The Legend of Min Hong

Chapter 99: Sunfire (Desert) City

The Dogon Empire was built around an oasis in the middle of a desert and is truly a state-of-the-art metropolis.

Its charm is matched by the backdrop of pristine skies, and the star-filled, aurora-glowing night skies, which have helped shape the city to what it is today.

The climate these skies brought were of great importance, but they were also influential when it came to architectural designs as the vast majority of buildings were designed to take full advantage of the climate. 

As more daring elements can be created when you don't have to worry about strong winds.

The skyline is scattered with impressive manors, mansions and castles, and they all seem to be in perfect unison despite being different.

Due to the vast source of mineral ores present in the ore-rich desert sands, it was a no-brainer to the fact that it has attracted a lot of attention from the surrounding Empires and Nomad Clans or Tribes. 

New cultures have left their mark not just on international relations, but also upon the city's identity, due to the steady influx of merchants and auction organizations.

What historically was a city of monotony has grown into a fusion of everything and it's this that unites the 6 billion people to this day.

It's this multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Hundreds of major Tribes, Clans and Factions offer a plethora of resources, manpower and occupations and those who possess sufficient standards of abilities can join several factions, occupations or adventuring parties.

--------------------------------------------

But the Sunfire City was built just outside the Dogon Empire borders as the first resting place for all cultivators, merchants and mercenary groups who had just navigated the traitorous and life-draining desert, in hopes of entering the Dogon Empire to do business with its inhabitants.

There were also those who came in hopes to start a new life, making this border city a truly future oriented marvel.

Its uniqueness is also bolstered by the strong relationship between the City and Dogon Empire.

The Dogon Empire has also influenced the city in terms of its architectural designs as the vast majority of buildings were designed to take full advantage of the climate and the sheer lethargy of the people flooding into the Empire.

It also served as a security checkpoint, since it was mandatory that one lives within the Sunfire City for at least half a year without any sort of criminal or indecent behaviour, before they can be granted a pass by the Sunfire City, which would allow them entry into the Dogon Empire. 

There are also exceptions which were available to those who have relatives or any significant form of relationship with the inhabitants of the Dogon Empire.

Moreover, this privilege was only made available to citizens of certain rank and value to the Dogon Empire as a whole.

One of these calibres of people are the Military Division of the Dogon Empire who are the third strongest power in the Dogon Empire, behind the Democratic Division who are the second strongest and the Imperial Clan; 'The Chu Clan', who were the overlords of the entire Empire.

There were also several other officials who were also granted access to these privileges and the several recruitment or scouting tournaments and competitions that were usually held by several other major clans, schools, factions and even the Imperial Clan themselves. 

Amongst these, the military division also held competitions to recruit fresh blood into their ranks.

They hold an initial competition within the Sunfire City to shortlist some experts amongst the non-citizens who would then join the main tournament within the Empire itself. 

This type of recruitment tactics was a very efficient and highly acknowledged one that it was basically imitated by other factions, clans and some abnormally wealthy families.

Thus, the allure of all these perks ensured a steady influx of people to the Sunfire City.

----------------------------------------------

About two hours journey from this bustling and vibrant desert city, was a huge silvery glittering flying beast, soaring across the cloud, radiating a potent but subtle confidence.

Atop this beast were three figures, one was male, the second female and the last a white staff.

These were naturally Min Hong, Min Qing and Little Lin.

"Master, your old man said the formation has been completed and you can come get it anytime you want." The spirit of a little girl of about same age as Min Hong with a sky-blue ponytail hair came out of the staff and bowed subserviently to Min Hong as she delivered a message to him.

"Un Alright. But what about Little Wu?" Min Hong acknowledged her delivery with a nod as he responded with another question.

"He is still cultivating in front of his ancestral statue on the Bridge of Ancestors. Furthermore, cultivating in front of the statue seemed to be benefitting him a lot. In fact, his bloodline seemed to be tracing back to its roots already, Master is truly wise in his decisions." She responded.

