About a dozen knights rode up to the small square at the Martial Saint Mountain.
The leader was thin and not tall. He wore a very ordinary black robe, but his face was covered by a pale silver half-mask, revealing only half of his face. He looked extremely young, perhaps no more than twenty years old. His soft golden hair hung down behind his ears. He had a peaceful expression, but there was a faint aura of menace about him, giving people a very deep and dangerous feeling.
The nine knights following behind were all dressed in the same black robes as the masked man. They varied in age, ranging from elderly men in their sixties to young men in their twenties and thirties. They all had ordinary appearances, but their eyes were extremely sharp, filled with divine light, and they possessed an impressive aura. Most of them were at the seven or eight- Star Class level, and two of them had even reached the Early-Tier Moon Class, the same level as Chris Sutton, making them incredibly powerful.
The masked man at the head dismounted, exchanged a few words with Matri, who was waiting there, and the group headed towards the pavilion.
These people were clearly the last group of guests to visit Martial Saint Mountain today.
"It's them..." Sun Golden Knight Chris Sutton was shocked when he saw the masked man at the head of the group. He really didn't expect to encounter these people here.
"Brother Sutton, who are they? Are they also going to pay their respects to Master?" Little Luffy Earth Inquiry a childish voice, pointing at the masked man.
"I don't know, but judging from the looks of it, it should be." Sutton said thoughtfully, patting Little Luffy's head and whispering, "Don't get too close to these people later. They're not good people."
"Are they scary? Who are they?" Little Luffy asked curiously.
"They are members of a mysterious underground organization. The person wearing the pale silver mask is one of their two leaders, whose identity is extremely mysterious. No one knows where he comes from, nor who stands behind him. All that is known is his nickname, '[Boy].' This organization only appeared some time ago, and few people paid attention to them at the time. However, a year later, they became the Number One unofficial organization in the empire. It is said that even the intelligence networks of the Imperial Military Department and the Knights' Hall cannot find out their details. This organization is full of experts; there is nothing they cannot do, and no information they cannot find. The undisputed number one expert in the empire's underworld, '[ Bloody Yellow Cloak ],' possesses unfathomable and immeasurable strength. Some even speculate that this person has already reached the Great Sun-Rank Venerable and is a member of this organization."
Chris Sutton lowered his voice and said.
Hearing Sutton, an Imperial Judgment Knight, speak so solemnly, Laura's expression turned serious. She quickly pulled Little Luffy to her side, covered his mouth, and was afraid that her outgoing and talkative son would offend those fierce-looking men.
Sutton, despite his young age, was already Judgment Knight and came from a noble family. In the capital, few people, regardless of status, were above him. Coupled with his arrogant and aloof personality, the fact that he was so wary of the masked young man showed just how terrifying his abilities were.
Just then, the ten people opposite, led by Matri, arrived at the pavilion.
The masked man had clearly noticed the situation earlier. He looked up and saw Sutton, a half-smile appearing in his eyes, unfathomable. He then looked at Little Luffy, scrutinizing him carefully from head to toe, said nothing, and turned to whisper something to someone beside him.
Although his mother had covered Little Luffy's mouth tightly, he clearly saw the masked man smile kindly at him. For some reason, he felt that this person, whom his brother Sutton had described as terrifying, was as kind to him as an older brother.
The group quickly set off for Martial Saint Mountain.
The road to the main peak of Martial Saint Mountain is extremely rugged, requiring passage through endless tunnels, steps, and chains of gale-force winds. Ordinary people simply cannot make it up. Without the help of Sutton, a warm-hearted Moon Class expert, Luffy and Laura would never have been able to overcome these numerous obstacles. Seeing this, Matri remained silent and led the way with his head down.
More than an hour later, the group finally reached the summit.
The summit was like a paradise, with a refreshing temperature, picturesque scenery, lush green grass, swaying trees, birdsong and fragrant flowers, and even a clear stream flowing gently. Beautiful butterflies fluttered around, and playful squirrels and other amusing little animals appeared and disappeared, making it exceptionally beautiful.
This was Chris Sutton's first time climbing Martial Saint Mountain. Although he didn't know why King of Chambord Alexander had summoned him, he was still very excited.
Climbing this mountain is a privilege and Glory in itself.
The masked group was temporarily housed in a reception building to wait.
Sutton, Little Luffy two, led by another disciple of Martial Saint Mountain, walked slowly for more than ten minutes along a grassy path, enjoying the refreshing mountain breeze, until they arrived at a slightly open platform on the edge of a cliff, in front of a wooden pavilion that had existed for who knows how many years.
Downstairs, in a pavilion with four pillars and tops covered in green vines, a handsome young man with a tall, straight figure, flowing black hair, and striking features stood overlooking the entire capital. His demeanor was elegant and graceful, as if he were untouched by the world and lived in complete isolation.
It was none other than Alexander, the King of Chambord Empire-Protecting Martial Saint of the Empire.
The disciples of Martial Saint Mountain led the three to the stone pavilion, informed them of their arrival, and then turned to leave.
" Judgment Knight Chris Sutton pays his respects to the Martial Saint!"
"Disciple Luffy pays respects to Master."
"Prince Laura of Fufeng pays her respects to the Martial Saint!"
The three men bowed respectfully according to their status, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. Although the Imperial Martial Saint Mountain did not concern itself with military, political, or civil affairs, its status was extraordinary. It was not even subject to the constraints and commands of the Imperial Royal Family, and was therefore exceptionally noble, deserving of everyone's bow.
"Okay, get up." Sun Fei turned around, nodded, and pointed to the stone chair next to him, indicating that the three of them should sit down and talk.
After the three of them settled down, Sutton looked at Sun Fei and sighed inwardly.
Back then, in his youthful arrogance, he was provoked by others to join Sun Fei halfway through his journey. The two fought a fierce battle at Twin Tower Peaks, where he suffered a crushing defeat. At that time, he could barely be considered a 'young talent' alongside the young King before him. But now, King of Chambord has transformed into a divine dragon soaring through the heavens, while although his own strength has improved, he is far inferior to King of Chambord and can no longer be compared to him.
Sutton knew that he wasn't the only one; the younger generation of the empire, from now on, would never be able to surpass a peerless master like King of Chambord.