C16 – Steelgrave City Lord
“Really? Then what’s all this about?” Tang Tian gestured towards Min Zhenkang and the muscular man.
“Oh, it’s just a little mix-up. This gentleman here wanted to befriend me, so I had one of my guys spar with him a bit.” “Kid, you’ve earned the right to be my friend. From now on, you’re a friend of mine,” Jee Gong said, giving Min Zhenkang a conspiratorial wink.
“You’d better stay on your toes with me, kid. We’ll call it even between us, but step out of line again, and I won’t be so forgiving,” Jee Gong warned Min Zhenkang through a private message.
“There you are again, always stirring up trouble, aren’t you?” Tang Tian said, fixing Min Zhenkang with a direct gaze and remaining silent.
“I didn’t step in to be his friend. I saw his thug picking on this lady, so I intervened. But before I knew it, he sicced his goon on me without a word, and that punch nearly shattered my bones.”
“If you had arrived just a moment later, I might have shared the same fate as this elderly gentleman here. Cough, cough.”
Min Zhenkang had a rough idea of the relationship between Jee Gong and Tang Tian, but he was clueless about Tang Tian’s status. He blatantly ignored Jee Gong’s threat and feigned innocence as he spoke, making those unaware of the actual events believe his story.
“Excuse me, miss, do we know each other?” Min Zhenkang asked, taken aback by Tang Tian’s comment.
“You may not recognize me, but I certainly recognize you,” Tang Tian replied, her eyes slightly squinted.
“Li-er, so you two are acquainted? It’s like a flood has hit the Dragon King’s Temple! I’ll play host today; let’s all sit down and enjoy a drink together,” Jee Gong said, eyeing Min Zhenkang with barely concealed animosity, yet maintaining a gentlemanly facade in Tang Tian’s presence.
“Call me Li-er one more time, and I’ll cut out your tongue,” Tang Tian snapped, clearly loathing the nickname Jee Gong used for her. With that, she turned to leave.
“Oh, and one more thing. If anything untoward happens to this grandfather-grandson duo, I’ll hold you responsible,” Tang Tian warned Jee Gong as she reached the staircase. Without her intervention, given Jee Gong’s temperament, the two would likely not have made it through the day.
“Rest assured, Li-er, the grandson and granddaughter are absolutely safe within Steelgrave,” Jee Gong assured her quickly.
“Hmm?” Tang Tian shot Jee Gong a piercing look upon hearing him address her that way.
Realizing his slip-up, Jee Gong hastily covered his mouth.
Tang Tian, seeing Jee Gong’s gesture, decided not to dwell on it and headed straight downstairs.
“Hey, Miss, clarify for me, where have we met before?”
Jee Gong had planned to take care of Min Zhenkang after Tang Tian left, since the grandfather and grandchild were off-limits, but he hadn’t ruled out dealing with Min Zhenkang. He hadn’t anticipated, however, that Min Zhenkang would be so elusive, immediately going after Tang Tian, which left Jee Gong seething with frustration.
Min Zhenkang, aware that the pair was safe, pursued Tang Tian, his curiosity piqued.
“Charge!” Tang Tian paid no heed to Min Zhenkang and spurred his horse away, leaving Min Zhenkang standing there alone.
Jee Gong, appetite lost from the turn of events, saw Min Zhenkang at the door but not Tang Tian, and approached with his men.
“Kid, you’ve got some nerve, treating my words like they’re nothing. Take him back; I’m going to have a serious talk with this young man.”
Min Zhenkang, sensing trouble if he stayed, wasted no time and darted towards the city gate using his Godly Phantom Speed.
Min Qi and Min Qigang were still healing in the inn, so to divert Jee Gong’s attention, Min Zhenkang had no choice but to make a break for the city gate.
Before Jee Gong could even react, Min Zhenkang was gone without a trace. What kind of speed was that? Having been outwitted by Min Zhenkang time and again, Jee Gong was on the verge of a meltdown.
“Chase him!” he commanded, leading his men in pursuit.
