1150 Chapter 1150 Arriving at the Capital
A breathtaking scene unfolded before Lu Yu. A dazzling golden gate stood proudly amidst a vibrant field of colorful flowers. The gate, crafted from pure gold, emanated a radiant light that seemed to bathe the entire world in a warm glow. Its surface was adorned with a handle that resembled polished jade, a flawless creation of nature.
With a gentle twist, the handle clicked, and the mysterious door slowly creaked open, revealing a portal swirling with an array of mesmerizing colors. The light danced and shifted like a flowing rainbow, captivating the eye. A potent energy pulsed from the portal, washing over Lu Yu.
"This is the exclusive Royal Teleportation Gate," Zhao Qingya explained, approaching him. "A private pa.s.sage reserved for royalty. It"s no wonder there aren"t many people around."
"Ah, that must be the guard who manages the Teleportation Gate," Lu Yu remarked, gesturing towards a figure clad in gleaming golden armor. The guard stood tall, a silver spear grasped firmly in his hand. His face, etched with unwavering determination, reflected a deep sense of focus. An aura of unwavering resolve emanated from him, suggesting an unshakable will.
This guardian belonged to the elite royal guard, entrusted with the responsibility of securing this pa.s.sage.
Zhao Qingya strode towards the guard. "We"re headed for the capital," she announced, "and require access through this pa.s.sage."
"Certainly, for you, Mayor Zhao," the guard replied courteously, "but not for your companion."
Zhao Qingya turned back, a hint of confusion gracing her features. "Why not? He"s the deputy mayor, after all."
"His appointment hasn"t yet been officially recognized by the royal family. Until then, his position doesn"t grant him access to the portal."
A touch of impatience crept into Zhao Qingya"s voice. "He needs to enter today. I a.s.sure you of that!"
"Mayor Zhao," the guard interjected politely, "you may proceed. Perhaps you could report the deputy mayor"s appointment upon arrival in the capital. Once we receive official notification, we"ll be happy to grant him access."
Undeterred, Zhao Qingya lunged forward, her hand grasping the guard"s spear. "Don"t be ridiculous! We"re in Jasper City, haven"t you heard? The city was just under attack! And you"re telling me he can"t enter? He"s the one who saved the entire city and its surrounding areas! Do you have any idea how many enemies he vanquished?"
"Are you seriously denying him entry now?"
"Mayor Zhao, with all due respect, please remain calm. You understand the protocol, don"t you?"
"Do you only know how to follow orders?" She countered, her frustration evident. "Can"t you adapt to the circ.u.mstances?"
The guard, unfazed, shook his head slightly. "My loyalty lies solely with the royal family. Your words hold no sway over me."
Despite her high standing within the city, Zhao Qingya was an ordinary citizen in the eyes of the royal guard. Even a gatekeeper held a higher rank in the royal hierarchy.
Exasperated, Zhao Qingya threw her hands up in defeat. "Honestly, I"m speechless! You have no idea who you"re blocking!"
"His ident.i.ty is irrelevant," the guard countered calmly. "As long as he"s not a member of the royal family, the rules apply."
Lu Yu stepped forward, addressing the guard directly. "What if I insist on entering?"
A playful glint entered the guard"s eyes. "Then perhaps a friendly duel is in order?"
Lu Yu chuckled, a mischievous glint mirroring the guard"s. "Sounds like a plan. Let"s skip the theatrics, though. Once I reach the capital, I"m confident a simple explanation will suffice. The authorities there wouldn"t attack me over a gatekeeper, would they?"
The guard"s facade faltered. He wasn"t oblivious to Lu Yu"s feats and recognized him as a formidable force. The royal family placed immense value on such talented individuals, and his life certainly wasn"t worth jeopardizing over a technicality.
A nervous gulp escaped his throat. After all, logic dictated that Lu Yu wouldn"t be a threat, especially compared to the countless enemies he had already vanquished.
Since Lu Yu clearly possessed remarkable skills, the guard understood that escalating the situation wouldn"t benefit anyone. With a hint of resignation, he conceded, "My apologies, you may proceed."
Surprised by the guard"s sudden change of heart, Zhao Qingya raised an eyebrow. "Well, that worked surprisingly well! I wouldn"t have thought a little pressure would be so effective."
Lu Yu chuckled knowingly. "Everyone has their own limits, and facing a potentially dangerous situation can make anyone reconsider their priorities."
With a newfound sense of ease, Lu Yu approached the shimmering portal. The vibrant colors danced and intertwined before him, forming a mesmerizing spectacle. The energy emanating from the gateway pulsed with an alluring power, beckoning him closer.
Intrigued, Lu Yu stepped into the portal without hesitation. A surge of energy, both strange and familiar, washed over him. It felt like a dormant connection was being awakened, a spark igniting within. This invigorating energy enveloped him completely, a gentle but firm hand guiding him towards an unknown destination.
Lu Yu could distinctly sense the pull, a force gently propelling him away from his current location and towards the legendary capital city. As the energy propelled him forward, his mind wandered. He envisioned the grandeur of the Imperial City—a place br.i.m.m.i.n.g with adventures and challenges waiting to be discovered.
Bathed in the energy"s warm embrace, Lu Yu gradually faded from sight, leaving only a faint shimmer in his wake.
When his eyes fluttered open again, he found himself amidst a bustling, expansive world. The Imperial City, the heart of the Ten Thousand Dragon Country, throbbed with life. Lu Yu materialized in a bustling square, surrounded by a throng of people. The marketplace adjacent to the square teemed with activity—a vibrant tapestry of thousands of individuals.
Gazing outwards, he saw an endless sea of interconnected buildings stretching as far as the eye could see. In the distance, a magnificent palace pierced the sky, a colossal structure radiating an aura of solemn majesty. Compared to this behemoth, the surrounding buildings seemed to shrink, resembling minuscule ants at its feet. This was the Imperial Palace, the seat of power for the entire empire.
A moment later, Zhao Qingya materialized beside him. "The Imperial City is vast," she explained. "Finding someone here could be a long and arduous task. Perhaps it would be best to start at the Imperial Palace and seek a.s.sistance from the royal family."
With that, Zhao Qingya led the way, navigating the bustling streets towards the imposing palace that dominated the cityscape.