[Thoughts: Min Hong] "It seems she has a very deep sense of attachment to my old man, and allowing her to spend more time with him seems to be bringing out her best behaviour."

"Since that is the case, I might as well try to forge a physical body for him. If he could return into this world in physical form, I might just return the staff to him. At least that would lead to me having a God-realm expert with me."

Min Hong thought as he gazed at Little Lin who was acting overly subservient, then he nodded and smiled at himself for an unknown reason.

"Young master, we will be in the Sunfire City in less than an hour, what are your plans?" Elder Yun's voice quavered slightly as that statement came out of her mouth. 

Not because she thought she was belittling herself by making that statement, rather it was because she felt this form of address was rather a little belated.

After all, he was the son of her own master, then Min Hong himself was someone who had a very high latent talent.

Min Hong and Min Qing became utterly dumbstruck when they heard that form of address, but Min Hong decided not to let the silence reign for too long so as to prevent the awkwardness in the atmosphere from heightening.

"We need to disguise our appearance when we enter into the Sunfire City so as to not draw unwanted attention towards ourselves. That way, even if the Royalties from the East Wind Empire has a connection with the Dogon Empire, they won't be able to find us in time."

"This will buy us more time to efficiently and swiftly initiate our goal." Min Hong said as he gazed into the distance towards the Sunfire City.

"Young mistress, Young master has spoken. Do you have any other addition?" Elder Yun also corrected Min Qing's form of address at once, and this time it was less awkward than the first.

"I will follow Hong-ge wherever he wants to go and I will also support whatever decision he makes." Min Qing replied as she looked at Min Hong with an entranced smile. 

"But as for disguising our appearance, we have two hooded cloaks in our storage. But we don't have anything to disguise Elder Yun and Little Ming..." She added.]'.

"I can shrink to one tenth of my original size. But it would also reduce my cultivation by an entire stage I am at my strongest in my true form." Elder Yun explained.

"That is more than enough Elder Yun. As for Little Ming, we don't need to disguise her since she is at her strongest in her smallest size. So, we will just let her be." Min Hong spoke.

"Little Qing, I would have to trouble you to take care of Elder Yun. Having two Dan Formation Magic Beast on me when I have no cultivation will surely draw too much attention." He added.

"That's logical I'll have to trouble young mistress to take care of me then" Elder Yun added.

"No No Elder Yun it's no trouble at all He He" Min Qing responded with an awkward expression glued to her face.

It seemed she was still a bit unaccustomed to Elder Yun's current attitude.

[Thoughts: Author] - *Not them alone, even I, myself is feeling a little put off by it (Sighs) *

"Since that is sorted. Elder Yun, you will descend at quite a distance from the Sunfire City gate, so we can change our appearances before we enter." Min Hong ended the conversation.

--------------------------------------

Meanwhile In the far away East Wind Empire Within the Imperial capital 

Here, there was a very vast garden situated atop a very massive mountain

This vast garden contained a thick garden of moss-covered grass. bordered by tall flower bushes and shrubs.

It had a single ornamental piece standing at its centre, slightly weathered and discoloured, which only adds to its beauty. 

The smaller flower bushes were unkempt, but look all the better for it; they're fighting an eternal competition for the best spots.

The flower bushes and shrubs reached about 1.5 metres in height, but could reach far higher if they were allowed to grow unhindered.

There were some neatly arranged stepping stones here and there, beckoning visitors to visit the garden's best sights.

All the grasses and roots seem to refuse to try and claim more land than they've been allocated, perhaps this was due to the intervention of the expert gardeners. 

The ornamental piece was the pride and joy of the owner of this garden.

The smaller flower bushes had no hard time getting their share of the attention, and the flower bushes and shrubs couldn't be ignored by anyone, as the limelight will forever be on the ornamental piece.

------------------------------------------

The stepping stones in this garden led up to a heavily fortified castle right at its centre.

This castle must have been built by a fanatic architect, as its structure alone could explain the character of its owner and the level of devotion its mastermind poured into it. 

