Chapter 679: Chapter 403 Re-positioning Oneself_2
Yan Xiaobao pondered for a while, but he quickly agreed with what was said. After all, Divine Beasts were the sovereigns of beasts. They were the most awe-inspiring and the strongest creatures. They carried the bloodline of Gods, and possessed abilities that others could only dream of.
Even the golden young man gazed at Yan Xiaobao with a complicated expression. Unfortunately, it was impossible for Yan Xiaobao to decipher the thoughts hidden within his mind.
Now, Yan Xiaobao stood in the center of the city, astonished by the outcome of the war he had just finished. Comparing the actual event to his expectations, the war turned out to be unusually straightforward. It was something he owed to the enemy’s Great Marshall. His certainty of victory was once challenged by the Crusaders, but in the end, both the Emperor and the Great Marshall fell into the hands of the beast tribe. With their downfall, the Spanish Empire also suffered setbacks, and now it belonged to the beasts.
...
"My lord, the victor has been decided," the maid stepped forward, looking at the air in front of her. She dared not gaze at her master directly, knowing well his dislike for being looked at by servants like herself.
"I regret to inform you that under the assault of the Beast Army, the Siban Empire was unable to prevail. Even the Crusaders you sent seemingly perished in the battle."
As these words were spoken, a scoffing noise came from the seat beside her. "I don’t care who wins this war," An Hee said with a grin, spinning a small sphere between his lips—a globe resembling his very own miniature asteroid. "I’m no longer part of this world. I am beyond the notion of time that binds you. You weaklings are akin to creatures dwelling in the fields; this realm is your universe, but none of you can see it, nor comprehend what exists beyond it. I encompass this realm; I am everywhere at once. I am your yesterday, and I am your tomorrow. I am the only one who has departed from this field, and the world outside is my stage, never to be confined by this pitiable small plane."
The maid fell silent, stepping back patiently to await her master’s next command.
...
Yan Xiaobao and the beasts soon located the mansion they had been waiting for within the Siban Imperial Capital. Some armies returned to the Divine Domain with good news, allowing the beasts to commence their migration to their newfound lands. The Beast Army remaining within the borders of the Siban Empire moved to the frontier to ensure no other armies could strike them unexpectedly. They expelled those who couldn’t coexist, transforming it into a haven for the beast population.
Although Yan Xiaobao had anticipated the completion of the army’s responsibilities following their victory, he quickly discovered they knew very little about governance. Subjects like taxation and organizing military forces were unfamiliar to them. Yan Xiaobao explained tax systems to them, trained them in matters concerning armies to help establish their own, and introduced the role of officials. Miss Sunx particularly found all of this information highly intriguing and was eventually chosen as the governor of Siban.
During Yan Xiaobao’s time in the capital, he noticed Cai Jie hadn’t departed. Instead, Cai Jie selected a house he fancied—a residence right next to Yan Xiaobao’s. He attended every meeting, without a single member of the beast tribe questioning his presence, as everyone seemed convinced he was a friend of Yan Xiaobao’s.
Yan Xiaobao spent a whole two months teaching Miss Sunx everything she needed to know. At long last, when she had grasped all the necessary information, he let out a sigh of relief.
"That’s it, isn’t it?" Cai Jie remarked with a smile. Initially suspicious of the golden young man, Yan Xiaobao soon wore a smile as well. "I need to bid farewell to Wan Qiao," he shrugged. "But I agree. It’s time for us to leave the Beast World and return to the human realm."
The white-haired and golden-haired youths exchanged smiles as they walked toward the house claimed by the Unihorn Jasmine Eagle. The eastern city gate of the Sun Kingdom’s capital was perpetually bustling. Merchants appeared in caravans with goods primed for sale or returning after selling their wares in distant cities. Mercenaries streamed into the city after completing missions or hunting Magic Beasts. Adventurers arrived in the city, taking short rests while training and enhancing their Inner Energy and Martial Arts in their journey through the Kingdom.
Usually, the city gate teemed with energy and commotion as people surged through. But today was different. The summer sunlight warmed the ground, yet the typical vitality was absent; instead, the crowd had been divided into two distinct groups, with an empty space left between them. Only two figures stood in this desolate gap, drawing the attention of everyone present.
All the mercenaries, merchants, adventurers, and even ordinary citizens sported tanned skin, dark hair, and almond-shaped eyes. Though their appearances varied slightly, these traits were shared among all but two. In the midst of this barren void stood the pair of youths.
One was a young man with flowing white hair, skin as pristine as fallen snow. His ice-blue eyes radiated tranquility, while his lips bore a faint smirk. His frame was tall and imposing. Gazing upon him, one couldn’t help but sense an aura of strength—the kind of presence that brooked no dissent. This young man exuded a leader’s aura, one far beyond his years.
Beside him stood the golden-haired youth. His locks were like the purest gold, his eyes shimmering like twin suns. While he radiated a powerful aura as well, his exuded arrogance in comparison. His bearing bespoke absolute confidence in himself and his abilities. Even though he accompanied the white-haired youth, he appeared unwilling to let anyone dictate his fate.
"The people are staring at you," Yan Xiaobao pointed out as they headed toward the gate without queuing. "They’re not staring at me," Cai Jie retorted. "It must be your white hair and pale skin. You’re so ghostly pale, you might be mistaken for a corpse. Won’t you get sunburned in this weather?" Yan Xiaobao snorted softly, offering no further response. Neither Yan Xiaobao nor Cai Jie seemed perturbed by the crowd’s reactions. If anything, they conducted themselves as though it were entirely natural.
Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie had been journeying for five months, traversing the defeated Spanish Empire. Recently, they crossed the border with numerous refugees into the Sun Kingdom, ultimately reaching the Sun City—Muchuan.
"This isn’t the first time people have stared at something novel," Yan Xiaobao sighed finally, as he and Cai Jie approached the gate, prepared to enter only to find guards stationed before it, barring their path. The pair quieted as they exchanged glances with the guards, surveying them intently as they came to a halt, frowning impatiently while awaiting an explanation.
"Apologies, sir. I’d like to offer you an invitation to the City Lord’s mansion for a banquet. This banquet is hosted weekly, and tonight happens to be the occasion. The Lord enjoys hearing tales from adventurers like yourself. I presume you’re newcomers to the city. I imagine esteemed experts such as yourselves have much to share with His Lordship," the guard stammered, his words tinged with nervousness, as his hands trembled slightly. Hearing this, both Yan Xiaobao and Cai Jie were taken aback. The pair had assumed they were being stopped due to the commotion they had caused at the gate—it had occurred numerous times. But to be stopped for an invitation was a first.
Exchanging glances, the duo waited for one another to decide. Seeing Cai Jie remain indifferent, Yan Xiaobao shrugged. "We’ll accept the invitation. We have friends in the city, so we’ll meet with them first. We can make our way to the City Lord’s mansion in time for dinner to meet His Lordship."
It was the most reasonable compromise Yan Xiaobao could offer. He was curious about the City Lord, uncertain of what the man truly wanted from them. Yan Xiaobao speculated the invitation might stem from the City Lord’s intrigue in news from wandering travelers. He couldn’t help but smile, wondering if this might be related to the chaos he had stirred in Liluo City.
...