Infernal Realm is different from the Netherworld; each prefecture comprises ten cities. Of course, some of these cities and castles are built by powerful forces, but they are not protected by the Bloodridge Army under the command of the Blood Peak Continent's Sovereign.
Indigo City is the capital of Indigo Prefecture and the most prosperous city within the prefecture. Nearly half of the land in the entire northern city belongs exclusively to the prefectural lord. The prefectural lord's personal guards and servants number in the tens of thousands.
Beirut has held the position of governor for less than ten thousand years, and its period of fame is also very short, only about one million years, making it a very young governor.
Jason didn't linger in the city. He went straight to the Fiend Castle to complete the mission, giving the Demon who had escorted him the reward they deserved, and adding an extra 500,000 Nether Stone to each of them.
Looking at the remaining group of people, apart from Freya and Bessalie, they were all from the Yulan Continent. Jason felt that since they were all from the same hometown, it shouldn't be a problem to introduce them to Beirut.
So we decided to head north of the city together.
Looking at the luxurious "Beirut Palace" before them, everyone had the same thought, "The Beirut family's residence is truly magnificent!"
Veronica thought of something and asked Jason, "Jason, I feel that the Beirut Family doesn't need the Rhine Clan's assistance."
Veronica had intended to say "allies," but after seeing the mansion in Beirut, she felt that the Rhine Clan didn't even qualify to be a vassal.
Jason was certainly aware of the inside story. Beirut's decision to have the Rhine Clan move here was a combination of protection and coercion. Jason had some of the Four Divine Beasts Essence Blood in his hands, and Beirut was naturally worried that Jason might have a weakness in the Netherworld.
However, Jason still made up an excuse, saying, "Perhaps Lord Beirut remembers that I saved Bebe back then, and the Beirut Family just happens to need a vassal, so he gave our Rhine Clan a chance."
Those around him were skeptical.
Jason took out Beirut's token and said to the guard, "Sir, I am an old friend of Lord Beirut. Please inform him of my sudden visit."
The two guards were initially surprised, then filled with respect.
This was the first time the two of them had ever seen Beirut's token. Beirut became famous late in life, and his own strength was too great, so very few people could catch his eye. Those who were powerful did not need a token to come to Beirut. Over the years, Jason was the only person who had ever pulled out his token at Beirut's doorstep.
"Please wait a moment, sir, I'll go inform them." The guard obediently flew inside.
Just a few minutes later, Jason and his group were invited inside.
Luxury. After Jason's several renovations of Beirut's mansion, the only impression he got was that it was luxurious. Although Beirut's strength was unfathomable, his aesthetic sense was surprisingly nouveau riche.
However, he is indeed a nouveau riche.
Beirut looked exactly the same as his clone on the Yulan Continent; Jason and the group behind him behaved no differently when facing him either—they were all people they couldn't afford to offend.
Beirut glanced at everyone, his gaze lingering on Bessalie and Freya for a moment.
"Now that you've arrived at Indigo Prefecture, discuss the rest with my wife Calerona. She's in charge of these matters," Beirut said.
Clearly, Beirut and his three sons are not cut out for running a family business.
Jason looked at the tall woman beside him, who nodded in greeting, and Jason bowed in return. This was the first time he had met Beirut's wife.
Jason asked, "Lord Beirut, I have some relatives and friends from the Four Divine Beasts Clan. I wonder how the battle is going in the Skyrite Mountains?"
Beirut sighed, "They've been fighting for so many years and still haven't reached a conclusion. I lean towards the Four Divine Beasts Clan, but the Eight Great Clans also have powerful backers, so it's not convenient for me to do too much. As for the Four Divine Beasts Clan, I'll help them if I can, and if I can't, I'll just have to protect myself."
"Understood, sir." After this consultation, Jason would use Beirut's name as a cover for everything he did thereafter.
