I Have A Dual World Seal

Chapter 1151: Chapter 1150: The Spiritual Martial King Welcomes Guests into the Capital City

Lu Zheng raised his whip, cracked it in the air, and the two white horses, majestic and vigorous, quickened their pace upon hearing the crack, quickly catching up with the caravan ahead.

Compared to the escort agency’s heroes, the stewards and old hands in the caravan were more discerning about luxurious items, immediately noticing that these two white horses were Northern steeds and the carriage was made of golden phoebe wood, with exposed gold paint edges and wood surface reliefs—truly exquisite craftsmanship.

However, the most wonderful part wasn’t what the eye could see, but the carriage craftsmanship itself.

Their own wagon wheels were wrapped with several layers of cowhide, yet still bumpy; the opponent’s wheel cowhide seemed hollow, and somehow it had been made into this form. Moreover, when the four wheels moved over uneven ground, the carriage surprisingly remained basically balanced, though they had no idea what engineering marvel lay beneath.

"Shopkeeper, the last time we saw the Marquis’ carriage, it didn’t seem as good as this one."

"Stop staring at it directly; use your peripheral vision, can’t you?"

"Yes, yes, yes, it’s just that this is the first time seeing it—it’s astonishing. Besides, we still have a Marquis above us, what’s there to fear?"

"Of course, you aren’t afraid of the Marquis, but how do you know the Marquis will stand up for you?"

"Don’t let your eyes wander inside the carriage; if you see something you shouldn’t, no one can save you."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Lu Zheng listened to their conversation with amusement, turned back to glance at them, and was met with a few fawning smiles from the stewards.

Lu Zheng nodded in return, then the carriage sped past, forging ahead quickly, and soon distanced itself from the caravan behind, passing through a relatively desolate forest.

"I must say, having such a carriage certainly saves a lot of trouble along the way." Lu Zheng said, sitting in the carriage, glancing at certain areas in the woods, and then laughing.

They of course hadn’t traveled all the way from Tonglin County by carriage; rather, when still several hundred miles from Zhongjing, they descended from the clouds, traveling leisurely and sight-seeing.

This carriage was created by Lu Zheng, combining technology from both worlds—Great Jing on the outside, Blue Star on the inside—and was a one-of-a-kind vehicle, so much so that petty thieves with ill intentions dared not make a move upon seeing it.

Inside the carriage, Liu Qingyan pulled back the curtain, looked towards the woods with curiosity, "Great Jing Zhongjing, the capital city, and yet mere ten miles from the city, there are highway robbers?"

"Zhongjing, capital city, stretching for dozens of miles, with a population of millions, doesn’t lack noble families. Naturally, there are impoverished farmers and drifters. Robbers appearing ten miles outside the city is already a sign of good city management," Shen Ying shrugged.

Lu Zheng nodded, acknowledging that even in the capitals of developed countries on Blue Star, robbery and crime were inevitable, so he couldn’t hold Great Jing to unattainable standards.

The carriage galloped swiftly along the wide official road, and soon, they exited the forest. Ahead, a straight avenue appeared, and at the end of the road stood towering city walls stretching for dozens of miles on both sides. Beyond the walls were densely packed buildings, residences, inns, taverns, markets—the hustle and bustle of countless people made for quite a lively scene.

"So this is Zhongjing," Liu Qingyan pulled back the curtain, "Why are there so many people outside the city too?"

"The prosperity of Zhongjing cannot contain its population, no matter how expansive the city walls," Si Lingxi said calmly.

Lu Zheng nodded, "In a mature capital, the population outside the city usually exceeds that inside. After all... living in the capital city is challenging, and most people are still poor."

Back in the Great Tang Chang’an City, both the length and width were twenty miles, with nearly a million people inside the city and close to two million outside.

"Young Master is quite right."

A hearty and bold voice sounded in everyone’s ears, and as Lu Zheng glanced from the corner of his eye, he saw an extra person beside the carriage.

A tall man, with a broad back and strong waist, leopard head and round eyes, a Yanquan-style beard, wearing a tiger-faced headband, dressed in a gold-lined black cloud robe, a gold-threaded jade-inlaid belt, and adorned with cowhide Kui-pattern boots.

"Jing Gaoqi, at your service, Sect Leader Si." The newcomer cupped his hands towards the carriage and then looked at Lu Zheng, "Is Senior Dongyangzi doing well lately?"

"White Cloud Temple’s Lu Zheng, greeting Spiritual Martial King." Lu Zheng dismounted, bowing with respect, "The Ancestor is well, thank you for your concern."

"No need for courtesy," Spiritual Martial King Jing Gaoqi waved his hand with a smile, "The two ladies must be Peach Blossom Fairy and Lady Qingyi, right?"

Both Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan had records in the court, and after the White Cloud Mountain New Year Dharma Assembly this year, Si Lingxi and Lu Zheng’s relationship entered the court’s intelligence system, which is why Jing Gaoqi recognized them at once.

"Greetings, Spiritual Martial King!"

Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying gracefully descended, with Si Lingxi following last, nodding gently in greeting, "Greetings, Spiritual Martial King."

"No need for formality," Jing Gaoqi laughed, cupping his hands, "I wonder if you all need my assistance upon entering the capital?"

Lu Zheng and the others appearing outside Zhongjing didn’t hide their presence and upon seeing the city walls, they momentarily revealed themselves, as a courtesy to the hidden masters in Zhongjing, signaling them not to be alarmed.

If it were just Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and Shen Ying, this wouldn’t be necessary, but Si Lingxi was different.

As the Master of South Border Phoenix Mountain, a top martial artist whose skills further advanced after dual cultivation with Lu Zheng, she was the world’s only Fire Phoenix, a strategic force wherever she went.

This time, she wasn’t here alone on a casual visit; for just a small revelation, she must make herself known in advance to prevent misunderstandings upon accidental discovery.

But in doing so, any chance of surprise was naturally eliminated.

"Just here on a casual visit," Si Lingxi shook her head.

By revealing herself, Si Lingxi put Jing Gaoqi at ease, hence his courteous words, "Sect Leader hasn’t visited Zhongjing for many years, and this is Young Master Lu and the two ladies’ first time here. It wouldn’t do for me to be impolite.

A regular inn is unworthy of your esteemed selves, and with their mixed patrons, comings and goings, the rooms and beds are not adequately cleaned, making for uncomfortable lodgings.

If you don’t mind, how about staying at Lingwu Royal Mansion? This current generation’s Lingwu King is many generations removed from me, but the mansion’s environment is quite decent and befitting of your honorable presence."

Si Lingxi didn’t reply but looked towards Lu Zheng.

Jing Gaoqi’s heart skipped a beat, and he regarded Lu Zheng even more seriously.

"Will it trouble you?" Lu Zheng asked.

"No trouble at all," Jing Gaoqi waved his hand repeatedly, "The mansion sees few people, and it offers tranquility and elegance, perfect for living."

"Then thank you very much, Spiritual Martial King. We appreciate the hospitality." Lu Zheng bowed in gratitude.

"No need to be so formal, hahaha!" Jing Gaoqi laughed heartily and gestured grandly, "Please!"