Chapter 495: Chapter 495: Forcing the City Gate
Liang Jin is a Judge of Fengdu, born and raised in Fengdu.
He is someone who likes to think, and since childhood, he remembers everything he sees, so even though he only serves in the Southern Realm of Fengdu, he knows the entire area like the back of his hand.
"Brother Li, you may not know, within the Fengdu Realm, Evil Qi is rampant, not connected to each other, like a maze. Even the locals dare not wander recklessly. A single misstep will lead to being lost within."
"Don’t be fooled by the dark and windy night; even at noon, no daylight pierces the realm. It is a marvel across the world."
Li Rui is not surprised by this, just like on Ghost Cry Ridge, where endless barriers in the wild also obscure vision, preventing sunlight from entering.
After all, the wonders of that place come from Earth Thunder reversed by the Exorcism Institute, and this place was also built by the Institute’s followers, so there must be a commonality.
"Can I not use Escape Technique to get out?"
"Naturally not."
Liang Jin fulfills his duty as a guide, sensing that the person behind him is continually locking onto him with a faintly perceived killing intent. Any inappropriate move, and his life would end instantly, like the other four Judges.
But he is not too worried and is even willing to actively cooperate in guiding the way.
Because this star wielding thunder wants to traverse the Southern Realm to reach Fengdu’s middle city.
Liang Jin is eager to lead the person there quickly, for the middle city still has masters holding their ground.
This place is indeed Fengdu, even though the Nether Emperor of the four directions and King Yan of the Central Capital have led their armies away, the city still houses Soul Hookers, notable jailers, various department heads, and generals guarding the city.
He believes that no matter how powerful Li Rui is, he cannot possibly kill all of them cleanly.
"If he must enter the Central Capital, he must be seeking magical treasures or secrets, which will surely alarm the city’s people, causing chaos from which I will seize the opportunity to escape."
However, he does not know that Li Rui’s thought is not to find treasures or secrets; he simply wants to find the barrier between the Southern Realm and the Central Capital, break it, and be transported out within ten minutes.
He continually keeps in mind the task in the real world, worrying about missing the chance if he takes too much time to leave.
The two proceed openly along the brick-paved avenue, occasionally encountering hurried soldiers heading in the direction of the recent skirmish. They might be rushing there to support.
However, having a Judge in robes as a guide naturally doesn’t arouse these soldiers’ suspicion.
On the way, Li Rui repeatedly activates the Blood Eye, attempting to see through the obstructing Evil Qi obscuring the vision, but fails.
No wonder the difficulty of Fengdu’s Secret Realm is high; in places like the one just passed, once a guard is alerted, a flood of enemies would be triggered, and even if defeated, it is easy to be lost in endless darkness.
The two continue their journey, eventually encountering a towering city wall nestled between two mountains ahead.
Despite being in the Secret Realm World for quite a while, Li Rui has never seen such a high wall, seemingly breaking through the clouds, disappearing into the night sky.
Liang Jin comments, "Going through that gate will leave the Southern Realm and reach the Central Capital’s domain."
Li Rui breathes a sigh of relief, thinking it didn’t take much time, but suddenly realizes there’s a problem.
Where’s the Secret Realm barrier between the Southern Realm and the Central Capital?
A foreboding feeling rises in his heart. If there’s no barrier, could passing through this high wall mean not being expelled by the Secret Realm?
He has already spent considerable time winding through the Southern Realm to get here; finding another way out would surely take even longer.
Suddenly, he recalls something.
"Wait, is there a way to the outside world from the Central Capital?"
Liang Jin pauses: "Naturally, the main gate of the Central Capital is open, and the army has exited Fengdu through the central path of the Divine Dao."
Li Rui relaxes, realizing that even if not expelled within ten minutes, he can at least exit through the main gate, ensuring he will find the boundary.
But now the issue is: "Is there any procedure required to pass through that city gate?"
Liang Jin hesitates slightly, saying: "Identity must be verified before passage."
He seems concerned the other might think he’s lying, quickly adding: "For thousands of years, that’s been the rule. Each Nether Emperor has their jurisdiction; I’m just a minor official and cannot change the rules."
The Judge is already contemplating how to preserve his life if the other loses his temper.
Li Rui watches him for a moment, then says: "Help me slip through."
If passing through the gate initiates a ten-minute countdown, that’s best; if not, he must go through the central Divine Dao, ideally without drawing attention.
Unfortunately, Liang Jin looks concerned on hearing this.
"It’s not my intent to obstruct, but I really can’t do it."
Li Rui says: "So you mean, if I insist on going to the Central Capital, I must force my way in."
Force my way in?!
It sounds exaggerated, but if this guy breaks into the Central Capital, there will naturally be tall ones to shoulder the burden, and he’ll be liberated.
"Yes," the Judge replies.
.....
Fengdu is a relatively closed power.
For thousands of years, four Nether Mountains stand in all directions, with four Nether Emperors overseeing, protecting the central capital city.
Anyone can confidently say, no outsider has ever breached this city shrouded in murderous aura.
Even now, with five giant figures gone, no one thinks Fengdu itself would trouble, including the soldiers guarding the paths beside the city wall.
Despite being separated by a wall, none of these people have ever been to the Southern Realm.
Within Fengdu, boundaries between regions are very strict; only those in high positions can move freely, while lower soldiers dwell within their registered residences.
"I’d love to visit the Southern Realm."
The horse-headed ghost soldier mutters.
"I’ve heard there are mountains there; have you seen mountains?"
The nearby ox-headed ghost soldier shakes his head.
"It’s a pity; we lack strength and can only stay in the city. If we could go out with the king, we would surely see more scenery." The horse-headed soldier daydreams, clearly not paying heed to his duty.
The ox-headed soldier remains silent.
In his life, he harbors no extra thoughts, seemingly destined upon birth to follow his role—guarding along the path by the city wall.
Even though he’s never seen any trouble here, he never ponders the purpose of guarding this place.
"What do you think will happen if the wall collapses?"
The horse-head babbles, "Will a god-like figure break it? No, no, I’ll surely follow rules, never venture without permission, but at least I can see beyond the wall."
As he speaks, he looks up, as if wanting his gaze to pierce the city wall.
He manages it—not with his gaze piercing the wall, but with a golden figure going beyond it.
