Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Western Desert Gang Fire Lion
The Divine Alliance Code Pavilion is not located within The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, as the Regulation Pavilion is responsible for the laws governing The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant and is therefore situated outside. The Regulation Pavilion is located ten miles from the entrance of the bridge, in a place called Twin Cliffs.
A group of people appeared before Twin Cliffs. As the name suggests, there are two towering cliffs standing opposite each other, with a gentle road below that can accommodate dozens of horse-drawn carriages side by side. A bridge connects the two cliffs; on the left cliff stands a tall tower, which is the Regulation Pavilion, while on the right cliff there is a Watchtower, housing three hundred members of the alliance.
To enter The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, one must pass through Twin Cliffs.
Twin Cliffs serves as the first checkpoint for The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant, with the second checkpoint being Candle Dragon and the third being Stone Tablet Gate.
The group that appeared at the foot of Twin Cliffs came from the Western Desert. They referred to themselves as the Western Desert Gang, led by Fire Lion, who had a mane like a blazing red lion and eyes capable of capturing prey at any moment.
Flanking Fire Lion were his two brothers: one named Lifeng, who enjoyed playing with scissors, and the other named Big Tiger, a large man carrying a massive hammer on his back.
Behind Fire Lion followed a hundred gang members.
Looking at Twin Cliffs, Fire Lion spoke without fear, "This is Twin Cliffs of The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. We have finally arrived."
Lifeng sat on his horse with his head down, trimming his nails with scissors. He was careful not to hurt himself, but there was no need for such caution since it wasn't his own hand; he held a severed right hand in his left hand, bloodied and cut off, as he trimmed its nails.
With a sly smile, Lifeng said, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, don't underestimate those selling magical artifacts. Those artifacts can be quite troublesome. That one called Ji Zichen, if he uses the Five Elements Pearl, he's even more formidable."
Fire Lion seemed pleased with Lifeng's warning and nodded. "Third Brother, did you hear that?"
Big Tiger let out a booming laugh like a fearsome tiger. "Eldest Brother, I can't be bothered with that guy. But I heard that Second Sister is quite beautiful and has an impressive figure. This time, I won't care about how much reward money or what relics are involved; you can have the Vermilion Bird Pearl. I want Second Sister."
With a wicked grin, Lifeng replied, "I also want to see that Second Sister. Her nails must be quite long by now..."
Big Tiger roared at Lifeng, "I won't allow you to have your eyes on Second Sister! Someone so beautiful would look terrible with her hand chopped off!"
With a sinister smile, Lifeng retorted, "You want to see those lovely nails of hers too, don't you?"
Lifeng was not addressing his older brother or third brother; he was asking a slave who lay beside his horse. The slave, around fourteen or fifteen years old, did not respond, for he had lost too much blood and lay dead on the ground. His right hand was severed, and a pool of blood surrounded him, suggesting that the hand had just been cut off.
Seeing the slave dead, Lifeng sighed, "How could he die so quickly? What was this child's name again?"
Fire Lion seemed to find it hard to accept his younger brother's interest. With a furrowed brow, he said, "Second brother, put away your playful thoughts; it's time to get serious."
Lifeng placed the severed hand, which he had neatly trimmed the nails from, into a sack hanging nearby. "I know, big brother. Taking care of business is important."
Fire Lion replied, "First show respect, then take action. We cannot let others think that our Western Desert Gang lacks discipline."
"Go!"
The group spurred their horses towards Twin Cliffs.
---
Meanwhile, Ji Zichen stood in the Divine Alliance Code Pavilion. The Regulation Tower soared ten stories high, and they were in the hall on the third floor. A row of main tables lined the wall at the front of the hall, with side tables on both sides filled with members of the Regulation Pavilion. Kiko stood alone in the center of the hall while everyone else wore gray robes emblazoned with the word "Regulation." This robe was merely a symbol; once outside the hall, it could be removed.
Only those within the pavilion or those being judged were allowed inside the hall; others could only wait outside. Above the main door was a small window that was wide open, allowing those outside to hear the proceedings within.
Lin Chuyu and Meng Hai anxiously waited outside the main door.
Meng Hai paced back and forth restlessly while Lin Chuyu sat on a bench with her head down in silence.
At the main seat sat the head of the Regulation Pavilion, a man in his fifties with sharp eyes. He said, "Though the Regulation Pavilion and The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant are one entity, even the alliance leader cannot interfere with our decisions. Do you have any objections to your judgment?"
Ji Zichen's face remained expressionless. He knew that shouting in protest would be futile; he had become a Fugitive, and that was a fact. He replied, "No objections."
The head's gaze flickered as he asked, "Will you not defend yourself?"
Ji Zichen tightened his face and said, "If leaving The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant will prevent trouble for the organization, then I respect the decision of the Regulation Pavilion."
The Master spoke, his words clear and distinct. "You are the Grand Envoy. Every move you make represents the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. You killed the Ghost Team Guard Officer at Corner Lodge and forcibly took away Sister Lin, Lin Chuyu, didn't you?"
Whether the Ghost Guardian died by his hand or self-detonated, no one could prove it. Ji Zichen replied, "I have nothing to say; there is no need to ask further."
