Starting as a prodigy wanting milk? A world-destroying deception in the opposite direction.

Shen Zhen exchanged glances with Su Mingyuan, Feng Yu, and the others.

Feng Yu, still seething with anger, said coldly:

"Obstructing an envoy is tantamount to treason! It can't be resolved simply by paying compensation!"

Shen Zhen pondered for a moment and said:

"Take him away to Great Moon City, and let the local officials and the temple branch judge the truth of the matter."

The group set off again, escorting the ashen-faced Qian Duoduo, heading towards Dayue City, a hundred miles away.

Finally, the delegation arrived at a point one mile outside the city gate.

Shen Zhen dispatched scouts carrying a joint edict from the temple and the royal family to enter the city and report the news.

In less than half an hour, the city gates were wide open, and a group of people and horses galloped in.

The two leaders were one scholar and one warrior.

The civil official, dressed in the robes of a fourth-rank prefect, was about forty years old and had a sharp, capable appearance. He was none other than Han Zhong, the prefect of Dayue City.

The other person, dressed in the robes of a branch temple garrison commander, with a solemn expression, was Wei Qingxu, the garrison commander of Dayue Town, the western branch temple of Funian Temple.

The two men arrived in front of the delegation, quickly dismounted, and bowed in greeting:

"Han Zhong, the Prefect of Dayue City".

"Wei Qingxu, the pacification commissioner of Dayue Town, branch of the temple."

"Welcome, Your Highness, Special Envoy Shen, and all the dignitaries! Please forgive me for not being able to greet you from afar!"

Feng Yu sat upright on his horse, nodding slightly.

Shen Zhen stepped forward and returned the greeting:

"Prefect Han and Garrison Commander Wei are too kind. We are on a mission to pacify the western frontier and are passing through your territory. We apologize for the intrusion."

At this moment, Qian Duoduo, who was tied up, saw Han Zhong and, as if seeing a savior, shouted loudly:

"Uncle Han, Uncle Han! It's me! Duoduo! Help!"

Han Zhong then noticed Qian Duoduo being escorted, a look of surprise and embarrassment flashing across his face. He whispered to Shen Zhen and Feng Yu, "..."

"Your Highness, Envoy Shen, what... what has Young Master Qian done wrong?"

Shen Zhen briefly recounted the robbery that occurred on the road.

Han Zhong and Wei Qingxu's expressions changed upon hearing this.

Han Zhong thought to himself that Qian Duoduo was a real troublemaker, having run right into the delegation's line of fire. Wei Qingxu, on the other hand, frowned, finding the matter suspicious.

Just then, there was another burst of rapid hoofbeats.

A middle-aged man dressed in rich clothes, slightly overweight, and with an anxious face arrived panting with several attendants. He was Qian Sihai, the president of the Hongshan Chamber of Commerce.

He had rushed over after hearing that the delegation was coming, hoping to establish a connection and become a familiar face.

To their surprise, they found their son tightly bound.

"Duo Duo!" Qian Sihai's vision went black, and he almost fell off his horse.

"You unfilial son! What trouble have you gotten into now?!"

When Qian Duoduo saw her father, she cried even harder: "Dad! Save me! I was wrong!"

Qian Sihai tumbled off his horse and rushed to Feng Yu and Shen Zhen, intending to kneel down:

"Your Highness, Special Envoy! My son is ignorant and has offended you gentlemen. He deserves to die!"

I beg you, sir, to spare his life, considering his youth and ignorance, and that this is his first offense!

I, Qian Sihai, am willing to give up everything I own to compensate you gentlemen!

Shen Zhen, Feng Yu, Su Mingyuan, Gu Chengye, and others discussed in hushed tones for a moment.

Although Feng Yu was annoyed, he knew that even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake, especially since there were signs of instigation from heretics behind the scenes.

Shen Zhen spoke up:

"Chairman Qian, your son's actions should be severely punished according to the law."

However, considering that he was indeed misled and did not cause a major disaster, and that he showed remorse.

He may be spared the death penalty, but he cannot escape punishment.

The specific handling of this matter will need to be discussed with Prefect Han and Garrison Commander Wei before a decision is made.

Upon hearing this, Qian Sihai and Qian Duoduo felt as if they had been granted a pardon and kowtowed repeatedly to express their gratitude.

Han Zhong and Wei Qingxu also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, Qian Sihai was a major taxpayer in Dayue City, and a complete falling out would be bad for everyone. So they quickly went along with it and said:

"Gentlemen of the delegation, you have had a long and arduous journey. Why don't you enter the city and settle in first?"

