Everyone arrived together at the entrance of the City Lord Manor. Looking at its massive scale, they knew this old fellow certainly knew how to enjoy life.
"Esteemed guests, please allow this lowly one to go and report first."
Guard Captain Ding Xiu said respectfully.
He was merely a guard captain of this middle city with an eighth-grade official rank, and he could not afford to offend the Immortal Dao Merchant Association.
The Supreme Heavenly Dynasty divided all secular-world cities into four grades: super-large cities housing first-tier forces, large cities housing second-tier forces, middle cities housing third-tier forces, and small cities, which were newly established or remote.
This corresponded to the official rank structure of the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty, leaving a middle city guard captain at the eighth grade.
"Go ahead. By the way, have City Lord Chen come out to receive me personally."
Ling Wushuang did not make things difficult for Ding Xiu, yet his tone remained domineering as he demanded Chen Lou's personal reception.
"This lowly one understands."
Without another word, Ding Xiu hurried directly into the City Lord Manor.
"What? Ling Wushuang of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association is here? And he wants me to go out and receive him personally? How could he possibly show up in a place like this?"
Upon hearing Ding Xiu's report, Chen Lou instantly panicked. The Immortal Dao Merchant Association was not an entity he could provoke; leave aside himself, even his uncle could not afford to cross them.
"Quickly, accompany me to welcome him."
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Lou decided he had no choice but to go out and greet them honestly.
"Young Master Ling has graced us with his presence. This lowly official failed to welcome you from afar-please, come right in.
Not long after, Chen Lou hurried out of the manor, speaking as he approached.
Yet when he caught sight of Qin Xiao, the others, and the members of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion, his expression darkened once more. How on earth had this group managed to entangle themselves with the Immortal Dao Merchant Association?
"City Lord Chen is too polite. Brother Qin, Senior Ye, let us go in."
Ling Wushuang offered a brief reply before addressing Qin Xiao, Ye Qiuyue, and the rest.
Without standing on ceremony, Ling Wushuang strode directly into the City Lord Manor.
Qin Xiao and the others naturally followed.
"The Immortal Dao Merchant Association is truly extraordinary. Even an official of the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty is this deferential; it seems their influence far surpasses ordinary imagination."
Qin Xiao had initially assumed Chen Lou was merely wary of the association's strength, but the reality appeared far deeper.
Upon entering the main hall of the manor, Ling Wushuang bypassed convention entirely and took the main seat, forcing Chen Lou to take a guest seat instead.
Qin Xiao and the others seated themselves casually, well aware that the actual negotiation was between Ling Wushuang and Chen Lou while they remained mere observers.
"City Lord Chen, I have come here today at the request of Brother Qin. I understand there is some misunderstanding between you two, so I am here to clear it up."
Before Chen Lou could figure out how to broach the subject, Ling Wushuang stated his purpose directly.
"Lord Ling, it is not that I refuse to give you face; everything I have done complies strictly with the rules. As long as they cooperate, there will naturally be no misunderstanding. Why trouble yourself to make a personal trip?"
Naturally unwilling to let the matter drop, Chen Lou resorted to bureaucratic rhetoric.
"Whether you followed the rules is something you know best in your heart. I have already stated that I am here to resolve misunderstandings. Or does City Lord Chen harbor other intentions?"
Seeing Chen Lou continue to speak in circles, Ling Wushuang's expression grew cold. He had made a personal appearance, yet the man still dared to stall.
"This... Lord Ling misunderstands. How would I dare harbor other intentions? However, the core of the matter lies between my uncle and Pavilion Master Ye. I have already notified him, and he will arrive shortly. The final decision rests with his arrival."
As soon as Ling Wushuang's arrival had been announced, Chen Lou had hurriedly sent word to Chen Shunyi outside the city.
The only reason he had dared to move against them was because his uncle was stationed outside. If Ye Qiuyue made the first hostile move, his uncle could step in under a legitimate banner to suppress them, subsequently pressing charges of rebellion against the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion to trap Ye Tianyi. At that point, the pavilion would have no choice but to yield.
A charge of treason was severe enough to warrant the execution of an entire clan, and with the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty backing it, there was no escape in all the world. Under such pressure, the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion would have to submit to his every demand.
