Chapter 8 A Meal in the City

West of the city, inside a private room of a certain eatery.

"Xiaoxiao, what's this?" Hua Jian asked curiously, pointing to a dish on the table.

"Oh~" Su Xiaoxiao replied with a smile, "This is called 'Snow Ape Offering Fruit.' It's a local specialty of the Ten Thousand Ape Mountain. The preparation is extremely meticulous. It requires using the brain matter of the Snow Mountain Giant Ape, mixed with a secret sauce, smeared on the surface of these snow fruits, and then baked with precise control of the heat..."

"Miss Su..." Ruo Yu put down her chopsticks when she heard the words "brain matter," "We met by chance, and you've already helped us greatly by explaining the many things in this Harem City. And now... you're treating us to such..." she paused for two seconds, choosing an adjective, "...such luxurious food... I'm afraid we don't deserve it..."

"Ay~ Sister Yu, what are you saying~" Su Xiaoxiao waved her hand in response, "Not to mention a table of food, even ten or a hundred tables, to this..." she almost let something slip again, quickly changing her words, "...to this girl, it's just a drop in the bucket."

"Miss Su..." With Ruo Yu's observational skills, she had naturally already noticed the many anomalies about the other party. Not afraid of ruining the atmosphere, she stated it plainly, "I'll be frank... based on the things you've told us, plus my observations, I think... you're not just an 'ordinary person'..." She paused, "You... should be a subordinate of the City Lord, right?"

Su Xiaoxiao was visibly stunned upon hearing this; not even the plaster could conceal the change in her expression.

Two seconds later, she smiled slightly, looked at Ruo Yu, and replied, "Sister Yu is indeed beautiful inside and out, intelligent and perceptive..." As she spoke, she raised her hand and peeled off the plaster on her face.

Su Xiaoxiao's face was delicate and pretty, exquisitely proportioned; in terms of appearance alone, she was not inferior to Lin Que in front of the Lianxian Palace. However... she had three red birthmarks on her face, located precisely where she had been sticking the plaster, which inevitably added a few blemishes to her bright, moon-like face.

"That's right... This commander is the Harem City's Inspector-General – Su Xiaoxiao," Su Xiaoxiao continued, "Concealing my identity earlier was truly a last resort; I hope the two young ladies will forgive me..."

This Miss Su was the last of the three great experts under Ji Fenglong, with a strength slightly higher than Lin Que's, barely at the ninth revolution of the Saint Yuan Limitless stage.

"A last resort?" Hua Jian asked in suspicion upon hearing this. "Could it be that you received orders to deal with the two of us?"

"No, no, no... Where did that come from..." Su Xiaoxiao quickly waved her hand to deny, "This commander does have official duties, but there is absolutely no intention to be unfavorable to the two of you."

"Then please explain," Ruo Yu said calmly, looking directly into the other's eyes.

"Well... it's like this..." Su Xiaoxiao replied, "The two of you just heard me say that every year on Phoenix Moon 12th, the City Lord will tour the city to admire the flowers and scout for beauties." She glanced at Ruo Yu and Hua Jian, "However... the Harem City is very large, and it's impossible for the City Lord to see everything in one night..."

"I understand." Hua Jian comprehended quickly, "On the surface, City Lord Ji only takes concubines on Phoenix Moon 12th, but in reality, she has people secretly scouting for the harem all year round, and you are one of her secret agents."

"You could say that..." Su Xiaoxiao smiled awkwardly; although Hua Jian's wording was a little unpleasant, the general meaning was correct. "Actually, I only do this job occasionally, and I often get recognized... so today I simply changed into men's clothing..."

"So now... what do you want?" Ruo Yu asked.

Su Xiaoxiao smiled sheepishly, "Hehe... since we've already spoken frankly, this commander might as well ask directly..." She straightened her expression and continued, "Do the two young ladies have any intention of meeting our City Lord?"

…………

At the same moment, in front of the Lianxian Palace.

The Saint Yuan power that had been frozen in mid-air had gradually begun to settle; the battle between two Saint Yuan Limitless experts... was also nearing its end.

