stonecrandall Page 193
Page 193
As the sun gradually rose, the outline of the royal city became clearer in the morning light. The city gates opened, and groups of elegantly dressed nobles and warriors entered the royal city, preparing to attend tonight's banquet. The arrival of Zhao De and his entourage immediately attracted everyone's attention, sparking much discussion.
"Look! That's Lord Zhao De and his companions! I heard they've just uncovered a shocking conspiracy."
"As expected, heroes emerge from among the young. Look at their aura; even this old man like me can't help but feel excited."
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhao De steadily stepped into the royal city, already having made his plans. Tonight's banquet would be a crucial moment for them to confront the forces of darkness head-on. He had to make the most of every minute and second to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming decisive battle.
"The first thing we need to determine is who the true leader of that dark force is and where he is hiding," Zhao De said to his companions in a low voice, his eyes resolute.
“But how easy is it to conduct an investigation discreetly at a banquet like that?” Leon frowned, looking somewhat worried.
"It won't be easy, but it's not impossible." Zhao De smiled slightly. "Each of us has our own role to play, and as long as we unite, there are no difficulties we cannot overcome."
Chapter 229 Urgent Matter to Report
Chapter 229 Urgent Matter to Report
The banquet hall was brightly lit, and nobles and celebrities from all walks of life had gathered there. On the surface, everything seemed peaceful, but undercurrents were swirling beneath the surface. Zhao De and his group dispersed to carry out their respective plans, while Zhao De skillfully moved among the guests, using his keen insight to gather clues.
"Lord Zhao De, what are your thoughts on this banquet?" An elderly count approached, his tone full of probing.
Zhao De smiled politely: "Your Excellency, I only hope that this will be a night to celebrate the victory of light over darkness."
During the conversation, a maid accidentally spilled wine on the robe of a mysterious guest, causing a minor commotion. Everyone saw a cold glint flash in the mysterious man's eyes, but the next moment, he smiled amiably and accepted the maid's apology as if nothing had happened.
This subtle scene did not escape Zhao De's observation. He secretly noted down this mysterious figure, his intuition telling him that this person was no ordinary individual. Just as he was about to approach further to investigate, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
"Lord Zhao De, I have urgent news to report!" Leon rushed over, his expression grave.
Zhao De followed Leon to a relatively secluded corner without making a sound. "What's wrong?"
“I just received a tip that the real mastermind will be showing up tonight, and…” Leon lowered his voice, “he may already know about our plan.”
Zhao De's eyes sharpened, but he quickly regained his composure: "Understood. No matter what happens tonight, we must hold on to the end. Remember, our goal is to uncover the truth and protect everyone on this land."
Just as they were conversing, a melodious piano tune suddenly rang out from the center of the banquet, drawing everyone's attention. A woman in a magnificent long dress sat before the instrument, her fingers dancing lightly across the strings. The melody was as clear as spring water, yet carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, sorrow. That was Leah, Zhao De's secret weapon—a healer and his most trusted friend.
The music stopped abruptly, and Leah rose and gracefully bowed to those around her. Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, and shouts of praise filled the air.
"This music is simply heavenly! Who is she?"
"I have never heard such a moving performance; it's like a purifying experience for the soul."
Following this moment of peace, a real storm was brewing. Zhao De knew that time was of the essence; he had to find that crucial link before the enemy could act.
So, under the guise of conversation with his guests, he subtly launched a contest of wits and courage. Behind every smile and every handshake lay a test of his mind and will.
Finally, after a deep conversation with a seemingly ordinary nobleman, Zhao De caught a glimpse of a subtle clue. The nobleman inadvertently revealed that a secret gathering would be held tonight beneath the capital, and that the leader who had been hiding in the shadows might very well reveal himself.
"Guys, get ready to move." Zhao De whispered to his teammates through a miniature communicator. His voice was soft, but full of determination.
As night deepened, the banquet reached its climax. Just then, Zhao De and Leon, among others, quietly left the banquet hall, their destination—the secret beneath the royal city.
"Lord Zhao De, this is too dangerous, we..."
Chapter 230 Mission
Chapter 230 Mission
“There is no choice, Leon,” Zhao De interrupted him. “For the sake of light and justice, we must stand up. Whatever the outcome, this is our mission.”
Leon gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with determination. He nodded, saying nothing more, but showing his support for Zhao De's decision through his actions. The group crept along the dimly lit tunnel, each step requiring caution to avoid triggering potential traps or alerting the enemy. A stifling tension hung in the air, making even breathing feel heavy.
