The City Lord narrowed his eyes, sensing a connection between the three minor cultivators and Elder Bo. He turned to him and asked, "Elder Bo, can you tell me the identities of those three cultivators? I have reason to believe they are connected to you."

Elder Bo, knowing the gravity of the situation, replied honestly, “Indeed, City Lord. The three cultivators you sensed are Han Xiao, the Seventh Prince, Han Xue, the Sixth Princess of the Han Kingdom, and Ji Ying, Princess of Zhou."

At the mention of Princess Ji Ying’s name, the City Lord's expression tightened. He let out a sigh, understanding the political implications. "Princess Ji Ying of Zhou, you say?" He nodded thoughtfully before adding, "Elder Bo, you may leave. Your presence here is no longer necessary."

Elder Bo bowed respectfully and took his leave. As soon as he was gone, the City Lord clasped his hands together and spoke in a formal tone, "Please, come out."

From the shadows, a towering figure emerged—a man over six feet tall, draped in a long black cassock with white stripes. His hood was drawn low, concealing all but the lower half of his face. The aura he exuded was both formidable and mysterious, making the others wary, though they struggled to discern his true identity.

Recognizing the man, the City Lord Pi Tàiyáng the Fifth clasped his palms and bowed slightly, "I, Pi Tàiyáng the Fifth, greet the senior emissary of the royal court!"

The man’s voice was cold as he responded, "Let’s cut to the chase. I know the hidden identity of this so-called Monster Zhenwu. It’s tied to your lineage. This is your problem—fix it yourself. I’m letting him go this time, considering his past services to our nation before he lost his sanity. But if he poses even a small threat to Princess Ji Ying, I won’t hesitate to get my hands dirty, and the streets of Tàiyáng will run red with the blood of your clan."

With that stern warning, the man vanished into thin air, disappearing as if he had never been there.

The four individuals present were no fools; they quickly pieced together the implications of the emissary's words. They watched as the City Lord's face turned ashen, the color draining to a pale shade.

“What’s going on, City Lord?” asked Lady Li Roulan, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

“It’s nothing, and let’s keep it that way,” the City Lord replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. He turned to Butler Jang and said, “Butler Jang, you may use any of my resources to find him. Can you do it?”

“Sure! He can’t have gone far since he was here not long ago. I’ll do my best,” Butler Jang responded with determination. “But Wang Zhenwu is a master of many talents. Finding him is one thing, but dealing with him is another matter entirely. It’s not something I would recommend lightly.”

The City Lord nodded, acknowledging the gravity of Butler Jang’s words. “I understand your concerns, but we don’t have a choice. If he’s involved in something that threatens the city, we must act. Fortunately, I have a way to deal with him.”

The others exchanged wary glances, unsure of what the City Lord was planning.

Lady Li Roulan, her curiosity piqued, asked, “What do you have in mind, City Lord? If Wang Zhenwu is as dangerous as you say, we need to be prepared.”

The City Lord glanced at each of them, his expression resolute. “There’s a method—one that taps into a power even he cannot ignore. But it’s not something to be used lightly. We’ll gather the necessary resources and make our move when the time is right.”

Jia Huan, one of the younger cultivators, frowned. “Is it really worth the risk, Lord Pi? This could escalate into something much worse.”

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“It’s a risk we have to take,” the City Lord replied. “Wang Zhenwu is a threat that we cannot afford to let run unchecked. If we don’t act now, we might not get another chance.”

The group fell silent, the weight of the decision settling heavily on them. They all knew the dangers, but the City Lord’s resolve left little room for doubt.

Butler Jang broke the silence. “I’ll start the search immediately, but be ready. If things go south, we’ll need all the strength we can muster.”

The City Lord nodded, his expression grim. “We’ll be ready. This ends here, one way or another.”

Shortly afterward, the four left with Butler Jang leading the way, sniffing out Wang Zhenwu’s scent, leaving the City Lord alone. Once they were gone, the City Lord, Pi Tàiyáng the Fifth, made his way back to his mansion.

His steps were quick, and his expression was tense as he navigated the familiar halls. The grandiosity of his mansion contrasted sharply with the urgency of his movements. He needed to access something hidden away, something that could help him deal with the growing threat.

Arriving at a secluded corner of the mansion, he paused before a seemingly ordinary wall. With a practiced hand, he pressed a series of hidden mechanisms, and the wall silently slid open, revealing a narrow passage leading to a secret chamber.

Without hesitation, the City Lord entered, the hidden door closing behind him with a soft click. The chamber was dimly lit, filled with ancient scrolls, artifacts, and weapons, each holding a history of its own. But he wasn’t here for any of those.

His eyes scanned the room until they settled on a heavily fortified chest in the far corner. He approached it with a mix of caution and determination, knowing that what lay inside could very well change the course of events in Tàiyáng City.

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a small black key, its surface worn smooth from years of use. As he approached the fortified chest, preparing to unlock it, the room suddenly trembled, and a tall, imposing old man materialized before him.

The City Lord froze for a moment, sensing the familiar aura before quickly turning and bowing deeply. "Grandpa Pi," he greeted with respect, "so you're still guarding this place."

The old man stood tall, his posture imposing despite the weight of countless years. His face bore the marks of age, with deep-set wrinkles carving through his pale skin like ancient riverbeds. Yet, there was an undeniable strength in his features, a sharpness that had not dulled with time. His eyes, a piercing shade of dark brown, mirrored those of the City Lord, reflecting both wisdom and a fierce, unyielding spirit.

His brows were thick and slightly arched, giving him a perpetually stern expression, while his high cheekbones and strong jawline added to his authoritative presence. The old man’s hair, though mostly silver, still held streaks of the same rich black that the City Lord possessed, further accentuating their familial resemblance. His gaze, though hardened by years of guarding the family’s legacy, softened slightly as he looked upon the City Lord, acknowledging the shared blood that connected them.

The old man, though ancient in appearance, exuded a formidable presence. His stern but knowing gaze bore down on the City Lord as he spoke in a gravelly voice, "Pi Tàiyáng the Fifth, this chamber holds the legacy and secrets of our clan. What brings you here today, reaching for what lies within that chest?"

The City Lord straightened, meeting the old man’s gaze with a mix of reverence and determination. "Grandpa Pi, circumstances have become dire. I need what's inside this chest to deal with a threat that could bring great harm to our family and the city." He hesitated before adding, "And I believe you’re already aware of his evil schemes. What makes this even more pressing and outrageous is that this time, it involves Princess Ji Ying, right here in my city. I believe you understand the gravity of the situation."

The old man’s expression softened slightly as he sighed deeply. "I understand, Pi Tàiyáng. But remember, the one you seek to stop is not entirely our ancestor. His true consciousness was trapped long ago, and what you see now is merely an altered ego, twisted by dark forces. Nevertheless, he still bears our bloodline, and dealing with him must be done with great care."

With those final words, the old man gave a solemn nod before vanishing into the air, leaving the City Lord to face the heavy burden ahead.

The City Lord nodded, absorbing the gravity of the revelation. He muttered, his voice heavy with resignation, "I know… That’s the very reason I’ve been hesitating all this time." His expression darkened, and with a sudden surge of emotion, he clenched his fists tightly, gnashing his teeth. "This is my fate! I can't ignore the evil, even if they share my blood."

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he added with resolve, "I will do what needs to be done. But rest assured, I will not forget who he truly is."