After three days of dusty travel, Evan Chu, Gavin Wei, and Lynn finally caught sight of the Heavenly Dragon Empire’s First City. The journey had been peaceful, and Lynn and Gavin’s injuries had basically healed.
"Brother Evan, we’re almost at the capital—I’m so nervous!" Gavin said.
"Nervous about what? It’s not your first time here. Don’t forget why you came—if you get eliminated, how will you face your wife and kid?" Evan shot Gavin a look.
Lynn chimed in, "Once I’ve delivered you two to the capital, I’ll be heading back. I’ve finally managed to finish Miss Selena’s mission without any disasters. You both need to be extra careful—there are countless experts in the capital, so don’t go showing off."
But her tone carried a hint of sadness—maybe because of the upcoming farewell, or maybe because of Evan. Seeing this, Evan felt a pang in his heart.
"Lynn, you could stay in the capital, you know. Wait until Evan and I become Royal Capital Guards, then leave—it’s not too late." Gavin said quickly. After traveling with Lynn these past days, he’d come to think she was pretty great.
"There’s a lot to handle at the auction house. If I get the chance, I’ll come visit you in the capital. Thank you both for taking care of me along the way." Lynn’s eyes grew moist as she spoke, sneaking a glance at Evan.
"If the auction house needs you, then go. Just remember to pass my greetings to your ‘miss’ and tell her I won’t forget my promise." Evan said.
The mood suddenly turned a little melancholy. Lynn nodded and said, "Big Brother, with the capital right in front of us, I’d rather leave now than make things more painful later."
Evan didn’t know what to say. He understood this girl’s feelings all too well, and he didn’t want to take on another debt of affection. Steeling himself, he said, "That’s fine! Lynn, thank you for protecting me all this way. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it to the capital. Take care of yourself!"
"Gavin, take care!" Lynn called out, then leapt into the air and flew away.
As she turned, Evan and Gavin both clearly saw the tears in her eyes, but neither knew what to say.
"Let’s go, Evan! Lynn’s a good girl, but maybe your standards are too high—maybe this kind of parting is for the best." Gavin said.
"Enough. I know what she’s thinking. The capital’s up ahead—I want to see what the First City really looks like." Evan said, striding forward.
The official road grew busier and busier, packed with riders and pedestrians—it felt just like the bustling streets of Flowing Cloud City.
Soon, the capital’s city walls appeared a hundred meters ahead of Evan. Looking closely, he saw the walls were dozens of meters tall and stretched so far he couldn’t see the end—at least several tens of li.
Silver-armored guards patrolled the walls with great vigilance. A massive city gate, several dozen meters wide and over ten meters tall, stood open with more than a hundred guards stationed on either side.
Evan noticed that everyone entering or leaving the city was inspected and had to pay a certain number of Starstones—the security was extremely strict.
"Don’t worry, Evan. The capital’s security is tight, but as long as you don’t cause trouble, nothing will happen. In the capital, most people don’t dare make a fuss. It’s actually much safer than Bastion City." Gavin said.
Evan nodded. "The First City really is something else. These guards aren’t the Royal Capital Guards, are they?"
"Of course not. These are just the lowest-level guards—but also the most arrogant. In the capital, the worst people to offend are these guys. Their cultivation isn’t high, but they’re experts at making trouble for people. I’ve been messed with before." Gavin said.
"You? Even someone as timid as you got targeted? No way!" Evan laughed.
"Don’t bring it up. Let’s just hurry inside. Didn’t you see the notice posted at the gate? Let’s check it out—maybe something big has happened." Gavin said.
It was Evan’s first time here, so he couldn’t help but look around. Soon, they reached the city gate, where a crowd was gathered reading the notice.
Gavin squeezed into the crowd, then came back and said, "Evan, the notice isn’t anything special—it’s just an order to catch some kid named Evan Chu. Supposedly he killed the Sea Dragon Kingdom’s Third Prince, and now the Sea Dragon Kingdom demands that the Heavenly Dragon Empire find him within three months or they’ll go to war."
It says anyone who provides accurate information gets five hundred Starstones, and whoever catches him gets five thousand.
"Oh. Let’s go in—the notice about Evan Chu has nothing to do with us. We should check if the Royal Capital Guard recruitment is over." Evan said.
Inside, though, he was shocked. If the notice was posted here, it must be everywhere—this was a kingdom-wide manhunt. If his father and the clan found out, who knew what would happen.
If the Sea Dragon Kingdom used his father or Chu Lin Yue to force him out, things would get ugly. He hadn’t expected the Sea Dragon Kingdom to use this excuse to provoke war—he’d become a pawn in their scheme.
A trace of worry flashed across his face, which Gavin noticed. "Evan, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?"
"No, it’s nothing. I was just wondering—if Evan Chu isn’t found, will the Sea Dragon Kingdom really start a war?" Evan dodged the question, trying to play it off.
"Of course they will. The Sea Dragon Kingdom has been itching to fight the Heavenly Dragon Empire—they just needed an excuse. That Evan Chu kid is a menace. Who knows how many people hate him now!" Gavin said angrily.
Evan was speechless. "Damn it, now I’m the scapegoat for everything!"
Then the two of them went to the city gate, where the guards stopped them. "Name, age, place of birth," the guard demanded.
"Gavin Wei, twenty-six, from Bastion City," Gavin replied, handing over ten Starstones.
The guard studied Gavin’s appearance, then said, "You may enter."
After Gavin went through, Evan stepped up. "Niu Tian, nineteen, from Phoenix City," he said, handing over ten Starstones.
The guard scrutinized Evan’s face, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You’re Niu Tian from Phoenix City?"
"That’s right. Is there a problem, officer?" Evan asked politely, feeling a bad premonition—was his disguise about to be exposed?
Instead of answering, the guard walked over to a yellow-armored officer, took a portrait, and compared it carefully with Evan’s face. Suddenly he shouted, "Everyone, grab him! That’s Evan Chu—the wanted criminal!"
Evan was stunned. No way—he’d gone to all this trouble to disguise himself, and they still recognized him? If he got caught, he was doomed. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted from the gate.
Gavin heard the guard’s shout too, and his heart dropped. "Crap, this is bad!"
Evan’s sudden escape, plus the guards’ shouts, drew everyone’s attention. "Quick, grab him, he’s Evan Chu…"