Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 165 Songyuan Main City
Three days later.

After setting out from Sina City, Luo Xiu and Intis passed through dense forests, crossed barren Gobi Desert and empty sand dunes, and finally arrived at the "prosperous city".

Right in front of them, the outline of the towering city walls of Songyuan’s main city was becoming clearer and clearer.

“…My Lord.”

Index's voice sounded from behind Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu turned around and looked at Index, who was wearing a light gray gauze hat and dressed as a lady from a noble family.

"What's wrong?" Luo Xiu asked with a smile.

"I don't understand... why are you so insistent on asking me to wear this veiled hat?"

Index's tone was deep, and the pair of white cat ears under her veil were shaking with the ups and downs of his emotions.

"…You should be thankful that you didn't grow two more tails, Index."

Luo Xiu shook his head, turned back, and said with his back to Intis: "Otherwise, I should let you wear Loli... wear a thick velvet long skirt."

Not noticing the strangeness in Luo Xiu's words, Index lowered her head and fell into thought.

"You must not let anyone know that you are the 'Destroyer', understand?"

Luo Xiu reminded him one last time, "Especially in Songyuan City, we must not let anyone else find out... especially those extraordinary people."

"...I understand, my lord."

As she spoke, Intis took out two scarlet magic crystals from the bracelet on her arm - the "storage bracelet" given to her by Luo Xiu to advance to the third level of destiny, and crushed them gently.

The scarlet mist lightly covered the outline of Intis, obscuring her spiritual aura.

"I will hide myself well, my Lord."

"Please don't worry," said Intis.

Although Index said this, Luo Xiu still felt a little uneasy for some reason.

He was glad that he had used the "two-faced doll" to reset Index's points before she was promoted to the triple destiny.

Otherwise, with Index's "physique" and "resistance", the process of her merging with the civet cat would cause her to grow dense fur and sharp claws, and it would be difficult to hide these characteristics for her...

Although Index acted nonchalant about it, Luo Xiu was not like that.

Now, Index was like his waiter and assistant. In his dealings with some important people in Songyuan City, he really needed someone like Index to help him maintain a certain image.

"But..." Luo Xiu was also thinking about other problems.

"But the Index of the previous life didn't seem to become what I thought...?"

In her previous life, she might not have chosen to take a further step in the destiny of Red Lotus, or she might have had some other opportunities...

"..."

While Luo Xiu was thinking, he and Intis had already arrived at the gate of Songyuan City on horseback.

Civilians and caravans preparing to enter the city formed long lines on both sides, waiting for the guards to check their identities and baggage.

Occasionally, a knight or noble on horseback would pass by the common people and merchants and walk straight to the city gate - they were the upper class of the empire, the ruling class.

These knights or nobles only need to show the emblem of their noble status, and the guards will make way for them. Then, they will enter the city with high spirits, bathed in respect and admiration.

Although as a clergyman, Luo Xiu could indeed pass through the middle in this way, but for him now, this was too conspicuous and would easily attract unnecessary attention.

So they followed behind the merchants, waiting for the team entering the city to move slowly forward.

The inspection process for merchants was much slower than that for civilians. The guards carefully checked cargo boxes of all sizes to prevent anything that violated the imperial ban from getting in.

The process of waiting is often accompanied by boredom. Luo Xiu felt a little bored and began to look around.

In the civilian group on the other side, most of them gathered in twos and threes, each with their own small circles, and only talked about their own topics.

Some of them were civilians dressed relatively cleanly.

Their identities were relatively clean and their status seemed to be superior. When they were inspected for entry into the city, they could easily pass the guards' inspection and enter the city.

However, Luo Xiu also saw another scene at the same time.

Among the civilians, there were many more who were dressed in rags and had thin faces that were covered with dust.

Next to them, skinny packhorses were carrying large and small bags that had been patched up. It was not difficult to guess their identity as refugees - they were wanderers who had left their homes to escape something.

There are quite a few people like this, and they are taciturn and don't talk much with other well-dressed people.

On the civilian side, things go through the inspection a little faster.

Soon, the first wave of wanderers began to be interrogated by the guards.

"You are from Kuma Territory? Hmm..."

"Why are there so many refugees from Kuma these days?"

"Forget it, the lord did give instructions... Move aside, I want to check your packages."

A guard who was checking the situation muttered something, roughly opened the homeless man's bag, and rummaged through it for a while.

The wanderers were indifferent and allowed the guards to turn their bags upside down.

Although they didn't find anything particularly prohibited, the guard still pulled out a rusty kitchen knife from the homeless man's package.

