Chapter 2003

Ye Liuyun feigned helplessness and said, "Fine! Since I still need you to keep me alive, I'll treat you to a meal. But we agreed—just one meal; I can't afford more!"

Feng Hong Xiu gave Ye Liuyun a white-eyed glance and unceremoniously told him to order every specialty dish in the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance restaurant.

Ye Liuyun immediately had the werewolf summon a servant, and had the restaurant deliver all the food and wine to the Side Courtyard.

He guessed that Feng Hong Xiu was afraid of being recognized, so he minimized his outings.

After the food arrived, Feng Hong Xiu started chatting with Ye Liuyun.

"Why do you insist on staying here for four or five days?"

"In a few days, some of my assistants will arrive.

By then, we may not need to expose you; we can handle the City Lord's residence ourselves."

Ye Liuyun replied.

Feng Hong Xiu asked again, "What cultivation realms do your helpers have?"

"At most Sixth Tier Late Stage."

Ye Liuyun was referring to those Demon Beasts.

Upon hearing that, Feng Hong Xiu said worriedly, "That's not enough! Without a Seventh Tier Mid-stage, we can't deal with the City Lord's residence!"

Ye Liuyun smiled, "Don't worry; I won't risk anything I'm not sure about!"

"Pretending to be mysterious!"

Feng Hong Xiu, seeing he said nothing, did not press further.

After they ate and drank their fill, they returned to their own rooms to continue cultivation.

Shen Youcai, on his side, began to feel troubled.

After hearing Ling Er's report, he realized the matter would blow up.

Ye Liuyun not only had a feud with the Grandmaster, but the border army was also gathering.

Once Ye Liuyun begins advancing eastward, the cities involved in the great war will see price hikes and increased sales.

The Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance had already received this information.

From their perspective, Ye Liuyun wouldn't dare act against the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance, so they look forward to war's arrival to profit more, and have been preparing for the war, mobilizing many supplies.

Therefore, if any aspect of Ye Liuyun's affairs is mishandled, it could alter the whole course, and even their guild might suffer retaliation from the Death Legion.

Shen Youcai, not daring to delay, immediately reported to headquarters.

Headquarters replied unequivocally: "Do not hand anyone over to the City Lord's residence; there's no need to curry favor for now; wait for Ye Liuyun to leave on his own.

Anyway it's only four or five days; a little delay will see it pass."

Shen Youcai also understood headquarters' meaning.

The matter between Ye Liuyun and the Grandmaster hasn't been resolved; befriending Ye Liuyun now still carries risk.

So he pretended not to know.

He instructed his subordinates that he would be in seclusion for cultivation, not receiving guests, to prevent Wang Tianqing from harassing him again.

He also specifically had people strengthen the inn's guards, and told the inn steward that everything must be handled impartially, guests must not be turned away, and their safety must be guaranteed.

Ye Liuyun passed the night safely and uneventfully, while Wang Tianqing grew restless.

"Why hasn't there been a reply all night?

Could something have happened?"

Early in the morning, Wang Tianqing rushed back to the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance to find Shen Youcai for an update, but was shut out and had to turn back home.

"Is this avoiding me?

What exactly happened?"

After returning, Wang Tianqing began to ponder.

Coincidentally, Wang Yuxing and Wang Yufei also came to inquire about progress, and the three discussed together.

Wang Yufei suggested, "We could ask that sales guide!"

"That sales guide is a member of the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance! If we ask her, will she tell us the truth?"

Wang Yuxing disagreed.

"If she won't tell the truth, we'll seize her for interrogation!"

Wang Yufei said disdainfully.

Wang Tianqing also said, "We should indeed ask her.

But whether or not Shen Youcai instructed her, she definitely won't tell us the truth.

Yet directly raiding the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance to capture her is unsuitable; they won't let us take people away.

It would instead cause a feud with the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance.

We need a plan to lure her out of the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance, act outside, and bring her back for interrogation."

Wang Yuxing immediately said, "That's simple! We'll send a married couple to the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance, claim we want to buy a residence, have her take us to the site, and that'll lure her out!"

"Hmm! That's a good plan!"

Wang Tianqing nodded in agreement and promptly ordered his subordinates to find suitable candidates.

The sales guide Ling Er indeed fell for it.

If it were just a man, she wouldn't dare go alone to view the house.

But the two were a married couple, and the woman was especially articulate and good at networking, so Ling Er believed them.

As soon as she finished viewing a residence, the man knocked her out, stuffed her into a sack, and took her back to the City Lord's residence.

When Ling Er came to, she found herself bound to a pillar, with several City Lord's guards nearby, torturing a prisoner.

Wang Tianqing and the others were sitting in the Grand Hall, drinking tea and chatting.

She immediately understood that she had been captured and taken to the City Lord's residence.

The prisoner's miserable scream beside her also made her heart tremble without end.

Wang Tianqing also spoke up at this time, saying to her: "The fact that you were caught here is unknown to anyone, and no one will come to rescue you."

I ask you a question; if you answer truthfully, I will definitely not make things difficult for you.

But if you dare to conceal anything, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Ling'er had already guessed at this time that the City Lord wanted to ask her about Ye Liuyun.

Although she also felt sorry for Ye Liuyun, but in order to save her life, she dared not conceal anything, and told everything she knew in full detail.

Upon hearing Ling'er's information, both Wang Tianqing and Wang Yuxing were shocked and also somewhat excited.

Their shock stemmed from not expecting Ye Liuyun to appear here.

Such a conspicuous Golden Pupil, yet Wang Yufei didn't even mention it.

Their excitement came from knowing that the National Preceptor also wanted to kill Ye Liuyun, and that Ye Liuyun had no strong allies nearby—this was exactly their opportunity to earn merit by reporting to the National Preceptor.

So they didn't bother with anything else, and immediately reported to the Eastern Dynasty the information that Ye Liuyun was here.

Ye Liuyun would never have imagined that his information would be transmitted in this way.

After the National Preceptor received the news, he also wanted his contact information, and personally went to confirm with him.

"There's no mistake; that pair of Golden Pupils is easy to recognize!"

Wang Tianqing said solemnly.

The National Preceptor also had no doubts, because Ye Liuyun's purpose in going to Blood Cloud City was to buy high-realm slaves, obviously preparing to deal with him.

Now it's clear exactly how much strength Ye Liuyun has around him; a single City Lord's mansion can definitely handle him!

"Good! Since the Ten Thousand Merchants Alliance won't hand him over, just wait four or five days, then when he comes out you can make your move.

When you act, don't be careless; bring all the experts and troops.

Remember, I want him captured alive! If you pull this off, I'll guarantee you wealth and honor!

The National Preceptor ordered.

"Yes, yes!"

Wang Tianqing eagerly agreed repeatedly.

Afterward, the father and son excitedly discussed how to act against Ye Liuyun.

As for Ling'er, who was tied to the pillar, they had long forgotten her.

As for Wang Yufei, she bore a grudge against Ling'er for informing Ye Liuyun, and had already had people throw Ling'er into the great prison.