Could something really happen to Morris? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

The authorities of Heavenly Strategy and Everlasting Day had never publicized Morris's visit, but neither had they deliberately promoted it.

Normally, this was simply a diplomatic visit. Those who needed to know were the officials in the cities along the route, the soldiers stationed there, and the personnel responsible for receiving the delegation.

They had to ensure that nothing went wrong along Morris's route.

Morris had not come in a private capacity. He represented the Eternal Day Empire.

Zhang Mingyuan, vice minister of rites, sensed that something was amiss.

The delegation had just arrived at Azure Mist City, a major border city in the southern reaches of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty.

Yet the city gates were already surrounded by commoners, their voices boiling into a cacophony as they talked among themselves.

"I heard a prince from the Eternal Day Empire is here?"

"That's right! They say he even gave the kings of those little southern countries the cold shoulder when they wanted to see him!"

"Tsk, tsk. Then will he show our Heavenly Strategy officials any respect?"

"Would he dare not to? Otherwise, we'll make sure he comes here but never leaves."

Zhang Mingyuan frowned slightly and immediately waved for the accompanying Ministry of Rites guards to disperse the crowd. At the same time, he turned to Chen Zhen, the prefect of Azure Mist City. "Prefect Chen, deploy the City Defense Army to maintain order at once. This crowd is a jumble of fish and dragons. Don't let any trouble break out."

Chen Zhen nodded and immediately ordered, "Seal off the city gates! Unauthorized persons are forbidden from approaching the delegation!"

However, the crowd remained packed and bustling. Many people even stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of Morris inside his carriage.

Unease stirred in Zhang Mingyuan's heart.