Streets Of Star City

Soft footsteps echoed the tranquil streets of star city. Yi Guang and Hu Tong Shan followed Hu Jin Shen as he strolled through the streets. It was late in the evening and there wasn't much pedestrians aside form the occasional passerby. As such the street was fairly quiet, tranquil.

It was one of the more scenic roads Hu Jin Shen decided to take. It wasn't used for business nor transport but was rather one that showcases the history of this ancient city. It was in fact the street the first Celestial Star king built the place around.

In ancient times this was one of the most famous locations that contained murals on the ground of the Celestial Star king's great feats and battles. Nowadays it was more of a novelty, one of the greatest scenic destination that displayed the epitome of Thousand Flames upper realms strongest expert of times long past.

"It's quiet out here" Hu Tong Shan commented looking around at the city streets. Normally you'd expect capital cities to be very lively however this streets didn't see particular traffic. 'It's sad, not many remember the glory the first Celestial Star king accomplished' he thought to himself.

The star kingdom descended from one of history's greatest experts and possessed a lineage that can be traced from one of taoism's four heavenly emperors. If any of the 6 great powers deserved recognition it was them. Sadly without their founding king the star kingdom deteriorated until it was just another mighty faction not even the strongest.

Hu Jin Shen strolled down this street with his brother and the general viewing the murals painted across the paved road and murals on archaic buildings lining both sides. It truely communicated the age of the city unlike other section which were more lively and resembled a bustling metropolis.

"It's like they say, out with the old and in with the new" Hu Jin Shen said. He walked across a depiction of the first king's battle against an ancient a mighty dragon. It was roaring with flames dancing around its visage grasping an azure pearl. The king on the other hand wielded his mighty axe that gleamed with he power of an ancient star.

"We're the rulers now, the true absolute kings of this world" he took a look at another depiction of the king, this time toasting with immortals and gods. "He was a mighty figure of ages past, someone we all learned of and admired. But just like many others he is long dead so there is no need to think too deeply about him" Hu Jin Shen kept going towards the edges of the city, towards an empty gate with few guards.

The gate was very impressive but old just like the rest of this street. It wasn't in a strategic position and in fact led to the outer sectors. In times since founding the star city had expanded so much that it dwarfed the starting town the first Celestial Star king had built.

After passing the gate without notice Hu Tong Shen finally spoke, "They didn't greet us? Could they not see us?". Hu Jin Shen chuckled, "You just now noticed?". Yi Guang shook his head and sighed while the second prince looked down in disappointment. He looked at his brother and asked him, "Is it uncle?".

Hu Jin Shen nodded indicated that doctor Nan, Nan Fan had indeed came with them.

The old doctor was the second Human Immortal that came with the party. Unlike Yi Guang however he had stayed hidden. In fact it was more accurate to say that he invited himself along as Hu Jin Shen had only taken Yi Guang.

"Did uncle not wish to see me?" Hu Tong Shan asked. Hu Jin Shen shook his head, "That's not it, it's just… I actually don't know why he came" the prince paused before continuing. "Yi Guang, did doctor Chu inform you?"

The general gave it a thought and answered quickly, "I do not know the entire reason as he hadn't spoken to me much. I'd wager his second highness was a key reason perhaps a request from consort Nan". Hu Jin Shen nodded.

Hu Tong Shan frowned slightly, his mother again. Nan Cui He loved both her children and was devastated when Hu Tong Shan left a decade ago. Hu Tong Shan wouldn't be surprised if she'd dispatched her brother to look for him.

Yi Guang also added, "Perhaps his majesty ordered it". That was also a plausible explanation. The two doctors Nan and Chu were more then just physicians, they were premiere powerhouses of the empire and loyal followers of Hu Wenxi. Nan Fan was very close to his sister and seen her children multiple times. It could've been both those reasons.

Either way Hu Tong Shan was annoyed, he did not need to be babied. 'Who am I kidding, I'm a prince, everyone will spare no effort to keep me alive' he thought with annoyance. This was the same with all royal family members. He had wanted to become an accomplished general without anyone's help especially that of his fathers. Those protecting him from the shadows made him feel as if he'd cheated.

"We'll be there soon" Hu Jin Shen informed them. They were now not far from the main entrance to the city. Specifically they were now close to the western entrance that had more residential then commercial. 'I sensed him around here somewhere'.

"Who are we meeting? You didn't tell me" asked the second prince. Yi Guang suddenly stopped, his senses as a Human Immortal were much sharper and he detected this presence infinitely earlier then Hu Jin Shen much less the infinitely weaker Hu Tong Shan.

"What is it?" The second prince was instantly alert. He saw faint runes appears around them in a circle and a slim masculine figure in skin tight black spandex with a blank mask appeared. Reacting quickly he materialised his sword in his hand ready to attack. Shockingly Hu Jin Shen his own brother grabbed his wrist before he could, "That's enough" he said.

