Ling Wu turned back to glance at his subordinates and roared in a low voice, "Straighten the fuck up! Don’t embarrass the Young Master!"

The four hundred elite soldiers immediately straightened up, and a formidable aura instantly enveloped them. The few passersby who saw this were left dumbfounded, rubbing their eyes in disbelief. ’Were those soldiers with the expressions of local thugs the same men?’

The luxurious carriage stopped at the entrance of the City Lord’s Mansion, but for a long time, no one came out. Inside, it was already chaos. Li Houlin recalled his status as a Royal Family member. He paced back and forth in his room, muttering to himself, ’I am part of the Royal Family. That brat... he comes to my fief, and I don’t go out to greet him? What crime is that? I’ve done nothing wrong. At worst, it’s a breach of etiquette. So what do I have to fear from him? The Knight Order wanted to attack them; that’s the Knight Order’s problem. It has nothing to do with me! So, if he’s come to see me, I’m not afraid! I have the blood of the Royal Family in my veins. I refuse to believe he would dare to harm me!’

With these thoughts, Li Houlin straightened his clothes, walked out the door, and snorted at his trembling steward. "What are you waiting for? Go prepare to welcome the new Lord!"

The portly steward froze for a moment before snapping to his senses. He stammered out an affirmation and hurried away.

「Outside.」

Ling Xiao stepped out of the carriage, squinting as he took in the vast and opulent mansion. A refreshing floral fragrance wafted from the City Lord’s Mansion, a delightful and invigorating scent that cut through the drowsy afternoon air.

Ye Zi and the other two women were still inside the carriage. Ling Xiao had come straight here today with one goal: to drive out the City Lord of Penzes City. Ling Xiao was the type of person who wouldn’t attack unless provoked. But the moment he arrived, his opponent had tried to slaughter his guards and leave him a leader with no followers. This went far beyond a simple show of force!

This was a clear attempt to render him a complete figurehead. The message was clear: ’You can play the part of a noble, but I’ll remain the City Lord. Penzes City is still mine, Li Houlin’s!’

This had completely crossed Ling Xiao’s line. In the Cultivation Realm, the greatest taboo was seizing another’s grotto-heaven—an offense that would spark a feud to the death!

’If you dare to even think about killing my subordinates, then you’d better be prepared to face my wrath!’

Ling Xiao just stood there as curious passersby near the City Lord’s Mansion watched on. Some had even been following the procession for the spectacle ever since they entered the city. The most well-informed among them had already heard the news that the thousand Knights outside the city had been captured. They were shocked beyond measure, wondering what kind of army could possibly accomplish such a feat.

In Penzes, the Knight Order had always been a lofty, untouchable presence. Neither merchant caravans nor Mercenary groups ever dared to provoke them. To think that today, they had all been taken down so swiftly and completely!

Upon hearing the news, many of the nobles and powerful families within Penzes City were filled with a mixture of terror and alarm.

They knew nothing about this new young Lord. They had only heard that he was a General’s son from the Imperial Capital. He had fought against the Beastmen at Cameron and had captured a most-wanted fugitive in the Imperial Capital—a criminal who had annihilated an entire noble family and been on the run for years. For this, he was ennobled as a Viscount and granted Penzes City as his fief.

These nobles and wealthy merchants, far removed from the Imperial Capital, loved to overanalyze every decree and piece of news that came from it. They could complicate the simplest of matters, to say nothing of this situation, which was riddled with hidden complexities from the very start.

In reality, it didn’t much matter to these minor nobles and wealthy merchants who served as the City Lord of Penzes City. After all, Count Li Houlin had exploited them for a considerable sum over his many years in power.

There was one crucial difference, however: he didn’t go too far. He knew the limits of these minor nobles and wealthy merchants, so they had coexisted in relative peace for many years, and Penzes City had remained quite prosperous.

However, ever since Cameron Town was attacked by the Beastmen, nearly everyone in Penzes City, which was much closer to the Penzes Swamp, had been terrified, even though the attack hadn’t caused major losses. Time seemed to prove it was just a cruel joke by the heavens; the Beast Race had vanished without a trace after attacking Cameron Town. Yet the latent danger remained. Penzes City had recovered somewhat after a period of decline, but it was nowhere near as prosperous as it had been before the attack on Cameron.

Therefore, the minor nobles and wealthy merchants of Penzes City felt the city couldn’t afford any more turmoil. Who knew what this young Lord’s personality was like? If he was one of those decadent, hedonistic young aristocrats, it would be easier to handle. The more depraved the person, the more weaknesses they had, and any one of them could be exploited to win over or control him.

But if the young Lord was truly as the Empire’s official decree described—brave, wise, and benevolent—then they had a problem. Of course, everyone scoffed at that last quality. A truly benevolent noble? Did such a thing even exist?

Even the nobles themselves wouldn’t consider that word a compliment, would they?

