139: Xuanyuan Blade

At noon the next day, Su Yuetang received an urgent reply from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion headquarters. The letter was handwritten by the Pavilion Master, Yue Long. The handwriting was elegant yet carried an air of unquestionable decisiveness.

The contents of the letter caused Su Yuetang's heart to sink to the bottom:

“My disciple Yuetang, I am aware of the matters in West Lake City. The enemy's forces are vast, far exceeding what the branch or even the Flower Sea Alliance can contend with. If the situation becomes untenable, prioritizing the preservation of the pavilion's core members and the transfer of important funds and treasures is paramount. Headquarters has decided to dispatch three Martial King Elders to set out immediately for support; they will arrive within three days. However, the key to this battle lies in the Imperial Court's attitude. If the Court does not deploy troops, our Hundred Flowers Pavilion alone has neither the strength nor the obligation to fight to the death against a Martial Emperor's power and so many Martial Kings. When that time comes... you may abandon the West Lake City branch and withdraw to headquarters. Remember, if the people are saved while the land is lost, both people and land may eventually be recovered.”

The letter paper trembled slightly between Su Yuetang's fingers. Abandon West Lake City... Although she understood rationally that this was the choice most aligned with the interests of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, she had poured countless efforts into this place, and there were people and things here she could not bear to part with.

“Is it going to be just like Star South City last time? Once things become impossible, we just decisively give up...” A trace of bitterness appeared at the corners of Su Yuetang's mouth. “Master, oh Master, you, old Senior, are still as you have always been... avoiding conflict and looking out for yourself.”

She handed the secret letter to Qin Feng, who was standing nearby. After Qin Feng finished reading, his brows furrowed tightly. The attitude of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion headquarters was within his expectations; after all, it was a commercial organization and could not possibly fight to the death against a power possessing a Martial Emperor for the sake of a single branch. Three Martial Kings as support was already the limit, but facing an enemy with one Martial Emperor and sixteen Martial Kings on the surface, this bit of strength was still far from enough.

Hope could only be placed on the Imperial Court.

Just then, a tiny hummingbird with special golden patterns on its wings flew through the window and landed on Qin Feng's shoulder, a small Jade Slip tied to its leg. It was a reply from Su Xiaoxiao!

Qin Feng's Divine Sense probed into the Jade Slip, which contained only a brief sentence: “Phoenix Restaurant, Heaven Number One quiet room, come quickly.”

Qin Feng and Su Yuetang looked at each other, both seeing the solemnity and a flicker of hope in the other's eyes.

“Be careful,” Su Yuetang urged.

Qin Feng nodded, and with a flicker of his body, he had already disappeared from the spot.

Phoenix Restaurant was one of the top restaurants in West Lake City, its owner behind the scenes being mysterious and unpredictable. Qin Feng easily avoided prying eyes and arrived at the Heaven Number One quiet room located on the top floor.

Pushing open the door to the quiet room, Su Xiaoxiao was not the only one inside.

Su Xiaoxiao was still dressed in a simple and elegant long dress, her temperament ethereal, but at this moment she stood to the side with a respectful expression.

In the seat of honor sat a dignified middle-aged man in plain clothes, exuding an Aura of natural authority. He sat there seemingly at ease, yet he seemed to merge with the Qi of the entire room, giving off a feeling as steady and heavy as a mountain. His Aura was unfathomable—he was a powerhouse at the Mid-stage Martial Emperor level! It was none other than the nominal supreme Dominator of West Lake City—City Lord!

Seated below the City Lord was an old Daoist wearing an Eight Trigrams Daoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk, and possessing the air of a transcendent immortal. He was Zhang Daoling, a Celestial Master from the Celestial Masters Mansion, also possessing a cultivation at the Early Stage Martial Emperor level!

Two Martial Emperors!

Qin Feng's heart steadied, and he quickly cupped his hands in greeting: “Junior Qin Feng greets the City Lord and Celestial Master Zhang.”

