The City Lord of Tianwu City died suddenly, plunging the entire city into mourning!
Although everyone had long heard that the City Lord was old and frail, with his remaining lifespan nearly spent, the news still came as a shock to many when it finally broke.
Numerous shops and households hung white silk streamers over their doorways of their own accord to mourn City Lord Miao Hong.
On the second floor of the Tianluo Manor, Yang Kai stood by the window, gazing outward.
Du Youyou stood beside him, following his line of sight, but she couldn't spot anything unusual. Curiously, she asked, "What is my lord looking at?"
"The calm before the storm," Yang Kai remarked.
Du Youyou looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brilliantly, and she couldn't tell if there was something wrong with Yang Kai's eyes.
"Someone may come looking for me later. Just let me know when they do," Yang Kai said, then returned to his room. He had already handed the antidote for the Turtle Breath Pill to Huang Da in advance. He could foresee that a bloody power struggle was about to erupt within the City Lord's Manor, and he had no intention of involving himself in such affairs. All he needed to do was wait quietly.
The only thing that truly interested him right now was the upcoming arrival of the Heaven Alchemist, Gao Xinpeng. The recipe for the Ten-Turn Wuxin Pill had to come from this man.
Less than a day after Miao Hong's apparent death, Gao Xinpeng arrived. As a Heaven Alchemist, his status in this Divine Armament World was exceedingly high, and his arrival caused quite a sensation. Many people rushed over just to catch a glimpse of the spectacle from a distance.
As an alchemist hailing from the Mysterious Pill Sect, Gao Xinpeng was naturally ushered straight into the City Lord's Manor without delay.
It wasn't until nightfall that Du Youyou suddenly knocked on his door. "My lord, a steward named Huang Da from the City Lord's Manor has come requesting an audience. Also, Shi Minghui has returned."
"Understood," Yang Kai responded, rising to his feet and heading outside.
Sure enough, Huang Da was waiting outside the shop, with Shi Minghui standing beside him. The latter wore a guilt-ridden expression. Upon seeing Yang Kai, he said with shame, "This subordinate failed in his task. Please punish me as you see fit."
All he had been asked to do was deliver two pills, yet he ended up locked up for seven or eight days. Shi Minghui felt he had been utterly useless.
However, just as Huang Da had mentioned before, the City Lord's Manor was in the midst of turmoil. The City Lord's wife, Qin Youshuang, and the Vice City Lord, Kou Yong, did not want to stir up any additional trouble. As a result, Shi Minghui had only been detained and not subjected to any mistreatment.
"The fault was not yours. Go rest," Yang Kai said, waving his hand. He then cupped his fists toward Huang Da. "Steward Huang!"
Huang Da returned the gesture. "You're too polite, young brother. The City Lord has sent me to invite you to the City Lord's Manor for a conversation."
Yang Kai had long anticipated this. He nodded. "Lead the way." He turned and called to Du Youyou, "You come along too."
Du Youyou hurriedly acknowledged the order, her face a picture of confusion. Just moments ago she had heard Huang Da say the City Lord wished to see them — but wasn't the City Lord... dead? Had Tianwu City already appointed a new City Lord so quickly?
Though Yang Kai had visited the City Lord's Manor multiple times during his stay, this was the first time he had walked through its gates so openly and officially.
As they proceeded along the path, Du Youyou's face turned pale with shock. The guards in the surrounding area were cleaning the ground, and dried bloodstains were visible everywhere. Many places bore traces of fierce combat. Clearly, a brutal battle had taken place here.
She couldn't understand why people would have been fighting inside the City Lord's Manor.
Before long, under Huang Da's guidance, the two arrived before a grand hall. The hall was brightly lit, and the air still carried a faint scent of blood. There, seated firmly at the head of the hall in true City Lord fashion, was Miao Hong, the City Lord of Tianwu City. Upon seeing Yang Kai arrive, he burst into hearty laughter, rose from his seat, and came forward to greet him. "Young brother! We've been waiting for you!"
"It's a relief to see the City Lord unharmed. This puts my mind at ease," Yang Kai offered as a pleasantry.
"I owe it all to you that this City Lord can still be standing here. Come, come — let me introduce you to an honored guest!"
As he spoke, Miao Hong eagerly took Yang Kai by the arm and led him into the hall.
Yang Kai immediately spotted a man seated in the position of honor on the left. His appearance was nothing remarkable — rather ordinary, in fact — and he wore a pale blue robe. At that moment, he was observing Yang Kai with an appraising gaze.
Standing behind the man were a male and a female, their auras suppressed, yet Yang Kai could clearly sense the terrifying power coiled within their bodies.
These two were likely Heaven Rank powerhouses at the very peak, just like Miao Hong!
And yet, they stood behind the man like bodyguards. Yang Kai immediately understood that this man was the very person he had come for — the Heaven Alchemist, Gao Xinpeng.
Sure enough, Miao Hong pointed at Gao Xinpeng and introduced him. "Young brother, this is Alchemist Gao of the Mysterious Pill Sect!"
Yang Kai gave a slight nod. "Your reputation precedes you!"
Gao Xinpeng studied him with interest, but the two guards behind him had gone cold. A thread of frosty intent lashed out toward Yang Kai. A Heaven Alchemist commanded immense prestige — most people, upon meeting one, would at the very least bow deeply, and certainly wouldn't carry themselves with the casual boldness Yang Kai displayed. Their displeasure was only natural.
Miao Hong himself was slightly taken aback, but considering all the help Yang Kai had rendered him before, he didn't want to say too much. He simply chuckled and said, "Brother Gao, this is the young brother Yang I told you about. This time, Miao owes his survival entirely to young brother Yang's efforts. He and you alike are both my life-saving benefactors."