Chapter 249 - Qingxiao City Lord

Chapter 249: Chapter 8: Qingxiao City Lord"You say it’s this man who killed all your soldiers under command?" Qingxiao City’s City Lord scrutinized the masked man before him, "Why not remove your mask and show us your face?"

"Not convenient," Lu Hong said, "It was my fault for accidentally killing the soldiers under the City Lord’s command, and to make amends, I am willing to enter into a pact with the City Lord here and now. I will return in three months to rid your kingdom of the Disaster Church."

"No rush," the City Lord of Qingxiao City waved his hand, "To kill three thousand of my elite, young man, your strength must be quite extraordinary."

The City Lord of Qingxiao City smiled and said, "Although I am pained by the loss of my soldiers, they would have died sooner or later on the expedition against the Disaster Church anyway. Thus, this responsibility falling on you is appropriate. More than that, I would like to entrust you with a matter."

"I––" Lu Hong was about to refuse but was interrupted by the City Lord of Qingxiao City, "This matter will also benefit you. During our last purge of the Disaster Church, my top general, Ye Lu, was poisoned and assassinated by those three scoundrels. And in several tens of days, it will be time for the grandest meeting that takes place every five years in Ambra - the Septenary Martial Meet. If you, young man, could represent our Qingxiao City in this Martial Meet, I must repay you handsomely."

"My time is limited, and I can’t afford any delays," Lu Hong said, "It’s better to forget about this matter."

"The prize for the Septenary Martial Meet is a divine artifact of the ancient Elf Race, are you not tempted?" the City Lord of Qingxiao City laughed, "Won’t you reconsider?"

"A divine artifact of the Elf Race?" Lu Hong was somewhat puzzled; why would it be something of the Elves? Divine artifacts are not so easily obtained; they’re all items once played with by the hands of Heavenly Gods.

"Little brother, if they can offer a divine artifact of the Elf Race as a prize, it must mean they have discovered the ancient relics of the Elves. How can you alone

Before Lu Hong could inquire further, the City Lord of Qingxiao narrowed his eyes, "Another thirty years have passed, eh? Those Elves are quite punctual indeed."

With a grand gesture, the City Lord used his magic power to create a 3D holographic map on the wooden table beside him. The locations of eighteen buried relics were marked clearly: "Although our seven nations wage war against each other, when it comes to combating the Elves, we stand as one. After years of reconnaissance, we have acquired all the ancient Elf relics buried beneath the ground of Ambra. Each time the Elves come, they engage us in a fierce battle. Despite not being able to kill many of them, we have managed to seize many treasures from the relics they decrypted. Since you come with the intent to kill Elves this time, we might as well cooperate. From the treasures obtained from the relics, you may choose any one item you like - how does that sound?"

"Good," Lu Hong agreed without hesitation.

"Little brother, why do I feel this darn City Lord is too amiable? Or rather, the conditions offered are too generous. There’s no such thing as a free lunch," mused the Ancestor Dragon.

Lu Hong had also considered Ancestor Dragon’s worries, "Dragon Brother, we are united in our aim against the Elves. As for the rest, I’m not too concerned. I’ll just stay on guard."

"Right, if this City Lord holds no ill will, it might well be an opportunity," the Ancestor Dragon agreed.

The City Lord of Qingxiao was very pleased with Lu Hong’s agreement, "Speaking of which, I’ve yet to ask for your name. I am Qing Xiao."

Once seated as City Lord in Ambra, it was customary to change one’s given name to that of the city. The King did the same; this custom was quite common across many realms.

"I am Lu Hong."

"Then, Lu Hong, one last confirmation: have you passed the age of forty? I cannot be certain since you wear a mask."

"Under thirty."

"That is good," Qing Xiao turned to Kado at his side and instructed, "All of Lu Hong’s affairs in Qingxiao City will be under your charge. You must ensure he experiences the utmost goodwill from our Qingxiao City."

"Your command will be obeyed with utmost loyalty!" Kado had absolute loyalty towards Qing Xiao, and despite the grief over his brothers’ death, he would not oppose the City Lord’s decision.

"Respected Lu Hong, please come with me to rest." Kada bowed slightly, maintaining absolute respect.

"Thank you for the trouble."

After Lu Hong left, the Qingxiao City Lord lay back in his chair with satisfaction, relieved of a heavy burden, "Lu Hong? The martial arts tournament of the Seven Nations leaves a trail of significant casualties. If you were to die inside, you wouldn’t blame this old man, right?"