Beirut added, "There's one more thing. I haven't been the Lord of Indigo Prefecture for long, and the overall situation within the prefecture is relatively stable. However, a few city lords seem to be flirting with the Eight Great Clans. As for the cities of ' Azure Lock,' ' Parting Fire, ' and ' Moonwheel,' they're secretly causing trouble, and I can't be too ruthless. If you have the chance, please help me resolve this issue. As for the other cities, some are my confidants, and some are quite pragmatic. Try your best not to clash with them."
"Your subordinate will keep this in mind."
Jason hesitated before speaking, "Lord Beirut, while passing through the Bone Dragon Prefecture in the Netherworld, I happened to meet Bessalie, the daughter of the former Bone Dragon Prefecture Lord. She intends to pledge allegiance to you, so I brought her here without permission. Please forgive me."
Bessalie stepped forward. "My name is Bessalie Lize. My father died unexpectedly, and I have nowhere to go. I beg Lord Beirut to take me in."
Beirut stroked his beard but made no comment.
Bessalie took out a box. "Here are ten Heavenly Waterfall Pearl left by my father. Please accept them with a smile."
Beirut laughed and said, "The Heavenly Waterfall Pearl is useless to me, but can you refine Heavenly Waterfall Pearl now?"
"Yes, but the effect is a bit worse than the one my father made." Bessalie took out another Heavenly Waterfall Pearl.
From a distance, Jason couldn't tell the difference between the one in his hand and the one Bessalie had made.
"That's fine too," Beirut said, looking at his wife, Calerona, who nodded. "Then stay in the Indigo Prefecture. Here's the token, and the other three drops of Sovereign’s Might are your reward for the ten Heavenly Waterfall Pearl. I'll ensure your safety within the Indigo Prefecture. As for where you go, it's up to you."
Clearly, Bessalie was merely icing on the cake for Beirut.
"Beirut taking me in, Lord Beirut." Bessalie was already content with this.
"So..." Beirut looked at Freya, but then changed his mind and looked at his wife. "Do you have anything to add?"
Calerona took out a Interspatial Ring: "This contains some current information about the Indigo Prefecture. After you've settled the Rhine Clan, we can discuss other matters."
Calerona's underlying message was that the Rhine Clan needed to demonstrate sufficient strength to cooperate with the Beirut Family before discussing anything else.
Jason put away his Interspatial Ring: "I have troubled you today; I will certainly do my utmost in the future."
"There's one more thing," Beirut added. "Go see my butler later and have him get you a Seven Star Fiend badge."
"Beirut, Lord Beirut."
Once outside and back on the street, Jason let out a sigh of relief.
Those around him breathed a sigh of relief. They had been on tenterhooks the whole way, hearing about Beirut's exploits. Before, when they met Beirut on the Yulan Continent, they felt a sense of kinship with him as a senior, but now he was just an unapproachable powerhouse.
"I never expected Jason to be such a coward just now!" Freya mocked.
Jason sighed, rubbing his chin, and asked, "You're not afraid of Lord Beirut, are you?"
"It has nothing to do with me; I was just brought in by you guys."
Jason had a vague feeling that something was wrong, but ultimately decided not to pursue it. Beirut hadn't even said Freya was problematic, so why should a Seven Star Fiend like himself take it so seriously?
"What's next?" Veronica asked.
"Let's rent a house first and organize the intelligence on Indigo Prefecture. After confirming the situation, I'll take you to the Skyrite Mountains to find the Four Divine Beasts Clan."
Jason felt they needed to be cautious. They didn't even know the exact location of Blood War Valley, nor did they know if the Eight Great Clans and the Four Divine Beasts Clan were fighting outside. It wouldn't be good if they ended up in the middle of the battle.
Bessalie added, "And the situation in the three cities of ' Azure Lock,' ' Parting Fire, ' and ' Moonwheel, ' Lord Beirut has already mentioned it; we should at least put on a show."
That makes sense.