The Master continued, "Then let me be brief. You have found numerous relics for the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. We will not forget your contributions. Before you leave, I must remind you that you are wanted by Corner Lodge and the Western King, with a bounty of one thousand taels of gold on your head."
"One thousand taels of gold!" Many in the Regulation Pavilion were taken aback.
Whispers spread through the crowd. "There’s actually a bounty of one thousand taels of gold."
"Isn't that too much?" another replied.
The Master lightly cleared his throat to silence them and said, "Greed has clouded many minds; it is rumored that quite a few have been tempted. It won't be long before many come to visit the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. We cannot allow someone who poses a threat to remain. This is why we are letting you go; I hope you can understand. You may leave now."
But before Ji Zichen could turn around, a member rushed in through the door, reporting urgently, "Master, it's bad news! The Western Desert Gang has sent over a hundred Yu Ren, demanding we hand over the Grand Envoy within an incense stick's time!"
Meng Hai and Lin Chuyu entered the hall upon hearing this. Meng Hai was furious. "What do you mean, Western Desert Gang? How dare these lowly creatures make demands! They have no respect for the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant! I will take people to deal with them right now!"
Meng Hai turned to leave, but the Master shouted, "Stop!"
Meng Hai halted and turned back. "What now? You manage the regulations; I have nothing to do with that. But if someone is making demands, it concerns all of us."
The Master sneered, "Don't think I don't know your intentions. You have a close relationship with the Grand Envoy; I understand your concern for him. But he is no longer the Grand Envoy. Do not make a fuss over this; they only want Ji Zichen. If he goes out, we can avoid conflict."
The Master stood up and declared loudly, "As you can see, Ji Zichen has been expelled from the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. He is no longer one of us; from now on, no one is allowed to offer him any assistance!"
His gaze fixed intently on Meng Hai as he said, "Eight Cities Order, do you also wish to violate the regulations?"
Meng Hai was seething with anger but could not find words.
Lin Chuyu felt immense guilt; it was her fault that Ji Zichen had been expelled from the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. In a panic, she pleaded with the Master, "This is all my fault; it has nothing to do with Brother Ji. You can't just stand by and do nothing!"
The Master spoke coldly, "This has nothing to do with us, Ji Zichen, you can leave now."
Ji Zichen turned around and calmly said, "Uncle Meng, take good care of Lin Chuyu. Even if I die, I won't cause trouble for the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant."
Meng Hai grabbed Ji Zichen's hand, urgency in his voice, "You can't go out alone!"
Tears welled up in Lin Chuyu's eyes as she felt overwhelming guilt. "What should we do now? Every time, he saves me... I... I..."
A thought flashed through Lin Chuyu's mind. "I have a way!"
Suddenly, Lin Chuyu raised the token given to her by the Three Cities Order and gathered her courage to shout, "This is the token from the Three Cities Order! No matter where I go, as long as I encounter trouble, showing this token will summon brothers from the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant to help me. I want to ask you all, does the promise of the Three Cities Order count?"
Everyone in the hall was taken aback. At that moment, Meng Hai burst into hearty laughter. "It counts! It absolutely counts! The token represents the face of the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant and is an unbreakable promise!"
Meng Hai turned to the messenger among the crowd and said, "What are you standing there for? Hurry to the Watchtower and prepare!"
"Yes," replied the messenger.
Just as he took a couple of steps, Meng Hai called him to stop. With a serious expression, he turned to the Master and asked deliberately, "Master, I wonder if this violates any regulations?"
The Master's face darkened as he sat down. "No... it doesn't violate any regulations."
Meng Hai grabbed Ji Zichen and headed outside. "Let's go; I'll help you fight your way out."
The three of them crossed the bridge to reach the Watchtower. On the bridge, they could already see members of the Western Desert Gang blocking the road outside.
Meng Hai retrieved cloaks from a house and handed them to the two. "The nights outside the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant are very cold; put these on."
Lin Chuyu took the cloak and caught a whiff of a sour smell. She wrinkled her nose and asked, "How long has it been since these were washed?"
Meng Hai chuckled. "We're all rough folks, always on the road searching for relics. When do we have time to wash? Just bear with it."
Ji Zichen's gaze was sharp as he stared at Lin Chuyu, accusingly saying, "You shouldn't have done this. You're putting many brothers of The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant in danger!"
Lin Chuyu replied with a hint of regret, "I'm sorry, it was my own decision."
Meng Haidao interjected, "What are you doing? She's only trying to help you. Once you get outside, head south. The terrain there is complex; it's a good place to evade Pursuers."
Seeing Lin Chuyu's pitiful expression, Ji Zichen sighed and said nothing more.
Ji Zichen turned to Meng Haidao, "Uncle Meng, I..."
Meng Haidao patted his shoulder, offering encouragement. "Don't say anything. As long as you can leave safely, I'll be at ease."
---
Fire Lion sensed a slight movement from the Watchtower and his expression darkened. "It seems they have no intention of handing anyone over."
Lifeng chuckled ominously, "Not handing anyone over is even better. I love trimming the nails of those who think for their friends; those nails are particularly smooth."
Fire Lion's eyes glinted with menace as he declared, "First comes courtesy, then comes force. I've given them face; if they refuse it, then there's no choice but to resort to violence!"
Comment 0 Comment Count