Chapter 811: No Leniency Whatsoever

Han Li and the other man's expressions stiffened slightly upon hearing the black-robed elder's words.

"Senior, to be honest, we are in a hurry to leave as soon as possible. Is it possible for two people to teleport?" Shi Chuankong asked, seemingly prepared for this.

"Two people is naturally fine, but the cost of activating the formation, originally split three ways, will now have to be split between two. Moreover, the fee for going to Chuyu City is already higher than elsewhere. Do you still want to teleport as two?" The black-robed elder raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Well... the cost is certainly painful, but the task assigned by the family head is too urgent. If we don't get back in time, we'll be in trouble. There's really no other choice; spending a bit more is unavoidable," Shi Chuankong said, feigning a pained expression as he looked at Han Li.

Han Li immediately caught on and said, "If we return half a day late, the family head will surely punish us. Then it won't be a matter of just spending some money. It's painful, but we hope the family head will reward us generously to make up for it."

"We'll trouble you, senior. We don't need to wait for another person; we can teleport immediately," Shi Chuankong quickly cupped his hands and said.

"Since you've made up your minds, I won't try to dissuade you. Pay the fee and wait by the formation. After the groups ahead finish teleporting, it will be your turn. Oh, and first give me your travel permits; I need to record them," the black-robed elder said.

Upon hearing this, Shi Chuankong stopped Han Li, who was about to pull out his permit, and instead took out two new permits and handed them over.

The black-robed elder took the permits and his expression changed slightly. He quickly stood up, bowed, and said:

"Ah! So you are retainers of Lord Luoheng. I was presumptuous. My apologies."

"Senior, you flatter us. We are merely humble retainers of the lord; we do not deserve such a grand gesture from you," Shi Chuankong quickly stepped forward to support the elder's arm as he bowed, saying.

"Lord Luoheng's illustrious reputation is known throughout the entire Holy Domain. Since you two are his retainers, you cannot be ordinary people. What I said earlier is void. As soon as this group in the formation teleports away, I will arrange for your teleportation immediately," the black-robed elder said with an expression of great admiration.

"Then we'll trouble you, senior. But the old rules cannot be changed; you should still charge the teleportation fee as usual," Shi Chuankong said with a smile, continuing.

Seeing that Shi Chuankong was so cooperative, giving him face and not causing any trouble, the black-robed elder's face beamed with joy. He felt that the distance between himself and that esteemed figure had somehow narrowed.

"Then I will respectfully obey," the elder said with a smile.

"Who is this Lord Luoheng, that he can cause such a drastic change in the elder's attitude?" Han Li wondered inwardly, transmitting his voice to Shi Chuankong.

"Lord Luoheng is none other than my third brother," Shi Chuankong replied with a smile.

"Your third brother holds a noble title?" Han Li transmitted.

"Indeed. Father has always been cautious about granting titles to his children, as they require solid military achievements. Among my many siblings, only a little over half hold titles. The highest title belongs to my eldest brother, Shi Zhanfeng, who is the King of Cangling. Next is my third brother, who is Duke Luoheng, followed by my fifth sister, Shi Jingyan, who is Duke Yulin. The rest are at most marquises," Shi Chuankong transmitted.

"From the black-robed elder's words, it seems your third brother's title of Duke Luoheng has some special significance. Is there something to it?" Han Li asked again.

"There's nothing particularly special. Though they are all dukes, the size of their fiefs and the rank of their titles differ. My third brother's Duke Luoheng is one of the three highest-ranking dukes, while my fifth sister's Duke Yulin is slightly inferior. Additionally, my third brother is known for valuing relationships over profit and is fair in rewards and punishments. He has a reputation for virtue throughout the Holy Domain, so there are many who admire him everywhere," Shi Chuankong replied with a smile.

"I see," Han Li nodded inwardly.

While the two were conversing via voice transmission, the black-robed elder had already completed the records for them and led them to the formation.

After giving some instructions to the cultivator holding the formation plate and in charge of the main formation, he took his leave and returned to his desk.

Han Li and the other man waited nearby, watching as specks of light began to glow within the teleportation formation.

Just then, Shi Chuankong and Han Li exchanged a glance, and both their expressions changed.

"We've been caught up to, as expected. That was close..." Shi Chuankong murmured.

"Fortunately, it's only two drops of blood essence... But it also means Blooddrop Marquis's plan succeeded," Han Li said slowly.

"Heh, that old bastard probably came up empty. We'll leave immediately after reaching Chuyu City; he won't be able to catch up," Shi Chuankong nodded and said.

"But I wonder how Blooddrop Marquis is doing? After all, he is a genuine Daluo realm cultivator," Han Li said with some concern.

After saying this, both fell silent.

Soon, the light within the teleportation formation faded, and the previous three people had been teleported away. The cultivator in charge of the formation, after replacing the magic stones needed for the teleportation formation, began to rotate the dragon pillars around it.

Once the formation adjustments were complete, he beckoned Han Li and the other man to enter the formation.

