Ch. 439 - Always Leave A Way Out

Mutton-fat jade was an extremely precious kind of jade, just a small pendant made from it would be worth a fortune.

Let alone two large lion statues made entirely of it.

The grand gates of the mansion were made from teakwood.

This type of teak takes a thousand years to mature and is incredibly rare.

Compared to the worn-down city around it, the City Lord's mansion looked completely out of place just based on its exterior.

It was far too extravagant.

Above the mansion gate, a black plaque displayed three large characters: “City Lord’s Mansion.”

When Xu Zimo and the others arrived at the gate, they were stopped by the guards on either side.

This time, before Yellow Star or the others could say anything,

Luo Jin, who was being dragged along, immediately shouted, “Are you all blind? Go get my father! Look what these thugs are doing in my Phoenix Cry City!”

Only then did the guards recognize him and hurriedly ran inside in a panic.

The group didn’t wait outside but followed closely behind into the City Lord’s mansion.

Just beyond the entrance was a pond.

On either side were stone paths for people to walk.

It was early summer now. In the pond, lotus flowers stood tall and elegant, untainted by the mud below.

Seaweed grew along the edges, and the water was crystal clear with colorful fish joyfully swimming about.

Red bricks and green tiles, pavilions and rock gardens,

The City Lord’s mansion was lavishly decorated and imposing.

Not long after the group entered, a figure rushed over from a distance like a gust of wind.

He wore a green robe, and a strong aura surrounded him.

He had a thick beard and a narrow scar across his forehead.

His eyebrows were thick and heavy.

When he reached Yellow Star and saw Luo Jin's state, his brow furrowed deeply.

“Who are you people?” he asked in a deep voice.

“Father, save me!

These people dared to capture me, and even hit me! I want them skinned alive and locked up for torture!” With his father present, Luo Jin grew bold and started struggling.

“Shut up,” the man in green snapped, glaring at him.

No matter what, Luo Jin was still in their hands.

If they really wanted to kill him, he couldn’t stop it.

More importantly, the man in green sensed things weren’t simple.

For them to come straight to his doorstep meant they were confident.

...

“You’re the City Lord of Phoenix Cry City?” Yellow Star asked.

The man in green gave a slight nod, his expression wary.

Yellow Star took out a token and tossed it to him.

The token was pure yellow, made of an unknown material.

It was engraved with a single dragon and two characters: “Seven Divisions.”

Upon seeing it, the man in green took a deep breath.

“This is trouble.”

His body trembled slightly. The Seven Divisions were well-known across the Phoenix Perch Empire.

They were not people a mere city lord could afford to provoke.

Thinking of all the things he’d done over the years in Phoenix Cry City, he knew that if exposed, even death a hundred times wouldn’t be enough to atone.

His vision darkened, and he almost collapsed.

He took a deep breath to steady himself, respectfully returned the token with both hands,

then knelt on the ground and said, “Phoenix Cry City Lord Luo Xiong greets the Honorable Officers of the Seven Divisions.”

Yellow Star snorted and threw Luo Jin forward.

Even Luo Jin, foolish as he was, realized something was wrong now.

Seeing his father kneeling, he flopped to the ground and pretended to faint.

“Phoenix Cry City is truly being ruled with an iron fist,” Yellow Star said coldly.

“Your subordinate deserves death,” Luo Xiong didn’t try to defend himself and admitted guilt directly.

He knew that what he had done couldn’t withstand investigation.

“Then go die,” Yellow Star said calmly.

Luo Xiong was stunned. He hadn’t expected Yellow Star to say that.

That wasn’t playing by the rules!

“Enough, although we’re part of the Seven Divisions, we don’t have the authority to punish a city lord,”

Yellow Sun added from the side. “You’ll come with us to the capital tomorrow.

His Majesty will pass judgment.”

Luo Xiong nodded heavily and didn’t argue.

“Bring your son with you,” Yellow Star said before leaving.

...

After Yellow Star spoke, the group left.

On the way, Xu Zimo curiously asked, “You’re not watching them? Aren’t you afraid they’ll run?”

“If they run, even better. We’ll issue a nationwide kill-on-sight order,” Yellow Star said with a laugh.

Xu Zimo shook his head slightly and didn’t say more.

He felt they were too confident. When you corner someone completely, there's nothing they won’t dare to do.

Knowing they’d be walking to their deaths in the capital, how could Luo Xiong and his son simply wait for it?

“Moon’s injuries are almost healed. Let’s leave early tomorrow,” Yellow Sun reminded them.

Yellow Moon nodded and didn’t object.

After the group left, Luo Xiong slumped to the ground in silence.

“Father, what’s wrong?” Luo Jin hurried forward and asked.

Smack!

Luo Xiong slapped him hard across the face and shouted, “How did you get mixed up with them?”

“I didn’t,” Luo Jin said timidly. “They’re the ones who came after me. I don’t even know them!”

Hearing this, Luo Xiong sighed deeply, suddenly looking much older.

“Father, what do we do now?” Luo Jin asked in panic.

“If we go to the capital, will the emperor let us live?”

“Think about all the things you’ve done these past years. Do you really think you’ll survive?” Luo Xiong asked bitterly.

“Then what do we do? Father, save me! I don’t want to die,” Luo Jin shouted.

“Enough. Shut up. Shouting won’t solve anything. Tonight, you’re coming somewhere with me,”

Luo Xiong said calmly.

His eyes were deep, staring into the distance for a long while. Finally, he muttered, “If you won’t let me live, then let’s all die together.”

...

The night in Phoenix Cry City was especially quiet.

Citizens returned home early to rest. Crickets chirped in hidden corners.

It was late. There was no moon or stars in the sky.

Inside the City Lord’s residence, Luo Xiong and his son had made their preparations early.

Luo Xiong lifted the rug in his room and knocked on the floorboards three times.

A clicking sound followed.

Then, a secret tunnel appeared before them.

“Father, you…” Luo Jin looked at him in surprise.

“When you’ve done enough bad things, you always leave yourself a way out,” Luo Xiong said calmly.

The two entered the secret passage.

Inside, Luo Jin realized the tunnel was far more complex than he had imagined.

It stretched in all directions with twisting, interwoven paths. He had no idea which led where.

Under Luo Xiong’s lead, they turned many corners before finally emerging from the tunnel.

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