Chen Tang and his group traveled day and night, and after ten days, they were less than half a day away from the Capital City.

With the Vermilion Bird Guard led by Zong Zhulan scouting ahead, the journey had been uneventful thus far.

However, after entering Qian State, the atmosphere gradually changed.

In the counties, on the streets and in the alleys, people were discussing the Qilin Ranking in the Capital City.

It was said that the Barbarian prodigy had been occupying the platform for more than twenty days.

Recently, young martial artists from various parts of Kyushu had arrived at the Capital City to challenge him but were all defeated, with some even losing their lives.

Since the founding of Qian Country, martial arts restrictions had been quite strict.

In county martial arts schools, only external martial arts could be taught at most.

And the finest external martial arts were either in the Imperial Palace or within noble families.

Warriors commit offenses with their skills.

Qian Country learned from the lessons of the previous dynasty that an excess of martial artists would be difficult to govern and could easily lead to internal chaos.

However, this also had its downsides.

Without a large martial artist base, the likelihood of producing genius martial artists was much smaller.

Now, facing foreign threats, Qian Country had no one who could rival them.

Of course, judging from Taishi Qu and others' discussions about this Barbarian youth, it was clear that this person was a once-in-a-century talent!

Sixteen years old, sixth-grade, Four Extremes Realm.

Throughout history, not many have reached this level.

Half a day later, Chen Tang finally saw the Qian Country Capital.

In the distance, a gigantic entity loomed on the horizon, and the closer they got, the more they could feel the majestic aura of the city!

The city walls were about ten zhang high, tall and imposing.

Surrounding the city walls was a moat, three zhang wide.

Upon entering the city, they were met with a scene of bustling prosperity.

The streets were wide enough for eight carriages to pass side by side, surrounded by shops, teahouses, and taverns, filled with the noise of people, lively and unceasing.

In the outer city, there were hundreds of squares, each with large and small markets.

After walking for a while, they saw from afar a tall platform made of huge stones on the east side of Vermilion Bird Avenue.

A young man sat cross-legged at the center of the platform, with his eyes closed, resting.

The surrounding crowd was lively on the surface but exuded a repressive atmosphere.

Most people bypassed this area.

"This was originally Changxing Square."

Taishi Qu explained: "Later, the walls were torn down, and this platform was erected as the final battle site for the Qilin Ranking. Now, it has been occupied by this Sang Han for over twenty days."

Chen Tang stared at the Barbarian youth on the platform.

This young man's hairstyle was quite peculiar, with only a patch of short, scattered hair at the top of his head, the rest shaved, and the hair at the back of his head tied into two braids hanging over his shoulders.

This was also a hallmark of the Barbarian Race.

Just as Chen Tang was scrutinizing this person, the Barbarian youth seemed to sense something, suddenly opened his eyes, and looked in Chen Tang's direction, his eyes shining with an impressive fighting spirit!

Such keen perception!

Chen Tang squinted his eyes.

He had just shown a hint of hostility, and the youth had already detected it.

At that moment, a group of people surged forward, led by an elder with white hair and beard, well past his prime, but with bright, keen eyes, riding a high steed towards them.

The surrounding crowd hastily avoided them, watching the group with some trepidation.

"One of the Thirty-Six Marshals, Sun Tianlu."

Taishi Qu whispered.

Sun Tianlu.

Sun Gu.

Chen Tang's heart stirred, quickly guessing the newcomer's purpose.

As expected.

Sun Tianlu led his men to block the group, his gaze sweeping through the crowd, quickly settling on Chen Tang, his face dark, speaking slowly: "Are you Chen Tang? Come with me!"

Chen Tang, dressed in plain clothes, stood out distinctly from the rest.

"Marshal Sun."

Taishi Qu on his horse clasped his hand and said solemnly: "I am Taishi Qu, Marshal of Qilin Bureau, by the order of Prince Wei, I request Marshal Sun to permit Chen Tang's entry to the Capital."

"Understood."

Sun Tianlu didn't even glance at him, still fixated on Chen Tang, continuing: "I have a few words to ask him privately. After that, he can proceed to meet Prince Wei without delay."

"But this..."

Taishi Qu hesitated.

Behind Sun Tianlu was the Profound Celestial Sect, and furthermore, this marshal ranked above him in hierarchy.

"Whatever the matter, say it here."

Chen Tang replied.

Back then, outside Mist Rain Village, he and Lu Qing fought their way out, Sun Gu and others pursued, and were all slain by the Evil Emperor in the gorge by the mountainside.

Sun Tianlu dared not provoke Lu Qing.

This grudge would most likely be settled on him.

Chen Tang had no intention of leaving with him.

"You're not in a position to speak!"

Sun Tianlu's tone was icy.

"He's right!"

At that moment, a voice broke in.

Yuan Qingmo arrived on horseback with others in tow, loudly stating: "He belongs to me, any conversation happens here, I'd also like to hear it."

After not seeing him for days, Yuan Qingmo appeared slightly less despondent, more authoritative.

Chen Tang and Yuan Qingmo exchanged a knowing look and nodded.

"Prince Wei."

Sun Tianlu merely acknowledged without saluting, took out a token from his robe, and said plainly: "I'm here under the Guardian Order of the Profound Celestial Sect, by the command of the Right Protector, to take him to the Profound Celestial Temple."

Yuan Qingmo's face darkened.

The two Guardians of the Profound Celestial Sect were only below the Sect Leader in status!

With the Guardian Order, he couldn't stop them.

However, Chen Tang had killed many from the Profound Celestial Sect outside Mist Rain Village.

If taken by Sun Tianlu, once inside the Profound Celestial Temple, he would be in grave danger.

Inside the temple, there would be too many pretexts to kill Chen Tang!

With the methods of the Mystic Masters from the Profound Celestial Sect, they could easily tamper with Chen Tang, frame him as a sinister element, and execute him on the spot. What could anyone say?

With a shift in thought, Yuan Qingmo shook his head and said: "I have urgent matters with Chen Tang, I cannot surrender him."

"Prince Wei, do you realize this man has colluded with remnants of the previous dynasty and killed many disciples of the Profound Celestial Sect? Are you intent on shielding such a heinous criminal!"

Sun Tianlu looked at Yuan Qingmo and slowly questioned.

The commotion had drawn a crowd of onlookers.

Upon hearing this, the crowd buzzed with alarm.

The Profound Celestial Sect held an unparalleled status and reputation among the people.

This person dared to kill members of the Profound Celestial Sect?

Yuan Qingmo solemnly said: "His Holiness has already issued a decree to absolve Chen Tang, according to Daqian law, Chen Tang is innocent."

Sun Tianlu said: "But according to the rules of the Profound Celestial Sect, he cannot be tolerated!"

"Do the rules of the Profound Celestial Sect stand above Daqian law?"

Prince Wei retorted.

With these words, the confrontation was direct and irreconcilable, the surroundings instantly fell silent.

At this moment, another group of men approached from the direction of the Imperial Palace.

This group donned black armor, their expressions stern, they were the Imperial Guard, Black Tortoise's soldiers!

"The Emperor's decree summoning Chen Tang to the palace immediately, without delay!"

The leading Black Tortoise Marshal held the decree, speaking solemnly.

Seeing this, Prince Wei exhaled gently.

With the Emperor's decree in hand, no Guardian Order could block the way.

Sun Tianlu knew that he couldn't take anyone today, coldly glanced at Chen Tang, then led his men away.

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