TRWSB – Chapter 169 The Rumors of Death and the Rising Power

City Lord’s Residence

“Young Master, you’re finally back!” Qi Heng breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Qi Shaorong return.

Qi Shaorong crossed his arms. “Have I been gone that long?”

Time had blurred in the deep sea. After reuniting with Yoda, they had spent a long while searching for an exit from the Godfall Abyss before finally emerging.

“It’s been nearly two months.”

Qi Shaorong nodded thoughtfully. “So long already? Has anything happened while I was away?”

Qi Heng hesitated. “Nothing major.”

“Then what about minor incidents?” Qi Shaorong asked, noticing Qi Heng’s odd expression.

“Well, there’s one. Word got out that you and Young Master Zhuang Hao had disappeared. A rumor started claiming you both died young in some accident.”

Qi Shaorong spat out his tea. “They’re saying I died?!”

Qi Heng nodded. “Something like that.”

Qi Shaorong’s expression twisted. “You don’t think that’s a big deal?”

Qi Heng shrugged. “There were so many city lords who died recently. The public barely reacted to your supposed death—they’re used to it by now. Though, a few opportunists did try to loot the City Lord’s residence.”

“…Scum.” Qi Shaorong grumbled. “The residence wasn’t looted, right?”

“Nope. Everyone who tried was driven off by Senior Black Shark.”

“Guess that guy was useful after all,” Qi Shaorong muttered. Previously, when the mermaid princess came to cause trouble for Bi Liuyun, Black Shark hadn’t intervened—Qi Shaorong understood his stance but still resented it a little.

“I heard the imperial capital is planning to send someone,” Qi Heng added.

Qi Shaorong tilted his head. “They heard I died and now want to check for themselves?”

Qi Heng nodded. “That’s probably it.”

“The old Emperor wants to confirm my death in person?” Qi Shaorong snorted. “Too bad for him—I’m alive and well!”

Qi Heng: “…”

“You’ve stirred up quite a bit recently, Young Master. I think the person sent by the capital will be partially tasked with surveillance.”

“I haven’t done anything major—just a little business,” Qi Shaorong replied.

Qi Heng said gravely, “You released the Sea Clan Night Walker and healed two saint-level experts. You’ve also performed cosmetic transformations for multiple level-nine Sea Clan powerhouses. Your influence is expanding—no wonder the Emperor’s wary.”

Qi Shaorong stroked his chin. “Who are they sending?”

“Rumor has it a prince will be dispatched, though which one is unclear.”

“They’re sending a prince just to keep an eye on me? The Emperor must think highly of me,” Qi Shaorong said dryly.

Imperial Capital

Shen Manwu helped Tang Tianfeng remove his cloak. “Has the envoy to the Azure Sea Plains been decided?”

Tang Tianfeng shook his head. “Not yet. Fourth Brother is eager to go, but Father doesn’t seem inclined to choose him.”

Shen Manwu frowned. “The rumors from the Azure Sea Plains say Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao vanished—possibly dead.”

“It’s not that simple. Qi’s status is unclear, but Zhuang Hao is almost certainly alive. If anything had happened to him, the Zhuang family would’ve reacted immediately—but they’ve remained quiet.”

“True,” Shen Manwu nodded.

“Maybe they went looking for Sea Sand Mithril?” she speculated.

“Would be ideal, but I doubt Qi Shaorong is that obedient. The Azure Sea Plains are far from the capital. I suspect they followed the Sea Clan in search of opportunity,” Tang Tianfeng said.

Shen Manwu narrowed her eyes. “If Qi’s faction merges with the Zhuang family…”

“That Bi Liuyun is close with the young master of the Tianlong Trading Company,” Tang added.

Shen Manwu’s eyes widened. “That’s a powerful and mysterious merchant guild!”

“Any word from Shen Yuan?” Tang asked.

Shen Manwu sighed. “My brother and I aren’t close. Even if he knew something, he wouldn’t tell me.”

