Chapter Twenty-Three: A Pincer Attack
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Lu Qingyun’s sudden words were truly unexpected.
The woman abruptly turned her head, and Lu Qingyun finally saw her clearly.
She was not breathtakingly beautiful, yet she possessed an intangible aura of intimidation.
She appraised Lu Qingyun from head to toe, then a smile slowly curled at the corner of her lips as she spoke.
“Heh heh heh, interesting. What exactly are you thinking, young man? I’m starting to get confused…”
“Aren’t you working for the City Lord? This is something he’s wanted all along. If you can’t deliver, do you know what the consequences will be?”
Lu Qingyun slowly shook his head and sat down on a nearby chair.
He poured himself a cup of wine and drank it all before speaking calmly.
“Isn’t our fate always controlled by people like you? Is it not allowed to do what one truly wants? Even if you kill me, at least there will be some dignity left.”
“If he wants it, must he have it? Why must everything be done according to his wishes? Don’t you want anything yourself?”
His tone was harsh and unyielding, as if his strength surpassed that of the City Lord.
She sized him up again, then slowly stepped closer.
Though it was hard to gauge the extent of her power, the oppressive pressure she exuded was immense.
She smiled and said,
“It’s been a long time since I’ve met such an interesting young man. How did you become so bold? Truly fascinating…”
“Too bad you’re still too inexperienced. Do you really think I’d believe you with such tactics? That’s just childish.”
Lu Qingyun paused his drinking, feeling a pang of unease at her words.
Yet he did not fully reveal his doubts, only surprised by her attitude.
Lu Qingyun replied lightly,
“Heh heh heh, childish? Perhaps so in your eyes. I don’t have your experience or your scheming.”
“I have only one goal: to survive. Nothing else matters.”
He quickly regained his composure, the calm expression making it difficult even for the chairman to discern his true thoughts.
She said coldly,
“No wonder that reckless fool chose you. He’s just as hard to read as you are. You have no interest in those things at all?”
Lu Qingyun shook his head slowly. The chairman continued,
“But I have something that might interest you.”
A ring on her finger glowed as she produced a jade-green orb.
Before Lu Qingyun could react, his Azure Dragon Martial Soul uncontrollably erupted.
His eyes filled with confusion; he had no idea what was happening.
Even with all his spiritual energy flowing, he could not control the terrifying Azure Dragon Martial Soul.
He looked at her in bewilderment, when his system urgently sounded in his mind:
【Ding! Fifth-rank warrior, Hidden Dragon Orb!】
【Increases the purity of the Azure Dragon Soul within, enhancing cultivation.】
At last, Lu Qingyun understood everything.
Despite training for so long, his cultivation hadn’t improved because his Azure Dragon Martial Soul was too powerful.
For others, ordinary martial souls are like small bowls—once enough energy is gathered to fill them, cultivation increases naturally.
His Azure Dragon Martial Soul was like a huge barrel; the energy others accumulated was barely enough to fill its bottom.
So to increase his cultivation, he needed to satisfy the massive energy demands of the Azure Dragon Martial Soul. Ordinary training wasn’t enough.
This sudden realization was invaluable. The Hidden Dragon Orb before him was of immense significance.
The Azure Dragon Martial Soul inside him was like a beast starved for ages; the orb was like a sumptuous feast it wanted to devour immediately.
With the system’s prompt and his own insight, he knew the orb’s importance.
Yet, knowing this only made Lu Qingyun feel conflicted.
Obtaining this thing would not be simple. He spoke seriously,
“What must I do to get this orb?”
Lu Qingyun was always straightforward and disliked beating around the bush unless dealing with sly and deceptive people, which made him tense.
Given the current situation, the venue was far from simple.
Downstairs, the auction had begun. Various treasures were displayed on the auction table.
Everyone greedily eyed the exhibits, eager to claim them as their own.
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The auction was in full swing, but Lu Qingyun was engaged in a psychological battle with the chairman before him.
She watched the auction with a smile and said,
“When you showed that golden key at the entrance, it caused quite a stir. That thing is a hot potato—I have no desire for it.”
“Everyone wants to know the secrets of Fengyun Gorge. None of the treasures there have been fully revealed yet. Since the City Lord wants them, just give him both keys!”
Lu Qingyun was not surprised; everything was going according to his plan.
He had deliberately drawn attention to the two keys at the entrance to make them the focus for all.
Whoever held these keys would surely face deadly trouble!
Lu Qingyun had no retreat; choosing to come here left him no way back.
Now, his true plan began. Expressionless, he said,
“You give me this thing and expect me to handle that hot potato? Are you kidding me? Do you think I’m that easily fooled?”
“I don’t understand what you mean, and I don’t want to get involved anymore. I do want this orb, but it seems none of these things belong to me.”
After speaking, he turned to leave but found he couldn’t pass through the barrier.
