Chapter 510: Section 297: The Intent of the City Lord
The challenge initiated by the Dragon-man youth against Teng Donglang had caused ripples, spreading its influence throughout Snowbird Port.
The waves grew larger, showing a trend of backfiring against the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
After making this decision, the Dragon-man youth immediately dispatched a messenger to notify the residence of Snowbird Port’s City Lord.
Night fell, and the stars filled the sky.
The Dragon-man youth publicly left the Triangular Love Ship, taking a carriage into the residence of Snowbird Port’s City Lord.
He was led all the way into the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was brilliantly lit, exquisitely and lavishly decorated, brimming with the extravagant and gorgeous art style of the Elf Clan.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port was a Snow Elf of unremarkable appearance.
Members of the Elf Species were generally very beautiful.
Thus, the City Lord’s appearance was somewhat unique.
The City Lord warmly entertained the Dragon-man youth.
The dishes served at the dinner were exquisite, mostly seafood, but also included deer meat, Dragon Meat, and so on from the inland.
Ice Sculpture Island was vast enough to have areas considered inland.
The Dragon-man youth had eaten dinner before arriving, yet he couldn’t resist indulging himself at the banquet hall.
Because these dishes were all crafted by a Magic Chef.
Not only was the taste exquisite, a complete upgrade from the meals at the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps but also for a fighter, the Magic ingredients aided in cultivation.
During the meal, the Dragon-man youth also inquired about the City Lord’s intentions.
Exactly what important matter did the City Lord intend to discuss with the Dragon-man youth?
But the City Lord did not answer directly, deftly changing the topic every time.
It wasn’t until the dinner was drawing to a close, and the servants brought out the dessert, that the City Lord slightly waved his hand, signaling all the attendants arranged in two rows to retreat.
“Now, it’s just the two of us,” the City Lord said to the Dragon-man youth with a smile.
The Dragon-man youth couldn’t help but sit up straighter.
It seemed that the City Lord was finally ready to reveal his true intentions.
However, the City Lord’s next words caused the Dragon-man youth to show a look of astonishment.
“Vice Captain Dragon, did you know that during your duel with Xiong Ju, the Saber Gang secretly intervened, to your disadvantage?”
Seeing the change in the Dragon-man youth’s expression, the City Lord of Snowbird Port laughed and said, “It’s this Evil Eye.”
As he spoke, a Magic Image appeared above the long central table.
The image showed the Dragon-man youth’s duel with Xiong Ju.
A portion of it was being replayed repeatedly.
It was precisely the Evil Eye launching from Xiong Ju’s chest, emitting a Spiritual Beam. After being hit, the Dragon-man youth momentarily fell into a faint and dizzy state.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port pointed to the Evil Eye in the Magic Image and said, “This piece of equipment comes from one of the Saber Gang’s six leaders, an alchemy tool imbued with the power of the Abyss.”
“But at the time, Xiong Ju did not activate it himself.”
“It was the true owner of the Evil Eye, tucked away in his Observation Room, who secretly cast a spell, controlling it to launch an attack against you, squad leader Long Fu.”
The Magic Image continued to play.
What followed was Xiong Ju’s expression of annoyance, as he pulled the Evil Eye out of his chest and crushed it in his hand.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port continued, “I know Xiong Ju very well. He has no fondness for anyone defiling an honorable duel.”
“Even if that person is one of the Saber Gang’s six leaders, one who helped Xiong Ju.”
“Clearly, he was very angry at the time and, in a fit of rage, destroyed the Evil Eye.”
“But this way, we also lost our most substantial piece of evidence.”
“After the Evil Eye was activated, the Snowbird Duel Arena noticed.”
“The arena owner immediately dispatched an investigator to probe the situation.”
“But the investigation was obstructed by Teng Donglang, the Gang Leader of the Saber Gang.”
“At the time, your duel with Xiong Ju had already entered the final stage. Teng Donglang reached a covert agreement with the arena owner. I don’t know what price he paid, but he ultimately convinced the arena owner to abandon the investigation.”
“As a result, the truth was covered up.”
“Squad leader Long Fu, the Magic Image of your duel with Xiong Ju is selling like hotcakes, currently with very good sales volumes.”
“When the public sees that segment, they generally believe it was the Evil Eye malfunctioning, forcing Xiong Ju to destroy it prematurely.”
“And just like that, the criminal activities of the Saber Gang were concealed.”
“But I believe you, as one of the parties involved and having personally participated in that duel, must have sensed something.”
The Dragon-man youth furrowed his brow deeply, remaining silent for a moment.