“You can’t bring this in.”

The guard threw the kitchen knife into a wooden frame and said to the wanderers in front of him:

"We were brought here from Kuma. The lord has arranged a place for you to live."

"After entering the city, the temporary camp of the relief center is not far ahead. The people inside will take you to Iron Cross Street - Vincent Lane. There, a special director will be responsible for placing you there."

"……OK."

The wanderers who passed the inspection answered indifferently, then led their pack horses and staggered towards Songyuan City step by step.

"...Tsk, next one."

The guards shouted loudly, and the civilian side of the team moved forward a little.

……

Luo Xiu withdrew his gaze from them.

He knew very well what happened behind this.

——“September Plague”!
The Nolan Empire - Kuma Territory is one of the origins of this protracted plague and several outbreaks.

Songyuan Territory is the closest to Kuma Territory, and many civilians fleeing the plague choose to seek refuge in Songyuan Territory as their first choice.

The "Vincent Lane" on Tiexixi Street in the main city of Songyuan is the "quarantine zone" specially opened up by the lord for this group of refugees.

At present, those infected with the plague have not appeared in Songyuan Territory on a large scale, but the lord has already taken precautions against such a situation.

While he was thinking about these things, a flash of light appeared in front of Luo Xiu.

The carriages of the caravan ahead had passed inspection and were heading towards the city.

It was Ross and Index's turn to conduct the inspection. The guards' eyes were fixed on them.

"We are guests who came to Songyuan City to stay at the invitation of the Golden Country Bank."

Luo Xiu put on a friendly smile and said gently to the guards: "I am Luo Xiu Carlos. I received an invitation from Mr. Gonzalo Manston and came to Songyuan City to visit a friend."

As he spoke, Luo Xiu reached out his hand in the direction of Index, and Index handed him the identity certificate that had been prepared long ago, as well as all the necessary documents and paperwork.

Among them were the identity certificates of Luo Xiu as the eldest son of the prestigious "Carlos Family", "Luo Xiu Carlos", and Index as his sister "Index Carlos", as well as the emblem from the Manston Family and the documents of passage they obtained through special channels. The guard took these certificates and documents from Luo Xiu and carefully checked them.

After confirming that there was no problem, the guards smiled and nodded slightly to Ross and Index.

"So you are a guest of the Golden Country Bank. Please make yourself at home. If you need anything, you can go to the office of the mansion for help."

"Thank you." Luo Xiu smiled and nodded in response.

Luo Xiu and Intis continued to ride towards Songyuan City.

……

Luo Xiu first came to the accommodation place.

——The Wolf Hunter Tavern. It is a tavern run by retired soldiers.

The reason why Luo Xiu chose this place was simple, just for the sense of security.

The owner of the tavern is a veteran with the title of "Wolf Hunter Knight". His name is Isaac Neves, and he once served in the Empire's "Knights of the Guard".

The Empire's "Knights of Defense", composed entirely of "Knights of the Throne" with the [Supreme] destiny, is the most elite organization of extraordinary people in the Empire, without a doubt.

Different from the "Knights Templar" of [Glorious], the "Knights of the Throne" are loyal supporters of the [Supreme] rule. They are the [Supreme]'s strongest shield, and the sharp sword they rely on to cut through thorns and open up the road ahead.

The owner of the tavern, Isaac Neves, is also a transcendent with the [Supreme] destiny. When he retired from the Knights Defender, he had already reached the fourth level of destiny.

Luo Xiu and Index then opened the curtain and walked into the "Wolf Hunting Tavern".

What hit me in the face was the pungent smell of stale wine and the thick smoke that had accumulated for quite some time.

Heavy footsteps came from deeper inside the tavern and were getting closer and closer.

Not long after, a sturdy old man suddenly appeared in front of Luo Xiu, looking at Luo Xiu and Intis with the deep eyes of a wolf hunter.

The old man was the owner of the tavern, Isaac Neves, the former "Knight of the Throne" of the Supreme.

Isaac, the "Knight of the Throne", has a strong and muscular figure, which makes him look just like Leonard. He shaved his beard very cleanly, leaving a small tuft of sideburns, which, combined with his flowing silver-brown hair, gives off the aura of a strong man.

"Drinking? Or staying in a hotel?" Isaac asked concisely, his voice like thunder.

"We're staying at the hotel." Luo Xiu replied, "We've made a reservation and will stay here for twenty days."

"Twenty gold coins." Isaac blurted out the high price, "Put the money on the table next to you. Then, you can go up and choose a room by yourselves."

Twenty gold coins... Luo Xiu suddenly felt a pain in his flesh.

