Head to the Lord's Mansion to Meet Asura

"Now, can you take me to see your city lord?"

Wei Fengtang slowly rose from the ground, thoroughly convinced by his defeat. The look he gave Chen Chang'an shifted from admiration to outright respect.

If Wei Fengtang had previously regarded Chen Chang'an as merely a rising star, now, in his eyes, Chen Chang'an had surpassed him as a true powerhouse.

"You've won. You're the only one in No-Return City to possess the Violet-Gold Medal. You have the right to meet the city lord."

"Are you going to see him now?" Wei Fengtang asked, puzzled. Why was Chen Chang'an in such a hurry? Was there something urgent?

Or perhaps...

"Chen Chang'an, you’re not worried that City Lord Asura might skip out on paying your bet, are you?" Wei Fengtang asked helplessly.

Hmm?

Wei Fengtang’s assumption took Chen Chang'an by surprise. After all, he hadn’t given the bet a second thought—spirit stones were hardly something he lacked. This had just been a way to increase his leverage in meeting City Lord Asura.

But Wei Fengtang’s concern made sense—these people were poor and hadn’t seen much of the world.

"Never mind why I want to see him. Just take me there."

"Is he even in No-Return City?" Chen Chang'an asked impatiently.

"He is, but... I’ll need to report first and see if the city lord is willing to meet you today."

"You might have to wait a while."

Wait again?

Meeting the city lord was proving to be a hassle. But after waiting so many days already, Chen Chang'an could spare a little more time.

"Fine. I’ll head back to Joyful Pavilion first. Try to make it quick."

"Just tell him I have something to ask him."

Ask him something?

Wei Fengtang nodded. "I’ll relay your message to the city lord."

Without another word, Chen Chang'an’s figure blurred as he soared back toward No-Return City.

"That kid… truly does as he pleases," Wei Fengtang muttered with a wry smile.

"Uh… Lord Wei, the barrier… the barrier wasn’t open."

"If it wasn’t open, then open it. Do I need to tell you that?"

"No, what I mean is—if the barrier wasn’t open, how did Chen Chang'an leave?"

"Huh? That’s…"

Wei Fengtang froze. Right—how had Chen Chang'an passed through the barrier without it being opened?

That barrier had been personally erected by the city lord to contain the aftermath of their battle. Yet Chen Chang'an had come and gone as he pleased, completely unaffected. To him, the barrier might as well not exist.

"Just how many more tricks does Chen Chang'an have up his sleeve?"

"Is he even human?"

Every encounter with Chen Chang'an left Wei Fengtang stunned by his abilities. It was as if the man carried endless secrets.

"Wait… did that kid just leave without taking the Violet-Gold Medal? Ah, forget it. The city lord can hand it to him personally later."

Only after Chen Chang'an left did Wei Fengtang realize the medal hadn’t been given to him.

Back at Joyful Pavilion, the first person Chen Chang'an saw was, unsurprisingly, the proprietress.

It was as if she had nothing better to do than wait for him all day.

"Does this place even have any business?"

"Are you always this free?" Chen Chang'an asked bluntly.

"What business could be more important than a guest like you?"

"Come on, show me the Violet-Gold Medal. I’ve never seen one before," the proprietress said with a coquettish pout.

"The medal? I didn’t take it. If you like it, I’ll give it to you later," Chen Chang'an replied dismissively.

Give it to her?

"Would that count as a love token?" she asked, her eyes brimming with affection.

A love token?

Are you dreaming?

"Do you have to talk like this all the time?" Chen Chang'an sighed.

"Oh? Isn’t this what men like? Don’t play the saint—you might act reluctant, but deep down, you’re thrilled, aren’t you?"

"There’s no such thing as a true gentleman. They’re all just putting on an act."

"If a man resists, it’s only because the temptation isn’t strong enough."

Her words weren’t entirely wrong—most men probably were like that. But exceptions did exist.

Chen Chang'an, however, had no interest in debating the matter. It was a pointless argument with no clear answer.

"Everyone has their own perspective. You’re not entirely wrong."

"But don’t you find it exhausting?"

Exhausting?

The proprietress merely chuckled and shook her head. "Living is what matters, isn’t it?"

True. For many, survival took precedence over everything else. Why bother fussing over how one lived?

People had different understandings and made different choices.

As the two conversed, Wei Fengtang strode into Joyful Pavilion, moving so swiftly that even Chen Chang'an was taken aback.

Ignoring the proprietress, Wei Fengtang headed straight for Chen Chang'an.

"Lord Wei, this humble establishment is still my place. Isn’t it a bit rude to walk in without even greeting me?" the proprietress teased with a smirk.

"I’m here on business. Otherwise, who’d want to step foot in this dump?"

Wei Fengtang still refused to look at her, as if he held some deep grudge against both Joyful Pavilion and its owner.

Chen Chang'an’s curiosity was piqued. There was clearly history here.

"Got a story?" he asked the proprietress.

"He pursued me once. I turned him down."

"Don’t mistake my flirtatious exterior for actual promiscuity. I have my standards," she said with a laugh.

Wei Fengtang’s face flushed. There was a saying: when striking, avoid the face; when insulting, avoid sore spots. The proprietress had just laid bare his deepest embarrassment without hesitation.

"I was young and foolish back then," Wei Fengtang snapped.

"Young and foolish? How shameless."

"You were nearly a hundred when you chased after me. That counts as ‘young’?" she retorted scornfully.

"I—"

"Whatever. I won’t lower myself to argue with a woman."

"Chen Chang'an, the city lord has agreed to see you. Come with me to the City Lord’s Manor."

City Lord’s Manor?

Had City Lord Asura been there all along?

"There was indeed an unusual aura in the City Lord’s Manor earlier, but it vanished too quickly for me to track," Da Huang’s voice echoed in Chen Chang'an’s mind.

"This city lord is too mysterious. Either he’s at the Emperor Realm, or he has treasures that conceal his presence."

"Want me to come with you?"

Chen Chang'an didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Wei Fengtang and smiled. "Has the city lord always been in the manor?"

"I can’t disclose the city lord’s affairs. If you’re curious, ask him yourself."

"Fine. Lead the way."

Chen Chang'an asked no further questions. Soon enough, he would meet City Lord Asura face to face.

Chen Chang'an followed Wei Fengtang all the way to the City Lord's estate. The estate was grand and imposing, sprawling across a vast area.

However, Chen Chang'an couldn't shake the feeling that the place lacked vitality—such a massive compound, yet so few living souls.

Even if maintaining an air of mystery was the goal, was it really necessary to go this far?

Wei Fengtang led Chen Chang'an through the winding paths until they reached a secluded garden at the very back of the estate.

"Beyond that rockery ahead lies a passage. Follow it to the end, and you'll find a hidden chamber," Wei Fengtang said.

"The City Lord is waiting for you there."

So secretive?

"Your City Lord... must have quite a guilty conscience, huh?"