Chapter 685: New Skygod - 685
Their meeting ended with Baron Sky drafting a long letter to the Skygod, and sending it to the Informant. Naturally, it would be impossible for him to send it to Skygod himself.
Skymender left, satisfied. He hadn't agreed to anything that wouldn't benefit him. Of course, it was impossible for everyone to benefit from this. Since both he and Baron Sky benefited, then there had to be at least some people that did not.
In this situation, it was everyone in Sky city. For the criminals, they would have to start paying something akin to taxes. For the common people, criminals would most likely get laxer treatment since they were paying taxes.
Of course, they would still be arrested if they committed crimes, but leniency in the punishment could be expected.
Overall, their agreements would increase the size of Sky city. This naturally benefitted Baron Sky, as Sky city was his, and it also benefited Skymender, as more people meant more assassination targets and more people willing to pay the price.
Also, assassination insurance would be purchased more.
Sky city seemed to be going in a completely unique direction, one which had never been seen before.
With both the light of Sky city and the Darkness working together, unprecedented growth could be achieved.
The next day, Skygod received the letter from the Informant and read it. He agreed with everything inside, and a cooperation began.
The underground was initially not happy to hear the news that Skymender intentionally spread, but they soon realized that all of this could somewhat benefit them. After all, no matter what, the growth of Sky city benefited everyone living inside of it.
Rapid growth ensued.
Over the next few months, Sky city expanded greatly. More and more people came to visit, and more and more people came to stay. Rich, wealthy commoners were no longer a rare sight. There would only ever be one noble family, but the amount of commoner families could infinitely grow alongside Sky city.
Skymender almost considered getting another assassin, but everything was still manageable with four. After all, assassination was a hefty action taken rarely, and the price made sure that it was not some sort of common action. In addition, many possible targets had purchased assassination insurance.
Skymender made more from assassination insurance than he did from actually assassinating others.
After all, the fear of being targeted by assassins with nearly a one hundred percent success rate was widespread.
Time passed, with Skymender's profits rapidly increasing, until he finally graduated from the academy. Naturally, he was first in his class, though it felt as though it was unnecessary to mention. Summer came, and it was once again time for Skymender to head to the Imperial Capital. At the end of the summer, he would begin his journey at the Imperial school.
He expected that he would be able to easily run through it, but who knows? Perhaps there are some incredible geniuses out there that have hidden away until now.
Skymender's parents watched him leave reluctantly. Though even they were convinced that he was the Skygod, he was still their son. He looked nearly grown now, as he was 14 years old and matured faster than most. His height was already the size of an average adult's, and muscle made up most of his body.
Surprisingly, it wouldn't show unless he flexed. In his passive state, he seemed fit, but not muscular. This was the look of a future scholar.
Also worth mentioning was Melly.
Although she was considered a year older than Skymender, it was actually only by a few months. Due to birthday cutoffs, and most likely a few strings being pulled by her parents, she would start her first year at the Imperial school with Skymender.
She had never stopped going to the academy, though Skymender seemed to see less of her. He wasn't sure whether or not he should feel bad, considering she was engaged to him and he had paid nearly no attention to her.
He normally wouldn't feel a thing, but she gave off an air of darkness, as though she was some ignored wife.
Thinking back, it had actually been a month or two since they had spoken at all.
Skymender left for the Imperial Capital, Melly with him. He did not bring anyone else, even Li Youcai. However, everyone else was under the impression that Li Youcai was going with him.
This was because Skymender had a very important task for him.
Until Skymender returned, he would become Skygod.
Skymender had actually carefully planned this long ago.
Li Youcai was not someone that he completely trusted, but it was rather out there that he was Skygod either way. Besides, Li Youcai had never given Skymender a reason to distrust him.
It had taken months of training and explanation, but Li Youcai finally took over. His assassins were informed, but nobody else was. Some may pick up on some clues, but most would not know the difference.
Li Youcai had actually been very willing, as though it was an honor. He wouldn't do much assassination, he was just a figurehead.
Therefore, only he, Melly, and the carriage driver took this journey.
The carriage driver just so happened to be Hope, who Skymender had picked up long ago. She would keep her mouth shut about Li Youcai not being there, though she would not serve as a servant.
Melly has also heard about the suspicions of him being Skygod, but had never mentioned them.
Skymender did not feel the need to explain anything.
As ten days passed, and the city wall neared, Skymender spoke to Melly. "For the next four years, you must stay with me."
Hearing this, Melly's eyes brightened, and seemed to gain clarity. Looking at her eyes, Skymender had a realization.
It made a lot of sense now, though it logically made none at all.
Melly had not been depressed or felt ignored, but had been in some sort of dormant state. Skymender's words had awoken her, and for the first time in a while, it felt as though she had returned to her body.
