210: Chapter 210: The Way of Balance

Outside the Patrol Guard's prison.

Xiao Ran stood in the courtyard, the sunlight spilling over him and dispelling the underground chill.

He took a deep breath, pulled the patrol token from his robe, and turned it over in his hands.

The front was engraved with the words 'Patrol Guard', while the back featured a pattern of the Sword Qi Great Wall, its golden Sword Intent appearing lifelike.

The token felt warm in his hand, as if it were alive.

An old patrolman followed him and asked cautiously, "Captain Xiao, are you really going to see the City Lord?"

Xiao Ran tucked the token back into his robes and said indifferently,

"Why? Can I not go?"

The old patrolman waved his hands frantically. "You can, you can, of course you can."

"It's just... the City Lord is a busy man with a thousand matters to attend to. To disturb him over such a small matter, wouldn't it be..."

Xiao Ran glanced at him. "A small matter?"

"No wonder you've remained a regular member for so many years without progress. Can anything involving public security be considered a small matter?"

The old patrolman opened his mouth but found no words to say.

The conflict between the Zhou Family and the Zheng Family had been a nuisance in the Sword Qi Great Wall for more than a day or two.

Previous Patrol Guard captains hadn't dared to intervene, always trying to smooth things over with half-hearted mediation.

But this time, Xiao Ran had arrested the Young Masters of both families; this was no small matter.

The Zhou Family had already sent word that they intended to settle accounts with Xiao Ran.

Though the Zheng Family hadn't said anything yet, they wouldn't let the matter drop either.

Xiao Ran said no more and strode out of the courtyard, heading toward the City Lord's Manor.

The City Lord's Manor.

White walls and black tiles, upturned eaves and bracket sets, with two imposing stone lions standing majestically before the gate.

When Xiao Ran reached the entrance, the two guards recognized him and bowed quickly.

"Captain Xiao, the City Lord is waiting for you in the study."

Xiao Ran was startled. "The City Lord knew I was coming?"

The guard smiled. "The City Lord said you would definitely come today."

Xiao Ran's heart stirred. Without asking further, he stepped into the manor.

He passed through several corridors, rounded a rockery, and arrived before a study.

The study door was slightly ajar, with a dim yellow light leaking from within.

He raised his hand and knocked.

"Come in."

City Lord Li Qingge's voice drifted out from inside.

Xiao Ran pushed the door open and entered.

The study wasn't large. The four walls were covered with calligraphy and paintings—all masterpieces left by previous City Lords of the Sword Qi Great Wall.

In the center stood a red sandalwood desk, piled high with scrolls and Jade Slips.

City Lord Li Qingge sat behind the desk, holding a brush and writing.

This time, he wore a cyan robe embroidered with bamboo leaf patterns, his hair tied back with a white jade hairpin.

He looked even more fresh and otherworldly.

Truly.

Xiao Ran rarely used such words to describe a man, but for some reason, that exact term popped into his head today.

"Sit."

City Lord Li Qingge didn't look up, his brush moving slowly across the paper.

Xiao Ran sat opposite him in silence.

He understood this much etiquette; one should not be disturbed while writing.

A moment later.

City Lord Li Qingge set down his brush and looked up at him.

His eyes were bright, with a faint glimmer of sword light swirling in his pupils.

"A new official truly brings a new fire!"

"Arresting people from both the Zhou and Zheng families on your first day... you have quite the nerve!"

Xiao Ran cupped his hands.

"It was simply my duty."

"Since I've taken the job of urban management, shouldn't I be responsible for the citizens of the city?"

City Lord Li Qingge smiled; he liked those words.

"A fine sentiment, thinking of the people. Unfortunately, others aren't thinking of you!"

"The Zhou Family is backed by the Sword Sect, and though the Zheng Family has declined, they are still a thousand-year-old clan."

"As an outsider Patrol Guard captain, aren't you afraid of offending them?"

Xiao Ran naturally wasn't afraid; when it came to backgrounds, he had never feared anyone.

At the same time, this was the purpose of his visit today.

"Lord City Lord, I came today to ask you a question."

"Speak!"

Xiao Ran immediately began.

"I once heard a story about a Mortal kingdom. There was a county magistrate who, on his first day in office, encountered two wealthy families fighting in the street."

"Both families had powerful backgrounds, and neither would yield to the other."

"Previous magistrates didn't dare interfere, always trying to smooth things over."

"But this new magistrate was different. Without a word, he arrested everyone from both families and threw them into the dungeon."

"Then he went to see the Prefect and asked what he should do."

City Lord Li Qingge grew interested and leaned back in his chair. "What did the Prefect say?"

Xiao Ran said, "The Prefect didn't answer directly, but instead told him a story."

"He said there was once a hunter who encountered a wild boar and a wolf fighting in the mountains."

