The only people favored by the Serpent Emperor usually possess truly unique abilities. Li Deyoke stroked his chin. "Then what exactly is this Qiang Jin—this unique ability that even a truly high-tier powerhouse like the Serpent Emperor appreciates?"

"I heard that the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline family has even formed an alliance with Qiang Jin..."

Clang...

The porcelain teacup ultimately succumbed to gravity, shattering on the floor. Li Deyoke’s hands trembled slightly. Pan Hongji dining with Qiang Jin might be a matter of personal preference, but signing an alliance involving the entire family? That was an entirely different matter; the weight of that decision couldn't be compared to sharing a meal.

"I understand..." Li Deyoke waved his hand, his mind a sudden, blank expanse. "You can leave now. I need a moment... just a moment to collect myself..." The Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji, the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, Qiang Jin, an alliance... and his wife beaten...

Li Deyoke felt a headache threatening to explode. Since becoming City Lord, he had never faced such an agonizing dilemma.

"Ah..." Li Deyoke felt an intense urge to rush into the room and strangle his wife to death!

If not for this wife, none of this would have happened with Qian Meng, he wouldn't have lost face, and he wouldn't be agonizing over how to deal with Qiang Jin now.

"This kid is terrifying," Li Deyoke stood up and paced the room. He had seen countless promising youths in his lifetime, but never one as bizarre as Qiang Jin.

The fact that Fabredis, a man who had achieved Sainthood through ordinary means, held such affection for Qiang Jin made it seem as if Qiang Jin were his illegitimate son! And now, even Lord Serpent Emperor treated Qiang Jin with such warmth!

"My Lord City, we have a visitor," the steward of the City Lord’s manor announced in a hushed, nervous tone at the doorway. "Mu Gui Wuxin from the Torrent Fortress has come to call upon the City Lord." "Who? Mu Gui Wuxin...?"

Li Deyoke stood in the main hall, his expression grim, until a faint, almost imperceptible smile flickered in his eyes. That sliver of a smile was like the relief of parched earth finally receiving rain. The arrival of this Guild Master from Torrent Fortress was perfectly timed!

Li Deyoke had never favored Mu Gui Wuxin as much as he did at this moment. If not for the Guild Master’s utterly grotesque appearance, he would have rushed forward and soundly kissed him!

"City Lord! It is a messenger from the City Lord!" Mu Gui Wuxin’s grating voice boomed throughout the entire manor, loud enough for even those in the farthest corners to hear. "Mu Gui Wuxin, Guild Master of Torrent Fortress, has come to offer you an apology!" Listening to Mu Gui Wuxin’s proclamation, Li Deyoke secretly resolved that if possible, he would endure the etiquette and offer the Guild Master a kiss on the cheek—the throbbing pain in his temples immediately lessened.

Mu Gui Wuxin’s harsh voice wasn't just audible within the City Lord’s manor; passersby outside could hear that the Guild Master of Torrent Fortress was making a public apology to the City Lord today.

Li Deyoke’s inner turmoil finally calmed somewhat. Mu Gui Wuxin’s loud, public apology granted him significant face. However, his wife had been assaulted... If this had happened to anyone else, Li Deyoke absolutely could not have let it go!

But the assailant was Qiang Jin! Li Deyoke felt a crushing headache.

Having shared meals and traveled alongside the Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji for days, forming an alliance with the Nine-Headed Serpent bloodline, and severely injuring several young bloodline warriors of the Qian family!

Any single one of these incidents would force Li Deyoke to view the responsible party with extreme caution. To have all three occur at once?

"Guild Master Mu Gui, please, come in, come in..." Li Deyoke ushered Mu Gui Wuxin into the room. The steward immediately brought a teapot to pour him water.

"Why bother with such fuss?" Mu Gui Wuxin snatched the exquisitely crafted teapot and began drinking the scalding tea directly from the spout. "Drinking tea like this is much more satisfying!"

Li Deyoke flinched internally, feeling a pang of regret as he watched Mu Gui Wuxin’s action. He had been so consumed by the headache of saving face and dealing with Qiang Jin that he completely forgot about the Torrent Fortress Guild Master’s infamous vice when Mu Gui Wuxin arrived—he knew the visit was about the incident.

Collecting beautiful and unique teapots!

In the past, whenever Mu Gui Wuxin visited, Li Deyoke always instructed his staff to hide away this half-cherished teapot. This momentary oversight... Ah! Forget a broken teapot. "City Lord, you are aware of the tragic incident that occurred today, aren't you?" Mu Gui Wuxin asked, his expression one of feigned heartache, as he casually tucked the teapot into his Dimensional Domain. "Qiang Jin is too young; his actions were entirely wrong! I have already given him a harsh lesson!" Li Deyoke desperately wanted to know how this Torrent Fortress Guild Master had "taught Qiang Jin a lesson." Did he treat him to a Golden Eight Treasures Banquet? Or perhaps a trip to the Slow Hermitage, where he spent time in intimate discussion with the popular courtesans about life goals and how to properly subdue the City Lord’s wife?

