"There is one more matter worth noting," Li Feiyu said.
"What is it?"
"A few days ago, Zuo Wuyou sent word back, requesting the Holy Church to dispatch experts to meet them en route. However, the message was intercepted by someone along the way, leaving us completely unaware. Subsequently, they were ambushed in a small town about a day's journey from the Holy City by a group led by Chu Anhe."
"Chu Anhe?" The Holy Maiden's eyes narrowed slightly. "If I recall correctly, he belongs to the Kun Banner."
"Yes."
"Intercepting the distress message Zuo Wuyou sent mid-route — that is not something an ordinary person could accomplish."
"I could. Any of the Banner Lords could as well!"
"So the fox has finally shown its tail?" The Holy Maiden scoffed coldly. "It seems this is precisely why that Yang Kai and Zuo Wuyou were forced to release the news that the Holy Son would enter the city at dawn — to leverage the momentum of public sentiment and ensure their own safety."
"That must be it."
"Judging by the outcome, they did well. Zuo Wuyou does not have that kind of cunning — it must have been Yang Kai's doing." The Holy Maiden deduced.
"I heard that on his way to the Sacred Palace, he also won the favor of the people and the will of heaven and earth?" Li Feiyu asked suddenly. As the Banner Lord of the Li Banner, she held a unique advantage in intelligence gathering. Even though she had not witnessed the scene on that thirty-li avenue herself, she had received her subordinates' reports almost immediately.
"Yes." The Holy Maiden nodded. "That is precisely what I find most incredible."
"Your Highness, could it be that He truly..."
The Holy Maiden did not answer. Instead, she rose to her feet and said, "Sister Li, I need to leave the palace."
Hearing this, Li Feiyu's expression turned helpless.
The Holy Maiden took her hand. "This time I'm not going out to play — there is real business to attend to."
"You always say that." Li Feiyu shot her a reproachful glare but still agreed. "You must be back before dawn."
"Relax." The Holy Maiden nodded. As she spoke, she produced an item from her spatial ring — a mask as thin as a cicada's wing.
Li Feiyu took it and carefully pressed the mask onto the Holy Maiden's face. She looked thoroughly practiced at it, clearly this was not the first time they had done this.
In no time, two identical faces regarded each other, down to the beauty mark at the corner of the lips — utterly indistinguishable, as if one were looking into a mirror.
Then they changed clothes as well.
Li Feiyu accepted the Holy Maiden's white jade scepter, sighed softly, and sat down.
Across from her, the real Holy Maiden, wearing Li Feiyu's face, gave her a playful smile.
Li Feiyu activated the jade token's power and released the grand array.
The Holy Maiden immediately said, "Your Highness, this subordinate will take her leave first." The voice was almost indistinguishable from Li Feiyu herself.
Then she added in her own voice: "Banner Lord Li, you've worked hard. The hour is late — please rest well."
The Holy Maiden turned and walked out of the great hall, pushed open the door, and headed straight out.
...
At night, Dawnbreak City was even more lively than during the day. In wine shops and tea houses, people spoke of the Holy Son's entry into the city that day, of the prophecy left by the first Holy Maiden. Every face was beaming with joy, and the entire city seemed to be celebrating a festival.
Following Wu Kuang's guidance, Yang Kai moved through the city.
Passing through one bustling street after another, he soon arrived at a comparatively quiet district.
Even in a holy city like Dawnbreak, there was a divide between rich and poor. The wealthy congregated in the most prosperous central quarters, indulging in pools of wine and forests of meat, grand mansions and beautiful servants, while the impoverished could only dwell in cramped quarters along the city's outskirts.
However, Dawnbreak was, after all, the Holy Church's holy city. Even with the gap between rich and poor, the destitute never reached the point of going without clothes or food. With the Holy Church's relief and assistance, no matter how poor one might be, putting food on the table was at least manageable.
The Yang Kai at this moment had already assumed a different face.
His spatial ring contained numerous artifacts that could alter one's appearance, all collected from his weaker days. Too many people had seen his real face when he entered the city during the day — if he showed up as himself, the entire city would know of his presence in an instant.
Now he wore the face of an unworldly young boy — a very common-looking face.
He looked around. Low, simple houses were arranged in a staggered pattern along the edges of this holy city, home to many families.
Children were playing and frolicking.
Others were praying devoutly before wooden statues placed at their doorways. The statues were about ten inches tall, seemingly depicting a man, though the facial features were blurred.
Yang Kai listened closely and heard the person mumbling words like "Holy Son, bless and protect us."
Many households had Holy Son statues at their doors. From the soot and burn marks, it was clear these people prayed very frequently.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Yang Kai frowned, secretly transmitting his voice to Wu Kuang.
"It should be correct," Wu Kuang replied.
"Should be?" Yang Kai's brow twitched.
Wu Kuang said, "The main body's sensing is blocked by the River of Time and Space, so it isn't very clear. Just keep looking."
Yang Kai had no choice but to wander about.