CHAPTER 546: CHAPTER 3: PROVOCATION AT THE SKY PORT

From the Xuan Beast Ridge covered in pure white snow to the green-surrounded Late Spring North Country, the Titan journeyed almost twenty days and finally entered the skies of Wohua Imperial City.

Due to the air travel restrictions near the Imperial City, no Sky Beasts or airships are allowed to fly freely. Upon entering the airspace of the Imperial City, Jin Nuo installed the imperial flag representing the Imperial Airship onto the Titan.

"After entering the Imperial City, all airships or Flying Profound Beasts must enter the Imperial Airport via designated air routes for registration. Those who deviate from these routes will be executed without mercy," Jin Nuo informed Yue Jinghua in advance. According to the schedule, he was already more than half a month late in returning to the Imperial City to report for duty; he must rush back to the Military Department to explain his reasons immediately after disembarking or face severe military discipline.

Regarding the confirmation of Yue Jinghua’s identity, Niu Er, Tax Officer, will also contact Yue Minzhi after returning to the Ministry of Revenue to further verify matters related to tax affairs in Fengdan County.

When the peculiarly shaped Titan landed at Wohua Imperial City’s Skyport, Yue Jinghua and the women stepped out of the Titan’s cabin door.

The warm sunshine of the North Country and the spring breeze brought a sense of exhilaration to the travel-weary women.

Though the amenities and arrangements inside the Titan were top-notch, they ultimately couldn’t compare to standing on solid ground and breathing fresh air.

Shalman, Qian Luo, and others who had never been to the northern lands were all visibly excited, while Hongling accompanied Lie Rou, lamenting the many changes in the landscape of the Imperial City.

Only Chi Xi stood at the exit of the airship, hesitating.

Seeing this, Yue Jinghua suddenly remembered Chi Xi’s in-laws, who were business people in the Imperial City. Chi Xi had initially refused to travel to Wohua Imperial City, but she had reluctantly agreed after being persuaded by Lie Rou.

Though Chi Xi had long cut off her ties with her in-laws on the surface, her heart was undoubtedly still concerned about her only son.

Now that she was in the Imperial City, the scenes evoked emotions, and she couldn’t help but feel slightly sorrowful.

"Don’t stray from the group. We must first go to the airport’s main hall to process the airship registration and pay the relevant fees before we can leave," Yue Jinghua instructed everyone, scanning the various facilities and layout of the Skyport.

As one of the rare cities on the Dragon East Continent with a Skyport, even though they were not yet in the main city of Wohua Imperial City, the sight alone made Yue Jinghua marvel at the strong national strength of the Dragon War Empire.

Wohua Airport, located near the outskirts of Wohua Imperial City, is a super complex built using a large number of huge stones.

Its structure is similar to that of a modern airport, spacious and vast, featuring designated take-off areas and landing zones.

The area where the Titan landed was indeed a landing zone.

Due to the various airships and Flying Profound Beasts entering and exiting the airport, the landing zone is divided into two areas, one of which is for docking such airships as the Titan.

Another area consists of numerous Profound Beast cages and stables, imprisoning various Flying Profound Beasts.

When the Titan landed, it was noon, and numerous commercial airships and Dark Practitioners from various places swarmed the airport from the air, making it bustling and particularly lively.

"Captain Yue, if you walk straight ahead for about three thousand steps along the Skyport Avenue, you will see the Imperial Skyport Guards. Small ships pay 100 Imperial gold coins and large ships pay 500 Imperial gold coins to process the entry and exit permits," Jin Nuo kindly left an Imperial Soldier as a local guide before leaving.

The so-called entry and exit permit is actually a specially created Dark Array. With the Dark Array marking, there’s no need to insert imperial military insignia and it grants access.

Before landing, Yue Jinghua had considered whether to register the Titan. She could easily shrink it to the size of the Sky Sun Shuttle and leave the Skyport unnoticed, but then she thought that since she didn’t know how long she would be staying in the Imperial City, the airship might still be needed. If it wasn’t registered, it couldn’t be used normally, so to prevent any issues, it was best to register it first.

Having thought this, Yue Jinghua raised no objections, leaving Lie Rou, Hongling, and Chi Xi behind while she walked forward with Shalman and Qian Luo, accompanied by an Imperial Soldier.

Soon, Yue Jinghua realized Jin Nuo’s underlying intentions for leaving his subordinate.

The Pengbo Family had a prominent reputation in the Imperial Military, and Jin Nuo, being a Dragon Knight, meant that the accompanying Imperial Soldier along the way was greeting the Skyport Guards.

Having an acquaintance meant directly enjoying convenient procedures. Even the mandatory inspection normally required upon boarding the ship was exempted, which also relieved Yue Jinghua.

After completing the relevant procedures, the Imperial Soldier respectfully bid farewell to Yue Jinghua before leaving first.

"Lord Jin Nuo seems carefree but his thoughts are very meticulous, really thorough," Shalman exclaimed in admiration on the way back to the Titan.

"Could it be that you’ve taken a fancy to Jin Nuo, tsk tsk, the headstrong girl can’t stay," teased Yue Jinghua, which made Shalman blush and spat out in retort before playfully fighting with her.

The two were laughing and playing when suddenly there was a disturbance ahead.

"This is bad, it seems like someone has surrounded the airship," Qian Luo whispered, alarmed, because defensive arrays were not allowed within the Skyport, and everyone thought the Skyport itself was quite safe. Upon landing, Qian Luo had deactivated the ship’s defensive arrays.

A whole squad of Imperial Guards with shields and long swords hurried towards the landing area.

There was a commotion ahead, and looking in that direction, it was exactly where the Titan was moored. Faintly, the angry shouts of Hongling could also be heard.

What’s going on? Wasn’t the entry pass already processed? Why did it still attract the guards?

Yue Jinghua’s mind stirred slightly; she had just arrived and it had been three to four years since she last left the Wohua Imperial City. Moreover, this return was secret, so she couldn’t have directly encountered any foes.

Suddenly, she recalled that if there was anyone she had offended, it would only be the Ji Family’s Attendant student encountered earlier at Black Bear Ridge.

Just upon their arrival, they were already being watched over, no wonder it’s the Imperial City, every move is monitored, it seems she had underestimated the Ji Family’s influence.

Realizing that only Hongling on the ship could fend off the enemies, and she couldn’t protect Chi Xi and Lie Rou alone, Yue Jinghua frowned, silently cursing her carelessness. With a light tap of her toe, she sped over like a sparrow hawk.

Qian Luo and Shalman quickly followed suit.

"Young Master Ji, what’s going on here?" The team leader of the Skyport Guards had just received a report about a disturbance in the landing area.

In haste, he led a team of guards only to see the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue’s Ji Yun, along with a large group of servants and Dark Practitioners, surrounding a newly moored airship, claiming to arrest the people onboard.

Upon looking at the ship, two beautiful women stood together, their faces showing concern.

A young and spirited woman dressed in leather armor, holding a white jade long bow, stood off against the Ji Family’s people.