City Lord's Mansion.
"Patriarch Zhao, what brings you here today?" Zheng Dongxue, the butler of the City Lord's Mansion, greeted him with a warm smile.
Zheng Dongxue looked like a refined middle-aged scholar, gentle in demeanor and polite in tone. But behind that amiable face lay the strength of a Xiantian Realm expert. Within the mansion, he was second only to the City Lord herself, and his words often carried enough weight to sway her decisions.
Zhao Lieyang cupped his hands respectfully. "Butler Zheng, I must meet the City Lord. There is an urgent matter that requires her judgment."
Though he was the unquestioned master within the Zhao family, here in the City Lord's Mansion he knew better than to act arrogantly. In Azure Wind City, the highest authority still rested with the City Lord.
"Oh?" Zheng Dongxue's eyes narrowed slightly as he caught the storm of emotions boiling beneath Zhao Lieyang's surface. "Very well. Please wait a moment, Patriarch Zhao. I will inform her immediately."
"Good." Zhao Lieyang gave a stiff nod.
A guard led him to a reception hall, where he waited with a restless air.
About a quarter of an hour later, the doors opened. Bai Xueqin, the City Lord of Azure Wind City, stepped gracefully inside.
She wore a flowing white gown, her steps light as falling snow. Her age was impossible to discern; by appearance alone, she looked no older than thirty. Her beauty was undeniable, stunning in its own right, though not as bewitching as Lan Yueli's. Yet Bai Xueqin's presence carried something else: an innate nobility, a lofty aura that made others instinctively feel small in her presence.
The moment she entered, Zhao Lieyang rose to his feet and bowed deeply. "Greetings, City Lord."
"Patriarch Zhao," Bai Xueqin said with a polite smile, her voice calm yet carrying authority, "you came here in such haste. Do you have something to discuss with me? Please, sit."
"Yes." Zhao Lieyang forced himself to steady his tone, though anger still smoldered in his eyes. "There is a matter for which I ask the City Lord's arbitration. It concerns my Zhao family."
"Very well," Bai Xueqin replied, her expression measured. She could clearly sense the suppressed fury rolling off him.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Lieyang began. "It is like this… the matter involves the Li family."
He recounted the events in detail, how Zhao Xiaotian had dueled with Li Yun, how Li Yun had revealed hidden strength, and how the duel had ended with Zhao Xiaotian's death.
He concealed nothing. To lie before the City Lord would have been foolish; Bai Xueqin could easily uncover the truth, and then he would only make himself look weak and desperate.
"This…" Bai Xueqin's brows lifted ever so slightly. Her tone was calm, but her words carried finality. "From what you've told me, Li Yun has committed no wrong. On the Treasure Pavilion's arena, both sides must willingly agree to fight, and by your own account, it was Xiaotian who issued the challenge. In such a case, Patriarch Zhao, my hands may be tied."
Her brows drew together in a faint crease as she studied Zhao Lieyang's expression.
"City Lord, I am not asking you to act against the Li family on my behalf," Zhao Lieyang replied slowly, his voice heavy with restraint. "What I want… is for you to make an inquiry for me. There are rumors circulating that this Li Yun may be the illegitimate son of Pavilion Master Guan Long himself…"
The words lingered in the air like venom.
Zhao Lieyang's hatred for Li Yun was unquestionable, yet he was no fool. Against the Li family, he felt no fear. But against Guan Long, the master of the Treasure Pavilion… he hesitated.
That man was a mystery wrapped in shadow, his origins unfathomable even to Zhao Lieyang, patriarch of one of the city's three great families. And Guan Long was known to be unusually close to Bai Xueqin.
If Li Yun was truly Guan Long's son, then killing him would not simply invite retaliation, it would be a death sentence for the Zhao family. Even if they left no proof, Guan Long would hardly need evidence to exact vengeance. And when he struck, the Zhao family would crumble beneath his wrath.
"What did you say?" For the first time, Bai Xueqin's composure faltered. Her eyes widened, a ripple of shock flashing across her face.
Li Yun… Guan Long's illegitimate son?
She had never heard such a claim. She and Guan Long were both Xiantian Realm experts, long acquainted and on good terms, yet he had never breathed a word of this to her. Based on what she knew of his character, it seemed unlikely. But still, if Guan Long truly did have an illegitimate child, would he have admitted it so easily?
