30: Chapter 30 Zhao Lie Arrives

Zhao Shanhe's voice was bone-chillingly cold, devoid of any emotion, yet it made the butler standing below tremble all over.

The butler lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"Reporting to the City Lord, your subordinate has already sent people to search the entire city, even expanding the search to a hundred-mile radius outside. However, there is still no sign of the Second Young Master. Enshrinee Li has also disappeared. When I sent people to check his residence, I found it was already empty."

"Empty?"

Zhao Shanhe suddenly turned around, a flicker of sternness flashing in his eyes.

"Li Mo is a powerhouse at the Peak of the Martial Master Realm. In Shiyun City, who could make him leave without a word? And Tianheng, he had dozens of guards with him and Li Mo accompanying him. How could he vanish into thin air?"

He knew clearly in his heart that although Li Mo was only an enshrinee of the manor, his strength was considered top-tier in Shiyun City, and ordinary forces would not dare provoke him.

As for his second son, Zhao Tianheng, although he had a mischievous personality and mediocre martial talent...

But with many guards by his side and Li Mo protecting him, logically, no accidents should have occurred.

But now that both had disappeared at the same time, this was definitely no coincidence; someone must be working in the shadows!

The butler quickly tried to comfort him.

"City Lord, please calm your anger. Shiyun City is your territory, and all the major forces in the city are submissive. Surely no Family or organization would dare to openly oppose the City Lord's Manor. Perhaps the Second Young Master just went out for fun on a whim with Enshrinee Li and will return in a few days."

Zhao Shanhe's expression softened slightly.

He was well aware of his prestige in Shiyun City. His strength as a Great Martial Master was enough to deter all petty criminals; indeed, no one dared to easily provoke the City Lord's Manor.

Yet the unease in his heart did not dissipate. Although Zhao Tianheng was mischievous, he had never left for such a long time without a word.

"Keep searching!"

Zhao Shanhe said in a low voice.

"Assign more people and find Tianheng's whereabouts as soon as possible! No matter where he is, bring him back to me!"

"Yes, your subordinate obeys!" the butler quickly replied.

Zhao Shanhe waved his hand, dismissing the butler, leaving him alone in the hall.

He walked to the chair in the center of the hall and sat down, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts as his finger lightly tapped on the table.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, his voice deep.

"Someone, come."

A guard entered at the call: "City Lord."

"How has the Eldest Young Master's cultivation been lately?"

Zhao Shanhe asked.

At the mention of his eldest son, Zhao Tian dragon, a look of respect appeared on the guard's face.

"Reporting to the City Lord, the Eldest Young Master spends every day diligently cultivating in the Secret Cultivation Room, never slacking in the slightest. As far as your subordinate knows, the Eldest Young Master's cultivation has stabilized at the 9th Stage of Martial Master Realm, only one step away from the Great Martial Master Realm, and his strength is improving daily."

Zhao Shanhe's A glint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes., and much of the gloom on his face dissipated.

Compared to his unruly second son, Zhao Tianheng, his eldest son, Zhao Tianlong, undoubtedly gave him much more peace of mind.

Zhao Tianlong not only had outstanding martial talent but also a steady and capable personality, making him the most ideal successor in his heart.

"Good! Good!"

Zhao Shanhe said the word "good" twice, his tone full of gratification.

"There is less than a month left before the Four Great Sects of the Tianyang Kingdom recruit Disciples. This child, Tianlong, will surely be able to enter the Four Great Sects for further study this time!"

He held high hopes for Zhao Tianlong in his heart.

The Four Great Sects were the top powers in the Tianyang Kingdom, with deep foundations and abundant resources.

If Zhao Tianlong could become a Disciple of the Four Great Sects, he would not only gain access to better cultivation resources.

His future achievements would be limitless, and the status of the City Lord's Manor would become even more secure because of it.

