Spy

Ten days later.

The tribute delegation arrived in Heaven Dou City. This was also Di Hong's first time visiting the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire in the twelve years since he had transmigrated.

It had to be said that, as one of the continent's most prosperous cities and the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was utterly beyond comparison with Silvis City.

Compared to the city before them, Silvis City felt like the countryside.

Even though Silvis City was already quite prosperous.

Heaven Dou City's walls alone stood a hundred meters tall, built from exceptionally sturdy stone and boasting tremendous defensive strength. Soldiers patrolled and stood guard everywhere along the walls. One could tell at a glance that they were elite troops.

As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City was surrounded by heavily stationed forces. Apart from one hundred thousand Imperial Guards, there were also fifty thousand Royal Knights. They were elites among elites—every soldier in the order was a knight-ranked noble.

When the convoy reached the city gate, the guarding soldiers stopped them for inspection. However, upon seeing the Fire Luan Banner on the convoy, they immediately understood. Rather than inspecting them further, they respectfully allowed them through.

Over the past few days, the affiliated kingdoms and duchies had all come to pay tribute. Naturally, the soldiers had to stay on high alert. These nobles were not people ordinary soldiers like them could afford to offend.

The tribute delegations entered through the towering central gate. Normally, this gate remained closed and was only opened when the army marched out, the emperor traveled, or tribute was presented.

As soon as they entered the city, imperial officials came to greet them. The official who received them belonged to Crown Prince Xue Ye's faction, so he was especially courteous and amiable toward Di Hong and Di Ming. After all, they were on the same side and naturally needed to stand united.

Di Ming courteously stepped down from the carriage and bowed to the official receiving them. Di Hong, half a step behind him, bowed as well.

Afterward, the official led them to their residence.

As for the accompanying soldiers, they could only camp outside the city. The Silves Kingdom had brought a total of five hundred soldiers, and they were not permitted to enter. The accompanying troops from the various kingdoms and duchies numbered several thousand in total. If all of them entered the city, it would become a complete mess.

Moreover, they were not troops directly under the empire and had to be kept under control.

Di Hong held the rank of an imperial earl, so he had an Earl's Mansion in Heaven Dou City. Thus, Di Hong and Di Ming headed to the Earl's Mansion to stay there. It had been built for him, after all—there was no reason not to use it.

The other accompanying officials had designated accommodations.

Every kingdom had its own residence in Heaven Dou City, but they were not places just anyone could stay in.

Aside from the Silves Kingdom, the other three kingdoms had only sent ministers for this tribute mission, without even a single member of their royal families. The duchy had sent one of its sons, but that amounted to nothing.

After all, it was merely a small duchy occupying the smallest eastern province. Its strength was weak, and no one took it seriously.

They arrived at Di Hong's Earl's Mansion within the city.

Di Ming patted his stomach as he looked at the residence before him.

"Second Brother is really benefiting because of you."

"This Earl's Mansion is more luxurious than any of the residences in our kingdom."

"Crown Prince Xue Ye truly thinks highly of you."

Di Hong said nothing. Naturally, he understood why Xue Ye valued him. As a member of the imperial family, Xue Ye had to win talented people over to the imperial family's side. Even if they came from a royal family, he still had to find a way to make them stand with the imperial family.

Upon entering the Earl's Mansion, the first thing they saw was a rockery. Beside it lay a small lotus pond, where beautiful lotuses bloomed. Several maids and servants could also be seen busily working.

When they saw Di Hong, they were first stunned. Then, they immediately understood.

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a tailcoat approached them.

"Greetings, my lord."

"I am Meng Yuan, the steward of the Earl's Mansion."

Di Hong gave a slight nod. The Meng Yuan before him was not a Spirit Master; there were no fluctuations of soul power from him.

The steward then led Di Hong and Di Ming farther inside, introducing the circumstances of the Earl's Mansion and the backgrounds of its staff as they walked. Di Hong said nothing about these people, but Di Ming's ever-present smile faded.

Once they reached the main hall, Meng Yuan respectfully bowed.

"If you need anything, you may call for me at any time."

With that, he left.

After Meng Yuan had gone some distance away, Di Ming gave a cold snort.

"What is it?" Di Hong asked.

"There are spies here, and more than one."

"I see. How did you know, Second Brother?" Di Hong was not particularly concerned. None of the people here had been arranged by them, so spies were perfectly normal. What surprised him was that Di Ming had spotted at a glance that someone else had planted spies among them—and had even detected more than one.

After walking over and taking a seat, Di Ming's smug smile returned.

"Your Second Brother isn't completely useless. I may be somewhat of a wastrel and lack talent in martial soul cultivation, but that doesn't mean I'm no good at anything else."

"As for how I spotted the spies, it was simple. I saw it in their eyes."

"Though they disguised themselves perfectly, I could still tell."

"Do you need Second Brother to dispose of them?"

Di Hong shook his head. "No need."

His earlier guess had indeed been right. They had only just arrived in Heaven Dou City, yet someone was already watching them. The Earl's Mansion was full of spies. As for who had sent them, that was unclear, but he suspected Second Prince Xue Yu the most.

After all, he belonged to Crown Prince Xue Ye's faction.

And he was a publicly known Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power.

It was only natural that he would be watched.

These Spies absolutely could not be removed. In any case, he would not be staying here for long; he would return to his country in just a few days, so those planted Spies were no longer important.

"It's our first time in Heaven Dou City, Fourth Brother. Let's go have a look around."

"I heard the beauties in Heaven Dou City are prettier than anywhere else."

"Second Brother, have you forgotten what you said before we set off?" Di Hong looked at him teasingly.

"I-I know, of course I know."

Di Ming looked somewhat guilty.

"I just want to look around Heaven Dou City. No matter what, it's one of the two most prosperous cities on the continent."

"Wouldn't it be a wasted trip if we didn't explore? We won't have an audience with the emperor until tomorrow anyway, and there's nothing to do today."

Di Hong thought about it, then decided against it. He might as well cultivate with that time.

Although many things would happen in this city several decades from now, that would still be several decades from now.

But arriving early in this world had its advantages as well. He had ample time to do certain things.

Take Sunset Forest, for example. Since he had already come to Heaven Dou City, he definitely had to visit Sunset Forest. Over the past six years, he had delved much deeper into the study of herbs and had gained a certain understanding of Immortal Grade Herbs.

Now that he was Level 53, consuming Immortal Grade Herbs would be beneficial to him as well.

He wondered whether the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot would be of any use to him. With his talent, he did not actually need to consume herbs, but how could he ever complain about having too many things that benefited him?