Guarding the River of Time-Chapter 407 - 397: The Divine Alliance’s Wise Ones

Chapter 407: Chapter 397: The Divine Alliance’s Wise Ones

"Inside the Mutei Temple is the statue of the Master?"

Su Mu asked in astonishment.

"Of course, what else do you think is inside the Mutei Temple?" Wu Han retorted, looking puzzled.

"Alright, let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll join the main group heading to the Mutei Temple. We have to get up early to load the goods."

With that, Wu Han carefully folded the portrait, placed it in his chest pocket, pressed closely against his heart, and then fell asleep on a pile of hay, a smile on his lips, revealing his anticipation for the ceremony tomorrow.

Su Mu also lay down on a pile of weeds, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling, lost in thoughts.

The next day at sunrise, the purple light from the east bathed Changxun City. The streets were adorned with ribbons, flags, ceremonial fireworks, red carpets, and chariots...

The entire Changxun City bustled with activity as every household prepared their attire and loaded their carriages.

Old Chen, the city’s barber with a bad temper, usually disheveled, donned his cleanest, most expensive robe, directing his sons to load the carriage.

"Old Chen, quite the makeover today!"

Passersby, seeing him neatly dressed, called out with a chuckle.

"Of course! Today isn’t just any day!" Old Chen was an ordinary mortal, without cultivation, who settled in bustling Changxun City with his skills.

Today, he had the privilege of accompanying City Lord Changxun to pay homage at Mutei Temple. Excited, he spent the night sleepless, adjusting his clean robe and meticulously grooming his hair before the Copper Mirror.

Many others in Changxun City shared Old Chen’s fervor for today’s pilgrimage ceremony.

This reflects their deep respect and faith in the Mutei Temple, eager to present their best, most formal selves.

....

Though Wu Han claimed to sleep, he actually stayed awake, resting with his eyes closed.

Before dawn, he was up and started loading the carriages.

Outside the City Lord’s Mansion were numerous chariots, laden with assorted tributes.

Wu Han and Su Mu were in a group, and because Su Mu had only one hand, loading was challenging, so Wu Han assisted from time to time.

In less than an hour, thousands of chariots were fully loaded, neat and precise.

These chariots represented the tributes from the City Lord’s Mansion.

As they were short on manpower, many city residents volunteered to help, completing the task in just one hour.

This demonstrated the City Lord’s Mansion’s popularity among the people.

Historically, city lord mansions, symbols of power, were often feared by the populace.

But in Changxun City, this did not exist. Instead, there was harmony and unity!

This unity wasn’t exclusive to Changxun City, but spanned the entire Dongyuan Continent, and indeed, within all realms under the Heaven Shepherd Divine Alliance.

No matter the personal grievances, in critical situations, when major issues arose, they united as one, demonstrating immense solidarity.

This reflected the Heaven Shepherd Alliance’s exceptional leadership, built not on sheer power but through popular support!

....

Bong—

The Copper Bell atop the city tower rang, resonating throughout the city.

All the people in the city looked up towards the sky.

In the next second, a dignified middle-aged man emerged slowly from the void.

The middle-aged man, clad in a white robe, exuded a powerful aura, impeccably dressed.

Upon seeing the man, countless young cultivators in the city cast adoring and reverent gazes, recognizing him as City Lord Changxun!

The only legendary figure in Changxun City’s history to be escorted to the Upper Realm by a Divine Alliance envoy!

Liu Changxun scanned the crowd, his voice as loud as thunder: "Fellow cultivators, dear townsfolk, today, on behalf of the City Lord’s Mansion, I host our 109th pilgrimage ceremony at Changxun City.

"We are all children of the Divine Alliance, blessed by the Divine Alliance, enjoying a happy and stable life."

"I, Liu Changxun, am fortunate to have visited the Upper Realm to offer my humble service to the Divine Alliance. I am honored and lucky."

"The Divine Alliance has granted us a stable home, allowing us to thrive. We must always hold gratitude, no matter how small we are or where we are. Should the Divine Alliance face difficulty or need our sacrifice, we must charge forward, fearless of life and death!"

Liu Changxun’s words instantly ignited the atmosphere in Changxun City.

His humble and modest approach, coupled with his grand appeal to the Divine Alliance, left seeds of duty deep in the minds of countless youths and children.

Though Liu Changxun was just a low-ranked soldier in the Upper Realm’s Immortal Domain, he was a role model to many in Changxun City.

He understood his mission: to teach the next generation the importance of serving the Divine Alliance, planting seeds of faith in many naive youths and children.

It’s individuals like Liu Changxun, the "little people," that allow the myriad worlds and continents under the Divine Alliance to grow ever more united and steadfast in their belief.

In the Upper Realm, he was a "little person," but here, he was a "great figure," well aware of his role and responsibilities.

.....

"Time is running out, so I won’t say much more."

"Now, let’s set off!"

With that, Liu Changxun stepped forward, followed closely by the members of the City Lord’s Mansion, leading a grand procession from Changxun City.

Su Mu, Wu Han, and others, being part of the City Lord’s Mansion, sat on a chariot, following Liu Changxun’s lead towards the Mutei Temple.

...

"Eat something to conserve energy. When we arrive at the Mutei Temple, we’ll need to unload the goods and set up the ceremony."

Wu Han broke the coarse pancake in his hand, handing half to Su Mu beside him.

"Thank you." Su Mu ate the pancake, his eyes fixed ahead.

"Old Wu, how long until we arrive?" Su Mu casually asked.

"According to the plan, about five hours. Just in time for noon, when the sun is highest, to worship at the Mutei Temple."

Wu Han replied with a smile.

And so, the vast procession continued towards the east.

.....

The road ahead was smooth, devoid of any structures or trees.

A few hours later, they finally saw structures in the distance.

Upon seeing the buildings, Wu Han stood excitedly on the wooden platform beside the chariot, his gaze fixed ahead, eyes visibly brightening.

Su Mu also slowly stood up, following numerous gazes, looking towards the front...