After leaving Medicine King Valley, Lu Chen encountered no further ambushes. Perhaps the Shadow Council had suffered crippling losses this time and lacked the strength to organize another interception for now; or perhaps they were brewing an even greater conspiracy.
Nothing was said along the way. Ten days later, Lu Chen returned to Great Xia's Capital City, travel-worn and dusty, with three guards in tow.
The towering city walls came into view, and the familiar air of prosperity and solemnity washed over him.
Yet Lu Chen keenly sensed that the atmosphere hanging over the Capital City seemed several degrees graver than when he had left half a month ago.
There were visibly more soldiers inspecting travelers at the city gates. Their expressions were stern, and they examined every passing pedestrian, carriage, and horse with exceptional care.
It seems the Capital City hasn't been peaceful during the half month I was away, Lu Chen mused.
He displayed the State-Defending Duke's token and the Golden Dragon Token. Naturally, the commander guarding the city dared not obstruct him and respectfully waved him through, though a trace of hard-to-detect complexity lingered in his eyes.
After entering the city, Lu Chen did not return to the State-Defending Duke's Mansion first. Instead, he headed directly for Dragon Soaring Old Camp—the site where the Demon Suppression Army was being established.
Before he even reached the camp gates, he heard earth-shaking shouts from the drills within, punctuated by the clash of weapons and the harsh rebukes of instructors. The air carried both a killing chill and vibrant vigor.
The guards at the gate recognized Lu Chen and saluted excitedly. "Duke! You've returned!"
Lu Chen nodded and strode inside.
Across the drill grounds, a dense sea of at least three thousand men was divided into formations, practicing basic shifts