Chapter 34: A Pleasant Collaboration

Upon seeing Xuezong, Ji Rui’s heart was not filled with much joy. If even the Wolf King couldn’t do anything to Qian Ye, what could a mere Xuezong do? However, he naturally wouldn’t say such things on the surface. Instead, he greeted Xuezong with a beaming smile and cordial hospitality, welcoming him into the city.

Before they had even settled in, Xuezong requested to spar with Ji Rui. Ji Rui was immediately taken aback.

It was true that werewolves were by nature quick-tempered and combative, but there should still be some sense of propriety. Xuezong’s request was not only a display of his own martial prowess but also a clear indication of his disdain for Ji Rui.

Reluctantly, Ji Rui agreed to the challenge under Xuezong’s repeated insistence.

Xuezong launched a fierce attack from the start, with his attacks coming in waves, his blood-red hair flying in the wind. Ji Rui, on the other hand, struggled to hold his ground, lasting for ten minutes before finally conceding defeat by half a move.

Fortunately, Xuezong had some restraint and didn’t unleash his full power; otherwise, even the remaining city lord’s mansion would have been obliterated.

Evidently pleased with his victory, Xuezong patted Ji Rui’s shoulder and laughed heartily, “City Lord, your cultivation is lacking! All of you humans are good at plotting and scheming, but when it comes to fighting, you’re far behind. This world is still in the hands of true warriors.”

“Lord Xuezong is absolutely right. But managing such a large city, with all its trivial matters, leaves me no time for cultivation.”

Xuezong waved his hand, saying, “City Lord, it’s best to focus on your cultivation. Since I’m here now, I’ll take care of the city management for you, haha!”

Ji Rui’s expression changed, and the surrounding guards tensed up.

Xuezong glanced at Ji Rui and said, “What, does City Lord Ji have any objections?”

With an unchanging smile, Ji Rui replied, “I’m honored that Lord Xuezong sees value in my little city. However, this matter needs to be discussed with the Wolf King. He mentioned something similar during his last visit.”

Xuezong snorted, “Such a minor matter doesn’t need to be discussed.”

These words revealed Xuezong’s growing greed. This made things easier for Ji Rui. Relieved, he began to show Xuezong around Nanqing City as if he were truly going to hand it over to him.

Xuezong was highly satisfied with Ji Rui’s compliance and followed him with great enthusiasm, wandering through the streets and alleys of Nanqing City, looking around here and there.

As they passed through a small alley, Xuezong suddenly felt a jolt in his heart and turned to look into the alley.

The first thing he saw was a little girl, about six or seven years old, exquisitely beautiful and captivating. Xuezong was momentarily stunned.

The little girl seemed to be still half-asleep, her big eyes barely open, gazing at the wolf general with a dazed expression.

Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she became instantly alert, her eyes showing a mix of tension, excitement, and delight, as if she had spotted a formidable prey. Then, she opened her mouth, and a cloud of green mist shot toward Xuezong.

The moment the little girl opened her mouth, Ji Rui was terrified out of his wits, and his plump body moved at an incredible speed, flashing away to a distance of a hundred meters.

Xuezong, still unaware of what was happening, was hit directly by the green mist. His eyes burned like they were being pierced by needles, and his vision blurred. His primal energy was boiling out of control, tearing at his muscles and internal organs, wreaking havoc on his body.

Finally, Xuezong realized it was a powerful poison, possibly from a high-ranking spider demon or a demon descendant with a toxic innate ability.

Reacting quickly, Xuezong let out a furious roar, his hair and beard flying wildly, and channeled his primal energy to its extreme.

But at that moment, Qian Ye had already set down Zhu Ji on the ground, holding the Dongyue sword, and struck at Xuezong!

This strike was premeditated, and if one strike was blocked, four or five more would follow. It was the essence of the Dinding Bazheng technique, and Qian Ye unleashed his most powerful sword move, showing no mercy.

Xuezong, knowing the severity, couldn’t dodge in time and, gritting his teeth, swung his left arm to block the Dongyue sword!

If it were anyone else, this might have saved their arm, or even damaged the weapon. But the opponent was Qian Ye, who was not weaker than Xuezong in strength. The Dongyue sword, forged by the Zhao and Song families, was virtually indestructible.

The sword fell, and Xuezong’s arm flew high. Using this brief opportunity, Xuezong managed to escape, his wailing echoing through Nanqing City. It was a signal for his subordinates to retreat, and soon, wails could be heard throughout the city, moving in a single direction.

While Xuezong toured Nanqing City, his accompanying Wolf King’s personal guards had scattered, seeking their own entertainment.

When the sudden commotion occurred, many of the guards were still unaware of what was happening, simply running towards the predetermined direction.

Chaos reigned in Nanqing City, with panic and confusion everywhere.

Qian Ye did not pursue Xuezong but instead looked towards the other end of the long street. Ji Rui stood there, his expression complex.

