In the past two days, Shisu Town, a small town at the southern foot of Yuning Mountain, had never buzzed with such excitent.
First, a fragnt of a map from the Blue Sea Ruins was rumored to have appeared in the Northern Mountain region, drawing countless people to gather. This included major powers like the Biluo Sword Valley and the Southern Dipper Academy.
Then, a young man nad Chen Yang erged out of nowhere. Despite holding a map fragnt, he was far from discreet. He brazenly made his presence known by wiping out dozens of the City Lord's Mansion's Silver Armored Iron Cavalry with a single sword strike.
So said that this Chen Yang had also co to Shisu Town.
And finally, there was Mu Ling'er, the unruly princess.
A grand selection for her guards was underway in the northern square, the bloody spectacle stimulating the senses of the onlookers.
In truth, many could guess that there was sothing amiss with Princess Mu Ling'er's so-called guard selection. How could the most popular princess of the City Lord's Mansion, surrounded by a multitude of experts, be lacking for guards?
Yet, countless people still flocked to it.
After all, what if it was real?
Ultimately, it was greed that drove them; everyone wanted to latch onto the great tree that was the City Lord's Mansion.
This included one of the large local families of Shisu Town.
For example, the Zhou Family.
Today was the sixtieth birthday of the Zhou Family Head, Zhou Qingyang, and the entire family sprang into action, preparing for the evening's celebratory feast.
In the Zhou Family's main hall.
"Master, great news!" an old steward shouted, rushing into the hall with an excitent he couldn't hide on his wrinkled face.
"What are you shouting about? At your age, you should have more self-control," an elderly man in magnificent robes said with a frown, sipping his tea from the head seat, clearly displeased.
HUFF, HUFF!
The old steward took a couple of deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his excitent before explaining, "Master, we received a reply to the invitation we sent yesterday. The princess says she will attend the feast at our ho this evening."
"What?!"
The elder, who was none other than Zhou Qingyang himself, froze as he was lifting the teacup to his lips. He looked up abruptly, his eyes wide with astonishnt. "What did you just say?"
"Princess Ling'er has replied. She will attend your birthday feast tonight," the old steward repeated.
WHOOSH!
Zhou Qingyang shot to his feet, his hands shaking so uncontrollably that tea splashed everywhere. "Good! Excellent!"
"Haha…"
The Zhou Family Head's face turned beet red as he began to laugh with wild excitent.
How imnse was the prestige of the City Lord's Mansion?
And Mu Ling'er, adored above all others within it, held a status so noble it needed no further explanation. One only had to look at how countless talented youths were willing to risk their lives just to vie for a single position as her guard. It might seem irrational, but wasn't it also a chance to grasp an opportunity to soar to the heavens?
And yet, this princess, whom countless people would kill to serve, has agreed to attend my birthday feast! What glory! What an honor! Even if she only stays for a single cup of tea, the Zhou Family's status will have skyrocketed in the eyes of the world. That's Princess Mu Ling'er! From now on, who in Shisu Town will dare to offend the Zhou Family?
"Imdiately give the order to arrange a special welco ceremony for Princess Ling'er. The grander, the better!" Zhou Qingyang commanded after a mont of thought. "Also, spread the word. Tell that piece of trash who killed a unit of the City Lord's Mansion's Silver Armored Guards to kneel before the Zhou Family and confess his cris before dark!"
"Master, are you preparing a grand gift for Princess Ling'er?" the steward asked with a smile.
Zhou Qingyang simply smiled, offering no reply.
This is far more than a grand gift. It's a pledge of allegiance, a public display that the Zhou Family's relationship with Princess Mu Ling'er is more than a re passing acquaintance. It's killing two birds with one stone.
"Master, I've heard that man is quite domineering, and his strength is not to be underestimated. I'm afraid he might not co," the old steward said, feigning ignorance.
"Hmph!" Zhou Qingyang scoffed, holding his teacup. "Our Zhou Family's prestige is imnse. He ought to understand the gravity of the situation. Even if his parents just died and he's in mourning, he will kneel before by nightfall. Does he think he can ignore my Zhou Family? A piece of trash like him?"
With that, Zhou Qingyang gave a grand wave of his hand, looking sowhat like a general surveying his lands.
"Of course, Master. I will see to it," the old steward agreed.
Zhou Qingyang added another warning, "Tell him that if he dares to defy my will, he will suffer the consequences."
How many people in all of Shisu Town would dare to put on airs in front of , Zhou Qingyang?
In truth, all this posturing was for Mu Ling'er's benefit—a way to pledge loyalty from afar.
「...」
Once the news from the Zhou Family got out, Shisu Town was thrown into an uproar.
In an instant, all eyes were on the Zhou Family.
Countless people drooled with envy. The Zhou Family had truly struck gold, managing to forge a connection with the young princess of the City Lord's Mansion.
But upon closer thought, it was likely that the princess also wanted to use the Zhou Family, a local power, to quickly locate Chen Yang and eliminate him. After all, having a squad of Silver Armored Guards wiped out was an incredible loss of face, an issue that could not be left to fester.
Regardless, the rise of the Zhou Family now seed unstoppable.
As for Chen Yang, most people were in agreent. His death was already a foregone conclusion. No matter how the situation developed, the only question was how he would die and at whose hands.
「Qinghe Restaurant」
This restaurant, situated in the center of Shisu Town, had a considerable local reputation. The recent appearance of the map fragnt had attracted many nearby Fist Masters. The flow of custors was not to be underestimated.
At a table near the window on the ground floor, Shen Shaotian finished ordering the food and poured everyone a cup of tea. He smirked, "This Zhou Family... I think they're asking for a death wish! Do they really think I won't touch them just because they've found a willful princess to back them up? They're nothing but a second-rate family. Anyone who didn't know better might mistake them for agents of the City Lord's Mansion."
Shen Shaotian scoffed. He despised people who borrowed the might of others to intimidate people.
Petty people who get a taste of power and imdiately start acting like tyrants.
Chen Yang had no desire to discuss the matter. He changed the subject, "Let's talk about the map fragnt that appeared in Shisu Town. Where have the people from Biluo Sword Valley and your Southern Dipper Academy gone?"
"To the southern mountainous region. It's said the fighting there is already fierce, and many have perished," Shen Shaotian said, shaking his head. "Every ti one of these map fragnts appears, it heralds a bloodbath. It's like a at grinder, truly brutal."
Before Chen Yang could respond.
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
A group of seven or eight people strode powerfully into the restaurant. They were led by a master and his disciple, whose indifferent eyes swept over the surroundings.
SNAP.
With a snap of her fingers, the woman's piercing voice rang out through the restaurant. "Clear this place out imdiately!"
Her tone was cold and brooked no argunt.
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