Chapter 1223: 18.61 First Grey Star - Summons from the Palace.
The monarchy was forced to call all of the Heavenly Guardians to the palace when the capital experienced an earthquake, which fortunately did not result in any fatalities but was nonetheless an abnormality involving thousands of lives.
Back at Numen Town
Heavenly Guardian Mu went to his grandson"s restaurant as usual to play with his great-grandchildren. The family was currently having fun in the backyard. Ye Jingxia and Anxia were playing with Oreo and their new playmate, the nightmare beast, on the street with the other children. Lu Shang and Leica were milking the cows.
Doctor Guang was compelled to check on the health of the cow while claiming he was a human doctor and not a veterinarian, but he can only do so because it is his boss"s order.
Mo Yuhan was called back to the Mo Clan, as were Lu Shang and Lu Ming. Although Lu Shang declined, due to Leica"s words, Lu Ming brought back to the Lu Clan Su Jin and Ji Yoonjun, suggesting that he already knew the reason for their call.
Ye Jieye and Mo Xuejing also received a letter, but it was a polite invitation rather than a summons, and based on previous events, these two were no longer a.s.sociated with these clans despite their blood ties.
After having breakfast with his family, Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang left for the capital with Lu Ming and the others. However, before leaving the town, Ye Jieye told Mu Zang something, and the old man"s expression changed significantly upon hearing what Ye Jieye had to say. At the moment, Ye Jieye and Mo Xuejing are taking care of their backyard mini-farm.
Ye Jieye is even holding a knife to tilt the ground for seeding, and Mo Xuejing is helping him water and plant the seeds.
Mo Xuejing asked, "A"Ye, what did you tell Grandpa Mu before he left? He looks stunned just now."
"Oh, I told him that the Ruins of Time are about to open again. But that place is supposed to be covered in restraints and literally connected to the Heavenly Guardians. So I told him that it might have been affected when that trash in the sea was beaten half dead by you. No matter what, the palace would be a fool.
I am with you; with Lu and Mo backing you as well as Grandpa Mu, they wouldn"t dare to move you," Ye Jieye explained.
Hmp!
Mo Xuejing pouted and said, "It"s not my fault. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d called our children toys, so I made him feel what toys should be experienced."
"Since he deserves it, of course, it"s not your fault. I don"t think the king of that kingdom is a fool. But if someone is indeed foolish enough to think otherwise, I will wipe them off the world for you," Ye Jieye said. His face turned expressionless, and his voice turned icy.
Though his expression would normally make one shudder, Mo Xuejing is so happy that he leaps onto his husband and gives him a hug, showering Ye Jieye with kisses as he smiles and clearly enjoys himself, wrapping his arms and legs around the man"s neck and his legs around Ye Jieye"s waist.
"A"Ye, mwaa. Mwaa. Hehe~ my husband is the greatest!" Mo Xuejing said while giggling.
Ye Jieye held him in his arms with ease and allowed him to do whatever he pleased. The kisses he received made his heart and soul skip a beat, and a smile appeared on his attractive face as he gazed lovingly through his crimson eyes at his beloved.
While Mo Xuejing is still a little reserved, Lu Shang and Leica were accustomed to performing this scene. Furthermore, with Lord Hei, it is even worse. They would probably flirt even more intensely with him. Doctor Guang is so astonished that he cannot even express his amazement.
Doctor Guang"s thoughts: "Is this still my cold-hearted boss? Why does he look like a man in his teenage years, showing off his love to the world?"
---
From the perspectives of the ones who left Numen Town for the Capital City.
Lu Ming, Mo Yuhan, Su Jin, and Ji Yoonjun traveled with Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang leading the way. They encountered no bandits, no checkpoints, and the guards at every gate simply had to notice the Heavenly Crest on Mu Zang"s cloak in order to grant them gracious pa.s.sage.
Lu Ming asked politely to Mu Zang. "Heavenly Guardian Mu, sir. Can I ask why you are going to the capital city alone?"
"It"s nothing much. The crown had summoned all the guardians to the palace. As for what it was, I don"t know it myself," Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang answered.
Mo Yuhan thought out, "I wonder if our summoning had something to do with the Heavenly Guardians being summoned to the palace?"
The four teenagers were taken aback by what they saw when they arrived at the capital city"s entrance: a road that was split in half, a few houses that had been destroyed and left in ruins, and an endless number of guards observing the area despite the fact that people were still going about their daily lives on the street. Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang even scowled at the sight.
Lu Ming exclaims, "What happened here?!"
Mo Yuhan also didn"t expect to see this scene and ask around. He went to the guards and asked what had happened to the capital.
"Uncle, do you know what happened here? We came from the outside and were summoned back by our elders."
"Young Master Mo? It"s you! You"re finally back. Actually, the capital was struck by a powerful earthquake. It cracked the streets and destroyed the house"s foundations. We were caught off guard.
Thankfully, his majesty sent people to help, and that ended with no casualties with the people, but... as you see, only terrain casualties happened. We are lucky." The guards storied.
Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang also asked them. "Are there any anomalies that happened before or during the earthquake?"
The guards were shocked to see a Heavenly Guardian talking to them and saluting with courtesy.
"HEAVENLY GUARDIAN MU!?"
"Answer my question?" Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang said.
The guards were suddenly terrified by the aura Mu Zang had emitted in anger. The guards thought they would be killed but calmed down when they saw someone pat Heavenly Guardian Mu"s shoulder.
"Zang, don"t scare the guards. They don"t know much about the situation."
"You are as short-tempered as always. When are you going to change?"