He looked back at the chairman, confusion in his eyes.
She said slowly,
“You were straightforward just now; why are you playing games with me now? Isn’t taking these two keys exactly what you want?”
“I created this opportunity for you, even got you a useful orb. What more do you want?”
This chairman and the City Lord were clearly on the same level; Lu Qingyun’s attempts to outwit them were no easy matter.
He sighed deeply,
“Alright, since that’s the case, what’s there to say?”
“If you give me this, I won’t care anymore!”
He moved to pick up the two keys and the green Hidden Dragon Orb on the table.
But as he did, an invisible force stopped him.
Lu Qingyun asked puzzled,
“What do you mean by this?”
A complex expression crossed the chairman’s delicate face.
She shook her head slowly, withdrew the force, and said lightly,
“Once you leave here, countless eyes will be on you. If you want to escape, it won’t be easy. I will arrange for someone to escort you outside the city, but what happens after that is not my concern.”
“However, you must promise me one thing: if you get the chance, help me retrieve something from Fengyun Gorge. Consider it a thank you for this orb.”
Lu Qingyun nodded slowly. Taking without giving was too much.
If he didn’t do anything, he’d feel guilty.
He asked coldly,
“What is it you need?”
The chairman’s ring glowed again, and an ancient parchment appeared in her hand.
She said slowly,
“Fengyun Gorge holds countless secrets. Uncovering them all isn’t easy. If you can bring this back, I might just let you keep this auction’s spoils.”
“As for whether you can leave now or return, I cannot guarantee. But if you agree, I promise your friend’s safety!”
Lu Qingyun still believed his plan was flawless, but it now seemed mere theory.
In reality, his plan had succeeded, but the situation was growing more complex.
He nodded earnestly,
“Alright, if I have the chance, I will get this for you.”
“Don’t worry about anything else. Can I leave now?”
He was uneasy here, sensing the woman might cause more trouble.
She finally nodded, gently waved her hand, and the barrier parted like a thin veil.
As Lu Qingyun left, she reminded,
“Don’t forget your promise!”
He replied once and departed.
In his plan, Lu Qingyun intended to face all that followed alone.
He didn’t want to trouble his friends but never considered them a burden.
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Lu Qingyun was such a responsible person. Amid the cheers from an auction of a second-grade elixir below, he quickly slipped away.
But no sooner had he stepped out than he felt a fierce killing intent.
Clearly, someone was watching him—and more than one at that.
Heading north—away from the City Lord’s mansion to the south—Lu Qingyun pushed his speed to the limit, weaving through the city of Bixiao.
Yet, in an alley, trouble awaited.
A fiercely determined old man in a red robe chased after him.
Lu Qingyun sensed the old man’s terrifying strength.
The old man was incredibly fast; escape was futile.
Lu Qingyun stopped, turned, and looked back swiftly.
He said coldly,
“Are you here to kill me?”
The old man’s face was wrinkled, but his eyes gleamed fiercely.
Before he could speak, another figure appeared at the other end of the alley.
A woman dressed in tight black nightwear wielded two daggers, her gaze equally murderous.
Lu Qingyun regarded her with interest and asked,
“You’re here to kill me too?”
She replied calmly,
“Of course!”
Lu Qingyun nodded slowly, then looked back at the old man.
The old man’s hoarse voice said,
“Kid, you won’t live through the night.”
Lu Qingyun could feel their formidable power—they were professional assassins.
They had mastered the art of killing, each strike fatal.
He knew he might fall into a grave crisis, though not expecting it so soon.
Lu Qingyun said lightly,
“That’s troublesome. You both want me dead—who should it be? You decide…”
“Besides, someone is protecting me in the shadows. Are you sure you want to make a move?”
His tone was not defiant but accepting of the reality.
The two assassins exchanged a glance. The woman said coldly to the old man,
“Old Wang, you’re too old to take risks. You’re no match for me. Just leave!”
Old Wang was an experienced assassin with fearsome strength.
He snorted coldly, mocking her,
“Hmph, young and arrogant. Fine, I’ll kill you both and prove I’m not old yet!”
“Show me what you’ve got. This man must die by my hand.”
Lu Qingyun enjoyed their bickering, maintaining a carefree attitude.
He leaned against the wall and chuckled,
“Heh heh heh, you two fight it out first. With your strength, killing me should be easy!”
They had roughly figured out Lu Qingyun’s intentions, but with things at this point, they had few options.
Suddenly, a powerful pressure descended upon them from above.
They looked up swiftly to see a massive shadow falling from the sky.
Lu Qingyun’s smile vanished, sweat breaking out as he realized who had arrived.
It was none other than the City Lord of Bixiao!
His deep, resonant voice boomed like a great bell.
“Boy, you did well to complete the task.”
“Thinking of running away?”
“Do you think you can escape?”