“Look over there, there’s light,” Leah whispered, her voice trembling slightly, but filled with anticipation for the unknown. They approached the light source silently and discovered it was a secluded gathering place, brightly lit and filled with people.
"So many...who are they?" Leon exclaimed in a low voice, finding the scene before him unbelievable.
“Everyone is our enemy, whether they are deceived or willingly so.” Zhao De’s voice was as cold and hard as iron, and his eyes burned with the flame of determination.
Just as they were searching for a starting point, a sudden turn of events broke the silence. A guard, seemingly noticing something amiss, approached them, his face full of vigilance.
"Halt! Who goes there?" the guard shouted sharply, his hand already gripping the hilt of his sword.
"Just an ordinary person, got lost." Leon reacted quickly, trying to get away with it by disguising himself.
"Ordinary people? Here? Humph, what a joke!" The guard obviously didn't believe it and was about to step forward to check when suddenly, a soft light enveloped Zhao De and the others. It was Lia who cast a concealment spell, making everyone instantly invisible.
The guard looked around blankly, then shook his head and muttered as he left, "Looks like I scared myself."
Once the crisis was over, the group continued on their way and eventually arrived at the center of the gathering. There, a tall figure draped in a black robe, his face concealed by a hood, stood on a high platform, delivering a passionate speech, while the surrounding crowd listened with rapt attention.
"...We are about to usher in the dawn of a new era. Those so-called messengers of light are nothing but stumbling blocks to us and must be eliminated!" The mysterious leader's words revealed an unquestionable authority and ruthlessness.
There were different reactions among the crowd; some were extremely excited, while others looked hesitant. Zhao De's heart tightened; this force was larger and more complex than he had anticipated.
"We must act immediately and not let them succeed." Zhao De communicated with his companions through telepathy while quietly approaching the mysterious leader.
Just as he was about to make his move, an unassuming old man suddenly stopped him, his eyes sharp: "Young man, impulsiveness is the devil. What do you think you're doing?"
“We are preventing a disaster.” Zhao De’s answer was calm but firm, his eyes reflecting the firelight not far away, as if carrying a glimmer of hope.
The old man was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Alright, perhaps... it's time to change all this." He took out an ancient badge from his sleeve and softly recited a spell. Instantly, the atmosphere of the entire secret room changed, and many people began to realize what was happening, their faces showing confusion and doubt.
"What...what is this?" "Have we been deceived all along?" The surrounding discussions rose and fell, and the situation began to descend into chaos.
Just as Zhao De was about to continue questioning the man in black, the man suddenly turned around, revealing an unexpectedly familiar face that shocked everyone present, including Zhao De.
Chapter 231 Revealing the Truth
Chapter 231 Revealing the Truth
"Father? How could it be you?" Zhao De's voice was full of disbelief, as if his world was on the verge of collapse at this moment.
"Child, some things are far more complicated than you imagine..." The man called father spoke with endless weariness and helplessness in his voice.
Before the words were finished, the entire secret room suddenly shook violently, as if something was approaching, and an unknown threat enveloped everyone.
"It seems time is running out. Whether you choose to believe it or not, we, father and son, will one day need a real conversation." The father's words carried a sense of destiny, and then he transformed into a black shadow and disappeared from everyone's sight.
Zhao De gazed in the direction where his father had disappeared, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that this struggle had only just begun, and what he would face was not only external enemies, but also the inner turmoil and challenges within himself.
"What should we do next?" Leon's question broke the silence and reminded everyone that the battle was far from over.
Zhao De took a deep breath, his gaze hardening once more: "First, deal with the current situation and uncover the truth. As for my father and me... that will be another battle." With that, he turned and stepped into the chaos, leading his team to face the unknown challenges ahead.
Zhao De's decision was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples. The surrounding crowd began to stir, their conversations filled with a variety of emotions:
"Who is that kid? How dare he speak to that lord like that!" A burly man whispered among himself, his eyes showing both disdain and a hint of worry.
"Judging from his resolute expression, he seems to really know something inside," a simply dressed woman whispered in response, a hint of curiosity and sympathy in her eyes.
Just as everyone was discussing this, a sharp voice pierced the noise. It was a young girl's voice, her eyes sparkling with admiration: "He's so handsome! He's practically my hero!"
