The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets as I prepared for my departure to Suotou City. My plans were clear, but execution required careful preparation. Before venturing into the wilderness for my hunting expedition, I needed to replenish my supplies and gather essential resources. This meant a necessary detour to Heaven Dou City, the empire's magnificent capital, where merchants from across the continent converged to trade their finest wares.
Where once cheerful merchants and travelers moved freely through the streets, now stood rigid formations of imperial guards. Their polished armor gleamed in the sunlight, and their vigilant eyes scanned every passerby with suspicious intensity. The usual cacophony of street vendors hawking their goods had been replaced by hushed whispers and nervous glances.
"Something's definitely amiss," I muttered under my breath, pulling my hood lower to obscure my features. The sheer number of guards patrolling the main thoroughfares was unprecedented. In all my previous visits to the capital, I had never witnessed such an overwhelming military presence.
Deciding that gathering information was my first priority, I made my way to a modest inn nestled in one of the city's quieter districts. The establishment bore the weathered sign of "The Golden Tankard," and its dimly lit interior provided the perfect cover for discreet inquiries.
The innkeeper, a portly man with graying hair and shrewd eyes, stood behind the wooden counter polishing a pewter mug. His movements were mechanical, but I could sense his awareness of every patron in his establishment. These were the kind of people who made their living by knowing things others didn't.
Approaching the counter with measured steps, I placed a small pouch containing several gold coins before him. The soft clink of metal against wood immediately captured his attention, and his eyes quickly assessed the value of my offering.
"Old man," I began, keeping my voice low and casual, "I've just arrived in the city and couldn't help but notice the... tight security. Is there perhaps some celebration or important event taking place? The number of guards patrolling the streets seems rather unusual."
The innkeeper's weathered fingers drummed against the counter as he considered my question. His gaze flickered to the gold coins, then back to my face, clearly calculating whether the payment was sufficient for the information I sought.
"Well now, miss," he said slowly, his voice carrying the weight of caution, "you've come to the right place for answers, but I'm afraid your generosity, while appreciated, falls somewhat short of what such... delicate information typically commands."
Understanding his subtle negotiation, I produced ten additional gold coins from my purse and placed them alongside the original offering. "Perhaps this better reflects my curiosity about current events?"
The innkeeper's demeanor shifted immediately. With practiced efficiency, he swept the coins into his palm and made them disappear beneath the counter. Leaning forward conspiratorially, he glanced around the room to ensure no unwanted ears were listening.
"Since you've been so generous, I'll share what I know," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the ambient noise of the tavern. "There are troubling rumors circulating through the city's shadows. Word has it that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe met with a most unfortunate fate last night. Assassinated in his own chambers, they say."
My heart skipped a beat at this revelation, though I maintained my composed exterior. The implications of Xue Qinghe's death were staggering, and I needed to hear everything this man knew.
"The entire imperial guard has been mobilized," he continued, "searching every corner of the city for anyone who might have been involved in or witnessed the heinous act. Every inn, every shop, every alleyway is being scrutinized. Nobody enters or leaves the city without thorough questioning."
He paused, taking a sip from his own mug before continuing with even greater discretion. "But that's not all, miss. There's another rumor, perhaps even more dangerous than the first. Whispers speak of the Fourth Imperial Prince, Xue Beng, having forged some manner of unholy alliance with the Martial Soul Hall. Some bold souls even suggest that this arrangement directly led to the Crown Prince's assassination."
The pieces of a complex political puzzle began forming in my mind. If Xue Qinghe was indeed dead, it meant that Qian Renxue was finally free from the elaborate disguise she had maintained for so many years. But the circumstances surrounding this development raised numerous questions about the true nature of recent events.
Three scenarios presented themselves, each more concerning than the last. The first possibility was that Oscar had taken action against her. The second, perhaps more troubling option, was that Oscar had struck some form of deal with Qian Renxue, becoming her ally in whatever scheme she was orchestrating. But the third scenario truly chilled me to the bone – the possibility that Qian Renxue herself was a reincarnator, possessed of knowledge from another life just as I was.
If she was indeed a reincarnator, the implications were catastrophic. Qian Renxue possessed immense natural talent at younger age that was wasted due to disguise and resources. Combined with the knowledge and strategic thinking of someone from another world, she could accelerate events far beyond their natural timeline. This would leave me with significantly less time to develop my own strength and prepare for the conflicts that lay ahead.
Moreover, someone with her intelligence and capabilities would inevitably discover the existence of other reincarnators like Oscar and myself. We would represent either valuable assets to be recruited or dangerous obstacles to be eliminated. The choice would likely depend on how useful she perceived our unique abilities to be.
My own survival prospects might be somewhat better due to the compatibility between our martial souls – the potential for martial soul fusion could make me valuable enough to keep alive. However, this advantage would also paint a target on my back, drawing the attention of enemies who would see eliminating me as a way to weaken her position.
The second rumor was equally significant from a political standpoint. By spreading allegations about Xue Beng's collaboration with the Martial Soul Hall, someone was deliberately undermining his position as heir apparent. Even Emperor Xue Ye would begin to question whether passing the throne to Xue Beng was the wisest course of action.
