"Haitang, have you used sorcery to find Madam's whereabouts?"
Ning Beichen recounted everything that had happened during this period to Haitang, then asked her.
"If you have something belonging to your Madam, perhaps I can."
Haitang replied.
"I do. Here are two pieces of fabric I found. See if you can use them."
Ning Beichen handed the two pieces of fabric he found to Haitang.
Sorcery was different from other abilities. It was the most ancient, primitive, and mysterious form of power.
This power came from heaven and earth, from ancient times. Even sorcerers could not explain its true origin.
"Ning Beichen, can she do it?"
Luo Yingying was seeing Haitang for the first time and knew nothing about her abilities.
"She definitely can."
Ning Beichen's reply was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.
And Haitang did not disappoint Ning Beichen's trust. She did indeed discover Song Qiuyan's location, or rather, a direction, through the fabric.
However, the response from sorcery was vague. She only knew a general direction, meaning Song Qiuyan was very far away. Only by getting closer to Song Qiuyan would her senses become clearer.
"Let's go. We need to find Madam. Regardless, she is our only reliance here. If anything were to happen to her, I would be ashamed to face Master."
Ning Beichen said.
"I support you."
Liu Yilin immediately stepped forward, took his hand, and said firmly.
"Me too."
"Us too."
The women all expressed their support. Even Hei Jiao did.
"Good, then we go together."
Ning Beichen canceled the rental of the house and prepared to leave Feilai City with everyone.
However, at that moment, they saw a team of Feilai City soldiers blocking their way.
"Everyone, our City Lord wishes to meet you."
"City Lord?"
Ning Beichen frowned. He had been here for several days and had never met the City Lord, nor did he know him.
"Little brother, do you know why the City Lord wants to see us?"
Ning Beichen asked the soldier. He did not want to offend the City Lord of Feilai City unless necessary.
He had come here to find someone, not to make enemies. Even the destruction of the Heavenly Dao Sect was carried out by Hei Jiao under the cover of night, with hardly anyone knowing. Even Hongxiu Pavilion only suspected, with no proof that Ning Beichen was responsible.
Now, the City Lord of Feilai City suddenly wanting to see him gave Ning Beichen a bad feeling.
Why would the City Lord of Feilai City see him now, just as he was about to leave, and not before? What did this mean?
"Please lead the way."
Ultimately, Ning Beichen decided to meet the City Lord of Feilai City and see what he wanted.
After all, with the great Hei Jiao around, Ning Beichen was not worried about his safety. If things went south, they could simply fight their way out. They had a retreat.
"Everyone, please."
The soldiers of Feilai City led Ning Beichen and his group towards the City Lord's mansion.
Not long after.
Ning Beichen and his group met Zhuge Jin, the City Lord of Feilai City.
Ning Beichen's first impression of Zhuge Jin was that he was unfathomable. He just didn't know why he wanted to see him.
"City Lord, greetings."
Ning Beichen bowed to him.
"No need to be formal. Please, everyone, have a seat."
Zhuge Jin was quite hospitable, not seeming like he was there to cause trouble for Ning Beichen.
However, Ning Beichen did not believe he was meeting them out of sheer boredom. There must be something.
"City Lord, let's get straight to the point."
Ning Beichen said directly. He had no acquaintance with City Lord Zhuge Jin, so there was no need for pleasantries.
"Very well, I'll be direct."
Zhuge Jin said slowly.
Ning Beichen gestured for him to continue.
"You have caused quite a bit of trouble in my city. I presume the Heavenly Dao Sect was destroyed by your hands?"
Zhuge Jin said to Ning Beichen.
"Yes, because they first dealt with my Madam in a despicable manner, which led to her current unknown whereabouts. If this has caused you trouble, I can only offer my apologies."
Ning Beichen said neither servile nor overbearing.
"I understand, but some troubles cannot be smoothed over with just an apology. The Heavenly Dao Sect is nothing, but it is merely an affiliated sect of the Dao Palace."
"Although the destruction of the Heavenly Dao Sect is a small matter, as the Dao Palace, they naturally need to investigate the reason. Therefore, they came to me, the City Lord. Tell me, what should I do as the City Lord?"
Zhuge Jin said to Ning Beichen.
"What do you want?"
The ancient bronze sword behind Ning Beichen was already stirring, emitting a sword hum. Luo Yingying and the others had also drawn their weapons.
"Don't rush. If I wanted to deal with you, I wouldn't have invited you here. Feilai City is mine. Without my permission, not even a fly can leave Feilai City."
Zhuge Jin said in his usual unhurried tone. However, anyone with a brain could hear the threat in his words and his control over his own power.
"Speak, what do you want?"
Ning Beichen asked. It was not yet time to turn hostile, so he gave the women a look, signaling them not to act rashly.
"I can help you with the Dao Palace. After all, I have no good feelings towards the Heavenly Dao Sect either. So, you can rest assured, I can guarantee that the Dao Palace will not trouble you."
Zhuge Jin said to Ning Beichen.
"What are the conditions?"
Ning Beichen did not believe he would help him so magnanimously and unconditionally.
"You only need to do one thing for me."
Zhuge Jin said.
"What if I refuse?"
Ning Beichen was not someone who could be threatened by anyone.
"Please, have some tea."
At this moment, Zhuge Jin suddenly changed the subject. He tapped his teacup, and it spun and flew towards Ning Beichen.
A mere cup of tea, yet it gave Ning Beichen a sense of immense dread.
Just as Ning Beichen was about to intercept the cup of tea, he saw Luo Yingying step in front of him and strike the cup with the hilt of her sword.
With a "bang."
The teacup was unharmed, but Luo Yingying spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"Yingying!"
Ning Beichen quickly held Luo Yingying and glared at Zhuge Jin with angry eyes.
"Please, have tea again."
Zhuge Jin ignored Ning Beichen's glare and tapped the teacup again. The teacup flew towards Ning Beichen once more.
How could this be tolerated!
Ning Beichen's arm trembled, and he punched at the flying teacup.
With a loud "boom."
Ning Beichen was forced back seven or eight steps before he could steady himself. He saw a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.
"Do you understand the gap between us? This is the difference between you and me."
Zhuge Jin said to Ning Beichen unhurriedly.
Ning Beichen forcibly swallowed the blood that had risen to his throat. Looking at Zhuge Jin, his heart churned like an electrocardiogram.
Clearly, Zhuge Jin was warning him. He couldn't even block a cup of his tea, so what right did he have to negotiate terms with him?