256 Imperial Capital (2/2)
”Do not forget that if we want to make it to the Demon Phoenix Continent, we need a lot of merit points. They are not easy to gather, but I do have an idea.”
Hearing Xue Wei's words, the other three looked with a glint in their eyes as they leaned forward, ready to hear the next words spoken from Xue Wei's mouth.
Like this, the night passed. They ordered a few dishes after discussing their strategy and spent the rest of the night chatting and having a small party with just the four of them.
The following morning everyone from the academy woke up early and gathered on the road outside the inn. They continued their advance deeper into the city, their speed neither too fast nor too slow.
The city was getting more and more lavish the further in they came. It was like a country within a country, a kingdom dotted with proudly towering buildings everywhere.
The further into the city they came, the cleaner it was. Guards were patrolling the streets; gardens, parks, and squares were everywhere, but the bustling atmosphere of the outskirts was not seen.
There were still many people on the street, but you did not see kids running around playing. Instead, it was rich people hurrying from one place to another or servants on errands for their masters.
But everyone was dressed in fine clothes. Even the servants had, albeit of very common make, clothes that were of good quality.
There was a dignified air the further into the city they came.
Soon, they saw a palace that was stretching towards the heavens. Xue Wei had to take a step back and almost bend his back and his neck as far back as they could go to see the top of the palace.
It was made from some kind of white stone, and it was adorned with a lot of gold that shone in the sunlight. It was incredibly stunning, built in a style quite different from the palaces that could be found on Chang'an.
It did not take long before Xue Wei realized that they were walking towards this palace and he could not help but frown.
Were they not heading to the Garden of Shadows? Why were they going towards the palace?
Even without thinking too much, it was obvious that this palace was the place where the royals lived.
Was the Garden of Shadows attached to the royal palace, or was there some other reason?
Xue Wei did not hide the frown that formed between his brows and Elder Sun instantly noticed it, smiling dejectedly and shook his head.
He could easily guess what was on Xue Wei's mind and he was quick to assure him.
”Young Wei, do not mind. We need to announce your arrival to the King before we can return to the academy,” he explained quickly, his heart beating rapidly. He was worried about Xue Wei's reaction.
Xue Wei's face turned dark when he heard it. ”Why so?” he asked rather curtly.
”It is rare we get visitors from outside the continent. The King is very interested in these things, and thus I am afraid he will be very displeased if we do not go straight away.”
Xue Wei's frown deepened.
He was not sure what he felt about this. Was he willing to meet the King? He felt that it was likely that he would land himself and his friends in even more danger if he was exposed to the King, but after considering the plan they had made earlier, it might not be such a bad idea to meet the King first.
As such he gestured for the tensed Hei Gou, Bai Tianyi, and Lin Xiao to relax, and he then nodded his head to Elder Sun.
”I only hope that the King will see kindly to us,” Xue Wei said to Elder Sun, who nodded his head vigorously.
”The King is a five-eyed genius. He is only a mere twenty years old, but he has already become a Heavenly Knight!”
Xue Wei raised an eyebrow in surprise. When he heard that they would be meeting a King, he had expected it to be an old man, but it seemed that the King was merely a young man, one not much older than he himself.
Thinking like this, he also calmed down a bit more. He did not belittle the King, but he imagined that, being a young man, what he found was curiosity towards the outside world rather than some old wily fox that was willing to get rid of all things that might pose as a threat to his continent.
Lin Xiao's face also turned slightly odd when he heard the age of the King, but he said nothing.
Finally, the group arrived at the gates of the palace. A big row of guards adorned in golden armor was standing outside, all of them carrying long spears in their hands and swords by their waists.
”Greetings Elder Sun!” they all called out in unison, once again showing that they were expecting Elder Sun to appear.
Elder Sun cupped his hands and bowed to them before he turned around and looked at his students.
”Tu Long, take the students back to the academy,” he ordered, ”I will personally lead the four experts to see the King.”
Having been given an order, the man called Tu Long cupped his hands and bowed deeply before he assumed the leading position and ordered the others to follow him in a stern voice.