Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Beginning

One day passed.

In the western wing of the City Lord’s Mansion, Tu Lu was cultivating the Minor Celestial Imagery Art.

“Greetings, Lord City Master, Chief Jin!” Suddenly, a panicked voice called from outside.

Tu Lu opened his eyes.

At last, they’ve come!

“Haha! My benefactor, you’re truly diligent—cultivating even at a time like this.” The doors swung open, and Zi Tuofeng strode in with great steps.

Jin Donghe followed closely behind, and at his signal, closed the door.

“Lord City Master, what brings you here…?”

“There’s something we must discuss, of course.” Zi Tuofeng’s expression grew solemn. “Benefactor, answer me truthfully—are you… from the Grand Void Mansion?”

Tu Lu was taken aback. He noticed that, at the very moment Zi Tuofeng spoke, Jin Donghe’s pupils contracted slightly.

This made him keenly sense that something was amiss, and his mind began to race.

It was no secret he came from outside Huangyun City, but for Zi Tuofeng to mention the Grand Void Mansion specifically—clearly, he was probing.

Was he testing if Tu Lu was one of the Mansion Lord’s people?

No, that wasn’t it!

Suddenly, a realization struck him—a third-party force was involved!

Everything became clear in an instant.

That explained so much.

“Lord City Master, I am not from the Grand Void Mansion. I’m merely an itinerant cultivator outside the city who came to learn of your situation by chance.”

While pretending to be a member of some third-party faction might bring greater benefits, after careful thought, he dismissed the tempting notion. He didn’t know what plots lay within; if he slipped up, the cost would be too great.

Zi Tuofeng nodded, exchanged a glance with Jin Donghe, but said nothing further.

After that, he recounted the agreement—though his version differed from Fang Jinrui’s, the essence remained much the same. The only distinction was that, indeed, a third-party force was aiding Zi Tuofeng, and their numbers were considerable.

By this point, most of their people had already arrived!

“Benefactor, before you knew the full story, did you think me rather foolish?” Zi Tuofeng suddenly gave a hearty laugh.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Tu Lu’s heart jumped, and he quickly shook his head.

Still, inwardly he was surprised—perhaps Zi Tuofeng was inept at cultivation and narrow-hearted, but he was certainly not simple. No wonder the old City Lord of Huangyun City dared to strike such a wager with the old Mansion Lord of the Grand Void Mansion.

“No matter what you thought before, you must understand now—this City Lord is destined to become the Grand Void Mansion Lord’s husband. If you assist me loyally, not to mention reaching the Purple Mansion, even ascending to Nascent Soul will not be difficult!”

As he spoke, a sharp light burst in Zi Tuofeng’s eyes.

Tu Lu’s back tensed; he hurriedly expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Lord City Master!”

“Mmm.” Zi Tuofeng nodded with satisfaction, then rose to his feet.

“In that case, I’ll take my leave. Once the marriage delegation is assembled, I’ll send someone to inform you.”

“Yes!” Tu Lu responded at once.

Zi Tuofeng smiled faintly, then departed with Jin Donghe.

Once they left, the room fell silent again.

Tu Lu narrowed his eyes.

He hadn’t anticipated the arrival of a third-party force. With their involvement, there was indeed a real chance for Zi Tuofeng’s side to succeed.

This agreement—it was less a test for Zi Tuofeng than a contest of wits between the Grand Void Mansion Lord and other great figures. If he helped Zi Tuofeng win…

He immediately discarded the thought.

The stakes were far too high—throwing himself in recklessly would be gambling with his life. Even if Zi Tuofeng reached the provincial capital, there were still too many uncertainties.

And as for Zi Tuofeng himself… he was not to be trusted!

Best to stick to the original plan.

With that, he closed his eyes and resumed the Minor Celestial Imagery Art. His consciousness once again entered that grand world, focusing on the stone statue.

Now, he could faintly make out the statue’s outline…

That night, as Tu Lu meditated, his spirit suddenly trembled; he snapped his eyes open!

Then, he poured his entire awareness into the doppelganger of the Threefold Sunflower stationed outside the City Lord’s Mansion.

Fang Jinrui had finally made contact with those people!

Tu Lu watched for a while, then quietly took out a memory stone to record the scene.

Afterward, he stayed hidden nearby, lying in wait.

Only at dawn did he resume his appearance as Tu Lu and return to the City Lord’s Mansion.

Since everyone in the mansion knew Tu Lu, he moved unimpeded. After merging with his two other doppelgangers in the west wing, he slipped out again toward the main residence.

He did not reveal himself until he reached the third inner courtyard.

“Master Tu!”

“Master Tu!”

The guards outside, recognizing him, quickly bowed their heads.

Tu Lu nodded and said, “Please inform Lord City Master that I have urgent business to discuss.”

The guard hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Yes, sir!”

A short while later, the guard returned.

“Master Tu, please enter!”

Inside the City Lord’s residence, Zi Tuofeng had set out a banquet, drinking with two young men.

Seeing Tu Lu enter, Zi Tuofeng laughed aloud, “Benefactor, you’ve come at the perfect time. These two are Young Master Guo and Young Master Yang from the Grand Void Mansion, both formidable cultivators on the verge of the Purple Mansion realm. Come, get acquainted!”

Yet Guo and Yang spared Tu Lu not a shred of courtesy, casting him a cold glance before ignoring him entirely.

They didn’t even show much respect for Zi Tuofeng himself.

For a moment, the atmosphere was awkward.

“Lord City Master, I have urgent matters to discuss—matters of great importance,” Tu Lu said coldly, giving the two a frost-laden look.

At this, Guo Taicheng suddenly chuckled. “Brother Yang, this man actually thinks we’re in his way.”

“Indeed. He’s just some lucky fool who barely managed to reach the peak of Sea Filling, yet thinks himself important,” Yang Ke sneered.

“Well, well. Let’s not interrupt the City Lord’s important business.” Guo Taicheng deliberately emphasized “important business,” his tone mocking.

Zi Tuofeng’s face darkened.

But Tu Lu only sneered. “Arrogant fools. This concerns the City Lord’s very life—is that something you’re qualified to mock? Go, I won’t see you off.”

“You—!” Both Guo and Yang’s expressions turned ugly.

But just then, Zi Tuofeng’s face shifted, and he said gravely, “Gentlemen, since my benefactor has matters of import to discuss, I must ask you to step outside for now. We’ll continue the banquet another time, and I’ll personally apologize to you both.”

Guo and Yang’s faces twisted several times, but at last, they stormed out.

“Haha! Benefactor, pay them no mind. They’re from the Grand Void Mansion—their tempers are naturally fierce, but they’re here to support my marriage proposal. We’re all on the same side.”

When the two had left, Zi Tuofeng’s expression shifted several times before settling into a smile.

Tu Lu’s face remained cold. He shook his head. “You are generous at heart, Lord City Master, so I won’t mind such trifles. If my tone was harsh, it was only because your safety is at stake. I hope you won’t take offense.”

“What exactly is the matter?!”

Tu Lu had twice mentioned Zi Tuofeng’s safety—at last, Zi Tuofeng could not contain himself and pressed for an answer.