Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiutang’s gaze sharpened abruptly.
He hadn’t expected at all that the young man before him was the very same one who had caused quite a stir at the Zhao Family Temple not long ago.
He’d heard a bit about that incident, but at the time, he hadn’t paid it much mind.
After all, every year, a few lucky ones would emerge from the temple—some even causing more of a commotion than Lu Chen—so naturally, he couldn’t be expected to remember every single one.
But if it really was this person… then this was far from being as simple as just a Dual-God Devotee.
At the very least, one would have to count the God of Wealth, Lord Jun, into the equation as well!
His thoughts raced, but his expression remained as warm as a spring breeze: “The Sun family’s benevolent reputation is known far and wide across Jiangdu. That said, it doesn’t mean little friend Lu can’t turn to the Zhao family for help if he ever runs into trouble. I’ve always believed in building goodwill far and wide, and I’d be more than happy to offer whatever modest assistance I can.”
He paused briefly, his smile growing even more sincere: “Oh, and I heard that little friend Lu had a bit of an unpleasant experience at the Zhao Family Temple earlier. This gives me the perfect opportunity to offer my apologies.”
With that, he sat upright in his chair and solemnly clasped his fists in a formal salute once more.
The other clan leaders present couldn’t help but exchange astonished glances.
Who would’ve thought that the Zhao and Sun families would end up in a public tug-of-war over a completely unknown young man?
It seemed the deterrent power of the Raksha Cult’s three thousand followers was indeed not to be underestimated.
The heads of the other two major families—the Qin and the Wu—were just about to speak up and make their own gestures.
“Alright, alright.” Yu Feng waved a hand to cut them off. “If you want to win him over, feel free to do it on your own time. My business here is done, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
With that, he smoothly issued his dismissal.
The clan leaders rose one after another, clasping their fists: “We take our leave, Lord City Lord.”
“No need to see you off.” Yu Feng stood and returned the gesture.
Lu Chen was about to follow the others out when he heard Yu Feng say in a low voice, “Lu Chen, come with me.”
He beckoned to Lu Chen and turned to walk toward his office without another word.
Left with no choice, Lu Chen steeled himself and followed.
The moment the office door closed, the imposing and dignified city lord shed his authoritative demeanor and jabbed a finger at Lu Chen’s nose, unleashing a torrent of reproach:
“You little brat! What kind of hero were you trying to play? Vouching for them? What the hell were you vouching for?! How was I supposed to protect you in front of all those people?!”
Deep down, Yu Feng hadn’t actually wanted Lu Chen to sign that agreement, but with so many eyes watching, the words that left his mouth were like water that had already been spilled.
How could he have advised him otherwise? How could he have stopped him?
“Rest assured, Lord City Lord. Once I’m back, I’ll strictly manage them and guide them onto the right path. That’s not just empty talk.”
Lu Chen reaffirmed his promise.
“Fine, fine. Handle it however you see fit. The agreement’s already signed, so just don’t make things difficult for me.”
Yu Feng said, then his tone shifted abruptly, turning razor-sharp: “There’s no one else here now, so come clean. What’s really going on? If you don’t spell it out today, don’t even think about walking out that door!”
Lu Chen let out a sigh. “Alright, here’s the thing…”
He briefly explained to Yu Feng the connection between the Plague Ministry and the Raksha Cult.
But he changed one detail.
He described Old Ancestor Xuan Gu as a demon subdued by the Plague Ministry, rather than a heavenly general under its command.
And this demon, taking advantage of a lapse in guard duty, had snuck down to the mortal realm and founded the Raksha Cult under the name of Old Ancestor Xuan Gu.
After all, a single day in heaven equals a year on earth.
Though the Raksha Cult had existed for a hundred years, that was merely a hundred days in celestial terms.
This version of the story was indeed more convincing than the earlier one.
Yu Feng pondered for a long while, then let out a deep sigh: “So that’s how it is. Hah… Just a slight stir in the heavens sends a hurricane tearing through our mortal world. A cult that’s plagued humanity for a hundred years—and it turns out it was nothing more than a subdued demon from the Plague Ministry kicking up trouble.”
He was about to say that the Plague Ministry was being terribly negligent!
But remembering that the gods were always watching from above, he swallowed the words back down.
Seeing this, Lu Chen grinned and rubbed his hands together: “Lord City Lord, now that I’ve let you in on the inside scoop… would you be willing to do me a little favor?”
“What favor?” Yu Feng instantly grew wary.