At this time, Mo Ruqiu was covered in wounds and exhausted; while Lin Que had only suffered minor damage, and her aura was not disturbed in the slightest.

Just as Lute had said in the previous chapter, at the same realm and level, each additional revolution doubles the amount of power. Therefore... the outcome of this battle was just a simple math problem. Fighting with 50% health against 100% health in wAr3, you might not even be able to win even if the opponent just mindlessly attacks...

"Young Master Mo, stop while you're ahead," Lin Que said, standing on the steps of the Lianxian Palace, looking down at Mo Ruqiu. "If you continue fighting, you're not seeking battle, but seeking death..."

Lin Que's patience was also nearing its limit. If it weren't for the City Lord's orders to try not to harm Mo Ruqiu's life, Lin Que would have killed this guy long ago.

"Huff... what does death matter..." Mo Ruqiu's face was ashen as he forcibly activated his remaining Saint Yuan, and once again stepped forward. "I was seeking death from the start... why do you need to persuade me?"

"Hmph..." Lin Que scolded charmingly, "You really don't know what's good for you... If I hadn't been showing mercy, would you still be able to stand?" She flicked her sleeve and shouted, "Mo Ruqiu! If you don't leave, don't blame me for destroying your foundation and then having someone carry you away!"

Her words were both a threat and a deterrent. For cultivators, the foundation is extremely important. Once the foundation is damaged, no matter how high your aptitude, the speed and limit of your cultivation will be affected... Lin Que's harsh words were undoubtedly intended to make Mo Ruqiu retreat in the face of difficulty.

Unfortunately... just as she had said, Mo Ruqiu was just so "ignorant of what's good for him." Over the years, Young Master Mo had suffered too many setbacks and had long become obsessed and mad. He was completely stuck in a rut... so he simply wouldn't consider any way out.

"Do as you please!" Mo Ruqiu shouted loudly, and his Saint Yuan suddenly surged.

In the next second, a yellowish-brown dragon-shaped energy condensed in mid-air and pounced straight towards the steps.

"Sigh..." Lin Que sighed, "Why bother..."

Even the two Saint Yuan Limitless third revolution guards at the door could see that Mo Ruqiu's attack seemed powerful, but was actually weak and ineffective, not even the end of a spent force...

Lin Que simply raised her soft hand and released a bit of Saint Yuan, scattering the dragon shape without a trace.

"It's not over yet!" Mo Ruqiu persisted, letting the blood overflow from the corners of his mouth, and still wanted to forcefully activate his Saint Yuan...

But this time, someone nipped his actions in the bud.

"Give it up, Young Master Mo," a steady voice sounded.

Accompanying the voice, a golden light descended from the sky, covering Mo Ruqiu and completely suppressing his power.

"Suppression Yuan Golden Seal?" As the young master of one of the four great families, Mo Ruqiu was quite knowledgeable. After being hit, he immediately knew the name of the magical treasure that was suppressing him.

"It seems Young Master Mo recognizes this magical treasure..." Yin Loulan said as he walked over, "Then you should also know... that with your Saint Yuan almost exhausted, under the Suppression Yuan Golden Seal, it is absolutely impossible to gather power and make a move."

"Yin Loulan..." Mo Ruqiu turned his head and muttered the other's name.

Young Master Mo had known Yin Loulan's name for a long time. Before the latter became a disciple of Ji Fenglong, he was a well-known figure in the martial world. People said, "One Seal Controls the Universe, Double Swords Overturn Loulan," referring to him.

Unfortunately... this genius swordsman, who was highly regarded by the righteous path, was ambushed in a duel with the Demon Path Sword Sovereign many years ago. Although he still managed to kill the other party, destroying both body and soul, his own foundation was also severely damaged.

This interlude completely changed Yin Loulan's future life. If it weren't for this duel, he would probably have already been in the Yuan Saint realm... and wouldn't be content with being a subordinate, working as a security officer in this Harem City...

