215: Chapter 215: Just let him have his way.

City Lord's Mansion, Study.

City Lord Li Qingge and Elder Gu sat facing each other.

The study was very quiet, with only the rustling sound of a brush moving across paper.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.

"Come in."

City Lord Li Qingge didn't even lift his head.

A guard pushed the door open, knelt on one knee, and cupped his fists.

"City Lord, news has come from the Patrol Guard. Xiao Ran has arrested the Zhou Family's Second Elder, Sect Master Zhou Tianxing."

The brush in City Lord Li Qingge's hand paused slightly before he continued writing.

"Oh? How was he arrested?"

The guard said, "Sect Master Zhou Tianxing took men to the Patrol Guard prison to demand someone's release. His attitude was arrogant, and he even injured some patrol members."

"When Xiao Ran refused to release the prisoner, Sect Master Zhou Tianxing tried to use force."

"Xiao Ran used the city lords token to block his palm strike, then arrested Sect Master Zhou Tianxing on the grounds of intending to attack the patrol, a crime equivalent to rebellion."

City Lord Li Qingge finally looked up, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

"That kid has quite the nerve."

Elder Gu walked to his side leaning on his cane, his face full of surprise.

"City Lord, this Xiao Ran truly is a man of great skill and even greater courage."

"Sect Master Zhou Tianxing is in the Void Refinement Stage, yet he, a mere Early Stage of Spirit Severing, dared to arrest him?"

City Lord Li Qingge put down his brush and smiled.

"The current Sword Qi Great Wall needs exactly this kind of talent."

"Those aristocratic families and Sects have all become cunning spirits, only caring for their own interests. Who still cares about the law?"

"Xiao Ran is different. He's an outsider with no vested interests, so he isn't afraid of offending anyone."

"If he dares to arrest them, let him."

Elder Gu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Then, as for the Zhou Family..."

City Lord Li Qingge said indifferently, "I will personally take action."

...

Meanwhile.

Zhou Family Estate, Discussion Hall.

Zhou Tianba sat in a grand armchair, his eyes filled with gravity.

Grand Elder Zhou Tianyun, Third Elder Zhou Tianfeng, and Fourth Elder Zhou Tianlei sat in the chairs on either side, each with a grim expression.

Since the news of Sect Master Zhou Tianxing being arrested by Xiao Ran arrived, they had been sitting there without saying a word.

The hall was terrifyingly quiet.

After a long time, Zhou Tianba set down his teacup and spoke slowly.

"The Second Elder has been arrested."

Zhou Tianyun nodded. "Xiao Ran did it."

Zhou Tianfeng snorted coldly. "A mere Patrol Guard captain dares to arrest someone from my Zhou Family? Who does he think he is?"

Zhou Tianlei glanced at him. "He has the city lords token in his hand. To see the token is to see the City Lord. Who dares to move against him?"

Zhou Tianfeng was left speechless.

Zhou Tianyun was silent for a moment before saying slowly.

"I'm afraid this matter isn't just Xiao Ran's idea alone."

Zhou Tianba looked at him. "You mean..."

Zhou Tianyun nodded. "Xiao Ran has the city lords token, which means he is the City Lord's man."

"He dared to arrest Second Brother, which means the City Lord is backing him."

"Second Brother is a powerhouse of the Void Refinement Stage. Xiao Ran is only at the Early Stage of Spirit Severing. Without the City Lord's instruction, would he dare to make the arrest?"

Zhou Tianba remained silent.

Zhou Tianfeng's face changed. "Is the City Lord planning to move against our Zhou Family?"

Zhou Tianyun shook his head. "Not necessarily, but at the very least, he is giving us a warning."

Zhou Tianlei frowned. "A warning? Our Zhou Family has always been respectful to the City Lord's Mansion over the years. We haven't missed a cent of the taxes we should pay, and we haven't failed to provide the men we should provide."

"Why would the City Lord want to warn us?"

Zhou Tianyun looked at him, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Respectful? Do you think the City Lord feels we are respectful?"

"Over these years, our Zhou Family's influence in the Sword Qi Great Wall has grown larger and larger. Shops, restaurants, inns—one-fifth of the eastern city belongs to our Zhou Family."