We'll discuss the matter of Young Master Qian later.

We, your humble servants, have prepared a modest banquet at the Shuyue Pavilion in the city to welcome you all and rouse you from your journey. We cordially request your presence.

Qian Sihai immediately replied:

"Counterattack!"

This welcoming banquet must be hosted by our Red Mountain Society as an apology to all of you gentlemen. We urge you to grace us with your presence!

The delegation members were indeed exhausted and needed rest, so they readily agreed.

The group entered Great Moon City in a grand procession.

Although Dayue City is located on the frontier, it is a major trading town and is quite prosperous. Shops line both sides of the street, and people of various ethnicities come and go, giving it a unique exotic atmosphere.

That evening, the top-floor private room of Shuyue Building was brightly lit.

Han Zhong, Wei Qingxu, and Qian Sihai accompanied the delegation, and all the core members of the mission were present.

Qian Duoduo stood behind Qian Sihai with her head hanging low, not daring to breathe.

Once the banquet began, there was a flurry of toasts and polite exchanges.

Han Zhong emphasized the difficulties of living on the frontier, while Wei Qingxu spoke at length about the temple's educational achievements in the area.

Qian Sihai continued to make witty remarks and offer toasts, trying to ease the atmosphere.

After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, the conversation gradually became more relaxed.

Ye Zhi Qiu, fanning himself, began teasing Qian Duo Duo again:

"Young Master Qian, your statement today, 'This mountain is mine,' was quite imposing, quite like that of a bandit hero."

Qian Duoduo blushed and stammered.

Qian Sihai quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Lord Ye is joking. This unfilial son has been reading too many plays and his mind is clouded. I'll burn all his idle books later!"

Zhao Huaijin suddenly interjected:

"Instead of burning books, it's better to hire a reliable spiritual healer to teach you properly, so you won't be used as a pawn next time."

These words hit the nail on the head, and the room fell silent.

Shen Zhen then asked:

"Young Master Qian, do you remember what those people who instigated you today looked like? What were their backgrounds?"

Qian Duoduo tried hard to recall and described them. They were roughly a few ordinary-looking men with particularly lively eyes, who were said to be guards who had recently joined the Red Mountain Society.

Upon hearing this, Han Zhong and Wei Qingxu's expressions turned serious, and they said they would immediately send someone to investigate.

Just as the guests and hosts seemed to be enjoying themselves at Shuyue Tower, candlelight flickered in another secluded residence in Dayue City.

The few cultists who escaped today are kneeling on the ground, reporting to a man in black robes.

"My lord, the delegation has entered the city, and that fool Qian Duoduo has been captured. The plan... has failed."

The man in black robes remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice:

"It's alright. Give the order that everyone lie low and not move without permission. They are likely targeting us."

Furthermore, no one is allowed to approach the area around the altar in Tu City.

"yes!"

However, they did not notice.

A figure as ethereal as smoke and mist, like a gecko, silently clung to the shadows outside the house, overhearing the conversation inside.

The man, with a few strands of silver hair mixed in with his black hair, exuded an air of grandeur; he was none other than Yi Tianxing, who had been secretly following and protecting Shen Zhen.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he thought to himself:

"There really is something fishy going on."

Yi Tianxing eavesdropped for a while longer before leaving.

Inside Shuyue Tower, the banquet was drawing to a close.

Shen Zhen excused himself to get some fresh air and walked to the window. Gazing at the dim lights of Dayue City, he felt no relief.

Qian Duoduo's affair was just an interlude. Beneath the surface of this seemingly prosperous border town, countless heretics and conspiracies like those of the messengers of God were lurking.

Ye Zhi Qiu appeared quietly beside him at some point and sighed softly:

"Brother Shen, this Great Moon City is truly wonderful. We no longer have to eat sand. It's just that Han Yan isn't here, which makes it rather dull." In private, he did not address Shen Zhen as the special envoy.

Shen Zhen joked:

"Brother Ye is truly a man of deep affection and loyalty, always keeping Captain Hanyan in mind."

To Shen Zhen's surprise, Ye Zhi Qiu suddenly changed the subject, leaning closer and whispering with a smile:

"Brother Shen, the move you used today, the Divine Spell: Shadow Strike, truly opened my eyes."

Both its speed and power far exceeded anything I had ever seen before.

Brother Shen, how exactly did you master this technique? Could you perhaps offer some pointers to me?