A visitor from Fengyu Sect

It was a long time later that City Lord Gu Yan finally came back to his senses.

“This time, thank you, sir, for saving me.”

Without Zhong Qing, he couldn't imagine what he would face next.

His own death would be a minor matter, but if his daughter also fell into the hands of these people, that would be the real bad news.

At the same time, he no longer dared to call him Brother Zhong as he had before.

In Zhongzhou, regardless of age, the strong were always revered.

So he subconsciously used a more respectful address for Zhong Qing.

Zhong Qing smiled and casually released the restraints on City Lord Gu Yan.

“Why are you so distant, Brother Gu, after only half a day apart?”

City Lord Gu Yan moved his body, scoffing, “Previously, I was blind and didn't recognize your methods, sir. It was presumptuous to call you Brother Zhong, and already disrespectful.”

“Now that I see your extraordinary nature, I naturally wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous again.”

Zhong Qing didn't insist.

He knew that, imperceptibly, an imbalance in status had emerged between them.

This imbalance was a change brought about by strength.

He didn't like this feeling, but he couldn't avoid such a situation from happening.

He didn't dwell on this matter either.

Instead, while picking up the loot from the corpses on the ground, he said, “How did you get involved with such a group of people?”

Such methods of killing people for treasures and looting corpses were most common in the cultivation world.

City Lord Gu Yan didn't feel there was anything wrong.

Hearing Zhong Qing's question, he said with a bitter smile, “It's not that I offended these people; it's clear that they had a premeditated plan against me.”

“My trip this time was to find a precious medicinal herb in the mountains—the Crimson Pearl Flower!”

“Years ago, my daughter had a mishap in her cultivation that damaged her foundation, and she needs an Elixir of Creation to repair it.”

“And this Crimson Pearl Flower is the main ingredient for refining the Elixir of Creation.”

“Of course, it is also the main ingredient for refining the Breakthrough Pill.”

“The Breakthrough Pill can increase the chances of breaking through from the Three Yang Three Realm to the Myriad Laws Realm.”

“These Wan Ren Mountain bandits, I don't know where they got the news that I had such a Crimson Pearl Flower.”

“Therefore, they ambushed me early.”

“They forced me all the way to their territory, and then their leader secretly made a move, capturing me in one fell swoop.”

“If I hadn't been in such a hurry and hadn't noticed, falling into their trap, it probably wouldn't have been so easy for them to capture me.”

After City Lord Gu Yan explained the whole story, he said with hesitation.

“Sir, logically speaking, you saved my life, and I should be willing to die ten thousand times to repay your kindness.”

“But that Crimson Pearl Flower is a crucial precious medicine for my daughter's injuries. Could... could you please return it to me?!”

“Of course, I am willing to exchange it for equivalent compensation!”

“Is that alright?”

At this moment, Zhong Qing had pulled out several storage bags from the leader of the Wan Ren Mountain bandits.

After sensing them, he took out a light blue storage bag.

“Is this yours?”

City Lord Gu Yan nodded repeatedly.

Zhong Qing directly threw his storage bag back to him.

The latter took it, checked it, and upon finding the Crimson Pearl Flower still inside, was overjoyed.

“Thank you, sir.”

“However, this storage bag was stolen by the bandits and now recovered by you, so it should rightfully be your item.”

“I will only take back the Crimson Pearl Flower; the rest of the items, I will return to you, sir.”

“After returning this time, I will immediately gather items of equivalent value to the Crimson Pearl Flower and offer them back to you, sir.”

Hearing this, Zhong Qing smiled.

“Why go to all that trouble?”

“You treated me to drinks before; now I saved you once, which is fair.”

“As for the treasures I helped you recover, just treat me to another meal of drinks!”

Upon hearing this, City Lord Gu Yan was momentarily stunned.

For such a great kindness, the reward Zhong Qing wanted was merely a meal of drinks.

However, at this point, he roughly understood.

Perhaps what was extremely precious in his eyes was truly nothing special in the other party's eyes!

And strictly speaking, Zhong Qing's kindness to him could not be compensated by a mere few treasures.

Thinking of this, City Lord Gu Yan no longer brought up the matter.

He merely said, “Sir's kindness is beyond repayment!”

“How could one meal of drinks be enough!”

“If you don't mind, sir, the gates of my manor will always be open for you from now on.”

“You can drink as much as you want, sir!”

“You can even stay at my manor and drink.”

Zhong Qing had finished looting the corpses by now.

Seeing City Lord Gu Yan speak so earnestly, he said loudly, “Since that's the case, then I won't be polite!”

“I have nowhere to go right now, so if your manor can provide a place to stay, it would be a place for me to settle down.”

As he spoke, he sorted through his gains.

No wonder Zhongzhou was said to be a land of outstanding people and abundant resources.

Even a few bandits carried a large amount of high-grade spirit stones.

Even King Grade Great Medicine and fifth or sixth-grade spirit pills were not few.

And what surprised Zhong Qing was that there was even half an Emperor Grade Skill inside.

A typical Emperor Grade Skill was enough to serve as the most prized treasure of some major sects, and half an Emperor Grade Skill was also a priceless treasure.

The sheer wealth made Zhong Qing click his tongue in amazement.

However, what he lacked least was cultivation techniques.

Zhong Qing merely glanced at it and then tossed it into a corner of his storage bag.

After counting the spoils, it was already dusk.

City Lord Gu Yan was eager to repay his kindness upon hearing that Zhong Qing was going to stay at his place, so he naturally couldn't ask for anything more.

Now, seeing him finish counting the treasures, he said respectfully.

“Sir, it's getting late now, and there's still some distance to Wanbian City. We should get going!”

Zhong Qing nodded.

Just like that, under City Lord Gu Yan's lead, the two flew through the air all the way.

It wasn't until the sun set that the two finally reached their destination.

Wanbian City, though called a small city, had a population of over a million.

Even though it was night, the city was brightly lit, and the sounds of bustling activity were endless, making it very lively.

The two went directly to the City Lord's Mansion.

Compared to the bustling Wanbian City, the City Lord's Mansion was much quieter.

“City Lord!”

The guards on duty at the gate saw City Lord Gu Yan and quickly saluted.

“Mm!”

The latter nodded.

“Inform the servants to prepare a grand feast in the kitchen. I want to entertain a distinguished guest!”

Hearing this, the guard curiously glanced at Zhong Qing.

He wondered which sect's esteemed disciple this was, to be treated with such solemnity by their City Lord.

However, he didn't dare to stare too much.

The City Lord's distinguished guest was naturally an existence of extremely noble status, how could he pry?

But before the grand feast was ready, a butler rushed to report.

“City Lord, the Phoenix Feather Sect's envoy has been waiting for a long time!”

As soon as these words came out, City Lord Gu Yan's expression slightly changed.

And Zhong Qing's eyes subtly moved.

But then they returned to normal, and no expression could be seen on his face!

...