"The boar had thick skin and flesh, while the wolf had sharp teeth and claws; neither could overcome the other."

"The hunter hid behind a tree and watched for a while. Then, with one arrow, he killed the boar, and with another, he killed the wolf."

"He then sold their meat and skinned their hides, making a huge profit."

City Lord Li Qingge's interest was piqued. "This Prefect is interesting."

Xiao Ran looked at him. "What does the City Lord think the magistrate did next?"

City Lord Li Qingge didn't answer. He already understood the story, so there was no need to ask about the ending.

Instead, he picked up a Jade Slip from the desk and tossed it to Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran caught it and probed it with his Divine Sense. Inside was a city lords token.

It granted Patrol Guard Captain Xiao Ran full authority to handle all security matters in the eastern city, and no power was permitted to interfere.

Xiao Ran's heart jolted, and he looked up at City Lord Li Qingge.

City Lord Li Qingge said calmly,

"I know what you mean."

"Go ahead and do it."

Xiao Ran stood and cupped his hands. "Many thanks, City Lord."

He turned and strode out of the study.

Behind him, City Lord Li Qingge's voice followed.

"Xiao Ran, I will ensure your safety."

Xiao Ran didn't look back upon hearing this and walked out with large strides.

Since he had backing, what more was there to say?

Jie jie jie!!!

...

The City Lord's Manor.

Just after Xiao Ran left, a person stepped out from behind the screen in the study.

It was a white-haired old man with a lean, refined Face and a long beard reaching his chest.

He wore a grey robe and leaned on a walking stick.

This person was City Lord Li Qingge's advisor.

Surnamed Gu, he was known as Elder Gu.

Having stayed at the Sword Qi Great Wall for centuries, he was vastly experienced and resourceful.

Elder Gu walked to City Lord Li Qingge's side, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes as he looked in the direction Xiao Ran had left.

"City Lord, do you really think this young man can do it?"

City Lord Li Qingge leaned back, toying with the brush in his hand.

"You think he's unreliable?"

Elder Gu shook his head. "It's not that he's unreliable, it's that he's too young."

"Young and vigorous, easily impulsive—and he's from the Eternal Night Demon Sect, a follower of the Demonic Path."

"While our Sword Qi Great Wall doesn't care about origins, letting him deal with the Zhou Family and the Sword Sect, wouldn't that be..."

City Lord Li Qingge waved his hand. "Being young is good."

"Only the young have drive and aren't afraid of offending people."

"Those old foxes have all become spirits; if you asked them to deal with the Zhou Family, they'd be more slippery than anyone."

Elder Gu was silent for a moment before sighing.

"The City Lord is right. Over these years, the Sword Qi Great Wall has indeed changed."

"In the past, the major families and Sects would send Disciples every year to join the Yao-hunting operations and fight bloody battles against the Yao Race."

"And now? Every one of them hides in the city, caring only for their own interests."

"The Zhou Family is even more excessive, relying on the Sword Sect's support to the point of ignoring the City Lord's Manor's orders."

City Lord Li Qingge said indifferently, "Therefore, someone is needed to knock them down a peg."

Elder Gu looked at him. "But can Xiao Ran alone succeed?"

City Lord Li Qingge gave a calculating smile. "Who said he's alone?"

"Behind him stands the Eternal Night Demon Sect, one of the four transcendent powers of the Northern Border. Even the Sword Sect must give them some Face."

Elder Gu grew thoughtful. "So you made him the Patrol Guard captain to give him a legitimate status."

"To let him use the name of the City Lord's Manor to deal with those families and Sects?"

City Lord Li Qingge nodded. "Correct. He is an outsider with no conflict of interest, so he isn't afraid to offend anyone."

"Furthermore, his background is deep, so those families won't dare to move against him easily."

"Once he has muddied the waters, we will then step in to pull in the net."

Elder Gu thought for a moment and asked again, "What if his power expands too quickly and he eventually becomes a new great family?"

"At that time, will he be even harder to deal with than the existing families?"

City Lord Li Qingge shook his head calmly. "You forgot, the Saint and Saintess of the Supreme Dao Palace are also in the Sword Qi Great Wall."

Elder Gu was stunned. "You mean..."

City Lord Li Qingge said, "The Demonic Path should naturally be dealt with by the Daoist Path."

"Xiao Ran is from the Eternal Night Demon Sect, and Li Changsheng is from the Supreme Dao Palace."

"One is Demonic and the other is Dao; they are natural rivals."

"As long as they balance each other, neither can grow too large."

Elder Gu cupped his hands. "The City Lord is truly farsighted."

City Lord Li Qingge waved his hand. "It's not being farsighted; it's a necessity."

"If the Sword Qi Great Wall isn't rectified soon, it will rot to its very roots."

Elder Gu nodded and spoke no more.

...