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Chapter 564: Great Qin, Xu Fu

First, Zhao Suoxiang headed north to locate some members of his Iron Spear Battalion, instructing them to take his letters to the legion commander, informing him of everything that transpired at the Water Curtain Mountains. Then, he led Zhong Shan and the group westward towards Yanjing.

They arrived in Blue Flame City, the capital of the Blue Flame Empire, after a month's flight. From a distance, they could see the endless golden fortune hovering over the city, with a massive golden dragon lazily coiling in the sky. Its majestic horns pointed skyward, commanding heavenly power and exuding an immense presence.

This was an imperial dynasty, grand and imposing.

Gathering talents from all over the world, firmly rooted in Shenzhou! This was a true dynasty with deep roots in Shenzhou.

Like the former Great Yu Empire, equally powerful. Perhaps due to the impending Ten Thousand Pill Conference, or maybe it was always this way, Blue Flame City saw a constant influx of powerful individuals, flocking to the city gates like ants returning to their nest.

As they flew closer, the city wall, standing two thousand meters tall and made of white jade, became visible. It was reinforced with mystical formations, and the city walls stretched endlessly in both directions.

"Let's enter the city," Zhao Suoxiang said.

"Alright," the group followed Zhao Suoxiang to the city gate.

At the gate, two rows of soldiers stood guard, but they did not stop anyone, allowing the countless people to come and go freely.

"Don't they check anyone?" Zhong Shan asked, slightly surprised.

"They used to. But for over half a year, the number of alchemy experts coming to Blue Flame City has been increasing. The sheer volume made it nearly impossible to conduct checks. Queues would last all day, exhausting both the guards and the travelers. Therefore, the emperor ordered a suspension of the checks until after the Ten Thousand Pill Conference, at which point regular checks will resume," Zhao Suoxiang explained with a frown.

Gu Qianyou and Zhong Shan were both taken aback, their mouths agape.

This was Yanjing, the heart of the Blue Flame Empire, and the Blue Flame Emperor was so casual about security? Just because there were too many people, he stopped the checks? Because it was troublesome, he stopped the checks? Because people complained, he stopped the checks?

What kind of emperor was this, neglecting his own safety? This was the capital, the core of the Blue Flame Empire! What about the empire's security?

Reflecting on this inherited emperor, Zhong Shan and Gu Qianyou exchanged a knowing glance. They both realized that this emperor was either incredibly foolish or overly arrogant.

As the saying goes, one can see the whole picture from a single detail. With such an emperor, Zhong Shan predicted the downfall of the Blue Flame Empire. It was only a matter of time under this emperor's rule.

However, Zhong Shan had no intention of warning the Blue Flame Emperor.

Following Zhao Suoxiang through the east gate, the city was bustling and lively. Despite the Blue Flame Emperor's flaws, Yanjing was extremely prosperous, likely benefiting from the legacy of his predecessors.

"Let's go, first to your Zhao residence!" Zhong Shan said.

"Uh, sorry, but the Zhao residence isn't in the city," Zhao Suoxiang said somewhat awkwardly.

"Oh?" Zhong Shan was intrigued.

"Because my official rank is still low and I'm not yet qualified for court sessions, I built my residence near the barracks in the western part of the city," Zhao Suoxiang explained.

Hearing Zhao Suoxiang's explanation, Zhong Shan's eyes lit up instead of showing any displeasure. Zhao Suoxiang, such a treasure, was being so overlooked by the Blue Flame Emperor? This was indeed a boon for the Great Zheng Dynasty!

"No problem. Someone has already booked a room for me at Qingyou Inn. Now, take us to register for the Ten Thousand Pill Conference," Zhong Shan said.

"Someone booked a room at Qingyou Inn for you? Uh, you should know that since a year ago, it's been almost impossible to book a room at Qingyou," Zhao Suoxiang said incredulously.

"Yunlai Inn, Tianzi No. 1 Courtyard," Zhong Shan confirmed.

"Yunlai Inn? Tianzi No. 1 Courtyard? That place is not just a simple inn. It's very famous in Blue Flame City, and no one has ever rented that courtyard. You booked it?" Zhao Suoxiang's eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Yes, I booked it," Zhong Shan nodded and smiled.

Yunlai Inn was originally his property, reserved exclusively for members of the Great Zheng Dynasty, which is why others could never book it.

"Let's go, take us to the registration area!" Zhong Shan smiled.

"Alright!" Although Zhao Suoxiang was somewhat surprised, he didn't dwell on such minor details.

He led Zhong Shan and his group deeper into the city, explaining the customs and culture of the Blue Flame Empire along the way.

After Zhong Shan and his group left, several pairs of eyes at the city gate watched them intently before quickly blending into the crowd and disappearing.

An hour later.

In a small courtyard, a young woman in a green dress was scattering fish food into a small pond.

At that moment, a servant hurried over.

