Thinking about it carefully, this was only reasonable. As the most powerful martial family in the Kingdom of Leon, the House of Mars held a significant position wherever they went. After all, no one wanted to go head-to-head with the legendary War God Legion.
As the group conversed, the slowly moving carriage gradually approached the walls of the Crimson City-State.
By now, the sun had begun to rise, casting a long shadow from the towering city walls. The guards on rotation reopened the city gates and began a new round of inspections for the people lining up outside to enter.
As top-tier nobility, the House of Mars naturally did not need to squeeze into the same line as the common folk. The Crimson City-State had established dedicated lanes for distinguished guests, which were almost empty and appeared exceptionally quiet.
Just as the carriage was only dozens of meters away from the city wall, Xia Duo, who had been quiet for some time, suddenly stood up and looked toward the wall with alertness.
“What’s wrong, Little Shadow? Did you find something, or did you just not sleep well?” Seeing Xia Duo’s unusual expression, Po Kong quickly asked with concern.
“Something is wrong on the city wall. There’s a Saint Rank powerhouse... Um, Big Brother Sui Yun, is the security system of the Crimson City-State usually this tight?” Xia Duo looked at Sui Yun with some hesitation and asked softly.
Being asked this by Xia Duo, Sui Yun was also a bit confused and shook his head repeatedly. “How could that be? Saint Rank experts don’t just grow on trees. No matter how much money or capability the House of Red has, they wouldn’t go as far as to have a Saint Rank powerhouse guard the gates. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
However, Xia Duo shook her head firmly. “Impossible. That person isn’t suppressing their aura at all. In my perception, they are as obvious as the sun. A normal person would never be like that.”
Hearing this, Starlight and Moen also sat up straight. They were well aware of Xia Duo’s perception abilities. Except for certain special circumstances, even Wu Hua, the most skilled stalker among the Night Elves, could not escape her notice.
The two exchanged a subtle glance and tacitly released their mana, intending to investigate the situation outside.
However, to their surprise, as soon as Starlight’s mana perception spread a short distance, they discovered an aura behind the city gate that was powerful enough to cause heart palpitations.
Judging by the frequency and quality of the aura, its owner was definitely a human Sword Saint, and their strength was extraordinary—even a few notches stronger than Ming Ye or El of the Night Elves, whom they had fought before.
The presence of that aura was extremely intense. It wasn’t flamboyant and dazzling like Po Kong’s War God Battle Qi, nor was it cold and restrained like Ming Ye’s. Instead, it gave off a very peculiar feeling.
Its existence was like countless sharp blades slicing through the air. Even Starlight and Moen’s mana perception felt a tremor, as if their mana would be torn to shreds if they weren't careful.
“Why would someone like that be guarding a city gate? This doesn’t make sense!” Starlight immediately retracted his mana and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his tone filled with disbelief.
Moen also retracted her perception, her gaze fixed worriedly on the city gate. “Could it be they’ve discovered something? That aura... it’s terrifying. Definitely not an ordinary character.”
Indeed, their carriage was already very close to the gate. If they acted rashly now, they would certainly attract the other party’s attention and might even implicate Sui Yun, who was leading them.
After hearing their brief descriptions, a trace of shock appeared on Sui Yun’s face. He muttered in a low voice, “No way... Did she actually come to the gate? That shouldn't be right...”
In the moment of their hesitation, the carriage door was suddenly knocked upon. Sui Yun opened the door to see a fully armed soldier standing outside.
“Honorable Lord Mars, I am the Guard Captain of the West Gate of the Crimson City-State. Please step out of the carriage for inspection.”
“Hmm? What is the meaning of this?” Sui Yun immediately furrowed his brows and looked down at the guard with a cold tone. “Since you already know this is a carriage of the House of Mars, you still dare to stop me?”
The guard replied firmly but respectfully, “I apologize, but this is a new order just issued by the City Lord. Due to special circumstances, even members of the royal family must step out for inspection.”
As he spoke, the guard’s gaze inadvertently swept through the gap in the door toward the interior of the carriage. He naturally saw the figures of Starlight and the others, and his expression immediately became alert.
“Lord Mars, please have the accompanying personnel inside the carriage step out. Do not make this difficult for us! Thank you!”
Seeing that the guard had no intention of backing down, Sui Yun could only give a look to the group inside and was the first to step off the carriage.
As the group filed out of the carriage, the guard began to look through the entry and exit records. However, he quickly discovered a problem.
“Lord Mars, please explain. You just left the city gate early this morning, and you were the only passenger. Why are there six people now? Please provide their information and identity documents.” The guard’s tone was very calm, but his attitude was exceptionally resolute.
Sui Yun’s expression immediately darkened. He had never imagined that he would be stopped by an obscure city guard.
“And if I say no?!”
Before his voice had even faded, an astonishing pressure suddenly surged from Sui Yun’s body.
This was not the suppression of battle qi, but a pure authoritative pressure that brought immense invisible weight, as if even the air had become heavy.
“Po Kong’s big brother... just how strong is he? Could he be Saint Rank as well...?” Starlight watched Sui Yun from behind, his heart filled with curiosity. Up until now, the man had never revealed his true strength, which made Starlight quite intrigued.
The Guard Captain, sensing the situation was turning south, quickly drew the longsword at his waist. Seeing this, the soldiers behind him also raised their weapons, pointing them at the group.
“Please cooperate with us, Lord Mars! Otherwise, we will have no choice but to execute the City Lord’s orders!” The Guard Captain did not retreat; instead, he took a step forward and shouted with determination.
At the same time, Po Kong, who had been standing behind Sui Yun, could no longer restrain himself. He stomped his foot heavily, and with a thunderous sound that shook the ground, golden battle qi instantly enveloped his body.
Many soldiers were shaken by the sudden stomp and looked at Po Kong behind Sui Yun in terror.
“Another direct descendant of the House of Mars?! This is bad... Quick! Sound the alarm! We need reinforcements!” The experienced Guard Captain immediately recognized Po Kong’s identity from the golden War God Battle Qi. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes as he hurriedly shouted to those behind him.
A soldier on standby at the city gate heard the captain’s order and immediately unslung a horn from his waist, preparing to blow the alarm.
However, his movements were interrupted by a cold voice coming from a distance.
“Stop. If you really make a scene out of this, it won’t do the House of Red any good. There’s no need to risk your lives for such a meager salary.”
Accompanied by the crisp sound of heels clicking on the stone tiles, a tall, graceful figure slowly appeared at the city gate. Her shadow was stretched long by the rising morning sun, making her look exceptionally slender and elegant.
“Report! Lord Pride! It is Sui Yun-Mars who is not cooperating with us. We are only strictly following the orders issued by the City Lord!” Upon hearing that voice, the Guard Captain immediately turned around, his body snapping straight as he gave a respectful salute.
“That’s enough, you may withdraw. I asked Sui Yun to pick these people up; no additional inspection is required.” The owner of the voice nodded slightly to the guards and then stepped out of the morning light to arrive outside the city.
Upon hearing those words, the guards—who hadn't retreated even under Po Kong’s pressure—actually obeyed and put away their weapons, quickly stepping aside to clear a path for her.
Rate on N.U.