Confused Hu Tong Shan watched as his brother cupped his hands and greeted the man who also returned the gesture. "Greetings your highness" the man said in a distorted voice indicating neither male nor female. "And I you Blade 1" Hu Jin Shen returned the greeting. Yi Guang also bowed to this man.

The gears in Hu Tong Shan's head began turning and he quickly realised who this was. It took a moment but he also bowed, "Apologies for that display that was rude of me, I greet the head intelligence officer and leader of the emperor's Blades" he said respectfully. Blade 1 may just be a 12 meridian Crossing Tribulation cultivator but he had successfully assassinated dangerous elements of Martial Saint realm before.

"No need for that your highness, I was at fault for startling you" Blade 1 replied. He apologised to the second prince again and again expressing his fault making Hu Tong Shan slightly uncomfortable. Thankfully Hu Jin Shen spoke up again, "Why did you lead us out here?". However Yi Guang interrupted first, "Forgive me for this interruption your highness but I must as. Is it safe to speak?"

Blade 1 nodded, "This place is far from the core of the Star buster formation. What's more the Star buster formation is inactive, no one will find us". Yi Guang nodded satisfied but still went on to the edge on guard. He trusted Blade 1 but he still was in charge of Hu Jin Shen's safety.

Yi Guang was one of the foremost experts of the empire, back in Sam's attack he fought alongside Great Bear patriarch and the now deceased All Blaze taoist. He might've not accomplished much but he wasn't one to look down at. If one looked at the power level between all Human Immortals in the empire then Yi Guang is definitely top 5 above even the Celestial Star king and the infamous Colossal Shark sage.

While Yi Guang went on guard duty Hu Jin Shen spoke to Blade 1. It was there that Blade 1 confirmed many of the prince's thoughts regarding the kingdom. He had also described the hidden experts he had discovered without missing a single detail. Blade 1 held nothing back and told the prince everything.

"So you're telling me, that several possible unknown experts are pithing our walls without our knowing and has been here for upwards of a hundred years?" Hu Jin Shen was both shocked and enraged. Angry at his father and the Blades to let this slip, angry at himself to not have known even though this had apparently been going on longer then he had lived.

"We didn't your highness. Star kingdom had always payed their dues and served loyally without any hint of a mutiny. Everyone aside from the Crimson Star princess were kind to the emperor and what's more the Crimson Star princess notoriously hates her father. We did not see is necessary especially with several other pressing matters going on at the time"

"Damn it" Hu Jin Shen closed his hands into a tight fist. "We will not make excuses, this was our negligence please punish us" Blade 1 bowed low as if offering his head. "No, this was all our faults" Hu Jin Shen shook his head and looks suspiciously at the distant palace.

Hu Tong Shan stood by on the side listening in. He was going over everything he new about the star kingdom and their activities from military records. Sadly he was not well read up on this place. "Your hi…brother I will immediately return and check the records" he offered.

Yi Guang however shot that down, "Marshal you may be but you're still a prince, I cannot in good conscience let you wonder without proper guard in enemy territory".

Hu Jin Shen agreed, "What's more the Celestial Star king could be watching us". Blade 1 reached into somewhere and pulled out a sand disk. "I have had my brothers check the files ahead of time, everything is here" the man handed it over to Hu Jin Shen.

Yi Guang seeing this rubbed his forehead, "Of course he did" he muttered. Hu Jin Shen scanned the files and said, "I'll go over in more detail tonight, the king might notice something and Lan Yue will throw a tantrum if no one supervises her". The three saluted Blade 1 and hurriedly made their way back.

Blade 1 looked at a direction and spoke, "Old Fan how are you?". He received a mental response, "Brat, it seems your theatrics had only worsened". Blade 1 chuckled and asked, "Any word from his majesty?". The voice answered back, "We wait for now, no point to wantonly attack until we learn more".

"Alright" Blade 1 said before fading into the darkness.

…

Crimson Star Princess rode on Yun Xiao Che the whole night angrily yelling profanities at her father, Hu Jin Shen, and anyone to do with the royals. "Fuck!" She screamed in orgasmic fury while Yun Xiao Che groaned. She got off him ad screamed in fury.

"You should calm down" Yun Xiao Che placated. Of course he took his master/lover's side but he'd also felt she was a bit extreme. The girl glared at him and said, "Those fucks are as poisonous as they come, don't trust them. Any spawn of those two are despicable".

Muo Li Hua otherwise known as jasmine flower stood up to take a glass of red wine. She gulped it down and spoke again, "That old dog does nothing when his son is killed and he does nothing while they walk all over us" she filed the glass again and drunk it down. "Bah, little Che get stronger soon. With your divine inheritance you'll surely win. That prince Jin Shen is trash compared to you, what golden god? Humph!"

Yun Xiao Che nodded and sat crossed legged cultivating the yin energy he just received. For him this exercise was very beneficial, he could already feel his connection to the heavens strengthening. "Don't worry Jasmine, I'll do anything for you".