If the new young Lord was truly that kind of person, these nobles and merchants would have a real headache on their hands. Penzes City’s wealth, after all, was built on the darkness that thrived beneath its prosperous facade.

Smuggling, slave trading, and other shockingly profitable enterprises were mostly in the hands of Penzes City’s local nobles and wealthy merchants. Li Houlin, for all his ruthless extortion, never cut off their revenue streams. But this new Lord...

And so, nearly every prominent family in Penzes City was watching and waiting.

The anticlimactic battle outside the city had already left most of them deeply disappointed. They never imagined the young Lord would have an expert at the Demon Sword Master level with him. Damn it all, this was not good news! 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

What they hadn’t expected at all was that after entering the city, the young Lord didn’t head for the municipal hall but came straight to the City Lord’s Mansion.

’What is he planning?’

This question was on the minds of more than just one or two people.

"CREAK!"

Just then, the main gates of the City Lord’s Mansion swung open. They were massive, heavy doors made from the finest ironwood, each one over twenty feet wide! Two servants struggled to pull them apart. The gates, perhaps having not been opened in a very long time, let out a series of ear-piercing groans.

Inside, a fifty-foot-wide red carpet stretched all the way to the entrance. The carpet was bright and pristine, clearly brand new and never before used. City Lord Li Houlin wore a bright yellow robe with a hand-embroidered Blast Flame Lion on it. Even the lace on his cuffs was exquisitely detailed, giving him a dignified and stately air. He wore a modest smile, flanked by an entourage of attendants and advisors, with all the wives and concubines of his household trailing behind him. Every single person of status in the City Lord’s Mansion had come out to greet the newcomers.

This level of pageantry left the onlookers outside utterly dumbfounded—even more shocked than they had been to hear of the formidable Knight Order’s capture. Not even the Southern King received such a grand welcome when he visited the City Lord’s Mansion. And in terms of seniority, the Southern King had to hold his nose and call Li Houlin "Uncle"!

"You must be the Third Young Master Ling, yes? Hahaha, a true dragon among men! Your heroic bearing is truly remarkable. I am Li Houlin, a member of the Royal Family and the City Lord of Penzes City. My welcome is tardy, I hope the Third Young Master Ling will not take offense!"

Li Houlin’s face was plastered with an incredibly warm smile. Even the portly steward, his head bowed low, marveled to himself, ’The master’s acting is getting more and more refined. A moment ago he was in his room, stomping and cursing up a storm, and now he’s acting more enthusiastic than if he were greeting his own father. Being a noble... it isn’t as easy as it looks!’

Hearing Li Houlin announce his Royal Family ties, Ling Xiao laughed inwardly. He let out a soft breath and said, "So you are Li Houlin? Do you admit your guilt?"

The smile on Li Houlin’s face stiffened. He forced a laugh. "I am not sure what the Third Young Master Ling is referring to. When this humble official learned you were coming to the City Lord’s Mansion, I spent a great deal of time preparing. I may have been a little late, but my sincerity is true, as the heavens can attest!"

"Hmph. Your preparations? Was that the thousand useless Knights outside the city?" Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes, his tone turning icy. The very air seemed to congeal with his words. Inside the carriage, Ye Wen Ni’s expression grew solemn. She thought in astonishment, ’His cultivation... it’s improved again? Is he really from this world? How can a mere Tier Five Great Sword Master possess such a powerful aura!’

"Knights? You mean the local Knight Order?" Li Houlin affected a look of confusion, turning to his steward. "Do you know what happened?"

’What else could have happened?’ the steward fumed inwardly, though he replied deferentially, "My lord, I don’t know either!"

A placid smile spread across Li Houlin’s slightly pudgy face. "Third Young Master Ling, you see, I was so busy with preparations that I have no idea what happened outside. Perhaps you could tell me?"

The Senior Staff Officers beside Li Houlin sneered to themselves. ’Age and experience always win out. This young Lord seems imposing, but in the end, he’s just an immature brat!’

But Ling Xiao only gave a cold smile and waved his hand. "Seize him! He dared to order the Knight Order to charge and assassinate a new Lord personally appointed by His Majesty the King!"

"Ling Xiao, you dare!" An imposing aura, that of a natural superior, burst forth from Li Houlin. "You brat, what gives you the right? In terms of rank, I am a Count and you are a Viscount! You show me no courtesy whatsoever! In terms of status, I am a member of the Royal Family! Who do you think you are to act against me?"

Ling Xiao ignored him completely, simply ordering Ling Wu, "Take him."

"I’d like to see who dares!" A thunderous roar suddenly echoed from the rear courtyard. A hulking man wielding a greatsword strode forward, backed by nearly a thousand armored men with weapons drawn. They had clearly been lying in wait.

The hulking man took great strides forward and bellowed, "If you want to harm my master, you’ll have to get through me first!" The thousand-odd soldiers moved to shield the City Lord’s family members behind them.

Ling Wu glanced at Ling Xiao’s impassive face, then waved his hand and commanded, "Heavy crossbows, prepare to fire!"

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