It had been a hundred years since Tyson had left the Six Master City. At the sight of his hometown, he looked thrilled and nervous.
Tyson's expression amused Austin. But deep inside, he understood how Tyson felt.
A few seconds later, Austin and his companions landed in front of the city gates. Then, they began their long walk.
Over ten armed soldiers in full armor guarded the gates. They took turns marching up and down, in two lines.
"Stop! Anyone who wants to pass needs to pay four hundred superior vital energy crystals,"
the leader of the team said as he blocked their way.
"What did you say?
Who made this rule?
In the past, the entry fee was only fifty superior vital energy crystals,"
Tyson retorted sternly.
'My father is in charge of this city. But now I am being asked to pay. How ridiculous!' he thought.
"Our castellan made this rule.
Do you have a problem with that?"
The captain's face darkened. He glared at Austin and his crew as he waited for them to reply.
The other guards stared at Austin and his friends as well. All of their expressions reflected the hostility they felt.
"How dare you?
Do you know who I am?" Tyson asked, irked.
Annoyed with the guards' reaction, he was on the verge of throwing a fit.
"Who cares? No one is allowed to enter the city without paying the four hundred superior vital energy crystals.
I think you have come here to make trouble."
The captain winked at his companions as he spoke. The other guards visibly tightened their grip on their weapons. They seemed ready to attack Austin and his companions.
"Never mind," Austin said to Tyson.
"We'll pay you," he said after turning to face the captain.
Then Austin took out a pile of superior vital energy crystals and tossed them on the ground in front of the captain.
Upon seeing the shiny vital energy crystals, the captain became less hostile toward them.
"Humph! Don't be so rude. If you want to live, you'd better behave yourself," the captain warned.
It wasn't until he had put away the vital energy crystals that he made way for Austin and his companions.
With a nod, Austin led his friends into the city.
Compared to Emerald City, this city was larger and busier.
"These low-born guards are too arrogant.
Don't be angry, master.
When we reach my home, I'll ask my father to punish that captain," Tyson said in an exasperated tone.
He was embarrassed. He had brought Austin here to show off his real identity. But he didn't expect to be humiliated by the city's guards.
"That's all right.
You have been away for a hundred years. Perhaps that guy doesn't know you,"
Austin replied with a small smile.
Tyson's anger allayed at Austin's explanation.
After a while, Tyson brought them to the castellan's residence.
Everyone stopped to stare at the imposing mansion that was set in the middle of a large manicured garden. At the front gates stood dozens of massive stone lion statues.
"Tell your master that Tyson Lu has returned,"
Tyson said to the soldiers who guarded the residence.
"Tyson Lu?"
Those guardians were confused and exchanged glances. Apparently, they didn't know him either. After some hesitation, one of them ran toward the mansion to inform his superiors.
"Master, you were right.
I have been gone for too long.
No one here seems to remember me.
Even after I told them my name, they don't recognize me," Tyson said to Austin.
He looked embarrassed.
Moments later, a middle-aged man dressed in white stepped out of the mansion.
He was followed by an old man and a dozen servants.
"My dear cousin, it's been a long while. I didn't expect to see you again.
Since we hadn't heard from you for so long, we thought you had died."
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