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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 6: The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant
The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant upholds two main principles.
First, to maintain peace in the world and prevent the rampage of Evil Spirits.
Second, to eliminate private conflicts and prohibit the use of magical artifacts to harm innocent people or engage in wanton aggression.
These two principles are inscribed on the mountainside next to the entrance of the Divine Alliance Bridge. The mountainside is exceptionally towering, resembling a corridor. Lin Chuyu sat on her horse, gazing at the two principles, each character carved into the mountainside wide enough for five people to stretch their arms. The letters are prominently colored red.
Ji Zichen adheres to these principles; when given a choice, he would not engage in combat with magical artifacts.
Thus, he stumbled into prison at Corner Lodge. When a riot broke out between him and the slaves at Corner Lodge, he did not use any magical artifacts to harm anyone, fearing it would bring trouble to the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant.
Beneath the Divine Alliance Bridge lies an abyss shrouded in mist. The bridge is not made of stone but is instead an Eight-Headed Candle Dragon. The Eight-Headed Candle Dragon uses its back as a bridge to connect across the deep chasm. The two dismounted at the entrance of the bridge, where two large water bubbles floated on either side, resembling enormous soap bubbles that were taller than three people and too large for five to embrace.
Lin Chuyu led her horse and stared intently at the distorted, comical shapes within the bubbles. She had never seen such a novel sight and curiously asked, "How come there are two big bubbles here?"
Ji Zichen smiled slightly and replied, "These are not ordinary bubbles; they are formed from the saliva of the Candle Dragon. Whether you are human or demon, standing before these bubbles will reveal your true form. If your demon form is reflected, the Candle Dragon will retract its back."
Lin Chuyu exclaimed in astonishment, "The dragon's back? Are you referring to this bridge?"
Ji Zichen glanced back at her. "Did you not see the dragon scales on the bridge surface?"
Lin Chuyu looked around; the dragon's back was arched, with triangular dragon body shields on either side. Each shield was spaced ten inches apart, extending in a row like a guardrail. The highest point of the arch obscured her view of how far it extended ahead. The dragon scales appeared green at that moment, but if any Evil Spirits approached while the Candle Dragon was on alert, they would glow with a candlelight color. Lin Chuyu couldn't help but exclaim, "I thought it was just decoration!"
"Decoration?" Ji Zichen chuckled. "Cross the bridge; you'll find out that this bridge is alive."
The two stepped onto the bridge. Lin Chuyu wore yellow shoes adorned with phoenix patterns and felt a warm, wriggling sensation coming from the soles of her shoes; she could sense that the Candle Dragon was breathing.
This sensation was extraordinarily unique. She remarked, "This is my first time walking on a dragon's back. How did you capture the Candle Dragon?"
Ji Zichen replied, "It was captured by the third generation alliance leader using a Compassionate Voyage Glass Umbrella. The specific process is now unknown; he is now known as the Tenth Generation Alliance Leader."
"How many years can this Candle Dragon live?" Lin Chuyu stuck out her tongue and asked.
"I don't know, but anyway, you and I won't be around to see it die," Ji Zichen replied.
As they crossed the bridge, they reached the end where the Eight-Headed Candle Dragon awaited them. Its neck towered over ten feet high, and a fierce roar echoed, "Stop! Get off your horses. Men, drop your magical tools and weapons; women, take off your clothes."
Lin Chuyu looked up in panic and saw four figures standing atop the heads of the Candle Dragon, each aiming a crossbow at them. The crossbows were Divine Lion Crossbows, made from the fangs of the Vedic Lion, and the arrows were Vedic Lion Arrows crafted from its claws. Once a Vedic Lion Arrow entered a body, whether human or demon, one would see an illusory Vedic Lion; if defeated by it, one would become its prey.
Hearing the roar, Ji Zichen was not frightened but laughed instead. He already knew who had arrived. "Uncle Meng, don't scare my friend. I might just have to burn your backside with dragon fire," he joked.
Uncle Meng laughed heartily and leaped down from the dragon's head. Lin Chuyu watched in fear as he jumped from such a height, worried he might fall to his death. But he deftly pulled out a whip mid-air, coiling it around the dragon's neck as he slid down to stand before Ji Zichen, dancing with joy. "You rascal! After being away for half a year, it's not easy to see you again!"
Uncle Meng tucked his whip at his waist and clasped his hands behind his back as he circled Lin Chuyu a few times before leaning closer to Ji Zichen. "Is this your wife?"
Lin Chuyu, standing beside Ji Zichen, overheard and felt her face flush red.
Ji Zichen pushed Uncle Meng away playfully. "Go on now, stop joking around. I have business to discuss with the Alliance Leader."
Uncle Meng wiped the smile off his face and introduced himself seriously to Lin Chuyu. "Miss, my name is Meng Hai. I'm part of the Eight Cities Order of The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. Just a joke; please don't mind it."
Finding Uncle Meng's lack of respect amusing, Lin Chuyu smiled slightly. "I'm Lin Chuyu."
Meng Hai nodded. "Let's go; I'll take you into The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant."
The entrance to The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant was about half a mile from the bridge along a smooth path. Meng Hai explained, "Before The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant was established, weak humans were preyed upon by Evil Spirits without mercy. At that time, the first Alliance Leader discovered a relic; upon entering it, he found many magical tools left behind. Thus, he had an idea: if these items could be sold, they would become weapons for the weak against Evil Spirits!"
"This is the origin of our The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant; I believe you've heard some of this before."
Lin Chuyu nodded. "I've heard a bit."
Meng Hai pointed ahead at a door about the size of a palm. "Look quickly; we're almost there! That is where magical tools are centralized."
Lin Chuyu's heart raced as she thought, "I've finally arrived at the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant. To me, that grand entrance looks like a towering gravestone."
