Chapter 575: Disguised Identity: Inspector Chen!

"The Dragon Court is heavily guarded, protected by the 'Protective Dragon Array' and countless hidden sentinels. To facilitate infiltration, I have prepared new identities and cover documents for all of you."

The Purple Micro Star Lord swept his sleeve, and fourteen faint glimmers flew toward the fourteen Star Gods present.

Chen Mu reached out and caught one—it was a token.

Simultaneously, a stream of information entered his mind.

"Zhengwu Bureau, Bing-Class Inspector, Chen Dufei, returning to the capital under secret orders to report."

Along with it came the appearance and physique of "Chen Dufei."

He was also a Zhengwu Bureau, Bing-Class Inspector!

Chen Mu scanned the token with his divine sense—it was an authentic inspection token!

This level of power gave Chen Mu a deeper understanding of the Purple Micro Star Lord's identity and influence in the mortal realm.

"In three days, you will enter the Central State Dragon Court using these identities, each choosing your own opportunity. Once in the capital, you will be met by contacts. Remember: unless absolutely necessary, do not reveal your Star God identities, and do not make unauthorized contact. All actions await further orders."

The Purple Micro Star Lord added his final warning: "The Beast Gods are ruthless. This mission to the Dragon Court is exceedingly perilous. I urge you all to cooperate fully and proceed with caution."

The fourteen Star Gods responded in unison.

The vortex in the void spun again; the Purple Micro Star Lord's figure slowly dissolved into it and vanished.

The atmosphere inside the hall relaxed slightly.

The Heavenly Mechanism Star Lord began distributing more detailed mission briefings, maps of the Dragon Court, covert contact signals, and various specialized items that might be needed.

Chen Mu collected his share and stepped aside, quickly reviewing it.

The briefing detailed the location of the "Mountain-River Sacrificial Cauldron" in the Fengtian Hall, the approximate distribution of guards, recent major events scheduled within the Dragon Court, and speculative estimates of possible infiltration points and extraction methods the Beast Gods might exploit.

His mission was to join the Sun, Breaker, and Seven Killers as a team, responsible for monitoring and investigating anomalies in the area between Xihua Gate and the western side of Fengtian Hall, and to stand ready for support at all times.

"Xihua Gate borders the Department of Internal Affairs and several imperial clan residences—chaotic and mixed..."

Chen Mu pondered silently, committing the briefing's contents to memory.

"Wu Qu."

The Sun Star Lord approached, whispering in qi-transmitted voice: "In three days, let's travel together for a while—watch each other's backs. After entering the capital, we'll split according to plan."

"Agreed."

Chen Mu nodded in assent.

With assignments complete, the Star Gods no longer lingered. Each transformed into streaks of light and dispersed, returning to their own Star Palaces for final preparations.

Chen Mu also returned to the Wu Qu Star Palace and sat in meditation, regulating his breath.

…

Three days later, after midnight, Chen Mu met the Sun, Breaker, and Seven Killers at a designated teleportation array within the Star Palace.

All four had shed their Star Robes and masks, now fully disguised in their infiltration identities.

The Sun Star Lord had become a middle-aged man with a gentle face and refined demeanor, clad in a pale moon-white scholar's robe, holding an ancient scroll—as if a wandering scholar, his aura calm and unremarkable, betraying not a trace of the Sun's blazing intensity.

He gave a slight nod to Chen Mu and the other two, then stepped first into the softly glowing teleportation array.

The Breaker Star Lord wore a black martial suit beneath a dark green cloak, a long saber at his waist, his face stern, eyes sharp as an eagle's—like a silent, hardened soldier or elite family guard, his lethal aura tightly contained.

He nodded to Chen Mu and Seven Killers, then followed closely behind the Sun.

The Seven Killers Star Lord had changed the most.

He now appeared as a hunched, one-eyed old servant, his face scarred, eyes dull, his qi fluctuating at the Innate Realm, leaning on a seemingly ordinary blackwood cane.

Had Chen Mu not known his true identity, he could scarcely have linked this figure to "Seven Killers."

He grinned at Chen Mu, then stepped into the array.

Chen Mu wore a simple blue scholar's robe, his face clean-cut, his gaze calm, a Zhengwu Bureau sidearm hanging at his waist.

He cast one final glance at the eternal starry sky of the Star Palace, then stepped into the array.

Light and shadow swirled.

Chen Mu felt his body grow light, then his feet touched solid ground.

A wave of noise and bustling vitality washed over him.

Before him stretched a broad, level stone road, wide enough for ten chariots to ride side by side.

Along its edges rose uniform, towering vermilion city walls, ten zhang high, bristling with watchtowers, banners snapping in the wind, guards standing vigilant.

In the distance, endless rows of prosperous markets stretched beyond sight—towers, pavilions, upturned eaves, gilded rafters, all lit brightly, voices loud and constant, even at night pulsing with unceasing energy.

Farther still, at the heart of that vast architectural expanse, a cluster of majestic palaces loomed, enclosed by even taller, more splendid walls, seemingly floating above the myriad lights, glowing with an awe-inspiring radiance under moon and lanterns alike.

That was the Great Zhou Dragon Court, the Imperial Palace.

The air reeked of thick mortal烟火, perfumes, roasted meats and wine, mingled with the chaotic qi signatures of countless martial cultivators and high officials.

The vitality of the heavenly energy here far surpassed any city Chen Mu had ever visited.

"This must be near Yong'an Gate, the outer city of the Dragon Court."

The Sun Star Lord's voice whispered into Chen Mu's ear via qi-transmission: "As planned, we part here. Each of you enters the city using your forged credentials. Three days from now, meet at Room Jia-3 of the Qingfeng Tea House to exchange preliminary intelligence."

The Breaker and Seven Killers Star Lords both gave slight nods, indicating understanding.

The four of them merged into the crowd like drops of water entering a river, instantly dispersing in different directions, vanishing into the ceaseless flow of people and carriages even at this late hour.

Chen Mu oriented himself and headed toward Yong'an Gate.

At the gate, guards were tightly posted—elite imperial soldiers clad in bright armor, their qi fierce, meticulously checking every entrant's credentials.

Merchants, wandering swordsmen, officials' families, and martial cultivators like Chen Mu all queued.

When it was his turn, Chen Mu calmly handed over his token.

"Zhengwu Bureau, Bing-Class Inspector, Chen Dufei, returning to the capital under secret orders to report."

A captain-style officer took the token, scrutinizing its engravings, then studied Chen Mu closely—his eyes flickered with surprise.

Zhengwu Bureau inspectors, especially those carrying secret orders, were no ordinary figures.

"So it's Inspector Chen."

The Captain respectfully returned the token, stepping aside to clear the path, "Please enter the city. The Zhenwu Bureau is on Xuanwu Street in the northern quarter. Would you like someone to guide you?"

"No need, thank you."

Chen Mu reclaimed the token, gave a slight nod, and stepped through the city gate.

Upon entering the inner city, the noise intensified.

Along both sides of the wide street, shops lined up in rows—taverns, inns, brothels, gambling dens, martial arts academies, merchant guilds… everything imaginable; neon signs flickered, illuminating half the sky.

Pedestrians in varied attire, speaking dialects from all regions, jostled shoulder to shoulder; carts and horses surged continuously without pause.

The air carried a complex scent of luxury, prosperity, opportunity, and danger intertwined.

Chen Mu did not go to report at the Zhenwu Bureau.

The Purple Micro Star Lord's arrangement—this "secret order to return to the capital for duty"—was merely a ruse, meant to facilitate his infiltration.

Chen Mu casually chose a mid-sized inn, renting a quiet upper room…