Chapter 415: Come to Greet Me

The elder thought carefully. "Years ago, many people coveted the Golden Guild's goods, but ever since that Special Envoy purged the three major financial groups four years ago, almost no one has dared to scheme against the Golden Guild...

That purge four years ago completely overturned the upper echelons of Red Dust Main City. It was precisely because of the downfall of those three financial groups that the current major financial groups had the opportunity to rise to power.

However, after that purge, some remnants were left behind, accumulating power in secret. When the female Special Envoy arrived a year later, they sought revenge against her... but she casually crushed them the moment she stepped through the door.

When the tall Special Envoy came the year before last, almost no one dared to provoke him. That year, there was a famine, and after that Special Envoy casually dealt with some troublemakers, he also used one-third of the gold to exchange for food, providing disaster relief to the poor in the lower city. Therefore, his prestige among the common people was extremely high...

As for last year... huh? Did that Special Envoy come last year... I think he did? What did he do again..."

The elder racked his brain but couldn't recall anything the Special Envoy did last year; it seemed there was nothing remarkable.

Hearing this, Chen Ling gained a preliminary understanding of the current situation in the Main City.

In short, the Eldest Brother purged the three major financial groups, the Second Sister eradicated the remnants, the Third Brother provided disaster relief, and the Fourth Brother... maintained stable performance.

If that's the case...

Chen Ling's gaze swept over the surrounding crowd, deep in thought.

"No, I have a merchant's license! Why aren't you letting me in?!" a merchant with a backpack angrily demanded from the city gate in the distance.

Dozens of police officers had sealed off the Main City gate, meticulously questioning everyone attempting to enter. As angry shouts erupted, a police officer calmly replied:

"According to the latest regulations, all merchant licenses are invalidated if the trading amount is less than 500,000 and there is no guarantee from a financial group within the Main City."

"What new regulations... I've been trading in the Red Dust Domain for twenty years! I've never heard of such a rule! Before, as long as you had a merchant's license, you could stay in the Main City for fifteen days!"

"These are new regulations enacted over half a month ago, mainly to prevent dangerous individuals from infiltrating and threatening the Main City's security," the police officer said indifferently, tossing the merchant's license aside.

"Please move along; don't block the people behind you."

"You...!!"

The man's neck flushed crimson with anger. Just as he was about to argue further, several police officers quickly approached and forcibly dragged him out of the line.

Many others, like the man, were blocked outside the Main City. A large group of figures, laden with their goods, sat forlornly nearby, their eyes filled only with despair and gloom.

Most of these were small-town merchants from the Red Dust Domain, not well-informed about current events. Relying on merchant licenses obtained years ago, they had brought their towns' specialties to sell in the Main City. Many had even borrowed money to start their businesses, mortgaging their homes and properties, only to find themselves unable to enter the Main City gates now, facing total financial ruin.

Chen Ling's expression became somewhat strange upon seeing this scene.

He seemed to guess why Red Dust Main City was so vigilant... strictly speaking, he was one of the culprits.

The elder, standing nearby, saw the long queue at the gate and felt a strange sense of anticipation. After all, only he knew that the rumored Golden Guild Special Envoy was here... if the people in Red Dust Main City found out, it would likely cause another massive stir.

"The skies above the Main City are about to change again..." he mused to himself. "Will this be an opportunity for the Huang family?"

The girl, walking beside Chen Ling, tentatively asked:

"Lord Special Envoy, we should go queue now, you..."

The girl wanted to ask Chen Ling if he intended to join the queue, but on second thought, it seemed rather unfitting for a Special Envoy's status, so she hesitated.

"The after-sales service is complete," Chen Ling said indifferently. "From now on, we are even."

"Wait... wait!"

The girl seemed to recall something, pulling a business card from her pocket and handing it to Chen Ling. "We agreed to buy some gold artifacts! I'll go get the money once we're in the city!"

Chen Ling's gaze swept over the business card, and a name caught his eye:

Huang Financial Group – Huang Suyue.

Chen Ling casually put the business card into his pocket and walked forward without looking back, showing no intention of queuing.

Clang – clang...

As he advanced, the small hill beneath the black cloth also began to chime softly. Those queuing nearby saw Chen Ling walk past and immediately became displeased:

"Brother, what's the meaning of cutting in line?"

Chen Ling didn't even glance at him. With a light swipe of his hand across his face, his large red opera robe transformed into a black trench coat... The man in line was stunned by this sight.

He was about to ask something else when the next scene made him widen his eyes in disbelief!

Chen Ling took a step, and as if ascending an invisible staircase, he rose into the air. Faint wisps of cloud drifted from beneath his feet, instantly shrouding his figure in a mysterious veil.

The mysterious black hill behind him also ascended with him, its vast shadow engulfing the ground.

Step, step, step...

His black trench coat swayed gently in the breeze. Under the increasingly astonished gazes of those around him, he walked on thin air, reaching a height above everyone's heads, level with the top of Red Dust Main City's wall!

"Tha-that's..."

"Rising into the air?! How did he do that... Did anyone see clearly?"

"Couldn't see, what kind of trick is that?"

"Heavens, is he going to cross the city wall and enter the Main City right in front of the police officers??"

"Who is that?! How dare he forcefully enter Red Dust Main City?!"

The black-clad figure, who had suddenly ascended into the sky, instantly drew everyone's attention. Numerous police officers also changed their expressions, drawing pistols from their waists and pointing them warily into the air!

Meanwhile, the black-clad figure walking through the void seemed oblivious to the threats below. He continued to ascend until the entire Red Dust Main City appeared to be beneath his feet.

His gaze calmly observed the city below, and he slowly raised his arm again...

An ancient, brilliant golden mask was gently placed on his face.

Beneath the sun, the ancient golden mask glittered, like a miniature sun suspended above Red Dust Main City. Behind the mask, a pair of calm, deep eyes gazed down at the city stretching to the horizon...

"Golden... mask?" The moment they saw the mask, several police officers seemed to recall something, and profound horror surfaced in their eyes!

The mysterious figure in the black trench coat and golden mask, walking on air, raised a hand and gently waved it at the black hill beside him.

The black cloth fell away with the wind, revealing a golden mountain peak, majestically towering above Red Dust Main City, piled high with countless treasures. It was as if a third brilliant sun had descended upon the world!

From behind the golden mask, a low, highly resonant voice slowly echoed over the Main City:

"Red Dust, send someone to welcome me."