---o---
Hysilens had seen Cipher before at the Grove of Epiphany. At the time, they were looking for Fu Zhu. They didn't find him, but they did meet Tixi and Cipher.
Back then, she'd heard Tixi say that Cipher was an orphan Fu Zhu had picked up. Hysilens hadn't thought much of it, but now, seeing Fu Zhu return with Cipher still clinging to him, she felt a vague sense of unease.
Isn't this little cat a bit too clingy with Fu Zhu?
"Helektra, long time no see."
Hysilens was still lost in thought when Fu Zhu's greeting pulled her back to reality. She managed a faint smile and nodded at him.
"Yes, it's been a while."
After greeting Fu Zhu, Hysilens's smile vanished. She turned her cold gaze back to the guards who had been blocking their path.
"These three are here by the personal summons of Imperator. I will be taking them. Do you have any objections?"
The guards were at a loss for words, swallowing nervously as they stared at the twin swords Hysilens had aimed at them from the start.
Sister, with your swords pointed at us this whole time, do you think we dare to have any objections?
"Knight Commander, please, feel free. We have already inspected these three and found nothing abnormal."
"Hmph."
Only then did Hysilens withdraw her blades, striding gracefully over to Fu Zhu and tilting her head up slightly to look him in the face.
They were so close that Fu Zhu could smell the sweet fragrance wafting from her. His head subconsciously pulled back a little.
Hysilens noticed his small movement and couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light chuckle, recalling their first meeting in the ocean.
Back then, Fu Zhu had averted his eyes just as unnaturally when he saw she wasn't wearing any clothes.
"You haven't changed a bit."
Fu Zhu chuckled. For him, it had been less than half a month. How could he possibly have changed in such a short time?
Hysilens smiled and turned around.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see Imperator."
"Alright."
---o---
The three of them followed behind Hysilens, but they hadn't gotten far before they suddenly heard a series of gasps from the crowd, followed by the sound of a heavy impact.
The four of them instinctively looked back to see the MK2000 standing there with an innocent look on its face. Behind it, a gaping hole had been smashed through the top of the towering city gate, showering the ground with rubble.
Hiss…
Fu Zhu slapped his forehead. He'd forgotten about the MK2000.
The group of guards at the gate immediately turned to stare at Fu Zhu and his companions, their faces grim but silent.
Tixi was about to say, "Let me handle this." As the Saintess of Janusopolis, she knew a few prayers that could repair the structure.
But before she could speak, Fu Zhu had already raised a finger toward the pile of rubble, muttering to himself as if deep in thought.
"Let's see, what was the command to rewind time for a specific area... Ah, got it."
In the next moment, the crowd watched as the scattered stones seemed to reverse in time, flying back up to the top of the gate and restoring it to its original state in an instant.
This scene left everyone present gaping at Fu Zhu in astonishment, with Tixi being the most shocked of all.
"Fu Zhu, you also know the prayers of [Time]?"
"What 'Time'?" Fu Zhu was a bit baffled. Wasn't he just using a command? What did that have to do with Time?
Then, he looked at the newly repaired city gate and had a moment of realization.
"Tixi, don't tell me you can do what I just did?"
Tixi nodded. "Yes, by using the prayers of [Time], I can achieve the same effect. It's just… we were a little surprised. Fu Zhu, you're clearly not a native…"
"Let's not talk about that now."
Hysilens raised a hand to stop Tixi, glancing warily at the passersby around them. She then lowered her voice to a volume only their group could hear.
"The Council of Elders has eyes everywhere. They know you're an outsider, Fu Zhu, so they'll definitely try to stir up trouble. We should go."
"Okay."
This time, Hysilens first called over some of her own people to take the MK2000 to be stabled elsewhere before leading the trio toward Cerydra's palace.
---o---
"This is the place."
Hysilens stopped before the door to a bedchamber and knocked lightly three times. A somewhat soft and youthful voice came from within.
"Come in."
Hysilens gave the three behind her a look, then pushed the door open and entered. Fu Zhu's group followed closely.
As soon as he stepped inside, Fu Zhu's eyes scanned the room.
Aglaea, Tribbie, and Cerydra.
However… Fu Zhu's gaze lingered on Cerydra, his expression puzzled.
The great leader Tixi spoke of, Cerydra, is this small?
Meanwhile, Cerydra, who had been quite curious about the man so highly praised by Hysilens and Tribbie, had her eyes locked on Fu Zhu the moment he entered. But when she saw the bewildered look on his face, she couldn't help but feel a surge of offense.
Cerydra let out a soft huff, tapping her scepter lightly in her hand as she narrowed her eyes at Fu Zhu.
"Are you perhaps thinking something incredibly rude?"
Fu Zhu quickly snapped out of it and offered his hand with an embarrassed smile. "I was just spacing out. My name is Fu Zhu."
Cerydra looked at Fu Zhu's outstretched hand with some surprise, tilting her chin up slightly as she stared at him.
"What is it?"
Fu Zhu glanced at his own hand in confusion. He hadn't been a pilot since he'd transmigrated; there couldn't possibly be any dirt on it, right?
Seeing this, Aglaea and Tribbie exchanged a glance and chuckled. Aglaea stepped forward to explain for Fu Zhu. "Before Imperator, everyone who met her would perform the foot-kissing ritual. It made her furious. Even though Imperator abolished the ritual, people still do it. She was probably just surprised to see you offer your hand."
"The foot-kissing ritual?"
Fu Zhu couldn't help but glance down at Cerydra's feet. He had heard of kissing hands, but this was the first time he'd heard of kissing feet.
"Ahem!"
Seeing Fu Zhu's gaze suddenly drop to her feet, Cerydra let out a sharp cough to draw his attention back to her face. She then extended her hand and shook his briefly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fu Zhu."
"Likewise, Your Excellency Cerydra."
After the simple introductions, Cerydra gestured for the three of them to sit and talk.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, we were unable to find you when we visited the Grove of Epiphany earlier. What brings you to the Holy City now?"
The moment Cerydra first saw Fu Zhu, her intuition told her one thing: Fu Zhu is strong! I want him as my vassal!
But considering it was their first meeting, Cerydra knew it would be inappropriate to say such a thing directly, so she started with a different topic.
Fu Zhu thought for a moment, then looked at Cerydra with a grin.
"Your Excellency Cerydra, are you interested in conquering the world?"