flstandardbreds Chapter 88 City Lord's Mansion
Chapter 88 City Lord's Mansion
Luo Sifan looked at Shu Hongyi.
The latter curled his lip:
"Your wife is in grave danger, what else can you do? Let's go together!"
Luo Sifan opened his mouth slightly, almost blurting out to explain Lin Qianxiu's identity, but then thought better of it, deciding that it wasn't that important at the moment.
Turning to Jiang Wanfeng:
"Brother Jiang, then I'll trouble you to lead us to the City Lord's Mansion! The female cultivator you mentioned has a very important connection to me."
Jiang Wanfeng hadn't expected this outcome, and his regret deepened. He resolutely said:
"This matter started because of me. Even if it costs me my life, I must find Young Master Lin's wife! Let's not delay, let's go now!"
Shu Hongyi brandished the leather pouch that Jiang Wanfeng had entrusted to her on his deathbed, as if to throw it away:
"Brother Jiang, the man didn't die, so I won't keep your things for you anymore. Take them back!"
Jiang Wanfeng soared into the air, uttering a single sentence:
"Life and death are uncertain in the City Lord's Mansion, so please keep my belongings safe for the time being, Senior Shu."
Shu Hongyi had no choice but to put the leather bag back.
The three followed behind Jiang Wanfeng, each leaping into the air.
Lu Juefei hesitated, hanging at the very back, struggling internally with whether he should slip away first.
The main hall of the martial arts hall was empty, littered with debris. The once-silent statues of generals seemed to regain their luster, and fragments of a white porcelain incense burner rose out of thin air. In the void, it appeared as if someone was picking them up one by one…
The Martial Temple and the City Lord's Mansion are only two miles apart as the crow flies, and the four of them arrived in the blink of an eye.
The mansion walls were over three zhang high, and the square gates were wide open.
Jiang Wanfeng walked in without hesitation as before:
“Senior Shu, Young Master Lin, the outer part of the city lord’s mansion is mostly safe. As long as there is no spiritual energy warning, you can go there with peace of mind.”
Luo Sifan nodded:
"Then let's split up and search all the safe places first. If we can't find anyone, we'll meet up again to discuss where to go next."
After entering the mansion, Jiang Wanfeng briefly explained the structure and map of the city lord's mansion. The four of them split into two teams, each taking charge of their respective areas, and then dispersed to search around.
Before long, the four of them gathered in the main hall of the city lord's mansion. Judging from their expressions, they had all gained nothing.
“Young Master Lin, the areas we haven’t visited can be roughly divided into two parts: the first is the upper two floors of this main hall, where the city lord holds meetings and banquets. The second is the inner palace outside the council hall.”
Jiang Wanfeng remained calm and continued to explain the situation to everyone.
“Previously, some people had ventured into these two places, but they were either seriously injured or trapped inside, and there has been no news of them since. Even Nascent Soul cultivators are no exception!”
Lu Juefei, not hiding the tension on his face, interjected.
Jiang Wanfeng nodded silently, it seemed that what Lu Juefei said was not a lie.
“This is my private matter, Lin Xiaozhi’s. Since it is so dangerous, there’s no need for Brother Lu to go. Senior Shu, Brother Jiang, you two don’t need to take the risk for this.”
Luo Sifan glanced at everyone's expressions and said calmly.
If all else fails, he can use Lu Gong's short sword to escape; there's no need to drag others into this life-or-death situation.
Lu Juefei was secretly pleased upon hearing this, and his eyes swept over Shu Hongyi and Jiang Wanfeng with expectation, thinking that these two would not be so foolish as to risk their lives for others.
Shu Hongyi glared at him:
"Kid, stop talking nonsense! Even without your wife, I'll still make my way in!"
The dragon-slaying drum at her waist trembled slightly, seemingly conveying Shu Hongyi's determination.
Jiang Wanfeng was slightly angered upon hearing this:
"Young Master Lin, you are too kind. Although I, Jiang Wanfeng, am not very capable, I am not one to be afraid of death. Young Master, there is no need for further words. Wherever you are today, I, Jiang Wanfeng, will be there!"
Lu Juefei's face froze at the unexpected actions of the two, and he was at a loss for words, caught in a dilemma.
Luo Sifan knew he couldn't persuade the two to separate, and said with a wry smile:
"I find it hard to refuse your kind invitation. This is a good thing, as it will allow us to look out for each other."
