Chương 65: Border City

Ren tapped a foot to the hull, stomach faintly bulging beneath his clothes, watching the scenery change. The lush forest became sparse, giving way first to a clear opening, then to a city surrounded by walls high enough to block behemoths. Countless soldiers were patrolling both the walls and the ground beneath them, while a flock of people had lined up in front of the doors.

Some raised their heads in confusion when the ship's shadow fell on them, while others ignored it completely, far too used to the passing ships.

"We can stop here for a bit and check out the city," Ren muttered, smiling at the Pup leaning forward on the railings. Since they had avoided every city except the Twinlight Gorge, the kids needed a moment to breathe.

"Yes!" Wenhai's eyes lit up, and he suddenly straightened, drawing a shrill scream from the furball lying on his head.

"Ugh, sorry, Ashthorn. Forgot you were there." Rubbing her— turned out it was a she— underchin, Wenhai smiled wryly. Contrary to Ren's expectations, Ashthorn hadn't liked Ruolan or Liuxue, but seemed fond of this monkey on caffeine. She already forgot about me, Ren chuckled, clasping his hands at his back.

"Stepping out would be good for Liuxue, too. And maybe we can find some stabilizing pills." Wenhai nodded his head like a pecking chicken, though it turned out to be a mistake.

"Aw, aw, aw!" Ashthorn didn't show mercy this time, directly biting into his hair and pulling. The scene drew stifled laughs from the enforcers at the hull. Ren, on the other hand, didn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"She loves you." Amid the chaos, the ship arrived at a wide sky dock atop the walls. A few enforcers hurried, pulled four anchors, and dropped them to the soldiers waiting below. The flying monster descended a little, its chains tightening and trembling for a moment as runes flashed over them. A moment later, the ship was docked safely. Unlike the chaos beneath, the wall-port was calm. Soldiers in pairs moved in a steady routine, patrolling every corner, their gazes sharp and alert.

Robust porters and men in luxury clothes scrambled around in a flurry of movement among the dozens of smaller ships docked, their gazes flickering toward them from time to time. Ren saw the awe and wonder. Just then, a man clad in full-body armor flew to the ship, but refrained from stepping on the hull. Taking off his helmet, a weathered, middle-aged face appeared. Sharp features, a hook-like nose, and a nasty claw scar running from his left eye to his chin.

He gave a sharp military salute, thumbing his chest twice and bowing his head. The golden flying sword emblem on his chest shone proudly, "Greetings, Young Master!" Ren put on a slight smile and waved him at ease.

"Good to see you, General Bloodhawk. Hope we aren't troubling you."

"Of course not," said General. His eyes subtly dipped and rose again, sweeping over Ren from head to toe before his solemn face finally broke into a wide smile.

"We are honored to see you well and kicking, Young Master. We thought we lost the chance to fight shoulder-to-shoulder again."

"What I can say, these bones are quite sturdy," Ren said, flexing his right arm a little. He could see the worry underneath the man's brows, but chose not to comment.

"Same protocols, right? Been a long time since I visited any border city."

"Other than being a little more strict because of all the refugees, there are no particular changes," General answered.

"May I?" Ren nodded, and only then did Bloodhawk step on the ship. His hawk-like eyes swept around, especially focusing on the enforcers. He shook his head as if he had failed to find what he was looking for. Ren clicked his tongue and pulled the curious Wenhai closer.

"You won't believe whose little brother I had snatched." Raising a brow, Bloodhawk chuckled and patted Wenhai on the shoulder.

"How can I not hear the news of you getting disciples, Young Master? Though I must admit I never expected that barbarian to have such a frail brother. Hey kid, did that greedy brute eat you out of house and home?" Wenhai immediately frowned, grumbling, "Why is everyone surprised that I'm smaller than my brother… No, he didn't eat all the food! He actually leaves every good thing to me, even. Heh, if he were here, he'd beat you into a pulp for teasing me!"

Bloodhawk slapped Wenhai's shoulder firmly and burst into laughter, "Hahaha! Good, good! Now I can believe you're his brother. Only someone from his blood could be this foolishly daring." Ren, too, couldn't help but laugh.

"Wenhai, meet Bloodhawk. He is an old comrade and half-mentor figure for both your brother and me. That Berserk Axe Style your brother cherishes dearly? Here is its true master." Wenhai's eyes widened immediately. But before he could say anything, Bloodhawk chimed in, "You jest, Young Master. This humble soldier doesn't deserve to be called your mentor. I just gave a slight push, and you moved much better than most veterans." He then inspected Wenhai from top to bottom and nodded at last.

"Even though your brother isn't my disciple in name, he still respects me as a teacher. As his brother, you can't keep looking this harmless. I heard you got Yin Yang Thunder Fish Roots. Here, you can call yourself his brother with them." A solid thud was heard as a wooden box dropped onto the hull. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Thank you!" Wenhai's eyes glimmered like stars, though he averted his gaze. Ren flashed a smile.

"You're lucky, Pup. It's not easy to cheat something out of this cheapskate."

"Haha, you're still having a grudge over that broken sword?"

"I'd never forget such a flashy thing." When Wenhai went aside, Bloodhawk's smile faded, and he leaned forward.

"I might be being presumptuous by asking this, but I heard there has been some trouble on the road. May I ask where you're headed? Maybe we can help—""Where did you hear that?" Ren cut him.

"Guardian Elder. By his orders, I'm responsible for taking a corpse from you and delivering it to Azure Sky Sect. He said you would know." General said, his voice getting lower.

"With all due respect, Eldest Brother, we already failed by letting enemies get past us and endangering you. Beyond the borders is far more dangerous. Both rogue cultivators and demonic scum started acting like they'd sniffed blood. Even some rats managed to find their way into the city, causing no little trouble." He paused, his face turned genuine.