"Brother Yin, you've come at the right time," Lin Que said, relieved to see Yin Loulan. "If you had come any later, I'm afraid..." She looked at Mo Ruqiu, "Without me even taking action... he would have destroyed his own foundation."

"Sigh..." Yin Loulan sighed deeply upon hearing this, "Why bother..."

"Eh? Who are these two?" During the conversation, Lin Que had already seen Feng Bujue and Xu Huaishang following behind Yin Loulan, so she asked.

"Oh, these two are the guests that the City Lord wants to see," Yin Loulan replied, raising his head. "I'll take them to the palace hall..."

"What!" Mo Ruqiu, who was standing to the side, was immediately shocked and angry upon hearing this. "She's willing to see even these mortals who have no internal energy at all, but she's not willing to see me?"

As he said this, Feng Bujue happened to pass by him... Brother Jue immediately used his taunting talent, turned his upper body around, extended two fingers, made a victory gesture towards Mo Ruqiu, and even said in a very captivating voice, "Yeah~"

That expression, that posture... was just like a kindergarten kid getting a little star...

Xu Huaishang, who was walking beside Brother Jue, could only support her forehead and shake her head, thinking in her heart, "Big idiot..."

"Who exactly are you? Why is Feng'er willing to see you!" Although Mo Ruqiu didn't know why the man in front of him would suddenly say a "Yeah" to him, that didn't stop him from loudly throwing out the question in his heart.

In this kind of situation, it would be very inappropriate to let Feng Bujue, who was invited, respond to an uninvited guest like Mo Ruqiu; it would make it seem like the host was being impolite. Therefore, Yin Loulan hurriedly stepped forward and stood in front of Mo Ruqiu, saying, "This Feng Lianzhu is a transcendent master. He and his wife are both honored guests of the City Lord; I hope Young Master Mo will not disturb them..."

"What? He's a transcendent master?" Mo Ruqiu looked Feng Bujue up and down again, but didn't feel any aura of a master...

And Yin Loulan had already turned around at this time, saying to Brother Jue and Xu Huaishang, "Uh... this Young Master Mo has some..." He considered the appropriate wording for a moment before saying, "... unresolved grievances with our City Lord." He paused, "I'm sorry for the sight..." He raised his hand towards the Lianxian Palace gate, "The two of you, please don't mind him, please..."

"Wait a minute!" Mo Ruqiu shouted again, "I'm not convinced! This is impossible!" He shouted loudly, "They can all go in, but I can't? It must be you subordinates obstructing me! It must be! Why won't you let me see Feng'er! Why..."

"Shut up!" Suddenly, a stern shout containing Saint Yuan power came from the Lianxian Palace.

It was a woman's voice... Even though she only said two words, and even in a scolding tone, that voice still made people feel pleasant and wonderful.

"You... you're finally willing to talk to me..." Mo Ruqiu looked at the heights with a pale face and痴痴eyes, as if his Feng'er had walked right in front of him.

But Ji Fenglong simply didn't want to pay attention to him, so she only appeared with her voice, not her person: "Brother Yin, I'll trouble you to throw Young Master Mo into the sea and let him calm down... What kind of spectacle is he making here with his loud shouting?"

"As you command." Yin Loulan cupped his fists towards the palace gate, then turned around and put away the Suppression Yuan Golden Seal in mid-air.

Mo Ruqiu had just regained his ability to move, and before he could do anything, Yin Loulan conjured a flying sword out of thin air and dragged him away.

"What are you doing! Let me go!" Mo Ruqiu howled like a ghost, completely losing his composure and looking disheveled, "Let me go quickly! Why are you trying to separate us..." But he didn't even manage to howl a few sentences before he was dragged away into the distance...

"Hmm... this is a stalker, right..." Feng Bujue muttered, looking at the black shadow disappearing into the sky.

"This scene looks familiar..." Xu Huaishang also muttered softly, "But the version I saw was being dragged away by security guards..."

"You've had it rough..." Feng Bujue continued.

"It's alright..." Xu Huaishang replied.

"Feng Lianzhu, Miss Lu." On the other side, Ji Fenglong's voice quickly sounded again, "The two of you... please."