The wind and sand remained as fierce as ever. Chen Ping and Hu Mazi followed Lin Yuner’s footsteps, heading towards the direction of East Township County.
Lin Yuner led the way ahead. Her steps were light and resolute, as if she knew this wasteland like the back of her hand.
“How much further is it to East Township County?” Hu Mazi asked impatiently.
The continuous days of travel had left him somewhat weary. Moreover, now that they had a clear objective, he was all the more eager to locate the position of the Six Temples of the Gods.
“It’s not far now. Once we cross that stretch of sand dunes ahead, we’ll see the walls of East Township County,” Lin Yuner said, pointing forwards.
Sure enough, before long, a majestic city appeared in the trio’s line of sight.
The walls of East Township County soared into the clouds, built from massive slabs of bluestone that gleamed under the sunlight.
The battlements were lined with guards, their eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly, as if on alert for some threat.
“How do we get in?” Hu Mazi asked.
He knew that ordinary cities had strict entry and exit rules. This was especially true for a place rumoured to have ties to the Six Temples of the Gods.
Lin Yuner thought for a moment and said, “I am from the Lin family. They should let me in. As for you two, you might need to disguise yourselves.”
“Disguise ourselves?” Hu Mazi asked, puzzled.
Lin Yuner nodded. “That’s right. I’m worried they might recognise you as outsiders and cause unnecessary trouble.”
Chen Ping, however, dismissed the idea. “No need for that hassle. We’ll just go in directly.”
With that, he strode straight towards the city gate.
Seeing this, Lin Yuner and Hu Mazi could only follow helplessly.
The gate guards spotted someone approaching the city and immediately stepped forward to block them.
“Halt! Who are you?” one soldier demanded sharply.
His gaze swept sharply over Chen Ping and Hu Mazi, as if suspecting their identities.
Lin Yuner hurried forward and said, “I am Lin Yuner of the Lin family. These two are my friends. We wish to enter the city.”
The soldier eyed Lin Yuner up and down. Once he confirmed she was indeed from the Lin family, he said, “So it is Miss Lin. But these two…”
Before he could finish, Chen Ping stepped forward and released a powerful aura.
The aura was like an invisible mountain, pressing down so heavily that all the gate guards struggled to breathe.
“Stand aside!” Chen Ping said coldly.
His voice carried an undeniable authority, causing the soldiers to step back involuntarily.
Chen Ping and Hu Mazi swaggered into the city. Lin Yuner hurried after them.
Once inside, Hu Mazi asked in confusion, “Chen Ping, why did you release your aura just now? Won’t that draw even more attention?”
Chen Ping smiled faintly. “That’s exactly what I wanted, to let them know we’ve arrived. That way, we can find the people we’re looking for more easily.”
Lin Yuner also looked concerned. “But now the county lord will definitely know we’re here. That puts us in danger.”
“Danger?” Chen Ping scoffed dismissively. “In this East Township County, no one can make me feel truly threatened.”
His words were arrogant, yet they conveyed an unquestionable confidence.
Seeing his assurance, Lin Yuner and Hu Mazi said no more and simply followed silently behind him.
The streets of East Township County were wide and clean. The buildings on either side were quaint and elegant.
Pedestrians thronged the roads. Vendors hawked their wares, creating a scene of bustling prosperity.
If one did not know that the county lord here had dealings with the Six Temples of the Gods, no one would suspect that this seemingly peaceful city concealed such a great secret.
“Where do we go now?” Hu Mazi asked.
Lin Yuner thought for a moment and said, “Let’s head to the Lin family first. I want to see if my father has returned.”
