In the faint light of dawn, the gloom and stench of blood that had shrouded Wangfeng City all night began to lift. Li Yuan changed into a clean blue cloth robe, concealing the old and new scars crisscrossing his body. He restrained his aura to that of an ordinary Aperture Opening Realm martial artist, though the deep-set glimmer of crimson gold in his eyes still marked him as different from everyone else.
He left the inn and joined the slowly awakening crowds in the streets. After last night's battle in the underground ghost market and the ambush in the alley, the prying eyes that had lurked in the shadows had almost entirely vanished. The fearsome name "Black Mountain Fiend Star" hung like an invisible barrier, making many petty villains think twice before approaching.
But he knew the real trouble had only just begun. The Netherworld Cult would never give up after a single defeat, and the employer behind the "Wolf Fiend" organization had yet to show himself. He needed information, needed to learn the rules that governed the city, both in the open and behind closed doors, and needed somewhere to stay that would keep a few flies off his back for a while.
The letter of recommendation Shi Lie Feng had given him might come in handy.
The inner city of Wangfeng City was utterly unlike the noisy, disorderly outer city. Its broad, tidy streets were paved with bluestone, and tall, uniform buildings lined either side, their flying eaves and elaborate brackets exuding the majesty and grandeur of the authorities. The patrolling soldiers wore gleaming armor, marched in step, and had keen eyes. Their auras were generally stronger than those of the outer-city guards.
The Garrison Headquarters stood in the western district of the inner city. It was an