Two voices come from Mu Zang"s back. It felt so familiar, so he turned around, and his mood became worse upon seeing these two people.
Mu Zang said, "Why the h.e.l.l do you know I"m here?"
Lu Ming calls politely with a bow. Mo Yuhan also did the same thing to the other person who arrived.
"Lu Ming greets Grandfather!"
"Mo Yuhan greets the Ancestor!"
"Un. You guys are here. Where is your elder brother?" Lu w.a.n.gle asked.
Lu Ming hesitated but still answered honestly. "He said that he would go back with my cousin."
"Those two brats!"
Mo Xinyue asked his descendant. "Where is the heir?"
"He also... doesn"t want to come back," Mo Yuhan said.
His Ancestor just sighed but didn"t get angry, as if he already knew that Mo Xuejing would not return with him without Ye Jieye coming to the capital.
"Well, you can return to clan or stay with your friends. Just don"t leave yet, as there is something I need to announce after our business is done."
"Yes, Ancestor."
There is another person observing the scene: Heavenly Guardian Xian Wu chugged a bottle of wine and burped. Doctor Sen also arrived. Heavenly Guardians Lu w.a.n.gle and Mo Xinyue arrived on the scene, obviously aiming for Mu Zang, whose demeanor soured upon their arrival.
Burp!
"You three old men. Don"t fight here. You"ll destroy things. Hic!"
"You should stop drinking! Aren"t we going to meet his majesty after this?" Doctor Sen took Awu Xian Wu"s wine bottle, making the former whine for a while.
Heavenly Guardian Mu Zang raged, calmed, and instead turned serious when he saw these three. He can also feel the other Heavenly Guardians waiting at the palace.
"All of the Heavenly Guardians are summoned. What the h.e.l.l is happening here?" Mu Zang asked.
Lu w.a.n.gle sighed. "The palace will debrief the details."
"Can"t you just tell me the topic?" Mu Zang complained.
Mo Xinyue said, "The Tower G.o.d and the Ruins of Time."
"Hey! Watch where we are!" Lu w.a.n.gle said but Mo Xinyue ignore him
Mo Xinyue asked, "Are you coming?"
"Hmp! Let"s go!" Mu Zang said.
The Heavenly Guardians vanished on the spot, together with Doctor Sen, heading to the palace to meet the monarch. The elders instructed the four to either find a temporary location to stay or return to the clan to wait.
Lu Ming and the other three were left behind.
Mo Yuhan asked, "What do you think we should do next?"
"Let"s find an inn to stay at. If you want to go home, then you should," Ji Yoonjun said.
Su Jin reacted quickly to the familiar sight, turning pale as if remembering a painful disaster in his mind and freezing his entire body. He finally felt his consciousness fading and fainted on the spot, but Lu Ming grabbed him quickly before he fell to the ground. All eyes were on the Heavenly Guardians, and they failed to notice Su Jin"s reaction when they saw the destruction of the city.
Lu Ming panicked, "Xiao Jin. Xiao Jin!? What"s wrong? d.a.m.n it!" He carried the unconscious Su Jin in his arms and ran towards the nearest clinic or hospital.
Mo Yuhan asked, "What happened to him? He was okay before."
"Maybe... he once again recalled something from his past (life)," Ji Yoonjun said.
Hearing Ji Yoonjun"s words, Mo Yuhan and Lu Ming"s expressions darkened. They had previously witnessed a portion of Su Jin"s memory during that trial and knew what had happened in his previous life, so when he suddenly pa.s.sed out at the scene of the capital city"s broken street, they realized that this might not be as simple as it seemed.
---
Meanwhile, at the palace"s throne room
Together with Doctor Sen, Lu w.a.n.gle, Mo Xinyue, Mu Zang, and Xian Wu made their way to the palace, where the remaining Heavenly Guardians were waiting, with the exception of Heavenly Guardian Fei, who is confined to the Anairam Trench and can only communicate via a communication crystal.
As for the others, the four of them arrived together, and Heavenly Guardians Gu Yan and Yi Kun"s expressions twitched when they saw that all four had arrived at the same time. King Xingyun and Prime Minister Fu Zin were waiting for them, as were the Heavenly Guardians of the Gu and Yi Clans, who had also arrived ahead of the rest and were already seated at the table set up in the room.
Not only did King Xingyun and Prime Minister Fu Zin know, but they also smiled amiably and welcomed the four arrivals. Only Heavenly Guardian Fei, who had no reason to be afraid because he was not present, spoke the truth without hesitation.
Heavenly Guardian Fei said, {What is this? Since when did the Guardians come together? Are you planning to rebel? Keke~}
Mu Zang snorted, "If I have that kind of thought, why do you think you"re still alive? Should I let my grandson beat you up next?"
{f.u.c.k you! Mu Zang, you and your family are all jerks! #$@#$$#****}
Mu Zang ignored all his curses and took his seat. The other three also take their seats. They greet the king as always, but they are as servile as before.
"We greet the King of the Kingdom!"
Although King Xingyun was not bothered by their group greeting, he could not help but feel a little disappointed that his friends were now only referring to him by his position rather than by his name, indicating a significant change in their relationship from before. Nevertheless, he chose to ignore the pain in his heart and maintain his professional smile.
"Please take a seat. We are going to start the meeting," he said.
Everyone in the capital knew that the Heavenly Guardians were meeting, especially after witnessing the appearance of four of them at the gates moments ago. While most citizens were relieved that the catastrophe would eventually be averted by the Heavenly Guardians, some individuals or factions responded to their arrival in a way that was entirely different from the general public"s happiness.