"Miss Gu, won’t this completely infuriate them?"
"It seems rather pointless, doesn’t it?"
The teahouse on West City Street was deserted. Perhaps the Shopkeeper had left in such a hurry that he forgot to close the door.
Three figures walked quietly inside.
Gu Nanzhi was dressed in a Profound Robe, its lapel embroidered with a Wave-Treading Purple Flood Dragon. The Treasure Saber that usually sat on her desk was now fastened at her waist.
The one who spoke was a man in his prime, and next to him was a short old man.
Both men were former Chief Constables of the Government Office. After retiring, they were hired as Tributors, responsible for training new constables and ensuring the safety of Black Water City.
There was a hint of apprehension in their eyes.
With the Government Office’s current strength, a head-on clash with the Black Water Gang made swift suppression impossible. If they fell into a stalemate, the entire city would likely suffer.
However, the man was merely asking.
After all, the County Captain had already spent ten years proving her capabilities.
Black Water City might seem utterly chaotic now, with its people living bleak lives and many struggling just to survive.
But if Gu Nanzhi hadn’t been holding down the fort at the County Yamen, striving to maintain the balance, the city’s population would likely have been reduced to just thirty percent. Even living through these current hardships would be a luxury.
"Don’t worry. I’m not planning anything else. I’m just giving them a little scare," Gu Nanzhi said as she walked to the counter and poured a glass of water.
"A scare?" The two men fell silent, subconsciously glancing out the window.
’In truth, they had already guessed that their visit today was less about intimidating the Black Water Gang and more about protecting someone.’
The short old man sighed. He didn’t think anyone in the city was worth the Government Office taking such a risk.
But out of respect for Miss Gu’s years of hard work and great contributions, he decided he would go along with her this one time.
Gu Nanzhi took a sip of the chillingly cold water.
The complicated look in her eyes gradually hardened into determination.
’My judgment can’t be wrong.’
’Whether it was the Array at the Old Woodshed, Lin Shu’s shockingly stable Cultivation foundation, his pure Immortal Flavor, or his techniques so powerful they could crush Practitioners of the Same Realm—’
All of it...
’...proved that the young man definitely has an Immortal Family behind him, one that values him greatly.’
At this thought, a trace of envy appeared on the woman’s delicate face.
’The ten-year city lockdown has been like a hopeless prison for the people and Cultivators of Black Water City.’
’But it certainly couldn’t trap the Immortal Descendant in the city. Even if They are still in Their youth, They are by no means comparable to an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator.’
’There has to be another reason why They haven’t left.’
’Perhaps this Immortal Descendant had just taken on a disciple, discovered the anomaly here, and then conveniently used it as a trial for that disciple.’
’The duration of the city’s lockdown also happened to match the time needed for a young man to go from his first glimpse of Cultivation to successfully reaching Qi Cultivation Perfection.’
’This sort of thing is all too common in Yongzhou.’
’After all, an Immortal Disciple needs more than just Cultivation; their temperament and Magical Combat skills also need to be honed.’
’How else could one explain how Lin Shu, who had always been unknown, suddenly rose to prominence in less than a month, his name becoming widely known?’
’He’s clearly prepared and ready to begin the trial.’
"To be trapped like this... when will it end?"
Gu Nanzhi murmured wistfully, drawing puzzled looks from the two Tributors beside her.
She gently shook her head, though she didn’t let her guard down.
’Even if the Immortal Descendant intends to use Black Water City as an entry-level trial for Their disciple, They only want to see if Lin Shu can fight his way out. It doesn’t mean They would care about the other lives in the city.’
Gu Nanzhi knew the nature of these Immortal Families all too well.
’That’s why I have to take this opportunity to show goodwill, hoping the Immortal Descendant might take some notice of the Government Office’s attitude.’
’If They’re in a good mood and willing to intervene, the entire city’s population might just regain their freedom!’
"Reporting, County Captain! They’ve scattered!"
A Purple Flood Dragon Constable rushed in, his face joyful. But then he remembered the Fierce Wolf the County Captain had specifically told him to watch, and his voice faltered. "But that person you mentioned... his situation doesn’t look too good..."
"Hm?" Gu Nanzhi’s brow furrowed sharply as she looked over.
’That’s impossible. Even with Xia Mingtang dead, the Black Water Gang’s attention should be on the Government Office for now.’
’Besides, after such an aggressive provocation from me, even an idiot like Mountain-Smashing Dragon should be on his guard.’
’They’re short on men right now, so how could he possibly abandon a Fierce Wolf as powerful as Lin Shu just to appease a bunch of tigers?’