"Princess!" the servant respectfully called out to the young woman in green.

"Oh? Which important person has arrived this time?" the woman asked nonchalantly.

"According to the portraits you gave me, only one person from the portraits appeared today, Zhong Shan!" the servant reported.

The woman's hand trembled, and she accidentally dumped all the fish food into the pond upon hearing the name 'Zhong Shan'.

"Zhong Shan? Did you say Zhong Shan?" the young woman looked at the servant.

"Yes, and I also saw Princess Ling'er and the one who used to visit the mansion, 'Qinghong.' There were eleven of them in total," the servant replied.

"Ling'er is here too? Zhong Shan is here? Where did they go?" The young woman pondered deeply for a moment.

This young woman in green was none other than Princess Nie Qingqing of the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty. In the past, when Zhong Shan went to the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty to fetch Ling'er, Nie Qingqing had contributed greatly.

"They seemed to be heading towards the registration area," the servant said.

"Go notify Marquis Shaofei. After all, everyone knows each other. As for Marquis Xiaoyao, there's no need to inform him," Nie Qingqing said after some thought.

"Yes!" The servant quickly complied.

After Nie Qingqing and Marquis Shaofei left, a sullen-faced Marquis Xiaoyao appeared before the servant.

"What did you just tell Nie Qingqing and Marquis Shaofei? Why didn't you report to me?" Marquis Xiaoyao asked coldly.

"Subordinate... subordinate..." The servant stammered in fear.

"Speak!" Marquis Xiaoyao demanded.

"Yes, I saw Zhong Shan and Princess Ling'er with their entourage..." the servant quickly recounted his previous report.

"Boom!" Marquis Xiaoyao kicked the servant, sending him flying.

"Ugh!" The servant spat out a mouthful of blood but dared not say more.

"Hmph!" Marquis Xiaoyao snorted coldly, ignoring the servant and striding out.

In another valley within the city.

A man dressed in white scholar's robes sat in the valley, playing an ancient zither, seemingly lost in the music. A green-clad servant entered the valley, not daring to disturb him, and stood nearby, bowing.

The white-robed man finished his piece, savoring the moment with his eyes closed. When he opened his eyes, a sharp light flashed, indicating a breakthrough in his cultivation.

He stood up, and a maid handed him a hot towel. The white-robed man took it and gently wiped his hands.

"So, any discoveries?" the white-robed man asked.

"Reporting to the Prime Minister, our people have just spotted Zhong Shan," the servant replied.

"Oh? Zhong Shan? He actually came?" The white-robed man was slightly surprised.

"Yes, along with three empresses, making a total of eleven people," the servant reported.

"The Great Zheng Dynasty? Zhong Shan must be quite free to come here at such a time," the white-robed man smiled faintly.

"Prime Minister, should we report this to the Dayong Dynasty?" the servant asked.

"No need. The Dayong Dynasty is currently preparing to advance to an imperial dynasty. His Majesty has no time to deal with the Great Zheng Dynasty," the white-robed man said.

"Understood!" the servant complied.

This white-robed man was none other than Fan Yipin, a subordinate of Gu Xuan in the Dayong Dynasty, assisting Dayong's alchemists in attending the Ten Thousand Pill Conference. For a strategist like him, gathering information from all sides was crucial.

"Where did Zhong Shan and his group go?" Fan Yipin asked.

"They seemed to be heading towards the registration area," the servant replied.

"Lead the way!" Fan Yipin commanded.

"Yes!"

Zhong Shan followed Zhao Suoxiang deeper into Blue Flame City. Gradually, more and more people dressed in daoist robes appeared. Without paying them much attention, they soon arrived at a massive square.

The square was filled with numerous alchemy furnaces, each with various flames underneath. Officials in official uniforms registered participants around the square, guiding them to an alchemy furnace to refine pills on the spot after registration.

As Zhong Shan led his group forward, he suddenly spotted a familiar face.

A man in a golden robe, carrying a black ferocious knife on his back—Bai Ye! The former emperor of the Daye Dynasty, who had been bitten by the Great Qin Zombie Emperor 'Ying,' and had since aligned himself with the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty.

However, at this moment, Bai Ye was walking behind another man.

This man, dressed in purple robes with long hair flowing behind him, held a horsetail whisk, exuding a carefree aura.

The two seemed to have just registered and were holding a token given by the officials.

As they approached, Bai Ye whispered something to the purple-robed man, who nodded and looked over.

"Lord Wu'an, we meet again!" Zhong Shan greeted.

"Emperor Zhong Shan of Great Zheng? Are you here for the Ten Thousand Pill Conference as well?" Bai Ye nodded in acknowledgment.

"Yes, my empresses received an invitation. May I ask who this is?" Zhong Shan looked at the purple-robed man.

"I am Xu Fu of the Great Qin Heavenly Dynasty," the purple-robed man introduced himself.