Compared to the rent of the White Antelope Hotel in Sina City, the rent of the "Wolf Hunting Tavern" is much higher.

But Luo Xiu did not bargain with Isaac, he knew what this high price meant.

——Isaac, the former "Knight of the Throne" of the fourth highest destiny, will protect the guests' safety for a day as long as they stay here.

This is exactly the perfect reputation that Isaac Neves has accumulated over a long period of time, and this is also what Luo Xiu, who is targeted by the "Black Fang" assassins, urgently needs.

Compared with one's own safety, twenty gold coins is a very low price.

……

After counting out twenty Nolan gold coins from his purse and placing them on the table that Isaac pointed to, Luo Xiu and Intis went up to the second floor and chose the room in the middle from the rooms with half-open doors.

When you walk into the room, you will see a bunch of bronze keys hanging on the wall. That is the key to the room.

Luo Xiu took out the key and put it into the storage bracelet, then closed the door, opened the window, and ventilated the room a little.

Index transformed into a civet cat, gently jumped onto the windowsill, and looked out at the scenery.

As the incarnation of a civet cat, Index didn't actually need much sleep. She just needed to find a place to lean on and take a short nap like this.

And there was only one bed in the room, so Index didn't dare to jump onto that bed before his "lord".

Luo Xiu didn't say much, he just patted the bedding gently to shake off the dust.

……

After tidying up the room a little and changing into more formal clothes, Luo Xiu took Index and left the "Wolf Hunting Tavern".

This time, Luo Xiu came to the main city of Songyuan mainly for two purposes.

——Go to the "Gold Country Bank" to get investment returns, and go to the "Black Sword Mansion" to participate in their antique auction. The former can be done at any time, while the latter will need to wait a few more days.

The "Black Sword Mansion" in the main city of Songyuan holds an auction every three months, and the most recent auction will be held in mid-September three days later.

There were no other major arrangements for the time being, so Luo Xiu prepared to go to the Law Office branch in Songyuan City first, get some convenience from someone, and meet an old friend by the way.

……

Songyuan City, Wind Chime Square.

[Supreme] A branch of the Attorney General's Office is located here.

The manager of this branch, "Grand Arbitrator" Randall, was busy dealing with various affairs and was somewhat overwhelmed.

Some time ago, a Holy Judge named "Connor Rune" came all the way from Red Maple City and asked me to go back to Red Maple City with him to deal with a disturbing case of the city lord's treason...

Randall had just dealt with the mess over there, including ordering the trial of "Red Maple City Lord" Rodif, making personnel appointments for the new city lord, and counting and compensating the losses of the "Holy Judges" of the Sina City Church.

Among them, the first two items have been properly arranged, but Randall is a little unsure about the last item, the compensation for losses.

He couldn't figure out the attitude of the higher-ups on this matter, nor was he sure whether the Sina City Church just wanted an explanation or real compensation.

The Church of Sina City did not send anyone to inquire about the progress here. Therefore, Randall focused on other things first.

Just recently, the upper echelons have been very alert to the unusual movements of the "Dark Principality", and almost all of the [Supreme] people have focused their attention on investigating their movements.

Coupled with the recent frequent outbreaks of plague, this has left the [Supreme] with no extra energy to devote to other matters.

But Randall did not forget that the Sina City Church was still waiting for him to give a corresponding attitude.

After all, something like what happened to Lord Rodif happened. Although they [Supreme] were destined to rule the empire, they did not dare to offend those [Glorious] clergy too much.

The Church of Sina City is small, the intention of the "Supreme" "City Lord" to murder the clergy is big, and the "Grand Arbitrator" Randall is also very clear about how serious the consequences will be if "Glory" betrays the Empire and the Empire's faith completely collapses.

And if the "archbishop" in the main city of Songyuan was furious, Randall was afraid that he would be in trouble.

Just when Randall was struggling with how to properly convey their [Supreme] signal to the Church of Sina City.

Suddenly, a gleam of light flashed in Randall's golden eyes.

His spirit slowly emerged from the side, bowed slightly to Randall, and then said:

"My Lord, a guest is coming."

"It's a priest who claims to be from Sina City and has come to visit you."

"..."

Randall's eyes suddenly became deep.

He stood up, walked to the mirror, and adjusted his luxurious clothes to make him look more stylish and majestic.

After confirming that there was no problem with his own image, Randall turned around and glanced at his spiritual body.

"Go tell the waiter to convey my message..."

Landauer said:
"Please wait for a moment, I will see him in person."

……

(End of this chapter)