The Man Who Loves Gossip and His Dog

City Lord's Mansion

When Chen Chang'an arrived at the City Lord's Mansion, he found it decorated with lanterns and ribbons, bustling with a festive atmosphere.

Yet, the mood inside starkly contrasted with the lively surroundings.

There was no trace of joy—only an overwhelming sense of oppression.

Despite being the prestigious City Lord's Mansion, Chen Chang'an strolled in through the main gate without encountering a single soul—no guards, no servants, not even a maid.

It was as if the entire mansion had been emptied.

"This is strange. Why is everyone gathered at the back?"

"And the aura they're giving off feels so heavy." Da Huang remarked curiously.

"It seems the City Lord's daughter's marriage isn't a willing one," Chen Chang'an said calmly.

In the Rear Courtyard

"City Lord, there's still time to chase after her. Don't hesitate!"

"That's right! The young mistress is the jewel of you and your wife's hearts. You can't send her into the dragon's den that is the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect!"

"Do you not know what kind of person their Patriarch is? If the young mistress goes, her life will be ruined!"

"City Lord, you've shown us kindness. Let us handle this. You take the young mistress and your wife and flee far away."

"We'll stay behind and buy you as much time as we can."

The City Lord looked at his loyal guards, servants, and maids, moved by their devotion. But in the end, he could only sigh helplessly.

"The Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect has the backing of the Meng Family. Where could we possibly escape to?"

"We wouldn't even make it out of the Xuantian Domain before they caught us."

"The world may be vast, but for true powerhouses, finding us would be no challenge."

"If my death could spare Qingluan, I would give my life without hesitation."

"But even if I die, it won't change her fate. The Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect will never let her go."

Beside him, the City Lord's wife wiped away her tears, her eyes filled with sorrow.

They had only one daughter in their lifetime, and now, to ensure their survival, she was willingly throwing herself into the jaws of the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect's Patriarch.

"My poor child..." The City Lord's wife murmured, tears streaming down her face once more.

At that moment, the City Lord noticed Chen Chang'an's arrival and frowned.

"Who are you?"

"Why have you come to my mansion?"

"I was passing through on my way to the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect when I heard of your joyous occasion. I came to take a look, but..."

"It doesn't seem like much of a celebration."

At his words, the City Lord and the others tensed. Going to the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect? Was this man one of theirs?

"Are you from the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect?"

"Do you truly not know whether this is a joyous occasion or not?" the City Lord asked coldly.

"You misunderstand. I'm no ally of theirs—I'm their enemy."

The City Lord studied Chen Chang'an carefully. His appearance and bearing were extraordinary, but his cultivation was only at the Quasi-Immortal Realm?

Did he really intend to challenge the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect with such strength? That was nothing short of suicide.

"The Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect is formidable. With your level of cultivation, you'd be better off leaving now rather than throwing your life away."

"If you seek revenge, focus on improving your strength first."

Though they had only just met, Chen Chang'an could tell this City Lord was a decent man. Otherwise, his subordinates wouldn't be willing to sacrifice themselves for him.

"If I dare go, it's because I have absolute confidence."

"That's none of your concern."

"What I'm curious about is why the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect's Patriarch—a man of his nature—would suddenly take a wife."

"From the looks of it, it wasn't consensual. Why not just take her by force?"

"Why make such a grand spectacle of it?" Chen Chang'an asked, his curiosity piqued.

Chen Chang'an had one defining trait—he was insatiably nosy. In that regard, he and Da Huang were cut from the same cloth.

"This matter doesn't concern you. Why ask so many questions?"

"Unless... you have some scheme in mind?" the City Lord said sharply.

"Pure curiosity."

"Besides, I plan to wipe out the entire Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect."

"I wouldn't want to kill any innocents by mistake."

"So I'm just asking."

Though he framed it as such, Chen Chang'an was really just fishing for gossip.

"Ugh, why must you speak in circles?"

"My big brother may only be at the Quasi-Immortal Realm, but he's the Huan Hua Immortal Sect's Grand Elder!"

"His strength is beyond measure!"

"That puny Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect? Not even the Meng Family is a match for him!"

"Just relax and tell us."

"If he's in a good mood, he might even save your daughter for you."

Da Huang's ears perked up impatiently. After waiting so long without hearing the story, he was growing restless.

The Huan Hua Immortal Sect's Grand Elder? And a man?

How was that possible?

"Da Huang's right. I'm the Huan Hua Immortal Sect's Sect Master's personal disciple."

"This is my identity token, and he's our Grand Elder."

"His strength... is beyond measure." Xiao Yao declared proudly, lifting her chin.

Seeing Xiao Yao's token, the City Lord was taken aback but now confirmed Chen Chang'an's identity.

"So you're the Huan Hua Immortal Sect's Grand Elder. My apologies for the earlier disrespect."

"No matter."

"Now, will you speak?" Chen Chang'an pressed.

"Very well."

"If you wish to hear it, I'll tell you."

"This all began half a month ago..."

As the City Lord recounted the events, Chen Chang'an pieced together the full story.

The City Lord's daughter, Qingluan, was just over a hundred years old—still quite young by the standards of the Ancient Immortal Domain.

But her health had always been frail. On days and hours of Yin energy, her body would radiate an icy chill, turning her into a living block of ice.

For years, the City Lord had used his own cultivation to suppress the cold within her, keeping her alive.

Somehow, the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect's Patriarch learned of this and immediately sent envoys to the mansion.

Originally, they intended to take Qingluan by force. But she resisted fiercely, threatening suicide, forcing the sect to adopt a more diplomatic approach.

"So the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect just backed down like that?"

"With their power, stopping Qingluan from killing herself should've been easy, no?"