Oh my, the Anduin family is doing things like this now? Back in my day, the hot springs were only accessible to invited guests. I really miss the taste of those hot springs.” Debbie said with keen interest, taking the card and toying with it.
Since entering the imperial capital, Debbie’s enthusiasm had been somewhat subdued, probably because she thought of how things had changed. And indeed they had: sixty-three years had passed, and the vast imperial capital no longer resembled her memories. But only now had she finally perked up a bit.
Among the many families in the Star Empire, each had its own industries. For instance, the Moonstone family excelled in producing diamonds, the Golden Snake family controlled several gold mines, the Beast family was renowned continent-wide for raising magical beasts, and the Candle family served the church, developing numerous industries tied to it.
The Anduin family had started with jester performances and now owned countless shops selling various magical items, as well as hot springs, cargo ships, and other ventures. In short, the Anduin family were tycoons in retail and service industries.
Among the several hot springs controlled by the Anduin family, those in the imperial capital were arguably the most famous. Their hot spring resorts were top-tier clubs accessible only to nobles and royalty. Many foreign guests travelled thousands of miles to enjoy the delightful sensations at the Anduin family’s hot springs.
Raisa, Green, and Jacob were all full of anticipation for the hot springs. Ye Chui, meanwhile, showed an expression of delighted surprise. It was well known that, since ancient times, hot springs had been linked to fan service…
However, looking at their eager expressions, Xi Lesi frowned and poured a bucket of cold water on them: “You lot might not be able to go to the hot springs.”
“Why?” Danni asked.
“I have not told you all along… The Anduin family has had some troubles recently.” Xi Lesi said somewhat hesitantly.
“What troubles?” This time, it was Debbie who asked.
“A month ago, when the news of the Ninth Prince’s death came back, the Anduin family’s situation became extremely awkward. Although it was later reported that Danni had been kidnapped by you all, proving that the Anduin family had no ties to Ye Chui, the family still suffered greatly. After all, Debbie’s identity is also quite special. And just over half a month ago, the Beast Jores family finally made their move against the Anduin family…” Xi Lesi explained.
“The Beast family? They have long coveted our family’s hot springs!” Danni said indignantly. “The Beast family rears what might be the world’s only ninth-tier magical beast, the Dragon Turtle Beast. This beast is said to be over seven thousand years old, ancient and decrepit, yet immensely powerful. The Beast family reveres it as the Beast God. It has injuries on its body, and the Anduin family’s hot springs can heal its pain to some extent. Thus, the Beast family has always wanted to seize our hot springs.”
As she spoke, Danni’s voice paused, worry appearing on her face: “They, what did they do?”
“Over half a month ago, a ferocious water magical beast suddenly appeared in your hot spring resort. It was a sixth-tier Blood Snake Beast, lurking in the hot spring waters and injuring over a dozen people in succession. Five died. The Beast family used this as leverage to stir trouble and, allying with the Imperial Council’s capital garrison commander, sealed off the hot spring resort.” Xi Lesi continued her explanation. “In truth, everyone knows that Blood Snake Beast was definitely the Beast family’s doing; only they could control such a terrifying water magical beast. But with the Anduin family at the centre of the storm, they had no power to refute and could only submit to the sealing. Now, the hot springs are guarded by the Beast family. It is said that the Blood Snake Beast still lurks within… One could say the hot spring resort has now been seized by the Beast family!”
Danni’s pretty face paled, and she said angrily: “What about my father? He surely would not let this happen without a fight!”
“Your father…” Xi Lesi hesitated to speak.
“Xi Lesi, tell us quickly. What happened to my nephew?” Debbie interjected and shouted. Danni’s father was the current head of the Anduin family, the son of the child her grandfather had adopted from Joker Town after Debbie’s disappearance. By seniority, calling him nephew was not amiss for Debbie; it just felt a bit odd…
“The head of the Anduin family went to reason with the Beast family, but an argument broke out. It is said he was injured by the Beast family’s eldest son, ‘Serpent-Haired Kuron’. This happened over half a month ago. Since then, he has not appeared. There are rumours that he was gravely wounded, or possibly already dead…” Xi Lesi continued her hesitant explanation.
She knew Ye Chui and the others would learn of these matters sooner or later, so she simply laid it all out without concealment: “Now, the Beast family has even declared that the Anduin family will soon vanish entirely from the imperial capital. The other major and minor families have long prepared to carve up the Anduin family’s assets.”
Hearing this information, Ye Chui, Green, and the others were somewhat composed, but Debbie and Danni were both furious.
Danni, in particular, turned to leave in a panic, but Jacob hurriedly hugged her and held her back.
Ye Chui consoled her: “It is not appropriate to return to your family now. Someone might be waiting there… Let us go back in the evening. We will accompany you.”
“Father will not be in trouble, right? Brother Ye Chui, what if something happens to Father?” In an instant, Danni seemed to become a helpless little girl, clutching Ye Chui’s arm and sobbing.
“Your father will be fine. He is badly injured, but I hear that snake magical beasts’ galls are excellent healing tonics…” Ye Chui patted Danni’s head while musing aloud.
Xi Lesi’s face suddenly filled with shock: “Mr. Ye Chui, you, what are you planning to do?”
“Debbie and Danni are our companions. The Anduin family being targeted now is partly because of me, so their family matters are naturally our guild’s affairs.” Ye Chui said with a cold laugh, glancing at Debbie. “When we visit our nephew this evening, let us bring that Blood Snake Beast’s gall as a gift.”
Xi Lesi: “Wha… what!?”
Green, Guni, Raisa, and the others had followed Ye Chui for a long time. Hearing his words, they felt not the slightest fear but immediate excitement.
“Guild Leader, does this mean we get magical beast meat again?” Green asked eagerly.
“I hear that grinding snake magical beasts’ bones into powder is especially good for the skin!” Raisa said, rubbing her delicate cheek.
And Guni rubbed her belly: “My favourite is magical beast meat.”