With seven strong, tall and round towers surround the castle in almost a perfect circle around this incredible castle and are connected by big, massive walls made of golden stone.

Ornate windows are scattered generously around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry. 

There were also similar-sized holes for archers and artillery.

A heavy massive gate with colossal metal doors, a sturdy bridge overhead a 10-metre deep, water-filled ditch and strong defences ensured that this was the only way in, at least to those unfamiliar with the castle.

-----------------------------------------

Within this castle was a unique and luxurious manor, located within a restricted piece of land, which could be noticed by the number and uniqueness of the guards guarding this area.

These guards were smartly armored, and in a very strict and nigh unbreakable formation. 

From the outside this manor looks very elegant.

It has been built with grey bricks and has walnut wood decorations.

Tall, rectangular windows brighten up the house and have been added to the manor in a very asymmetric way. 

The building was rectangular shaped and half surrounded by glass overhanging panels.

The second floor was bigger than the first, which created a stylish overhang on two sides of the manor.

This floor has a slightly different style than the floor below. 

The roof was high and square shaped and is covered with grey roof tiles.

Two roof terraces let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof.

The manor itself was surrounded by paved ground, with an outdoor eating and relaxing space and various potted plants. 

This was the Imperial Palace of the East Wind Empire The home of the Imperial Duan Clan.

--------------------------------------------

Within this outdoor eating space were four men standing in front of a fifth man who sat in front of a round dining table.

These four men had their hand tucked into their sleeves as they took a slightly bowing posture in front of this fifth man.

This fifth man was a red, shaggy haired man with a slightly lean and sad face. He had glistening grey eyes which were set appealingly within their sockets. 

A goatee elegantly complimented his eyes and mouth, leaving an amusing memory of his past.

He had this wild appearance that hinted that this man could explode with mind-numbing powers despite his reserved aura. 

There was also this sort of stern expression plastered on his face which greatly hinted that he was of a royal bloodline.

This was the ruler of the East Wind Empire; Emperor Duan Ji.

To his immediate left was the familiar Lu Chen in his military uniform. Next to him was another man who radiated an aura of royalty but on an extremely weaker scale compared to Emperor Duan Ji. 

He was a short, bald and round man, whose appearance greatly hinted that he was a man who indulged in pure lechery.

He was slightly pot-bellied dressed in golden robes with a forest containing several beasts embroidered on it. 

He was radiating a cultivation aura so stifling that everyone could note that he was very tense and angry currently.

Lu Chen who sat beside him was also sweating and slightly shivering, seemingly thinking of how his fate would be determined by the outcome of this meeting.

This was the King of the Tiandou Kingdom; King Tian Xing. He had rushed over to narrate everything that had happened between the four regional rulers within the Soaring Cloud Village, and the deeds of the Min Hong trio at Tiandou Kingdom border to Emperor Duan Ji.

-----------------------------------------

"Your Majesty, that was truly what happened. I was incompetent and never knew that such a small branch family could have such powerful beast protecting it." King Tian bowed slightly and cupped his hands as he pleaded. 

Emperor Duan Ji sat there calmly as he watched King Tian Xing and Lu Chen narrate their plight.

He had yet to utter a single word since he came here, and this attitude of his showed that he was someone who prefers to observe everything before acting.

"You said the beast was a 4-Star Nascent Soul beast and the two kids were also in the Peak Dan Formation stage. A beast of such level and kids who had that level of talent would have been recognised in the entire Empire, so how come I have never heard of them?" 

"So are you trying to say that the networks of the Imperial Clan and all its subordinate Clans aren't competent enough."

The person who just spoke was the Commander of the Imperial Guards of the East Wind Empire and he naturally despised King Tian Xing.

Apparently, King Tian Xing had once unknowingly raped his cousin's daughter, and when the crime was reported, he had been let off with only a stern warning because he was the brother of one of the Emperor's concubines. 

As a result, the commander could only stew in his own anger whenever he sees this King Tian.