"Brother Xiao Chen, are we just going to the Fang family like this?" Upon arriving in Dongfang City, Hanyun quickly asked Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen shook his head and smiled, "Of course not. I have already made enemies with Fang Yunchong. If we go there rashly, the Fang family head and their experts will probably kill me before we can even speak! That would be a death sentence. I'm not that foolish."
"Xiao Chen is indeed not simple, wise beyond his years," Hanyun praised internally and then asked, "So, in your opinion, what should we do?"
"Let's go find the city lord of Dongfang City. Since he is in charge of the city, he must address the matter if he knows about the flower thief from the Fang family," Xiao Chen replied with a faint smile.
"You're trying to drag the city lord into this?" Hanyun was taken aback.
Xiao Chen shook his head and smiled, "Of course not. If the city lord doesn't know about the flower thief from the Fang family while others do, wouldn't he become a laughingstock in Dongfang City? I'm doing this for his good. Besides, I have met the city lord's daughter before, and we are friends. I don't want to embarrass her father."
"Xiao Chen is really considerate. I admire him," Hanyun thought, feeling a bit self-conscious next to Xiao Chen.
"Sect Master Hanyun, this is my first time in Dongfang City. You must be familiar with it. Please lead the way. Otherwise, if the Fang family guards spot me, it could cause unnecessary trouble. Also, with Sect Master Hanyun requesting to see the city lord, it should be more convenient," Xiao Chen said, looking at Hanyun.
Upon hearing this, Hanyun smiled and said, "Brother Xiao Chen is indeed cautious. I truly admire that. In that case, let me lead the way."
To avoid the Fang family guards, Hanyun led Xiao Chen from the west side of Dongfang City since the Fang family was on the east side. This way, they could avoid the Fang family guards.
"Xiao Chen, the strength in Dongfang City is stronger than that of Tiandu! I sensed several Golden Core stage experts and even Nascent Soul stage experts," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted to Xiao Chen.
After about ten minutes, Hanyun and Xiao Chen arrived at the main gate of the city. The two guards immediately recognized Hanyun. One of them quickly and respectfully said, "It's the Sect Master of Xinglan Sect. What brings you here, Sect Master Hanyun?"
Hanyun smiled faintly and said, "I have important matters to discuss with the city lord. Please inform him."
The other guard respectfully said, "Please wait, Sect Master Hanyun. I will inform him immediately."
"It seems that Sect Master Hanyun is also well-known in Dongfang City. Well, as a Nascent Soul stage expert, his cultivation is among the top in the surrounding towns," Xiao Chen thought.
Shortly after, the guard returned and respectfully said, "Sect Master Hanyun, the city lord invites you in. Please follow me."
"Thank you," Hanyun said politely, and then he and Xiao Chen followed the guard to the main hall.
"The main city's guards are strong! Dongfang City's strength is indeed formidable! The Fang family must not be far behind," Xiao Chen thought, curiously looking around as they entered the main city.
Xiao Chen's unusual attire also piqued the guards' curiosity. He wore a high-collared black robe that covered half his face, giving him a mysterious aura. He also carried a sword on his back, which added to the guards' intrigue.
As Hanyun and Xiao Chen entered the main hall, City Lord Dongfang Batian happily greeted them, "Haha, Sect Master Hanyun, it's an honor to have you here. Please, have a seat."
"Haha, you're too kind, City Lord Dongfang," Hanyun replied with a faint smile, habitually stroking his white beard. He sat down without hesitation, and Xiao Chen followed suit.
"Sect Master Hanyun, we haven't seen each other for three years. Back then, you personally came to Dongfang City to purchase herbs. Now, you send your disciples instead. I have been too busy to visit Xinglan Sect. You should come by for tea and a chat," Dongfang Batian started to chatter, blaming Hanyun for not visiting.
"Buying herbs? Could Sect Master Hanyun also be an alchemist? And it seems he has a good relationship with the city lord," Xiao Chen thought, though he didn't show it on his face.
Hanyun smiled bitterly, "City Lord, you don't know. The disciples of Xinglan Sect are lazy. If I don't supervise their cultivation, they'll only cause trouble. Recently, a flower thief has appeared in Hundred Flowers Town, harming over a dozen girls in a month. We haven't caught him yet."
"What? A flower thief? Is this true?" Dongfang Batian asked in surprise.
Hanyun shook his head helplessly, "Yes, and the thief framed my Xinglan Sect. I came to discuss this with you."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Batian was even more surprised. He frowned and asked, "Sect Master Hanyun, is this thief stronger than you? Why do you need to come to me?"
