They both looked at Qin Ming and, as if on cue, took out a set of clothes from behind and tossed it into his arms.
"Go change clothes."
"Change clothes?"
"Princess has ordered, today you will go to the Demon Suppression Tower!"
Qin Ming was very pleased. He had been waiting for this day for a long time! Finally, he was going to the Demon Suppression Tower.
"Thank you, Captain Mengtu! Thank you, Captain Meiyang!"
...
Qin Ming changed into the dark blue Demon Suppression Guard uniform, embroidered with snowflake patterns, and tied a black belt around his waist. He opened the door and stepped out.
In the yard, Mengtu and Meiyang, holding long knives, froze for a moment.
Mengtu patted Meiyang beside her.
"See? I told you, this guy has a tall figure and handsome looks. He really does look good in the Demon Suppression Guard uniform."
"He does look good, but no matter how handsome, he's still a eunuch!"
Qin Ming felt like he wanted to cast a formation right there and show this Meiyang what true masculinity was all about!
Just then, Lingyin came out of her room to pour some water. When she saw Qin Ming in the Demon Suppression Guard uniform, she was slightly surprised.
What a handsome young man!
She walked over, interjecting with a smile.
"Captain Meiyang, you shouldn't say that. It's actually a good thing that Qin Ming is a eunuch. If he weren't, how could he be wandering around in the Taiyin Palace!"
"You're right, Lingyin! Over the past few years, we've had at least five hundred eunuchs in the Taiyin Palace. But I've never seen you treat anyone as well as you treat Qin Ming!"
Mengtu and Meiyang exchanged a smile.
Lingyin's face turned red again. She waved her hand at them.
"Go on, go on, you two are always teasing me!"
Captain Mengtu, holding her long knife, grinned from ear to ear.
Qin Ming noticed that the atmosphere suddenly felt different. Perhaps it was because he had gained the Princess's approval? Or maybe it was because his scar had healed and he looked even more handsome?
Amid the laughter of the three women, Qin Ming softly asked,
"Lingyin, did the Taiyin Palace really have over five hundred eunuchs?"
"Yes."
"And where are they now?"
"They're all dead."
Qin Ming: ...
Playful Captain Mengtu pointed towards the lotus pond at the entrance.
"See that? All five hundred eunuchs' blood is there. Otherwise, how could the lotus flowers grow so beautifully? Little Qin Ming, you better work hard; otherwise, not long from now, your head will end up floating in there too!"
Qin Ming was speechless.
Captain Mengtu, with her cute little tiger teeth and dimples, was so adorable, yet how could she speak like this?
Lingyin was the only one who seemed kind. Apart from her, all the women in the Taiyin Palace were insane!
...
This was Qin Ming's first time leaving the palace, and he was very excited!
Captain Mengtu gave Qin Ming a horse.
The horse was pure white, with thick mane. Its hooves were much larger than horses on Earth, and there were serrated horseshoes nailed underneath, designed to help it walk on snow and ice.
This breed of white horse was strong and sturdy, called a Snow Steed.
...
The imperial palace of Dayan was vast.
Qin Ming felt that it was at least five times larger than the Forbidden City on Earth.
He, along with Captain Mengtu and Captain Meiyang, rode their Snow Steeds, crossing ten snow bridges and thirteen snow-covered plazas.
The number of pavilions, towers, and halls they passed through was countless.
As they passed through the Shenwu Gate, what greeted his eyes was the bustling life of the citizens of Yingshi City.
Qin Ming was deeply shocked.
These cities were so different from the traditional ancient cities he knew.
The architectural style and layout were mixed with many modern elements.
For example, the buildings had ancient exteriors, but the interiors were furnished with modern sofas and round tables.
Moreover, the street vendors were selling various trinkets and ornaments, many of which had obvious modern influences.
Qin Ming could sense deeply that the influence of the time travelers on this world was profound!
But what he couldn't understand was,
Why did the time travelers and the native inhabitants harbor such deep hatred for each other?
