Ch. 440 - A Trap Set For You

The two arrived at a dead-end alley.

The secret tunnel opened directly into the alley. Luo Xiong looked at the wall to the left.

After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and climbed over with his son.

As soon as they landed inside, they were spotted by the guards.

“Who’s there?” several guards rushed over, drawing their swords and surrounding the two.

“Keep your voices down. I’m City Lord Luo Xiong,” Luo Xiong quickly explained.

“Oh,” the guards recognized him at once. “City Lord Luo, why did you come like this?”

“I need to see Brother Liu,” Luo Xiong said bluntly.

“Sorry, Lord Liu isn’t seeing anyone lately,” one guard replied.

“Why?” Luo Xiong asked, surprised.

“The lord didn’t say. I didn’t dare ask,” the guard answered with a smile.

Luo Xiong fell silent.

Luo Jin stood beside him, confused. Just who was this Lord Liu?

He’d been living it up in Phoenix Cry City for years but had never heard of someone by that name.

“Please pass on a message to Lord Liu for me, City Lord Luo Xiong is here to see him,” Luo Xiong finally said. “Tell him I apologize for my attitude last time. I hope he won’t hold it against me.”

The guard hesitated, then nodded.

Not long after, the guard returned with a smile. “City Lord Luo, our lord will see you now.”

Luo Xiong gave a slight nod and muttered, “So he really was waiting for me.”

He led Luo Jin into the main hall.

The hall was empty, and Luo Xiong waited patiently.

While waiting, he observed the surroundings.

The courtyard was plainly furnished.

Just a few simple tables and teaware, and a single painting of unknown subject on the wall.

“Father, who is this Lord Liu?” Luo Jin asked curiously.

“Don’t ask things you shouldn’t,” Luo Xiong glanced at his son coldly. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this situation. Just stand aside and watch.”

After the time it took to burn two sticks of incense, a cheerful voice called out from the back of the hall.

“Brother Luo, such an honored guest. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

The man’s laughter preceded his appearance.

A masked old man in a green robe walked out confidently, with a strong presence around him.

For some reason, Luo Jin found the man vaguely familiar.

...

“It’s fine,” Luo Xiong waved his hand with a smile.

Just then, a servant brought in tea, the steam gently rising.

The masked man asked with a smile, “So, Brother Luo, what brings you here?”

“I need a favor from you,” Luo Xiong said after some thought.

“What kind of favor?”

“To kill a few people,” Luo Xiong said word by word.

“That might be difficult,” the masked man replied uneasily.

“You know, our True God Cult isn’t getting involved in anything right now, otherwise, we’ll just be hunted again.”

Luo Xiong sneered at that.

These True God Cult people were ambitious, he knew they just wanted a promise.

But with no other options, he had no choice but to turn to them.

If he were taken to the capital, he’d be dead for sure.

“Brother Liu, I accept the offer you made last time,” Luo Xiong said firmly. “I’m willing to join the True God Cult.”

“In that case, this is a matter between brothers, I’d be remiss to refuse,” the masked man said with a smile. “But I hope Brother Luo isn’t forcing himself.”

Luo Xiong chuckled awkwardly. Forcing himself? He had no other choice.

But he didn’t say that out loud, he just shook his head with a smile.

“Then give me the names. I’ll take care of everything before sunrise,” the masked man said.

Luo Xiong gave a rough description of Yellow Star’s group, then left after a few more words.

Once Luo Xiong was gone, the hall grew quiet.

Only the sound of the masked man tapping his fingers on the table remained.

Soon after, a servant in grey walked in.

“Tell the Cult Master: Phoenix Cry City is under control. I’m handling the cleanup,” the masked man said calmly.

The servant nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

Luo Xiong and his son returned to the City Lord’s mansion the same way they came.

Back at the mansion, Luo Jin hesitated and finally said, “Father, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”

“Speak,” Luo Xiong replied calmly.

“That masked man, have you ever seen what he really looks like?” Luo Jin asked.

Luo Xiong shook his head slightly. The man’s real name was Liu Zinan. From their first meeting, he had always worn a mask, very cautious.

Liu Zinan had been trying to recruit him for a long time. If it weren’t for this crisis, Luo Xiong would never have joined the True God Cult.

Even though the Phoenix Perch Empire had been hunting the cult, Luo Xiong always played both sides, not wanting to offend anyone.

“I suspect that masked man is the old man from the pharmacy in the south of the city,” Luo Jin said slowly.

“What do you mean?” Luo Xiong asked, puzzled.

“The reason I clashed with the Seven Divisions people was because of that old man and his daughter,” Luo Jin said. “I now suspect that this was all a trap. A trap set for you by the True God Cult.”

“How can you be sure Liu Zinan is the old man?” Luo Xiong asked.

“I just feel it. He seems too familiar,” Luo Jin said. “Believe it or not, I have no proof, but I really feel it’s him.”

“Enough, go rest,” Luo Xiong waved him off.

“But Father, are we really...” Luo Jin tried to say something, but Luo Xiong cut him off.

“We have no more choices. Just keep this to yourself.”

Luo Jin nodded and left the room reluctantly.

...

Meanwhile, at the inn where Xu Zimo and the others were staying,

It was late at night. Several figures quietly slipped inside.

They exchanged glances and nodded, then each went into different rooms.

Before long, lights turned on and the sound of fighting broke out from inside.

Boom!

Yellow Star broke down the wooden door and kicked a black-clad figure flying.

The others quickly emerged from their rooms as well.

“What’s going on?” Yellow Sun asked.

“Someone tried to kill us,” Yellow Star replied.

Everyone turned toward the inn’s main hall, where four figures in black were standing.

Xu Zimo frowned slightly and glanced at Yellow Moon.

But her expression hadn’t changed, nothing could be read from her face.

“Who are you?” Yellow Star asked coldly.

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