Chapter 75: Weighty

The elder could barely contain his eagerness at Lin Hao’s proposal. Lin Hao, unconcerned by the elder’s attitude, followed him out of the Martial Arts Pavilion. After lingering there a little longer, Lin Hao took his leave.

Before he departed, the elder said to him, “You see, young friend Lin Hao, you’ve inspected our sect today. The Golden City Sect’s strength is undeniable. What do you think about this year’s Azure City Sect election?”

“Rest assured, Elder,” Lin Hao replied confidently, “I’ll report everything truthfully when I return to my sect. As for this year’s election, Golden City Sect will certainly have its place.” After all, he had accepted their gifts; one must reciprocate when taking favors.

So, Lin Hao answered the elder with the same boldness he’d shown the city lord before. The elder’s face lit up with joy as soon as Lin Hao agreed, his worries dissipating. If Lin Hao succeeded in this matter, the elder would gladly offer him more martial arts secrets.

Smiling brightly, the elder saw Lin Hao out of the Golden City Sect. Once outside, the city lord led Lin Hao to inspect the next sect.

Lin Hao accompanied the city lord through two or three more sects, gathering even more secret manuals, pills, and rare materials for crafting. When they reached the fifth sect, the system suddenly alerted him: “Warning. Host is advised to withdraw immediately.”

Lin Hao paused, startled by the system’s warning. He had just left the fourth sect, and the city lord was leading him onward, but Lin Hao suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing both the city lord and Cheng Yu to look at him in surprise.

Lin Hao’s expression shifted abruptly, leaving the two even more perplexed. Cheng Yu asked cautiously, “Brother Lin Hao, is something wrong?”

“Oh, nothing,” Lin Hao replied, “I just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to. Let’s end today’s inspections here. Once I’ve handled my affairs, I’ll return and continue.” With that, he cupped his hands in farewell and turned to leave.

The city lord and Cheng Yu were caught off guard, frozen in place as Lin Hao left. When Cheng Yu recovered, he hurried after him, calling out, “Wait, Brother Lin Hao!”

Noticing Cheng Yu’s pursuit, Lin Hao quickly waved him off and summoned the Cloud-Swallowing Sword, soaring away in an instant.

The city lord and Cheng Yu watched Lin Hao’s departing figure, an odd feeling flickering in their hearts, but it quickly passed. They assumed Lin Hao genuinely had urgent business.

Neither suspected anything amiss. They merely sent word to the other sects that Lin Hao wouldn’t be visiting today, then returned to the city lord’s mansion.

They had barely settled in when a messenger arrived. “Reporting to the city lord, the Azure City Sect’s special envoy has arrived.”

“What? The special envoy is here!” The city lord stood up in surprise.

“What special envoy? Isn’t it Lin Hao?” Cheng Yu asked curiously.

But at that moment, the city lord was overcome by a sense of foreboding. His heart felt heavy, his expression darkened.

Cheng Yu looked at his father and asked, “Father, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, but I suspect something major has happened,” the city lord said, quickening his pace. He called to the messenger, “Hurry, come with me to greet the envoy.”

He strode outside.

When they reached the main gates, the special envoy from the Golden City Sect saw a figure clad in black standing imposingly at the entrance.

Seeing this person, the city lord’s heart grew heavier, his gaze complicated. This was the individual sent annually by the Azure City Sect to select disciples for their election.

His name was Qingci.

“Lord Qingci, what brings you here?” the city lord forced a smile, trying to curry favor.

Qingci’s face showed no warmth. He snorted coldly, “Didn’t you send word that someone from Azure City Sect was here to inspect? I haven’t arrived yet—who was here? Bring that imposter out at once. I want to interrogate him thoroughly.”

It turned out that after Lin Hao entered the city lord’s mansion, the city lord had notified Azure City Sect—not out of distrust, but to ingratiate himself by reporting Lin Hao’s arrival.

Unfortunately, the attempt at flattery had backfired, resulting in this awkward scene.

