This area is roughly the region of the East City, bordering on the slums, inhabited by a large number of lower-class civilians, among them many factory workers.

The coup in the Imperial Tower won’t stop the factories from running. By this time, some workers are gradually finishing their shifts, wearing white shirts and with iron hammers tied on their waists.

The Hound Tavern is on 13th Street of the East City, just near the border with the slums, a place where the crowd is mixed, and no guards patrol here, making it appear quite safe.

"The Hound Tavern is considered the lowest level tavern; most of the drinks are inferior, mixed with some soda and water."

"Even though the drinks aren’t pure, they cover up the terrible taste of the cheap liquor, which many people enjoy, mainly because it’s all they can afford."

Kasmin walked ahead and said, her expression filled with a few more confidence, as if this were her domain.

This princess is quite intriguing.

Su Changxing pondered, Kasmin differed greatly from the princess he had imagined, a blend of various temperaments on her, a noble princess, yet also like an assassin from the streets.

"I didn’t expect you to come to a place like this." Su Changxing said.

Kasmin glanced at Su Changxing, smiling: "You were the one who brought me here first, and I got a beating from my mother after returning, but I enjoy the freedom outside."

Led by Kasmin, the two of them walked into the tavern one after the other, inside was noisy, filled with crude language.

Some people had hammers tied to their waists, clearly factory workers, while others wore decent coats, looking like gang members.

Kasmin turned back to Su Changxing and said:

"This is the territory of the Hound Gang; most in the tavern are from the Hound Gang, such a gang isn’t as bad as imagined, initially formed more for mutual support and warmth, with many workers within the Hound Gang."

Su Changxing nodded: "So this counts as your method?"

"No, initially, it was also for gathering some intelligence."

Kasmin headed straight inside, leading Su Changxing upstairs to the second floor, arriving at the counter on the left, and heavily drove a small knife into the wooden table: "I want to see your boss."

There stood a strong man in brown cloth, his face bearing two scars. He was about to get angry at Kasmin’s arrogance but saw the dagger, his face changed immediately.

The knife’s hilt had a square-made disk, a symbol of the Imperial Tower.

"Alright, please wait, dear lady." The strong man slightly bowed his head, turned around, and walked inside.

The other person was of the Imperial Family, and given the coup happened today, their identities naturally aroused his imagination.

But such matters were beyond what a low-level thug like him could manage.

Su Changxing followed Kasmin into the inner room, a spacious study, and saw a middle-aged man in gray tights waiting.

Upon seeing Kasmin, he kneeled on one knee, speaking meticulously: "Your most loyal servant, Jefferson, at your service!"

Su Changxing noticeably sensed Kasmin relax a bit, despite her confidence, she still had other concerns beforehand.

Kasmin said expressionlessly: "I certainly know your loyalty, Captain Jefferson."

This is a cumbersome yet practically meaningful ceremony.

Jefferson focused on Su Changxing, felt him unfamiliar, showing fierce eyes: "Who are you?"

Su Changxing paused for a moment, not knowing how to introduce his identity, would he say, "I’m the Empress’s lover?"

This identity couldn’t be openly declared, the Empress can’t have a lover publicly, plus she was already dead, making it unnecessary to mention.

Kasmin said: "He’s the Guard Captain who escorted me out?"

Jefferson thought for a moment and said: "He feels somewhat unfamiliar."

Jefferson previously served as a captain in the City Guard, knew many people in the Imperial Tower, though not wielding power, the elites always showed him some face.

Su Changxing smiled and said: "I’m newly appointed, so it’s natural you don’t know me."

Jefferson showed appreciation: "Being able to protect the Princess here already proves your undying loyalty!"

Kasmin then said: "I need to leave Wodan, head to Maelon."

Jefferson immediately said without much thought: "There are ships leaving in the next few days, I can contact them to help you escape here. The Duke is nothing but a parasite, only you can lead the Empire; soon enough, I might see you again."

His attitude was very humble, humble to the core, but this was not surprising, such was society, a strict class hierarchy, the Imperial Family atop, so long as no mistakes were made, they would be upheld.

Even if the Duke staged a coup with martial power, he wouldn’t have most people’s approval, only a clown with a gun, unworthy to rule Wodan, and certainly not the Empire.

"You may rest here today, it’s very safe; guards have come for inspection before, so likely no one will come for some time." Jefferson continued.

Jefferson seemed reliable, worthy of being the City Guard captain.

Su Changxing hence rested here with Kasmin, although he needn’t follow her, the Duke was hunting the Princess but wasn’t targeting him, no one recognized him, even walking publicly wouldn’t matter.

He just sought from the Princess information about the Ninth Dimension, which was why he rescued her.

In the tavern room, Su Changxing asked seriously: "Is there any place you know but have never been to, nor anyone else has?"

Kasmin thought for a while, pointing at the ceiling: "The stars, the moon, the sun."

Su Changxing was silent for a while: "You know that’s not what I meant."

"But what you said is too broad, can you be more specific, I don’t like playing guessing games." Kasmin fiddled with the knife, not knowing what Su Changxing was up to, yet still showing much patience.

Su Changxing pondered some more and asked: "I’ll be direct then, do you know a place where heretics gather?"

"A place where heretics gather? If anyone knew such a place, an army would have long swept through." Kasmin answered.

Su Changxing stared at her, silently said: "You’re very right."

Suddenly he felt the experience akin to fetching water in a bamboo basket, rescuing the Princess didn’t seem to roduce much, except for unusual reinforcement.

Yet unusual reinforcement was somewhat useless to him, his attributes were already high.

Wait, this reinforcement seemed not about strengthening the body.

[Weapon reinforcement: further strengthen a weapon’s aspect including solid, resilience, sharpness, elasticity, etc., and related attributes.]

This type of reinforcement was his first encounter as well as hearing about it, never had he seen anyone receive such a reward before, could it be exclusive for high-level players?

He didn’t apply immediately, this reinforcement because firearms are restricted, even enhancing would have limited improvement to his combat power.

"So can it apply to Tao Yi?"

Su Changxing was unsure, his scythe was Tao Yi, and Tao Yi was his scythe.

He tried once, finding it didn’t work, possibly because Tao Yi wasn’t a pure weapon.

Hence, he reserved this reinforcement for potential future need.

With the Ninth Dimension lacking leads, and convinced key clues were tied to Kasmin, he decided for now to stay by her side.