Bab 9: Chapter 39 The Grand Convention is a Trap
As people made their way through the bustling streets of the capital city, the tension was evident. The grand convention was a highly-anticipated event, drawing in alchemists and dignitaries from all over the Nine Provinces. The streets were packed with people, all dressed in their finest attire, their excited chatter filling the air.
The days passed by and the capital city of the Cardinal City became more and more bustling with activity. The streets were filled with merchants and traders, all eager to make a profit during the grand convention. The guards were out in full force, their armor gleaming in the sun and their eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble.
Juanxiu and his team had spent the past two weeks carefully disguising themselves, blending in with the crowd to avoid detection. They had dyed their hair, altered their appearances, and even gone so far as to change the way they walked and talked.
Juanxiu took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. This was it, the culmination of their planning and preparation. They were ready to reclaim what was rightfully theirs and bring justice to those who had been wronged. The stage was set, and the players were in place. All that was left was for the curtain to rise.
As they made their way closer to the convention center, the security grew tighter. Guards were posted at every corner, their armor gleaming in the bright sunlight. The streets were lined with banners, flapping in the wind, bearing the insignia of the various factions and guilds.
Juanxiu's heart pounded in his chest as they approached the entrance of the convention center. This was it, the moment they had been working towards for so long. He exchanged a quick glance with his team, taking comfort in their determined expressions.
They passed through the heavily guarded gates and made their way into the grand hall. The air was thick with the scent of incense, and the murmur of hundreds of voices filled the space. Juanxiu's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for the members of the underground faction, the ostracized members of the medicinal alchemist faction, and the remaining resistance group that were scattered all over the capital city. They were all here, disguised and blending in with the crowd, ready to make their move.
But amidst the chaos, there were also the alchemists returning to the city. First to arrive was Alchemist Mao Wenlin, also known as the Wind Alchemist. She was accompanied by a large entourage of disciples, all dressed in long robes embroidered with the symbol of the wind. They rode in a luxurious carriage that seemed to glide through the streets, as if propelled by the wind itself.
Next to arrive was Tian Bingwen, the alchemist from district 6. His entourage was smaller, but no less impressive. He rode in a sleek black carriage pulled by a team of powerful horses. His disciples were dressed in dark clothing, their faces obscured by hoods. They moved with a quiet and deadly grace, their eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for prey.
Soon as Madam Zhang Ai's chariot approached the capital, the streets were filled with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the powerful alchemists returning for the grand convention. The chariot was beautifully crafted, with intricate designs and patterns etched into the wood. It was pulled by a team of four horses, their coats shining in the sunlight. The horses were well-trained and moved in perfect unison, making the chariot appear as if it was gliding through the streets.
When they made their way through the capital, the disguise of the chariot became apparent. It was cleverly designed to resemble the chariot of Alchemist Cui Bai, complete with the same colors and markings. Even some of the resistance group members accompanying Madam Zhang Ai were wearing the uniform of Cui Bai's soldiers.
Despite the tight security, the group was able to blend in seamlessly with the crowds, making their way unnoticed to the central district where the main building of the Alchemist Union was located. The underground faction led by Shen Fengge, One-Eyed Lily, and Yi Gang was also able to infiltrate the city using similar tactics, disguising themselves as merchants and commoners.
The carriage of Alchemist Liao Zhengshong was made of solid marble, with intricate engravings of various minerals and gemstones adorning the sides. His entourage consisted of a group of burly men, all dressed in heavy armor made of various metals. They carried large hammers and chisels, a clear indication of their expertise in mineral alchemy.
Guo Yingjie, on the other hand, had a more organic approach to her carriage. It was made entirely out of woven branches and leaves, with vines and flowers creeping up the sides. Her entourage was made up of a group of slender women, all dressed in garments made of silk and adorned with delicate butterfly and beetle wing patterns. They carried small jars and vials, filled with various insects and other small creatures, showcasing their mastery of insect alchemy.
As the carriages made their way through the streets, the crowds parted, allowing them to pass. The people of the capital city watched in awe as the powerful alchemists made their grand entrance, each one showing off their unique skills and expertise.
The stage was set, and the grand convention was about to begin.
Juanxiu, donning the uniform of Alchemist Zhou's disciple, made his way through the crowd. His heart was pounding with excitement and a sense of purpose. He knew that this was the perfect opportunity to gather information and aid in the resistance's mission.
Meanwhile, Alchemist Zhou was beaming with pride as he introduced Juanxiu to his fellow alchemists, many of whom were impressed by his abilities.
Du Hong and Li Jing, who were disguised as commoners, moved stealthily through the crowd, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of Master Feng and his underlings. The tension was palpable as they made their way to the underground holding area, their hearts racing with the possibility of finally rescuing Alchemist Li. They knew that they had to be careful, one wrong move could mean certain death. But they were determined to succeed and bring Alchemist Li to safety.