Given the emperor's advanced age and the years of subtle poisoning he had endured at Xue Qinghe's hands, his ability to produce additional heirs was highly questionable. This left him with limited options: pressure Xue Beng into marriage quickly and pass the throne to a grandchild, or seek out any illegitimate children he might have hidden from public knowledge.
"I appreciate your candor," I told the innkeeper, sliding a few additional coins across the counter. "Your information has been most illuminating."
"Just remember, miss," he cautioned, "in times like these, it's best to keep one's head down and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. The city has eyes and ears everywhere."
Heeding his advice, I spent the remainder of the day efficiently gathering the supplies I would need for my journey. Food provisions, camping equipment, medicinal herbs, and various tools were purchased from different vendors to avoid creating any memorable patterns. Every transaction was conducted with the utmost discretion, and I made sure to alter my appearance slightly between shops.
By evening, I had acquired everything necessary for an extended expedition. More importantly, I had done so without attracting the attention of the omnipresent guards. As darkness began to fall over the capital, I quietly made my way to the city's eastern gate, where a small bribe to the night guards ensured my departure went unrecorded.
Once I was safely beyond the city's walls and hidden from view, I activated my disguise technique. My natural appearance gave way to vibrant red hair and piercing red eyes – a look I had perfected for situations requiring anonymity. More importantly, I manifested my external soul bone wings, their ethereal beauty catching the moonlight as they unfurled behind me.
Taking to the sky felt liberating after the oppressive atmosphere of the heavily guarded city. The cool night air rushed past my face as I soared above the landscape, covering in minutes what would have taken hours on foot. The freedom of flight never failed to remind me of the advantages my unique circumstances provided.
As dusk approached, I spotted a small village nestled in a valley below. My soul power reserves were running low from the extended flight, and I decided to land for rest and recuperation. The village was quaint and welcoming, the kind of place where strangers were treated with curiosity rather than suspicion.
My arrival quickly attracted the attention of local children, who had likely never seen a soul master demonstrate their abilities. Their wide eyes and excited chatter brought a smile to my face, reminding me of simpler times during villages where all children were excited to awaken martial soul.
"Miss, miss! Are you a soul master?" one particularly bold child asked, tugging at my sleeve with infectious enthusiasm.
"Yes, I am" I replied gently, "here see this."
Channeling my ice-based abilities, I began creating delicate flowers from crystallized moisture in the air. Roses, lilies, and cherry blossoms materialized in my palms, their surfaces sparkling like diamonds in the morning sunlight. I was careful to exclude my ultimate ice properties, ensuring the creations would be safe for the children to handle.
"Here," I said, distributing the frozen flowers among the eager crowd, "these are for you to keep. They'll melt eventually, but they'll stay beautiful for a while."
The children's delighted laughter was perhaps the most genuine happiness I had experienced in weeks. Their joy was uncomplicated and pure, untainted by the political machinations that seemed to dominate every other aspect of my existence.
After spending the morning with the village children and their families, I resumed my journey to Suotou City. The final leg of my flight passed without incident, and by afternoon I found myself circling above the familiar skyline of my destination.
Suotou City appeared much as I remembered it from my previous visit nearly two years ago. The bustling trade center showed no signs of the political turmoil affecting the capital, and its streets maintained their characteristic energy and chaos.
Landing discretely in outside the city, I dismissed my wings and began searching for suitable accommodation in the city. My first few attempts at finding lodging proved disappointing – the establishments I visited offered substandard facilities that would hardly provide the rest I needed before beginning my hunting expedition.
Ironically, after rejecting several inferior options, I found myself standing once again before the Rose Hotel. The elegant building's facade was exactly as I remembered, and despite my mixed feelings about returning to a place where I might be recognized, the quality of their accommodations was undeniable.
"I'd like to rent a room for the night, please," I told the receptionist, the same woman who had assisted me during my previous stay.
She looked at me with professional courtesy but showed no signs of recognition. My altered appearance had proven effective – she saw only another traveler seeking comfortable lodging, not the person who had once frequented their establishment.
"Certainly, miss. We have several rooms available. Will you be staying just the one night?"
"Yes, one night should suffice. I'll be departing early tomorrow morning."
The transaction proceeded smoothly, and soon I was settling into a well-appointed room that would provide the rest I needed. Part of me had hoped to encounter Dai Mubai during my stay, but perhaps it was his good luck that he didn't meet me. Random encounters with significant figures from the original timeline could complicate a little.
As evening approached, I decided to take a stroll through the city to familiarize myself with any changes that might have occurred during my absence. The streets were alive with activity – merchants closing their shops, families gathering for dinner, and various forms of entertainment beginning their nightly routines.
During my walk, I happened to observe two figures entering what the locals called the "red light district." One possessed distinctive blonde hair while the other sported a vibrant red mane. Both carried themselves with the confidence of those accustomed to privilege and power.
The receptionist had mentioned this area during our earlier conversation, warning me to exercise caution due to the presence of dangerous individuals who preyed upon unwary visitors. While I had no intention of venturing into such establishments myself, the sight of these two particular individuals piqued my curiosity.
Based on their appearance and bearing, I was fairly certain they were Dai Mubai, the coward prince of the Star Luo Empire, and his companion Ma Hongjun, whose phoenix martial soul was somewhat infamous despite its rather unimpressive appearance.
Deciding that their activities were none of my concern, I continued my evening stroll until hunger drove me to seek out a proper restaurant.