"Haha! What a coincidence running into each other again," said Kong Changxing with a rare smile.
"It really is," Smith replied, genuinely surprised at the encounter.
Kong Changxing, the City Lord of Tai'an City, looked unusually pleased by Smith's arrival. A hint of warmth touched his normally stern features.
The soldiers nearby were taken aback. To them, their city lord was known for his unyielding discipline and solemn demeanor. Seeing him smile so freely was almost shocking.
As expected, anyone who held the sacred token of the Holy Empire was no ordinary guest.
"May I ask your name, little brother?" Kong Changxing asked cordially.
"Su Bai," Smith answered calmly.
He remained guarded, choosing to hide his real identity.
"Master Su Bai, I was informed that you possess the sacred token of our Holy Empire. May I take a look?"
If the soldier hadn't reported the token, Kong Changxing would never have come out so swiftly himself. He would have missed the chance to personally greet this mysterious traveler—Smith.
"Of course."
Smith reached into his cloak and drew out the sacred token, holding it up briefly.
Kong Changxing didn't dare touch it. Instead, he observed it closely for a while, nodding slowly as recognition dawned in his eyes.
"It's real," he muttered. "There are only twelve sacred tokens in the entire Holy Empire, each given to one of the Twelve Generals who protect the nation."
He glanced at Smith suspiciously. "But… you don't seem to be one of the generals yourself. So this token…"
"Does one have to be a general to use it?" Smith asked casually, as though it didn't concern him.
Of course, he could tell that Kong Changxing was doubtful—perhaps even suspecting the token had been acquired through improper means.
In truth, the token had been given to him by Li Tuo, a powerful figure with his own secrets. Whether Li Tuo had obtained it legitimately or not, Smith couldn't say. But from Kong Changxing's words, the sacred token was only held by those elite twelve generals.
And Li Tuo was indeed one of them.
"Not necessarily," Kong Changxing answered quickly. "If you possess the token, it must mean you're connected to one of the generals. That's enough for us to acknowledge its authority."
He cleared his throat and continued, "I wonder, Master Su, how would you like Tai'an City to assist you?"
"I'm currently traveling alone. I happened to pass by and needed to restock supplies, so I came here," Smith said, maintaining his composure.
He certainly couldn't reveal the truth—that he was currently on the run, with a bounty on his head.
"Of course! You're most welcome. Please, don't hesitate to ask for anything. Tai'an City will do our utmost to assist you," Kong Changxing said generously, clearly worried about offending such a valuable guest.
"Thank you, City Lord Kong."
Smith nodded politely and left the City Lord's Mansion.
With the city lord's approval, he now had the freedom to move about the city without fear of arrest or suspicion. It gave him time to lay low and gather his bearings—at least until someone from Jinghai College tracked him down or until his identity was uncovered.
---
The layout of Tai'an City was precise and rigid. Buildings on either side of the street were near identical in size and style.
As a city under the direct control of the Holy Empire, Tai'an had once served as a major military stronghold. Everything about it—from the roads to the guard posts—had been constructed with military precision.
But those golden days were long past.
Now, the empire had waned, and Tai'an City had grown dilapidated and sparsely populated. More than half the city's former population was gone.
Most of the people Smith saw on the streets were soldiers clad in dark-gold armor, patrolling routinely. Occasionally, someone in civilian clothes would pass by, but their disciplined steps and upright posture betrayed their military background.
Only a handful of women with children looked like actual civilians.
"This city is built for war," Smith thought, scanning the quiet streets.
The fortifications and strict order spoke volumes—it had once been a mighty bastion. Now, however, it stood eerily empty, a fading relic of its past.
In Smith's mind, it wasn't much different from Huaihai City. And if a beast tide struck here, this place would probably fall within days.
But that wasn't his concern. He was just a traveler looking for shelter.
Fortunately, Tai'an still had visitors from nearby regions. After some searching, Smith found a small inn near the city's edge.
The place was nearly deserted—he was likely the only guest.
When he entered, the three people in the lobby immediately turned to look at him.
"Any rooms available? Just give me one," Smith said as he casually placed a third-level demon core on the counter.
Though spirit stones were the main currency, demon cores had equal value in many places.
"Of course, sir," the innkeeper said quickly. He took the core with both hands, registered it, and called someone over to lead Smith to a guest room upstairs.
---
"Ahhh…"
Smith collapsed onto the soft bed with a long sigh of relief.
He hadn't slept on a proper bed in over two months. During his time in the Starfall Forest, he'd been forced to sleep on hard ground and tree branches—anything he could find.
Only now did he realize how much he missed a warm bed.
"This… this is heaven," he muttered.
That night, Smith slept like a stone—undisturbed and content.
---
The next morning, he awoke early—still clinging to the habits formed in the wild.
He'd planned to look for food in the city, but to his surprise, the inn offered breakfast on the first floor. He decided to eat there instead.
Though the inn was mostly empty, a few guests were having breakfast in scattered groups. Most tables had two or three people chatting quietly. There were about ten people in total.
Smith found a table in the corner, ordered a few local dishes, and began eating.
The food had a unique flavor. Every city seemed to offer something different. The porridge was warm, the pickles tangy, and the bread just a little sweet.
Combined with the low murmur of morning conversations, it created a relaxed, cozy atmosphere.
But that quiet soon gave way to tension.
The doors opened—and in walked Kong Changxing, followed by a young woman.
"Mr. Su! Enjoying breakfast, I see?" Kong Changxing greeted with a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce someone very special. This is Xu Yue, daughter of General Xu Liancheng—one of the Twelve Generals of the Holy Empire."
He turned to the girl beside him. "Miss, this is Master Su Bai."
Smith looked up and saw the girl.
She seemed eighteen or nineteen years old, roughly his own age. She wore a delicate, light-blue dress, her fair shoulders bare under the morning light.
Her features were soft and elegant—an oval face, slender brows, and wide, shy eyes that looked like they might tear up at any moment. There was a fragility about her that stirred a strange protectiveness in the heart.
"A classic beauty," Smith thought silently.
"Hello," he said politely, then returned to sipping his porridge.
Xu Yue stood awkwardly in front of him. Her hands twisted nervously at the hem of her dress. A blush crept up her cheeks, and her bright eyes sparkled with some hidden emotion.
She seemed to struggle with something inside her. Several times, she opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself.
Then, finally, she clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Hello," she said again, voice trembling. "Can you please… marry me?"
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