"Brother Kada, what sort of existence is the martial arts tournament of the Seven Nations?" Since he was to participate in the tournament, Lu Hong naturally wanted to understand more about it.

Don’t call me brother! You killed so many of my brothers, and you still have the face to call me that?!

"Lord Lu Hong, the martial arts tournament of the Seven Nations is held every twenty years and is the grandest event among the seven great nations of Ambrala, taking place at the heart of Ambrala in the Solar Arena. Top powers from all nations of Ambrala will be in attendance to witness the event. Making a strong impression on any of them can launch you to the skies, propelling you into the upper echelons of the state." Despite a torrent of internal complaints, he earnestly answered Lu Hong’s question, "However, you must be cautious. There are numerous powerful participants in the tournament; duels to the death occur frequently, and a moment’s carelessness could lead to your doom."

"Thank you for the information."

Under Kada’s lead, Lu Hong entered the back garden of the City Lord Mansion.

Suddenly, an intense chill burst out from the right side. Being on someone else’s turf, Lu Hong was on guard, and he didn’t panic at the sudden attack; his Pure Steel Battle Energy erupted forth.

"Fatal Strike!" he called out softly, as his holy sword clashed harshly against the incoming ice fist, sending shards of ice flying in all directions.

"Young City Lord, he is the one invited by the City Lord to participate in the Seven Nations martial arts tournament," Kada yelled hastily, but it only seemed to make the opponent’s attack more ferocious.

"This is the Fighter profession, a long-missed career indeed." The Ancestor Dragon chuckled within Lu Hong’s mind, "Young brother, you better be careful. Becoming a Fighter is not something that happens casually."

"I’ve noticed." Lu Hong frantically parried the opponent’s attacks. The Fighter’s moves all operated within a certain measure, and the great sword Lu Hong wielded couldn’t fully exert its power.

And the opponent’s magic power was profound, rivaling Lu Hong’s Pure Steel Battle Energy. For the time being, neither could gain the upper hand.

"Is this the contender my father has chosen to fight in the tournament?" A sneering scorn came from the figure in white, "I haven’t even used my full strength, and he’s already struggling to hold on."

Idiot, which eye of yours saw that I’m struggling? Lu Hong cursed inwardly, while his Battle Energy surged to its limit.

His holy sword was sharp, but the opponent’s continuously conjured frost could counter his edge with softness; by relying on the regenerating ice, they diverted his force and neutralized Lu Hong’s offensive momentum.

Tough opponent, indeed.

The Young City Lord lashed out with his foot, which Lu Hong, the Sword Saint, countered. After a fierce clash, both retreated a hundred steps.

"Frost Meteor!" The Young City Lord took a deep breath, as a massive frost tornado formed, gathering in his palm.

He’s charging a powerful move? Lu Hong didn’t dare to be negligent. He sank slightly, not just a flash of extreme speed, but the strongest strike of a Second-Turned Great War Master—the simplified move from "Extreme Slash": Sword Essence Refinement.

Both were accumulating power, causing Kada to break into a cold sweat as he watched. Is this the limit of the Second Transition? No, wait!

Kada suddenly recalled the man in the mask who had shattered the hundred-man defensive array with a single gesture; he had not yet displayed his full strength!

In a breath, the Young City Lord clenched his fist, gathering the frost and snow in the air, and slowly unleashed a punch, the very air pressure from the punch making Lu Hong slightly unstable.

Sinking his Dantian, Lu Hong also launched his most powerful strike as a Second-Turned Great Warrior, with the holy sword unleashing a beam of sword energy, cutting through the air.

At the moment the skills collided, the Qingxiao City Lord suddenly appeared between the two, waving his hand, and instantly, both strong attacks dissipated like wisps of blue smoke.

"Subordinate Kada greets City Lord!" Kada immediately knelt on the ground, and the many hidden masters in the back garden also appeared and knelt, paying respects to Qingxiao.

"Everyone rise," Qingxiao glanced around, then turned to Lu Hong, "My son has been unruly since he was young. If he has acted impolitely, I apologize on his behalf to young brother Lu Hong."

"City Lord, you’re too serious; the Young City Lord and I were just engaging in ordinary sparring," Lu Hong said lightly, downplaying the incident.

The Young City Lord looked dissatisfied: "Exactly, Father, we were about to determine the winner, why did you intervene?"

"Go to the study this instant!" Qingxiao glared at his son severely before sweeping his sleeves, "Dismissed!"