232 A Man Once More (1/2)
Arriving at the gate leading to the inner city, Xue Wei found that they were not the only ones who had decided to show up early. At least thirty experts were already waiting in a queue, but Xue Wei said nothing and just moved to the end of the queue, his eyes distant as he regularly scanned the area.
Time ticked by slowly, but no one there really minded waiting. They were all cultivators and thus they could spend the time refining the heaven-and-earth essence into Qi. The time was in no way wasted.
The sunset came, and finally, it was night. Although the sun had set, the entire city was still alive with a buzz of activity and it was as light as day with light orbs on every house and wall. Soft light flooded out from every shop and house, inviting the wayward customers inside with alluring scents and promises of cheap deals.
A loud bang resounded in the area around the gate before a creaking sound could be heard and the massive inner city gate was pushed open by ten Ordinary Knights.
”Five low-grade essence stones a person is the price to enter the inner city. While you are there, you must follow the rules of the inner city. If you do not, you will be punished according to the law!” one of the guards called out with a clear voice. He spoke neither hurriedly nor slowly. It was clear that the guards here knew those words by heart already from having to repeat it every time.
Xue Wei was not surprised. From what information they had gathered earlier, it was clear that the inner city was incredibly important to Tianxian City, and that only the best of the best were allowed to settle inside.
They soon found that it was not only a matter of paying an entrance fee. Not only did they have to pay low-grade essence stones, they also needed a purpose. Every person was interrogated when they reached the gates, and the procession into the city was rather slow.
After half an hour, it was finally Xue Wei's turn. He looked at the guard in front of him and handed him the low-grade essence stones.
”What is your purpose within the inner city?” the guard asked the routine question. The other three looked at Xue Wei. ”We have been invited by Prophet Lan,” Xue Wei said honestly.
There was no reason for him to lie about this fact, because anyone could figure out their purpose if they followed them as they headed straight to Lan's residence.
”Prophet Lan invited you to his residence?” The guard frowned and looked at them. Although their clothes were made from Fierce Beast Silk, it did not seem as if there was anything special about them. Why would Prophet Lan pay attention to such a normal family?
”Yes, I had the pleasure of encountering Prophet Lan on one of my travels, and he invited me to come to visit him. It so happens that we were in Tianxian City and wished to visit him.” Xue Wei did not back down. He was neither humble nor arrogant, and spoke straightforwardly and elegantly. His demeanor not one bit inferior to a superior cultivator.
The guard was secretly shocked. This young woman was quite dignified, and he could not help but do a double take at her, unaware that it was actually a man who had dressed as a woman.
Still, he did not dare say anything knowing that it would be a disaster for their Dragon Hunter Guards if they erroneously blocked the guests of Prophet Lan entry.
”Enter, but remember to follow the rules. Additionally, I will send someone to lead you towards Lan's residence,”the guard finally sighed and said, waving and nodding at someone beside him.
Xue Wei cupped his hands in gratitude and entered through the gate, where an Ordinary Knight was waiting for them. Their escort stared at the female Xue Wei curiously.
”This way,” he said politely, gesturing for them to follow him, and started walking through the beautiful inner city.
The inner city was many times more beautiful than the outer city. Where the outer city was filled to the brim with houses that had been pressed together, the houses in the inner city were not as compact. In fact, all of them were mansions that had their individual gardens. None of the mansions were attached to one another.
Although there were few stores, these stores also occupied mansions and the luxurious items for sale in these mansions could not be compared to any that were sold in the outer city.
They walked for a long time in silence. They had entered from the eastern side of the inner city, and Prophet Lan's mansion was at the western side - right next to the Baixing Lake. In fact, the wall that surrounded Prophet Lan's property went into the water on both sides of the lake.
After walking for what felt like an eternity in a very awkward silence, they finally made it to the mansion. Xue Wei was considering how to get rid of the guard that was leading them, as he could not introduce himself as 'Xue Wei' with him present, but he realized that he did not need to bother right as they reached the mansion. Lan was waiting outside, and his eyes landed on Xue Wei the moment they were within reach.
At first, silence permeated the air. The guard was wondering what was going on, but then Lan collapsed into a chair that was standing by his side. His shoulders were trembling uncontrollably, he slapped his thigh, and tears fell from his eyes as he erupted with the kind of laughter that one would think he would die from.
Xue Wei's face turned black. He was acutely aware of what had caused him to laugh like this, but the guard was completely shocked by this uncharacteristic display of emotions from the prophet.
”Seriously, don't laugh like that, you might die,” Xue Wei said with a dry voice that did not disguise his annoyance the least. Hearing the tone he took with Prophet Lan, the guard was immediately on alert and his eyes showed even signs of hostility. It has to be said that Prophet Lan was one of the most important persons in the entire continent. To be disrespectful towards him was considered a crime.
”Sorry, sorry.” Lan waved his hand, wiped a tear from his cheek, and looked at Xue Wei before erupting in yet another fit of laughter.
”You wanted to see me that much, huh?” he asked after getting his shaking shoulders under control, and Xue Wei gave him a fierce glare. ”Yes I did, what about it?” he asked with the same dry voice.