After breakfast, Chu Zhiyuan transformed into an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.
He was lean, neither tall nor short, someone who would not draw a second glance in a crowd.
He walked through the streets, gradually approaching the western part of the city and arriving at the street where Prince Zhuang's Mansion stood.
The moment he stepped onto this broad, level street paved with stones like white jade, he could feel several gazes settling on him without needing to use Super Sensation.
Four pairs of eyes were fixed on him, following him unwaveringly as he moved forward.
It was as though they wished to see him through completely, to pierce every layer of his clothing and glimpse what lay beneath.
He pretended not to notice and ambled onward until he reached the vermilion gates guarded by two enormous stone beasts.
The tightly shut vermilion gates were studded with several rows of bronze nails that glittered gold beneath the brilliant sun.
Four young men stood with hands on their sword hilts, staring at him sternly, unmoving as mountains.
Chu Zhiyuan cupped his fists. "Please trouble yourself to announce me. I wish to see the Prince."
As he spoke, he removed an embroidered pouch from his waist and handed it over directly.
One of the young men accepted the pouch, opened it for a glance, then closed it again. "Wait here," he said in a deep voice.
Inside the pouch was a piece of white jade bearing an unusual design. It was not a token of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Any outsider unfamiliar with it would be utterly baffled upon seeing this Jade Token, unable to discern its origins.
The young man turned and pushed open a side door, vanishing from sight once he entered.
Chu Zhiyuan surveyed his surroundings while keeping an eye