In early June, at Horseback Mountain in Guancheng, two groups of cultivators gathered beneath a ridge shaped like a reclining horse.
After the torrential rain, the temperature should have dropped. Instead, the rain drew the heat upward, and everyone on the road was drenched in sweat above the sodden ground, as though trapped in a steamer.
Yet the guards stood like statues on either side of the Imperial Road. Stewards of every rank held their weapons at the ready, while Mechanism Puppets patrolled in all directions, not daring to relax for an instant.
Someone had set up a makeshift meeting venue on the Imperial Road, built entirely from simple light steel frames. It could only be called rudimentary.
But once the framework was complete, a group of cultivators entered, surrounded by a crowd, as though some important personage had arrived.
Before long, the flying-saucer-like Black Shark Flying Boat descended upon the site. Seated in his barrel-shaped Mechanized Flying Chair, Li Chen was projected down through a beam of light.
Beside him, the two mechanized maids, Xiao Die and Xiao Ying, stood tall with swords in hand. Their statuesque figures and graceful curves exuded astonishing allure.
Yet many people fixed their gazes on the longswords they held. Some from Chess Mountain secretly clenched their fists, while others lowered their heads in silence, inwardly dejected.
Meng Fuyun came out to receive Li Chen in person.
"Fellow Daoist Li, I have long heard of your great reputation. This is our first formal meeting."
Li Chen nodded. "Grand Artisan Meng."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while before a steward emerged and said, "Leaders, the peace treaty is ready, and the auspicious hour is approaching. The signing ceremony will begin shortly. Please take your seats inside."
Li Chen said, "After you, fellow Daoist."
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