The kid suddenly had that sly look on his face—he was probably up to no good.
“Well, you see, wasn’t eradicating the Raksha Cult an SS-rank mission? Now that the cult no longer exists, doesn’t that count as me completing the mission?”
“Ha! I knew you were up to something! You get three thousand men handed to you for nothing, and now you want to milk the government for more?”
“Hey, that’s not fair. The whole point of the government issuing missions is for the results, isn’t it? I’ve delivered the results, so it’s only right that I get a little reward. If I remember correctly, it was a hundred million in prize money and twenty thousand military merits.
Cut it in half, and that’s still fifty million plus ten thousand merits.
But since I’m a special-class student, theoretically, I have the right to double it.
So that brings it back to a hundred million and twenty thousand merits.
So, what do you say? Can we do that, Lord City Lord?”
Yu Feng felt his scalp tingle. “Can we do that? Do you really think we can do that?!”
“I think it sounds pretty reasonable! Aren’t we just following the rules?” Lu Chen looked completely innocent.
“Rules? Then let me ask you—what’s the minimum spirit rank required to accept an SS-rank mission?”
“I think… fifth rank?”
“And are you fifth rank right now?”
“No.”
“You haven’t even met the basic requirements, you never accepted the mission, and this is purely a blind squirrel stumbling upon a nut. And you think it’s reasonable? Do you really think it’s reasonable?!”
“Uh…” Lu Chen turned to leave. “Then I’ll go talk to Old Zheng!”
“Get back here!” Yu Feng bellowed, grabbing Lu Chen by the scruff of his neck. “You little bastard! Now you’re learning to use Old Zheng to pressure me?”
“Ow ow ow…” Lu Chen winced in pain. “Lord City Lord, it’s not that I don’t think you can handle it—I just figured I’d go find someone who can.”
Yu Feng let go with a cold snort. “Who says I can’t handle it? You really think I’m just a figurehead? Let me put it bluntly—when it comes to matters in Jiangdu, I still have the final say!”
“Lord City Lord is amazing! I knew you could do it!” Lu Chen’s flattery came pouring out.
“Save it! I’ve been stewing in frustration all day! I thought I’d be able to wipe out the Raksha Cult completely, but then you, you little brat, had to come out of nowhere! You know damn well that I’ve been mortal enemies with the Raksha Cult! Now not only can I not touch them, but I have to watch them right under my nose. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable that makes me feel?”
“Lord City Lord, you’re the ruler of an entire city. Why bother stooping to the level of a bunch of ragged remnants? Besides, what’s the difference between me subduing the Raksha Cult and you subduing them? I’m under your protection, a citizen of your domain. When I subdue them, it’s the same as you subduing them—it’s one and the same!”
Yu Feng paused at that, mulled it over for a moment, and seemed to find some logic in it.
Then he let out a chuckle, pointing at Lu Chen and saying, “You really are something else! Hearing you put it that way does make me feel a bit better.”
“Your lordship’s heart is as vast as the sea, and your spirit as steady as a mountain. Why trouble yourself over a mere Raksha Cult?”
“Heh, don’t just spout pretty words. Don’t go bothering Old Zheng about this. For the amnesty document to have been issued so quickly, he must’ve put in considerable effort. I can help you secure those twenty thousand military merits!”
Lu Chen’s pupils dilated, and he immediately grabbed Yu Feng’s hand, singing with deep emotion: “Always taking from you, never saying thank you…”
Yu Feng’s skin crawled with goosebumps, and he quickly shook him off: “But if I’m going to help you, you’ll have to do something for me in return.”
“Just say the word, Lord City Lord! Through fire and flood, I’m at your command!” Lu Chen pounded his chest in assurance.
“I’m not asking you to walk through fire…” Yu Feng said, his gaze sweeping over the desk cluttered with official documents and dossiers. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Tell you what—I’ll give you one day to settle the Raksha Cult affairs. After that, come find me. I have a case that I need your help investigating.”
“A case? Solving a crime?” Lu Chen blinked. “I… I don’t know how to do that.”
Yu Feng smiled knowingly. “If I’m coming to you, I have my reasons. Once you crack this case, combined with those twenty thousand points, you’ll officially qualify for promotion to New Elite status. So, are you interested?”
Lu Chen could vaguely sense a whiff of trouble, but the words “promotion to New Elite” drew him like a magnet.
After mulling it over, he finally gritted his teeth: “Alright, I’m in!”
Solving cases is my thing!
