Chapter 403: Who Told Luo City to Be Inferior?
Even the usually quiet Zhang Hu couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of Feng City’s grand city lord’s mansion.
“Although the city lord’s mansion here in Feng City is quite impressive, our Luo City’s mansion is just as good,” Luo San remarked. He glanced at Yu Luo, then turned to Zhang Hu and called out.
“Our Luo City’s streets are much better than Feng City’s. Zhang-ge, no need to talk up Feng City so much!”
Zhang Hu nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Luo San.
“Feng City has existed for many years—its foundation is far beyond Luo City’s,” Yu Luo said calmly. “We shouldn’t underestimate its strength. We still have a long way to go, and our priority is to secure Luo City’s place in the martial world before anything else.”
She wasn’t particularly shocked by Feng City’s mansion—just mildly surprised.
After all, Feng City’s status in the region, both among nations and martial sects, was something Luo City couldn’t compare to—not yet, at least.
Yu Luo wasn’t deluded enough to think she could surpass Feng City anytime soon. What she wanted was to steadily develop Luo City, to ensure that it wouldn’t be wiped out by the surrounding nations, and to give its people a safe haven.
“Miss is right. We shouldn’t act too boldly. Feng City has stood for centuries, while Luo City is still new. Everyone, once we go inside, stay cautious—don’t provoke unnecessary trouble,” Zhang Hu warned the group.
The Luo City warriors immediately responded in unison, their previously carefree expressions replaced with solemn discipline.
As they neared the city lord’s mansion—about twenty meters away—the guards at the entrance raised their hands to signal them to stop.
Their expressions were serious, their eyes sharp, almost as if they were warning them to behave.
Zhang Hu urged his horse forward a few steps, stopping before the guards. He clasped his fists in salute and spoke.
“I am Zhang Hu of Luo City. Today, our lady Yu Luo has come as a representative of our city lord to pay respects. Here is our invitation letter. I humbly ask that you relay this to your lord.”
The guards exchanged glances before one of them stepped forward. He took the invitation letter, glanced at it, and then at Yu Luo, who was seated calmly on horseback, surrounded by her people.
For a brief moment, his eyes flashed with admiration, but he quickly hid his reaction. Bowing slightly toward Yu Luo, he said,
“Miss Yu, please wait here. I will report your arrival.”
“Thank you,” Yu Luo replied lightly.
The guard turned and entered the mansion, and the massive gates shut firmly behind him—further reinforcing the air of secrecy around the place.
The wind grew colder, and Yu Luo felt the chill cutting across her face like sharp blades.
Her cloak billowed in the icy gusts, but she remained still, waiting patiently.
However, time dragged on.
A quarter of an hour passed—still no word.
Another quarter of an hour.
Luo San, who had never been the patient type, finally gritted his teeth in frustration.
“Miss, this is too much! Does Feng City’s city lord’s mansion stretch all the way to the imperial palace? Even if it were bigger than the royal court, shouldn’t someone have come out by now?”
Yu Luo said nothing, her face unreadable.
Zhang Hu, however, furrowed his brows slightly.
“Feng City has always been arrogant. To them, Luo City is beneath notice. Miss, I’m afraid they’re deliberately humiliating you.”
Yu Luo smirked slightly, unfazed.
“It’s fine. This is a lesson we must learn—after all, Luo City isn’t as powerful as Feng City yet.”
Just as she finished speaking, a mocking voice rang out behind them.
“Well, well… who do we have here?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Zhang Hu and the others turned sharply, their hands instinctively moving toward their weapons.
A figure descended from above, landing with a confident smirk.
When Yu Luo’s gaze fell upon him, she remained expressionless, but she still clasped her hands in greeting.
“Third Master, it’s been a while.”
Her words made the man pause.
He had just returned to Feng City after hearing that Luo City’s envoy had arrived. Wanting to make things difficult for them, he had rushed here—only to stumble upon Yu Luo herself.
“You… you’re Luo City’s lady?”
His playful grin faded into disbelief.
One of his subordinates, who had witnessed Yu Luo before, immediately stammered,
“Th-Third Master… s-she’s the girl I saw last time… the one with Lord Chi!”
Realization dawned on Third Master’s face.
Yu Luo narrowed her eyes slightly, then dismounted, offering another polite martial salute.
“There was a misunderstanding last time. I believe Third Master was misinformed about something.”
“Y-Yes, yes! A misunderstanding!”
The flirtatious arrogance in his tone had vanished.
Had he known back then that the stunning woman his men had spotted was Luo City’s leader, he would never have dared to let them act recklessly!
Trying to cover up his previous blunder, Third Master laughed nervously.
“Had I known the celestial beauty my men spoke of was Miss Yu, I’d have disciplined them properly!”
Yu Luo’s expression remained calm, but she took note of the unexpected flattery.
“I apologize for the sudden visit,” she said coolly. “However, we have been waiting here for quite some time without response. It seems the city lord is too occupied to meet with us. I will not impose any further.”
She turned slightly, signaling for her men to prepare to leave.
Luo City was the lesser power here—they had followed protocol, given Feng City the proper face, and endured the deliberate cold treatment. There was no need to grovel further.
“Since we happened to meet, please pass along our gifts to the city lord on our behalf.”
Just as she finished speaking, a deep creak echoed through the icy air.
The massive gates finally swung open.
A booming voice called out,
“Miss Yu! Please forgive the delay!”
“Our lord welcomes you!”