"We've even established connections with the Sword Sect. What do you think the City Lord would think of that?"

Zhou Tianlei opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak.

Zhou Tianba stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside.

The golden Sword Intent atop the Sword Qi Great Wall flowed ceaselessly in the sunlight, like a lamp that would never go out.

"The City Lord is trying to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys!"

He said slowly.

Zhou Tianyun nodded. "And our Zhou Family is that chicken."

Zhou Tianfeng grew anxious. "Then what should we do? Are we just going to let Second Brother stay in prison?"

Zhou Tianba was silent for a moment before turning to look at them.

"We cannot use force. Xiao Ran has the city lords token; if we use force, we are opposing the City Lord."

"Things would go south then."

Zhou Tianyun asked, "Then your meaning is..."

Zhou Tianba said, "Back down."

The three Elders were stunned simultaneously.

Zhou Tianfeng couldn't believe his ears.

"Back down? Our Zhou Family has operated in the Sword Qi Great Wall for a thousand years, and we're just going to back down like this?"

Zhou Tianba looked at him. "If we don't back down, what can you do? Go make a scene at the City Lord's Mansion? Or go to the Patrol Guard to break someone out?"

Zhou Tianfeng was speechless.

Zhou Tianyun sighed. "The Family Head is right. Now is not the time for a head-on confrontation."

"What the City Lord wants is for us to bow our heads. So we will bow our heads. Once he feels we've become obedient, he will naturally release Second Brother."

Zhou Tianlei nodded. "Then let's back down."

Just then, the space in the hall suddenly distorted.

A golden light shot out from the Void Realm, landing on the main seat and transforming into a figure.

It was none other than City Lord Li Qingge.

Zhou Tianba's expression shifted, and he quickly stood up, leading the three Elders in a cupped-fist salute.

"Greetings, City Lord."

City Lord Li Qingge sat in the grand armchair, crossed his legs, and looked at them.

"Everyone, there's no need for such formality."

Only then did Zhou Tianba lower his hands.

City Lord Li Qingge scanned the hall, his gaze landing on Zhou Tianba.

"Family Head Zhou, have you heard about the matter with Xiao Ran?"

Zhou Tianba nodded. "I have."

City Lord Li Qingge said indifferently, "This Xiao Ran is a bit reckless in his actions."

"But that's just his personality; he follows the truth rather than favoring people."

"For such a small matter, couldn't your Zhou Family just have a proper discussion with him?"

Zhou Tianba's heart jolted.

These words sounded like a criticism of Xiao Ran, but in reality, he was standing on Xiao Ran's side.

Proper discussion? How could they discuss? Xiao Ran held the city lords token; who would dare to 'discuss' with him?

However, he didn't dare to show it on his face and simply nodded.

"The City Lord is right. Our Zhou Family will have a proper discussion with Captain Xiao."

City Lord Li Qingge stood up, brushed the dust off his robes, walked up to Zhou Tianba, and patted his shoulder.

"Family Head Zhou, the Sword Qi Great Wall has changed a lot over the years."

"Some changes are good, and some changes... are not so good."

Sweat broke out on Zhou Tianba's forehead. "The City Lord's lesson is noted."

City Lord Li Qingge smiled and said nothing more.

He transformed into a golden light once again and vanished from the hall.

Zhou Tianba stood in place, not moving for a long time.

Zhou Tianyun walked over and whispered, "Family Head, the City Lord's words..."

Zhou Tianba took a deep breath, a trace of complexity flashing in his eyes.

"He is telling us that the heavens of the Sword Qi Great Wall are about to change."

Zhou Tianfeng gritted his teeth. "Then what do we do?"

Zhou Tianba was silent for a moment before saying slowly, "Peace talks."

Zhou Tianyun was stunned. "Peace talks? Peace talks with Xiao Ran?"

Zhou Tianba nodded. "Yes. Doesn't he want the law? Then we'll talk law with him."

"Doesn't he want rules? Then we'll talk rules with him."

Zhou Tianfeng frowned. "Will he talk with us?"

Zhou Tianba looked at him as if looking at a fool.

"Don't you f*cking know how to give a bribe?"

"As long as the money is right, everything can be discussed."