Investment Return System, Start by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple

Chapter 194: The Old Cripple

News of the guard's demise at the Chen Yue Restaurant spread quickly among the fleeing customers.

"Someone dared to attack a guard!? Quick, report this to the City Lord!"

Upon hearing the news, some patrolling guards immediately intercepted the fleeing people. After clarifying the situation, they rushed toward the City Lord's mansion without delay.

Years had passed, and the city had never witnessed such a heinous event. Even if people from the Holy Lands arrived, they wouldn't casually attack and even slay Seeker Guards. This was like smacking the City Lord's face, showing no regard for the General's Mansion at all…

Meanwhile, in the main hall of the City Lord's mansion, "Master Cripple, you've had quite a harvest in the Northern Domain this time. Just returned not long ago, and you've already broken through Fusion Realm. It's likely that a new assignment will come soon, right?"

The City Lord of Fengliang City, Zhao Baixin, flattered with a smile. Compared to the Old Cripple sitting beside him, he held a higher cultivation level, already at the Eighth Layer of the Fusion Realm. Although he wasn't considered top-tier in the Central Region, being a lord at the border was an achievement in itself.

However, he dared not show any disrespect to the seemingly tattered and Old Cripple beside him. This Old Cripple was from the Tianyu Army, a personal guard of the General's Mansion, even directly under the command of the Grand General.

Anyone who could join the Tianyu Army had slain numerous enemies on the battlefield, experienced life and death, and gained the recognition of the Grand General. It was said that each member of the Tianyu Army had at least inherited a fragment of an Immortal-tier cultivation technique!

In the Central Region, Immortal-tier techniques were still precious. At least this Lord City Lord cultivated a Heaven-tier Lower Rank technique.

The Old Cripple waved his hand dismissively, casually resting one leg over the other. He was quite at ease in front of the City Lord.

"Master Cripple, there's one thing I don't understand. Why are you staying in my Fengliang City? Could it be that there's some directive from the Grand General? If the Grand General has any instructions, Master Cripple, please don't keep it from me. I'll definitely provide full assistance. At the very least, if you inform me in advance, it would prevent causing trouble."

In the end, Zhao Baixin couldn't contain his curiosity and asked with a cupped fist.

At first, when the Old Cripple arrived in the city and stayed for a while, he had just broken through to the Fusion Realm. Zhao Baixin had assumed he was simply focusing on cultivation. However, now that the Old Cripple's cultivation had already progressed, but he still hadn't left, it had become a bit strange.

"Does the Grand General have any instructions? I'm just an Old Cripple; the Grand General has long stopped needing me. Don't ask anymore. This Old Cripple is just waiting for someone here."

The Old Cripple patted his crippled leg and laughed with a hint of bitterness. Though he still held the identity of a member of the Tianyu Army, where could he now capture the Grand General's attention?

Essentially, he was given some miscellaneous tasks. Originally, he thought this was how the rest of his life would be, until that day in the Eastern Domain when he encountered a terrifying presence.

His Immortal-tier cultivation technique had a hint of divination, and after that day, he felt as if he was on the cusp of a great opportunity. If he grasped it well, it would truly be a transformative moment.

Thus, after dealing with the matter in the Eastern Domain, he secretly investigated the identity of the terrifying presence.

Chen Daoxuan personally descended upon the Western Domain, suppressing the entire region. His identity naturally wasn't hard to uncover, hailing from the Illusory Void Mountain in the Northern Domain.

Since then, the Old Cripple broke through to the Fusion Realm. Using the advantage of his cultivation technique, he could faintly speculate that Fengliang City was somehow connected to this great opportunity. Hence, he came here and waited in advance.

^

But even after so much time had passed, he still hadn't met that influential figure. He wasn't worried, though; he could just freeload off the City Lord's mansion for food, clothing, and shelter.

"Waiting for someone… Alright, Master Cripple, since you're not saying, I won't pry any further. If you need anything, feel free to let me know anytime," Zhao Baixin said, hearing that there were no directives from the Grand General. He lost interest and was about to leave.

At this moment, a few flustered figures hurriedly rushed in, kneeling on one knee.

"Reporting to the City Lord! Trouble, there's trouble! "Some audacious hooligans not only illegally entered the city but also killed a squad of Seeker Guards in the Chen Yue Restaurant without proper identification!

"Currently, we've already surrounded the Chen Yue Restaurant. According to bystanders, those people haven't fled after the attack and are still inside the restaurant. Please give the order, City Lord, on how to proceed."

The messengers hastily reported the news, and upon hearing that Seeker Guards had been killed and that they were undocumented intruders, Zhao Baixin's brows furrowed.

"You have to ask this City Lord about such matters? Detain them in the Heavenly Dungeon first. Their crime of killing Seeker Guards is grave! What's the culprit's cultivation level?"

Zhao Baixin slammed the table, then immediately inquired about the intruders' cultivation levels.

"According to our reports, the assailant is a young woman with not a very high cultivation level, just at the Annihilation Realm. However, her strength was sufficient to kill Seeker Guards with a single wave of her hand. It's very likely that she's a genius from the Holy Lands!"

The man answered the City Lord's questions in detail. Hearing this, Zhao Baixin couldn't help but sneer.

"Even if they're from the Holy Lands, they shouldn't act so recklessly in my Fengliang City. Have they been cultivating stupidity in the Holy Lands? If it's true, detain them first and investigate their identity. If they're willing to offer sufficient compensation behind the scenes, it could be negotiable. Otherwise, hehe."

With that, Zhao Baixin waved his hand, signaling the messenger to step back. A mere Annihilation Realm youngster – even if they could fight beyond their cultivation level – the city's forces were more than capable of easily suppressing such strength. It wasn't necessary for him as the City Lord to personally apprehend them.

"Making a spectacle for the Master Cripple. It's really something. To dare to act so unruly within the influence of the General's Mansion."

Thinking of the Old Cripple beside him, Zhao Baixin shook his head and chuckled. However, he noticed that the Old Cripple's eyes were shining, as if he was somewhat excited?

"City Lord Zhao, let the Old Cripple advise you. You probably can't afford to provoke this person. Well, I'll have the privilege of seeing it myself. If you trust the Old Cripple, you might as well accompany me. If it's indeed that person, it's better to admit your mistakes early on for a chance at survival."

With the people from the City Lord's mansion already gone, the Old Cripple didn't want to delay any further. He had faintly sensed that something extraordinary awaited in this city, and now someone was acting so recklessly here.

It was likely that the influential figure he had been waiting for had arrived. Otherwise, who in the Central Region would dare to act so insolently within the influence of the General's Mansion?

"Eh? Master Cripple, what do you mean? Could it be that this person is the one you've been waiting for? Wait, wait a moment, you need to explain clearly."

After giving his orders to his subordinates, Zhao Baixin had already picked up his teacup again. However, upon hearing the Old Cripple's words, he became somewhat bewildered. Seeing the Old Cripple hobble away in haste, he hastily put down his teacup and followed.