Upon entering the gate, she found herself in a large square filled with people. The square was lined with dozens of long tables, each displaying various magical artifacts. Some resembled swords, others mirrors, and there were also banners, drums, nails, bells, spikes, and scissors. Lin Chuyu was dazzled by the sight.
"Wow! So many magical artifacts!" Lin Chuyu exclaimed in awe.
Meng Hai replied proudly, "Of course! This is the center for magical artifacts."
Lin Chuyu's expression turned serious. "If outsiders find out there are so many artifacts here, someone will definitely try to steal them."
Meng Hai smirked confidently. "Many with ill intentions have come before, but no one has ever passed the Candle Dragon's test."
At that moment, someone rushed over with an umbrella and approached Ji Zichen. "Grand Envoy, you're back just in time! You can use all five elements. I found this umbrella in the new ruins and have studied it for half a month but still don't know how to use it."
Ji Zichen glanced at it but was also unsure how to utilize it. He turned to Meng Hai and said, "Uncle Meng, please take her to a guest room to rest."
Meng Hai nodded with a smile. "Truly, those who can do more must work harder."
Meng Hai led Lin Chuyu toward the guest room. Along the way, she asked, "Is he the Grand Envoy of the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant? What does a Grand Envoy do?"
Meng Hai explained, "The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant has nine Grand Envoys. Simply put, they are the nine individuals who have discovered the most ruins. I belong to the Eight Cities Order and have found thirty ruins; he has found eighty—he is the one who has discovered the most ruins in the Divine Alliance Under the Covenant."
Lin Chuyu nodded in understanding.
Meng Hai continued, "He can use all five elements; others can only manage one or two at most. Have you seen him use that Five Elements Pearl?"
"I have," Lin Chuyu replied. "It can summon thunder and fire dragons and such."
Meng Hai nodded. "Yes, aside from him, no one else can fully wield the power of the Five Elements Pearl."
As they reached the guest room, Meng Hai said, "You can rest here for now. I just returned and ran into you on my way; I still have some matters to attend to."
"Uncle Meng, if you have something to do, go ahead," Lin Chuyu said.
Meng Hai stepped back.
He arrived at the square and saw Ji Zichen standing under a tree with an umbrella. As soon as he opened the umbrella, his figure immediately blended into the shadows, becoming one with the tree. After a moment, Ji Zichen closed the umbrella, revealing himself again. He handed the umbrella to a brother from The Divine Alliance Under the Covenant and said, "This umbrella can conceal one's figure but cannot directly kill Evil Spirits; it's similar to elemental and earth-based items."
The brother sighed, "Such artifacts that conceal one's figure are rarely sought after. Most people prefer those that can directly kill Evil Spirits."
Ji Zichen replied, "The price should be below one hundred taels. If sold at half price, someone might be tempted."
Meng Hai approached, "Are you done?"
Ji Zichen asked, "What? Do you need something from me?"
Meng Hai said, "Nothing important. I just returned as well. If you want to see the alliance leader, let's go together."
The two headed toward the leader's residence. As they passed through a courtyard, Ji Zichen asked, "Just returned? What were you doing out there?"
Meng Hai chuckled lightly, "I delivered some artifacts to the Merchant Alliance. As expected, the Merchant Alliance has more channels for selling artifacts than we do; this is already the second shipment this month."
Ji Zichen remarked, "That proves collaborating with them was the right choice."
Meng Hai glanced at Ji Zichen knowingly and said, "While I was out, I gathered some news for you. I heard there's a blacksmith in Fangwen Mansion who has seen the Vermilion Bird."
Ji Zichen smiled upon hearing this. "That's quite new! In the past, many people boasted about having been to the Divine Dawn Ruins, but this is the first time I've heard anything about the Vermilion Bird."
Meng Hai smiled leisurely. "I've confirmed it; that blacksmith is in his thirties and very honest—unlike those who just brag. I know you've hit many walls in your search, but for your master’s sake, you should go check it out."
Ji Zichen did not respond immediately; he pondered for a moment before saying, "I understand."
Seeing that Ji Zichen had lost quite a bit of weight compared to six months ago, Meng Hai sighed and said, "You've been working hard selling artifacts while running around for your master; it really must be tough on you."
Ji Zichen had indeed been like that in the past, but in recent years, he rarely inquired about relics. He understood that Meng Hai was concerned for him, which was why he asked about the relics. He replied, "I've gotten used to it. Whether the matter with the Vermilion Bird is true or not, I want to thank you first, Uncle Meng."
Ji Zichen then shifted the topic and asked, "You already know about my situation at Corner Lodge?"
Meng Hai's expression grew serious. "Yes, the leader is already aware, but he hasn't said much. It seems you've gotten yourself into quite a bit of trouble this time. By the way, when did you meet that Celestial Princess? I didn't expect you to take such risks for her."
"The princess?" Ji Zichen found it amusing but understood what Meng Hai meant. The daughter of the Cornerstone City Lord was indeed similar to a princess. He explained, "There are two reasons for taking risks for her: one is to make up for a mistake, and the other is that she possesses the Vermilion Bird Pearl."
Meng Hai responded, "I only recently learned about the Vermilion Bird Pearl. After all, we aren't in the intelligence business. It's surprising that we were completely unaware of such a significant matter. You acted recklessly to save someone; you don't know how the people from the Divine Alliance Code Pavilion will react."
Ji Zichen said, "I'll just go with the flow."
Meng Hai smiled and reassured him, "But don't worry; the leader is on your side."
Outside the leader's residence, two guards were stationed at their posts. Upon seeing the two approach, one guard said, "Please wait a moment; I'll notify them."
Ji Zichen nodded. "Thank you for your trouble."
Before long, the guard returned. "You may enter now, both of you."
The two walked into the room.
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