Chapter 2565: Frightened and Uneasy Thunder

Such a figure personally arriving certainly warranted Thin Bamboo leading the deputy city lords in a welcoming party. In terms of seniority, even Thin Bamboo was a generation below them.

After a few pleasantries, Thin Bamboo invited Longevity into the city and hosted a banquet.

During the banquet, Longevity chatted and laughed with Thin Bamboo, their close relationship evident. Longevity's easygoing nature and frequent interactions with the deputy city lords left a very favorable impression on everyone.

What puzzled Thunder, however, was that Longevity departed shortly after the banquet concluded.

It was as if he had merely been passing through and decided to stop for a casual chat with Thin Bamboo.

Yet Thunder knew that someone of Longevity's stature couldn't possibly be so idle. His visit must have had another objective, perhaps a matter already discussed and settled with their City Lord during the banquet, unbeknownst to others.

He didn't inquire further, simply focusing on his own duties.

The only thing that somewhat perplexed him was Thin Bamboo's expression after Longevity left; he seemed hesitant and conflicted, as though facing a difficult matter.

As Thunder was about to return to his post, he heard Thin Bamboo call out, "Thunder!"

Thunder promptly stepped forward. "My Lord," he responded.

Thin Bamboo gazed at him silently, then produced a storage ring. "Make a trip to Lone Swan City," he instructed, "and deliver this item to Duan Guhong."

Lone Swan City, like Thin Bamboo City, was a Cosmic-level Dao Convergence City, situated in an adjacent combat zone.

Its City Lord, Duan Guhong, was also a powerful figure. As their controlled combat zones were adjacent, they had maintained regular communication, and Thin Bamboo's private relationship with Duan Guhong was quite amicable.

Thunder didn't know what the storage ring contained, but the fact that he, a deputy city lord, was required to deliver it personally indicated its significant importance.

"Understood!" Thunder took the storage ring and carefully put it away. With his speed, the round trip would take less than a month. He had just issued a new task to Yuanxi City, so this journey wouldn't interfere with their next contact, meaning he wouldn't have to worry about any issues arising from a delay.

"You may go now," Thin Bamboo waved dismissively.

Thunder acknowledged the order and promptly left, quickly exiting Thin Bamboo City and soaring towards Lone Swan City's location.

Although the snowy expanse was chaotic and he was traveling alone, Thunder had no concerns about his safety. As a deputy city lord of a Cosmic-level Dao Convergence City, his inherent strength was comparable to that of a Sky-level City Lord enhanced by a Dao Convergence City. With such power, he faced no life-threatening danger unless surrounded by a vast number of enemies.

He couldn't help but feel a degree of curiosity: Longevity had just left, and immediately afterward, his City Lord had sent him to Lone Swan City. Was there a connection between these two events?

Curiosity aside, he never considered inspecting the contents of the storage ring.

After traveling for most of the day, Thunder suddenly halted, his expression grim as he glared towards a floating landmass. "Sneaking around like a disgrace, come out!" he barked.

As his words faded, a figure indeed emerged from that direction, chuckling. "Daoist Thunder has quite the temper," the figure said. "I was merely resting here; am I bothering you?"

Upon seeing the figure he had just encountered earlier that day, Thunder's grim expression and killing intent transformed into astonishment. "Lon... Longevity Daoist?" he stammered.

He had sensed an ambush just moments before and assumed the individual was attempting to attack him, which explained his impolite words. Furthermore, his status and position typically afforded him the right to be blunt with others.

To his surprise, the one who emerged from behind the floating landmass was Longevity, who had only recently departed from Thin Bamboo City.

"Thin Bamboo wants to kill me!"

This was the first thought that flashed through Thunder's mind.

He didn't believe encountering Longevity here was a mere coincidence. The snowy expanse was vast; there was no logical reason their paths would intersect so precisely.

Nor could Longevity genuinely be resting here; if he had intended to rest, he wouldn't have left Thin Bamboo City in the first place.

Therefore, he immediately realized that Longevity was specifically waiting for him, having been commissioned by Thin Bamboo to intercept and kill him.

Yet, the very next instant, he dismissed that notion. He had served Thin Bamboo diligently for years, accumulating considerable effort if not major accomplishments. Thin Bamboo wouldn't intentionally cripple himself like this; if word got out, who would ever pledge their loyalty to him again?

But if Thin Bamboo wasn't trying to kill him, then why was Longevity here?

Countless thoughts whirled through Thunder's mind in that instant. He quickly adopted a feigned look of surprise, cupping his fists. "So it's Daoist Longevity," he said. "I mistook you for some rogue attempting an ambush. My apologies for my rudeness."

"No harm done to the ignorant," Longevity chuckled. "Daoist Thunder truly has quite a temper. I was merely resting here; am I bothering you?"

Thunder thought to himself, 'My temper hasn't been good lately; I just didn't dare to show it in front of you.'

He cupped a fist. "Please continue to rest, Daoist," he said. "I won't trouble you. I have official business to attend to and must proceed."

He didn't know why Longevity was waiting for him, but he instinctively felt that extended contact with Longevity would not be beneficial. If the matter could be openly discussed, Longevity would have approached him within Thin Bamboo City, rather than lurking surreptitiously.

Anything conducted furtively rarely bodes well.

Having lived for countless years, he was certainly aware of this principle.

Therefore, his only desire was to leave as quickly as possible.

