Lei Lao and Ye Fan got out of the car, and guards from the City Lord's mansion were already waiting.
A guard with a cold face walked over, "Who are you? Parking is not allowed in front of the City Lord's mansion, drive away quickly."
As the saying goes, even a minor official before the prime minister's gate holds considerable sway. As a guard of the City Lord's mansion, their status was quite high.
Looking at the guard, Lei Lao snorted, "Vice President of the Antiquities Association, Lei is here to see City Lord Li."
Although the City Lord was the nominal ruler of Jiangnan City, the Antiquities Association was also a colossal entity, and Lei Lao's reputation was naturally well-known throughout Jiangnan.
As expected, upon hearing Lei Lao's words, the guard first froze, and then the coldness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile.
"So it's Elder Lei, please forgive my poor eyesight. I will report to the City Lord immediately."
With that, he returned to the guardhouse.
Seeing the guard's behavior of bullying the weak and fearing the strong, Ye Fan showed disdain on his face.
"These people are all like this, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. If they encounter ordinary people, they would act as if they owned the world, but if they see officials and nobles, they would act like fawning dogs, trying their best to please. Human nature is like this, there's no need to be angry about it."
Lei Lao, with his extensive experience, had seen too many such things.
Moreover, he knew Ye Fan's temperament well. In his previous life, Ye Fan was an undoubted master, upright in character, and never disdained the tricks of these petty individuals.
In this life, he was even more upright, always following his heart, so seeing such a situation naturally caused him displeasure.
Ye Fan said nothing, only a coldness in his eyes.
Soon, the guard ran out, "Elder Lei, the City Lord requests your presence."
Given Lei Lao's status, even City Lord Li could not make things overly difficult for him without affecting appearances.
What's more, in City Lord Li's mind, he always wanted to see a situation of divided power and checks and balances, so he was particularly courteous to esteemed seniors like Lei Lao in the antiquities world.
Led by a subordinate, the two arrived at the reception hall.
In the hall, a middle-aged man sat in the main seat. He was slightly plump, with well-defined facial features, piercing eyes, and fair skin.
Sitting there, although he hadn't moved, he exuded a commanding presence.
Ye Fan secretly thought that this must be the City Lord of Jiangnan City, Li Buxiao.
"Elder Lei's visit truly brings glory to my humble abode. Please, have a seat."
Seeing Lei Lao and Ye Fan enter, City Lord Li laughed heartily, his words exceedingly polite.
However, despite his polite words, he did not rise, clearly indicating that as the City Lord, he would not lose in terms of aura.
Lei Lao smiled and cupped his fist, "City Lord, you are too kind. Coming uninvited today, I am deeply sorry for the disturbance."
Although Lei Lao held a respected position in the antiquities world, he was still far inferior to the City Lord. Therefore, while City Lord Li could be polite, Lei Lao knew his own place.
After escorting Ye Fan to a seat, a servant had already brought tea.
City Lord Li smiled, his gaze merely swept across Ye Fan's face before moving on, and he picked up his teacup to drink.
Lei Lao was momentarily stunned but quickly understood. This was a cue for him to speak first.
Helpless, he could only smile and begin the introduction for City Lord Li.
"City Lord, this young brother is from Jiangcheng, his name is Ye Fan, and he is a rare talent."
City Lord Li was slightly taken aback, then put down his teacup and his gaze fell upon Ye Fan's face again.
"Ye Fan from Jiangcheng? I have long heard of this name. He is a rising star in the antiquities circle, an outstanding talent. I have always wondered why this young man was not born in my Jiangnan City."
His smile deepened, but his gaze remained calm. The so-called smile was merely a facade.
Ye Fan naturally understood this.
He smiled slightly, "I have long heard of City Lord Li's great name. To meet you today is truly fortunate. Before coming, I heard that your esteemed daughter suffers from a strange illness. May I ask if there is a way to treat it yet?"
Ye Fan's face was also perfectly calm. Even as he said these words, there was no hint of subservience.
Upon hearing Ye Fan's question, Lei Lao was stunned and blinked repeatedly at Ye Fan.
On the way, he had told Ye Fan that City Lord Li was most averse to outsiders mentioning his daughter's illness, so why was this young man asking about it right away?
As expected, City Lord Li's expression turned grim, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
His daughter was his darling, and her illness was his deepest worry.
As the City Lord, he could not show any difficulty in front of anyone, so he did not wish for outsiders to mention these matters in his presence.
Seeing City Lord Li's displeased expression, Ye Fan was not afraid at all. Instead, he continued with a smile, "Parents all wish for their children to grow up healthy. It is truly heartbreaking for the City Lord to face such a situation. However, this may not be a major problem. You should know that there is always someone better, and there is always a higher heaven."
Saying this, Ye Fan picked up his teacup and took a sip.
If Ye Fan's initial words had caused City Lord Li displeasure, then the current words had truly ignited his anger.
"If Mr. Ye has no other business, this City Lord will not entertain you further. Butler, escort the guest out."
His voice turned somber as City Lord Li angrily stood up, about to leave.
Seeing this, Lei Lao was filled with frustration. Why wouldn't this kid listen?
Now, their plan was ruined by angering City Lord Li.
But Ye Fan showed no signs of panic. Instead, a smile appeared on his face.
"Does City Lord Li not wish to know why I have come? Perhaps I can treat your esteemed daughter's illness?"
Putting down his teacup, Ye Fan remained as calm as ever. Even after angering the City Lord of Jiangnan City, he maintained a composed demeanor. Such fortitude was beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Even Lei Lao could not help but admire Ye Fan, the tomb keeper, thinking how truly remarkable he was.
Upon hearing Ye Fan's words, City Lord Li immediately stopped and slowly turned around, his cold gaze like two blades, fixing intently on Ye Fan.
If it were anyone else, under the City Lord's terrifying gaze, they would likely have collapsed in fear.
But fatefully, Ye Fan's disposition was unyielding. Let alone such a gaze, even in his previous life, facing mountains of knives and seas of fire, he had never shown fear.
"You are so young, yet you speak such bold words. Are you not afraid of death?"
City Lord Li spoke sternly, his gaze sharp, as if trying to see through Ye Fan.
But Ye Fan's demeanor was neither servile nor overbearing, even with a smile. This made it impossible for him to see through Ye Fan.
Could it be that this young man truly possessed such ability?
"As I just said, one should know that there is always someone better, and there is always a higher heaven. If City Lord Li judges ability by age, then consider that I have not been here at all. I have no need to see your esteemed daughter's illness. Farewell."
Saying this, Ye Fan stood up, preparing to leave.
Turning the tables, no one had expected Ye Fan to play such a card.
Originally, he had come to request an alliance with City Lord Li, but now, it seemed City Lord Li would be the one pleading with him.
Indeed, seeing Ye Fan rise to leave, City Lord Li's expression immediately stiffened, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
He never dreamed that this young man before him possessed such courage.
Daring to be so presumptuous in front of him, the City Lord.
However, at this moment, he had started to believe Ye Fan's words.
If he didn't have real skills, he wouldn't dare to be so audacious.
Thinking thus, perhaps his daughter's illness could be saved.
"Wait."
City Lord Li quickly called out to stop Ye Fan.