36: "Merciful" City Lord

Killing intent pricked his back like thorns, making Hong Yu restless. He looked at Wang Lie's calm face and suddenly shuddered.

"City Lord!" Hong Yu said righteously. "This is Senior Brother Sun's relic; I wouldn't dare accept it. Moreover, you personally recovered it, City Lord, and we've been under your care since we arrived for this mission. To me, you are a kind and venerable elder.

Now that my Junior companions have met with an accidental death, it's only right and proper that you handle everything, City Lord. How could I dare overstep?"

Wang Lie sighed and said, "That doesn't seem right. What I did was merely my duty. It's better if you handle their funeral arrangements."

As he spoke, Wang Lie's large hand couldn't help but gently stroke the soul-summoning banner.

Seeing this, Hong Yu keenly sensed the killing intent fading. He confirmed his suspicions and said firmly, "Please don't refuse, City Lord. I believe Senior Brother Sun would support my decision from beyond the grave."

He then put on a look of deep grief and said, "My sincerity is clear for all to see. If you insist on refusing, City Lord, could it be that you look down upon the possessions of us Qi Refining Cultivator?"

Having said that, Hong Yu cupped his fists and prepared to drop to one knee.

Seeing this, Wang Lie stopped refusing. With a relaxed expression, he quickly supported Hong Yu and said, "I have felt your sincerity, young friend. I shall reluctantly accept it then, lest I dampen your sincere heart."

Only then did Hong Yu feel the killing intent vanish completely.

Looking at the kind elder before him, he knew he had just brushed with death once again.

He then recalled some details he had previously overlooked.

First, Sun Yang had escaped right under his nose, yet Wang Lie claimed everyone but him had perished.

Furthermore, even if Wang Lie were telling the truth and had brought back the Tiger Demon's corpse, there was no way he would have failed to find the other bodies and relics aside from the soul-summoning banner.

After all, Hong Yu knew Wu Tie died from Sun Yang's sneak attack. Although his soul was extracted, his Physical Body and Storage Pouch should not have been destroyed.

Combined with Wang Lie's seemingly caring but actually indifferent attitude, and that irrepressible killing intent, Hong Yu was fairly certain that City Lord Wang hadn't just gone out for a stroll—he had likely committed murder to seize treasures.

As for why he only felt killing intent toward him but didn't act, Hong Yu had some guesses.

Firstly, Wang Lie had seen his Blood Shadow Movement Technique. Possessing speed comparable to the Foundation Establishment Stage while in the Qi Refining Stage might have caused Wang Lie to misjudge his background.

Secondly, he needed someone to return to Xuan Yun Residence to report. After all, if everyone were wiped out during such a simple mission, it would be suspicious. Xuan Yun Residence would surely send someone to investigate.

Whether Wang Lie could cover up the truth then was anyone's guess.

After all, the cultivation world was full of incredible and mysterious methods.

Sure enough, Wang Lie continued, "Young friend, I know you are grieving over what happened. However, we Cultivator are constantly struggling against fate. It's inevitable to encounter various accidents on the path of cultivation. You should try to move on and return Inside the Mansion soon to focus on your cultivation. The higher your cultivation, the better you can avoid such accidents. Don't you agree?"

Wang Lie's tone was full of concern, as if he were truly a kind elder counseling a Junior.

Hearing this, Hong Yu was stunned. Grieving? Grieving my ass!

He'd love to set off firecrackers to celebrate the deaths of Sun Yang and the others. How could he be grieving? However, Wang Lie's attitude was clear: he wanted him gone, back to Xuan Yun Residence.

At this point, he also remembered he had violated sect rules while Inside the Mansion. Returning now meant facing immediate consequences, but he couldn't run. He might as well go back and face reality sooner.

So Hong Yu forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your guidance, City Lord. I plan to return to the residence within the next two days. I will certainly report your help and the news of how Senior Brother Sun and the others sacrificed themselves to protect their fellow Disciples."

Wang Lie smiled with satisfaction and nodded, "A teachable youth indeed. I also happened to bring back the corpse of your mission target. You can take it to complete your mission. I won't keep you any longer."

Hong Yu gave a dry laugh and scratched his head awkwardly. "There's one more thing I might need to trouble you with, City Lord."

"Speak."

"It's like this: the journey is long. I came here on Senior Sister Mu's flying boat. Now that something has happened to her, I don't have a suitable means of transport even if I want to go back. If I rely on my legs, I don't know how long it will take. I wonder if you have any suggestions, City Lord?"

Wang Lie frowned slightly upon hearing this, then laughed heartily. "I thought it was something difficult, but this is easy. Tomorrow, a Chamber of Commerce in Wolong City is scheduled for its routine trade trip to Xuan Yun Residence. You can take my token and have them give you a ride."

Having said that, Wang Lie took a medallion from his Storage Pouch and tossed it to Hong Yu.

Hong Yu caught it and looked closely.

The medallion was made of high-quality jade, warm to the touch and of excellent quality.

Hong Yu carefully put it into his Storage Pouch and thanked him solemnly, "Thank you for your care, City Lord. I shall never forget this kindness."

After speaking, Hong Yu shouldered the Tiger Demon's corpse and turned to leave the Great Hall.

Once Hong Yu was far away, the Steward who had been standing silently behind Wang Lie asked respectfully, "City Lord, why didn't you take that boy down as well? We could have claimed they all died to the Cloud-Patterned Snake. Wouldn't that be cleaner?"

Wang Lie glanced at him and said coolly, "You've been with me for so many years; do you still lack such insight? That boy's blood energy is abundant, and that movement technique is clearly a top-tier Demonic Path art. Although Xuan Yun Residence is neutral and doesn't care what path its Disciples follow, for him to obtain such a Cultivation Technique means there must be someone behind him—perhaps some big shot I can't afford to offend.

Furthermore, by letting him return to report, he'll naturally know to help me cover things up. Do you think everything that boy said was true? The friction between him and Sun Yang's group was practically glaring!"

The Steward still looked worried. "But City Lord, what if that boy claims you were the one who attacked them? That would bring people from the Law Enforcement Hall Inside the Mansion to investigate. You know the fines for bullying the weak or killing across Realms are so high that those mad dogs will investigate desperately."

Wang Lie patted his sleeves, brushing off non-existent dust, and threw the soul-summoning banner to the Steward. "Do you really think I don't have a backup plan? Don't worry, he won't be able to speak. Take this item and this Talisman to my son. This will be a great help to him. Also, tell him to keep a close eye on this boy. Once the Talisman lights up, kill him at all costs."

The Steward listened with a solemn expression and replied respectfully, "City Lord, you are truly far-sighted. I was too dull to understand your profound intentions. I will go and handle it immediately."