Chapter 26: The City of Crystal Splendor

After eleven days of arduous travel, Li Mingxing finally arrived at the city of Crystal Capital, guarded by the human Sword Saint, with the help of a map and a young druid girl.

Stepping inside, Li Mingxing saw for the first time a city that wasn’t built among the trees. Instead, there was a vast open ground, beyond which stood an immense wooden wall seven meters high, with arrow towers spaced every twenty meters along it.

Seeing such fortifications, Li Mingxing realized that with defenses like these, even a sneak attack by enemies would be difficult to pull off.

Confident, he no longer tried to stealthily approach. Instead, he boldly led his troops toward Crystal Capital.

He had barely taken a few steps when the guards atop the walls spotted him. They shouted loudly, “All flying units, maintain a flight altitude below seven meters and slow your pace, or your presence will be treated as hostile.”

Hearing this, Li Mingxing immediately ordered all flying units to land. If it weren’t for the inconvenience of the harpies walking, he might have even considered having them approach on foot.

Seeing his compliance, the soldiers on the walls relaxed. Soon, the city gates opened, and a group of halberdiers clad in blue armor emerged.

At first, Li Mingxing felt a strange sense of familiarity, as these troops strongly resembled the human halberdiers he had seen in the game Heroes of Might and Magic III.

But when these halberdiers approached, Li Mingxing was startled—they looked human in build, but their heads were those of rats.

Noticing Li Mingxing’s surprise, the harpies laughed softly. It turned out that while this was indeed a human city, the human population was quite small. Most residents were various races who had been oppressed to the brink of survival by the two elven cities nearby.

Their reason for training troops in human military styles stemmed from the arrival of the human Sword Saint, who brought comprehensive training programs for all human units.

From the many races, the Sword Saint selected those best suited to each type of soldier. Small and weak but numerous races like the rat-people became basic spearmen or halberdiers, while stronger races formed higher-level units.

This system was a key factor in Crystal Capital’s status as one of the three great cities in this inner world.

As the harpies whispered these explanations in his ear, Li Mingxing began to understand the situation. Judging by the rat-headed halberdiers’ attitude toward him, the city was not hostile to outsiders.

When they learned that Li Mingxing was a merchant caravan leader carrying a large quantity of gems, their warmth toward him grew even more.

Shortly after two rat-headed halberdiers returned to the city, a lion-headed figure approached Li Mingxing, startling him.

It turned out to be a lioness, clad in heavy armor that did nothing to conceal her physique. She wielded a heavy iron sword wrapped in linen bandages, emanating a dry, fresh scent reminiscent of the vast grasslands.

She sized Li Mingxing up and said, “I heard a lion-headed fellow had arrived; I thought it might be someone from our homeland. Turns out you’re a lion-scorpion. Work hard. I’m off to rest now.”

Without another glance, she turned and strode back into the city.

The rat-headed halberdiers who had accompanied her quickly explained, “Apologies, sirs, Lady Dilipo is always like this. But she’s a good person and the commander of our city’s knight legion.”

Li Mingxing understood he had encountered another figure similar to Ilsinna—strong female commanders seemed common among the three major cities. It made him wonder if this inner world was famously matriarchal.

With such thoughts, Li Mingxing followed the rat-headed troops deeper into Crystal Capital. He found the city’s layout strikingly similar to human settlements he’d seen in Heroes of Might and Magic V.

Except for the building materials—all wood—the architecture mirrored the human castles from that game. Walking through the streets, Li Mingxing felt as if he had stepped into a game world.

Curious, he casually asked, “Are there griffins here?”

The rat-headed halberdier quickly replied, “Yes, but not many. Most were brought by our guardian deities and trained here. They’re treasured assets.”

Li Mingxing smiled. “I see. So, where should I go now?”

“There aren’t strict requirements, but since you’re a merchant, we were planning to take you to the nearby market.”

“The market? No, I’d rather go straight to the inn. After all these years here, I’d like a good drink,” Li Mingxing said with a smile. “By the way, I heard there should be stables in the city. Do they rent horses?”

The rat-headed soldier was surprised. “How did you know that?”

“You just mentioned it,” Li Mingxing said calmly. “Lady Dilipo commands the knight legion, and knights need horses. Besides, building stables is a prerequisite for establishing a knight training ground.”

Before Li Mingxing finished, a voice rang from behind him: “Seems you know quite a bit about our city.”

Turning, Li Mingxing saw a Crusader swordsman standing there. The man wore a helmet adorned with a cross, a hybrid of chainmail and plate armor, carrying an eagle-shaped shield on his left arm and a gleaming longsword in his right.

Before Li Mingxing could reply, his companion, the Blackstone Warrior, leaned close and whispered, “His swordsmanship and shield skills are both at level 4.”

Li Mingxing’s gaze shifted to the Crusader. The cross-emblazoned helmet concealed his identity and race, revealing only his eyes.

Sensing Li Mingxing’s scrutiny, the Crusader expressed mild displeasure. “I heard you brought many gems. Share half with me.”

Li Mingxing snorted coldly. “Who do you think you are, demanding half my gems just by opening your mouth?”

“The son of Crystal Capital’s lord. That should be enough status, right?” the Crusader said calmly. “And I’m not asking without reason. Give me half your gems, and I won’t pursue charges of spying on the city’s secrets.”

“Quite the accusation,” Li Mingxing sneered again. “Those things are outdated. If you want to use them against me, come back after you become lord.”

With that, Li Mingxing ignored the Crusader and headed toward the inn.

Looking back at the fuming Crusader, Aisha asked, “Sir, are we sure this is alright?”

“Don’t worry. He won’t report this because he doesn’t know who I have backing me. Even if he did, this city was likely built to resemble the Sword Saint’s previous home. Judging by Lady Dilipo’s attitude toward fellow countrymen, the Sword Saint would know if I had visited their homeland and would question it. He won’t have a chance to act against us.”

“But he could just find any excuse to attack us.”

“Do you think they will? Sure, they could try, but what we’re bringing is rare gems this world lacks. They won’t cut off that source. Even if we trade here and then visit the two elven cities, they still won’t harm us.”

As Li Mingxing and Aisha spoke, they made their way to the inn. Yet, Li Mingxing did not expect the Crusader, without hesitation, to muster 100 halberdiers and 40 archers to surround him.

Surprised but unfazed, Li Mingxing recalled the typical arrogance of lords’ sons in stories and paid it little mind. He lightly waved his hand, and the Blackstone Warrior took out a bag of gems, placing it on the ground.

Li Mingxing calmly addressed the crowd, “So, you’re not here to buy these gems but to rob me. But I’m not so weak. My men can fight you off, and if necessary, protect my retreat. Now, I will destroy all the gems I carry. I guarantee no one will ever bring gems to your city again.”

With that, the Blackstone Warrior swung his axe horizontally, shattering the bag of gems into sparkling dust before everyone’s eyes.

The Crusader was stunned. When Li Mingxing produced another bag of gems and placed it on the ground, the Crusader shouted desperately, “Please don’t act rashly. I mean no harm.”