Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 667 Yagus City
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Luo Xiu had left the capital and was about to arrive at the City of Augustus—and it seemed that Emperor Augustusville had not sent anyone to retrieve him. It seemed that the Supreme One had tacitly approved of him taking away the "Divine Spine Black Sword".

Meanwhile, Luo Xiu received updates from "Mist Shadow," his agents stationed in the capital, that many things had happened there since he left the capital.

The conflict between the Duke of Kentville and the Duke of Harcas has escalated into a localized bloodshed, with both dukes' High Knights suffering casualties.

Only when things have escalated to this point will Emperor Augustusville intervene, ordering the Dukes of Kentville and Harcas to immediately cease any actions that could cause chaos.

Emperor Augustus summoned the Dukes of Kentville and Harcas to the Imperial Palace. No one knows what the emperor said to the two dukes, only that they emerged pale-faced and, upon returning to their respective residences, each ordered the operation to cease.

Emperor Augustusville thus quelled the most chaotic situation in the capital, proving his supreme authority, and the capital city of Augustus was restored to its former order.

Luo Xiu kept an eye on the situation in the capital. The Duke of Kentville had come to visit him earlier, hoping to gain his support. But since Luo Xiu left the capital, the duke had not made any further moves. He had retreated back to his mansion and was waiting patiently for the storm to pass.

Luo Xiu knew—in fact, it was quite obvious—that Emperor Augustusville was happy to see the two dukes fighting each other, but this needed to be kept within certain limits.

If either of the two dukes gains a complete advantage in the struggle, or if the situation becomes so chaotic that it shakes the very foundations of the Supreme Rule, then Emperor Augustusville can intervene and personally quell the unrest.

For Luo Xiu, this is a good development.

Because he was also happy to see the Red Crown Princes weaken each other, so that his side and support would be even more important to them—no matter what he chose, he could use this as leverage to gain more benefits and advantages.

And once the turmoil of the struggle between the two dukes has completely subsided, it will be the best time to release Count Hayek back to his homeland.

Once Count Hayek awakens from the amber, he will confirm that his "mad pious" state has truly stabilized. Then, he will release him back as his "eyes and ears" planted beside Duke Harkas, and also as a prelude to trying to persuade the Duke to turn to [authoritarianism].

"..."

These were the thoughts that Luo Xiu was having at that moment.

At this moment, he was still riding on the back of the "Golden Pegasus," galloping high in the sky, passing through layers of clouds. Looking down, Luo Xiu could already see the blurry outline of the city of Agus.

It's almost there.

"Go down, Pegasus."

Luo Xiu gently stroked Pegasus's long, golden neck, which radiated golden light. Pegasus's fiery mane immediately flew up, and the golden wings on its sides, overflowing with golden light, then retracted. Carrying Luo Xiu, it quickly pierced through the clouds like an arrow, heading towards the earth and descending towards the city of Agus.

……

Argus City.

As Luo Xiu rode down from the heavens on his "Golden Pegasus," he finally felt his feet firmly on the ground. Before him, the walls of this magnificent holy city were clearly visible.

The giant city named "Agus" is located on the edge of the Imperial Territory's borders. It is one of the important cities in the Imperial Territory and a major birthplace of [Glory].

Argus is revered as a "Holy City" by the Holy See because it is the birthplace of Saint Leron, the primordial apostle of the Great Sun, and also the birthplace of Finlake, the "First Cardinal."
The descendants of Saint Lelangen own a large number of properties in the city of Argus. Although Argus is nominally under the rule of the empire, in reality, the Saint Lelangen family holds the most power in Argus from top to bottom.

Emperor Augustusville was the apparent ruler of Argus City, but the descendants of the Saint Leron family, who resided there, were the true "kings" of Argus City.

One of the reasons why the "First Cardinal" Finlake chose to return to Argus City to carry out a massive "sacrifice" may also be because the purest "Saint Leronne bloodline" is gathered here.

I wonder if the other cardinal of the Holy See—the "Second Cardinal" Azle Saint-Lerran—will also hear the commotion and come to Argus City? If Azle gets involved in the final battle against the "First Cardinal" Finlake, things might get a little more difficult... but only a little.