Shi Chuankong and Han Li composed themselves and stepped into the formation together, standing at its center.

The cultivator in charge nodded to the two of them and began to form hand seals, activating the formation plate in his hand.

A rumbling sound began to emanate from above the grand formation, and specks of silver starlight started to rise from the ground below, like fireflies on a summer night, enveloping the two figures.

Just as the formation was about to activate, an unexpected change occurred!

With a loud "bang," the formation plate in the hands of the presiding cultivator suddenly burst apart without any warning.

The teleportation formation, which had been half-activated, immediately dimmed and came to a halt.

Immediately after, a flash of purple-golden light streaked into the teleportation hall, astonishingly fast.

The presiding cultivator was about to fly into a rage, but upon recognizing the newcomer, he immediately knelt down and said respectfully:

"Your subordinate pays respects to the City Lord."

Everyone else in the hall, except for Han Li and the other person, also knelt down one after another.

Han Li frowned deeply, gazing at the middle-aged man in the purple-golden robe. He saw that the man's sword-like brows slanted upward into his temples, his eyes were like brass bells, his nose was high and slightly hooked, his lips were thin as a blade, and his entire being exuded an oppressive aura.

"Marquis, can't you just turn a blind eye and pretend you didn't see anything?" Shi Chuankong asked with a bitter smile.

"I already let you off once before. You really shouldn't have come back. I have done all I could." Tianyue Hou sighed and said.

"Is there truly no room for negotiation?" Shi Chuankong asked reluctantly.

"I am here to arrest a wanted criminal. All irrelevant persons, get out immediately. Those outside, guard well. No one is to approach. Violators will be killed without mercy." Tianyue Hou did not answer, only coldly commanded.

At the same time, a vast demonic aura surged out from around him, carrying the formidable presence of a mid-stage Daluo realm cultivator sweeping toward the crowd, instantly terrifying those waiting for teleportation, who scrambled to flee in panic.

As for the two cultivators from the City Lord's residence, they retreated with complex expressions. The old man in the black robe, in particular, had panic in his eyes, and when he looked back at Shi Chuankong and the other, only resentment remained.

The crowd, stumbling and crawling, fled to the front courtyard of the City Lord's residence, but couldn't help turning back to look.

After waiting for a moment, suddenly a thunderous roar was heard. A purple-black dragon-shaped demonic energy shot straight up into the nine layers of clouds, scattering the clouds in the sky.

The teleportation tower below exploded with a bang, instantly turning into dust.

The powerful shockwave swept in all directions, reaching the front courtyard almost instantly. Over a dozen magnificent and imposing buildings were affected and collapsed one after another.

The值守 cultivators in the front courtyard sensed something amiss and quickly intervened, forming a joint formation to resist, preventing the entire city lord's mansion from being completely destroyed by the powerful aftershock.

Just as the crowd began to gather, the figure of Tianyue Hou suddenly flew out from the ruins of the teleportation tower. He glanced at the crowd with a displeased expression, said nothing, and returned to the rear gardens.

The black-robed old man had thought he would surely be held accountable by the city lord and had already resigned himself to death. Yet, he emerged unscathed, his shoulders trembling as he wept tears of joy.

…

Time passed, and more than three months went by.

Inside the City Lord's Mansion of Chuyu City.

Within a majestic domed building, a huge teleportation array flashed with silver light. Several figures materialized, paused briefly, then stepped out of the array and walked toward the hall's exit.

Behind a desk at the hall's entrance sat two white-haired elders. One, clad in a dark green Daoist robe, had an immortal air but a stern expression, glaring at the figures emerging from the array.

This person was none other than True Immortal Zhaogu, who had been waiting here like a hunter for over three months, hoping to catch Han Li and the other.

The few who had just descended from the array felt very uncomfortable under his gaze. Though anger stirred within them, they dared not act on it and quickened their pace to leave.

Beside True Immortal Zhaogu sat a late-Golden Immortal cultivator with a golden horn on his head. He was originally responsible for recording the information of those using the array and collecting teleportation fees, and had found the past three months quite vexing.

Senior Zhaogu, it has been so long. If the ones you await were coming, they should have arrived by now. I suspect they did not teleport to Chuyu City but went to another city instead,” the Golden Immortal elder said after some hesitation.

Enough. It seems I have been outwitted again,” True Immortal Zhaogu said with a long sigh.

The Golden Immortal elder had no idea who True Immortal Zhaogu was waiting for, and hearing this remark only left him more bewildered. However, he remained silent, showing no intention of asking.

Three months ago, the city lord had instructed him not to interfere with whatever True Immortal Zhaogu did, neither to obstruct nor to offer deliberate help, and likewise not to inquire out of curiosity.

Please convey my thanks to City Lord Ouyang. I will visit him at the city lord's mansion another day,” True Immortal Zhaogu said slowly as he rose to his feet.

Rest assured, Senior, your message will be delivered,” the Golden Immortal elder said, quickly standing up.

True Immortal Zhaogu cast another glance at the teleportation array, shook his sleeve, turned, and strode out of the hall.