Zhao Lieyang pressed on, sensing her uncertainty. "City Lord, I cannot swear to its truth. But what is certain is this, the Treasure Pavilion's treatment of Li Yun is far from ordinary. I heard he participated in their auction and was even allowed to borrow against debt. Tell me, would the Treasure Pavilion ever extend such courtesy to a mere junior without some hidden connection?"
His reasoning wasn't baseless. The Treasure Pavilion was strict to a fault. For an elder of the Li family to be granted such privileges was conceivable. But for a youth like Li Yun? That was far too much face.
Bai Xueqin fell silent, her expression unreadable as her thoughts sank deeper.
Finally, after a long pause, she spoke again. "Very well. Patriarch Zhao, for your sake, I will give you this much face. I shall summon Pavilion Master Guan Long here. You may ask him yourself."
Relief flickered across Zhao Lieyang's stern features. "Thank you, City Lord."
This was exactly what he had come for. His goal was achieved.
***
Inside the Treasure Pavilion, Lan Yueli moved quickly through the hallways, a guard from the City Lord's Mansion following close behind. She stopped before a large wooden door and spoke softly.
"Pavilion Master, someone from the City Lord's Mansion has arrived."
A calm but firm voice answered from within. "Enter."
Lan Yueli pushed open the door and stepped inside with the black-clothed guard.
Guan Long sat behind a low table, his sharp gaze lifting from a scroll. "Does the City Lord require something of me?" he asked, his eyes settling on the visitor.
Because of his long and cordial relationship with Bai Xueqin, he was used to such visits. Whenever she wished to discuss matters, or even just share tea, she often sent a guard to extend the invitation. To him, it was nothing unusual.
The guard bowed deeply. "Lord Pavilion Master, if you are free, Lord City Lord invites you to the mansion at once."
"I see." Guan Long nodded lightly. "Very well, I will come immediately."
He thought little of it. Most of the City Lord's invitations were casual, rarely involving anything of consequence. With a dismissive wave, he sent the guard on his way.
Half an hour later, Guan Long arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. This time, Zheng Dongxue, the butler of the mansion himself, came forward to escort him.
As they walked, Guan Long's thoughts stirred. 'Strange… normally, when Bai Xueqin calls me, we meet in her private study or garden. Why the reception room this time?' Something felt different.
"Butler Zheng," he asked casually, "may I know what matter the City Lord wishes to see me about?"
Zheng Dongxue shook his head, his expression polite. "Lord Pavilion Master, I don't know the exact details. But just earlier, Patriarch Zhao of the Zhao family came to meet the City Lord. I wasn't present for their discussion, but not long after, Lord City Lord asked us to summon you."
"Oh?" Guan Long's lips curved into a faint smile. "I understand. Thank you."
"It's nothing." Zheng Dongxue waved it off. Though a Xiantian Realm expert and the chief steward of the City Lord's Mansion, he still carried himself with respect before Guan Long. The Pavilion Master's status was equal to the City Lord's; even Zheng would never dare to act arrogantly in his presence.
When they reached the reception room, Bai Xueqin rose from her seat with a warm smile. "Pavilion Master Guan, you're here."
Zhao Lieyang also stood, inclining his head in greeting.
"City Lord." Guan Long cupped his hands to Bai Xueqin, then turned, his gaze landing on the Zhao patriarch. "Ah, Patriarch Zhao. You are here as well."
"Yes," Zhao Lieyang said smoothly, bowing slightly. "I had matters to discuss with the City Lord. It is good to see you, Pavilion Master Guan."
"Please, both of you, be seated." Bai Xueqin gestured with a graceful hand, her smile never fading.
The three sat down together, the atmosphere suddenly heavy with unspoken intent.
After ushering Guan Long inside, Butler Zheng Xuedong quietly excused himself. If the City Lord had wanted him to remain, she would have said so. Since no such instruction was given, lingering would only be unnecessary.
"City Lord, you summoned me here. May I ask what the matter is?" Guan Long's eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled, though there was a glint of caution in his gaze.
Bai Xueqin inclined her head. "Yes. There is something I must ask Pavilion Master Guan."
Her eyes shifted briefly toward Zhao Lieyang before she continued. "Not long ago, Patriarch Zhao's son, Zhao Xiaotian, crossed blades with Li Yun of the Li family in your Treasure Pavilion's arena. I wonder, does Pavilion Master Guan know of this?"