"Heh, a fine way to gift," Zhou Hong couldn't help but sneer. "They're kings of their mountain within Wumeng City's territory, robbing and pillaging, yet as the City Lord, I'm expected to offer gifts?"
"That Alituotuo is a Rank Four Demon King. The former Luobogan was no match for him. Moreover, Alituotuo commands hundreds of men, all of them capable."
"Then why doesn't this Alituotuo become the City Lord himself? Wouldn't killing Luobogan be even better?" Zhou Hong asked with some confusion.
"Not everyone likes to be constrained. Besides, Alituotuo has a criminal record. He wouldn't pass the review by the Immortal Court of the Demon Immortal Kingdom. So, he'd rather be a mountain king, free from any supervision. Whatever he needs, the former City Lord Luobogan had to satisfy."
Zhou Hong nodded. Unfortunately, the current City Lord wasn't Luobogan. Zhou Hong wouldn't indulge these bandits who occupied mountains. Sudan Novel Network
"What about the other Dragon Tiger Demon Gate?"
"The Dragon Tiger Demon Gate is more conventional. Within it, besides the Gate Master, there are Deputy Gate Masters, Inner Disciples, and Outer Disciples, numbering hundreds of thousands. They are a very powerful force. They occupy several large mountains, and that entire region belongs to the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate. All taxes from the villages and towns within their occupied territory are handed over to the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate. The former City Lord Luobogan was even less able to dictate terms to the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate."
"What's the strength of the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate Master?"
"It's unclear. Some say he's a Rank Five Demon King, others a Rank Six. In short, he's very strong. Furthermore, there are several Demon King level cultivators. To be precise, within the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate, everyone above the Deputy Gate Master is a Demon King."
"How many Deputy Gate Masters do they have?"
"That requires further investigation. According to past surveys, one Gate Master and six Deputy Gate Masters."
"Good."
"Zhou Hong, now that you are the City Lord of Wumeng City, you need to have a plan on how to deal with these various forces within your jurisdiction. Let me offer my suggestion: seek stability, not change."
"Explain."
"Just like the former Luobogan, seek stability. What you need is for them not to cause trouble. This is good for them, and for you, if they don't cause trouble, the common people can live and work in peace, and the Demon Immortal Kingdom's Immortal Court won't notice you."
Zhou Hong chuckled. Too bad he wasn't the former Luobogan. The word "compromise" wasn't in Zhou Hong's dictionary.
"For them not to cause trouble, I, as City Lord, would have to try my best to satisfy their demands, wouldn't I?"
"Yes. The former City Lords always tried their best to satisfy them. Under normal circumstances, their demands wouldn't exceed your capabilities, because they know the limits of your power as City Lord."
"Hahaha, then I apologize, I cannot do that." Zhou Hong burst into laughter.
Hei Lan sighed. In truth, he had long guessed that Zhou Hong would refuse. He couldn't tolerate any humiliation.
"Zhou Hong, you must be extremely careful when dealing with these external forces. They won't play by the rules. If you push them too far, anything can happen, such as them targeting people close to you."
"Father-in-law, please don't worry. I know what you're concerned about."
"So, what now? These external forces haven't actively sought you out yet. Are you planning to go to them, or will you send them an invitation?"
"As the City Lord, if they don't come to congratulate me, why would I humbly go to them? Let's wait a bit longer. Perhaps they don't know yet."
Hei Lan shook his head. "These external forces have spies within Wumeng City. It's impossible they don't know. It's been over 20 days since you returned from receiving your appointment from the Demon Immortal Kingdom."
Zhou Hong inwardly grumbled. He wondered what those various external forces were thinking. After so long, did they really expect Zhou Hong to initiate the 'mountain visit'?
"Let's wait a bit longer. Give them a month. If no one approaches me after a month, then I won't be polite. I'll sweep through them one by one until they submit."
At this moment, hundreds of kilometers outside Wumeng City, in a mountain range, a manor had been built. Within the manor, there were hundreds of maids and servants. An old man with white hair was sitting in a room, drinking tea. This old man was a Rank Three Demon King. It was evident that he preferred tranquility. Although he occupied a mountain, he had only built a manor and not made a grand display.
"White-Haired Old Man!" Just then, a man, also a Demon King, rushed in from outside the mountain, shouting "White-Haired Old Man!"
"Flea Demon, you're here. Please, sit. The tea is ready."
"White-Haired Old Man, still so leisurely. Don't tell me you don't know what happened in Wumeng City. Your White Mountain Manor goes to Wumeng to procure supplies every half month. It's impossible you wouldn't know that Wumeng City has a new City Lord," the Demon King called Flea Demon blurted out as he entered.
"Heh, I heard about it a few days ago."
"Then why are you still sitting here, drinking tea? We are all within Wumeng City's territory. With the City Lord replaced, why haven't you paid a visit to the new City Lord?"
"No rush. Perhaps he will take the initiative to pay me a visit. There's a difference between me going to him and him coming to me."
"Haha, I knew you had this little calculation in mind. Don't just talk about you; even those Rank One Demon Kings have the same plan, waiting to see if the new City Lord will come to them first."
"Oh, those Rank One Demon Kings dare to expect the new City Lord to seek them out? They're too arrogant! I, a mere Rank Three Demon King, thinking this way is somewhat understandable."
"Heh heh, I heard that the new City Lord's own strength is very weak, and he only became the City Lord of Wumeng City by relying on a powerful demonic artifact. City Lords of this level are often very low-key, even fearful. Therefore, it's understandable that those Rank One Demon Kings want the new City Lord to visit them."
"Hahaha, this new City Lord is truly a bit ignorant of heaven and earth. With such low personal strength, he dares to become a City Lord relying on a demonic artifact. Does he really think being a City Lord is that easy?" the White-Haired Old Man chuckled, stroking his beard, his voice revealing a hint of contempt.
"Yes. Many people are currently watching the movements of Alituotuo and the Dragon Tiger Demon Gate. However, these two major forces will definitely not indulge him. If the new City Lord doesn't initiate the mountain visit by the deadline, he'll likely face unpleasant consequences."