Throne of Seals: Underworld Priest, Demon Nightmare

Chapter 52 Returning to the Moonlit Merchant Guild, Farewell to Moonlit Night!
Soon, Chu Zichen met up with the women again, and they had their eyes on several missions with substantial rewards.

Chu Zichen also told them about the quest to explore the Fearful Howling Cave that he had his eye on, and they all said they had no problem with it.

So Chu Zichen spent ten merit points to check the details of the quest to explore the Cave of Fear and Howl.

Its specific location is on the north side of the Demon Clan's central area, requiring one to penetrate 2,300 miles into the Demon Clan and cross four of its provinces.

According to intelligence, the Fear Howling Cave is known for its strange howling sounds. It was suddenly discovered by a general-level demon hunter team after a geological change a few months ago. The cave is complex and may contain some special treasures.

If you can bring it back during the exploration mission, you will receive additional merit points based on the value of the treasure.

The danger level of the Fearful Howling Cave is currently unknown, but it requires venturing deep into the demon realm and there is a high chance of encountering demon explorers. Teams accepting the quest must proceed with caution.

After reviewing the details, Chu Zichen and his group of six went to the counter where the exploration missions were posted.

"Hello, we have decided to accept the exploration mission to explore the Cave of Fear and Howl."

Chu Zichen showed the staff his newly acquired General-level Demon Hunter Team No. 21 token.

As the staff registered the information, they read it aloud:
"General-level Demon Hunter Squad No. 21, accepted the exploration mission to investigate the Cave of Terror and Howling. Mission reward: 20,000 merit points. No penalty for mission failure. General-level Demon Hunter Squad No. 21, mission completion count... zero?!"

The staff were astonished when they saw the number of tasks Chu Zichen and his team had completed.

"We are a newly formed demon-hunting team this year. All members have broken through to the fifth level of cultivation and have accumulated enough merit in the trial missions, so they have been directly promoted to the general level. Therefore, we have not taken on any missions so far."

Chu Zichen explained.

The staff member then understood, but still kindly reminded them:

"This exploration mission is quite difficult; you might encounter demon armies along the way. Furthermore, the dangers within the Fearful Howling Cave are unknown. Although the rewards are generous, the mission is not easy to complete. Are you really sure you want to accept this mission?"

"Thank you for reminding us, we're sure," Chu Zichen said confidently.

Since that was the case, the staff didn't say anything more and quickly completed the registration for the 21st Demon Hunter Team of the General Rank, and gave Chu Zichen the Detection Gem as a mission item.

This gemstone is small in size, but it has a memory function. Once activated by spiritual power, it can continuously record and store images of its surroundings.

After accepting the mission to explore the Cave of Terror and Howling, Chu Zichen and his group also took on several killing missions and item-finding missions, intending to complete them all in one go.

This really startled the staff of the Demon Hunter Mission Tower. They didn't know whether to say that this newly promoted general-level Demon Hunter team was full of confidence in its own strength or simply didn't know its own limitations.

After accepting the mission, Chu Zichen immediately led the women away from the Holy City, heading southeast according to the map provided by the mission.

Just days after they left, the deacon who had issued the quest to explore the Cave of Fear and Howl rushed to the quest tower and raised the difficulty of the quest from General level to King level.

However, the staff said that the mission had already been taken by a general-level demon hunter team.

With no other option, the steward and staff discussed the matter and could only hope that Chu Zichen and his group would discover the danger in time and retreat.

This was also their mistake. They will reward Chu Zichen and his group with 10,000 merit points after they return.

……

Traveling day and night, weary from the journey.

Amidst the thunderous hoofbeats of galloping horses, Chu Zichen led the six-member Demon Hunter Team No. 21, a group of generals, and finally arrived at Starseeking City, a major town located on the southeastern border of the Holy Temple Alliance, one week later, at dusk.

The setting sun cast a dark golden glow on the city walls, and the familiar architectural outlines came into view, awakening memories for Chu Zichen and Wang Yuanyuan. "Star Seeking City... is back again." Wang Yuanyuan's voice carried a hint of emotion.

Chu Zichen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the familiar yet bustling border town, a thoughtful glint in his eyes:
"This place is the closest to the demon realm and serves as a springboard into their territory. We need a safe identity to blend in."

He looked at his companions and continued:

"My suggestion is to borrow the power of the Moonlit Merchant Guild and disguise ourselves as wandering merchants. This is much safer than us forcibly entering the demon territory and can avoid a lot of unnecessary conflicts."

Moonlight Chamber of Commerce?

Apart from Wang Yuanyuan, this was the first time the women had heard of it.

So Chu Zichen explained it to them properly.

After listening, all the women expressed no objection.

"Okay, it's settled then." Chu Zichen made the decision. "Everyone, find a place to stay nearby, change into ordinary clothes, and try not to attract attention."

As night fell, the six men had already completed their "disguise" in a secluded grove on the outskirts of the city.

All the magnificent, high-level equipment was put away, and they changed into ordinary coarse cloth or linen clothing.

Chu Zichen had the women rest at a hotel called Wyndham, while he went alone to the Moonlit Chamber of Commerce's headquarters.

Relying on his memory, Chu Zichen wandered through the somewhat desolate streets and alleys of Starseeking City, finally stopping in front of a huge mansion that was heavily guarded and magnificent.

Above the gate hangs an emblem composed of a purple moon and a dark night, which is the symbol of the Moonlit Merchant Guild.

Chu Zichen took a deep breath and took out a simple and warm wooden token from his Forget-Me-Not ring.

The token bears the familiar moonlit emblem on the front and a flowing "moon" character on the back—this is the token that Yueye gave him before parting ways when they met by chance.

"Please inform the guards at the door," Chu Zichen said in a steady voice, handing the token to the vigilant guard at the entrance. "An old friend has brought this token to see President Yueye."

The guard took the token and carefully examined it. After confirming that it was correct, his attitude became more respectful: "Please wait a moment." He then turned and hurriedly went inside to announce the order.

The wait was not long.

Soon, the heavy door opened silently, and the guard stepped out quickly, bowing slightly: "Sir, the chairman invites you inside for a chat."

Chu Zichen followed the guards into the reception room. A faint, elegant and pleasant fragrance wafted towards him. The room was luxuriously decorated but not vulgar, exuding understated refinement in every detail.

After Chu Zichen took his seat, a series of footsteps soon sounded from behind the screen.

A young girl walked out slowly, surrounded by two maids.

She wore a well-tailored white dress, elegant and refined, just like the extraordinary temperament she possessed when we first met.

Her long, smooth hair cascaded over her shoulders, revealing a stunningly beautiful face—a straight, delicate nose, moist cherry lips, and skin as white as jade, pure and untouched by the world.

It was Tsukiyo, the president of the Tsukiyo Chamber of Commerce.

……

(End of this chapter)