1149 The Imperial City
[Hint: The player’s team has reached a supplementary agreement with Lord Brent to build a mage tower (Tier 2). After joining the multi-party agreement, the player’s side mission-the Empire’s defense line-change of the ghost tower (click here for more details).]
[Hint: The player team and Lord Barov have reached a supplementary agreement to build a mage tower (Tier 2)…]
Wei Tao and Mikhael looked at each other and did not know what to say for a moment.
Without a doubt, the ghost tower agreement was definitely Fang Heng’s doing.
How should he put it…
Was Fang Heng’s doing reasonable?
“Ahem.” Wei Tao saw that the atmosphere was a bit stiff and coughed lightly. “Fang Heng has his plan. In short, we’ll go to the front line to find Tang Mo first.”
“Okay, sure.”
….
The capital of the Empire, Atama.
Central Imperial City.
On a tall tower, a strong young man stood in front of the window and looked down coldly.
He moved his lips slightly and muttered to himself, “Legendary necromancer Fang Heng, you really came.”
In the distance, Lord Brent led Fang Heng and Sandy through the security check at the entrance and entered the Imperial City together.
“Lord Fang Heng, this is your first time entering the Imperial City, right? Let me give an introduction of this place to you. The Imperial City is built in the central area of our Empire’s capital. It is divided into two parts, the inner city, and the outer city.”
Lord Brent led the two of them towards the Western region as he explained, “The outer city is divided into the Eastern and Western regions. The Eastern region holds the Empire’s various administrative organizations, while the Western region has the Empire’s research facilities. The Empire Alchemy Research Institute you’re looking for is one of the Empire’s key research facilities.”
“There’s also the inner city area, where the Empire’s royal family is located. Under normal circumstances, it’s forbidden to enter, so it’s better if we don’t talk about it.”
Lord Brent explained with a proud expression.
“Lord Fang Heng, the best talents in our Empire are gathered in the Western District. The scholars who can appear here are all quite capable.”
“Indeed, very powerful.”
Fang Heng nodded his head and praised.
“Look, that’s the Empire Alchemy Research Institute, the largest of all the research institutes. The royal family has invested the most in alchemy for many years.”
Lord Brent led the way in front. Soon, he brought Fang Heng and Sandy to a large building.
The Empire Alchemy Research Institute occupied a large area, and there was a large square outside the building.
The square was bustling with noise and was filled with dense stalls of all sizes. There were at least seventy to eighty of them. Many people were discussing in front of the stalls. At first glance, it looked more like a market.
“Hahaha, it’s quite lively, isn’t it? The royal family of the Empire has always supported the development of various academics so the Western region often holds various academic seminars.”
“The alchemy seminar that is held once every three years is the biggest seminar. Outstanding scholars from all over the Empire will be invited to have academic exchanges. Every time, there will be many new research products. All the academies in the Empire are also keen on this. This is also their way of increasing the influence of their academies.”
“Indeed, it’s quite interesting,” Fang Heng answered.
Along the way, Fang Heng’s gaze shifted to the Imperial City’s inner city area from time to time.
If his guess was correct, Tang Mingyue should be under house arrest in the inner city.
He could already see teams of Empire soldiers patrolling the outer city, so the security in the inner city must be even tighter.
“But Fang Heng, ahem, this is your first time learning alchemy, right? Let me give you a warning. Those who learn alchemy have a bad temper. They have always been arrogant and don’t put anyone in their eyes. Later on, don’t lower yourself to their level. Just treat it as fart.”
“Alright, I understand,” Fang Heng frowned and nodded.
“Haha, it’s not a big deal. We don’t have to lower ourselves to their level. If they really bully us, we don’t have to be afraid. We’ll just fight them and it’ll be over!”
Lord Brent was very enthusiastic and said, “Let’s go, Lord Fang Heng. I’ll bring you in for a stroll. It’s my first time here as well. Oh right, I’ve already made a reservation at a restaurant tonight. I’ve also invited a few good friends. Let’s drink until we’re drunk.”
“Thank you for your kind intentions. As for the banquet, you don’t have to be so polite. We still want to go to the Alchemy Research Institute later. In addition, there is a lot of information that we want to check. It may take a long time, so we won’t waste your time. We can do it ourselves.”
“Alright. Lord Fang Heng has been devoted to research. No wonder you have such high achievements. Oh, this is the invitation letter I prepared for the two of you. With this invitation letter, you can enter and exit most of the areas in the outer city of the Western region.”
Lord Brent did not mind Fang Heng’s attitude. The latter was a big shot in the academic world, so he always had some quirks. Furthermore, he was a necromancer who was famous for being eccentric and unsociable.
Besides, he really didn’t know anything about alchemy, and he didn’t want to talk to those alchemists.
“However, Lord Fang Heng, there’s one more thing you must remember. There’s a curfew in the Imperial City from seven o ‘clock in the evening. No one is allowed to walk outside. If you want to stay in the Research Institute tonight, you must apply in advance.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
Fang Heng took the invitation and watched Lord Brent leave.
Then, Fang Heng shifted his gaze to Sandy and asked, “The Alchemy Research Institute is right in front of us. Where is the key we’re looking for?”
“Oh… If I’m not wrong, the secret key should be hidden in the Imperial Alchemy Research Institute. We still have to go in and take a look.”
On the way here, Sandy had been studying the layout of the royal palace.
On the whole, it was more or less the same as what he had read in the books before, except for a few slight changes.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Fang Heng nodded and stepped into the noisy Alchemy Research Institute.
“Oh…”
Just a few steps into the Research Institute, Sandy stopped and stood in front of the huge figure statue at the entrance of the square.
He sized up the tall statue, his eyes revealing a deep sense of doubt.
“What’s wrong?”
“Fang Heng. I found him in ancient books. The prototype of this statue isn’t him. It must have been altered by someone.”
“Yes.”
Fang Heng uttered a soft “hmm” and looked up at the statue.
The statue was of a middle-aged man holding a book, with a scholarly aura.
“It’s been hundreds of years. It’s normal for the statue to change.”
“Oh, you’re right.”
“But this is going to be troublesome,” Sandy said, troubled. “The original name of the statue may be part of the secret key.”
“It’s fine. There will be a record of the replacement of the statue. We’ll find it after checking it out. Alright, let’s not waste time. Let’s go.”