Min Zhenkang was slippery indeed. Knowing he couldn’t lose Jee Gong in a straight chase, he used the city’s labyrinth of houses to his advantage. In no time, he had given them the slip and found a secluded spot to don his long-missed disguise.
“You’re quick on your feet. Just make sure I don’t catch you again, or you’ll regret ever crossing paths with me.” Jee Gong fumed with rage as he realized he had lost track of Min Zhenkang, feeling like his lungs were about to burst.
Min Zhenkang, meanwhile, had casually strolled around outside the inn. Once he was sure Jee Gong hadn’t left anyone to watch him, he found a spot to switch out of his disguise and made his way back to his room.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Miss, these gentlemen were hoping to meet with the city lord, but I’ve turned them away,” the guard reported.
Hearing the voice, Min Zhenkang felt a surge of recognition. He turned to find Tang Tian’s gaze already upon him.
“It’s you.”
“Why is it you again?”
Both were taken aback, staring at each other in surprise.
“What brings you to the castellan’s residence?”
“Zhenkang, do you two know each other?” Min Qi inquired.
“Oh, we met briefly yesterday.”
“Miss, I am Min Qi, head of the Min family from Whalespell. I’ve come to seek an audience with the city lord,” Min Qi clarified his purpose.
“Come in, then.”
“Thank you, Miss,” Min Qi responded with courtesy.
“Hey, about what you said yesterday, what did you mean? Where exactly have we met before?” Min Zhenkang pressed on, eager for answers.
“Outside Steelgrave City, three horses,” Tang Tian replied, worn down by Min Zhenkang’s persistence.
At that moment, Min Qi connected the dots, realizing that their savior outside the city was none other than the city lord’s daughter.
“Miss, I am deeply grateful for your lifesaving grace,” Min Qi approached her with gratitude.
“No thanks are necessary. I was merely passing by. Moreover, as a citizen of Steelgrave City, I couldn’t ignore a robbery happening right outside its gates,” Tang Tian explained.
“We’ve arrived. Please wait here while I inform my father,” Tang Tian instructed as they reached a doorway.
“We appreciate it, Miss.”
Watching Tang Tian disappear inside, Min Qi and his companions settled in to wait.
“Zhenkang, there seems to be something unique about your rapport with her. It doesn’t feel like a one-time encounter,” Min Qigang commented.
“It was indeed just once, yesterday at the inn.”
“Please come in. My father will see you now, but mind your words—especially you,” Tang Tian warned, giving Min Zhenkang a pointed look.
“Understood, we’ll be careful,” Min Qi assured her.
Zhenkang simply shrugged nonchalantly, sensing the girl’s strong opinion of him.
The courtyard appeared ordinary from the outside, but stepping inside revealed an enchanting retreat. The air was alive with birdsong and the scent of flowers, while artificial mountains and flowing streams added to the charm. At the heart of it all was a small pavilion, where a middle-aged man sat. His casual poise belied an air of undeniable authority, marking him as a man of significance.
“Greetings, Castellan. I am Min Qi, the patriarch of the Min family from Whalespell.” Approaching the pavilion, Min Qi offered a respectful bow.
“Hmm, Ling’er mentioned you were seeking an audience with me. What’s the matter?” Tang Guo remained seated, his gaze fixed on the chess pieces arrayed on the stone table before him.
“Castellan, I’ve come to request your assistance with a matter, it’s just that...” Min Qi hesitated, trailing off.
“Speak freely. It’s unbecoming for a family head to be so hesitant,” the Castellan chided.
“The Fang Sect is set to begin its once-every-five-years recruitment of disciples in a month’s time. I was hoping you might offer some guidance,” Min Qi said, presenting a millennium-old Lingzhi in his hands.
“You’re looking for my recommendation for these two young ones behind you to join the Fang Sect, aren’t you?” Tang Guo, without so much as glancing at Min Qi, pierced through his intentions with a single comment.
“Heh...” Caught by the Castellan’s insight, Min Qi let out an embarrassed chuckle.