The Lord's Choice

Hearing someone mention Yi Feng's name, the city general suddenly blanked for a moment. He seemed moved by the idea, but in the next breath, his eyes dimmed, and he did not say a word.

That expression was virtually imperceptible. The crowd did not notice anything unusual and continued speaking on the topic, their discussions growing louder and louder.

"That's right! If we can invite that person, our Ye City might just be able to turn danger into safety!"

"This is indeed a way out. I heard that Master Yi possesses profound cultivation. If he can lend us a hand, our chances of winning will absolutely skyrocket!"

"There is no time to lose. Let us quickly send someone to invite Master Yi!"

"Lord City Lord, what are your thoughts?"

The arguments quickly subsided as the crowd turned their eyes toward the main seat, where the person sitting had yet to speak a word.

In this moment of extreme crisis for Ye City, they cast all other concerns aside. Even if they had never met Yi Feng themselves, they treated him as their final straw to clutch at.

Even if the chances were slim, it reignited the flames of hope across the entire hall.

Right at this highly anticipated moment.

Before the City Lord could voice a final decision, the Eldest Miss spoke up first with cold eyes, pouring a basin of cold water over everyone's hopes!

"Everyone."

"There is no need to pin your hopes on Master Yi. He will absolutely not step in to help."

That person won't help?

Why was the Eldest Miss so certain?

The entire hall froze for a moment, their eyes revealing suspicion.

Although complex expressions of doubt and disappointment surfaced on their faces, hope was right in front of them, and the majority were unwilling to give up just like that.

After a brief, awkward silence.

The voices of debate rose once more. The crowd, bowing repeatedly, showed even greater urgency in their eyes!

"That senior won't help? Where does this come from?"

"Sigh, a big shot like that might indeed be unwilling to make a move. Intervening in a battle over a small city like ours might be beneath his status."

"No matter what, we must give it a try!"

"That makes sense. That Martial Emperor senior is our last hope. No matter the price, we must do our utmost to beg for his help!"

...

The group grew more anxious as they spoke, their eyes revealing a do-or-die determination.

At this very moment, it was as if they would ignore everything else as long as they could convince Master Yi to take action. Seizing this sliver of survival was more important than anything else!

Looking at the resolute gazes of the Ye City magnates filling the hall, Chen Yuxin helplessly fell into silence.

She knew Master Yi's strength better than anyone. If he took action, turning the tide would not be an impossible task. However, they had repeatedly offended that senior, and their last chance had long been severed.

If they could ask for his help, would they still be agonizing over it here?

It truly was a case of bringing disaster upon oneself and leaving no way out.

The more Chen Yuxin thought about it, the more remorseful she felt. Listening to the urgent, unceasing arguments in the hall, her mind was a tangled mess, and she lost even the courage to speak.

It wasn't until the City Lord finally spoke that the chaotic scene settled down slightly.

"Everyone."

With that deep voice, everyone turned their attention toward him.

Sitting upright in his grand chair, Chen Cangyun still possessed that calm and steady expression, seemingly no different from before. Looking as though everything was under his control, his steady-as-a-mountain posture immediately commanded the entire hall.

The scene finally fell into a reluctant quiet.

The Ye City magnates waited patiently for the City Lord's brilliant countermeasure.

Yet, when Chen Cangyun spoke again, his words left everyone looking at each other in dismay.

"Currently, our Ye City is suffering from the flames of war, and there are casualties among both the military and the civilians. The most pressing matter is to stabilize the people's hearts. I ask everyone to work together and utilize your talents. Defending the city brooks no delay, but everything inside the city cannot be ignored either. Starting today, all major families must dispatch personnel to assist in the allocation and transport of rations to ensure the daily needs of the soldiers and civilians. The collapsed houses and roads in the city also need people to clear and repair them."

"A great battle is imminent. We must prioritize the citizens of Ye City. No matter what happens, we absolutely must not throw ourselves into a panic. Regardless of who meets with an accident, no one is allowed to abandon the people and flee the city."

"If an accident befalls me, Chen Cangyun, the next Lord of Ye City will be succeeded by Song Hailiang!"

As these words fell, the entire hall was greatly taken aback.

In the face of such a critical situation, the City Lord did not mention a single word about the crucial decision to seek aid from Master Yi. Instead, he arranged all sorts of trivial matters within the city and even announced the next City Lord at this very moment.

Didn't these words sound a bit strange?

Even Song Hailiang, the Patriarch of the Song Family, who was suddenly appointed as the next City Lord from the man's own mouth, could not react in time. Unable to think too deeply about it, he was left with a face full of confusion.

Just as the crowd was about to speak, Chen Cangyun had already stood up to leave.

"Everyone."

"Today's discussion ends here. I hope each of you will fulfill your duties to protect the stability of Ye City."

