CHAPTER 1459: CHAPTER 1459: PRIDE AND UNRULINESS

Xiao Chen stared at Long Fei and Chu Feng from afar, his eyes filled with surprise and a bit of annoyance.

He had ruthlessly left behind a dozen junior brothers, but all the attention was snatched by Long Fei and Chu Feng.

Xiao Chen stood with his sword on the river surface, trying to regain his reputation, and shouted at the water, "Fiend, you harm my junior brothers and injure the people of Xiangyang. I, Xiao Chen, will surely tear you to pieces."

He raised his hand and thrust his longsword downward.

The water splashed with a ’poof’, and Sword Qi violently swept through the water, creating a vortex on the surface.

The infatuated girls on the shore cried out, saying that even their idol was charming when angry.

Chu Feng sneered, "What are you pretending for? This Demonic Beast left long ago. Still waiting for you to kill it!"

Long Fei laughed and said, "An idol, perhaps? When you lose face, you should pick it up somehow."

Xiao Chen splashed around in the water, his sword slicing the water surface and sending waves several meters high.

Finally, holding the sword single-handedly behind him, he yelled at the water surface, "You’re lucky you ran fast, but we’ll see!"

He stepped across the water and came ashore.

The City Lord hurried over, clasping his fists in inquiry, "Young Master Xiao, has the Demonic Beast been dealt with?"

Xiao Chen shook his head and said, "The Evil Dragon is very adept in the water and managed to escape for now. However, I’ve severely injured it, so it shouldn’t emerge for a while to cause trouble. I’ll slay it when it shows up again."

"Then I entrust it to Young Master Xiao!"

The City Lord clasped his fists in thanks and quickly invited Xiao Chen back to the mansion to rest.

He turned and invited Long Fei and Chu Feng too, "Brave warriors, thank you for your life-saving grace. I’ve set up a banquet at my mansion, and I would appreciate your presence."

Long Fei and Chu Feng nodded and rode back with the City Lord in a carriage.

On the way, they finally witnessed Xiao Chen’s enormous charm in this city.

Every so often, girls popped up, stuffing flowers into Xiao Chen’s carriage.

A group of men and women kept shouting, "Xiao Chen, I love you!"

"Xiao Chen, you’re so handsome!"

"Xiao Chen, you are our guardian angel!"

"..."

Chu Feng drank some wine, feeling a bit nauseous as he listened from behind.

He complained to Long Fei, "Do you think the people of this city are blind? Clearly, it’s us who drove away the monster!"

Long Fei smiled faintly, "He’s established here for years, renowned far and wide. Why fight him over this empty fame?"

Chu Feng replied sullenly, "I can’t stand these hypocrites."

He was someone who couldn’t tolerate deceit, hoping to meet some young talents, only to encounter such people.

They arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion and got off the carriage.

The entrance was brightly lit, drums beating.

The City Lord made a grand show of recruiting talents, with fireworks and festivities, before they entered the mansion.

Especially Xiao Chen, who was treated like a hero.

He wore a garland on his head, personally entertained by the City Lord’s daughter.

This daughter, just sixteen, tall and beautiful, was the equivalent of a second-generation official, wealthy and beautiful.

Naturally, she had a bit of pride, glaring at Long Fei and Chu Feng as if they disrupted the atmosphere.

The group sat lively in the guest hall of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Xiao Chen sat at the front, while Long Fei and Chu Feng sat across from him.

The hall included military generals, local merchants, mansion students, and local sect leaders.

The City Lord raised his wine cup and first asked Long Fei and Chu Feng, "I don’t yet know the names of you heroes? Where do you cultivate?"

Long Fei and Chu Feng raised their cups and said, "I go by the name Aotian!"

"I go by the name Batian!"

The crowd glanced at them, silently noting these two had quite arrogant names.

Long Fei said, "We are Loose Cultivators from the sea, just wandering here, lending a hand when encountering injustice."

"Overseas cultivators?"

The City Lord was surprised and showed even more respect, "Today, I’m still sitting here thanks to you two heroes. I, Guo Jing, have some power here in Xiangyang City. If you wish to develop here, rest assured of my full support."

"Guo Jing?"

Long Fei and Chu Feng exchanged glances in surprise and asked, "Which ’Jing’ character is the City Lord?"

Guo Jing laughed, "It’s the respectful ’Jing’. Have you heard my name before?"

Long Fei shook his head and laughed, "I’ve never heard it before, but a hero in my hometown has a similar name."

"I see!"

The City Lord smiled.

Chu Feng curiously asked, "Is the City Lord’s daughter named Guo Xiang?"

"Exactly!"

Guo Jing stroked his beard and laughed, "Single-named ’xiang’ for fragrance, chosen by her mother."

Long Fei and Chu Feng were dumbfounded, not daring to ask further.

Presumably, the City Lord’s wife must be named Huang Rong.

Guo Jing’s daughter had been watching the fun behind a screen in the hall and couldn’t hold back upon hearing Long Fei and Chu Feng. She stepped in and rolled her eyes at them, "You two clearly snooped about my father’s and my names. What are you pretending to find fascinating here?"

This daughter only had eyes for Xiao Chen. Seeing her father being chummy with Long Fei and Chu Feng and neglecting her romantic interest, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

Long Fei clasped his hands and smiled, "Miss, you’ve misunderstood. A hero back in our hometown truly has the same name as you and the City Lord. Why would I make up such a story?"

Guo Xiang snorted softly and sat down beside her father.

Guo Jing stroked his beard and smiled, "Heroes, don’t mind my daughter. She’s been spoiled from a young age, even I can’t control her."

"You’ve overestimated, City Lord. How could we argue with the lady!"

Long Fei and Chu Feng smiled, raising their cups to toast the City Lord.

Xiao Chen glared at them, feeling neglected since entering this hall as the City Lord Guo Jing kept engaging with Long Fei and Chu Feng.

He clearly felt slighted, and naturally harbored resentment.

Xiao Chen took out a manual and deliberately said to Guo Jing in the hall, "City Lord, I’ve been instructed by my master to deliver this letter to you, written personally by him for your perusal."

Guo Jing waved for a maid to bring it over.

He opened the letter and immediately furrowed his brows tightly.

Without saying much, he simply put the letter away and politely clasped his fists at Xiao Chen, "Young Master Xiao, I will consider this matter and give your master a reply when I’ve decided."

Xiao Chen nodded and said, "Please, City Lord, make haste. The Imperial Army will attack the city soon. The lives of over a million soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang City are in your hands. Please weigh all lives above all and do not become a scapegoat for certain factions!"

He spoke bluntly, causing Guo Jing’s face to darken immediately.

Guo Xiang noticed her father’s displeasure and quickly spoke for Xiao Chen, "Brother Xiao Chen is truly admirable for his love for the country and people. Xiang’er offers you a toast!"

"No need!"

Feeling snubbed here, Xiao Chen, upset, clasped his fist goodbye and said, "I’ll be staying at Precious Sparrow Tower in the city for the next couple of days. City Lord, notify me if there’s news."

He swept away his sleeves, displaying an aura of pride and untamed spirit.

Guo Xiang stood up anxiously, glanced at her father, and hastily wanted to chase after him.

Guo Jing scolded, "Out of line, you’ve become more unruly as you’ve grown. Go to your room!"

He took out his anger on his daughter, scolding her indirectly.

Guo Xiang bit her lips in frustration, blushing as she angrily returned to the rear courtyard.