"..."

Luo Xiu thought to himself.

As he pondered, his gaze turned to the towering walls of the city of Agus, and below them, to the massive city gate.

Six royal guard knights were stationed at this city gate. Two thick iron chains suspended a plank bridge that could accommodate six carriages side by side. The bridge spanned a winding moat and was the only passage into the city of Agus.

Luo Xiu lightly pulled at his cloak. By this time, he had changed into the clothing of a merchant from the Golden Kingdom, disguising himself as a businessman who had come here to do business.

He was not wearing the cardinal's robes; his spiritual aura of [Radiance] had been completely concealed, and he had also completely altered his appearance with illusion.

He did not intend to enter the city of Argus under his true identity, because he was about to investigate the matter of the "First Cardinal" Finlake. In the worst case, all the clergy of the Church of Argus might be his enemies.

After two groups of travelers entered the city, they passed through inspection and were allowed to pass. It was Luo Xiu's turn.

Luo Xiu smiled and nodded to the Imperial Guard Knight before him, whose face held an expression of suspicion and scrutiny, and presented him with a golden gift.

May the golden winds shine upon you.

Luo Xiu removed his cloak and smiled at the royal guards.
“I have come here seeking an opportunity that may bring me ‘golden’ blessings. Also, I have long admired this holy city, the birthplace of the great forerunner of the Holy See, the first apostle of the Great Sun, and Saint Leronne, and have come here to pay homage and make a pilgrimage.”

"..."

After speaking, Luo Xiu showed the golden emblem in his hand, symbolizing the "Florenta family," to the guard knights on duty.

That was given to me by President Qiao Dewen of the Songyuan City-Golden Kingdom Bank. Because I already had a very deep business relationship with President Qiao Dewen, I could use the Florence family's business identity when I traveled, which was more useful than my bishop's identity in many situations—especially when I needed to keep a low profile.

Before Luo Xiu, the Imperial Guard Knight scrutinized him from head to toe—his well-groomed face, though worn from a long journey; the gold ornaments adorning him from head to toe; his shrewd eyes that concealed countless calculations; and his ever-smiling, benevolent expression, truly a reflection of many merchants from the Golden Kingdom.

The token in Luo Xiu's hand—a token from a powerful family in the Golden Kingdom—was indeed recognized by the Royal Guards; they had previously allowed several merchants from the Florence family to pass. While the Florence family wasn't one of the "ruling families" of the Golden Kingdom Federation, they possessed considerable wealth and influence in various industries, particularly in finance.
In the city of Agus, there is also the Golden Country Bank, in which members of the Florence family are major shareholders. It can be said that the Golden Country Bank, controlled by the Florence family, influences at least one-third of the economic lifeline of Agus.

"Ah."

The guard knight on duty took the token from Luo Xiu, checked it to make sure it was genuine and not a forgery, then returned the token to Luo Xiu, saying:

"You can go now."

The royal guards cleared a path for Luo Xiu, who nodded to the heavily armored knights before him and strode into the city of Agus.

Because the Golden Kingdom Federation sided with the Empire during the "Judgment War," fighting alongside it against the Dark Duchy and the Holy Tower Church, merchants from the Golden Kingdom received special treatment within the Empire after the war ended.

Holding the identity of a merchant from the Golden Kingdom allows them to travel freely in various cities of the empire, but this is only one of the privileges. Their trade with the empire will also receive certain support, which is why Luo Xiu was able to easily obtain passage with his Golden Kingdom identity.

……

Luo Xiu has arrived in the city center of Agus City.

Unlike any other city I had ever visited, the city of Augustus, as a "holy city," possessed a far less "supreme" aura compared to the imperial capital, Augustus. Instead, its "glorious" atmosphere was quite intense, with sacred statues in the style of the Holy Court visible everywhere.

Almost every street corner or intersection features a landscaped fountain built around a sacred statue—most of which, apart from a few statues of saints like Pope Laurent, are accomplished saints from the Saint-Léon family throughout history.

Many simply dressed believers gathered around the fountain, devoutly worshipping the sacred statues.

