This was one of Prince Emmel’s residences, also the venue for the charitable banquet.
At night, the lights were brilliant.
One by one, carriages adorned with elaborate designs and nobility crests stopped, and from them descended one dignitary after another, who were led by attendants into the main hall.
Zhong Shenxiu, dressed in a black suit, wearing a round silk top hat, and a diamond-encrusted brooch pinned to his chest, discreetly mingled on the outer edges of various circles.
Although he had forged an identity for himself, excessive merriment, drawing attention, would soon expose him.
In fact, just receiving an invitation to the prince’s dinner had subjected him to a ’check’, but he had bluffed his way through.
’The prince is hosting this banquet to increase his influence, to foster friendships with the supporters?’
’As a wealthy businessman like me, perhaps my role is just to applaud and money?’
After observing calmly for a while, Zhong Shenxiu, quite aware of his limits, went to a corner and began to enjoy the fennel lamb chops prepared by the prince’s chef.
The royal chef’s skills were indeed commendable, significantly surpassing those of many nobles’ chefs.
With blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a splendid gown, Prince Emmel stood on the second floor of the hall, hand on a marble balustrade, the other hand raising a glass filled with champagne, "In these difficult times, I am honored to have invited gentlemen full of kindness and compassion to generously to the poor of Kaleston..."
As the prince spoke, Zhong Shenxiu saw several high-ranking attendants hurriedly enter the venue, whispering into the ears of their masters.
His ears twitched, and words like ’frontline’, ’defeat’, ’Prince Sauron’, ’Taiping Sect’ automatically entered his mind.
’Hmm, the frontline experienced another major defeat?’
’After this time, it seems that Claystone Kingdom will be pushed back within its borders? The plan to export contradictions and wars didn’t succeed, but instead backfired...’
Zhong Shenxiu felt an inexplicable urge to laugh, also thinking of a key point: ’It turns out it’s the Taiping Sect that took action? Right... This sect, one of the three great sects of the heavenly Dao, had never participated in the old emperor’s chaotic heavenly sacrificing war, preserved its strength well, and is also the least likely sect to compromise with this world’s Heavenly Dao...’
Because the slogan of the Taiping Sect was ’The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise’!
Their Daoist Skill ultimately sought to replace this world’s Heavenly Dao with their own manifested Yellow Heaven!
And they had made some stage-wise achievements.
According to the secret records of the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect, once a Cultivator from the Taiping Sect forged a ’Yellow Heaven Dharma Body’, they could transform into ’Yellow Heaven’, influencing the Heavenly Dao within a certain range to favor themselves.
Every move they made was as if they were endowed with the luck and terror of the world.
’Of course, it’s just a small area and the duration is also not long, but it’s already terrifying enough. At its peak, there’s indeed an extremely slim possibility they could replace the heavenly heart with their own, taking charge of the Heavenly Dao...’
’This time when the old emperor sacrificed to heaven, they were definitely the most opposed group, not having revolted directly was already quite respectful...’
Prince Emmel was also whispered to by a confidant, but he maintained his composure well; his expression didn’t change, and he continued his speech, "For victory, cheers!"
Zhong Shenxiu casually picked up his glass, and in the subsequent donations, he generously d, giving 3000 gold pounds, in line with other businessmen like himself.
At the end of the banquet, led by Kerry, Prince Emmel approached him with a smile, "Li Wei Mojito, I hear you’re a traveler who has seen many landscapes?"
"Compared to the Western Court Empire, Enrique Kingdom, Bauhinia Kingdom... I still prefer the scenery of my hometown."
Zhong Shenxiu responded with a smile.
To disguise himself as a traveler, he had put in quite an effort, at least knew the famous points of interest in other countries like the back of his hand.
While Prince Emmel merely came to exchange greetings with him, their conversation didn’t last more than three minutes before the Prince moved to another area.
This was merely a matter of host manners; anyone who thought the Prince truly cared would be a fool.
However, Zhong Shenxiu watched Prince Emmel’s retreating figure with a trace of darkness flashing through his eyes.
He had used his Primordial Spirit to plant a wisp of aura on Prince Emmel.
It was faint and continued to dissipate.
But precisely because of this, it would go unnoticed and could steal some secrets.
After all, having spent 3000 gold pounds, he ought to get something in return.
He noticed that after fulfilling the host’s etiquette and conversing with the guests, His Highness hurried into another room.
Immediately, an intelligent wall appeared, blocking all prying eyes.
However, thanks to the earlier aura, a blurry image still transmitted.
Zhong Shenxiu slightly narrowed his eyes, seemingly seeing a small room.
Before Prince Emmel appeared an old man with white hair, but his eyes seemed to contain infinite spirit.
This was a "Angel Envoy" of the 5th rank, who also possessed the skill of long-distance teleportation and carried a hint of twilight-like dark light.
"Uncle Tony, what happened?"
Prince Emmel’s surprised voice sounded.
"The front lines have suffered a severe defeat, Prince Sauron is dead, I am lucky to have escaped the battlefield with only minor injuries..."
Tony replied with a bitter smile, his radiance clearly emanating from ’Yellow Heaven’.
"This type of injury is profound. After reporting to His Highness, I will head to the Royal Palace and apply for that cursed item for treatment; there should be no problems..."
As Tony spoke, he extended his hand to press down on a writhing mass of flesh that emitted a twilight glow.
"What? Prince Sauron is dead? But he was a ’Ruler’ of the 7th rank!"
Prince Emmel’s expression was extremely shocked.
"The Easterners differ greatly from historical records; among them are also beings comparable to the 7th or even 8th ranks, whom they refer to as ’Dharma Body’!"
The conflict had lasted so long, and some information about both sides was not a secret.
"And this time... Prince Sauron was killed by a Dharma Body. The opponent might already have the power of the 8th rank..."
"Even a Demigod of the 8th rank couldn’t have completely vanquished Prince Sauron, who wielded an extremely proficient cursed item for preserving life!"
Prince Emmel frowned.
"The cursed item is indeed of a very high rank, but it was still thwarted... Our pre-war intelligence was too scant, and this time the enemy dispatched... a Pseudo-God! He ultimately prevented Prince Sauron’s escape..."
Tony replied in a strained voice.
"A near-God of the 9th rank?"
Prince Emmel took a deep breath, "The kingdom is now at its most difficult and perilous time. Currently, we have only two options. The first is to seek help from Bauhinia and Enrique Kingdom, which will cost us a lot of benefits. The second is to pray for the favor of the Gate’s Master."