"So, at least, let us offer our help. My brothers are ready to die for you." Azure Sky? So the Guardian Elder took that burden. Eh, he hates meddlers. Still, better inform the All-seer. That tattoo can't be left unattended. Running a hand through his hair, Ren let out a sigh.

"Much appreciated, Bloodhawk, but you know, if there's one thing I hate the most, that is the needless sacrifice," he uttered, his tone calm and steady.

"This matter is beyond our brothers' scope. And…" As if waiting for this moment, the cabin door opened. Demoness stepped out, stretching. Ren pointed her with his chin and gave the eager man two firm pats on the shoulder. General reluctantly stepped back. His face turned solemn again, and he gave her the same salute.

"Greetings, Lady Demoness."

"You look suave when not covered in blood, Bloodhawk. Try to keep it like that." She nodded perfunctorily, then patted her bulging stomach and turned to Ren.

"Whoever marries you is cursed."

"You meant blessed, cause these hands only know how to bestow, not curse," Ren smirked.

"Girls are ready?"

"If they can still fit into their clothes, yeah, they should be." Fortunately, the girls didn't make them wait much. Ruolan stepped out first, her flowery dress and braided hair giving her the sweet next-door-girl energy. Liuxue followed after her, still in the same black robes. However, the small embroidery on her sleeves betrayed her desire to look low-key.

"You look great." Ren chuckled, then he took out two fur-lined cloaks and draped them over their shoulders. He had already given one to Wenhai. As for himself and Demoness, they didn't need it. He turned to General.

"I won't take your time anymore, General. The package is in prison; be extra careful when carrying it, and don't let anyone open it. You can search as you see fit," he said, but then he remembered the so-called 'Celestial Gift' and added with a transmission.

"We are going to Evernight Outpost to deal with the beast tide. Don't tell anyone, but keep your men rested and ready. Something about these concurrent tides doesn't sit right." A strange glimmer flickered past Bloodhawk's eyes, but he remained silent and bowed in return. He shouted a few orders to the soldiers waiting below. At the same time, two enforcers operated a few runes, and a set of stairs lowered.

"Alright, let's go," Ren muttered, stepping down. They reached the edge of the platform and took a closer look at the border city. From up here, the city was divided into five blocks, each aligned down to the very millimeter, as if a symmetry-obsessed mind with too much time had devoted a lifetime to perfecting it. The north and south blocks consisted only of houses with a maximum of two floors. The west resembled a massive marketplace, while the east was filled with training grounds and wide buildings.

Dojos— or more precisely, martial and spiritual halls. Last but not least, the center: it was a full-fledged castle designed purely for practicality, not style.

"This is… a little bit strange," Wenhai said, scratching at his cheek.

"Why is everything too orderly?"

"And there's a freaking castle in the middle of a city?" Ruolan chimed in.

"Isn't this just a border city?" Ren opened his mouth, but someone acted before him.

"That, young master and young lady, is because this place was an old frontline years ago, and still ruled by the army," a voice called. At the same time, a paper boat about the size of an SUV floated toward them. A small head popped, greeting them with a wide smile. He wore a black robe with white stripes and a clear badge that read "Guide".

"Welcome to Beastwatch City, kind masters. Do you need a guide or just simple ferry services?"

"Ferry service, to the west block," Ren answered, jumping at the paper crane. It surprisingly felt more solid than metal and didn't shake in the slightest. Runes and their amazing uses. He clicked his tongue and beckoned to the kids.

"S-senior Brother, isn't the paper cranes the most dangerous transportation…" Wenhai muttered, his lifted foot trembling in the air. Ruolan must be agreeing with him as she didn't even move. Only Liuxue didn't care and jumped in.

"Don't worry," Ren said, shaking his head at these nouveau riche brats.

"That only applies to the cheap, handmade ones."

"This one is from a sect-standard production line," the guide added, maintaining his smile. Both kids nodded at last, but their steps were still hesitant. Though a snort from behind didn't care as much as they did.

"Geez, you forgot we can fly?" Demoness grabbed their napes and threw them into the boat, causing it to shake a little. Wenhai immediately screamed in a very manly way, then flushed red when the crane stood sturdy, and everyone stared at him.

"Ohh, it wasn't that bad, I guess…" he murmured, his thick skin kicking in.

"Anyway, you said this place was an old frontline, but is there a need to make it so strict since it's now a city? I had visited Southernwall City, and it wasn't like this."

"Yes, young master, but this place is still the first stop for any attacks, unlike the four Wall cities. Also, they are the true behemoths of our sect that can react to any situation, while our city is at most a little brother to them."

"Wait, you're a disciple of our sect too?"

"Haha, of course. Although we are only peripheral disciples, we are still members." Fortunately, the Pup was used to such situations and easily saved himself. The guide accompanied him, going on and on. Great info-dump, Ren thought, turning at Ruolan, who tried to lessen her presence. She wasn't as 'talented'—or shameless—as Wenhai, so she turned her back at everyone, pretending to be fascinated by the city. Her ears were pink. Ren rolled his eyes at the smirking Demoness.

Just then, Ruolan leaned toward him and whispered, "Why did you let them search the ship?" He leaned on the paper railing.

"They are just doing their job. Why would I stop them?"

"Aren't you the Eldest Brother?" she continued.

"And aren't you forgetting what sect we belonged to?" Ren answered in a laid-back manner. This time, she remained silent. Throwing a quick glance, he noticed her frowning face softening.

"Heh, the most troublesome rule breaker talks about rules?" Demoness chimed in. Wow, way to burst my bubble…