Chapter 19 - Local Governor Waived Taxes for Overseas Backpackers, Claimed They Owned a Yacht
Taking the souvenir home, Fu Tong and Jin Yu returned to their love nest. They also entrusted Meng Tianrui to the mansion attendants and asked them to nurture him.
"This baby is not food. Do not eat him. Also, from now on, he will be considered our son." Jin Yu stressed.
The attendants looked dejected. They bowed and carried Mei Tianrui to the nursery section of the town, where all young foxes were raised and educated. Whatever fate awaited the protagonist in that institution, Meng Tianrui had to overcome it on his own.
—
The journey northeast resumed the next morning. Traveling at a cruising speed of 100 km per hour gave enough time for the local celestial foxes to fix the city damage. After two days of journey, the floating city reached the largest continent of cultivators—The Grand Jade Continent.
Celestial foxes gathered at the edge of the plateau, peeking below and spotting countless flying cultivators and some flying monsters. On the other hand, the cultivators couldn't see the celestial foxes due to the artifact and array's invisibility effects.
Fantasizing themselves hunting and capturing the local creatures below for food, the foxes drooled, leaving behind a rain of saliva along the way. No cultivator or human detected the anomaly or suspected a thing, treating the rain as a natural occurrence.
While the local foxes were dying to explore human food, Fu Tong parked the cloud mass near a fortress city, located on the west coast of the continent.
Based on Fu Tong's memory, this city—Sea Watcher—was originally found as an outpost fortress, serving as a frontier against sea monsters and amphibious demi-human tribes in the area. But as time passed, cultivators conquered the area and turned the fortress into a trade hub. With nobody to fight or threaten them, the fortress flourished.
In-game, Sea Watcher Fortress belonged to the Ji Family. A subsidiary family of the Ji Clan governed this region. They were also in charge of watching over 200,000 commoners, 10,000 rogue cultivators, and a cultivator sect in their territory.
Taking advantage of the Ji Clan's open-trade policy, Fu Tong chose this place as their first visit. He left the secret realm and returned to the manor to consult with Jin Yanxiong and Jin Yu.
The two lords assembled once more. They organized a team of espionage experts, who were experienced in human disguise and human dialects. Jin Yanxiong's aide, Huli Jiubai, was chosen as the leader of a team of 10 spies. Fu Tong was tasked to follow the group and was ordered to bring back the special delicacy from the city. Jin Yu, on the other hand, was forced to stay behind for safety.
And thus, 10 foxes and one human were dispatched to the mortal city.
—
Huli Jiubai and the 9 celestial foxes suppressed their cultivation base to that of a quasi-immortal, the peak stage that a mortal could achieve before the immortal ascension. As for Fu Tong, he didn't need to hide his strength.
The group changed their clothes, dressing in white robes with a red sash. Everybody but Fu Tong transformed into middle-aged men or elderly men with a clean, bright face, kempt hair, and thick hands full of calluses. Huli Jiubai also created a wooden cargo wagon and loaded it with chests full of Fu Tong's gold coins.
With the setup, they entered the cities through the west, where the road from the seaside town connected to Sea Watcher Fortress. But as they didn't have a horse, one of them pushed the wagon while the rest led the way.
Arriving at the gate checkpoint, local militia soldiers, whose strength was comparable to golden core cultivators, stopped the team. As they couldn't measure Huli Jiubai's strength, they cupped their fists and politely asked.
"Seniors, please forgive us for being rude and insolent, but we have to do our job as city guards. Which sect or family are you from, and what is the purpose of your visit?"
Huli Jiubai stroked his fake white beard. "My name is Fu Hui from the Fu Clan, and these are my clan members. We have traveled across the sea, and we wish to resupply before we continue our business on the mainland."
The guards brightly smiled. They deeply bowed. "We shall inform our lord to hold a banquet to welcome you."
"Very well. Guide the way."
Jiubai Huli didn't refuse their offer and gestured to the men to handle the rest. The other spies looked relaxed as though this wasn't their first time infiltrating a human city.
Soon, a hundred soldiers, boasting a cultivation base of soul formation, rushed over and formed ranks, guarding the wagon. Four of them offered to push the horseless wagon instead of them.
The men escorted the team to the deepest part of the city, passing through a luxurious residential area and entering a palace resembling the Forbidden Palace on Earth.
Upon arrival, they found three men from the Ji Clan's branch. All of them were quasi-immortals, yet they lowered their heads. Behind them was a lineup of female dancers and beautiful servants, ready to serve the guests.
Their leader, a chubby man with a square face but the strength of a quasi-immortal, smiled and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, esteemed immortals. I am Ji Guoli, the governor of Sea Watcher Fortress. Please forgive us for the inadequate welcome."
Seeing how humble they were, Huli Jiubai nodded in approval. He continued with his business tone. In addition, it seemed that the people here had already deduced their origins and real strength.
It wasn't strange for them to find out so soon. After all, a team full of quasi-immortals was unusual. Moreover, the wagon was full of karma coins, which all the Ji Clan's members recognized.
"We don't mind. It's our fault for coming here without informing you first. Let's just skip the formality, shall we?"
"Of course!"
Ji Guoli clapped. Instantly, a thousand men carried tables and food leaped over fences and arranged a banquet party. Wine jars, dishes full of exotic food, and gold utensils occupied the tables. The setup was completed in two minutes.
Ladies with instruments started playing melodies while dancers choreographed their moves, fluttering their see-through dresses. The fat man laughed and gestured for the delegate team to take their seats.
However, there were exactly 10 seats. They didn't prepare a table for Fu Tong.
Fu Tong awkwardly stood behind Huli Jiubai, pretending to be his follower. Noticing the strange situation, Huli Jiubai turned around and whispered.
"Play along. Let me take the lead. They can't harm you as long as you pretend to be my junior."
Fu Tong nodded and kept his mouth shut.
As the party proceeded, Jiubai's men carried the gold coin chests and arranged them behind Fu Tong and their leader before they took their seats.
Ji Guoli instantly caught sight of the chests. He widely grinned and rubbed his hands. Sitting on the throne in the party hall, he rubbed a jade slip in his sleeve and whispered to it.
"I sense karma coins from those chests. They're indeed immortals from a higher realm. DO NOT PROVOKE THEM."
No response came from the jade slip. Ji Guoli put the item away and was about to begin his welcome speech. However, the corner of his eye also noticed Fu Tong's presence.
He put his hand back in his sleeve and whispered again.
"I think they are bringing their 'useless young master' along. Get some women to entertain that young man behind their leader. Guide him to a guest room and keep him company until the banquet is over. Also, don't allow OUR trash to meet THEIR trash. If you see Ziyan anywhere near the guest house, drag him away!"