Wang Shouxin furrowed his brow, pacing by the door with an air of grave concern. He knew the protocol of the imperial court. When the monarch chose his consorts, be it the queen or a low-ranking consort, their backgrounds and character were always assessed secretly. He surmised that the scar-faced man had spotted a court spy posing as a rchant. If this surveillance were reported to their superiors, not only would Wang Roumin’s chance of becoming queen be endangered, but the lives of his entire family would likely be at risk.
"Send the command! Seal the city and find the rchant at all costs! Better to kill the innocent by mistake than to let him escape!" After a mont of contemplation, Wang Shouxin made a swift, definitive decision. Once ’the rchant’ was killed and a scapegoat found, they would be safe. All they needed to do was ride out this period, ensure Wang Roumin beca the leading consort in the harem, and only then, when the dust settled and everything was truly arranged, could they consider all to be well.
"As you command!" The scar-faced middle-aged man bowed, picked up his devil head sabre, and rushed away with several Guest Elders.
Having been an official for many years, Wang Shouxin held considerable sway in Lu City. He had firm control over the city’s defense forces, and in less than a quarter of an hour, the city gates were sealed shut. Thousands of Martial Artists loyal to the Wang family began secretly hunting for ’the rchant’ throughout the city.
Damn it, they’ve sealed the city with no regard for the law! The Wang family is far too audacious! Inside an inn, the ’rchant’ grimaced. He took a martial uniform from his personal storage, stuck on a fake beard, and disguised himself as a burly Martial Artist with thick brows. Once his disguise was complete, he stealthily left the inn. The movent technique he displayed was the Ghostly Trace Step, a technique that could only be learned by mbers of the Abyss Guard.
BANG!
Just as he stepped out, the closed door was kicked wide open. The scar-faced middle-aged man entered with his n, scanned the room, then ordered in a gruff voice, "He just left! After him!"
I must find a way to leave Lu City, otherwise, sooner or later, they will catch ! thought the Abyss Guard mber, who had successfully evaded capture, now on the opposite side of the street. Just then, he overheard the chattering of commoners nearby.
"Have you heard the contents of the imperial decree? Surely the little witch wasn’t chosen, was she?"
"Judging by the imperial decree, it looks like she has been. Moreover, it’s a decree from the Emperor Eritus; it’s almost certain!"
"The heavens are blind! If that little witch becos queen, it will be a disaster for the Qin Dynasty, a calamity for all its people!"
The surrounding commoners whispered among themselves, their faces etched with worry, casting a heavy pall over the city.
Just then, news of the city’s lockdown reached the common people, causing an uproar. Lu City, a major comrcial hub, saw rchants coming and going daily. Many rchants had goods that needed to be delivered on ti; otherwise, they would be in breach of contract. Depriving people of their wealth was considered as grave a sin as murdering their parents.
Apart from the rchants, many common folk were also unhappy. Most of them lived in the surrounding towns and villages. If the city was sealed, they wouldn’t be able to return ho. Where would they stay? What would they eat?
"The ’Qin Law’ states that a city can only be sealed in tis of war! Let’s go to the city gate and demand an explanation!" Suddenly, a voice rose from sowhere in the crowd, igniting the rage in everyone’s hearts. They surged towards the city gate, a formidable mass of people, and soon, tens of thousands had gathered.
The soldiers guarding the city, having never witnessed such a scene, instinctively raised their weapons and nocked their arrows.
"Damn you! Would you dare to kill us?"
This action, far from intimidating the protesting citizens, only enraged them further. Several Martial Artists drew their weapons, assuming combat stances.
"Quick, you fools! Put away your weapons!" Seeing the situation escalating, the Colonel in charge of the city defense stepped out, bowed to the crowd, and said, "Esteed citizens, a criminal has infiltrated our city. The Governor has ordered a temporary lockdown to capture this fugitive. We ask for your understanding!"
"Absurd!" A scholar stepped forth, questioning angrily, "What criminal? Why are there no wanted posters? And why is it the Governor’s attendants searching, not the officials?"
"In my opinion, the Governor’s Mansion sealed the city for private gain, to achieve so ulterior motive! General, you mustn’t aid such tyranny and be led astray!"
These powerful words left the soldiers on the city walls speechless; they looked at each other sheepishly.
"He’s right! According to the ’Qin Law’, local authorities are only permitted to seal cities during warti. The Qin Dynasty is currently at peace, so this clearly violates the regulations!"
After listening to the scholar’s passionate speech, the Abyss Guard mber stepped forward and declared in a resonant voice, "Furthermore, the law also stipulates that if local authorities cause significant losses, everyone in the city will be executed along with them! Are you all willing to lose your heads?"
At his words, the soldiers’ expressions changed drastically, their resolve wavering. Truth be told, they also felt the Governor’s decision to seal the city was dubious. There were countless cities in the vast Qin Dynasty; none had ever been sealed because of re thieves. It was plainly illogical!
"Open the city gates!" After a mont of visible indecision, the Colonel gave the order.
Heaving a collective sigh of relief, the soldiers slowly pushed the city gates open, allowing people to leave.
A faint smile touched the lips of the Abyss Guard mber. He blended into the stream of people exiting the city and quickly disappeared.
「...」
"Did you say the eastern gate is open?"
Inside the Governor’s Mansion, Wang Shouxin’s expression changed drastically. A horrifying aura erupted from him, actually reaching the Quasi-emperor Realm.
BANG! BANG!
Under the crushing pressure of his aura, the two servants who had co to report the news instantly exploded into a bloody mist, leaving no trace behind.
Wang Shouxin’s face was grim as he slowly pushed open a bookcase, revealing a hidden passage. He hesitated for a mont before stepping into it, not forgetting to slide the bookcase back into place.
Following the passage, Wang Shouxin walked for dozens of miles until he reached the bank of a vast underground river. The space around it was large enough to accommodate a hundred thousand people.
"What has happened?" A deep voice emanated from the river.
"Sir, our location may have been compromised!" Wang Shouxin knelt, his voice trembling as he reported, "As per the plan, I sent my daughter to participate in the consort selection. I assud she would be rejected, but soon after, the court officials arrived to read the imperial edict. Shortly after that, Scarface reported that soone was investigating the Governor’s Mansion. Although I sealed the city imdiately, I’m afraid he might have escaped..."
CHURN!
The calm underground river began to roil, bubbles rising to the surface. A white fla erged, radiating a bone-chilling cold. Amidst the fla sat a Martial Artist in a white robe, his eyes sharp as an eagle’s, coldly staring at Wang Shouxin.
"It’s not ’may have been.’ We *have* been exposed!" the white-robed Martial Artist said icily, retracting the flas around him. "You will remain in Lu City for the ti being. As for your two sons, I will take them with !"
Wang Shouxin trembled, pleading in terror, "Please, Sir, rest assured, I will never reveal the organization! I beg you, do not harm my sons..." He was all too aware of the organization’s terrifying nature. Once soone was handed over, it was difficult to return alive, and even if they did, they would be transford into inhuman, grotesque creatures.
"Rest assured! Though you have no great rits to your na, you have worked hard. I will take them as my Disciples and make them Inner Sect Disciples of our sacred教!" The white-robed Martial Artist smirked, but his pale face was terrifying to behold.
"Thank you, Sir!" Wang Shouxin sighed in relief and kowtowed repeatedly.
On the Primal Continent, there was only one faction called a Divine Sect: the Heretic God Sect!
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