Watching the receding back of the City Lord, the Ye City magnates, despite their puzzled expressions, had no further opportunity to speak. They could only bow in farewell and scatter with their suspicions.

The large hall suddenly became incredibly desolate.

Only Chen Yuxin was left sitting blankly in a daze, her willow brows furrowed in endless doubt.

She couldn't help but feel that her father's earlier remarks were very strange. Compared to his usual domineering and forceful style, the more she thought about it, the weirder it seemed. Even after returning to her boudoir to sit alone, it was difficult to unravel the confusion in her heart.

Just as she anxiously stood up and stood quietly by the window, the room door gently opened.

The person who walked in was precisely the father who suddenly made her feel unfamiliar.

Gone was his past majesty, and absent was the noble entourage that usually surrounded him. He calmly stepped in all by himself, holding a mahogany tray in his hands.

Chen Yuxin stared blankly.

Was this exceptionally peaceful figure before her still her incomparably dignified City Lord father?

Before she could utter a sound.

Chen Cangyun smiled and stepped steadily into the room. He placed the tray firmly on the small round table, personally brought out the small bowl of clear soup resting on it, and then sat down with a smile, raising his eyes to speak.

"Xin'er, quickly take a seat."

That affectionate demeanor made Chen Yuxin even more surprised.

Glancing at the clear soup on the table, she widened her beautiful eyes in disbelief.

"Father..."

"Why... why would you suddenly..."

Chen Cangyun smiled and nodded, a hint of affection revealing itself in his eyes.

"Isn't this your favorite Spirit Sturgeon Soup?"

"I remember you always loved drinking this when you were little. Later, when I became the Lord of Ye City, I was entangled with mundane affairs all day long and truly had no free time to stew this clear soup. Thinking about it now, I have indeed neglected you somewhat over these years. You mustn't blame your father."

Hearing these words.

Chen Yuxin only felt a burst of sorrow in her heart, an indescribable mix of complex emotions.

Looking at the clear soup on the table before her, the various feelings she had suppressed for years all surged out in an instant. Unconsciously, a glint of moisture appeared in her eyes as she quietly sat down and carefully picked up the soup spoon.

A single bowl of clear soup surpassed all sorts of praises and achievements. It was as if it brought her back to her happiest and simplest times, enjoying the long-lost familial bonds and fatherly love.

In this moment.

It was as if she was no longer the aloof Eldest Miss, but just the innocent and naive little girl she once was.

As the clear soup entered her mouth, it was as fresh and delicious as ever.

It was still the taste of the past, still the warmth of before.

After drinking just a few mouthfuls, the simple joys buried deep in her memory all welled up from her heart at this moment. The exotic delicacies and sea foods she had tasted far and wide were vastly inferior to this clear soup that left a lingering fragrance on her lips and teeth.

The father and daughter sat opposite each other in silence, both their eyes revealing a long-lost smile.

Even long after the bowl of clear soup had bottomed out.

Chen Yuxin's beautiful face revealed only an unspeakable sense of being deeply moved and joyous. Her usual cold and aloof demeanor was completely gone. Her entire being felt an indescribable warmth, accompanied by a lingering sense of wishing for more. It was as if this simple bowl of clear broth was invaluable, bringing her more delight than any rare treasure in the world.

But when she looked up with warm tears in her eyes, there was already no one sitting across from her.

The smiling father who had been keeping her company just moments ago was nowhere to be found. Aside from the chilly night wind blowing in through the doors and windows, there was only the faint, distant sound of commoners weeping.

Suddenly.

Listening to the cries, Chen Yuxin felt a sharp clench in her heart. Her slender hand trembled, and the soup spoon instantly slipped from her grasp!

Crash!

As the spoon shattered into pieces on the floor, an extremely ominous premonition rushed in like a tidal wave, drowning out Chen Yuxin's fleeting joy. She stood up abruptly as if violently jolted awake from a dream, her face draining to a deathly pale!

Father? Father!

No matter how frantically she called out and searched, her father's figure was nowhere to be found within the City Lord's Estate.

Far away in the night sky.

Chen Cangyun looked down at the tragic devastation of Ye City, a complex array of emotions flashing through his eyes. It was not until he heard those faint, distant cries for him that he gritted his teeth, withdrew his lingering gaze, and turned around with absolute resolve. His figure shot explosively into the clouds!

By the banks of the Luo River.

The moon was hidden, and the howling wind blew fiercely.

Having landed, Chen Cangyun stood silently with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes slightly closed. He let the freezing wind batter his face, yet his icy expression did not waver in the slightest. A terrifying, overwhelming battle intent radiated from his sword-like eyebrows.

The surroundings grew increasingly freezing, and all of creation fell into an eerie, unnatural silence.

Until.

Several figures descended from the sky, completely shattering the silent night with their roaring laughter!

Hahaha...

Chen Cangyun, to think you actually dare to face us all by yourself! Are you simply looking for death?!