Chapter Twenty: Lark Royal Capital

“Brother, look! The Mad Dragon is down there!” Fire Dance stood atop Max’s back, pointing toward the ruined woodland below as she spoke to Leng Tian.

The group followed her gesture, peering downward. “Why is there a trace of lightning here?” Leng Tian’s heart was startled. Though the presence was faint, his acute senses clearly detected that thunder had once descended upon this place.

“How odd, some of the trees have been split in two!” Ke wrinkled her adorable nose, sniffing the scorched air, her voice filled with puzzlement.

Max swooped down, landing on the ground with a roar. The six dismounted in turn, quickly locating the Mad Dragon in a patch of grass. Leng Tian crouched beside him, examining his pulse. “He’s fine, just exhausted his inner force and passed out!”

“Come quickly, these three deaths are rather suspicious!” Zhi Xuan knelt, covering his nose while studying a charred corpse with a strange look in his eyes.

After feeding the Mad Dragon a drop of spiritual nectar, Leng Tian came over to inspect the corpse whose face could no longer be distinguished. A faint aura of thunder lingered on the blackened body.

“He was killed by lightning,” Leng Tian declared, decisive.

“Then why was the Mad Dragon spared, while the three assassins suffered misfortune? Was it the heavens delivering thunderous punishment to deal with these inhuman villains?” Xiao Han, unable to explain, could only attribute it to divine justice to ease his doubt.

“Well struck! After all the people they killed, dying a hundred times wouldn’t quench my hatred!” Fire Dance recalled the slain Green-Clad Guards and the mercenary warriors, her heart burning with a desire to see these murderers torn to pieces.

“They’ll get what they deserve. Let’s move the Mad Dragon from here first—he still has three brothers alive, which should bring him some comfort.” Leng Tian and his companions placed the unconscious Mad Dragon onto the giant dragon’s back. Yan Long, still angry, kicked the assassin’s corpse aside and spat before leaping onto the dragon as well.

With Max’s speed, they arrived at the destination—the Scarlet Butterfly Forest—in no time.

After picking up the three remaining mercenary warriors of the Mad Dragon Mercenary Corps, they did not linger. Guided by one of the warriors, they flew for nearly an hour before landing outside a village.

To avoid alarming the villagers, Max descended in a secluded area. Led by the warrior, the group carried the unconscious Mad Dragon into the village.

The warrior’s name was Zhao Sihai. This was his hometown. Stopping before a modest courtyard gate, Zhao Sihai pushed it open, leading the group inside.

“Who’s there?” A hoarse voice called out as an elderly woman, leaning on her cane, shuffled out.

“Grandmother, it’s me, Xiaohai.” Zhao Sihai hurried forward, supporting her. “Grandmother, I’ve returned. How have you been?”

The old woman’s cloudy eyes brightened with a spark of joy, her voice trembling with emotion. “Is it really you, Xiaohai? My dear grandson, I’ve waited so long for your return!”

Tears welled up as she spoke, and Zhao Sihai’s eyes reddened as he comforted her. “Grandmother, my captain is injured. Let’s go inside and talk.”

Upon hearing someone was hurt, the old lady quickly ushered everyone indoors. Leng Tian settled the Mad Dragon on the kang bed and turned to Zhao Sihai. “I’ve given him medicine. He’ll wake after some time. The rest is up to you.”

Taking fifty gold taels from Fire Dance, Leng Tian handed them to Zhao Sihai and said to the three warriors, “We won’t stay here. When the Mad Dragon wakes, tell him not to return to Hidden Wind City for now.”

Refusing Zhao Sihai’s repeated requests to stay, Leng Tian and his five companions left the village.

“Big brother, what’s our next destination?” Xiao Han asked.

Watching the sun sink toward the western horizon, Leng Tian answered, “To the Skylark Royal Capital. The world is vast, and we brothers must travel it together.”

Before leaving, they had asked Zhao Sihai for directions to the Royal Capital. Riding Max, the giant dragon, they soared toward the city.

Two days later, outside the Skylark Royal Capital, Leng Tian and his companions, weary from travel, entered the city amidst the throng. The city sprawled wide, much larger than Hidden Wind City.

The broad streets could accommodate six carriages side by side. Crowds surged endlessly, and vendors lined the avenues, their shouts and cries adding to the city’s bustling prosperity.

They found a luxurious restaurant, ordered a sumptuous meal, and replenished the energy their protesting stomachs demanded.

After filling up, they booked rooms to rest. Fire Dance and the two women insisted on bathing; the days of continuous travel had been a torment for them.

At their insistence, the four men also enjoyed hot baths. Dressed in their last clean set of clothes, Leng Tian lay comfortably on his bed, reflecting on his own changes. “The Seven-Colored Divine Gang should be used sparingly. And this ‘Mountain Form’ secret technique is too extraordinary—it could easily draw unwanted attention.”

He did not know how long he had lain there before sleep overtook him.

In the southern district of the Royal Capital, within a grand and luxurious estate, three richly dressed men were engaged in a secret conversation.

“Brother Liu, I hear the little princess of the Canglan Empire will arrive in the imperial capital in the coming days. Heh… She’s said to be a beauty. I wonder which one of us will have the chance to enjoy her charms.”

A sharp laugh came from the man surnamed Liu. “Don’t get your hopes up! Word is the prince of Canglan vanished mysteriously in the Lianyun Mountains, and some say his body was possessed by an Abyssal Demon, making him a vessel for evil.”

“Yes, it’s said that the burial site of the Earth Demon from three thousand years ago was discovered, and a few demons did appear. Recently, three chief elders captured some demons, which only confirms these rumors.”

“The upcoming duel between the White-Clad Sword Saint and Dream-Chaser will surely draw many warriors to watch, including no shortage of beautiful women. Heh…”

Another man, whose appearance was rather lewd, grinned wickedly.

Elsewhere in the capital, a young man in blue robes leisurely sipped fine wine, every movement radiating noble elegance. His breathtakingly handsome face, adorned with a seductive smile, could inspire envy from any woman.

He was none other than Yan Nanfeng, who had recently stood alongside the White-Clad Sword Saint, known as Dream-Chaser.

“The Blood-Swallowing Alliance really dares to defy the world. Are they not afraid that their actions will provoke public outrage?” He took a delicate sip, his enchanting smile curling as he murmured, “Just advanced to the Saint Transformation, and already making such bold moves—truly admirable courage.”

“Demons have emerged. It seems the Abyss is stirring again. Given the chance, I’d like to see firsthand what makes demons so fearsome. Are they really acting with the supreme will, as the rumors say?”

Yan Nanfeng drained his cup, his face showing a thoughtful, intriguing expression.

Martial Peak 20—Chapter Twenty: Skylark Royal Capital, complete!