He glanced at Lu Juefei, who seemed to have a potato in his mouth and couldn't make a sound.
"Brother Lu, you stay outside and keep an eye on things for us. If Lin Qianxiu and the others come out, let them know."
Although Lu Juefei was unwilling to take the risk with him, he was still somewhat useful, and this gave him a way out.
Lu Juefei hurriedly nodded in agreement, feeling much more relieved.
On either side of the massive screen in the council chamber, staircases led upwards. Luo Sifan randomly chose one and stepped forward:
"Senior Shu, Brother Jiang, let's go up and take a look!"
Shu Hongyi leaped up and walked alongside Luo Sifan, clearly worried that something might happen to him if he walked alone ahead.
The width of the stairs was just enough for two people to walk side by side. Since that night in the desert, Shu Hongyi had been quite distant from Luo Sifan, and this was the first time she had taken the initiative to get so close.
He kept his eyes straight ahead, his hand resting on the dragon-slaying sword, displaying an indifferent demeanor as if he were doing his job properly.
As the two stepped onto the stairs, they were slightly startled by the imposing aura that greeted them, as if they had entered another realm.
Jiang Wanfeng, who was behind him, saw everything clearly and whispered:
"Gentlemen, this is what is called 'treasure aura'. The stronger the pressure, the higher the level of the treasure hidden here. Since it has not been taken by anyone, the danger you may encounter is also greater."
Upon hearing this, Shu Hongyi was not surprised but delighted, her eyes shining. The sword energy within both of them was full and ready to be unleashed, and they dared not be careless in the slightest.
Although the pressure was harmless, it could bewitch people's minds. Luo and Shu handled it well; one had an innate sword physique, and the other was a seasoned swordsman. They were able to handle this level of pressure with their souls as steady as old dogs, and their sword energy, stimulated, became even more fierce.
Jiang Wanfeng walked slower and slower behind the two, as resisting the oppressive aura took a toll on his mental energy.
Just as Luo Sifan was about to speak to persuade him to leave, Shu Hongyi took his hand, gently shook it, and whispered:
“Training here will also benefit him. Let’s go first.”
Their slender hands clasped together, and Luo Sifan's heart fluttered slightly. Shu Hongyi, however, acted as if nothing had happened, showing no intention of letting go.
Luo Sifan composed himself, cleared his mind of distractions, and gazed intently around.
Above the long staircase is a carved balustrade passageway, with one side suspended in mid-air and the other side consisting of several lacquered wooden pavilions, each over ten feet tall and intricately carved.
The door was either half-open or closed, and apart from the sounds made by the three of them, there was no one else around.
"there!"
Shu Hongyi sensed the change in the oppressive aura and suddenly stepped out of the corridor.
The vermilion-lacquered, painted gate is half-closed in the center.
Shu Hongyi unsheathed the Dragon-Slaying Sword, holding it in her hand even in its sheath. She gestured for Luo Sifan to stay, then slowly walked toward the half-closed wooden door as if facing a formidable enemy.
After standing still for a few breaths in front of the door, the sword sheath was lightly lifted, and with a creak, the two wooden doors slowly opened.
A very deep study with bright windows at the far end appeared before Shu Hongyi's eyes.
The furnishings are elegant and luxurious, with rows of bookshelves filled to the brim with all kinds of books.
This must be the city lord's private study. Looking at the beautifully bound bookshelves full of books, Shu Hongyi had a sudden realization: the core of the oppressive power seemed to originate from here.
With her eyes shining brightly, Shu Hongyi stepped over the threshold and walked straight into the study. At this moment, the perception power of her Golden Core was also activated to the maximum.
Under Shu Hongyi's perception, there were no abnormalities anywhere, and the tables and chairs were arranged as usual.
Perhaps the danger lurks in the bookshelf? Shu Hongyi unconsciously slowed her pace.
The seemingly ordinary painted ceiling above subtly begins to change.
It was a picture of a flower pond in spring, with ladies and gentlemen enjoying the spring scenery around the pond. The pond was filled with three or five bright and exotic flowers, which seemed perfectly normal.
As Shu Hongyi pushed open the door and stepped inside, amidst the dense flower stems and leaves, two large, brown-green eyes, nearly ten feet apart, suddenly opened a crack.
A sliver of crystalline cold light reflected from the slits of his eyes as he looked down at Shu Hongyi, her black hair and red clothes growing ever closer.