"Shamefully, our disciples have been investigating for a month without any leads. This young brother here discovered and wounded the thief after a few nights, but unfortunately, the thief escaped," Hanyun said with a smile.
"And who is this young brother?" Dongfang Batian asked, looking at Xiao Chen.
"City Lord, I am Xiao Chen," Xiao Chen replied with a faint smile.
Dongfang Batian nodded, glanced at Hanyun, then at Xiao Chen, and said gravely, "Since you've come to me, you must have some clues. Speak plainly."
"City Lord Dongfang is indeed impressive!" Xiao Chen said, taking a sip of tea before calmly explaining, "Here's what happened..."
After Xiao Chen recounted the events, Dongfang Batian was furious, "Outrageous! Fang Yunchong, that brat, did such a heinous thing! He's worse than a beast!"
"City Lord, don't be angry. We can't be sure it's Fang Yunchong unless we find a sword wound on his shoulder inflicted by me. Then we can confirm he is the flower thief," Xiao Chen said seriously.
Dongfang Batian roared, "What more proof do we need? That brat Fang Yunchong has always lusted after women. He proposed to my daughter several times and even tried to use a love potion on her! If not for a kind soul who saved her, she would have been defiled by him! The Fang family still owes me an explanation! If not for the other families under the Fang family's sway, I would have destroyed them long ago!"
"Xiao Chen, the city lord's temper is fierce. I didn't expect him to hate the Fang family so much," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted.
Xiao Chen laughed softly, "Isn't this better? With the city lord on our side, our chances of success are greater. We don't need to fear the Fang family. If Fang Yunchong is indeed the flower thief, I can kill him without hesitation."
"Wait, young brother, you said you severely injured Fang Yunchong? This..." Dongfang Batian quickly reacted, looking at Xiao Chen in disbelief.
"City Lord, do not underestimate Brother Xiao Chen. He is now at the mid-stage of the Golden Core. Among the younger generation, not only in my Xinglan Sect but also in Dongfang City, no one is his match!" Hanyun quickly said, his evaluation of Xiao Chen higher than that of his own disciples.
Hearing this, Dongfang Batian looked at Xiao Chen in shock, "Brother Xiao Chen, you're not simple. You look like you're in your teens, younger than my daughter, yet you've already reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core! You're a genius!"
"Haha, compared to you, City Lord, I'm far behind," Xiao Chen replied humbly, remaining calm despite the praise.
"City Lord, I have great respect for Brother Xiao Chen. Not only is his cultivation profound, but his intellect is also on par with ours," Hanyun said with a smile.
"Oh? What plan does Brother Xiao Chen have against the Fang family?" Dongfang Batian asked eagerly.
Xiao Chen's expression turned serious, "As far as I know, the Fang family has several subordinate families. On our way to Dongfang City, I learned from Sect Master Hanyun that the other families are not very strong. If the city lord can intimidate them, they won't dare act rashly. Then we can deal with the Fang family alone. Instead of confronting them, we should prove whether Fang Yunchong is the flower thief. If he isn't, we will apologize. If he is, he must die. After all, thirteen girls in Hundred Flowers Town were harmed. Even if we don't pursue it, the town will, and it will damage Dongfang City's reputation, greatly affecting you, City Lord."
Hearing this, Dongfang Batian nodded in agreement, "Brother Xiao Chen makes a good point. If we find out that Fang Yunchong is indeed the thief, I will warn the other families to stay put. Then we can deal with the Fang family with Sect Master Hanyun's help. The other families won't dare act rashly."
"That's exactly my point," Xiao Chen nodded, about to say more when a clear, sweet voice interrupted.
"Xiao Chen? How did you come to Dongfang City? And Uncle Han Yun, why did you come together?" At this moment, a stunningly beautiful woman walked into the hall, who was the daughter of the city lord of Dongfang City. Her face was filled with surprise.
"Xue'er, do you know Xiao Chen?" Dongfang Ba Tian asked, puzzled.
Dongfang Xue nodded happily, saying, "Yes, Father, it was Xiao Chen who saved me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have returned safely! We are now good friends."
"What? Xiao Chen saved you?" Dongfang Ba Tian was instantly shocked. He looked at Xiao Chen and quickly thanked him with a smile, saying, "Ah, Xiao Chen, so it was you who saved my daughter. Why didn't you say so earlier? I was worried about how to repay you. I didn't expect it to be you! Thank you so much! My daughter is my only treasure, and thanks to you, she is safe."