Skymender had to reassess her completely. Were her emotions really so deep?
Chapter 686: Place To Stay - 686
Even with all of his knowledge, he wasn't sure what was going on with Melly. He could only chalk it up to her being a bit weird.
With Melly completely changed, they arrived at the wall of the Imperial Capital.
As soon as Skymender stepped out of the carriage, the gate guards bowed, clearly familiar with him. He did not need to be searched or have his identity checked. This also went for Melly, who was with him. Hope would not enter the Imperial Capital. She turned away, and began another ten day long journey.
Skymender knew the place rather well by now, and soon reached the noble district. Long ago, he had expected that he would end up staying with his aunt during his time at the Imperial school, but he would have never guessed the wealth he would amass.
Any noble was qualified to purchase a house in the noble district, though as a member of a Barony, he only qualified to purchase those on the outer ring.
If it was Baron Sky himself, it would be different, but Skymender was only a noble through blood, not title. If he wanted a title, he would have to accomplish great things for the Empire or inherit one.
Skymender's wealth over the last few years had reached an unprecedented degree.
All he had to do was go somewhere to purchase it. This was not a simple process, as it required not only an immense amount of wealth, but approval from the Emperor himself.
There was only one place that sold houses in the noble district. It was at the Inner ring, and though Skymender did not qualify to purchase a house there, he was absolutely allowed to go anywhere in the noble district.
He made his way to the shop. It was a large building, as some sales were worth more money than even most nobles would make in a year.
Skymender entered, and the woman at the front desk, whose job was essentially to stand straight and look pretty, opened her closed eyes.
She saw Skymender, who looked rather young, but he could no longer be described as a child, as well as Melly, who followed behind.
"Welcome, sir. What can I do for you?" She asked with a bow.
"I would like to purchase a property on the outer ring." Skymender said.
She nodded. "Please follow me. I can take you to a room, and will notify someone to come and speak to you."
Skymender followed her to a room, which was luxurious. She brought him some tea, and he waited with Melly.
As they waited, Melly spoke.
"You don't have to limit yourself to the outer ring." She said.
Skymender looked at her with confusion for a moment, before realizing what she was saying.
"Are you sure? Would your parents mind?" He asked.
She shook her head. "They shouldn't. Besides, as long as I'm living there, it is not lying."
Skymender nodded. Naturally, since she was the daughter of a duke, she had the qualifications to purchase a house in the middle ring. If it was her parents themselves, then they would qualify to purchase a house in the inner ring, where only the greatest of nobles stayed.
Although a house in the middle ring was far, far more expensive than one in the outer ring, Skymender could afford it, though just barely.
He would spend at least half of the wealth he had painstakingly earned through threats, robbery, extortion, and, of course, assassination.
After around 20 minutes, an old man entered the room. "I apologize for the delay, news of buyers was unexpected. What can I do for you?"
"I want to buy a house in the middle ring." Skymender said.
The man looked surprised. "You are Skymender, right. I apologize, but you only have the qualifications to buy a house in the outer ring. This is not something decided by me, but by the Emperor himself."
Melly spoke up. "I want him to buy the house using my qualifications."
The man looked at her with confusion, clearly not recognizing her.
"I'm sorry, but who are you?" She was clearly not old enough to hold a noble title.
"I am the daughter of Duke Mel." She said.
The man nodded. "I see, Melly, right. I apologize. In that case, let's look at the houses in the middle ring."
He stood up and opened a drawer at the side of the room, pulling out three papers.
"Each paper lists the available houses in the three directions, not including the direction behind the Imperial Palace that is used for other things. There are also plots of land, where you can build your own houses." The old man explained.
Skymender looked over the three papers, and focused on the direction nearest to the Imperial school.
Each listing had multiple pictures, descriptions, and prices.
Of the ten or so houses, Skymender focused on two of them. He wouldn't mind building his own, but he didn't feel like waiting, and all of the prebuilt noble houses were designed with incredible skill. He also didn't have enough money to make a house fulfilling all of his desires regardless.
"I would like to visit these two. If neither satisfies me, I want to buy this plot of land." Skymender said.
The old man nodded, clearly happy. It sounded like Skymender would be spending money no matter what.
"No need to wait then, Mr Skymender. Let's go."
Skymender and Melly stood up. They followed the old man out of the building and into a carriage.
They lightly chatted while the journey took place.
Quickly, they arrived at the first house.
It was two stories tall, made mostly of wood, and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It also had a living room, and an entrance hall.
It was one of the smaller houses, but something too big would cost Skymender far too much, and he didn't really need any more than this.
After looking around, Skymender didn't like it much.
He kept it in mind while they rode the carriage towards the second house.
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
121 Power
stone 
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