He had already made deductions about this issue.
The combat experience from the Big Arena Badge also confirmed his deductions.
Now, although the City Lord of Snowbird Port wanted to help him pursue this matter, the Dragon-man youth felt not a shred of happiness or the emotion of being understood or supported.
Instead, a chill crept into his heart.
Having dueled with Xiong Ju, the Dragon-man youth had gained a profound understanding of the tradition of honorable dueling.
This custom of an honorable duel was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom’s people, not to be tarnished.
If the issue with the Evil Eye were to be successfully pursued, it would be a heavy blow to the Saber Gang.
In fact, it could be said to be devastating.
By comparison, even if Teng Donglang lost to the Dragon-man youth in an honorable duel, it would mean little.
For the Saber Gang, Teng Donglang’s defeat would result in a loss of reputation and harm to the gang’s interests.
But if the issue with the Evil Eye were confirmed, the very foundation of the Saber Gang’s existence would be strongly shaken.
The public would be disgusted by the Saber Gang, deeply despising every member from within their hearts. Even the majority of the Saber Gang members, not to mention head figures like Xiong Ju and the Spring Boxer, would feel humiliated.
Those with the way of justice on their side receive much support, while those who lack it receive little.
The Saber Gang would be scorned by all, with no shred of credibility left.
Ordinary people, perhaps intimidated by the Saber Gang’s Martial Power, would continue to dutifully pay their protection money. But their psychological state would be completely different from before.
Other powers of equal standing would believe the Saber Gang no longer had the right to occupy its current position and benefits.
They would certainly rise up and strike together.
The Saber Gang, being only a local organization, would struggle to resist such attacks.
The most likely result would be their defeat, or even annihilation.
It was because of realizing the severity of this issue that the Dragon-man youth had not pursued the matter of the Evil Eye and had instead chosen to let it go.
For pursuing it would certainly provoke a violent reaction from the Saber Gang.
By then, the strife between the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and the Saber Gang would escalate to a fight to the death.
For the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, this was extremely disadvantageous.
The Dragon-man youth didn’t want to pursue the matter, but the City Lord of Snowbird Port intended to grasp this loophole to confirm the issue.
The malice of the Snowbird Port City Lord towards the Saber Gang was very apparent.
After much contemplation, the Dragon-man youth carefully weighed his words and cautiously replied, “Perhaps the truth is just as you have said, City Lord. The Saber Gang might have meddled in this valiant duel behind the scenes.”
“But as the party involved, I did not feel it deeply.”
“Nor is there any evidence to prove that the Evil Eye was triggered by someone else.”
“Had I suspected this, I fear I would have acted on it at the time.”
“May I ask, City Lord, do you have conclusive evidence regarding the matter of the Evil Eye?”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port looked intently at the Dragon-man youth for a good while before breaking the silence, “Conclusive evidence? Of course, it exists. I believe that with enough time, effort, manpower, and resources, it can be found.”
“After something happens, it becomes a fact. And facts always leave traces.”
“The key point is that to initiate an investigation, one must have a justified cause. It would be best if you, as the concerned party, brought up this suspicion yourself. Then, I will organize an investigation team with all my might.”
Upon hearing this, the Dragon-man youth immediately shook his head in refusal, “I have no such suspicion.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port fell silent once more.
He sighed deeply, a mix of sorrow and faint anger in his tone, “Long Fu squad leader, you are an outsider. You aren’t aware of just how evil a collective the Saber Gang is. They are the biggest cancer of Snowbird Port, without a doubt!”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port’s face took on a reminiscent hue as he continued, “At the beginning, the Saber Gang was just a small organization of thieves.”
“These thieves committed crimes all over the streets and alleys, accumulating initial capital by stealing from others.”
“Relying on this capital, the thieves became more skilled, upgraded their equipment, and recruited more criminals.”
“Gradually, they weren’t satisfied with petty theft and began to assassinate and rob.”
“Many innocent victims were murdered just because they were alone in back alleys, their belongings stolen, and their bodies thrown into sewers, gutters, or by the sea.”
“The Saber Gang became so rampant that they eventually provoked a crackdown.”
“They disappeared from Snowbird Port once, but later they rose from the ashes.”
“The reformed Saber Gang became even more cunning and deceitful. They voluntarily reduced their brutal robberies and assassinations, turning to extortion and blackmail.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port tapped his fingers on the dining table, causing the Magic Image in the center to change.
A middle-aged Snow Elf came into the youth’s view.
