Superhumans of the Dome City-Chapter 1375 - 2: Divine Capital of the Empire (Part 2)

Liu Zhongwu let out a bitter smile: "To be honest, even tonight I didn’t want to reach out to you. The battle at Meteor City was merely at the end of October, and you’ve only broken through to the Manifestation Method for two months now. Even for an ordinary Manifestation Mage, that’s too short a time to consolidate one’s Realm. Now, besides Yan Qi and the Dawn Knights, you are our strongest combat force. I’m truly worried that external pressures might adversely affect your cultivation. If you rush the Silent Phase Skill, the consequences are unimaginable."

Gongsun Ce felt warmth in his heart but also anxiety: "I appreciate your good intentions, sir. Yan Qi would say the same if he were here. But there’s another matter..."

Liu Zhongwu shook his head and looked at the moon in the sky.

"I know you want to ask about the dual moon phenomenon, but this matter is extremely strange and is closely linked to the Emperor’s disappearance. We’ll discuss it in detail later. The immediate priority is to keep the capital’s peace."

Outside the main gate of Yiji Hall is a wide official road, with only court residences on either side, no homes or shops. The old trees on the roadside are lush, concealing behind the walls ancient-style grand halls built who knows how many years ago, isolating casual observers from official business. Walking this road feels like stepping back hundreds of years, as if at dawn, dignified officials in splendid attire will emerge from behind the walls, holding a board in hand, headed to the palace for an audience with the Emperor.

However, tonight the surroundings of the government office were not as peaceful as usual. In the night, there was a faint commotion, like the buzzing of a swarm of flies. Liu Zhongwu led everyone onto the avenue and arrived at an intersection where four roads converged. The setup here was novel: at the center of the intersection instead of a vacant lot stood a square stone platform, four cubits high, long, and wide. Atop the platform, a young man brandished a short halberd loudly declaring a challenge. Around the platform, on the rooftops, dozens of martial artists dressed variously were watching. The earlier noise originated from here.

From afar, Gongsun Ce saw a person in a blue robe leading armored soldiers patrolling, most wearing expressions of indignation. At the thought of Qin Qianbai’s childhood experiences, he surmised the situation seven to eight parts and could not help but sneer: "Practicing day and night, cultivating to such cold and despicable depths?"

"The bigger the forest, the more kinds of birds there are; our Empire lacks everything except people." Old Liu seemed calm, "There are many rules in Divine Capital City, and the Imperial Academy Supervisor at Yiji Hall is the most troublesome, forbidden from intervening in private martial battles. Little Qian, what do you think...?"

"I’ll go take a look." Qin Qianbai nodded.

·

"Heh! We’ve traveled long and hard to witness the awe of the world’s number one, only to find this Divine Capital’s arena time moves on a quarter-hour, yet no one dares step forward. Such a world’s number one, Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch, truly eye-opening, as they say about the Qin family in the capital having no talent, it appears not to be unfounded!"

Liu Fufeng thumped his short halberd on the edge of the arena, eyes brimming with pride as he gazed at the empty street. The intelligence from inside was spot on; tonight was perfectly timed. Most of the Qin family were out with the Yao Guang Guards on duty, not taking to the ring would waste public duty for private matters, which deserved to be reported. As for those left at home, he paid them no mind. If the elderly dared act, it would upset martial rules with bullying, and if a peer from the Qin family entered the ring, he feared no challenge from his Heavenly Eye Warrior credentials from Canghe Sect.

"Utterly disappointing!" "What Divine Capital Qin family, just government lapdogs!" "Brother Liu, stop wasting words on an empty arena, if no one responds, storm the Qin residence directly, and kick their ground!"

The rabble around the arena hounded relentlessly, drowning out voices of fairness. Liu Fufeng saw the resentful looks of passing Qin members and felt a rush of satisfaction. The Martial Arts Alliance Hierarch had not changed hands in two thousand years, Qin family being the suppressor atop many factions nationwide. Finally seizing the chance to add insult to injury, he didn’t aspire to strip their title, even making the entire Qin family uncomfortable was worth cheering.

"No respect for authority, seeing only the immediate paltry gains, how shameful you dare enter the city!"

A tender voice came from the crowd below the platform. A girl around ten years old stood among the people, her little face flushed with anger. Liu Fufeng was not angry but laughed: "A sharp tongue, but no skill in hand. How is it that a Qin girl so eloquent fails to stand up for her family?"

Amidst laughter, the crowd eyed her, hoping the young Qin member would challenge. A junior challenging a senior wasn’t against the rules; on the arena, results matter, leaving your whole family in disgrace if swept away.

"Ruffian scoundrel, how dare you! I—" The girl couldn’t bear it, in a fury, she was about to leap forward. But just then, the cheers suddenly silenced, everyone with sight fixated on the platform in stunned silence. Without any indication, without a trace, a black-haired, green-clad maiden silently appeared at one end of the arena.

No one saw her move, even Liu Fufeng on the stage didn’t know how she managed it, plunging them into shock. Everyone present, being martial artists, understood the implications of this action; she who could silently get onto the platform could just as silently take their lives!

"I am Liu Fufeng of the Canghe Sect, who might you be?" Liu Fufeng tried to maintain composure, eyeing the joyful smile of the Qin girl below, attempting to still his startled heart. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Sister Qian!"

Sister Qian? Qian? The young talent with ’Qian’ in the name from the Divine Capital Qin family could only be... could only be...