TRWSB – Chapter 142 A New Ally

Upon seeing the City Lord’s Mansion, Qi Shaorong was left utterly stunned.

“This… is the City Lord’s Mansion? Why does it look like just a broken plaque and crumbling ruins? Where are the guards?” Qi Shaorong gritted his teeth, visibly frustrated.

He rubbed his forehead and thought: The looters really did an immaculate job. Even the gold paint on the words City Lord’s Mansion on the plaque seems to have been scraped off completely.

Qi Heng, observing Qi Shaorong’s reaction, sighed. “They say the previous City Lord died, and many guards perished along with him. The compensation funds and wages for the guards were ambushed on the way here, and without pay, the remaining guards all dispersed. With the mansion leaderless, opportunists looted everything clean.”

“The guards didn’t intervene?” Qi Shaorong asked incredulously.

“It’s said that the first ones to start the looting were the City Lord’s guards themselves,” Bi Liuyun interjected, shaking his head.

“A bunch of rabble!” Qi Shaorong cursed under his breath.

Bi Liuyun waved his fan, shrugging. “Well, one can’t really blame them. Life is tough. Who would work without pay?”

Qi Shaorong clutched his head and asked, “So, the City Lord’s Mansion currently has no guards at all?”

Qi Heng nodded. “That’s correct, young master. If you want to establish yourself in the Azure Sea Plains, you’ll need to start from scratch.”

Qi Shaorong frowned, silently cursing the cunning royal family. They’re downright treacherous! Giving him the title of a lord—what’s the use if everything else is gone?

Zhuang Hao patted Qi Shaorong on the shoulder. “Take it slow. We’ll figure something out.”

Bi Liuyun chimed in with a cheerful tone, “Exactly, young master! Don’t worry. Why don’t we go enjoy some seafood to lift our spirits? I hear seafood is dirt cheap near Blue Moon Sea.”

Zhuang Hao: “…” Even now, Bi Liuyun’s mood is as carefree as ever.

Qi Shaorong clenched his fists but then let out a sigh. “You’re right. Let’s eat first. You can’t strategize on an empty stomach.”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

The group entered a seafood restaurant and began to feast.

Qi Shaorong marveled at a crab as large as a basin, exclaiming at the wonders of this realm. “The feng shui here must be amazing for crabs to grow this big!”

Zhuang Hao peeled crab shells for Qi Shaorong, calmly reminding him, “Eat slowly.”

Meanwhile, Qi Shaorong glanced at Bi Liuyun, who was devouring scallops with complete disregard for decorum. He wiped a cold sweat from his brow, thinking: It’s fortunate that Bi Liuyun isn’t back in the capital. If those who once admired her saw this, they’d cough up blood on the spot!

“Young master, the best seafood is always near the sea,” Bi Liuyun declared, beaming.

Qi Shaorong nodded in agreement. “True. Liuyun, take your time. No one’s competing with you.”

“May I treat you all to something else?” A stranger’s voice interrupted.

Bi Liuyun looked at the newcomer, puzzled. “And you are?”

The man smiled warmly. “I am Mo Yun’an, temporarily managing our family’s business in this area.”

Bi Liuyun blinked, recognizing the name. “You’re… the young master of the Mo Yun Merchant Guild?”

Qi Shaorong studied Mo Yun’an with interest. He had intended to visit the Mo Yun Merchant Guild’s leader at some point, but it seemed the man had come to him first. Their group had been traveling incognito, so he was surprised they had been identified so quickly.

Zhuang Hao, narrowing his eyes, asked, “Young Master Mo, how did you know it was us?”

“Qi Shao used the premium money card provided by the Merchant Guild,” Mo Yun’an explained.

Understanding dawned on Zhuang Hao. The platinum-level card Qi Shaorong had received was the highest-tier card within the guild, with very limited issuance. In a place like this, it wasn’t hard to deduce who the cardholder was.

Qi Shaorong smiled faintly at Mo Yun’an. “Young Master Mo, is there something I can help you with?”

“Not at all, Qi Shao. I heard you’re taking up the position of lord of Azure Sea Plains, and I wondered if there’s anything I can do to assist you. If you encounter any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“That’s very kind of you, Young Master Mo,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Mo Yun’an waved his hand dismissively. “No need for formalities. The truth is, Senior Feng Yuan reached out to me before your arrival, asking me to look after you.”

Qi Shaorong chuckled. “So that’s how it is.” He thought to himself: Seems like my connections are better than I realized. Most lords arrive here seeking allies, but in my case, the allies came looking for me.

Mo Yun’an continued, “By the way, Qi Shao, I understand the City Lord’s Mansion is uninhabitable. If you don’t mind, you’re welcome to stay at one of the estates managed by our merchant guild.”

“Thank you, Young Master Mo.”

“No need to be so formal, Qi Shao,” Mo Yun’an replied with a gracious smile.

Mo Yun’an had a brief chat with Qi Shaorong before leaving.

“Master, why do you give Qi Shaorong so much respect? Without any backing, a seventh-level cultivator won’t survive long here.”

