"Move along! No one enters the city today!"
"What good will begging me do? We're only following orders. You think this is a pleasant assignment?"
"Go on, get out of here. Don't try that with us. However much money you have, we wouldn't dare take it. The orders from above were clear today: if I take your money, I'll need to live long enough to spend it!"
"Get lost! Throwing your weight around with me? You picked the wrong place!"
"Seventh Master, I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. Who hasn't heard of the Sai family's renown? But we have orders from above. Please, have mercy..."
Early that morning, crowds had gathered at several of Jinzhou City's gates. The Three Teachings and the nine streams of society all raised a clamor.
But all were barred from entering. Threats, bribes, desperate pleas—none could persuade the soldiers guarding the gates to let anyone through.
It was not just the gates. Even atop the low city walls, guards stood every three paces and sentries every Five Steps. The defenses were tight.
Chen Cuo watched from afar. Then he took a step and landed inside the city.
Earlier, he had covered himself with the Soul Banner, but Tan Duan had noticed his presence nonetheless. Now Chen Cuo wore his true appearance. After entering, he sensed the monk from afar, and his heart remained calm.
“With the Soul Banner gone, no one should see any connection between Nie Zhengrong and me. But I haven't met Monk Tan Duan face-to-face yet. Whether that will fool someone at the Longevity stage is still hard to say.”
Thinking of Tan Duan now, Chen Cuo felt somewhat more confident.
"Besides, even if he didn't notice me before, what I'm about to do may well draw attention..."