Ze Tian Ji

Chapter 820 – The Spring Breeze Enters the Old City

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The black tide halted on the distant plains. Even with the specially constructed Thousand Li Mirror of the Tang clan, it was very difficult to clearly tell who these cavalry belonged to.

After a short time, a hundred-some cavalry broke off from the army and galloped towards Wenshui City, completely disregarding the divine crossbows mounted on the walls. Despite the fact that they had been drilled countless times, the soldiers and guards on the walls still grew nervous at this sight. After all, they still did not have any real experience.

The master of the city was hurriedly escorted to the city walls by his subordinates. He hadnʼt even had time to tidy his clothes, much less put on armor.

As he looked at that distant tide of cavalry and the squad of a hundred-some cavalry getting closer and closer, the city master grew paler and paler.

The hundred-some cavalry had already entered the range of the divine crossbows, but he did not dare give the order to fire. Sweating profusely, he turned to the Tang clan guards and asked in panic, ”Whereʼs the head clan? Why hasnʼt the head clan sent anybody?”

The city master of Wenshui City was appointed by the Imperial Court, but he was keenly aware that he could never be the master of this city.

For thousands and thousands of years, the master of this city had always been one surname: the Tang clan.

Quite some time had passed since the first warning bells had rung out. No matter how slow their response, the Tang clan should have sent someone by now.

Why was it that the only people on the walls were those guards, but not a single important figure of the Tang clan?

An advisor stared at the approaching cavalry and thought of a possibility. He whispered, ”If thereʼs no activity from the head clan, it means that there must be no problem.”

The city master found these words rather reasonable. Wiping the cold sweat off his face, he shakily asked, ”Then… just who has come?”

……

……

Time passed and the hundred-some cavalry reached the walls of Wenshui City.

No battle took place, because the people on the walls very quickly realized the identity of these visitors.

These visitors to Wenshui City were not an expeditionary army of the Demon race, but two thousand escorting cavalry.

Their mission was to escort three Sacred Hall archbishops into Wenshui City.

The reason the three Sacred Hall archbishops had come to Wenshui City was even simpler: attending upon the Pope.

No matter how upset the soldiers and citizens of Wenshui City were by this morningʼs abrupt visit, they had no justification to bar the archbishops from entering the city.

The vast majority of the two thousand cavalry remained on the plains, not showing any hostility.

The heavy city gate which had just closed not long ago slowly opened.

Two large carriages escorted by one hundred cavalry entered the city, watched by countless people with mixed emotions.

Archbishop An Lin spoke a few words to the city master through the curtain, showing no intention of leaving the carriage.

The people on the streets looked with interest at the figure in the carriage, some even piously prostrating and praying on the ground.

Linghai Zhiwang and Daoist Baishi were still sitting in the same carriage.

”The Tang clanʼs reaction is very fast. Ah, theyʼre not that easy to attack.”

Linghai Zhiwang expressionlessly said as he peered through the curtain, examining those Tang clan guards that were clearly not part of the Imperial Courtʼs army.

There were many deeper meanings contained in this comment, but Daoist Baishi only gave a faint smile, nothing more.

Linghai Zhiwang glanced at him and said, ”Wenshui City has never encountered the fires of war, so why is the Tang clan so wary and careful? They even donʼt mind exceeding the norms and installing so many divine crossbows and arrays, and why so many private troops? Could it be… that theyʼre thinking of rebellion?”

The meaning was more explicit here. Daoist Baishiʼs smile faded, but he still said nothing, as he didnʼt know how to respond.

……

……

Two thousand cavalry escorted three Prefects of the Orthodoxy to Wenshui City.

They had ample reasons, as they had to ensure the Popeʼs safety.

No one could voice any objections.

But no one would forget a crucial fact: the Li Palace had not informed Wenshui City beforehand.

Taking without asking was stealing; coming without asking was a surprise attack.