"Are you Su Zhan?"
Fei Kui raised his eyebrows slightly, feigning casualness.
Despite Fei Kui's best efforts to conceal it, his darting gaze betrayed his inner turmoil. Upon hearing Su Zhan's name, he was anything but as nonchalant as he appeared.
He cared deeply!
"Oh? So Young Master Fei Kui knows me?" Su Zhan grinned, rubbing his hands together. "My, my, I never thought such a small figure as myself could attract the attention of the Fourth Kingdom."
"Lord City Lord Su is too modest,"
Fei Kui said with a smile, shaking his head and murmuring softly.
"I believe no one in the entire Orc Empire is unaware of Lord City Lord Su's deeds. As an outsider, you managed to have Commander Liu Yue, the original City Lord, willingly abdicate his position to you. You are also the first outsider City Lord of our Underground World." He continued,
"During your tenure as City Lord..."
"River Town developed from a small settlement into a Grade-1 town. Furthermore, you discovered several extremely pure mineral veins, resolved the demonic beast infestations around the town, and even repelled the greedy ambitions of the Demon Race towards River Town. Any one of these achievements would be enough for the common folk to sing your praises for any other City Lord, yet Lord City Lord Su, you have accomplished all of them."
"Such great accomplishments, how could they not attract attention?"
This was also the reason for Fei Kui's slight unease.
He had never taken the threat of Liu Yue's soldiers seriously, but when facing Su Zhan, he couldn't maintain the same demeanor as he did with Liu Yue.
It was simply that Su Zhan's name resonated too powerfully throughout the Orc Empire.
Despite being an outsider, his arrival seemed miraculous, pulling the beleaguered River Town out of its predicament within a few short months and propelling the entire Batu Free Federation forward.
Clearing demonic beasts, repelling demons.
Exploring resources!
In fact, the Fourth Kingdom's decision to personally send Fei Kui to River Town to escort Liu Yue back to the Fourth Kingdom was also driven by their covetousness for River Town's mineral veins.
Even the royal family of the Fourth Kingdom eyed this wealth with envy.
That was a purple gold mine sufficient for a hundred years of extraction!
"Ah, Young Master Fei Kui, you praise me so much that I'm starting to get a bit carried away!" Su Zhan maintained his jesting demeanor, scratching his head with a complete lack of City Lord decorum before quickly cupping his hands. "It seems my efforts were not in vain. I will continue to work hard in the coming years, making River Town shine brightly in our Orc Empire, living up to the people's expectations, and not disappointing Lord Beast Emperor."
Having learned of Su Zhan's identity, Fei Kui would not underestimate him, no matter how frivolous his current demeanor.
How could someone who achieved such great feats be as simple as he appeared?
"It's surprising that Lord City Lord Su, being an outsider, possesses such strong loyalty towards our Orc Empire," Fei Kui said with a slight smile.
"A wise person knows when to adapt,"
Su Zhan grinned, laughing with feigned nonchalance.
"Although I am an outsider, since I have come here, I must make the best of it. Don't laugh at me, Young Master Fei Kui, but compared to the world I lived in before and this place, I actually prefer it here."
"Why?"
Fei Kui raised his eyebrows in confusion and asked.
"We also have quite a few outsiders there. In my manor, there are many scholars from foreign lands. From their words, I've heard many things about the outside world – a world of dazzling colors."
"Nonsense," Su Zhan pouted.
Fei Kui, remaining silent, eyed him with suspicion. Su Zhan shrugged and said,
"Perhaps, Young Master Fei Kui, those in your manor are certain 'experts' or people of high social standing. They might live lives like gods. But I was a commoner before, with no money, no power, and often bullied. Coming to our Underground World, although my status isn't as noble as yours, I am at least the City Lord. Within this city, I am the supreme ruler. With a life like this, why would I miss the outside?"
"Lord City Lord Su is indeed forthright," Fei Kui commented.
"Alas, that's about my only virtue. Besides, there's nothing to hide about such matters. Everyone has desires, be it for wealth, power, or women... In this world, it's not impossible to find those whose hearts cannot be swayed by these things, whose ambitions are not moved by riches or sensuality. Yes, there are such people, but they are few! Such individuals might seek spiritual pursuits, but even that pursuit requires wealth and power, doesn't it?"
Su Zhan's eyes were full of smiles as he spread his hands.
"Fortunately, I have now achieved them. Perhaps in the future, when I begin to seek spiritual pursuits, I will be able to do so without any reservations."
"Well said!" Fei Kui clapped his hands.
"I must have made Young Master Fei Kui laugh," Su Zhan grinned and then steered the conversation back to the main topic. "Young Master Fei Kui, are you here in our River Town for... a betrothal?"
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, Pai Huo, who had been standing with his arms crossed, snorted.
"Lord City Lord Su, I was just about to speak to you about this. Your town's commander has quite the temper, wanting to break off the engagement with my lord. To that end, she didn't hesitate to resort to force, threatening my lord to annul the marriage. Since you are the City Lord of this town, shouldn't you give us an explanation?"
"Hahaha..."
Unexpectedly, Su Zhan, who had appeared quite humble until now, burst into laughter. He glanced sideways at Pai Huo, but the deference he had shown Pai Huo earlier was gone. He grinned at Fei Kui.
"Young Master Fei Kui, this personal guard of yours is rather fond of interrupting."
"When I came to greet you just now, he suddenly interjected. Out of respect for you, I showed your personal guard ample courtesy."
"Now, while we are discussing matters, he pipes up again."
"If I didn't know you were Young Master Fei Kui, I would have thought he was the master here."
"Hahaha..."
"Young Master Fei Kui, please don't mind me. I'm just a straightforward person, speaking my mind. Please don't take it to heart. Perhaps I misspoke. You are usually so approachable, even your subordinates... "
Su Zhan's words trailed off. Fei Kui's expression flickered, and his gaze turned slightly colder.
Pai Huo, who had been eager to speak, immediately lowered his head. Fei Kui stared at him for another moment before turning his gaze back to Su Zhan, his expression carrying a hint of apology.
"Lord City Lord Su, please excuse me."
"No matter, no matter, I was just saying."
Su Zhan waved his hand, appearing not to take the matter too seriously. Little did anyone know that his words were like a needle piercing Fei Kui's flesh, pricking him constantly.
After another minute of silence, Su Zhan felt the time was right and smiled slightly.
"Putting that aside, let's talk about the betrothal. Why the sudden urge to break the engagement? Liu Yue... tell me, why do you want to break the engagement? Our River Town had previously made arrangements with Young Master Fei Kui's clan, and you personally agreed back then. How can you change your mind so easily?"
Liu Yue pursed her lips, remaining silent for a long time. Su Zhan, for some unknown reason, began to cough violently.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Only when Su Zhan's cough grew louder did Chen Yu, who had been watching the scene unfold, react.
The time had come. It was his turn to enter the fray!