Captain Mengtu and Captain Meiyang noticed Qin Ming's constant glances at his surroundings.
Mengtu, with her gentle personality, smiled softly.
"Little Qin Ming, isn't this place much more fun than your Cold Night City?"
Qin Ming nodded.
Honestly, he had no idea what Cold Night City was like.
Captain Meiyang turned her head.
Her figure was much more alluring than Mengtu's, especially her chest.
Her armor clearly restrained her natural curves!
Captain Meiyang had a hint of charm in her expression as she glanced over Qin Ming's body.
"I just find it odd. With such strong winds in Cold Night City, how could someone like you exist.
Didn't you say that food was scarce there? Yet, you don't look like someone who's starving."
Qin Ming: ... |ʘᗝʘ|
Before Qin Ming could respond, Captain Mengtu chuckled.
"Meiyang, you still have that coquettish nature, don't you? You always care about other people's looks and figures."
"Tch!" Meiyang scoffed and turned her head away.
"Me? Caring about his looks and figure? Even if a eunuch stripped naked, I wouldn't bother looking!"
Qin Ming: …
He really wanted to buy a skewer of candied hawthorns from a street vendor and shove it into her mouth!
…
The three of them rode their Snow Steeds for an hour before finally arriving at the Demon Suppression Tower.
The pitch-black tower was built between two mountains, towering majestically into the sky.
Countless glowing firestones hung around the tower, casting a dim light.
The top of the tower was shrouded in mist, but its sheer height was apparent—it had to be at least five hundred meters tall!
As expected of a fantasy world! A structure like this would be top-tier even on Earth!
Surrounding the Demon Suppression Tower stood rows upon rows of Demon Suppression Guards.
All of them were clad in black armor, gripping their swords and blades tightly.
Every single one of them had cultivation levels at or above the second stage of the Body Tempering Realm!
At the entrance stood the other ten members of the Twelve Zodiac Captains.
Each one of them was a long-legged beauty—
Their faces exquisite, their figures proud and imposing.
They merely glanced at Qin Ming indifferently without saying a word.
Qin Ming followed behind Mengtu and Meiyang into the tower.
The outside was already dim and foggy, but the inside was even darker.
They walked for nearly fifteen minutes before glowing firestones finally appeared on the walls.
With the newfound illumination, Qin Ming noticed that the walls were covered with strange, eerie runes.
At that moment, a group of twenty Demon Suppression Guards approached from the left, carrying firestone lamps.
Captain Mengtu stepped forward and asked,
"Why haven't the firestones at the entrance been replaced yet?"
"Captain Mengtu," one of the guards replied, "today, Her Majesty's Fire Control Hall has received fewer firestones than usual. Every palace and hall has only received two-thirds of the usual amount!"
"Oh? And why is that? Normally, Her Majesty's Fire Control Hall keeps all the firestones fully ignited. Why are there so many fewer today?"
"I heard some rumors in private," the guard lowered his voice. "Two days ago, Her Majesty traveled to Aurora City… and suffered some injuries!"
Qin Ming remained silent behind them.
But from their conversation, he gathered two key pieces of information—
First: All firestones in this world had to be recharged at the Empress's Fire Control Hall.
Second: Isn't Aurora City supposed to be the dwelling place of the gods? How could the Empress have gotten injured there?
The further Qin Ming walked, the more astonished he became.
On both sides of the corridor, the prison cells were lined with all sorts of torture devices.
Each one was stained with blood.
The first transmigrator he saw was a young woman.
She was dressed in thin athletic wear, her hair disheveled, her lips and face covered in blood.
As soon as she saw Qin Ming and the others, she immediately lunged forward, falling to her knees.
With her hands clasped together, she kowtowed desperately.
"Please, my lords! I beg you! I can compose poetry, I can sing and dance—please, put in a word for me to the Empress!
If I become a concubine, I swear I will take good care of you all!"
Qin Ming was speechless.
This woman was already locked up in a prison cell—how had she still not realized the reality of her situation?