âKeep on, donât stop moving.â Seniors yelled at their juniors during the exodus from Mingluo City.
Since Li Qiye was watching with a cold stare, even the strongest among the crowd didnât dare to disobey him.
Some ancient ancestors were stronger than the five merchants but they still obediently complied.
Li Qiye seemed to be unstoppable after his two recent battles. Everyone understood how accurate his title was. Once provoked, he would send anyone to their death regardless of their status and backing.
Just his presence alone deterred and intimidated the crowd. Not one single soul tried to hide in Mingluo during the commotion.
Even if they werenât afraid of death, they didnât want to drag their sects down with them since Fiercest would probably destroy everything to make a point.
It didnât take long before the visitors were gone from the city. In fact, some even moved quite far away from the walls before making camps.
âOkay, as you please now. Donât leave the city.â Li Qiye clapped his hands and said before leaving.
âThank you, Your Majesty, may you live forever!â The natives got on their knees and started showing him respect.
They considered him to be the savior and king of Mingluo right now since their head would be rolling on the ground right now if it wasnât for him. They wouldnât stop showing their gratitude and continued bowing their head.
âMay His Majesty lives forever!â This chant echoed across the area.
Li Qiye stopped and looked at the kneeling crowd. He said: âThat sounds unpleasant. You all may call me a young noble instead.â
âYoung Noble, may you be forever matchless!â Lin Yixue shouted.
âYoung Noble, may you be forever matchless!â The crowd chanted sonorously in unison. [1]
This particular legend and phrase would pass on for generations in this city.
The area became quiet after all the outsiders have left. Nevertheless, they still stared at the bright city.
The gates were closed and it was defenseless yet no one dared to take a step inside or attempt to sneak in.
Li Qiyeâs declaration became the strongest line of defense. The city has turned into a forbidden ground. Only suicidal people would try to enter.
âWe need to back off whenever and wherever we see Fiercest from now on.â A senior coldly told his juniors: âIf anyone happens to offend him, then just kneel and offer your head to him, donât bring us down with you!â
The realization that Fiercest usually took things to the extreme has convinced the rest of the world to obey.
âLooks like weâll have to give up on the immortal stone then.â One expert sighed with disappointment.
A few ancestors have speculated about its appearance in Mingluo City. Unfortunately, no one could take this stone unless they wanted to risk it all.
âNo rush, there will be a chance.â One ancestor calmly said: âMingluo will be very lively soon enough. Venerable Deer Merchant and the four Esteemed Monarchs wonât let this go. Both the federation and the grotto will have their revenge. Moreover, the three behemoths havenât joined yet. The Mu, the Li, and especially someone like Jade-break True Emperor arenât that easy to negotiate with. When the three of them come, thatâs when the true storm will happen.â His eyes became serious as if he could see this scene already.
âOkay, Fiercest is insanely strong and can take several masters on by himself, but what about the rest? He might be able to handle the grotto and the federation, how about the three behemoths? Itâs still a mystery whether he can be Gu Yifei or not.â Another ancestor agreed.
âWe just need to be patient, this isnât over yet. Save our strength to fish in troubled water.â The first ancestor said.
Regardless of these schemes, no one has violated the declaration so far. The city became more serene and peaceful than ever.
On this night, Yixue and Youzheng have taken care of the natives in the city. They returned to the palace and prostrated before Li Qiye again: âYoung Noble, the city will always remember your kindness.â
âGo now. A storm is coming, donât leave the city.â Li Qiye opened his eyes to speak before closing them again.
âWeâll never forget you, Young Noble.â The two bowed their head again before slowly leaving.
They were right about the cityâs gratitude. Li Qiye has given the natives another chance at life. He was like another parent to them.
Thus, on the next days, the households here erected a longevity plaque to worship him. Some also created statues of him and began recording his great deed.
At the same time, Wu Youzheng has somehow summoned back the disciples from Stoneclearing School.
No place was safer in Stone Harmony than Mingluo right now with Li Qiye around. Thatâs why he decided to call them back. These disciples were naturally happy to be back home.
This peace didnât last long. With a wind-breaking sound, an imperial banner crossed through the air like a shooting star.
âBoom!â It landed on a mound right outside the city.
âSomeoneâs here.â The experts camping outside took note of this.
They looked over and saw the character, âJianâ. It pulsed with a frightening aura like an unsheathed sword. [2]
âPuresword True Emperor, heâs coming here.â Everyone knew its owner.
âThe Mu Clan is comingâ¦â This caused quite a stir since one of the three behemoths was coming here.
âBuzz.â Imperial laws flowed around the banner like streams of water, filling up the area around the mound.
Next, they pinned themselves on the ground and came together to create a portal.
1. All of these chants and worships sound out of place in English, but it sounds normal in CN. I canât find a perfect transliteration
2. Jian means sword