Chapter 825: Defusing the Situation

Chapter 825: Defusing the Situation

"These chains don't seem very sturdy at all. Maybe the city guard barracks should consider buying some chains from our Vast Origin House to ensure a quality product," Shi Chuankong said as he turned to the eighth prince with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Han Li could only heave an internal sigh upon seeing this. With Shi Chuankong fanning the flames, this situation was most likely only going to escalate further.

With Shi Chuankong present, Han Li didn't have to worry about his own safety, but he had no idea how this situation was going to be brought to a close.

The eighth prince could barely contain his own fury, yet before he had a chance to do anything else, a placid voice suddenly rang out.

"It sure is crowded here. What's going on?"

An ordinary-looking beast-drawn carriage had emerged from the city, and the voice had come from the cabin of the carriage.

An ecstatic look instantly appeared on Shi Chuankong's face upon hearing this voice, and he immediately began approaching the carriage.

The eighth prince's expression also changed slightly, and the golden light emanating from his body quickly faded, as did the golden devilish projection.

Han Li made a hand seal upon seeing this, and all of the true spirit projections instantly flew back into his body as well.

Right at this moment, a figure slowly emerged from the cabin of the carriage.

It was a man who appeared to be around thirty years of age with a head of shoulder-length silver hair, and his facial features were quite similar to Shi Chuankong's. There was a warm and empathetic look in his eyes, and he was wearing white robe that complemented his tall figure very well.

"Pokong!"

Shi Chuankong hurriedly strode over to the white-robed man before grabbing onto his hand with an excited expression.

A hint of elation flashed through the white-robed man's eyes as well, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Welcome back, Chuankong."

All of the nearby bystanders immediately fell to their knees with reverent looks on their faces, and it was a far different reception from the one that the eighth prince had received.

The eighth prince gave a cold harrumph upon seeing this, then turned his head to look elsewhere.

So that's Shi Pokong, Han Li thought to himself as he observed the white-robed man.

"No need for formalities," Shi Pokong said as he swept a sleeve through the air, and all of the people on their knees were lifted to their feet by a burst of gentle force.

Shi Pokong's aura was very peculiar, and even with Han Li's spiritual sense, he was unable to detect Shi Pokong's exact cultivation base.

Shi Pokong turned to the eighth prince, then said, "I understand that ensuring the safety of the city is of the utmost importance, but at the same time, we must take care not to blow matters out of proportion and cause unnecessary commotions. Otherwise, panic could erupt within the residents of the city, and that would only have a detrimental effect on security."

A hint of apprehension flashed through the eighth prince's eyes, and he replied, "That's true, but this man is an Immortal Realm cultivator, and according to the rules, we must first verify his identity and arrange an identity token for him before he can be allowed to enter the city. I only intervened as Chuankong insisted on entering the city with him before the correct procedure had been followed."

"You're right, I'll be sure to remember that for next time," Shi Chuankong replied in a casual manner, clearly not taking the matter seriously.

Shi Pokong could only shake his head with a wry smile upon seeing this.

All of a sudden, an excited look appeared in Shi Chuankong's eyes as he began, "Pokong, while I was in the Immortal Realm..."

"This is not the place to talk, let's get back to my manor first," Shi Chuankong interjected, then dragged him onto a nearby carriage.

Han Li was supposed to be Shi Chuankong's personal guard, so it was inappropriate for him to ride in the carriage with the two princes. Hence, he could only sit with the coach driver outside the cabin.

The carriage sped away into the distance, and before long, it reached a grand manor, above the entrance of which was a plaque that read "Balance Fall Duke's Manor".

The manor was enormous, and the main gate was so wide that six or seven people could walk through it together side by side.

There were two fearsome-looking lion beast statues standing in front of the entrance, and the purplish-golden gates and guards in suits of vibrant armor stationed at the entrance all reflected the regal status of the manor.

Shi Pokong exited the carriage, then led Shi Chuankong and Han Li straight into a hall in the manor.

The interior of the manor was just as grand and opulent as it appeared on the outside.

Upon entering the hall, Shi Pokong turned to Han Li as he said, "Fellow Daoist Li, I can't thank you enough for protecting Chuankong over the course of your journey together. Is there anything you want or anything I can do for you as compensation?"

"There's no need for compensation, I've already made an agreement with Fellow Daoist Shi earlier," Han Li replied with a shake of his head.

Shi Pokong faltered slightly upon hearing this, then turned to take a glance at Shi Chuankong before making no further mention of the subject. Instead, he said, "You must be tired after such a long journey, Fellow Daoist Li. I'll get someone to accompany you to your resting quarters."

A purple-robed servant quickly strode in from outside right on cue. It was a young man who was rather thin and short, and there was also a rather effeminate appearance about him.

The young man was an early-High Zenith cultivator, and his aura was very cold and calculating, much like that of a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce at unsuspecting passersby.

"Please come with me, Fellow Daoist Li," the young man said, and Han Li knew that Shi Chuankong had some private matters to discuss with his brother, so he promptly departed, following the purple-robed servant out of the hall.

"I can tell that Fellow Daoist Li possesses both remarkable powers and mental qualities. Where did you manage to find such an ally? Is he reliable, and what is this agreement that he mentioned earlier?" Shi Pokong asked.

"I met Fellow Daoist Li in the True Immortal Realm, and he's saved my life many times, so he's definitely trustworthy. As for our agreement..."

Shi Chuankong gave Shi Pokong a brief rundown of his agreement with Han Li.

"You owe him your life, so you should do everything in your power to repay him. Tracking down that woman by the name of Violet Spirit shouldn't be too difficult, but it may not be so easy to recruit the services of the grand priest," Shi Pokong said with slightly furrowed brows.

"Aren't you on very good terms with the grand priest? Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to request his assistance," Shi Chuankong said.

"That was in the past. A few centuries ago, Father assigned Zhanfeng with the task of overseeing all of the priests, so right now, the grand priest has defected to Zhanfeng's camp. Having said that,I'll still do my best to try and recruit his services, and perhaps there's still a chance," Shi Pokong explained.

"Why is Father doing this? Could it be that he really does intend to make Zhanfeng his successor?" Shi Chuankong asked in a furious voice as he abruptly sprang to his feet.