"That's right! Taking care of the women the young master here freed is only a small courtesy. I wonder? What is it that the young master wishes?" The City Lord said, taking a quick look at me and rubbing his chin.
"I don't deserve much. It is just a good thing for those former slaves to receive a moment of relaxation before I bring them to a safe haven." I said, trying to let down the subject gently.
Not because I had a bleeding heart. It was more so I could continue my appearance as a non-standard young master. Nothing sickened me more than the "Evil Shadow Sect". That being said, the mere idea of being compared to the typical overly arrogant and self serving young masters out there in the world was definitely in second place for certain.
"No that won't do. We must repay you for everything you have done for us." The Vice-City Lord said, shaking his head in disapproval.
"Yes, it would look bad on us for not providing tokens of thanks for saving our lives. Perhaps even proposing my own daughter to the young master? She is young right now but it won't take too long for her to grow up. What does the young master think about this?" The City Lord said, now trying to find anything that would suffice.
However, it wasn't the City Lord who came up with the idea. Rather it was his wife who did. She was likely thinking that having her daughter marry me would ensure their families success and safety in the future. This was an incredibly common trait that most families would think of. This was because having a powerful cultivator in the family was enough to keep the potential enemies at bay for fear of danger.
Thus it wasn't uncommon to offer one's own daughter to a man even if the daughter had not yet reached maturity. It was a form of contract that would be finalized in the future once they became of age. That being said, I already had a semi-formal full marriage with another woman. So unless my father appeared here now to force my hand I would not be accepting such a proposal. I had… well… other things in mind.
"I'm afraid I can not accept such a wonderful gift. I have a lover at home already. So it will certainly make things difficult if I suddenly bring home another woman for whom I am to marry in the future. I ask for you to understand and accept this." I said, calmly reaching for the new cup of tea that had recently been brought over to me.
"Oh! I see, so you are already betrothed to another. Then it seems my proposal was partially insulting instead. I apologize as that was not my intention. A savior does not deserve to receive such insults. I will refrain from mentioning the topic again." The City Lord said, a bit shaken as a result.
"It's fine, you didn't know ahead of time." I said, swirling my tea gently. "I only mentioned it now, after all." I added, sipping the tea. "I can scarcely expect anyone to understand what they do not know or have not been exposed to. Doing such would be like asking a boulder to walk or water to burn. It is impossible to do." I said, placing the cup down gently.
"Well then, why don't you ask for something else? If we can honor it we will certainly do so." The City Lord said, with no stress behind his words. The regal way I was handling things was a refreshing change of pace considering all of the other young masters he had ever had to deal with.
"As you wish. First I'd like to receive a large amount of supplies to sustain the… larger population I find myself with now. Second, I'd like to receive a steady supply of cultivation resources. Say about ten thousand Emperor Crystals worth a year. We can negotiate this amount whenever needed. Lastly, I'd like to take some of the men around the area with me as well." I said, listing off the three things I needed for myself and to support the growing population I now found myself with. It wouldn't be long before I was able to refine Emperor crystals anyways. I likely could pull it off now if I really tried.
"This seems like it wouldn't even be enough to pay for the degree of assistance you rendered in just healing one of the two of us." The Vice City Lord said, nearly spitting out his tea.
"Indeed, I think it is a bit light as well. There must be something else." The City Lord said, rubbing his chin.
"There are two more things. However, they are not in payment to me. Rather it is a bit different. First I'd like you to find a good place in your city to put a statue of my father. The people should be reminded of his greatness every time they pass by. The second is I'd like you to take great care in running this entire city. Make it a place where couples come to in hopes of starting families. In other words I'd like to see the lands you are in control of to have a booming population." I said.
"Selfless wishes! Ahahaha, I don't know why I am surprised. You possess great power and a great wit. Very well, I will order the creation of these statues. And even order the expansion of the city. It may take some time but I am already eager to see the results. Thus I will work my hardest towards this goal." The City Lord laughed with a pleased look.
"Hmm, Are you sure there is nothing else?" The City Lord's Wife asked, narrowing her eyes at me with purpose.
"Nothing as of now. So if everything is done I'd like to take my leave. There are a few things I've learned and must go to make sense of them." I said, standing up and stretching freely.
"Good, you deserve a good rest. The rewards will be prepared and presented to you by tomorrow." The City Lord said, as I left the room.
"Much appreciated Sir City Lord. Now you must make sure to spend some time with your family. They have been worried about you for so long, after all." I said exiting the room.