500: Chapter 10 Arrived a Step Too Late

After putting away Lu Xueqi's package, the three of them had nothing else to do in Heyang City, so they left the city and flew on their swords toward Wushan Town in Yudu City.

Two days later, the three successfully arrived at Wushan Town. However, when they inquired at the local government office, the news they received was unexpected.

The town chief of Wushan Town, Wu Ming, said with a smile, "We sincerely thank the three Immortal Elders from Qingyun Sect for coming to eliminate the demon in our town. However, you three arrived a step too late. That malevolent monster has already been eradicated by a righteous hero."

"Really?" Lu Xueqi asked.

Wu Ming said seriously, "This concerns the safety of our town's populace; how could I dare to deceive you? Moreover, the City Lord's Mansion also sent people to investigate this matter and confirmed that it is true. That righteous hero earned the City Lord's appreciation because of this and has joined the guard team of Yudu City."

"If the three of you do not believe me, you are welcome to go and ask the City Lord's Mansion."

Seeing that he spoke with conviction, Lu Xueqi believed him somewhat. The remaining doubts needed to be clarified by visiting the City Lord's Mansion in Yudu City.

Thus, she said lightly, "Since that is the case, then we shall not..."

Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Meng Li's two light coughs.

Afterward, Meng Li smiled and said to Lu Xueqi, "Senior Sister Lu, although we arrived late, it wasn't easy for us to travel such a long distance. If we return to the Sect just like this, and the Sect Elders ask about it later, we might not have a satisfactory explanation if our account is incomplete."

"Why don't we stay a while longer and ask Town Chief Wu to explain the specific situation in detail?"

"For example, what kind of monster was causing trouble, what is the name of the righteous hero who eliminated it, and how did he defeat the monster?"

Lu Xueqi paused for a moment, realizing her thoughtlessness, and then nodded, saying to Wu Ming, "Town Chief Wu, please tell us the whole story."

Upon hearing this, Wu Ming happily agreed and then recounted the events slowly.

The beginning of the incident was the same as what Lu Xueqi had learned when she accepted the mission: recently, people in Wushan Town had been disappearing one after another. After sending his subordinates to investigate, Wu Ming deduced that a monster was responsible and reported the matter to the City Lord's Mansion of Yudu City.

The City Lord of Yudu City was named Wei Qiong, a benevolent and capable person.

He had no sons, only two daughters. One was married to an Elder of the major Righteous Path Sect, Fenxiang Valley, and the other was married to Zeng Shuchang, the Head of Feng Hui Peak of Qingyun Sect.

Both daughters had sons. One was named Li Xun, and the other was named Zeng Shushu. Both were cultivating in their respective Sects.

With the ties between these two generations, coupled with shared interests, Qingyun Sect and Fenxiang Valley naturally provided considerable support to Yudu City. Usually, when Yudu City encountered issues like monster hauntings or trouble caused by demonic individuals, Wei Qiong only needed to issue a notification, and both major Sects would send people to handle it.

This arrangement was not exclusive to Yudu City; it was the standard procedure for towns under the jurisdiction of other Righteous Path Sects as well.

This was how Sect Disciple missions originated.

This time, Wei Qiong reported as usual, and the mission fell to Lu Xueqi.

However, due to distance and manpower constraints, distant aid often could not arrive in time to extinguish a nearby fire. Therefore, some towns on the periphery of the jurisdiction, while requesting aid from their affiliated Sects, would also post bounties to recruit capable individuals with extraordinary skills to help.

If they were fortunate enough to attract a powerful figure, the situation seen now would occur: the problem would be resolved before the people from the Sect arrived.

The person who helped Wushan Town this time was named Yan Lie, whose abilities were outstanding. Not long after accepting the bounty, he clearly investigated and found that the culprit behind the disappearances in Wushan Town was a Mountain Lord that had cultivated into a spirit and was on the verge of becoming a demon.

Afterward, he laid out a plan and, relying on his bravery, ultimately traded injury for life, successfully slaying that Mountain Lord.

Wu Ming reported the matter to the City Lord's Mansion.

Wei Qiong was very pleased upon learning this. He felt that Yan Lie possessed both courage and strategy, making him a person of potential, so he extended an olive branch to him.

Yan Lie did not refuse and joined the guard team of Yudu City.

Wu Ming also received a reward for this incident.

While Wu Ming was narrating, Meng Li paid close attention to his expression. Afterward, he probed a few more times and confirmed that he was not lying.

Lu Xueqi and Tian Linger saw that the story had substance and detail, and they already believed most of it.

Thus, the three did not linger. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they departed.

On the road, Tian Linger sighed, "I thought I would get a chance to show off this time, but I didn't expect we'd be a step too late and the matter was already resolved. But it's good this way; the sooner the problem is solved, the less danger the townspeople face."

Then, she asked Lu Xueqi and Meng Li, "Senior Sister, Junior Brother, where are we going next?"

Lu Xueqi replied, "I want to go to Yudu City to verify the information with the City Lord's Mansion."

Meng Li also said, "I also think we should make a trip to the City Lord's Mansion. Although what Town Chief Wu said is most likely true, it's safer to verify it just in case. Furthermore, since the City Lord's Mansion reported this to the Sect, and Senior Sister accepted the mission, even if we arrived late, we still need to go and explain the situation."

"Let the people at the City Lord's Mansion know that the Sect sent people to handle this matter, ensuring the affair has a proper conclusion and avoiding unnecessary misunderstandings in the future."

Lu Xueqi nodded slightly, but she was somewhat surprised inwardly.

She only intended to verify the information at the City Lord's Mansion; she hadn't thought of the latter point at all.

Tian Linger clapped her hands and said, "Junior Brother is right. Then let's go to the City Lord's Mansion in Yudu City."

The main city of Yudu City was not far from Wushan Town. The three flew on their swords and arrived quickly.

Afterward, they made a few inquiries and soon found the City Lord's Mansion.

After stating their identities, a steward came out shortly and politely ushered the three inside.

While leading the way, the steward apologized, "The City Lord is currently handling official business and will come immediately after he finishes. The three of you can first wait in the reception hall, enjoy some fine tea and pastries."

Meng Li and the other two had no objections. They were only there to verify the facts and make a report; the matter was not urgent.

After the steward left, about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wei Qiong arrived.

He was an old man with graying hair and beard. Although dressed in fine robes, he appeared approachable, resembling a kind, wealthy gentleman more than the imposing ruler of a city.

After meeting them, he did not put on airs. He calmly explained the reason for his lateness, then inquired about the specific Sect affiliation of the three. After some pleasantries, he asked about the purpose of their visit.

Lu Xueqi stated their reason truthfully.

After listening, Wei Qiong first expressed his gratitude to Qingyun Sect and the three for offering assistance, then recounted the events concerning Wushan Town.

Perhaps because he was recounting it secondhand, his description was not very detailed.

After comparison, Meng Li found that the general situation was basically consistent with what Wu Ming had said; the minor differences were due to different perspectives.

At this point, Meng Li felt that there was no error in the Wushan Town affair.

Lu Xueqi and Tian Linger felt the same way.

Therefore, the three chatted briefly with Wei Qiong and prepared to take their leave.

Just then, the steward came in to report, "City Lord, Guard Yan requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Wei Qiong looked a bit surprised, "What is he here for? Didn't I tell him to rest and recuperate where he is staying?"

The steward replied, "He said his injuries have mostly healed, and he wishes to serve you as soon as possible to repay your kindness in recognizing his talent."

Wei Qiong shook his head and chuckled, "This Yan Lie..."

Yan Lie?