Thinking of this, the annoyance in Zhao Shanhe's heart gradually dissipated.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked toward Shiyun City, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

No matter what happened to his second son, Zhao Tianheng, it must not affect his eldest son's future.

Once the recruitment for the Four Great Sects was over, he would personally take action to investigate the matter thoroughly. Anyone who dared to provoke the City Lord's Manor would surely be made to pay a price in blood!

Little did he know that his beloved second son, Zhao Tianheng, had already perished in the Earth God Temple.

And that young man who had caused his son's death and his enshrinee's demise...

Was currently cultivating diligently in Shiyun City, his strength improving daily, and was about to become his greatest threat.

...

A few days later.

At the gates of Shiyun City, a caravan of horses and carriages slowly entered.

Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed in purple robes, with a resolute face and an air of authority from long-held high positions between his brows.

It was none other than Zhao Lie, the Family Head of the Zhao Family from Qingyun City.

Behind him followed a dozen or so guards with steady auras, clearly carefully selected experts. The group moved with great momentum, drawing the gazes of passersby on the street.

The caravan drove straight to the City Lord's Manor. After announcing his arrival, Zhao Lie was led into the Meeting Hall by the butler.

Inside the hall, Zhao Shanhe was sitting in the main seat, his expression still carrying some of the gloom from the past few days.

Seeing Zhao Lie's arrival, he slowly rose, a faint smile forced onto his face.

"Brother Zhao, it's been years. I hope you've been well?"

"Thanks to City Lord Zhao's blessings, all is well." Zhao Lie stepped forward quickly, cupped his hands, and smiled.

"I've come unannounced this time because I truly have an important matter to ask of you."

The two sat down in their respective seats as host and guest, and a maid served fragrant tea.

Zhao Lie picked up the teacup, took a small sip, glanced around the hall, and got straight to the point.

"City Lord Zhao, you and I met once years ago. Back then, I was fortunate enough to help you resolve a minor trouble, and you said that if I ever needed anything in the future, you would surely repay me. I've come today precisely to ask you to help me find two people."

"Oh? I wonder whom Brother Zhao is looking for?"

A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhao Shanhe's eyes.

"A young man named Ye Yun and a woman named Liu Ruyan."

Zhao Lie said in a low voice.

"These two are fugitives from my Qingyun City, carrying a blood feud. I've come this time specifically to capture them and bring them to justice. If City Lord Zhao can help me find their tracks, I will surely reward you handsomely!"

He deliberately concealed the secret of the Mysterious Grade Technique. Firstly, because the matter was too significant to be easily revealed.

Secondly, he was also worried that if Zhao Shanhe found out, he might develop feelings of greed, which would complicate matters further.

Hearing this, Zhao Shanhe's heart stirred slightly.

Shiyun City had not been peaceful lately. With his second son Zhao Tianheng and Li Mo missing, he was already sending people to search the entire city.

Could it be that this Ye Yun and Liu Ruyan were related to this matter?

Recalling that Zhao Lie had indeed helped him a great deal years ago, he had never repaid that favor.

Now that Zhao Lie had asked, he naturally had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, if he could use this opportunity to follow the clues and find Zhao Tianheng's whereabouts, it would be killing two birds with one stone.

"Brother Zhao, you must be joking." Zhao Shanhe waved his hand, his tone sincere.

"If not for Brother Zhao's help back then, I wouldn't be where I am today. Your business is my business; there's no need to mention rewards."

With that, he shouted toward the outside of the hall: "Butler!"

The butler quickly entered at the call: "City Lord."

"Immediately assign more people to search the entire city for a young man named Ye Yun and a woman named Liu Ruyan."

Zhao Shanhe said in a low voice.

"Be sure to investigate thoroughly and don't let any clues slip by. As soon as there is news, report to me immediately!"

"Yes, your subordinate obeys!" The butler respectfully complied and turned to leave quickly.

Zhao Lie was overjoyed and cupped his hands to thank Zhao Shanhe.