Luo Xiu also saw many clergy coming and going on the streets of Argus City—there are tens of thousands of clergy in this city, and the Church of Argus City is one of the largest churches of the Holy Court in the city of the empire.

The presiding bishop of this church is another "Saint Leran"—the younger brother of Finlake and Yazler, Bishop Donovan Saint Leran. He is also a cardinal in the Sevenfold Destiny of Radiance.
Because a church of such size as the Church of Argus could not be entrusted to a "sixfold destiny" archbishop, Donovan assumed the duties of bishop. However, Donovan only held a nominal title in the Holy Cardinals College of the Holy See and did not actually sit in the church.

This is also rare, as the strongest being in an imperial city is a Saint of [Radiance] rather than [Supreme] – perhaps because the Holy Court regards Argus City as a "Holy City," Emperor Augustusville tacitly approved of this, and the branches of the Saint Lelangen family have also flourished in Argus City.

Luo Xiu strolled around the main street of Agus City, first observing the general situation within the city.

He didn't sense anything unusual, and indeed, he didn't hear any news from the clergy about the return of "First Cardinal" Finlake to Argus City.

Just as seen in the "Divine Revelation," Finlak remained hidden in a secluded cave near the city of Argus until the prelude to the ritual was completed.

Luo Xiu was unaware of the clergy's discussion about the arrival of "Saintess" Franya and "Supreme Sword" Monine in Argus City. They remained hidden, continuing their investigation into Finlake's whereabouts and intelligence from somewhere within Argus City.

They have been in Agus City for ten days, and their investigation into Finlake should have made progress.

In the [Divine Revelation - Twisted Gospel], the countdown to the "descent of calamity" in which the Great Sun will reveal himself in an instant has only four days left. There is not much time left for himself, and for Frania and Monine.

Information about Finlake can still be gathered within the city of Agus. My current task is to find a place to stay and make contact with Franya and Monine…

"..."

Luo Xiu thought to himself.

As for arranging accommodation for myself, given my current status, there are very convenient ways—

As Luo Xiu stood before him, pondering these thoughts, a magnificent, golden building appeared before his eyes.

That's the "Golden Kingdom Bank" in Agus City!
It was just as grand as the "Golden Kingdom Bank" in Songyuan City—and Luo Xiu had already learned in his advance investigation that the bank manager of this Golden Kingdom Bank was "Jolis Florence," who, along with President Qiao Dewen, was an elder of the Florence family.

However, Luo Xiu did not intend to visit the president of the bank in Agus City this time. He arrived at the bank entrance, explained his purpose to the attendants on duty, and, guided by them, went to the bank's reception desk. As a "VIP of the Florence family," he asked the receptionist to arrange accommodation for him in Agus City.

The waiter dared not neglect the guest bearing the family crest and quickly arranged accommodation for Luo Xiu—a rather elegant and luxurious private mansion in the main street of the city of Agus.

That property belongs to President Jolis and is used to receive important guests, ensuring that their stay in Agus City is impeccable.

……

Following the bank teller's directions, Luo Xiu went to the residence the bank had arranged for him.

It wasn't far from the Gold Country Bank; it was just a ten-minute walk across two streets.

When Luo Xiu actually arrived at the mansion, his assessment was that while it wasn't as exquisite and elegant as Lakeside Villa at Austin Estate, it was even more luxurious. Luo Xiu immediately noticed the two large golden pillars standing at the entrance, which were indeed in the style of the Golden Kingdom.

Guided by a waiter, Luo Xiu entered the mansion and settled in temporarily.

At this moment, the sun is gradually rising to its highest point, and it is almost noon.

As agreed upon with Franya and Monine during their previous visit to the Holy Court and at the Radiant Throne, they would go to a fixed location in the city of Argus every day after the "Conferment Ceremony" in the Imperial Capital and wait for half an hour. If they did not see Luo Xiu, they would leave; this was the agreed-upon meeting method between Luo Xiu and them.

Luo Xiu sat on the bed and closed his eyes to meditate.

He planned to wait until noon before heading to the agreed-upon location to meet with Franya and Monigne.

……

(End of this chapter)