Chapter 204: Violet Log City, Shangguan Zhentian

Chapter 204: 204: Violet Log City, Shangguan Zhentian

Violet Log City:

The entire city was hectic as usual.

Cultivators moved through the crowded streets, stopping at various stalls to inspect their goods, while commoners haggled with merchants over the price of their daily necessities.

The streets were packed, yet none of this seemed particularly unusual to the people who lived here.

With the Winter Harvest happening, cultivators had become an especially common sight.

Every now and then, a local would accidentally bump into one while walking through the crowded streets, only to hurriedly apologize and continue on their way.

For the merchants, these were prosperous months.

For the commoners, however, things were not nearly as pleasant.

Most of Violet Log City’s daily necessities had to be brought in through trade.

The city was surrounded by the Yew Woods, leaving little room for cultivation fields, and the arrival of the Winter Harvest only made the problem worse.

As more cultivators poured into the city, the demand for food increased.

Rice, meat, vegetables, and other necessities gradually became more expensive.

While merchants counted their profits, many commoners found themselves tightening their belts just to get through the season.

The people continued with their daily lives, barely paying attention to the cultivators around them.

But today, it was different. A deep bell rang throughout the city.

Dong!

The bustling streets suddenly quieted.

Everyone immediately knew what the bells meant.

One toll was reserved for an honoured guest, so great that even the city lord has to come out to greet the guest.

Two tolls meant that demonic cultivators had appeared.

While three tolls signaled a beast attack.

The people looked toward the city gate almost simultaneously.

Soon, they saw a familiar figure personally walking out of the city.

Their city lord had come to greet the guest himself.

Shangguan Zhentian’s expression was calm as he walked forward, but his heart was anything but.

A few weeks prior, the elders of the main family branch had already sent him instructions.

They wanted him to put the young Patriarch of the Lin Family in his place.

Originally, Shangguan Zhentian had intended to do exactly that.

But now, as he stood before the approaching Lin Xuan, his thoughts had become considerably more complicated.

His gaze lingering on the approaching young Patriarch, he knew Lin Xuan had already stepped into the Nascent Soul Realm.

Shangguan Zhentian could tell without needing to see his cultivation aura clearly.

It was the feeling alone.

Even while standing this far away from before Lin Xuan, Shangguan Zhentian felt as though he were an ant standing beneath an enormous elephant.

The difference between them was simply too vast.

His fingers slowly tightened inside his sleeves.

The elders could order him to put Lin Xuan in his place.

But how exactly was he supposed to accomplish that?

In the meantime, as Lin Xuan’s group drew closer to Violet Log City, Zhaocao, who had recovered somewhat, glanced at Zhaoyue.

Zhaoyue was practically glued to Lin Xuan, her arms wrapped tightly around him.

A playful smile appeared on Zhaocao’s face.

"Zhaoyue, people are going to think you’re allergic to Zhaofeng. Why are you shriveling up like that?"

Zhaoyue immediately turned her head and gave her a stern look.

Without saying a word, she turned back around and hugged Lin Xuan even tighter.

Lin Xuan felt her small arms tighten around him and gently patted her hair.

"Don’t worry, Yue’er. Father will protect you."

Zhaoyue’s expression softened slightly as she buried her face against him.

For some unknown reason, seeing this made Zhaocao tighten her own arms around Zhaofeng.

"Don’t worry, Zhaofeng. Your Zhaocao is here with you."

She gently patted his back, speaking in an unusually soothing voice.

"You can sleep at ease."

After that, they continued toward Violet Log City in an unusually awkward silence.

Before long, the towering city gates came into view.

Lin Xuan was about to continue forward when he suddenly noticed the figure waiting outside the gates.

His footsteps immediately stopped.

Seeing the city lord personally waiting for them made Lin Xuan’s eyes narrow slightly. His instincts immediately warned him that something was not quite right.

Zhentian noticed the change in Lin Xuan’s expression and quickly realized what he was thinking.

He immediately stepped forward and offered an explanation.

"Patriarch Lin, our Violet Log City possesses an artifact that can warn us whenever someone approaches the city."

He gestured toward the city behind him before continuing in a respectful tone.

"The bell rang and informed us that an honoured guest was approaching, so I came out personally to greet you."

With that, Shangguan Zhentian gave a polite bow, his posture and expression showing the utmost respect.

Lin Xuan quietly studied his face for several moments.

There was no obvious sign of deception.

Still, Lin Xuan did not immediately take his words at face value.

His divine sense quietly spread outward, sweeping across the entirety of Violet Log City.

Compared to scanning the vast Yew Woods, searching through the city was almost effortless.

In merely a few seconds, his divine sense had passed through the streets, buildings, and surrounding areas before finally locking onto a massive bell within the city.

Lin Xuan withdrew his divine sense and then gave a slight nod.

"I see."

He looked toward Zhentian and spoke calmly.

"Take us to your guest quarters and bring a physician."

Shangguan Zhentian nodded and turned around, leading Lin Xuan and the others into Violet Log City.

The moment they passed through the gates, the surrounding streets immediately became quieter.

The people who had been going about their business could not help but glance toward the group.

They recognized their city lord but they were curious about the unfamiliar guests he was personally escorting into the city.

Zhentian paid little attention to the curious gazes following them.

He led Lin Xuan and the others through the bustling streets of Violet Log City before eventually arriving at the City Lord’s Mansion.

The grand residence stood behind imposing gates, with guards stationed on either side as they stepped inside.

Without stopping, Zhentian personally led them through the mansion and toward the guest quarters.

"Patriarch Lin, please make yourselves comfortable here."

Lin Xuan nodded before following the others inside.

A few moments later, inside Zhaofeng’s room, the physician finished his examination.

"There is nothing seriously wrong with him."

The physician continued with a reassuring smile.

"He has simply exhausted himself and suffered some minor internal strain. A good night’s sleep and a day’s worth of proper rest should be enough for him to recover."

Zhaocao, who had been standing nearby, finally let out the breath she had been holding.

Lin Xuan glanced toward Zhaofeng before asking, "Are you certain?"

The physician nodded confidently.

"Absolutely. There is no lasting injury. He only needs rest."

Lin Xuan gave a small nod.

"Thank you."

Beside him, Zhaocao quietly moved closer to the bed and looked at Zhaofeng. She gently adjusted the blanket over him before watching his sleeping face with a faint smile.

Seeing that he was going to be fine, the tension that had been lingering in her expression finally eased.

Zhaoyue watched the two of them for a moment before slightly wincing.

"It’s weird seeing lovebirds this young."