Ch. 391 - The Eerie City Lord's Mansion

When Steward Mo spoke, the scene immediately turned chaotic.

The crowd started buzzing, especially the families of the candidates.

They questioned one after another: “Why didn’t you tell us beforehand?”

“There’s still time now,” Steward Mo glanced at everyone.

He said calmly, “Since the inheritance hasn’t started yet, anyone who wants to quit can still leave. Did you really think things like free gifts fall from the sky? Never considered there might be risks?”

Hearing this, the crowd fell silent.

After all, having come this far, most people were unwilling to just walk away.

But if they failed, the cost could be devastating.

Xu Zimo turned his head and asked Guo Xiaoyun.

“You heard him. If you want to back out, now’s your chance.”

“I want to give it a try,” Guo Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

After all, her grandfather was no longer in this world, and the things she was attached to were becoming fewer.

Xu Zimo nodded. Life and death are fate, choices come with both honor and consequences.

Of the dozens of people at the gate, only a few backed out. Most still chose to try.

“Alright, follow me into the City Lord’s mansion,” Steward Mo said with satisfaction. He added, “There are many restricted areas inside the mansion. Stick close to me and don’t wander. If anything happens, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Everyone nodded and followed Steward Mo into the City Lord’s mansion.

Although the mansion was located in a relatively remote area of Fearless City, its interior was quite grand.

Rock gardens and pavilions, towers and palaces.

Colorful bricks and green tiles, white stone paths crisscrossing the estate.

Even though it was only early spring, the trees had grown lush like a forest.

Ivy covered entire walls, creating a sea of green at a glance.

“The inheritance ceremony will be held tomorrow. For safety, no family members will be allowed to attend,” Steward Mo said to the crowd. “We’ll tell you the results after the ceremony.”

“That’s not right. I want to see my son receive the inheritance,” someone said.

“Please be understanding. It’s for the safety of the inheritance.”

Steward Mo replied flatly.

“Someone might try to steal the inheritance. Not just you, aside from the City Lord, no one is allowed near the inheritance site.”

The people looked at each other, then helplessly nodded.

They all understood that from the moment they entered the mansion, they no longer had any choice.

“Don’t you think it’s strange?” Xu Zimo asked Situ Yunfei. “I can understand needing people born on the seventh day of the seventh month for the inheritance. But not letting us watch? That doesn’t quite add up!”

“Who knows. We’re here to steal the inheritance anyway, why care about that?” Situ Yunfei replied.

Steward Mo led the group through several corridors.

Eventually, they stopped in a grand hall.

The hall was dazzlingly ornate, with rows of green tables on both sides.

These tables were filled with fruit and food.

The aroma of food filled the entire hall.

“This is where you’ll eat. The City Lord is busy preparing for the inheritance, so he won’t greet you. If you need anything, just have a servant find me.”

Steward Mo said.

“As for your lodging, the guest rooms are nearby. A servant will take you there.”

After giving his instructions, Steward Mo quickly left.

No one stood on ceremony. They sat down at the tables and began eating heartily.

“I’m telling you, the food here at the City Lord’s mansion is on another level. I wouldn’t mind working here as a servant,” a middle-aged man in white robes joked.

“You still have the appetite to eat?” someone nearby snorted.

“No one knows if the kids will pass the inheritance. I’m already regretting this.”

“What’s there to fear? If you die, that’s it. If not, you live forever,” the white-robed man chuckled.

He turned to his chubby son and said,

“Son, eat up. Even if you die, die with a full belly.”

The chubby kid held a chicken leg and nodded hard.

“What a pair of clowns,” others nearby chuckled at the scene.

After eating, the families were led by servants to the guest rooms.

That night, the moonlight was bright and beautiful.

The families spent their last evening with their children, saying final goodbyes, after tomorrow, no one knew if they’d ever meet again.

...

Lying in bed, Xu Zimo felt something was off.

But he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

He could only stay alert and respond as things happened.

Meanwhile, in a brightly lit courtyard within the City Lord’s mansion,

Steward Mo stood in a room, seemingly reporting something.

In front of him stood a young man in a purple robe.

The young man looked only in his twenties, his face pale, eyes sunken,

and he walked with a faint stagger.

“Young Master, everything is ready,” Steward Mo said respectfully.

“My father has no objections?” the purple-robed youth asked without turning around.

“The City Lord agreed, but he told you to be careful and not go too far,” Steward Mo nodded and replied.

“He’s still trying to figure out this inheritance. The City Lord believes this inheritance is not simple.”

“Greedy fools, they actually believed my father wanted to adopt a foster son,” the purple-robed youth sneered. “After tomorrow, they’ll all become nourishment for my martial path.”

After speaking, he told the old man, “Keep an eye on them. When the time comes, no mistakes. Also, those few who backed out at the gate this morning, have them all secretly captured. Don’t let a single one go.”

Steward Mo nodded slightly and said, “Young Master, recently the City Lord obtained an inheritance from that place. This city may not stay peaceful for long. At a time like this, we should keep things low-key.”

The night passed quietly, and dawn began to break.

Early the next morning, Steward Mo led dozens of guards to escort the children born on the seventh day of the seventh month away.

Since families weren’t allowed to follow, Xu Zimo and the others had to wait in the main hall.

The hall was tightly guarded. No one was allowed to leave.

They waited the entire day, and by afternoon, Steward Mo returned with a gloomy expression.

“Who got the inheritance?” the families immediately crowded around him, anxiously asking.

“Sorry, we didn’t expect this to happen,” Steward Mo shook his head and sighed.

“None of them were accepted by the inheritance.”

“What do you mean?” a family member collapsed to the floor, in disbelief.

“They all died,” Steward Mo paused for a moment, then finally answered.

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