Chapter Thirty-Seven: Defiling the Capital

While Lin Xuan was lost in thought, Bai Jingyan took a jade slip from his robe and sent a message to Bai Huaiwu, detailing everything he had witnessed in Beilong City. Bai Jingyan suspected that the Furious Dragon Sect’s use of the auction as a pretext to hoard raw stones was likely to provide backup resources for the Star Feather Gate.

If his intuition was correct, none of those who participated in the bidding that night would be able to leave Beilong City alive.

With this thought in mind, Bai Jingyan asked the man beside him, "Brother Lin, how far is Beilong City from Dianjing?"

Lin Xuan was slightly taken aback by the question, then smiled. "Brother Bai, are you planning to go to Dianjing?"

Bai Jingyan nodded, his tone calm. "Yes, I have some matters to attend to in Dianjing. Is Brother Lin familiar with that area?"

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment before replying, "Dianjing is located in the eastern part of the Wuhou Kingdom and serves as its capital. It is about three thousand li away from here. If you travel by horse, it will take at least half a month. However, the travel time can be significantly shortened if you use a flying spirit beast or a teleportation array."

Bai Jingyan’s brows lifted slightly. "A teleportation array? Is there one nearby that leads directly to Dianjing?"

Lin Xuan shook his head. "Although Dianjing is the capital, there are few direct teleportation arrays, and most are monopolized by major sects and noble families."

"However, the nearest teleportation array is located in Tianfeng City. There is a medium-sized array there that can transport you to Linyuan City, which is near Dianjing. From Linyuan City, it is only a day’s journey to reach the capital."

Bai Jingyan nodded, his plan already forming. "Many thanks for the guidance, Brother Lin. How far is Tianfeng City from here?"

Lin Xuan smiled. "Tianfeng City is about five hundred li away. You can reach it in two days by horse. If you don't mind, I can arrange a fast horse for you and send one of my disciples who knows the route to guide you."

Bai Jingyan smiled slightly and bowed. "Then I am truly grateful, Brother Lin."

Lin Xuan waved his hand with a sincere expression. "You are too kind, Brother Bai. You have helped the Qingyun Sect immensely; this is a mere trifle. However, you must be careful on your trip to Dianjing. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the eastern part of the Qingyou Continent, and its power dynamics are incredibly complex. In particular, the 'Tianji Pavilion' and the 'Blood Fiend Sect' hold immense influence there. It could be troublesome should you come into conflict with them."

Bai Jingyan nodded, his tone indifferent. "Thank you for the warning, Brother Lin. I will be careful."

Seeing Bai Jingyan’s composed demeanor, Lin Xuan felt much more at ease. He turned to give a few instructions to a nearby disciple and then said to Bai Jingyan, "Brother Bai, the horse and the guide are ready; you may depart whenever you wish."

Bai Jingyan smiled, offered a salute, and said, "In that case, I shall not delay any further. Until we meet again, Brother Lin."

Lin Xuan nodded solemnly. "Take care on your journey, Brother Bai. If you have the chance in the future, you are most welcome to visit the Qingyun Sect again."

Bai Jingyan smiled without further comment, turned, and followed the guiding disciple away.

Two days later, Bai Jingyan arrived safely in Tianfeng City.

Although Tianfeng City was not as prosperous as Dianjing, it was still a city of considerable size. It was bustling with activity, with people coming and going and rows of shops lining the streets.

Led by the disciple, Bai Jingyan soon found the location of the teleportation array. It was a massive stone platform situated in the center of the city, engraved with intricate runes and guarded by several warriors in uniform attire.

"Senior Bai, this is the teleportation array," the disciple said respectfully. "I have already made arrangements for you. You only need to pay five hundred spirit stones to use the array to travel to Linyuan City."

Bai Jingyan nodded, took a pouch of spirit stones from his robe, and handed it to the disciple. "Thank you for your hard work. Please accept these as a reward."

The disciple quickly waved his hands. "You are too kind, Senior Bai. Our Young Sect Master has already given orders; this is simply my duty."

Bai Jingyan smiled slightly and pressed the stones into his hand. "Take them; it is a gesture of my appreciation."

Seeing this, the disciple had no choice but to accept the stones and bow respectfully. "Many thanks, Senior Bai. I wish you a safe journey!"

Bai Jingyan nodded and walked toward the teleportation array. After paying the five hundred spirit stones, he stood upon the platform. With a flash of dazzling light, his figure vanished instantly.

Linyuan City, located a hundred li west of Dianjing, was a mid-sized city.

As Bai Jingyan stepped out of the teleportation array, he felt the slightly humid air and thought to himself, "The climate here is quite different from Tianfeng City."

He did not linger, immediately renting a fast horse and galloping toward Dianjing.

A day later, Bai Jingyan finally arrived at the capital.

Looking from afar, the walls of Dianjing soared into the clouds, and the city gates were crowded with people, exuding great prosperity. The massive characters for "Dianjing" were carved into the city wall, imposing and awe-inspiring.

Leading his horse, Bai Jingyan walked slowly into the city. Shops lined the streets, and the calls of merchants filled the air. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of various spices and foods, creating a vibrant, bustling scene.

Although Bai Huaiwu had told him to go directly to the royal palace to find him, Bai Jingyan possessed no token to prove his identity. If he rushed to the palace, he likely wouldn't even make it past the front gates.

"It seems I must first find a way to gather information about Bai Huaiwu," Bai Jingyan thought to himself.

He looked around and spotted a teahouse nearby. A sign hanging above the entrance read "Qingxin Teahouse," and it was crowded with patrons. Bai Jingyan’s heart stirred; places like teahouses were always hubs for gossip, and he might be able to learn something useful there.

He stepped into the teahouse and found a window seat. A waiter immediately hurried over, smiling as he asked, "Sir, what tea would you like to order?"

Bai Jingyan tossed a spirit stone onto the table and said coolly, "Bring me your best tea and a few snacks."

The waiter’s eyes lit up as he caught the stone, and he bowed repeatedly. "Right away! Please wait a moment, sir, it will be here immediately!"

Before long, the tea and snacks arrived. Bai Jingyan sipped his tea while listening intently to the conversations around him.

Inside the teahouse, a group of men who appeared to be warriors were gathered at a nearby table, discussing something in hushed tones.

"Have you heard? Something happened in the palace recently. Lord Bai Huaiwu had to handle it personally, and they say it caused quite a stir," one of the men whispered.

"Lord Bai Huaiwu? Doesn't he usually keep to himself? Why would he suddenly step in?" another asked, confused.

"Who knows? But rumors say it’s related to the 'Tianji Pavilion.' Apparently, someone from the Pavilion broke into a restricted area of the palace and was caught on the spot by Lord Bai Huaiwu himself."

"The Tianji Pavilion? They’ve got some nerve, daring to break into the royal palace!"

"Hmph, the Tianji Pavilion has always been arrogant. It seems they finally hit a wall this time!"

The men continued to whisper, their voices tinged with a sense of schadenfreude.