Chapter 468: Red Dust's Clamor Cannot Hide Restlessness

The City Lord's Mansion of Shuiyun Immortal Capital, much like Yunling Prefecture City is to the Blood Spirit Sect, is an auxiliary institution derived from the power structure of the ruling sect.

The City Lord of Shuiyun Immortal Capital is a cultivator at the early Nascent Soul stage. Under his command, the city guard, the enforcement team, and even the various halls dedicated to the hundred arts of cultivation are all institutions derived from his authority as City Lord.

To some extent, they do not belong to the Bi Cloud Sect. Their personnel are mostly drawn from local influential families and rogue cultivators, with Bi Cloud Sect disciples only occasionally joining their ranks. The Dou family was very familiar with this so-called enforcement elder.

He was none other than Gu Yanping, one of the three peak Golden Core cultivators from the Gu family.

Otherwise, Dou Zhao would not have needed to visit and plead. It was precisely because she knew he might be able to help that she was willing to swallow her pride and humbly ask for assistance.

Instead of helping, he was harming the Dou family.

The mere thought of it was infuriating.

Dou Zhao's father said, his heart turning cold, "When Gu Yanping became an enforcement elder, the Dou family provided considerable spiritual stone support.

"Now, not only does he not help, but he also brings people to kick us while we're down. This is intolerable! Let's fight them!!"

From his words, it was clear that Dou Zhao's father had average intelligence and an explosive temper. Had he not been the eldest and possessed excellent cultivation talent, it would have been difficult for him to become the family patriarch.

This demonstrated the wise arrangement made by the previous head of the Dou family; the second and third uncles were the true leaders.

The second uncle immediately refused.

"Calm down," he said. "The charges aren't confirmed yet. Rash action will only make things worse, cutting off all our paths to survival. We must not be reckless."

"But what should we do?"

Dou Zhao's father spread his hands, already resigned to their fate.

At that moment, Dou Zhao, unable to bear her father's disgraceful demeanor, blushed and said, "One doesn't strike a smiling face. Let's first try to get information from Gu Yanping. We'll wait in the reception hall."

"Alright."

"Zhao'er's words are very sensible."

The group hurried to the reception hall of the Dou Mansion. Almost immediately, just as everyone sat down, Gu Yanping arrived with an enforcement team of thirty people.

Waving for his subordinates to wait outside, Gu Yanping entered alone. His expression was very calm, but a careful observation would reveal a hint of smugness hidden in his eyes.

Inside the hall.

Dou Xiong, as the nominal highest authority in the Dou Mansion, was seated below the main platform. A vacant seat next to him had been prepared for Gu Yanping.

He sat down unceremoniously and stated frankly.

"Everyone," he began, "I believe you all know why I have come."

"I"?

The Dou family members exchanged glances, greatly displeased.

This fellow used to refer to himself as a son-in-law; his wife was even a daughter of the Dou clan's main lineage. However, his in-laws were currently overseeing matters in the West Mountains.

Among those present, anyone of age was his elder.

Dou Zhao, however, had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

Although Gu Yanping was an enforcement elder of the City Lord's Mansion, he was still related to the Dou clan by marriage. Judging a crime should not fall to him.

For legal impartiality, he should have recused himself to avoid suspicion.

The laws of Taihu were strict, with particular emphasis on rules. Generally, it meant: "Under my rule, all beings must abide by the rules and not overstep."

Furthermore, the charges themselves were inexplicable, lacking any clear motive.

If he were to act out of favoritism, the process would surely be questioned.

She suspected Gu Yanping had other motives.

As expected.

After eloquently speaking about the past close relationship between the Dou and Gu families, he then discussed the matter at hand, expressing righteous indignation for the injustice suffered by the Dou family.

His attitude was upright, and his words were fierce.

This greatly exceeded everyone's expectations, almost throwing them off balance. But as he shifted the topic, Gu Yanping began to expound on the philosophy of strength above all else.

"We are the fish on the chopping block, and they are the butchers," he declared. "Uncles, you should know that a wise person adapts to circumstances. This isn't about me being unsympathetic; it's that those above need someone to take responsibility for this matter.

"Local influential families habitually bully men and women, and their dissolute young masters constantly bring disgrace and misfortune upon their families. They are indeed excellent targets to blame. What do you all think?"

"—Nonsense!"

Dou Xiong slammed the table, shattering it. Standing up, he began to spray spittle at Gu Yanping, making one wonder if he was doing it on purpose.

"According to you," he roared, "my Dou family should just stick out our necks and let those beasts butcher us? Even ants cling to life! Things in this world aren't simply whatever they say they are.

"If the Bi Cloud Sect is unjust, I will report them to the Sword Sect! The righteous path governs with benevolence, righteousness, and morality. Can a few rats really cover the sky with one hand?!!

"If he's a Nascent Soul, there will be a Transformation God Venerable to deal with him. You, a junior, are foolishly rushing ahead. Do you think your Gu family is leaning on a big tree? Its roots are already rotten beyond repair.