Once his uncle seized Ye Tianyi, those two female companions of Qin Xiao would inevitably fall into his grasp as concubines. The plan had been flawless-until Ling Wushuang intervened halfway and forced him to summon his uncle for backup.
"Oh? Your uncle is Grand Commander Chen? I have had the fortune of meeting him a few times. Since you say so, we shall wait for him to arrive."
Ling Wushuang maintained an indifferent demeanor; he had already guessed as much, knowing Chen Lou would never have acted with such audacity without a powerful backer.
"Just as I anticipated-it was all a scheme. Fortunately, I stopped Aunt in time."
Hearing that Chen Shunyi was on his way, Ye Tianyi realized the man had been waiting outside the city the entire time, poised to pounce the moment they retaliated.
"Young Master Ling, it has been some time. I had just stepped away when I heard of your arrival and rushed right back. You remain as youthful and accomplished as ever-it looks as though you are on the verge of breaking through to the peak of the Nascent Soul realm."
Moments later, Chen Shunyi strode into the hall with a hearty laugh, immediately attempting to ingratiate himself.
"Uncle, please take a seat."
Seeing his arrival, Chen Lou hastily vacated the guest seat.
"I wonder what brings Young Master Ling here today?"
Though Chen Shunyi was fully aware of the situation, he feigned ignorance.
"Nothing particularly complicated. I heard that you and your nephew had some misunderstandings with the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and my good friend Qin Xiao, so I decided to act as a mediator to settle the matter."
Cutting straight to the point, Ling Wushuang refused to beat around the bush.
"Lord Ling, whatever misunderstanding exists between myself and Pavilion Master Ye is hardly significant; I am quite willing to let it go. However, internal city affairs are difficult for an outsider to manage. After all, Chen Lou is an imperial official charged with governing the city, and it is not my place to interfere. Surely Lord Ling realizes it is equally improper to meddle in the affairs of the Heavenly Dynasty?"
Unwilling to drop the matter, Chen Shunyi invoked the authority of the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty, hinting that even the association should think twice before forcing the issue.
"Oh? Are you implying that because I hold no official post within the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty, I have no right to intervene in this city's affairs?"
Understanding the underlying threat, Ling Wushuang's expression darkened visibly.
"I meant no such thing, but the situation is genuinely complex. I must ask Lord Ling not to make things difficult for us.
Though phrased politely, Chen Shunyi's stance remained unyielding: he intended to use the laws of the Heavenly Dynasty as a shield.
"If we are going to speak of rules, Grand Commander Chen seems to have forgotten something. The Immortal Dao Merchant Association serves as the Imperial Merchant of the realm. The Celestial Emperor bestowed upon our President a first-grade prince rank, and upon our Vice Presidents a second-grade rank. While these titles carry no territorial command, they are hardly positions a petty commander can show insolence toward. My father serves as the Qingzhou Vice President and holds a second-grade rank, while I am an Heir Apparent. You are merely a fourth-grade Grand Commander-by what right do you fail to salute me upon sight?"
Ling Wushuang had hoped to avoid a direct confrontation, but since Chen Shunyi insisted on using power to oppress others, he felt no hesitation in showing him what true pressure felt like.
"This subordinate Chen Shunyi pays respects to Heir Apparent Ling."
Faced with the sharp reprimand, Chen Shunyi rose from his seat and bowed rigidly.
He had no choice. Ling Wushuang's words were legally unassailable; even an Heir Apparent without administrative power retained the corresponding status and entitlements. As a mere fourth-grade official, showing open contempt for an Heir Apparent was an offense punishable by law.
"Heir Apparent Ling, even if you hold that title, you lack executive power. This matter remains difficult to oversee."
Even with the pretense shattered, Chen Shunyi refused to yield entirely after investing so much effort into his scheme.
"I may lack executive power, but does the Governor-General of Qingzhou lack it as well? If you persist in your obstinacy, I shall return to the branch office this very moment and report your conduct directly to the Governor-General."
Though Ling Wushuang held only an honorary title, his father's close friendship with the Qingzhou Governor-General gave him ample leverage.
"This subordinate knows his error. I beg the Heir Apparent to be magnanimous-this entire matter is hereby dropped."
Confronted with the threat of the Governor-General, Chen Shunyi realized the situation had escalated beyond his control. Forced to submit, he lowered his head and conceded defeat.