CHAPTER 477: CHAPTER 312 THE DAMNED SNAKE WOMAN_2

Rejoining the illuminated tunnel, people could see they were nearing the next cavern, as the road was crowded with people and guards. Initially, everyone stared at the mercenaries and the convoy of guards emerging from the side path, but after a few meters, no one paid them any more attention, and they continued forward.

Back in this new cavern, Yan Xiaobao remained on high alert, even more so than when he had just left the tunnel. Inside the tunnel, he was confident in his ability to defeat his opponents; here, however, it was completely different. If the Scar-faced Killer were to appear, Yan Xiaobao wasn’t sure what he could do against him. This uncertainty forced him to stay focused and vigilant. To him, the more crowded the area, the more dangerous it became.

Yet, for now, he didn’t sense anything out of the ordinary. He also couldn’t feel the killing intent they had previously experienced. Gradually, his paranoia lessened. As long as the whole team was together, they should be fine, especially in an area without as many guards.

Trying to calm himself, Yan Xiaobao nodded, as if agreeing with his own thoughts. Just as he concluded they should be safe, he noticed they had arrived at another doorway.

Like the gates leading to the Demon Residence Cave, this person was issuing Dragon Corps passes while collecting entrance fees, allowing mercenaries, travelers, and others to enter the cavern.

Stopping at the entrance, the steward disembarked from the carriage and paid the entrance fee for the entire party before they passed through the open gate into the third cavern.

"This is the Golden Lion Cave," Xu Biao whispered to Yan Xiaobao beside him, introducing the place they had entered. "Unlike most other places, it is led by a Royal Family. Although they work together with the Dragon Army, the army is the second most powerful authority here."

Continuing onward, the group suddenly found themselves amidst a flood of people entering the cavern. Xu Biao quickly stopped talking and, without any resistance, they allowed the wave of humans to push further into the cavern, until the road finally cleared a little. This enabled the group to begin searching for an inn.

As they entered the new cavern, the sun was setting. After a while, the steward managed to find a tavern with available rooms, and they all followed him inside.

This time, each of them had their own private room with an attached bathroom, which the mercenaries especially appreciated, as they were still covered in blood, their aura feral. Just walking around the tavern, everyone averted their eyes, quieting down with a faint air of fear.

After bathing, the mercenaries gathered in Yan Xiaobao’s room, their faces twisted with ugly expressions.

"I think," he began, his face becoming even more unpleasant for a moment, "I believe we don’t need to worry about the Scar-faced Killer right now."

"Because of Zhou Long, the Scar-faced Killer is undoubtedly part of this mission. He knows we’re heading to the Capital. Why would he wait for us in a place like this? Without a doubt, he’ll be waiting for us in the Capital, using all his time to prepare for our arrival."

Hearing his words, the others slowly nodded. Compared to the constant uncertainty about their group’s journey, this made much more sense.

Their faces also grew quite grim, but after a while, Xie Lan slammed her fist onto the table with fierce determination.

"That’s fine!" she assured them. "When we get to the Capital, we’ll be much stronger than we are now. If we know he’s waiting for us, no one can say we won’t be ready to face him!"

Seeing Xie Lan as the person pulling them out of their gloom surprised Yan Xiaobao. When he nodded in agreement, a faint smile appeared on his face. What she said made sense.

"Tell us about this place," Yan Xiaobao looked toward Xu Biao and asked.

"This is the Golden Lion Cave, about the same size as the Demon Cave. Both are considered mid-tier-ranked caverns, meaning most cultivators here rely on intermediate-level Dantian."

"Unlike other caverns, this cavern is controlled by the Golden Lion Royal Family, a household that collaborates with the Dragon Army. However, the Dragon Army cannot act within this cavern without the Royal Family’s permission."

"Surprisingly, the Dragon Clan allows the Royal Family to have higher authority than they do," Xu Biao continued in a low voice. "If they wanted, the Dragon Clan could easily remove the Royal Family, but instead, they merely demand a minimal annual tax from them."

"Meanwhile, the people living here pay a rather considerable amount in taxes. This is something the Dragon Army should see as resistance."

"There’s a possibility they’ve struck some kind of deal unknown to the rest of the world," Yan Xiaobao speculated, his brows furrowing as he wondered what could possibly justify such treatment.

"It’s also possible that they are trading something the Dragon Army truly needs," Deng Wu interjected, though he wondered what the Dragon Army could possess that might compel them to relinquish control of the cavern.

"The law," Yan Xiaobao responded softly, his eyes as icy as freshly fallen snow, a deep frown forming on his face. "What they originally could have traded is the Original Law."

Hearing Yan Xiaobao’s words, Deng Wu, Wang Julong, and Sha Yun’s demeanor completely changed. Their faces became grave, and their hands clenched tightly as they recalled the deal Cave’s End had tried to strike to avoid paying taxes for the sun.

Thinking back to how the sun was treated, it was evident those original laws were immensely important to the Dragon Army, no matter how obscure their motives appeared to be.

"Xu Biao," Yan Xiaobao called out. "Has the Dragon Army ever issued a mission to search for specific humans?"

Xu Biao considered for a moment, recalling missions he had seen from the Dragon Army. Frowning, he seemed to finally recall something.

"They once issued a mission, stating they needed individuals with strange eyes. However, that was about seven years ago. It’s not something people remember now," Xu Biao said, furrowing his brows as he pondered the task.

"Actually, it doesn’t make much sense," he continued. "The reward for individuals with strange eyes was up to three thousand beast cores, yet it didn’t specify who those people were or set a time limit for the mission. Even now, the task remains available."

Thinking about his friends who lived in the forest of Cave’s End, Yan Xiaobao’s bright eyes darkened. The thought of laws being repurposed for something unknown to him filled him with uneasiness.

"When we arrive in the Capital, we can get some answers," Sha Yun said softly. Yan Xiaobao nodded, determined to uncover the truth of what was happening.

Sitting in silence, the group reflected on their time in the forest. When Deng Wu gazed out the window, his eyes darkened significantly. After all, he had the most interaction with the five juvenile laws.

Looking at Deng Wu, Yan Xiaobao sighed before deciding to shift the topic.

"Julong," he called out, and the woman looked at him. As their eyes met, Yan Xiaobao’s heart began to race, and he cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing, "What happened in the battle with your staff? It seemed far stronger than we expected."

Hearing Yan Xiaobao’s remark, Wang Julong picked up her storage stone, recalling the red staff that appeared in her hand. She stood up straight and infused some spiritual energy into the staff. Soon, the crimson weasel emerged again.

With the spiritual energy of the crimson staff aiding it, a red, translucent weasel manifested from the aura of the weapon. It spiraled around Wang Julong’s body before finally resting on her shoulder.

The weasel glared at the humans in the room and let out a piercing screech, filling the room with an imposing aura. The weasel slid off her shoulder, merging with the aura; the crimson hue emanating from the weapon intensified the aura’s malicious energy.