"Is that so?" Li Deyoke managed a stiff smile. "Actually, I heard that Yi Xiao also bore some of the fault in this matter—" Slap!

Mu Gui Wuxin slammed his thigh loudly. "I knew it! City Lord has the best judgment; this was a mutual fault."

Li Deyoke froze in place, realizing how foolish he was to forget he was dealing with the shameless Guild Master of Torrent Fortress. If he could forcefully seize the high ground, how could he possibly relinquish an issue where righteousness was on his side?

"Although the larger portion of the fault this time lies with the Madam," Mu Gui Wuxin took another, much plainer teapot and sipped leisurely. "However..." Li Deyoke wondered if this Human-Bear creature had come for an argument, a fight, or perhaps just to offer veiled insults. He certainly didn't look like he was there to apologize.

"Qiang Jin still made some mistakes," Mu Gui Wuxin said, setting down the cup. "Therefore, Qiang Jin wishes to come here in person to apologize to the City Lord."

Li Deyoke felt a surge of surprise; perhaps Qiang Jin did possess some sincerity. But even so, his wife had been beaten; an apology from Qiang Jin visiting might suffice...

"City Lord," Mu Gui Wuxin lowered his voice and leaned in mysteriously toward Li Deyoke's ear. "Don't you want to know how Fabredis achieved Sainthood?" Li Deyoke instantly became alert. This question had been tormenting him ever since he witnessed Fabredis reach Sainthood. Finding a Soul Weapon that perfectly complemented him—achieving Sainthood that way was incredibly, incredibly difficult.

"It was Qiang Jin..." Mu Gui Wuxin whispered, his voice barely audible. "I’ll tell you a secret: Qiang Jin is a true Master Craftsman. He can forge Soul Weapons..."

Li Deyoke's entire body went rigid. His mind was a chaotic swarm of millions of bees, buzzing incessantly.

A Soul Weapon? Qiang Jin can forge Soul Weapons! Li Deyoke’s eyes widened. How old was Qiang Jin? He can forge Soul Weapons? A Master Craftsman? This... this... how was this possible?

Li Deyoke stared blankly at the floor, recalling the news he had heard recently: the alliance between the Serpent Emperor and Qiang Jin...

It was possible! Li Deyoke nodded heavily. While Qiang Jin’s raw strength was astonishing, this was an era where Bloodline Warriors stood at the apex. Unless he held the title of Master Craftsman, it would be hard to explain the Serpent Emperor's closeness to him! No wonder, no wonder there was a report this morning that Qiang Jin forged a Battle Weapon in a short time at Torrent Fortress. He hadn't believed it, but now it seemed entirely true!

Especially a Master Craftsman of such youth! In the future, he might even have the chance to become a Grandmaster Craftsman, or even... Li Deyoke’s head felt heavy, his breathing shallow and tense. He might even become a Divine Craftsman!

Mu Gui Wuxin observed Li Deyoke’s expression, realizing the City Lord was beginning to accept the truth. The news of Qiang Jin forging a Battle Weapon at Torrent Fortress that morning shouldn't have been difficult for the City Lord’s intelligence network to confirm.

As for whether Li Deyoke would leak the information? Mu Gui Wuxin shook his head dismissively. The greatest ambition for any ordinary warrior was reaching Sainthood, and for Li Deyoke, achieving that goal surpassed the desire for the City Lordship.

Sainthood was a near-impossible feat for any ordinary warrior.

But now! Li Deyoke’s hands trembled with excitement. Thank goodness! Thank goodness he hadn't offended Qiang Jin! Otherwise, the hope of achieving Sainthood in this lifetime would have been smashed by his own hand.

"How about it, City Lord?" Mu Gui Wuxin said with a sly grin. "Qiang Jin will personally visit to apologize to you another day."

"That’s excellent..." Hong Seyue walked into the room with a faint, venomous smile. "When he comes, just make him kowtow to his stepmother..." "Get out! Get out of here!" Li Deyoke suddenly roared, hurling the expensive teacup in his hand. Had Hong Seyue not dodged quickly enough, he might have been smashed until his head bled. He didn't dare use his Dou Qi or protective Dou Techniques against the object thrown by his own father.

"Brother Mu Gui, please pretend you didn't hear anything that little brat just said," Li Deyoke glared fiercely at the confused Hong Seyue standing by the door. If Mu Gui Wuxin hadn't been present, requiring him to maintain a shred of dignity, Li Deyoke would have rushed over and beaten his usually well-behaved son.

Mu Gui Wuxin chuckled awkwardly. It seemed the news of the Soul Weapon had driven City Lord Li Deyoke slightly insane. Cursing his own son as a little brat? What did that make him—the old brat?

"There’s no need for any apology; it was all just a misunderstanding. It’s my wife who was too unreasonable; I'll go lecture her later," Li Deyoke declared. He had never realized how utterly delightful Mu Gui Wuxin could be. "I think Qiang Jin shouldn't come here. Others might think he's coming to apologize, which would reflect badly on him. I will come to you; I’ll go to Torrent Fortress."