"I heard... the two dragons had a conflict... and he got involved. Now everyone in the Black Water Gang, from the Gang Leader to the tigers, wants him dead," the Purple Flood Dragon Constable said with a strange expression.
Sss.
Feeling a headache coming on, Gu Nanzhi set down her glass and rubbed her temples.
’Could it be that the Immortal Descendant’s trial for this kid isn’t about how to escape Black Water City, but about how to cause the biggest disaster possible?’
「Black Water North City.」
With Chenlong Hall at the center, the most luxurious surrounding courtyards all belonged to White Tiger Hall.
The Xia Mansion was now empty. A Pill Furnace still lay on the ground, and though the courtyard was filled with chairs, the Child was long gone.
Cheng Yi stepped unhurriedly into the courtyard. "You should have been able to see the killing intent in that old bastard’s eyes. Want to know why?"
Without waiting for the young man behind him to reply, he walked to the main seat and sat down, crossing his legs and casually patting his robes. "Because he’s afraid I’ll replace him."
With that, a smile touched his lips as he quietly watched the figure below.
Lin Shu casually found a chair and sat down, a perfectly timed look of surprise appearing in his eyes. "Replace him?"
Cheng Yi was very satisfied with this display. He tried to maintain a calm facade, but a hint of smugness still touched his face. "I’m the one who calls the shots in the Black Water Gang. You’re the fourth person to know that."
"Of course, the reason Mountain-Smashing Dragon hasn’t lashed out is that he thinks I’m just using you to warn him, not that I’ve actually made such a rash decision."
The Overseas Dragon rubbed his fingertips together and said lightly, "But I have no interest in warning him again. I really think that his position..."
He sat up a little straighter, staring at Lin Shu, the smile on his face widening. "...should be yours for the taking!"
Lin Shu didn’t speak, nor did he get excited. He simply let a look of perfectly natural skepticism show on his face.
’It’s been a long time since I’ve met such a repressed chatterbox.’
’I don’t even have to do anything. If I just play along a little, he’ll spill everything.’
"I knew you wouldn’t believe me."
Cheng Yi wasn’t angered by the young man’s skepticism at all. On the contrary, he thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.
It was the exhilarating sensation of slowly revealing his powerful background to a country bumpkin.
"You just need to know this: after you walked through that door, you were already out of options."
"The two old dragons want to kill you, White Tiger Hall sees you as a thorn in their side, and the Fierce Wolves are jealous of you, coveting your territory."
"But I don’t think a tiny little Sifang Street is worthy of you. You should take half of Black Water City, or even the whole thing."
The Overseas Dragon’s lips curled up further as he said meaningfully, "What do you think, Master Lin?"
Lin Shu raised an eyebrow. "Take Black Water City? So far, it seems all I’ve gotten from you is pie in the sky."
"Heh."
Cheng Yi slowly stood up and walked to the edge of the stone steps. "You don’t actually believe I come from some rundown medicine merchant family, like those other idiots, do you?"
He looked down from his high vantage point, his voice deepening:
"I bear an Immortal Order and have come from Yongzhou."
The moment those few words left his lips, the Overseas Dragon felt a sense of relief wash over his entire body, as if even his bones were crackling with satisfaction.
The last time he’d felt this way was when he revealed his identity to Mountain-Smashing Dragon.
A genuine glint appeared in the depths of Lin Shu’s eyes.
His fingers tightened on the armrest.
In his heart, the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord gradually opened its eyes, causing ripples in his aura.
"No need to pretend to be calm. There are no outsiders here." Cheng Yi saw that the young man was forcefully suppressing his emotions.
Compared to Mountain-Smashing Dragon, who had immediately kowtowed in submission, the sight of the man before him struggling to contain his emotions was equally pleasing to Cheng Yi.
"I have one more question." Lin Shu slowly relaxed his fingers.
’I know who’s guarding Black Water City for the Immortal Descendant now, but their specific methods are still unclear.’
’Even setting that aside, if it really came down to Magical Combat, I might not be able to beat him, even with the Filthy Moon Wolf Lord’s help.’
’I can’t be rash.’
’After putting on this act for so long, it’s about time I started fishing for some answers.’
Lin Shu was silent for a long while, as if struggling internally. With a hint of wariness, he asked, "If you truly hold such a status, why not become the Gang Leader yourself? Why would you just hand Black Water City over to me for free?"
Cheng Yi’s expression suddenly grew complicated.
’For some reason, every question this man asks seems to land exactly where I want it to.’
’It’s as if he’s deliberately paving the way for my grandstanding.’

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