160: Chapter 161 Looking at Money

The wind at the East City Gate was still a bit chilly early in the morning.

Minister Wang Fugui, wrapped in his outer robe, stood on the city wall. He rested his hands on the battlement, squinting into the distance as if waiting for something.

When Lei Lie patrolled over, his footsteps faltered.

This fatty was here again.

For the past few days, he had been running to the city wall first thing every morning. He wouldn't talk about proper business when he arrived, just stood there gazing outward, like a statue of a woman waiting for her husband that had come to life.

Lei Lie glanced at him a couple of times, but couldn't hold back, frowning as he asked, "What are you looking at here every day?"

Hearing this, Minister Wang Fugui didn't even turn his head. "Looking for money."

Lei Lie's face darkened. "Money?"

"That's right, bright, shining money, with legs, walking right toward our Flower City."

"Bullshit."

Lei Lie sneered and followed his gaze to look out. Outside the city, it was empty; apart from the morning mist and the wind, there was nothing. "Can money fall from the sky, or grow from the ground? Does your brain only have room for calculating accounts, nothing else?"

Minister Wang Fugui turned his head, held up his index finger, and shook it. "You don't understand."

Lei Lie couldn't be bothered to pay him any mind.

A merchant, always having money on his lips, that was all the ambition he had.

But Minister Wang Fugui wasn't in a hurry. He continued to lean on the battlement, staring longingly into the distance with a very focused expression, as if he were truly waiting for a windfall to fall from the sky.

The wind blew in from outside the city, kicking up a bit of yellow dust.

After a moment, Minister Wang Fugui suddenly narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. "They're here."

Lei Lie ignored him.

"They're here, they're here, they're here!"

Minister Wang Fugui's voice suddenly rose, and he slapped the battlement several times, as excited as if he had seen a mountain of gold running toward him. "My money is here!"

Lei Lie's gaze sharpened, and he abruptly turned his head to look.

Sure enough, a few tiny black lines appeared on the horizon in the far distance.

Immediately following that came the muffled sound of wheels rolling on the ground and the vibration of hooves treading on the dirt road, which could already be felt in waves from far away.

Lei Lie's expression sank, and he instantly cast aside his earlier nonchalance. "Prepare for defense!"

"Close the city gate!"

"Quick! Archers to the walls!"

"Tell the people below to perk up!"

Orders were hammered down, and the city wall immediately sprang into action.

"Clatter—" The light sound of armor scales and the clutter of footsteps echoed as the Mercenaries and soldiers guarding the city quickly took their positions. Bowstrings were drawn one by one, and cold glints of light poked out from over the battlements; even the air seemed to tighten.

Minister Wang Fugui watched from the side, grimacing. "What's with all the defense? They're here to deliver money."

Lei Lie didn't even acknowledge him, staring at the approaching procession in the distance. He said coldly, "Less nonsense. Guarding the city is my duty. If something really happens, can you take responsibility for it?"

Minister Wang Fugui opened his mouth but couldn't find a retort. He really couldn't take that responsibility.

So he could only stand to the side, watching helplessly as Lei Lie turned the East City Gate into an iron fortress, his facial flesh twitching along with the effort. Tsk. A martial man is just a martial man. When he sees people, his first thought is always a blade.

Meanwhile, outside the city. Five processions were traveling along the main road toward Flower City, keeping a moderate distance from one another.

The other four were led by diplomatic delegations, with guards on both sides. They were fully equipped with weapons and armor, keeping a tight formation, clearly on guard.

Only the one in the middle was somewhat different.

The man riding at the front was middle-aged, dressed unassumingly in a clean, sharp, dark-colored robe, with a City Lord token hanging at his waist. There weren't many guards following behind him, only two or three Bronze Rank experts to hold the line; most of the others were ordinary attendants and people carrying gifts.

It was none other than the Heyang City Lord.

The reason for this went back to a discussion two days prior. On that day, the five cities were still deliberating via the Sound Transmission Array. The original plan was for each of the five cities to send a diplomatic delegation to visit Flower City. However, on that day, the Heyang City Lord suddenly had the idea of going in person.

The Qinghe City Lord was the first to react: "Are you crazy? Going in person? Aren't you afraid Flower City will detain you?"

"That's right!" The Gale Wind City Lord was also anxious. "We don't know anything about their background; you're playing with fire!"

The Heyang City Lord did not rush to refute them. Only after they had finished speaking did he open his mouth.

"Actually, everyone, there is no need to be so worried. After all, given the strength Flower City has openly displayed, if they really wanted to take action against us, even if we were all united, we would absolutely be unable to resist."

Everyone was speechless. This statement was painful, but it was the truth.

The Heyang City Lord continued: "Yet, with such overwhelming strength, they haven't taken action against us. Even when their mining and herb-gathering activities reached the very doorstep of our cities, they didn't use force against us. This is sufficient proof that it's not that they can't, but simply that they don't want to. Therefore, I believe that if we go in person, we can better demonstrate our sincerity. It's not just me; if you could also go yourselves, the possibility of fostering a friendly relationship would greatly increase."

Although that was the case, the others still couldn't make a decision. That was why, among the five cities' delegations, only the Heyang City Lord personally came on the diplomatic mission.

"Halt." Someone at the front of the diplomatic procession gave a low shout. The several processions slowed down simultaneously.

By this time, the city in the distance had completely revealed its outline. The city walls were not particularly magnificent, but they were very steady. On the city wall, armored soldiers stood in rows, bowstrings half-drawn, blades and spears forming lines. At a glance, it gave off a chilling sense of oppression.

The people in The Four Cities' delegations subconsciously held their breath. Someone's Adam's apple bobbed, and they whispered: "The defenses are so tight..."

Another person whispered in response: "It's like this just from approaching; if they really wanted to fight, I'm afraid we wouldn't even be able to touch the city gate."

The Heyang City Lord looked up at Flower City, his expression also becoming a bit more serious, but he still urged his horse forward half a step. "Keep moving." Since he had come, he didn't intend to turn back. Moreover, they were already at the doorstep.

On the city wall, Lei Lie finally saw the formation of the newcomers clearly. Five processions. They all brought guards and gift carriages, looking like normal diplomatic delegations rather than the army he had anticipated.

Beside him, Minister Wang Fugui was rubbing his hands together in delight. Seeing the change in his expression, he immediately leaned over and lowered his voice: "How about that? What did I tell you?"

Lei Lie shot him a sidelong glance. Minister Wang Fugui puffed out his belly, looking smug.

Lei Lie ignored him, continuing to stare down at the city. The processions drew closer. He quickly realized that although the other four cities' delegations carried some arms, their numbers were small, mainly for self-defense.

The Heyang City side was even more obvious; apart from the three Bronze Rank guards with distinctly different auras, the rest were mostly ordinary people. If one were to speak of threats, they were less dangerous than a normal outer city hunting patrol.

Moreover, after they arrived at the foot of the city, they did not act rashly. The Heyang City Lord dismounted, took the initiative to step forward, raised his hands, and clasped them in a salute.

"Heyang City Lord, City Lord Qin Fang."

"Today, I have come with the diplomatic delegations of the other four cities. I request an audience with the Flower City Lord; we wish to make friends with your noble city."