"—You fool!"

Dou Xiong's thunderous remarks were refreshing. The uncles, as if seeing him for the first time, secretly marveled that their wise elder brother possessed such wisdom.

Dou Zhao also looked at her father with a face full of admiration.

That frail figure had actually experienced such a momentous day.

Gu Yanping, having been thoroughly berated, immediately flushed with anger. He also stood up and retorted furiously.

"A bunch of weaklings!" he scoffed. "Do you think you can overturn the heavens?

"In Shuiyun Immortal Capital, under the rule of the Bi Cloud Sect, whether you are a dragon or a snake, you will all obediently coil yourselves up. I'll tell you the truth: it's the City Lord's intention for you to take the blame.

"I give you three days to hand over all of the Dou family's shops to the Gu clan. I will then ensure the safety of these nieces, allowing the Dou clan's bloodline to continue in the world."

"You beast, how dare you provoke your elders like this!"

"Ridiculous!"

"Presumptuous!"

"Damn you! You rotten-assed scoundrel! Did you eat shit?! I'll just bring out some aged spiritual wine to wash that filth from your mouth!"

Even though Gu Yanping was a peak Golden Core cultivator, he couldn't win a verbal battle against a group of people. If he stayed any longer, his ancestors in their graves would be disturbed to their very bones.

"Hmph, I won't stoop to the level of you dying people," he sneered. "Little Zhao, it's your fortune to be favored by the City Lord's son. With your wanton and cheap looks, taking you as a concubine is already doing you a great honor."

As soon as these words were uttered, the atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Dou Zhao's eyes were red as she stared at him without a word. Her father, Dou Xiong, was silent for a moment before suddenly erupting.

"Only a dog's mouth speaks no ivory," he roared. "I'll kill you with a single palm strike!"

Both were peak Golden Core cultivators, and if they truly intended to kill each other, it would certainly not end in one move.

But as Dou Xiong launched his palm strike, vast magical power condensed into a palm print, heading towards Gu Yanping's chest. Just as he was about to resist, he felt a terrifying surge of divine sense pressure, profound as an abyss and oppressive as a prison, suddenly descend upon him.

The scalp-tingling pressure made his entire body stiff.

He couldn't even summon his protective spiritual shield before taking Dou Xiong's palm strike, flying directly out of the reception hall and landing among the enforcement team with a howl.

His chest was caved in, indicating severe wounds.

Without timely treatment, he might even die.

The Dou family members were even more shocked, looking at Dou Xiong in disbelief.

"No way, Xiong Ge, when did you become so powerful...?"

"Could it be that you secretly formed a Nascent Soul?!!"

"No, no."

Dou Xiong was also at a loss, repeatedly miming the motion of his recent palm strike and muttering to himself.

"Could it be that anger activated my potential?"

Among the Dou clan members, only Dou Zhao looked around, trying to find the figure she had in mind, when she heard a teasing voice beside her.

"No need to look," the voice said. "I am here, and I will ensure your safety."

Since Gu Yanping had been sent flying, everyone had already left their seats and were standing at the doorway, watching.

Hearing this, they immediately turned their heads.

They saw a figure in white robes, whiter than snow, with handsome features, eyes as deep as the starry sky, an elegant demeanor, and a tall, upright physique.

Silvery-white hair flowed naturally, lightly tied with a dark green silk ribbon. He was reclining sideways on a chair, with a slightly arrogant curve to his lips.

The newcomer was Wang Yu.

In this state, he was completely different from the mortal Boss Wang. Even with similar features, it would be difficult to confirm they were the same person.

Dou Zhao's expression shifted from shock to disbelief.

Her heart beat exceptionally fast, and she finally couldn't help but say.

"Thank you, Senior, for remembering our past connection."

"That guy isn't dead yet; he just can't come back," he replied.

The implication was that Wang Yu's help was not for her sake.

It was a kind of encrypted communication.

But these two brief sentences also made the other Dou clan members understand that this was one of the methods Dou Zhao had mentioned earlier. Although it was a bit late, it was better than nothing.

And... who was "that guy" Wang Yu referred to?

For now, this was not the main focus. Outside the reception hall, Gu Yanping shakily got to his feet, looking at Wang Yu, who was seated high above, with extreme terror.

"Grand Completion Nascent Soul?!!!"

Such an existence was not someone he could provoke. Wang Yu, finding it inconvenient to reveal his demonic essence, merely used the spiritual pressure of his recently broken-through divine sense to intimidate.

Who knew this person was so easily startled that he was almost killed by Dou Xiong, who was in the same realm? Truly pathetic.

Gu Yanping's words greatly surprised everyone present.

They were even more excited and thrilled about Wang Yu's presence, thinking that the Dou family was saved. Meanwhile, the enforcement team members, who had initially intended to act arrogantly by borrowing power,

realized their opponent was Wu Song. Even the City Lord couldn't withstand Wu Song's slide tackle!

Now, they immediately shrank back like turtles.