The City Lord's gaze was like lightning as it fell upon Qin Feng, as if he wanted to see through him inside and out. His voice was steady: “Young Friend Qin, there is no need for such ceremony. Sit.”

Zhang Daoling, on the other hand, stroked his beard with a smile, sizing up Qin Feng with a flash of curiosity in his eyes.

Su Xiaoxiao poured a cup of tea for Qin Feng and then quietly withdrew to the side.

The City Lord got straight to the point, his gaze sharp: “Young Friend Qin, Xiaoxiao has already relayed the information you provided to me and Celestial Master Zhang. This matter concerns the survival of West Lake City and the safety of hundreds of thousands of citizens; I must be cautious. How... did you learn that Situ Ming is a remnant of the former dynasty, and how were you able to discover their detailed troop deployment and the timing of their move?”

Qin Feng had already anticipated this question. His expression remained unchanged as he cupped his hands and said, “In reply to the City Lord, as for the source of the information, please forgive this Junior for not being able to state it clearly. It is... a special channel. But I can guarantee with my life that this intelligence is absolutely true!”

“A special channel?” The City Lord's brow twitched slightly, and an invisible pressure enveloped the quiet room. Normally, if someone dared to be so vague in front of him, they would have already been seized for interrogation.

However, Zhang Daoling suddenly laughed, breaking the heavy atmosphere: “Hahaha! City Lord, I have always been a good judge of character. For this Young Friend Qin, if others spoke of a ‘special channel,’ I might not believe it, but his eyes are clear and firm. I am willing to believe him!”

He looked at Qin Feng with approval in his eyes: “In Star South City, you assisted City Lord Xia in crushing the Barbarians with both wisdom and courage. When the battle report reached the Imperial Capital, even the Emperor and Empress praised you, calling you a ‘young hero.’ Later, on Black Reef Island, you single-handedly orchestrated the near annihilation of the notoriously fierce Sasaki pirate gang. I have also heard of this matter; it was beautifully done! Given your past actions and achievements, you are certainly not someone who speaks without foundation.”

Hearing this, the City Lord's tense expression softened slightly. He had indeed investigated Qin Feng's background and knew that what Zhang Daoling said was true. This youth had indeed created miracles repeatedly; perhaps he truly did have an unknown secret channel.

He pondered for a moment, his eyes staring intently at Qin Feng: “Qin Feng, I will ask you one more time. Are you certain that Situ Ming is a remnant of the former dynasty, colluding with the Yin Demon Sect, the Pirates, and the Cao Gang, intending to attack West Lake City from both inside and out on the night of the ceremony three days from now? And that the enemy indeed has one Martial Emperor, sixteen Martial Kings, and over a thousand elites?”

Meeting the City Lord's gaze without fear, Qin Feng said decisively, “I am certain! If there is a single false word, I, Qin Feng, am willing to accept any punishment!”

The quiet room fell into a brief silence.

The City Lord and Zhang Daoling looked at each other, both seeing decisiveness in the other's eyes.

“Good!” The City Lord slammed his hand on the table and stood up, a decisive killing Aura emanating from him. “In that case, I believe you! West Lake City must not be lost! Situ Ming... he has hidden deep enough. This time, we must pull him out by the roots along with all these monsters and demons!”

He looked at Qin Feng with appreciation and solemnity: “Young Friend Qin, you have performed a great service this time! I will immediately report the situation to the Imperial Court at the highest level of secrecy to request authorization and support! Meanwhile, all forces within the city will be unified under my command to prepare for battle!”

Zhang Daoling also flicked his horsetail whisk and said solemnly, “I will also send word to the Celestial Masters Mansion to see if more hands can be dispatched. Slaying demons and protecting the common people is our duty as cultivators.”

A heavy stone finally fell from Qin Feng's heart. He cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, “Thank you, City Lord and Celestial Master, for your trust! I have no other request but to help you Seniors protect the countless lives in West Lake City from being devastated!”

The true storm was about to arrive. But this time, West Lake City would not be fighting unprepared!