Mo Yun’an shook his head. “It’s not about giving Qi Shaorong respect; it’s about giving Zhuang Hao respect. Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao are a pair, and the Zhuang family has a Saint-level expert. Moreover, Zhuang Hao is widely regarded as one of the most likely to reach Saint-level himself. Building a good relationship with Qi Shaorong doesn’t hurt.”

“You have a point.”

“By the way, this Hai Ling fellow seems quite powerful!” Mo Yun’an couldn’t help but comment.

“Indeed. Yet another fool tried to rob the Feilong Trade Association, and once again, they all vanished without a trace,” said the elder beside Mo Yun’an.

Mo Yun’an squinted. “The Feilong Trade Association is truly unfathomable. Every item in their store is enough to bankrupt a small fortune. Many have set their sights on them, but none who act on it ever return.”

“It’s strange, though,” the elder mused. “If the Feilong Trade Association can acquire such rare treasures from the Sea Clan, it’s only logical that they’d have no shortage of common goods either. Yet, oddly enough, the Feilong Trade Association only has a branch here in the Blue Sea Plains and nowhere else.”

Mo Yun’an chuckled. “Perhaps they simply don’t see the need to earn excessive wealth. Moderation is their principle.”

The elder smiled. “If that’s the case, then the Feilong Trade Association’s leaders are truly masters of self-restraint.”

Mo Yun’an nodded. “Their business doesn’t conflict with ours, so it’s best to avoid any disputes with them.”

Qi Shaorong collapsed onto the bed, brimming with excitement. “Ah, being popular really is a blessing. As soon as I arrive, people offer food and shelter. It’s almost embarrassing.”

Zhuang Hao glanced at him and said, “Even so, exposing our identities immediately is a bit… off-plan.”

Though Mo Yun’an claimed it was because Qi Shaorong used the card provided by Feng Yuan, Zhuang Hao suspected Mo Yun’an would have recognized them regardless.

Qi Shaorong dismissed the concern. “You’re always raining on my parade. So what if our identities are exposed? It was bound to happen sooner or later. After all, someone as dazzling as me has nothing to hide.”

Zhuang Hao chuckled. “True enough.”

Qi Heng handed a cup of tea to Qi Shaorong. “Young Master, what’s the plan moving forward?”

Lazily, Qi Shaorong replied, “The priority is rebuilding the City Lord’s Mansion. I am a city lord, after all. I can’t exactly live without a roof over my head.”

Zhuang Hao nodded. “True. I’ve heard you can hire Sea Clan laborers here. Some of them work for just food. But if the food isn’t good enough, they might revolt. So, while they’re cheap, there’s some risk.”

Qi Shaorong grimaced. “…”

“I can handle the mansion construction,” Bi Liuyun offered.

Qi Shaorong looked at him in surprise. “You’d help with that?”

Bi Liuyun nodded. “Of course, Young Master. Did you know that property is now a critical factor in marriage prospects? I’ll make sure your City Lord’s Mansion is so magnificent that anyone who sees it will want to marry you.”

Zhuang Hao interjected, “I estimate Shaorong won’t stay here long before being reassigned, so there’s no need to go overboard. Otherwise, the next city lord will benefit for nothing.”

Bi Liuyun shot him a look. “Even so, the young master’s living conditions can’t be neglected.”

Qi Shaorong nodded vigorously. “Well said!”

Qi Heng followed Bi Liuyun into a branch of the Feilong Trade Association.

“This is the place!” Bi Liuyun declared smugly. “I heard you can hire Sea Clan laborers here at low prices. Though the young master isn’t short on funds, saving where we can is wise. Otherwise, we’ll end up like Yi Fan.”

Qi Heng sighed. Yi Fan had foolishly drained his savings for his wedding and would likely rely on Mu Tingxuan for support in the future.

“What kind of Sea Clan workers are you looking for?” A familiar voice rang out. Bi Liuyun turned toward the source.

“Hai Ling? What are you doing here?”

Hai Ling flashed a dazzling smile. “I’m here on an inspection. You look much better than before.”

Bi Liuyun chuckled. “Oh, really?”

Qi Heng frowned. Bi Liuyun had subtly altered his appearance, softening the purple undertone in his features. Yet Hai Ling had not only recognized him instantly but also pointed it out.

Hai Ling smiled. “You’re here to hire Sea Clan laborers?”

Bi Liuyun nodded. “Yes. Do you have any recommendations?”

“You’re building the City Lord’s Mansion, aren’t you?” Hai Ling asked with a grin, hands clasped behind his back.

Bi Liuyun’s heart sank. Not just Mo Yun’an—Hai Ling’s sources are just as reliable!

Maintaining his composure, Bi Liuyun asked with a smile, “How did you know?”

“It’s no secret that Qi Shaorong has a peerless zither master by his side,” Hai Ling said.

Bi Liuyun chuckled. “I suppose I’m quite recognizable.”

“Master Bi’s beauty is unparalleled; you’re unforgettable,” Hai Ling replied generously.

Bi Liuyun teased, “Oh? I thought someone like you, surrounded by Sea Clan beauties, wouldn’t spare me a second glance.”

Sea Clan beauties were famously abundant, and Hai Ling’s commanding presence suggested he came from the Sea Clan’s royal family.