These words, though simple, seemed to resonate with everyone present, their gazes involuntarily drawn to Zhao De. It wasn't just curiosity, but also anticipation. Zhao De felt the gazes coming from all directions, silently encouraging himself. He understood that at this moment, his every move would be crucial.
He turned to Leon and Leah, and quickly assigned tasks in a voice only they could hear: "Leon, you're in charge of protecting the people and stabilizing the situation. Leah, use your magic to find the source of that unknown threat; we must seize the initiative." The two nodded and immediately split up to carry out their tasks.
Just as the team was getting things moving, a young man who had been hesitant approached Zhao De with determination in his eyes: "I also want to help. What can I do?" His voice was soft, but firm.
Zhao De patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "What's your name? It's already very brave of you to step forward. Now, please help me guide everyone to evacuate safely. Every single one of you is important."
“My name is Jack, no problem!” The young man Jack’s expression lit up with excitement because he had a goal, and he immediately began to help Zhao De evacuate the crowd.
With Zhao De's team's efficient actions, the chaotic scene gradually returned to order, and people found a glimmer of hope amidst the panic. At the same time, Leah's magic took effect; her expression grave as she told Zhao De, "A powerful energy reaction is approaching from the northeast; that may be the real threat we face."
Chapter 232 Speculation
Chapter 232 Speculation
A resolute glint flashed in Zhao De's deep eyes: "Whoever comes, we must be prepared. Remember, our goal is not only to uncover the truth, but also to protect everyone."
As soon as Zhao De finished speaking, the surrounding crowd erupted in another uproar. An elderly man gripped his cane tightly, his voice trembling but full of respect: "Such young people are truly rare. We older generations should also do our part; we can't rely entirely on them!" His words drew whispers of agreement, and many people began to actively assist Zhao De's team, either by carrying supplies or by comforting the agitated children and women.
Just as this force of unity was gradually gathering, an ominous dark cloud appeared on the northeastern horizon, the wind rising and the clouds surging, as if foreshadowing an impending storm. Panic once again gripped the crowd, but this time, more people chose to believe and persevere.
"Look over there, is that the enemy?" A little boy tugged at his mother's clothes, pointing at the gradually clearing figures in the distance, his eyes filled with both fear and curiosity.
“Don’t be afraid, with Mr. Zhao De here, everything will be alright,” the mother comforted gently, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. Those around them whispered amongst themselves, discussing the impending crisis, each harboring their own speculations and hopes.
"What is that?!" A sharp-eyed young man suddenly shouted. A group of mysterious people wearing black robes and silver masks slowly entered their field of vision. Their steps were steady and powerful, and each step made the ground tremble slightly, exuding a sense of oppressive pressure that made people's hearts tremble.
The crowd fell into a deathly silence, even their breathing became cautious. Zhao De stepped forward, looking directly at the group of uninvited guests. His gaze was calm and firm, showing no sign of backing down.
"Who are you? What is your purpose here?" Zhao De's voice was clear and powerful, echoing in every corner and invigorating everyone present.
At the very front of the black-robed group, the tallest figure slowly raised his hand, removing his silver mask to reveal a sharply defined face and a pair of deep, night-like eyes. "We are the 'Shadow Watchers,' here in pursuit of an ancient prophecy. As for our purpose… you'll soon find out." His voice was deep and magnetic, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.
"No matter who you are, if you want to harm the people here, you'll have to get past me first!" Zhao De's declaration was like a war drum, resonating in everyone's hearts and igniting their courage to fight the unknown.
"Hmph, commendable courage." The leader, known as the Shadow Watcher, chuckled, but did not immediately attack. Instead, he turned his gaze to the sky. "However, your so-called 'threat' has already arrived..."
Dark clouds rolled and thunder roared, as if all the anger in the world was being unleashed at this moment. Everyone looked up and saw a blinding light pierce through the dark clouds. Then, a huge, sky-covering demonic beast swooped down, its wings spanning dozens of feet. Each flap of its wings stirred up a raging storm, scattering debris from the ground.
"What kind of monster is that!" Terrified screams erupted from the crowd, and the children ran away in terror, crying all around.
Zhao De frowned, quickly calculating a countermeasure in his mind. Just then, a simply dressed old man staggered out from the crowd and said tremblingly to Zhao De, "When I was young, I heard about it in ancient books. It seems to be... the 'Wind-Howling Pterosaur,' a terrifying being that roamed freely in ancient times. If the world hadn't undergone a major upheaval, how could it have reappeared in the world?"
Chapter 237 Freezing All Life