That procession of carriages halted directly before Ye Jingyu. The Dragon-Armored Tiger Guards split into two lines, flanking the street and isolating all the onlookers. Every single guard radiated cultivation at the Heaven Grade; thousands gathered together, their sheer aura potent enough to shake masters who had reached the Desolate Grade or even the Flood Grade…

And that immense, luxurious carriage stopped right in front of Ye Jingyu. It was being drawn by four or five Celestial Horses. Immediately afterward, a man of decent appearance, bearing a single horn on his forehead, descended from the carriage and stood respectfully to the side…

Seeing this man, Zuo Miao, standing in the distance, froze entirely. Young Master, there is only one person in the entire Tianman City who can command such humility from the Young Master. Even though he had countless things he wanted to say to Ye Jingyu, at this moment, he immediately rushed forward and knelt directly beside the carriage…

“Zuo Miao pays respects to the City Lord!”

The curtain of the carriage was drawn open by two slender hands from either side. Then, a middle-aged man, clad in brocade robes and bearing a seventy percent resemblance to the younger man just seen, stepped out. Compared to the younger man, the horn on this man’s head was significantly smaller…

With the appearance of this man, all the common folk isolated outside—demons and humans alike—dropped to their knees, crying out, “City Lord!”

Amidst the chorus of acclamations, the man descended from the carriage step by measured step, walking directly to Ye Jingyu. His height was similar to Ye Jingyu’s, and his build appeared even leaner, yet he exuded a profound sense of stability. This stemmed not only from the power contained within his body but also from the look of astute wisdom shining in his eyes…

Yes, for the first time, Ye Jingyu saw an expression of genuine sagacity in the eyes of a demon. Seeing such a gaze, Ye Jingyu felt a sudden impulse to strike him down, heedless of the consequences…

However, he also understood that even if he killed this man, he would never find a foothold in the Earth Alliance afterward. At that point, saving Luo Ling'er would be a distant dream; surviving to walk out of this place would become a major question.

Most importantly, even if he succeeded in killing this one, would the other demons lack intelligence? At the very least, Ye Jingyu was certain that Yuan, the actual ruler of the Earth Alliance, was definitely not a demon solely driven by slaughter…

“I am Mu, the City Lord of Tianman City. My son has caused offense just now; I beg your understanding, esteemed guest. I hope you will grant my son an opportunity to apologize and accompany me to the City Lord’s Mansion for a discussion. What is your opinion on the matter?” Mu wore a gentle, easy smile. If it weren't for the horn upon his head, it would be hard to associate him with demons at all…

As he spoke, the man from before walked over and bowed deeply and respectfully to Ye Jingyu. In the Earth Alliance, all things deferred to the strong. Although Ye Jingyu had not acted, the presence of a Cosmos Grade expert beside him granted him sufficient standing to receive this courtesy…

Ye Jingyu glanced at Mu’s faint smile, then at the fully armed Dragon-Armored Tiger Guards surrounding them, a faint smile touching his own lips: “City Lord Mu, what are you saying? I have never met your young noble before, so where does the offense lie?”

He had already figured it out: the steward-like man and those few demonic guards must belong to this Young City Lord. Now that they were aware of his strength, they had immediately cast aside all prejudice and apologized to him. These demons were truly straightforward…

Might makes right. Was this the treatment reserved for the powerful?

“Hahahaha! You jest, esteemed guest. Those blind fellows just now were merely some of my son’s subordinates. The disrespectful intentions were also my son’s doing. It is all my son’s fault; I ask that you overlook past slights…” Mu roared with laughter, his mirth sounding so sincere, so candid…

Hearing Mu state this so plainly, even knowing they were a hostile faction, Ye Jingyu found it difficult not to take a liking to him. He laid the matter bare without pretense, unlike the human world where one would need countless reasons just to seek an alliance…

“Can I refuse?” Seeing Mu’s smile, Ye Jingyu managed a somewhat strained smile. Faced with such directness, he truly found it hard to refuse…

“Hahaha, please…” Seeing Ye Jingyu’s demeanor, Mu knew he had agreed. He immediately made a gesture of humble invitation. His son, the one who had coveted Xue Ling, named ‘Zhong,’ stood respectfully to the side, adopting the posture of a junior, and did not even spare a glance toward Xue Ling from beginning to end…

Ye Jingyu offered no ceremony, taking Xue Ling’s small hand and walking toward the carriage. Seeing Ye Jingyu lead a frail human girl onto the City Lord’s carriage, the surrounding Tiger Guards showed expressions of profound anger. Ye Jingyu being a powerhouse was one thing, but what right did a powerless human, perhaps a mere female slave, have to step onto the carriage of their City Lord? Yet, under Mu’s absolute authority, no one dared utter a dissenting word…

Xue Ling felt as if thousands of eyes were fixed upon her, as if thousands of blades were piercing her body—it was an unbearable sensation…

Her body even trembled slightly. After all, she was only a teenage girl. The fact that she hadn't been paralyzed by fear in front of so many immensely powerful demons and could still walk was already remarkable…

Sensing Xue Ling’s tremor, Ye Jingyu tightened his grip on her hand…

“Remember, this is the carriage of the City Lord of Tianman City. Even the demons who slaughtered your kin do not have the right to approach this carriage, let alone ride in it!” A gentle voice reached Xue Ling’s ears. The slight trembling in her body immediately stilled…

That’s right. This was the City Lord of Tianman City’s carriage. Their village was merely a small hamlet on the periphery of the City Lord’s domain. In the past, forget riding in the City Lord’s carriage—even the most common demon could easily slaughter them. But now, so many high-ranking demons could only watch with glaring eyes as she stepped onto their City Lord’s carriage. How satisfying was this? All of it, thanks to him…

Thinking of this, Xue Ling couldn't help but glance up at Ye Jingyu. She saw him looking down at her, his eyes—one flickering with lightning, the other with fire—shining with encouragement and approval…

Seeing that expression, Xue Ling felt an overwhelming sweetness bloom in her heart…

(I have to go to the hospital this morning. The remaining two chapters might have to wait until the afternoon. Stars, this isn't right! I had a burst yesterday, so why have the Gold Bricks and Recommendation Votes decreased? Especially the Recommendation Votes being surpassed by so much—keep supporting me, everyone!) E