“This is a wealthy Snow Elf merchant who fell into their trap, incurred massive losses gambling, and owed high-interest debts. He was extorted for tens of thousands of Gold Coins and ultimately had his businesses swallowed up by the Saber Gang.”
The Magic Image changed again, this time showing a man from the Human Race covered in bandages.
“He is the owner of the Niu Xiang Meat Shop.”
“Not only does he sell raw meat, but his shop also offers processed cooked beef.”
“The shopkeeper has a family secret recipe, and the processed cooked beef can be seen as a Magic Dish. Each slice of beef is as thin as a cicada’s wing, and with a gentle blow, it can fly with the wind. The cooked beef not only tastes excellent but also significantly aids in training. Many Transcendents regularly purchase it, and the business is booming.”
“The Niu Xiang shop attracted the greed of the Saber Gang. Their actions were straightforward and violent; a group of men, brandishing machetes, barged into the shop and slashed the owner wildly.”
“The shopkeeper was a Black Iron Level fighter, but he was outnumbered and sustained severe injuries. He protected his family secret recipe and didn’t give in.”
“But the Saber Gang has its ways.”
“They directly kidnapped the shopkeeper’s only child, forcing the shopkeeper into extortion and blackmail.”
“The shopkeeper sought help from the authorities.”
“But at the time, the mansion of Snowbird Port’s City Lord was already infiltrated by the Saber Gang, and corruption was extremely severe. Many officials were in the gang’s grasp and had no choice but to follow their orders.”
“The plea for help from shopkeeper Niu Xiang only resulted in a warning from the Saber Gang.”
“They explicitly told shopkeeper Niu Xiang, repeating every single word he had said when seeking help from the City Lord’s mansion.”
“In his endless despair, the shopkeeper could only bow to the evil forces and hand over the secret family recipe.”
“The next day, the bodies of his entire family were found in a filthy ditch.”
The City Lord of Snowbird Port sighed deeply, “Through forced transactions, extortion, and usury, the Saber Gang has amassed tremendous profits.”
“They are now the number one faction in Snowbird Port, possessing countless assets such as casinos, restaurants, taverns, and duel arenas.”
“These are all the fat of the land, the dripping blood of the people!”
The Dragon-man youth stared at the Magic Image with a solemn countenance.
He was a believer of the God of Justice, committed to practicing the path of righteousness in this world.
He tended to believe these crimes, as the City Lord of Snowbird Port had laid out detailed information that could be thoroughly investigated.
A sense of justice in his heart prompted the Dragon-man youth to feel an urge to obliterate the Saber Gang.
But he forcibly restrained himself.
Because he was the leader of the survivors, the squad leader of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, he bore a heavy responsibility and couldn’t act rashly on emotion.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had come to Snowbird Port, first, to continue contacting the Empire’s upper echelons to proceed with their plan of atonement, and secondly, to use this as a base for some development, to strengthen their own power as much as possible in preparation for future uncertainties.
They had to advance both aggressively and steadily.
Therefore, the Dragon-man youth took the initiative to challenge Teng Donglang but also strictly controlled the intensity of the conflicts to prevent the situation from escalating.
Allowing the feud with the Saber Gang to escalate to a life-or-death struggle was clearly unwise.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps couldn’t waste time like this.
After a moment of silence, the Dragon-man youth tactfully declined the City Lord.
He expressed that the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps was just a small force and didn’t want to engage in a life-or-death struggle over mere suspicions.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port earnestly said, “Squad leader Long Fu, I very much understand your choice. I can see that you are an excellent squad leader.”
“But I hope you will consider it further.”
“There’s no need to rush to give me an answer.”
“In the meantime, we can also engage in other forms of cooperation—for example, this…”
Saying this, the City Lord of Snowbird Port took out a scroll and slid it across the dining table to the Dragon-man youth.
The Dragon-man youth unfolded it to see a list of supplies.
“I am a City Lord; I have many channels. Many of the resources I can offer are not commonly found on the market.”
This scene felt strangely familiar to the Dragon-man youth.
The Dragon-man youth only glanced briefly but found himself unable to look away.
The City Lord of Snowbird Port was indeed an experienced noble, with robust strength, deep foundations, and extensive connections.
From the list, the Dragon-man youth saw a wealth of Alchemy Treasures.
There were three pieces of Golden Level weaponry he wanted to purchase, including a longbow, a harpoon, and a dart.
There was also one piece of Golden Level Defensive Equipment, which was a round shield.
Beyond that were a plethora of varieties of Alchemy Materials, too numerous to count.