Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Strange Occurrences in the Imperial City of the Great Ming Empire.
Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu followed the caravan to their destination. After returning their horses to the post station, they headed for the Imperial City Gate.
The Imperial City stood majestically, its towering walls fifty meters high, stretching as far as the eye could see. The city walls were scarred with saber marks and axe cuts, clear evidence of past battles, serving as a stark reminder that this Imperial City had once suffered greatly from war.
Qin Yefeng led Xiong Yu to the exterior of the Great Ming Empire Imperial City. They observed the guards at the city gate, standing in rows atop the walls. Most of them were at the Eighth Layer of Houtian Realm.
As they drew closer, they noticed each guard wore a solemn expression, clad in armor and wielding Long Spears and Great Axes, strictly guarding the Imperial City of Great Ming.
“Halt! This is a restricted area of the Imperial Palace. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden!” An Imperial Guard Captain, clad in armor, didn’t wait for Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu to approach before pointing his Long Spear at Xiong Yu, issuing a loud warning.
“We are from Holy Sun Academy, here to investigate the missing persons in your Great Ming Empire! Hurry up and let us in, or this old man will get angry!” Xiong Yu declared haughtily, looking at the Imperial Guard Captain with an arrogant demeanor.
“You two brats? You think you’re worthy of being Holy Envoys sent by Holy Sun Academy to investigate the Great Ming Imperial City? Get lost, or I won’t be so polite!” The Imperial Guard Captain sneered, glancing at Xiong Yu with mockery.
No sooner had the Imperial Guard Captain finished speaking than the Imperial Guards around him burst into laughter. They simply didn’t believe that Xiong Yu and Qin Yefeng were Holy Envoys sent by Holy Sun Academy.
Xiong Yu’s face flushed crimson with anger. He stomped his foot and cursed, “What a bunch of snobs! Open your dog eyes and take a good look at the jade handle in this old man’s hand!”
As Xiong Yu spoke, he pulled out the identity proof jade handle issued by Holy Sun Academy from his storage ring and thrust it directly into the Imperial Guard Captain’s face.
“Take a good look, what is this?”
“Huh!”
Instantly, the smiles vanished from the faces of the Imperial Guards.
When the Imperial Guard Captain clearly saw ‘Holy Sun Academy’ written on it, cold sweat immediately trickled down his back, and his throat involuntarily trembled. This jade handle didn’t look fake. Could these two young men truly be special Holy Envoys from Holy Sun Academy?
“Are you truly… truly Holy Envoys?” the Imperial Guard Captain asked cautiously.
“Can’t your eyes tell if a jade handle is real or fake? Could a Holy Sun Academy jade handle possibly be fake?” Xiong Yu boasted triumphantly.
Upon seeing the Holy Sun Academy jade handle Xiong Yu produced, the city guards quickly escorted Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu into the Imperial City.
Thus, Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu entered the Great Ming Imperial City, led by the Imperial Guard Captain, walking on a three-meter-wide white marble floor.
They observed the palatial buildings, their golden glazed tiles shimmering dazzlingly under the sunlight. These magnificent palaces, both inside and out, were guarded by troops. Each squad consisted of six people: an Early Xiantian Realm Expert as the leader, and five Ninth Layer of Houtian Realm Martial Artists as soldiers, maintaining strict vigilance.
On this continent, Xiantian Realm experts were like local tyrants outside, able to live very comfortably anywhere. To willingly serve as a low-ranking officer here spoke volumes about the exceptionally high standards of the palace’s security!
Following the Imperial Guard Captain, they arrived outside the Main Hall of Great Ming Imperial Palace. This main hall featured a double-eaved roof, and at its entrance, two fire-breathing golden dragons with golden scales and golden armor coiled around the hundred-meter-long vermilion lacquered pillars, appearing exceptionally splendid.
“This Imperial Palace is truly well-built! If I ever become a True Essence Realm expert in my lifetime, I must build a palace like this and enjoy it thoroughly,” Xiong Yu couldn’t help but exclaim, gazing at the resplendent and magnificent Imperial Palace.
“Indeed, I believe you will definitely become a True Essence Realm expert in your lifetime,” Qin Yefeng said with a smile, a flicker of light in his eyes.
Afterward, Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu waited together outside the Golden Imperial Hall. The inner pillars of the grand hall were supported by numerous massive red columns, each intricately carved with a spiraling, lifelike golden dragon, creating a truly spectacular sight.
In the vast main hall of the palace, two rows of ministers sat, all solemn and reverent, looking up at the hall’s apex with utmost awe.
On the golden-lacquered, dragon-carved throne within the hall sat a king who surveyed all under heaven. Below, graceful women danced and sang, their flowing sleeves swaying, bells chiming, and chimes striking, the music melodious.
The Imperial Guard Captain exchanged a few words with a eunuch at the entrance. Afterward, the eunuch bowed and swiftly ascended to the Imperial Desk, whispering a few words into the Emperor’s ear.
Only then did the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire realize someone wished to see him. He waved his hand, pausing the performance of the singing girls, and turned to summon Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu for an audience.
Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu stepped forward, clasped their hands, and bowed to the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. We two brothers are here to assist in the investigation of the missing concubines and servants in your Imperial Palace.”
The Great Ming Emperor smiled and waved his hand at Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu: “You two are special Holy Envoys from Holy Sun Academy; there’s no need for such formality. The performance is nearing its end, so I won’t keep you to watch. However, tonight I shall host a banquet to entertain you both.”
“We thank Your Majesty. However, regarding the missing concubines and servants, does Your Majesty have any information to impart?” Qin Yefeng asked, observing the Emperor’s weary expression on the golden throne.
“I shall naturally inform you during the banquet. For now, there’s no need to rush into understanding the affairs of the Imperial Palace,” the Emperor said, his tone seemingly impatient when the topic of the missing concubines and palace maids arose.
Just then, Qin Yefeng distinctly noticed a wisp of dark smoke spreading from the enormous Bright Moon Pearl hanging from the main hall’s vaulted ceiling. A faint Demonic Qi permeated the hall.
Even the eunuchs and palace maids accompanying the Emperor sensed the anomaly, their expressions turning tense as they took a step back.
At this moment, the Emperor’s face also turned pale, as if his vital essence had been absorbed by something. The Emperor suddenly lost all strength, slumping onto the Dragon Throne.
With a weary and listless expression, the Emperor commanded, “Quickly, escort these two Holy Envoys from Holy Sun Academy to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for their residence.”
The eunuch, startled by the Emperor’s command, quickly led Qin Yefeng and Xiong Yu away from the main hall.