By the very next day, Zhou You understood what Wangmu Khenpo had meant by "before long."
In just one night, notices had gone up all over the city.
—Lord Chen Shuo, master of the Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace, no longer wished to see the city descend further into chaos. He therefore hoped to gather the martial artists lurking in the city and discuss how this treasure should be divided.
Of course, this so-called "gathering" had entry requirements. Only experts recognized by the Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace were eligible to attend. As for the others... if they knew what was good for them, they would get out immediately. That would be better for everyone.
The Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace allowed only three days. Anyone who had neither registered nor left by the deadline would be considered an enemy of the palace. At that point, the palace would seal off the entire city and inspect everyone one by one. Anyone discovered... would be killed on the spot, without exception!
When the notices first appeared, everyone thought the Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace must have gone mad. Anyun City was the most crucial hub in all of Minzhou. Never mind sealing off the entire city—even blocking the roads for a day or two could cause incalculable losses.
And now...
Whatever the martial artists' reaction, the notices sent merchants fleeing in droves. After all, no one wanted to get caught in the crossfire. The Golden Armored Guard did not stop them, merely strengthening security and patrols throughout the city.
Now everyone knew.
The Ten-Thousand-Fathom Palace was not joking. It meant business!
At the inn, the owner had already packed his valuables and prepared to hide out in the countryside. Still, after spending these past days with Zhou You and Jing'en, he felt they were decent people, so he did not throw them out.