"Has Sihuai City seen many newcomers lately?" Lu Yuzhai asked quietly as he polished his long spear in a courtyard within Peerless City.
Standing beside him was Haoyue Jun, the current overseer of the World Pavilion's gambling house. He nodded. "Countless factions from across the land have flooded into Sihuai City. Many seek the Peerless Token from the World Pavilion."
"That's quite the business opportunity," Lu Yuzhai remarked, raising an eyebrow.
Haoyue Jun sighed softly. "It should have been, but among the arrivals are even sect leaders and renowned top-tier swordsmen. Issuing so many Peerless Tokens at once would inevitably cause massive chaos—and expose us. Moreover, fewer and fewer true masters are coming for the Tokens now."
"Why?" Lu Yuzhai inquired.
"Because..." Haoyue Jun frowned slightly. "They believe the crowds have grown so large that Peerless City can't possibly control them. Some say these people could storm the city outright—why would they need Peerless Tokens? The situation may soon spiral out of control."
"Let me think..." Lu Yuzhai gripped his spear tightly, then suddenly shook his head. "Who's there?!"
"Me." A deep voice answered.
With a clang, Lu Yuzhai dropped his spear, his face paling. "M-Master..."
Song Yanhui pushed open the door, a white mourning band tied around his forehead. Behind him followed Wushuang, happily munching on candied hawthorns. Haoyue Jun's expression also changed, his hand instinctively tightening around the hidden blade in his sleeve.
"Best not let steel show," Song Yanhui said coldly. "Within Peerless City's borders, anyone who draws a weapon in my presence won't live to regret it."
"Haoyue, don't presume before my master," Lu Yuzhai said sternly.
Haoyue Jun took a deep breath, straightened his sleeves, and bowed. "Greetings, City Lord Song."
"You're the current master of the World Pavilion?" Song Yanhui stepped forward, picked up the fallen spear, and with a heavy thrust, planted it firmly into the ground.
Haoyue Jun nodded hastily. "Indeed, indeed."
"I know all about these dealings between you and my disciple," Song Yanhui said slowly. "I've ignored them not because I approve, but because they're too trivial. It's beneath me to intervene over such petty matters."
Lu Yuzhai knelt on one knee, head bowed, trembling inwardly. His master was known for benevolence, but when such men lost their temper, their wrath was beyond ordinary endurance.
"Pathetic!" Song Yanhui kicked Lu Yuzhai sprawling. "I know you're useless. But you were my first disciple. Even if you'll never uphold this city's martial legacy, at least contribute in other ways. Don't waste what little wit you have on lining your pockets."
"I understand, Master. I understand," Lu Yuzhai repeated frantically.
"Do you remember how you became my disciple?" Song Yanhui asked.Lu Yuzhai hurriedly replied, "Of course I remember. That year, my hometown was swallowed by floods, and everyone in the village died. I was the only one who survived by clinging to a tree. Master, you happened to pass by and saved me. Though my martial arts aptitude is poor, you still took me under your wing from then on. I’ve followed you ever since, right up to today."
"You were born in the countryside and never quite adapted to life in Peerless City—I’ve always known that. But since I saved your life, you owe me a debt in return." Song Yanhui patted Wushuang’s head beside him. "Take good care of this junior brother of yours."
Lu Yuzhai froze for a moment before nodding. "I’ve always treated him well..."
"By 'good,' I mean absolute loyalty when he becomes the city lord!" Song Yanhui paused, then repeated emphatically, "Swear to serve him unto death!"
Not daring to question, Lu Yuzhai bowed his head. "This disciple will remember!"
"Spread the word: on that day, the trial of swords will be held on the back mountain. Peerless City welcomes all heroes of the world who wish to witness it. Those who come must register properly—they are welcome to watch. But Sword Light is blind, and we take no responsibility for life or death." Song Yanhui’s voice was grave.
"But..." Lu Yuzhai gasped. "There’s never been such a precedent..."
"If they want to see Peerless City’s decline, let them come! I’ll make sure they see that what they desire will never come to pass." Song Yanhui turned and strode away. "Even if Peerless City can’t compare to Snow Moon City now, it is still not to be underestimated by anyone."
Wushuang, munching on a candied hawthorn stick, trotted after him and added, "Not to be underestimated!"
After the two had left, Lu Yuzhai wiped cold sweat from his brow. "That scared me to death. What’s gotten into Master today?"
Haoyue Jun whispered, "Is the city lord bluffing? He’s even chosen your next successor for you—and a child, at that."
"Don’t underestimate that child. Master is already the most outstanding disciple Peerless City has seen in generations, yet he says that boy’s talent in the Sword Way far surpasses his own." Lu Yuzhai sighed softly. "Unlike me—utterly unfit for martial arts, barely clinging to the title of senior brother, completely useless in reality."
"If the city lordship really passes to that child, then we..." Haoyue Jun’s eyes gleamed with sudden delight as he made a throat-slitting gesture. "Couldn’t we just... and then the entire city would be—"
"Worthless." Lu Yuzhai slapped him hard across the face. "At least I know my own worthlessness. You don’t even understand your own limits. People like us can only cling to the strong and skulk in the shadows, but we can never control them. If you don’t grasp this truth, the World Pavilion has no use for you."
Meanwhile, Song Yanhui looked down at Wushuang and asked, "What do you think of your senior brother?"
"A bit slow," Wushuang replied after a moment’s thought.
"Slow in martial arts, yes." Song Yanhui gave a bitter smile. "But in dealing with people, he’s far more cunning than even me."
"Master, you’re acting strange today," Wushuang said, looking up."I'm only thirty this year," Song Yanhuai looked up at the setting sun, "but standing before Baili Dongjun and the others, I always feel like a man from the previous generation. I don't have their spirit, their pride. In that battle with Zhuo Yuean, I had no confidence in victory—I was even afraid I might die. So I had to make some arrangements in advance to set my mind at ease."
"Master," Wushuang suddenly called out.
"Hmm?" Song Yanhuai turned to look at him.
Wushuang blinked his innocent eyes and took the last bite of his candied hawthorn: "The candied hawthorn is so sweet. Can we buy another one?"
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