Li Rusong

City Lord's Mansion.

A middle-aged man with a somber expression was sitting in the living room chatting with someone.

"Lord Murong, did you know? I heard something terrible happened at Cangyun Ridge. Four Foundation Establishment Realm experts died on the spot, including the infamous Trio of Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency!"

"Oh, is that so?" Upon hearing the visitor's account, Murong Hai immediately frowned.

"Who says otherwise? I heard that the senior disciple of the Lingtian Sword Sect was also found at the scene! His death was gruesome!"

Murong Hai, who was already surprised to hear of the annihilation of the Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency trio, couldn't help but exclaim in shock upon hearing this:

"Oh, was anything discovered at the scene? Who would dare to kill even the senior disciple of the Lingtian Sword Sect? Aren't they afraid of angering the promising Qingping Sword Immortal?"

Upon hearing Murong Hai's words, the guest couldn't help but reveal a gloating expression, saying:

"Hehe, City Lord Murong, your news is outdated. I heard that the Lingtian Sword Sect has already crippled that promising Qingping Sword Immortal. The Lingtian Sword Sect is now just a name without substance."

"Oh, what exactly is this...?"

Murong Hai was about to ask some questions when a lively commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard.

Murong Hai immediately stopped speaking and asked, "What's the situation outside?"

Soon, the guard standing at the door came in and said respectfully, "Reporting to the city lord, it was the young master who arrested a few troublemakers from outside."

Before Murong Hai could speak, the guest who had been chatting suddenly said:

"Troublemakers? I've heard that under City Lord Murong's rule, Lin'an City is so peaceful that no one picks up lost items on the road, and there haven't been any fights for years. It's quite a surprise today!"

Upon hearing the guest's words, Murong Hai immediately frowned.

He was well aware of his son's unfilial conduct.

Who's causing trouble? It's probably that kid up to his old tricks of bullying men and women again.

In the past, he could have turned a blind eye to it.

But now, with such important guests in front of him, he couldn't very well cover it up.

"I've heard that City Lord Murong is always fair and impartial. I wonder if I might have the honor of observing his trial and judgment today?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Hai couldn't help but curse inwardly, but he knew better than to offend this guest.

He could only force a smile and stand up, saying, "Of course, since our distinguished guest is interested in observing, I have no problem with that."

"In that case, I'll have to wait and see how the City Lord performs."

"Please, sir."

Murong Hai waved his hand slightly, and the two walked out of the living room together.

Then he saw a whole squad of guards, menacingly escorting a young man and woman toward the prison in the backyard.

Meanwhile, her own lazy and irresponsible son was watching the woman intently from the sidelines.

With just one glance at the woman, Murong Hai immediately understood the general reason for the matter.

Cursing his lustful son inwardly, Murong Hai was about to speak when the distinguished guest beside him suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Fairy Lin, what are you doing here?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Hai immediately stopped the reprimand that was already on the tip of his tongue and subconsciously looked at the distinguished guest beside him.

This guest is of noble status; he is a prodigy from a top sect in the Cangxuan Realm.

Now, the distinguished guest has called the stunningly beautiful woman "Fairy Lin" without hesitation, which clearly indicates that the two know each other.

This matter can't be dealt with as casually as usual.

Lin Qishuang, who was secretly communicating with Lin Xiao, was slightly startled when she heard the call.

She slowly raised her eyes to look at the guest in plain clothes, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

He then frowned slightly and said in a detached tone, "You know me?"

The visitor in plain clothes strode forward, a hint of amusement on his face.

Immediately, he sternly rebuked the guards holding Lin Qishuang, "Insolence! Get out of here! Do you know who you're holding captive?"

The guards were stunned and instinctively looked at Murong Hai, not daring to act rashly.

On one side is the city lord, and on the other side are distinguished guests whom even the city lord must treat with utmost respect. They are caught in the middle, in a dilemma.

Murong Chen was also stunned. He never expected that the beauty he had captured would know his father's distinguished guest!

He quickly stepped forward, looking puzzled, and said, "Young Master Li, do you know this woman? This woman threatened me with a knife at Tianxiang Tower and even tried to murder me. She's a dangerous individual!"

"Dangerous elements?"

The guest in plain clothes, addressed as Senior Li, sneered upon hearing this.

He then turned to look at Murong Chen, his eyes instantly turning cold, his tone full of sarcasm.

"Young Master Murong, how dare you call Fairy Lin a dangerous element? If Fairy Lin hadn't shown mercy..."

Having said that, the visitor glanced at Lin Qishuang, who stood silently to the side, before speaking again: "I'm afraid you would already be a cold corpse by now. How could you still be standing here swaggering around?"

Murong Chen's face turned pale and then red after being rebuked. He was both angry and afraid, but dared not refute.

He knew how formidable this distinguished guest was; even his father had to give him some leeway, so how could he dare to offend him?

But he was unwilling to give up, so he looked to his father, Murong Hai, for help and said, "Father, what do you think..."

Murong Hai's face was so gloomy it could drip water; he had already cursed Murong Chen a thousand times in his heart.

This unfilial son is truly blinded by lust. Of all people to offend, he had to mess with someone Li Rusong knew!

He suppressed his anger, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Rusong, and said in a tone that was both respectful and probing:

"Young Master Li, is this Fairy Lin an old friend of yours?"

"An old friend?" Senior Li shook his head slightly, his gaze falling on Lin Qishuang, his tone softening as he spoke:

"She is not an old acquaintance of mine, but she is someone I respect. As for who she is, wasn't Lord Murong just talking to her with me a moment ago?"

Murong Hai's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Lin Qishuang.

This woman in green was stunningly beautiful, with a cool and aloof demeanor, and yet she was treated with such respect by Li Rusong. Could it be...?

A thought flashed through his mind, making him shudder.

Before Murong Hai could speak, Li Rusong slowly said, "She is the Qingping Sword Immortal."

"What?!" Murong Hai was immediately shocked and looked at Lin Qishuang with disbelief in his eyes.

"She...she's the Qingping Sword Immortal? The one who reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment at such a young age, whose Qingping Sword swept through the enemy ranks unchallenged, the number one among the younger generation, Lin Qishuang?"

Lin Xiao, standing next to Lin Qishuang, heard this and his eyes lit up, feeling secretly pleased.

"Finally, someone has recognized Lin Qishuang's identity! The title of Qingping Sword Immortal seems to be quite useful, but I wonder if City Lord Murong will give her face?"

After all, the Qingping Sword Immortal of the past and the Lin Qishuang of today are no longer the same person.

At the very least, Lin Qishuang no longer has the Lingtian Sword Sect as her backer.

Moreover, look at this man who can speak to the city lord on equal terms; his gaze is constantly fixed on Lin Qishuang.

I'm afraid they didn't have any good intentions!