Tang Tianfeng took a deep breath. “Forget it then.”

Yi Fan’s Residence

Mu Tingxuan looked at a pensive Yi Fan. “Afan, what’s on your mind?”

Yi Fan shook his head. “Just a bit worried about Young Master.”

“He seems to be doing better than ever,” Mu said with a smile.

“Exactly. That’s why the Emperor’s getting nervous. I hear the Second Prince is being sent to the Azure Sea Plains.”

Mu nodded. “I figured. The Fourth Prince volunteered, but the Emperor declined—likely wary of him.”

“According to Bi Liuyun, our Young Master gets along well with Zhuang Hao.”

“Zhuang Hao’s strength has skyrocketed. Bi Liuyun’s secret letter says he’s probably already at level nine,” Yi Fan noted.

“No surprise there,” Mu chuckled.

Yi Fan thought silently: the Emperor has likely heard these rumors too, though he probably doesn’t know Zhuang Hao’s exact strength.

“Our Young Master also mentioned Bi Liuyun is a golden mermaid, a potential heir to the throne of the merfolk. The elders want him to return and lead their people, but he’d rather loaf around,” Mu said, amused.

“Liuyun’s always been lazy—he has no ambition for power,” Yi Fan replied.

Qi Family

“Father, Third Brother sent news—Fourth Brother is alive,” Qi Shaokang said.

Qi Yao nodded. “As expected. I never believed he’d die so easily.”

Qi Yao never trusted the rumor of Qi Shaorong’s early demise—his son seemed far too stubborn to fall so quickly.

“Did Shaofu say how he’s doing under Shaorong?” Qi Yao asked.

Shaokang frowned. “He didn’t, but others say Shaofu was assigned as an assistant to Qi Heng.”

Qi Yao slammed the table. “Shaofu is his blood brother! And he’s reduced to serving under a subordinate?!”

“At least he wasn’t kicked out—it could be worse,” Shaokang replied. Blood ties meant little; look at how Yi Fan treated his own brothers.

Qi Yao grunted. “Forget it.”

If Shaofu had done well, Qi Yao might’ve sent more people to support him. But as an errand boy, there was little point.

“Is the Emperor sending a prince to the Azure Sea Plains?” Shaokang asked.

“Yes. Word is, Zhuang Hao fended off over ten mermaid experts with a single strike. They say he’s already level nine,” Qi Yao replied.

Shaokang was stunned. “Already level nine?!”

Qi Yao rolled his eyes. “Probably exaggerated. Just defeating a few ignorant fish doesn’t mean much—but now he’s being hailed as level nine. He’s still a kid!”

Shaokang sighed in relief. “Good.”

If true, the gap between them would be terrifying.

“Likely, the Emperor heard this rumor and is sending a prince to investigate,” Qi Yao said.

“I see,” Shaokang muttered.

Qi Yao snorted. “Why not just claim Zhuang Hao’s already a Saint-level expert?”

Shaokang: “…”

Merfolk Royal Palace

“Mother,” Ariel said, her face stormy.

She had spies watching the City Lord’s mansion. When Bi Liuyun disappeared, she quickly found out he had gone to the Godfall Abyss with Yoda. She prayed he would die there.

Then she learned that Hailin was among those who entered as well. That nearly drove her mad.

Irina spoke calmly. “Bi Liuyun came out alive. And he brought the Sea King’s Trident with him.”

“Impossible!” Ariel whispered through clenched lips.

“The source is credible,” Irina narrowed her eyes.

The information came from Meili of the Sea Serpent Clan, longstanding rivals of the merfolk.

For centuries, the serpents had grown in power, while the merfolk declined. They resented the merfolk’s place as royal leaders.

Meili claimed the Trident had chosen a lazy half-human mongrel as its master—an insult to the merfolk, whom she declared beyond redemption.

Meili was foul-tempered, but never lied.

Words meant little, but those who heard them took note. The merfolk elders were deeply shaken by the news.