Seeing the atmosphere fall silent, Wang Yu spoke to Gu Yanping.

"Go back and inform the City Lord of Shuiyun Immortal Capital that I will personally pay him a visit tomorrow at noon."

"This humble one obeys your command."

"Now, get out."

"Yes..."

Gu Yanping slunk away from the Dou Mansion. According to Wang Yu's usual temper, this person should have been thrown into a Thunder Fiend Coffin to feed zombies long ago, and Wang Yu would simply move to another city for seclusion.

It was only out of consideration for the Dou family's existence that he showed leniency.

Wang Yu didn't actually know much about the past between Yin Gui and the Dou family. But back then, he had left the Dou clan in a fit of pique. Even after cultivating demonic arts and breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, he couldn't openly return home.

For both righteous and demonic paths, the changes after reaching the Nascent Soul stage were fundamental.

The characteristics of demonic essence were immediately obvious to cultivators and fundamentally unchangeable. There were no secret arts or divine abilities in the world that could alter the foundation of one's spiritual power.

However, with the characteristics of demonic essence, breaking through to the next realm would grant the ability to corrupt others, tempting cultivators of other paths to fall into the demonic path.

Perhaps this was what made demonic essence unique.

After the extraneous people left, the Dou family members were unsure how to speak. They all turned their gaze to Dou Zhao, their eyes urging her to step forward and converse.

As for their other internal doubts, once Wang Yu had left, they could certainly ask Dou Zhao for clarification.

Burdened with this important task, Dou Zhao was a little hesitant to approach Wang Yu in this state. She stepped forward somewhat awkwardly and bowed.

"Dou Zhao greets Senior..."

Wang Yu immediately smiled.

"It's rare to see you so polite," he chuckled. "Enough with the pleasantries. Get me a table of spirit food and nectar; my mouth feels like a bird's nest."

"Alright, I'll go arrange it now."

It was Dou Xiong who responded. He stealthily winked at the women, pulled a group of relatives, and hurried away, intending to go to the best restaurant in Shuiyun Immortal Capital to order a feast to bring home.

Only Dou Zhao and Wang Yu remained in the reception hall.

Dou Zhao was silent, unsure what to say. After the disparity in their status was revealed, it was difficult to return to their former uninhibited feeling.

Seeing this, Wang Yu began to recount past events.

Primarily, he spoke about the time he spent with Yin Gui. At the same time, he subtly hinted at his identity as a demonic cultivator, to prevent the Dou family from offending more people due to his presence.

This precaution had to be taken early. If it truly reached a point where he had to act, he would have to leave Shuiyun Immortal Capital and find another hidden cultivation spot.

This conversation lasted until dusk.

After a long period of being alone, Dou Zhao regained her usual vivaciousness and suddenly spoke.

"Oh, by the way," she said, "where's Qingfang? I told her to wait for you."

"She's at the shop," he replied. "My identity is inconvenient to reveal to them; you just need to know. If you ever find yourself truly without options in the future, go to Scarlet Kite... your lineage's ancestor is there."

Dou Zhao was speechless.

Everyone said demonic cultivators were cruel and violent, but she found Wang Yu to be very different. Little did she know that she too was blinded by a single leaf; when Wang was cruel, he would even scramble egg yolks.

As for how to handle the matter of taking the blame,

Wang Yu believed that as long as he revealed his divine sense cultivation, pretended to be a Grand Completion cultivator, and showed his intention to protect the Dou clan, the other party would have to show him some respect.

The rules of Taihu were also the rules of the fist.

Impartiality and integrity were always directed at the weak. Telling a strong person they broke the law was purely a joke.

It was just that Taihu still maintained a facade, whereas Scarlet Kite openly displayed its true nature. This was the biggest difference between the righteous and demonic paths, apart from the demonic essence itself.

After a grand feast at the Dou Mansion,

Wang Yu left content, to continue being Boss Wang.

The next day at noon.

He punctually met the two Nascent Soul cultivators of Shuiyun Immortal Capital at the City Lord's Mansion. One was a blue-haired middle-aged man at the third level of Nascent Soul, who cultivated a cloud-based variation of water-element cultivation techniques.

He had a long beard reaching his chest and a rather imposing appearance.

But a faint malevolent aura lingered around him. As a master in his own right, Wang Yu could tell at a glance that he had consumed spiritual pills refined using Blood Pill Arts.

The resentment of living beings from the pills had not dissipated, and he had consumed them many times.

This would result in such an appearance. It had little effect on the cultivator himself; merely a deficiency in moral character. No wonder he could make local influential families take the blame.

He truly wasn't afraid of causing trouble.

After all, prominent families usually had branches in many places, with outstanding descendants serving in major powers or becoming disciples of the Sword Sect. If anyone with connections and ability emerged from such families,

a fallout was almost inevitable. His methods were too crude.

There was no subtlety at all.

Wang Yu concluded that he was a mediocre person, or perhaps he had done too many despicable things in the past, and it had become a habit, leading to such crudeness.

(End of chapter)