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"Please don’t mind my friends," Yan Xiaobao said, seemingly unaffected by his companions being discovered. "Not just some cultivators try to shake me off," he continued, his face showing an apologetic expression as he shook his head. "Wherever I go, I need to stay vigilant, so the three of us usually move together," he explained. He wasn’t lying, but neither was he stating the full truth. He knew very well he wasn’t someone most people welcomed, but the reason he was traveling with his two friends this time wasn’t entirely for safety. Even though he hoped the City Lord wouldn’t suddenly attack him, it was hard to predict his actions. If the City Lord planned an attack, he would have support; those who ensured the City King didn’t return to the faction.
"Of course," the City Lord grinned wide. "It’s perfectly reasonable to bring support, but who said I came alone?" the City Lord continued, and with a light motion of his hand, three experts emerged from the shadows; three figures dressed in black, their faces concealed behind masks. Upon seeing these three figures, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t suppress his laughter, and it spilled from his lips, breaking the tense atmosphere. His laughter wasn’t out of disrespect for these masked men, but because they reminded him of ninjas. Ninjas were figures he had once dreamed of becoming as a child, reading novels and accounts about them. In his youth, he had devoured an entire series of ninja stories.
Yan Xiaobao waved his hand, attempting to stop his laughter. After a moment, he finally managed to regain his composure. His behavior greatly puzzled the City Lord and his followers, even Cai Jie and Deng Wu furrowed their brows, unsure why the usually composed Yan Xiaobao burst into laughter upon seeing the guards.
"I’m not here to threaten you," Yan Xiaobao said, controlling himself once again. "If I wanted to threaten you, I wouldn’t bother contacting you first. I also have no intention of fighting Zhan Weisheng. I don’t want your supporters; however, I will do everything in my power to gain noble followers, especially those who will support the Third Prince."
"I won’t interfere in whatever you intend to do," the City Lord continued. "But I can assure you, unless you provoke me, my faction, or Zhan Weisheng, my faction will not be a problem to you."
Yan Xiaobao nodded gratefully, yet deep down he wasn’t sure if he could trust the City Lord. Despite that, he still believed the conversation had been worthwhile. Looking at the City Lord, Yan Xiaobao nodded again. "If you warn the Third Prince, then don’t worry—we won’t come to collect your debt," he expressed politely and amicably, his words delivered with the angelic grace of diplomacy, yet as cold as the deepest winter night.
The City Lord couldn’t explain why he felt such fear, knowing it stemmed entirely from his instincts. Something told him that even with his three protectors stacked against these three men, the outcome might not favor him. A man of power and age knows when to trust his instincts and when to disregard them, and this time, he would certainly trust his gut.
"Alright, let me summarize why I’m here," Yan Xiaobao said with a smile, stepping closer to the City Lord. "I don’t want to fight you, nor Zhan Weisheng. In return, you promise to stay out of my affairs. I will ensure that the prince who usually hinders your ideals won’t bother you in the future, or better yet, I’ll promise to make him disappear as I secure my faction." Yan Xiaobao pledged, his words leaving the City Lord looking somewhat uneasy, but the old man knew it was the best choice for him. In Muchuan City, since the last coronation ceremony, factions had coexisted amicably, but now that the King was growing older and looking to pass the throne to one of his sons, the dynamics in the Capital had shifted recently. With Yan Xiaobao’s arrival, the situation was changing again. Deeply sighing, the City Lord realized he had no choice but to nod and accept the decision. Following that, he turned and slowly returned to his mansion.
Before shifting his gaze to his two friends nearby, Yan Xiaobao lingered for a moment, waiting until the City Lord had entirely vanished. "What do you think?" he asked. "Do you think we can trust him?"
"If he knows what’s best for him, then he’ll keep his mouth shut, stay clear of the two factions we’re targeting, and make sure we have the space we need," Cai Jie answered, his golden eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. They had once consumed the City Lord.
The three young men slowly made their way back to the banquet, surprised to find all the guests still there, engaged and entertained. The City Lord had returned to the banquet table, enjoying one dish after another. Yan Xiaobao could sense his pressure, but it appeared no one else was paying him much attention as usual.
Yan Xiaobao, Cai Jie, and Deng Wu glanced around, spotting Xu Biao engaged in conversation with some guests associated with Ma Kong. Yan Xiaobao personally didn’t recognize anyone present, so he found a corner where he and his friends stood together, beginning to discuss everything from the guests to faction dynamics and future plans. Nobles and merchants occasionally exchanged a few words with Yan Xiaobao and his companions. They would chat briefly before moving on to other groups and mingling with more guests. Yan Xiaobao noticed the guests seemed uniformly positive toward him, though he knew better than to trust such appearances. Just as the night was nearing its end, two Princes approached Yan Xiaobao, both radiating dazzling smiles, their eyes sparkling with excited glimmers.