As Du Hong and Li Jing made their way through the halls of the Grand building of the Alchemist Union, their hearts were pounding with the fear of being caught. They had heard rumors of the harsh punishment for those who dared to defy Master Feng and his rule. They knew that they had to move quickly and stealthily if they wanted to have any chance of rescuing Alchemist Li.
The first close call came as they were making their way through a crowded corridor. Suddenly, a guard appeared out of nowhere, his eyes scanning the crowd suspiciously. Du Hong and Li Jing froze, wondering if their disguise was about to be exposed. But at the last moment, a group of alchemists came bustling past, obscuring the guard's view and giving Du Hong and Li Jing the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
The second close call came as they were approaching the underground holding area. As they turned a corner, they found themselves face to face with a guard who was clearly on high alert. Du Hong and Li Jing knew that they had to act fast. They quickly assessed the situation and came up with a plan. Du Hong would distract the guard while Li Jing would sneak up behind him and knock him out.
Du Hong stepped forward and engaged the guard in conversation, while Li Jing crept up behind him. The guard was distracted by Du Hong's words and didn't even notice Li Jing until it was too late.
She struck him on the back of the head and he crumpled to the ground. Du Hong and Li Jing quickly hid the unconscious body behind a nearby stack of crates and used the key they had snatched from the guard to unlock the door to the underground holding area. They were in.
As Li Jing and Du Hong made their way through the dimly lit underground holding area, the smell of rot and decay hit their nostrils, making it difficult for them to breathe. The guard's footsteps echoed through the halls as they crept closer and closer to their destination. They had to be careful not to be caught, as they knew that their lives would be at risk if they were discovered.
Finally, they reached the innermost part of the underground cell, where they saw three heavy metallic doors. They could see through the small window of the first door, and there they saw Alchemist Li, sitting in a corner of the cell, his head hanging low.
Li Jing's heart skipped a beat as she finally reunited with her father. She could see the pain and exhaustion etched on her father's face, but she could also see a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Du Hong couldn't believe his eyes as he saw his mentor, Alchemist Li, locked in a prison cell. He quickly unlocked the cell and helped him out.
"Father," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Alchemist Li looked up in surprise, his eyes widening as he saw his daughter. A sense of relief filled his heart as he saw his daughter finally free from the curse. Nonetheless, he was worried.
"Li Jing, what are you doing here? You must leave, now. This is all part of Master Feng's plan. If you don't leave now, you'll be in grave danger."
Tears filled Li Jing's eyes as she stepped forward, reaching out to take her father's hand. "I can't leave you here, father. I won't abandon you again," she said fiercely.
Du Hong, who was standing behind Li Jing, also stepped forward. "Master, we've come to rescue you. We won't let you rot in this place," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Alchemist Li shook his head, his expression grave. "You must leave, now. You can't save me or the others. Master Feng's power is too great. He will crush anyone who opposes him."
Li Jing's heart ached as she looked at her father, seeing the defeat in his eyes. But she refused to give up. "We'll find a way, father. We won't let him win," she said, her voice filled with determination.
Li Jing and Du Hong could see the exhaustion and weakness etched on Alchemist Li's face. He had been locked up for so long and it was clear that his body had been through a lot. Li Jing called out to him, tears streaming down her face as she finally saw her father again.
Master Li's eyes widened in surprise as he saw his daughter. He reached out to touch her face, tears of his own welling up in his eyes. "Li Jing, my child," he whispered hoarsely. "I thought I would never see you again."
Du Hong quickly made his way to the cell of Grandmaster Zhang, who was still in deep sleep. He poured the Thousand Years Decoction in his mouth, hoping that it would work. As expected, the potion worked its magic and Grandmaster Zhang began to stir.
He opened his eyes and looked around confused, unsure of how much time had passed or what had happened. Du Hong and Li Jing explained everything to him, their faces etched with worry and concern.
As they made their way to the last cell, the smell of the underground prison was becoming more potent. The heavy metallic door creaked as Du Hong opened it, revealing an unknown figure inside. The figure was weak and emaciated, with a long white beard and hair. He looked up at them with a weak but curious gaze. Du Hong and Li Jing exchanged a confused look, unsure of who this man was and how he ended up in this prison.
Du Hong helped the man out of the cell and gave him some water to drink. The man thanked them and introduced himself as the former leader of the Poison Alchemist Faction. He explained that he had been falsely accused and locked up in this prison for many years. Du Hong and Li Jing listened to his story in shock, realizing the extent of the corruption within the Alchemist Union.
Master Li, still weak, tried to stand up. "We have to leave now," he said urgently. "This is all part of Master Feng's plan. If we don't leave now, we'll be in grave danger."
The group quickly made their way out of the underground prison.
Just as they were about to leave the underground cell, they heard a commotion coming from outside. They exchanged worried glances before cautiously making their way out of the cell.
As they reached the entrance of the underground prison, they were met with a scene that made their blood run cold. Hundreds of city guards appeared before them, blocking their path. In front of them stood Zhang Wu with a sinister smile, knowing that these people had easily fallen for the trap set by his teacher, Master Feng.
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