169: Chapter 169 My Facts with the City Lord

Chen You was disdainful of this melodramatic plot, yet felt a sliver of unstoppable curiosity.

"Elaborate."

Du Chedi seemed lost in memory, only speaking after a moment.

"Three years ago, this humble man and my fiancée, Cai Wenjuan, lived as neighbors. Back in our hometown, we had a house and land; life was quite enjoyable."

Du Chedi’s voice was hoarse, thick with nasal congestion, his gaze vacant as he stared at the roof.

As if looking through the worn tiles toward a distant past.

Chen You listened quietly, not interrupting.

"Who knew, fortune is fickle. One rainy night three years ago..."

Du Chedi’s voice suddenly dropped low, laced with unbearable pain.

"That day, I went out to discuss business. When I returned, I couldn't find Wenjuan anywhere."

"I only found a letter. The letter said... it said she was going to Thousand Light City to pursue her 'dream,' and that I should... I should forget her."

Upon reaching this point, Du Chedi’s hands tightly clenched the worn bedding.

Old Wang, listening from the side, was dumbfounded. He hadn't expected this vagrant's past... would be so full of twists and turns!

So utterly melodramatic!

Chen You’s brow, however, furrowed slightly.

Cai Wenjuan? Pursuing a dream? Did it feel like... things were about to escalate?

"At the time, I felt the sky was falling; how could I believe it?"

"She and I were childhood sweethearts, deeply devoted. How could she be so heartless?"

Du Chedi’s voice suddenly rose high, filled with endless indignation.

"I rushed out of the house, regardless of the wind and rain. I only wanted to ask her one thing: Why! Why on earth!"

"But... just as I entered the street, a carriage sped toward me."

"The road was slippery from the rain, and I was frantic, so I couldn't dodge..."

He gave a bitter laugh, "When I woke up, I was half-dead. My leg... my leg was crippled."

"The carriage owner said it was my own fault for not watching where I was going; I deserved it!"

Chen You’s gaze fell upon the empty trouser leg of Du Chedi.

The innate spiritual treasure, yuhuang sword, seemed to tremble slightly, lamenting the impermanence of the world.

"Later, I was bedridden for two and a half years, barely surviving on my family’s savings."

"But the suffering in my heart grew deeper every day."

"I could never believe she would truly abandon me."

A stubbornness surfaced in Du Chedi’s eyes, "So, leaning on a cane, I inquired along the way, begging along the way."

"It took nearly half a year, but I finally found this Thousand Light City."

"I just want to ask her face-to-face if she is truly that heartless!"

When he finished speaking, his gaze toward Chen You was filled with pleading and hope.

"Sir... if you happen to see Cai Wenjuan, could you ask her for me, is... is she doing well?"

"Does she ever, even a tiny bit, think of me?"

Chen You did not answer immediately.

His mind was currently a bit chaotic.

What in the world was all this!

On the surface, the plot now had two threads.

Thread one: Cai Wenjuan came to Thousand Light City three years ago with her beloved, only to be cruelly abandoned again.

Thread two: Du Chedi, Cai Wenjuan’s fiancé, suffered a carriage accident three years ago while chasing her, losing a leg, being bedridden for two and a half years, and then begging for half a year to finally reach Thousand Light City.

Chen You couldn't figure out what this melodramatic plot had to do with the dungeon.

Surely they weren't opening a dungeon for players to participate in an ethical drama?

No matter what, one important character had yet to appear—

That 'new love' of Cai Wenjuan.

No, wait.

Chen You thought of something.

Someone else's wife... Could it be you again! Meng De! Are you worthy of your Qing'er?!

Chen You felt somewhat powerless to complain about this over-the-top plot.

He pondered whether Du Chedi was part of a hidden quest line, and if so, which side should he support?

1. Remain completely uninvolved, acting only as a messenger. But doing so would mean missing out on the hidden quest, a huge loss.

2. Help Du Chedi expose Cai Wenjuan and her 'new love,' gaining the 'Messenger of Justice' title? Or cause trouble?

3. Help Cai Wenjuan and her 'new love' get rid of Du Chedi, the 'entangler,' gaining the 'Facilitator of Beauty' title? Pfft, wouldn't that make him an accomplice in the melodrama?

It was certain that different choices would likely trigger different quest endings.

"Forget it, I'll go check out the Meng De's Mansion first."

Chen You quickly made his decision.

He said to Du Chedi: "I will go help you find Cai Wenjuan."

Du Chedi struggled to get up, but Chen You stopped him with a look.

"No need for formalities. Rest well."

Chen You paid no more attention to Old Wang and Du Chedi, turning and exiting the room.

Mounting Big White Rabbit, he soon arrived at the Thousand Light City Lord's Mansion.

At the main gate, two guards clad in silver armor and holding long spears blocked his path.

"Halt! The Meng De's Mansion is a restricted area, no loiterers allowed!"

One of the guards shouted sternly, slightly raising the spear in his hand to point at Chen You.

Currently, Chen You had two quests related to the Meng De's Mansion.

The first was the follow-up to clearing the Tomb of Thousand Lights dungeon.

And the second was Cai Wenjuan's letter.

Different quests would surely lead to different treatment.

If he was just delivering a letter, he might be turned away at the door, only allowed to send the letter inside.

Chen You had two quests related to the Meng De's Mansion on him.

Different quests would probably result in different treatment.

After a brief thought, he decided it was best to get inside first.

Chen You took out the box engraved with the Meng Clan crest, 'heros gaze,' from his robe.

"I have a clue regarding the Tomb of Thousand Lights and need to speak with the Meng De."

The guard's attitude immediately changed, faster than flipping a page.

"Please... please follow me."

The guard led the way, and Chen You followed closely behind.

They passed through a deep corridor and skirted several buildings.

The route was similar to last time.

Just then, the crisp sound of clashing weapons suddenly came from ahead, accompanied by a woman's delicate laughter and startled cries.

"Wait!"

The guard stiffened, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face.

Chen You felt a bad premonition.

The melodrama always escalates.

"The Meng De... is currently practicing in the rear courtyard. Please wait a moment, honored guest.", The guard turned around, his tone growing more respectful, but the embarrassment on his face deepened.

Chen You waved his hand, signaling him not to say more.

"It's fine. Just lead the way directly.", he said casually.

The guard paused, but seeing Chen You insist, he dared not stop him further and could only steel himself to continue leading the way.

Turning a corner past a moon gate, the view suddenly opened up.

A spacious training ground came into view.

In the center of the training ground, a burly man was swinging a large saber bare-chested.

It was the Meng De of Thousand Light City, Meng De.

Around the training ground, a dozen or so women were either sitting or standing.

They were dressed in light gauze, graceful in posture, some giggling, some whispering, but their gazes frequently fell upon Meng De.

The scent of perfume mixed with sweat and alcohol permeated the air.

Chen You’s gaze swept over these women, finally settling on the three peerless beauties closest to Meng De.

These three each possessed unique charms.

One was tall, with bright eyes and white teeth, a hint of heroism in her eyebrows.

One was petite and exquisite, her eyes alluring, every movement radiating charm.

The last one had a cold temperament, like a snow lotus, standing apart from the surrounding environment.

"What... what the heck is this?"

Chen You couldn't quite grasp this jarring scene.

Had two separate plotlines been forcibly merged into one scene?