Ignoring Ji Rui, Qian Ye stepped on Xuezong’s severed left arm, igniting a crimson flame that quickly reduced the powerful arm to ashes.

Ji Rui’s expression changed several times, but he ultimately did not intervene. He shook his head and sighed, “To go so far as to annihilate… was it really necessary?”

Qian Ye smiled brightly, “All those who oppose me will meet the same fate!”

At Xuezong’s level, his body had been refined multiple times, making it far stronger than any high-grade alloy. The loss of this arm, even if it regrew, would require extensive retraining, a process that would take a very long time.

If the arm had been retrieved, there were various secret techniques to reattach it, though his strength would still be diminished, it would be better than forging a new one.

However, the arm had been turned to ash by Qian Ye’s blood fire, severing Xuezong’s options. Ji Rui had wanted to retrieve the arm, hoping to gain favor with Xuezong, which could be useful for future requests or easing tensions.

But Qian Ye was not like Ji Rui; the relationship between him and the Wolf King was beyond repair, and he had no intention of mending it. Qian Ye’s stance was clear: if someone wanted the arm, they could try to take it.

Even as Qian Ye reduced the arm to ashes, Ji Rui couldn’t bring himself to make a move. He sighed bitterly, “I’m old, too old! Not like you young people, who are daring and reckless.”

Qian Ye smiled faintly and remained silent.

Ji Rui asked suddenly, “General Qian Ye, do you still have the means you used against the Wolf King? Why didn’t you use them on Xuezong? Letting him escape will leave a great threat.”

Qian Ye looked at Ji Rui with a playful smile, “Using such a method on that red-haired werewolf would be a waste. Only someone of your status, City Lord, deserves it. Whether I have it or not, why don’t you come and find out?”

Ji Rui’s expression changed several times, and he sighed, “No need to test. With General Qian Ye’s style, if you have it, you have it. If you don’t, you don’t. Your disregard for me, an old man, suggests you have it.”

Qian Ye smiled, “If I truly disregarded the City Lord, I would have chased that red-haired werewolf. Precisely because the City Lord is here, I dare not act rashly.”

The word “rashly” was emphasized heavily, causing Ji Rui’s face to twitch. Even if Qian Ye didn’t act, the little Zhu Ji beside him could, making the situation even worse.

Just then, the little girl’s breath of green mist had left Xuezong disoriented, barely able to exert half of his strength. It was a shocking sight for Ji Rui. Werewolves, with their strong bodies and resistance to toxins, were still affected so severely. If it were the weaker Ji Rui, he might have been felled with a single breath.

Moreover, if Qian Ye were to go on a rampage in Nanqing City, what could Ji Rui do? He couldn’t guard the city every moment.

Qian Ye had already demonstrated his swift, deadly abilities and his mysterious origins. He was alone in the neutral lands, unbound by any ties. Such a person was the most troublesome, with no apparent weakness.

After much thought, Ji Rui had no good solution.

In the end, he bit the bullet and said, “Currently, there are four ballistae in the city’s inventory, all top-tier, comparable to cruiser main cannons. General, name a place, and I’ll have them delivered immediately!”

“Oh, thank you, City Lord. What about the payment?”

“After so many years of friendship, we shouldn’t talk about money. These items are for you. As long as General Qian Ye can overlook past grievances, it’s fine!”

Qian Ye laughed, “Excellent! I see your sincerity, City Lord. Let’s do it this way. The delivery point will be the usual place.”

“Pleasure doing business!”

“Pleasure doing business!”

They bid farewell, and Qian Ye picked up the little Zhu Ji, disappearing into the alley. Ji Rui stood there, his eyes flickering. He noticed that the little girl was pale and had fallen asleep, likely unable to release another breath of green mist. A sudden attack might have captured Qian Ye, removing a major threat without the heavy cost of the four ballistae.

But after much deliberation, Ji Rui couldn’t decide. What if the little girl could still release a small amount of green mist? Just a tiny puff would be enough to incapacitate Ji Rui for a moment, giving Qian Ye time to unleash that terrifying light feather.

The Wolf King could withstand a direct hit, but Ji Rui couldn’t endure the Origin Gun.

While Ji Rui hesitated, Qian Ye was already far away.

Frustrated, Ji Rui stomped his foot and returned to the city lord’s mansion. Upon entering, he summoned Chief Steward Liu, instructing him to arrange for the delivery of the four ballistae to the designated town.

Chief Steward Liu was shocked and carefully asked, “Sir, does this mean… Xuezong also lost?”

Ji Rui’s face darkened, and he spat, “That worthless scum, utterly useless. He lost an arm right away! He never considered that if I hadn’t gone easy on him, his pathetic skills would have been no match for me.”

“But…”

“No buts! Deliver the goods!”

Ji Rui was in a foul mood, and Chief Steward Liu dared not argue. He hurriedly arranged the vehicles and manpower. The value of the warehouse’s contents was well-known to him. Handing over these items meant a year’s worth of work in Nanqing City for Qian Ye.