The gates of the Outer Palace opened, and the Four-Armed Demons cohort marched out. A lookout from the Beggar Sect was at the closest point where commoners were allowed, disguised as a beggar.
The Four-Armed Demons, under the command of the Heavenly Demon's First Guard, were the most elite cohort of the Heavenly Demon Sect. This unit did not move without reason.
The Beggar Sect lookout was astonished.
"He's here."
"Dongfang Dubai."
Dongfang Dubai, the First Guard of the Heavenly Demon and leader of the Four-Armed Demons cohort, was recognizable even from a distance due to his crimson robe and very long, curved sword. He marched at the front of the unit.
The Four-Armed Demons were masters of the sword, blade, long spear, and short spear.
Within an hour, the Four-Armed Demons were deployed throughout Tai'an, and Dongfang Dubai waited with the rest of the cohort at the city's main gate.
The envoy of the Murim Alliance had arrived and had been waiting outside the gates of Tai'an for several hours.
Near the gate was an inn where a waiter from the Hao Sect was watching the entrance. Now, with a signal from the waiter, children who had been playing pushed their way to the front of the curious crowd.
The envoy approached Dongfang Dubai and bowed standing as a sign of respect.
"Greetings to the First Guard of the Four-Armed Demons."
Dongfang Dubai gave a cold salute.
"I will guide you to the Inner Palace."
After passing through the gate and taking just a few steps into the city of Tai'an, the Alliance members felt the heavy gaze of the city's people, and alongside it, the even heavier gaze of the Four-Armed Demons: waiting for a mistake, hands on sword hilts.
The envoy was a thirty-year-old man at the initial master stage. He knew he stood no chance against Dongfang Dubai; even his companions probably couldn't handle any of the Four-Armed Demons.
As they proceeded, the people quietly followed them. Seeing Dongfang Dubai, one of the sect's high-ranking officials, was not an everyday occurrence.
Children ran with smiles and excitement—every child's dream was to become a warrior. But even among the innocent children, Hao Sect members were present, and tonight's meal for the children affiliated with the Hao faction depended on this intelligence.
They stopped at the entrance to the Outer Palace, and Dongfang Dubai indicated to the envoy: "When the gate opens, go inside. You will be guided to the Jade Hall. Your companions will wait outside."
The Alliance members could not accept this—entering the enemy's territory alone. But for the envoy, it didn't matter. He knew that if anything happened, all of them together wouldn't be enough.
He reluctantly replied, "I understand."
At that moment, the Four-Armed Demons tightened their circle.
The Beggar Sect member watching them prayed the Alliance members wouldn't make a fatal mistake.
In the courtyard of the Inner Palace, the Second Guard and the spear cohort stood ready. The envoy continued his journey with the Second Guard.
The envoy's inner tension kept increasing; from every direction, he felt intent to kill.
After passing through the Outer Palace, they reached the Inner Palace, a place the Murim Alliance called the Dragon's Lair, perhaps as large as the Imperial Palace.
Now he stood before the doors of the Jade Hall. A man opened them for him and left. At the far end of the Jade Hall, the envoy saw an old man seated in a chair, chin in hand, waiting.
No one else was there.
So, this was the First Steward. Who else would dare sit in the Heavenly Demon's seat?
The representative introduced himself. "Noah Saiom of the Murim Alliance greets the elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
And without any fear, he continued, "When will the great Kang Long arrive for the meeting?"
The First Steward knew his behavior represented the Alliance's pride. No one in the sect, not even the Emperor's envoys, called the Heavenly Demon 'Kang Long.'
The First Steward respected his pride.
"A routine reaffirmation of the non-aggression pact does not require the Heavenly Demon's involvement. But if the Alliance Leader himself comes, perhaps the Heavenly Demon might negotiate personally."
The envoy knew this meant "know your place."
"There are conditions for extending the pact."
"I'm listening."
"From now on, the monks and worshippers of the Mount Tai temple must have free passage in Tai'an. The escorts of Murim Alliance merchants must be able to move freely within Tai'an."
The First Steward put his hand under his chin and replied seriously, "We can arrange more peace for the worshippers. But armed individuals entering the city? If I didn't know you were an Alliance envoy, I'd think the Emperor was making a request."
Noah Saiom was confident. "This decision rests with the great Kang Long."
"I will wait until you inform him."
"Hahaha... heh."
"Alright."
"If that's what you want..."
"Heavenly Demon, do you deem this appropriate?"
The envoy froze. Beside the pillar behind him was a shadow—a man with long hair in black robes. He hadn't noticed his presence until that moment.
After an exhale, the Heavenly Demon was behind Noah Saiom. Noah turned and, looking at the face of a man as tall as Kang Long, was forced to look up.
"What will you give me in return for allowing armed escorts into my city?"
"Can my escorts also come to the Alliance's gates?"
Noah Saiom, as an envoy, had prepared answers beforehand, but reasoning is difficult when your head is in a tiger's mouth.
Noah Saiom took a step back. "Greetings and hail to the great Kang Long, the Heavenly Demon."
"I will convey your words to the Alliance and am grateful for agreeing to more comfort for the worshippers."
Noah Saiom referred to an agreement that hadn't been stated—he was eager to gain a concession.
But the Heavenly Demon was no longer in the Jade Hall. Neither his arrival nor his departure had been felt.
"Tap."
The First Steward clapped his hands together. "Now is the time to leave or rest. Which do you choose?"
Rest while my companions are under the blades of the Four-Armed Demons...
How amusing...
"My group is waiting for me."
"And we have an agreement now, correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
At the entrance to the Outer Palace, the Alliance members were ready to draw their swords and were in a combat formation.
Dongfang Dubai watched them from atop the gate tower; he was completely calm.
The Second Guard and Noah Saiom approached the gate without the spear cohort. Dongfang Dubai signaled from above, and the unit quickly broke formation.
Noah Saiom exited the Heavenly Demon's palace safely, and he and his companions walked between two lines of the Four-Armed Demons cohort until they left the city.
The Beggar Sect and Hao members knew everything had gone well. Today was a good day for the Murim Alliance—they had gotten something from the Heavenly Demon.