As Qingci spoke, the city lord grew increasingly anxious. By the time Qingci finished, his heart was pounding, and his face was grim. Cheng Yu’s expression was equally troubled.

Qingci noticed the strange looks on everyone’s faces. He demanded, “What’s going on? Why do you all look like you’re at a funeral?”

His shout startled the city lord, who quickly composed himself and forced a bitter smile. “Lord Qingci, you’ve arrived too late. The person has already left…”

“What? Who was so bold as to let him go?” Qingci demanded before the city lord could finish.

“Please, Lord, let me explain…” Cheng Yu hurried forward to defend his father, but Qingci showed no mercy.

“Impudence! When did you have the right to speak?” With a slap, he sent Cheng Yu flying, who landed on the ground, spitting blood.

Seeing his son injured, the city lord’s eyes flashed with worry and pain. He stepped forward to help Cheng Yu, but seeing Qingci’s furious expression, he dared not approach. Bowing his head, he said, “Apologies, Lord Qingci. My son was disrespectful. Please forgive him.”

“Hmph!” Qingci snorted, saying nothing more.

The city lord quickly changed the subject: “It’s like this—we genuinely didn’t know he was a fraud. He claimed to be from Azure City Sect, and he could use the Azure City Technique, so we believed him. Just before you arrived, he said he had urgent business and left, but he promised he’d return.”

Hearing this, Qingci was shocked. “What?! You said Azure City Technique? He can use it?”

Qingci was unsettled at the mention of the technique, wondering if Azure City Sect had indeed sent someone else. He hesitated, wavering for a moment.

But then he shook his head decisively—every year, only he came, and Azure City Sect had never sent anyone else. How could this stranger be from Azure City Sect?

Yet who was this person? Why could he use their technique?

Qingci’s fury abated slightly as he fell into deep suspicion. The city lord, seeing Qingci’s changed expression, felt a bit of relief.

He proposed, “Lord Qingci, since none of us know the truth, perhaps you could inquire whether Azure City Sect sent another representative. Then we can wait together for this person’s return.”

Qingci considered the suggestion and nodded, though his tone was sour. “Very well, we’ll do it this way. Hmph. A useless bunch, duped by an unknown stranger. How could you be so blind?”

He strode into the city lord’s mansion.

Though insulted, the city lord dared not show his displeasure and hurried after Qingci, quietly instructing someone to help Cheng Yu to his room.

In the main hall, Qingci seated himself in the place of honor, and the city lord quickly ordered spirit tea and refreshments.

Sipping the tea, Qingci interrogated, “Tell me—what was his purpose here? What did he do?”

The city lord trembled inwardly but forced himself to remain calm, recounting everything Lin Hao had done since his arrival.

When he finished, Qingci slammed his teacup to the floor. “Fools! You believed him so easily and handed over so many treasures.”

His heart burned with rage—these spoils should have been his, yet they were stolen by a nobody. Whether or not the stranger was from Azure City Sect, Qingci swore enmity.

He thought grimly: If I ever meet this person, I’ll tear him to pieces.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao, upon hearing the system’s warning, had turned and left, riding his Cloud-Swallowing Sword straight out of the city.

The other sects, upon learning of Qingci’s arrival, hurried to the city lord’s mansion, sensing something significant was happening.

As the elders arrived, the mansion’s guards quickly reported, “Reporting, city lord!”

Before the city lord could answer, Qingci snapped at the guard, his temper flaring as he was in the midst of berating the city lord—especially about the treasures he’d surrendered. The implication was clear: the city lord would have to offer even greater treasures.

Before the city lord could reply, the guard’s interruption only made Qingci angrier.

The guard trembled under Qingci’s wrath, especially as Qingci unleashed his oppressive aura directly.

With a gasp, the guard collapsed to the ground, his body trembling as he stammered, “Reporting, Lord, the elders from all the other sects have come to pay their respects. Do you wish to see them?”

Only then did Qingci withdraw his aura.