Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Battle for the City Lord

Noon.

The sun blazed fiercely over the land.

“Let’s find some shade to rest for a while before we continue. The heat is too much for both people and horses,” said Qi Lingxuan, poking her head out from among the armored horses and wiping the sweat from her brow.

Hearing her suggestion, everyone began looking for a place to rest.

Among so many people, only Lu Han seemed unbothered by the heat. With the Biluo Sword strapped to his back and the power of “Heavenly Frost’s Chill” within him, the sweltering midday sun had little effect.

“Brother Lu, in this kind of heat, we’re all drenched in sweat, but you don’t even have a drop on your face. That’s really something!” The voice, loud and gruff, belonged unmistakably to Niu Gao.

Niu Gao’s black vest was soaked through, and he carried a spiked mace over one shoulder, his face framed by a thick beard, looking every bit the fierce warrior.

Just that morning, as they passed through the outskirts of Upper Grove, a group of hapless bandits had tried to rob them. They hadn’t sized up their opponents before leaping out, but the moment Niu Gao unleashed the aura of someone at the Eighth Level Postnatal Realm—and with his intimidating appearance—their legs gave out beneath them. There were more than a dozen bandits, the strongest only at the Sixth Level Postnatal Realm.

These were the sort who usually preyed on commoners and never expected to run into such a hard target.

The group rested in a small copse, beside a clear stream.

The horses grazed nearby.

Five people went west to refill their water skins.

All the while, Cao Dong wore a sullen expression, his eyes filled with unconcealed hostility and even a hint of murderous intent whenever he looked at Lu Han.

Lu Han had no interest in seeing Cao Dong’s sour face and stayed by the stream.

“Steward Wei, I’ll fetch some water,” said Qi Lingxuan.

She walked gracefully to the water’s edge, filled a jug, and glanced at Lu Han, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation.

“Your name is Lu Han, isn’t it?” she asked, holding the jug behind her back, tilting her head in curiosity.

Though they’d traveled together for several days, the two had barely spoken. Qi Lingxuan usually stayed in the carriage except when camping, and Lu Han was never one for idle conversation.

“Is there something you need, Miss Qi?” Lu Han opened his eyes, halting his cultivation.

Qi Lingxuan found it odd.

Back in Halfmoon City, every young master and noble scion who met her would vie for her attention, swarming around her like flies. But this Lu Han, ever since they left the city, hadn’t even spared her a proper glance, always busy with his cultivation. He looked even younger than her, and no wonder he was already at the Seventh Level Postnatal Realm at such an age.

Qi Lingxuan sat down beside him.

“You’re lucky, being able to go out and temper yourself, to cultivate so diligently. I’ve hardly ever left Halfmoon City since I was little,” she said, hugging her knees.

She’d been alone since childhood; her mother had died early. Whenever she did go out, it was always with those insincere young men murmuring empty words. For some reason, Lu Han reminded her of a younger brother—someone she could confide in.

“Miss Qi, it’s not as if I wanted this life, either. In fact, I should thank you for giving me the chance to come to Tianlan City…” Lu Han replied.

From afar, Chen Jun called out teasingly, “Old Wei, is your young miss planning to elope with my brother Lu Han?”

“Well… I don’t think so?” Steward Wei replied uncertainly.

Laughter rang out.

Even Hong Banmei covered her mouth to hide a smile.

“So you’re just trying to get home?” Qi Lingxuan was surprised. She had thought Lu Han was some young heir out in the world seeking experience.

But Lu Han told her that he’d gotten separated from his family and needed to reach Tianlan City to reunite with them.

“When we reach Tianlan City, I’ll ask Brother Chen to help you. He’ll definitely get you home,” she said.

“Brother Chen? Help me?” Lu Han was both amused and exasperated. He’d only meant to make a polite excuse, but Qi Lingxuan had taken it seriously.

“Yes. I sneaked out this time. I promised Brother Chen that I’d come see him on the day he turns twenty and inherits the title of Young Master. I’d hoped my father could accompany me, but lately, things between our Qi family and the City Lord’s Mansion have been tense, and my father can’t leave.” As she spoke of Brother Chen, her eyes and expression became gentle, giving Lu Han a strange sense of déjà vu—he’d seen the same look on Lie Ruge, that spirited girl.

