134: Chapter 132 The City Lord is Back

"That's roughly my idea.

By impersonating the City Lord to take over Gur City, I can handle my own affairs, and the Resistance Army won't have to huddle in this valley anymore.

After all, although the City Lord is dead, a new one will definitely arrive after some time.

Your situation still won't have improved at all."

After half an hour of talking, Zhang Mu swallowed to moisten his dry throat. Worried that the two would refuse, he emphasized the stakes again at the end.

However, contrary to the hesitation he expected, Mihe first asked, "So, you are willing to join the Resistance Army?"

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Mu felt that what he was doing wasn't much different from joining the Resistance Army.

Furthermore, if he let them develop wildly and eventually cause trouble for his Senior, it would be better to take control of the direction himself; he might even be able to help her in the future.

So he nodded, "Consider me in."

"Then I agree to your plan."

"Huh?"

Even though his goal was to get them to agree, their promptness made Zhang Mu feel a bit awkward. "Don't you want to think about it more?

You should know that if even a small mistake occurs, you're all dead."

Shaking his head, Mihe said, "I think you can be trusted."

"I'm just an Apprentice Magician. Why do you have such firm confidence in me?"

"Magic cannot save the Resistance Army." Mihe looked up at the azure sky. "This is a desperate fact I've known for a long time.

In you, I see hope."

After a moment of silence, Zhang Mu smiled. "Alright then."

With that, he stood up and cast the Transformation Technique, turning into Domit's likeness. "Mr. Mi He, can you see through the illusion?"

"Disguise Technique?" Mihe stared at him for a while, his brow furrowed. "That's not right. I can't see any abnormalities."

As expected.

He had already suspected the strength of the Transformation Technique. With Mihe, a Magister, admitting it himself, Zhang Mu was even more convinced that his guess when he first learned the spell was correct.

Transformation Technique and Shadow Technique didn't seem to have much lethality, and their effects were just simple illusions and invisibility.

But what were they stored with in that treasure chest?

True Word Spell: God Said.

Anything placed alongside that couldn't possibly be an ordinary spell; it definitely had value for further development.

Now was clearly not the time.

Zhang Mu reverted to his original appearance. "Since the decision is made, let's not waste any time.

Mr. Mi He, wait for my news within the Magic Array.

Domit, we depart immediately."

Actually, he had originally intended to go to Gur City alone. After successfully infiltrating, he would slowly plant Resistance Army members into the City Lord's Mansion.

But going alone meant he'd have to spend time returning to the Magic Array to notify them, which was too troublesome.

It was better to bring Domit along and have him act as a messenger.

Turning toward the stone stairs, Zhang Mu wondered how he could obtain a sound transmission crystal.

This kind of crystal wasn't precious; it was distributed by the Church along with one's first identity plaque.

Almost every Professional had one. If it was damaged or lost, they could just go back to the Church to get a new one.

But Zhang Mu had always practiced his Meditation Method and had never been to the Church.

"Should I ask Domit to get one for me using the excuse that he lost his?" After muttering this, he dismissed the idea. "That won't work; the Church has crystals with lie-detecting functions."

"Mr. Zhang Mu, did you call me?"

With Zhang Mu joining the Resistance Army, Domit didn't say anything, but in his mind, he had already adopted the role of a "personal Guard." Hearing Zhang Mu seemingly mutter his name, he immediately puffed out his chest and responded.

His voice was quite loud, giving Zhang Mu a start.

How eccentric.

After a silent complaint, Zhang Mu waved his hand to indicate it was nothing. He strode back to his room to tell Lia to stay safely in the valley, saying he would come back for her in a few days.

Then, leading Domit, he headed toward Gur City.

...

Early morning three days later, in a forest outside Gur City.

"Wait for me here. Don't wander around. I'm going to buy some—no.

I'm going into the City Lord's Mansion. Once I've confirmed it's safe, I'll come call for you."

Having read too many short video comment sections, Zhang Mu almost let a meme slip, but he corrected himself just in time.

"Mr. Zhang Mu, are you sure you don't need me to come along? If you encounter danger..."

"What, if we encounter danger, can you get me out?

Just stay here. If something really happens to me alone, it'll be easier to escape."

"But..."

"If you say one more word, I'm leaving the Resistance Army." After three days together, Zhang Mu had figured out how to "handle" him.

"I understand. I will wait for you here patiently."

Got him. That was easy.

Zhang Mu turned around smugly and walked toward Gur City with his hands behind his back.

It wasn't far; he crossed the city gates in ten minutes.

The architectural style was similar to Bala City, but it covered a much larger area.

The only strange thing was that there were many residences in the city that were clearly converted from watchtowers.

Walking down the street, Zhang Mu looked around in confusion.

No matter how long ago Gur City was built, it couldn't possibly be ten thousand years old, right?

That is to say, if the Church's regulations existed before the city was built, why build so many watchtowers?

He thought for a while but found no answer.

Setting aside his confusion for the moment, he quickened his pace through the crowd and arrived at an alley opposite the City Lord's Mansion.

Just as Domit had said, the City Lord's Mansion was indeed busy holding a funeral. People entering and leaving the main gate were all dressed in solid black mourning clothes, and the sound of weeping could be heard faintly from within.

After squinting and watching for a while, Zhang Mu activated the Transformation Technique, turning into the likeness of the City Lord based on his memories from a few days ago.

He paced back and forth on the spot, familiarizing himself with the City Lord's gait.

He had been practicing every day on the way to Gur City; now he was just brushing up.

Feeling ready, he stiffened his expression and walked toward the mansion gate.

"Hello, sir, please..." By the gate, a Guard who had just escorted two mourning guests inside turned to greet him upon hearing footsteps, only to freeze after seeing the newcomer's face.

"City Lord!" Coming to his senses, the Guard dropped to one knee.

"Mm." Zhang Mu's gaze swept past the gate, looking at the guests chatting in the courtyard behind. "Who authorized this funeral?"

"Ci—City Lord..."

"Speak."

"The Eldest Young Master."

A cold sneer played on his lips as Zhang Mu strode across the threshold and headed straight for the main hall.

Guests kept spotting him, their faces filled with shock. Once they recovered, they hurried forward to say something, but Zhang Mu raised a hand to stop them.

He wasn't trying to act cool; he was just afraid that the more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake. After all, he knew nothing about the City Lord's daily habits, so it was better to speak as little as possible.

As for the guests, they sensed that an immense rage seemed to be suppressed beneath the "City Lord's" calm exterior, so they didn't find it strange.

Who wouldn't be angry if a funeral was held without even looking for them properly?

They then keenly sensed that something was about to happen in the City Lord's Mansion. Exchanging glances, they all turned and jogged out the main gate.

As Zhang Mu walked into the hall, he saw several people with their backs to him. He didn't rush to express anger but first looked around.

The hall was quite decently decorated.

Black cloth strips of exquisite fabric hung from the beams and pillars. Opposite the hall entrance was an altar table with a portrait of the City Lord on it.

Funerals in the Lake Kingdom didn't seem to have the custom of lighting candles; on either side of the portrait were just a few silver platters holding offerings of meat and fruit.

His gaze fell upon the seven figures standing with their backs to him, mourning before the portrait. Judging by their hair and builds, there were six women and one man.

They were likely the City Lord's family, though they could be guests. He had to deal with them first.

After thinking for a few seconds, Zhang Mu looked up and said in a calm tone, "A very lavish funeral. Who organized it?"