In Acomb City, within the City Lord's Mansion, Murong Xiaoxiao presided as the City Lord—a widow with a formidable reputation. She had stepped into her late husband's shoes, taking over his role as the City Lord after his death, and had been managing the city with an iron grip ever since.
For a woman to hold such a position was no small feat. She had to demonstrate strength surpassing that of her male counterparts to gain the respect and recognition of her people. Murong Xiaoxiao was up to the task, wielding her widow's blade with a ferocity that echoed throughout the surrounding lands. Her swift and decisive actions instilled a mix of fear and admiration among her subjects.
Her establishment of the Dark Guard only solidified her power further. These shadowy enforcers, as relentless as the most feared inquisitors, permeated every corner of Acomb City, ensuring Murong Xiaoxiao's commands were heeded without question.
Externally, Acomb City faced the looming threat of a mighty demon nestled within the Qi Lian Mountain Range, a creature with the power to lay waste to the city. Yet, Murong Xiaoxiao had managed to pacify this formidable foe, shielding her city from its wrath and, in doing so, reinforcing her dominion.
In these troubled times, the people no longer sought a sage leader; they craved the security that Murong Xiaoxiao provided, and for that, they rallied behind her.
Murong Xiaoxiao was not without allies. Among her most powerful was the Yellow Wind Taoist, a practitioner from the Jingshan Sect. His prowess, combined with hers, left no room for anyone to question her rule within the city walls.
One day, as Murong Xiaoxiao was attending to her duties in the mansion, she was interrupted by an urgent report from a Dark Guard.
"City Lord Murong, I bring news," the Dark Guard announced, bowing deeply before her.
"What is it?" Murong Xiaoxiao inquired.
"A young man of noble bearing has arrived at the city gates, offering a bag of refined salt as a toll—a quality of salt I've never encountered in my life. I suspect there's more to his story," the Dark Guard explained, presenting the bag of salt that Chen Guo had tendered.
Murong Xiaoxiao carefully examined the refined salt, admiring the snow-white, plump grains before taking a whiff. "Such quality of refined salt hasn't been seen since the great calamity of the heavens and earth; it's long been extinct. This young man, possessing salt of this caliber, surely has an exceptional origin. Perhaps he hails from the fabled Oasis City. He's a person of interest. Have you been keeping tabs on him?"
"We've been monitoring him," the Dark Guard replied. "I believe—"
Before he could finish, another Dark Guard entered, followed by the head shopkeeper of the pawnshop. Both kneeled halfway to the ground.
"Greetings, City Lord Murong!"
"Do you bring any updates?" Murong Xiaoxiao inquired.
The Dark Guard reported, "Per your orders, I shadowed the young man with the refined salt. He entered the pawnshop and pawned an extraordinary treasure. I've brought the shopkeeper to brief you on the details, and we've left someone to continue surveillance. After leaving the pawnshop, the young man headed to an inn, likely to seek lodging."
The shopkeeper interjected, "The young man didn't just offer a rare treasure; he also demonstrated a formidable magic art, the Universe Creator. With a mere sweep of his sleeve, he collected 100,000 silver taels, leaving no trace. It was astounding. Out of curiosity, I inquired about his identity. He claims to be a distinguished disciple of Mount Maoshan, named Lee Xiaoyao."
"Lee Xiaoyao of Mount Maoshan?" Murong Xiaoxiao mused. "Mount Maoshan's reputation is formidable, yet they've vanished from this world. I had assumed their disciples were no more, yet here we have a remnant, a revelation indeed. Whether this Lee Xiaoyao is genuine remains to be seen, but anyone who can effortlessly pocket 100,000 silver taels is undoubtedly a master of his craft."
Turning to the shopkeeper, Murong Xiaoxiao asked, "What treasure did Lee Xiaoyao pawn that's worth 100,000 silver taels?"
The head shopkeeper declared, "They say it's a Heaven and Earth Celestial Night Pearl..." As he spoke, he presented the lamp reverently with both hands.
Their pawnshop's patron was none other than City Lord Murong, who wielded the power of life and death over merchants like them. They were deeply humble, knowing better than to step out of line.
Murong Xiaoxiao accepted the lamp, torn between amusement and disbelief. "So, a glass bead that's hardly transparent or clear is worth 100,000 silver taels and you call it a Night Pearl? Is this your idea of doing business?"
Sweat beaded on the shopkeeper's brow as he implored, "Would the City Lord please wipe the Night Pearl?"
Murong Xiaoxiao, momentarily taken aback, did as the shopkeeper suggested and wiped the lamp. In a flash, it shone brilliantly, like a miniature sun, illuminating the City Lord's Mansion office as if it were daylight.
Stunned, Murong Xiaoxiao examined the lamp, puzzled. "There's not a trace of magical power in this Night Pearl, just a faint hint of thunder. Yet, it can shine so brightly—it's astonishing. It seems that spending 100,000 taels on this wasn't a loss after all. Lee Xiaoyao first presented high-quality salt, and now this miraculous Night Pearl. My curiosity about this young man grows."
The shopkeeper explained, "Wipe the Night Pearl, and it lights up; wipe it again, and it goes out. They say it recharges with the essence of the sun and moon."
Murong Xiaoxiao mused, "Typical Night Pearls might glow, but only with a faint light in the darkness, hardly brighter than a candle, perhaps akin to a firefly's glow. But this one emits such intense light, as bright as day, far more practical than a candle. It will be of use here."
The shopkeeper, eager to please, offered, "All the world's treasures are rightfully the City Lord's."
Murong Xiaoxiao gave a noncommittal response, then turned to the two Dark Guards with a smile. "Go invite Lee Xiaoyao to meet with me. He's left enough clues—it seems he wishes to see me. And I find myself quite intrigued by such a young man."
"Yes!"
The two Dark Guards acknowledged their orders.
...
Laifu Inn, Acomb City.
The name Laifu Inn might sound common, but its size was anything but. It was the largest inn in Acomb, and notably, the only one. Rumor had it that the inn boasted over a thousand rooms, capable of housing as many guests.
Moreover, Laifu Inn served as the cultural hub of Acomb City. Locals frequently gathered here to enjoy a hot cup of tea and the tales of a storyteller. It was a place where familiar faces exchanged information and news.
In these tumultuous times, it was a small oasis of tranquility.
Chen Guo had money to spare, and he wasn't shy about spending it. A mere ten silver taels secured him VIP status at Laifu Inn. He was treated to the finest seat upstairs, where the banquets were sumptuous and the luxury unmatched.
Currently, Chen Guo was perched in his exclusive upstairs seat, captivated by the storyteller below.
"The tale goes that the True Martial Emperor, with his sword creating countless illusions, pierced the fox demon with a thousand bloody holes. Just then, a white-robed Taoist burst forth, pleading for mercy! The True Martial Emperor turned and recognized an old acquaintance."