Speaking of Lie Ruge, Lu Han wondered how she was faring. He wasn’t sure if she’d even heard of his disappearance yet, but ever since that incident, she’d become especially attached to him.

“That girl will probably cry her eyes out,” he mused.

“Lu Han, are you alright?” Qi Lingxuan, seeing him lost in thought, waved her hand in front of his face.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” he replied, snapping back to reality.

She giggled.

“In this situation, you must be thinking of a girl.”

Lu Han, for once, blushed.

“Lu Han, tell me—what does she look like? What’s her name?”

Since that day, Qi Lingxuan and Lu Han had become more familiar with each other, always managing to chat during breaks.

At this moment, in the City Lord’s Mansion of Tianlan City—

“Father, I heard you sent men to intercept Meng Liangchen’s fiancée?” A strong and sturdy youth strode into the main hall, his tone edged with complaint.

“We intercepted a letter stating that his fiancée would be arriving in Tianlan City soon. If we capture her, Meng Liangchen will be forced to hold back, and then we’ll be guaranteed victory in the upcoming tournament,” replied a middle-aged man, his expression cold and calculating.

“The letter says she’s coming from Halfmoon City, so she must pass through Wind Sound Valley.”

“Father, isn’t this a bit much? I’m already at the peak of the Eighth Level Postnatal Realm, ready to break through to the Ninth. Meng Liangchen can’t possibly be my match!” said the youth indifferently.

To him, Meng Liangchen, who had only recently reached the Eighth Level Postnatal Realm, was still no real threat.

“You know nothing! We cannot afford to lose this time—if we do, it’s over. I have to make sure there are no surprises,” the middle-aged man snapped.

Meng Liangchen was reputedly the most outstanding disciple the Meng family had produced in years—already at the Eighth Level Postnatal Realm by age twenty, while the robust youth himself was twenty-two, only just at the peak of the same realm.

In this remote city, reaching the peak of the Eighth Level Postnatal Realm by twenty-two was already a remarkable talent—it meant breaking through to the Innate Realm before thirty was within reach.

As for Xuan Sovereign experts, there were only ever a handful in any city.

In these out-of-the-way places, with poor cultivation resources, pills, and techniques, becoming a Xuan Sovereign was already an extraordinary stroke of fortune.

“This time, old Meng managed to break through to the Xuan Sovereign Realm and now qualifies to participate in the annual City Lord’s Tournament. The competitors must be under twenty-two, and in a few months, you’ll be twenty-three. This is our only chance—besides you, who else can stand against Meng Liangchen?” the man said, worry creasing his brow.

At such a young age, Meng Liangchen had already reached such a level—he was sure to have his own fortuitous encounters. The City Lord’s Mansion could not afford defeat.

The City Lord’s Mansion owed its allegiance to the Grand Xia Empire, and though they had made enemies of all the families in Tianlan City under its banner, that was in the past.

Previously, the City Lord’s Mansion was unrivaled in Tianlan City, boasting the only Xuan Sovereign expert. Now, things were different—the previous Meng family patriarch, Meng Yiyun, had recently broken through to the Xuan Sovereign Realm, ending the City Lord’s sole dominance.

Tianlan City had a unique rule: any family with a member who reached the Xuan Sovereign Realm gained the right to participate in the annual battle for the City Lord’s seat. Xuan Sovereigns were the strongest in Tianlan City, pillars of any local power, and would not easily enter the fray themselves. Thus, the younger generation fought in their stead, and the winner would be the next City Lord.

In the past, the City Lord’s Mansion had no rivals, and the annual tournament was a mere formality, for there was no other Xuan Sovereign in the city.

But this year was different. Master Meng Yiyun of the Meng family had stepped into the Xuan Sovereign Realm.

This time, it would be a contest between the younger generation of the Meng family and the City Lord’s Mansion.

Whoever won would become the next City Lord!