"Please, Daoist!" Longevity said with a slight smile, showing no intention of stopping him.

His demeanor, however, made Thunder suspicious. He wondered if he was overthinking things, perhaps judging a gentleman with the mindset of a scoundrel.

He moved, channeling his Dao power, preparing to depart.

"Oh, by the way..." Just as he was about to move, Longevity spoke up again.

Thunder's premonition of trouble intensified, yet he couldn't leave now.

"Daoist Thunder, as the deputy city lord of the governor city stationed in this combat zone, you must be exceptionally well-informed," Longevity began. "I wish to inquire about the whereabouts of a certain Dao Convergence City. Would you be able to assist me?"

"Which Dao Convergence City?" Thunder inquired.

"Hmm... I believe it's called Yuanxi City?" Longevity's tone was uncertain.

Thunder's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a placid expression, feigning contemplation. "Yuanxi City?" he mused. "I don't seem to have heard of it. As you know, Daoist, the number of Dao Convergence Cities currently gathered in the snowy expanse is immense, and they roam freely, not necessarily confined to any specific combat zone. Perhaps the city you seek is located in a different zone?"

He cursed inwardly: 'Thin Bamboo betrayed me!'

If Longevity wanted to inquire about Yuanxi City, there was no need to ambush him, a mere deputy city lord. He could have easily approached Thin Bamboo, as the City Lord possessed far more comprehensive information than he did.

Yet, he had specifically come to question Thunder.

The situation was now clear: Longevity must have already questioned Thin Bamboo about this matter during the banquet, and Thin Bamboo had, in turn, passed the burden onto Thunder, resulting in the current predicament.

He didn't know the exact details of Yuanxi's identity or background, only that Thin Bamboo had cautioned him against offending her, implying even Thin Bamboo couldn't afford to cross her.

"No, no, no," Longevity said, raising a finger and shaking it. "The information I have confirms that Yuanxi City is indeed in this combat zone, and has close ties with you, Daoist."

Moments ago he had been uncertain of Yuanxi City's name, yet now he seemed to possess such specific information.

Thunder frowned, remaining silent and solemn.

If even Thin Bamboo couldn't afford to offend Yuanxi, Thunder certainly couldn't.

How dared he speak rashly? His own City Lord was truly out of line, simply passing the hot potato to him.

Longevity's tone was leisurely. "Judging by your expression, Daoist, it seems you know some internal details?"

Thunder sighed, forcing a bitter smile. "Daoist Longevity misunderstands me," he said. "Though I have heard things from the City Lord, they are vague and not entirely clear."

Longevity nodded slightly. "Thin Bamboo is indeed tight-lipped," he commented. "He clearly has his own reservations about speaking plainly to you... In that case, Daoist, you must know where I come from."

"Of course!" Thunder affirmed with a nod. He knew that this individual before him had, years ago, abandoned his own Cosmic-level Dao Convergence City. Rather than becoming a wandering cultivator, he had instead joined another Dao Convergence City, willingly placing himself under another's authority—a fact widely regarded as a curious tale within the Inner Realm.

Thus, he was naturally aware of Longevity's current affiliations.

"The City Lord of that Dao Convergence City and I share the same origin!" Longevity continued.

"Oh?" Thunder reacted with surprise.

When he had previously heard Longevity inquiring about Yuanxi City, he had assumed there was some past conflict or grievance between Longevity and Yuanxi, and that Longevity intended to use his intelligence to gain an advantage.

He certainly wouldn't dare to speak carelessly. If Yuanxi were to discover later that he had leaked information, he would face severe repercussions.

But if both individuals hailed from the same Dao Convergence City, then such a scenario would be impossible.

"Then, Daoist, your reason for seeking Yuanxi City is...?" Thunder asked, looking at Longevity with confusion.

Longevity sighed. "Thin Bamboo likely didn't tell you the identity of that Dao Convergence City Lord, did he?"

"He did not, indeed."

"She is our City Lord's wife!"

Thunder's mouth fell open, wide enough to fit an egg.

He knew Yuanxi was of considerable standing, but he never imagined it was *this* significant!

The wife of one of the Ten Great Dao Convergence City Lords! What an astounding revelation!

Currently, among the Ten Great Dao Convergence Cities in the Inner Realm, only three or four had publicly announced having companions. Throughout the Inner Realm, while these few might not match the combat prowess of the Ten Great City Lords, their identity and status were by no means inferior. To a certain extent, these individuals represented the Ten Great City Lords when appearing outside.

Cold sweat immediately broke out all over him. He silently congratulated himself on his timely display of goodwill earlier; otherwise, if Yuanxi had truly come knocking, Thin Bamboo wouldn't even think of protecting him.

At the same time, he was utterly dumbfounded.

The wife of a Ten Great City Lord — what was she doing out here, instead of enjoying her esteemed position and authority within her own Dao Convergence City? Furthermore, his intelligence indicated that while Yuanxi City was of a very high rank, Flood-level even, Yuanxi herself commanded few capable individuals, with the entire city seeming to comprise fewer than twenty people.

Could this truly be the retinue of a Ten Great City Lord's wife?

"Previously, my Lord and Lady had a minor disagreement, leading to her running away from home," Longevity slowly revealed.

Thunder's face turned ashen.

"Is this information I'm even *allowed* to hear?"

"Can I even survive after hearing this?"

"Daoist, please don't say another word! I don't want to hear any more!"