Qing Yu departed, vanishing into the sky like a streak of light.
This battle resulted in the deaths of Little Fire God and Huang Qi.
The fight was fierce, yet few witnessed it.
Ordinary people were not worthy of being spectators.
"Senior."
Chen Fan looked at the Angler, "Allow me to first deal with matters in the city before I assist you."
"No rush."
The Angler finished speaking and casually found a spot in the central area to sit down.
Now, Sword City was practically a sea of ruins.
Surprisingly, the destroyed ancient houses and other structures were slowly recovering.
The returning residents of Sword City were accustomed to this sight.
There was never a shortage of battles in Sword City. Over the years, how many times had this happened? Each time, it would recover.
As long as the people remained, that was enough.
However, anything that had been moved into the city later, such as food, was completely destroyed.
If the people were here, other things were unimportant.
...
Residents quickly returned.
The disciples of Yi Fu also returned, led by Di Long, with An An and Huo Xing by his side.
The grand platform in the central area reappeared, and Chen Fan stood on it once more.
Also placed on the platform was a corpse, that of Huang Qi.
"Hiss."
Everyone recognized Huang Qi's corpse.
Mainly because Huang Qi and his companions had made quite a commotion when they arrived, and everyone knew his identity.
A biological son of the Yellow Emperor.
The crowd was silent, and for a long time, no one spoke. Everyone looked in shock at Huang Qi's body, and at... Chen Fan, their City Lord.
"Everyone."
Chen Fan spoke first, breaking the silence.
His voice was a little low, "Because of my seclusion, Sword City was massacred. This is my fault."
One must admit their mistakes.
Although Chen Fan did not particularly care about the position of City Lord, since he had taken it, he would bear the responsibilities that came with it.
His voice slowly sounded, "This calamity is Sword City's calamity. Many people have died. All I can do is avenge the deceased and, incidentally, secure some deserved benefits for all of you."
"..."
The crowd remained silent; no one interrupted the City Lord's speech.
"The executioners who massacred the residents, the subordinates of the two Great Imperial Palaces, were instantly slain by me, serving as an explanation to the fallen brothers.
Apart from that, the young master of the Imperial Palace, Huang Qi, and Little Fire God, are considered interest."
"Hiss."
Gasps of sucked air echoed from below.
Little Fire God was actually killed by the City Lord?
No wonder they hadn't seen Little Fire God leave; he had been killed.
And this was not the end...
"Qing Yu, the biological daughter of the Azure Emperor, I did not kill. It's not that I dared not, but rather to earn a reward for those who are still alive.
Within three days, the Azure Emperor Palace will dispatch ten titled Emperors to bestow a rain of rules upon Sword City for seven consecutive days. This is your opportunity to step into the Imperial Dao."
"Whoa."
This last sentence was the most shocking part.
Exclamations erupted continuously.
"A rain of rules, the Imperial Palace is actually so generous..."
"The Imperial Palace is indeed magnanimous..."
"City Lord is mighty."
This last phrase resonated with everyone.
"City Lord is mighty."
"City Lord is mighty."
The cheers surged like a tsunami, as if to overturn Sword City.
It was incredible. Ten titled Emperors bestowing a rain of rules was a tremendous boon for anyone.
This was indeed a feast worthy of celebration for all the residents of Sword City.
Having finished speaking, Chen Fan's gaze fell upon Di Long, "You will handle the aftermath in the city."
"I respectfully obey the City Lord's command."
At this moment, Di Long was completely convinced by Chen Fan.
When his master was around, he essentially did not manage affairs.
As long as the rules set by his master were not violated, no matter what happened in Sword City, his master would not intervene.
The residents of Sword City were also accustomed to City Lord Yi Fu's hands-off approach. After all, they lived to suppress the miasma in Sword City.
Ever since Chen Fan took over Sword City, not only had the miasma disappeared, but they had also received such great benefits.
Who wouldn't be excited?
"Huo Xing."
Chen Fan's gaze fell on the other person.
Huo Xing's eyes shifted, and she quickly stepped forward, bowing, "Your subordinate is here."
This once arrogant rogue cultivator had lost her former pride.
Now, in all of Sword City, no one was unconvinced by Chen Fan.
Including herself, Huo Xing.
"I wanted you to help me search for divine artifacts. Have you any news?"
He had mentioned this to Huo Xing in the City Lord's Seal before.
"The message has been sent out."
Huo Xing quickly replied, "As soon as there is news, your subordinate will report it to the City Lord immediately."
"Very good, then that's settled. I await your news."
"Yes."
Nodding, Chen Fan prepared to leave.
In the River of Rules, Long Ling and the others were still cultivating. He didn't know if they had emerged from seclusion.
Even if they had, without him opening the passage, no one could come out.
"City Lord..."
Huo Xing hesitated behind him.
"If you have something to say, speak up," Chen Fan turned back.
He disliked indecisiveness.
Huo Xing gritted her teeth, gathered her courage, and said, "Your subordinate earnestly requests the City Lord to give Da Kui and the others a chance."
"Isn't this matter handled by Long Ling? What does she say?"
He certainly remembered Da Kui.
Da Kui, a top rogue cultivator, was on a similar level to Huo Xing.
However, because the various factions had pressured Sword City and Long Ling before, he had sided with the wrong faction and chosen to betray Sword City, leading to his reckoning.
"How did Long Ling deal with them?" he asked again.
Huo Xing quickly replied, "Long Ling sealed their cultivation and imprisoned them in the Cold Pool, to endure the suffering of a hundred years of cold tides."
"The Cold Pool?"
"For as long as Sword City has existed, there has been a Cold Pool within the city. It was likely a place for imprisoning criminals a long time ago, and it has always been there."
"Oh."
Chen Fan nodded.
He had no interest in places for imprisoning criminals.
He said, "You should discuss this matter with Long Ling. I don't mind. I am not familiar with them, and they did not betray me."
When he had just taken over as City Lord, Da Kui and the others were legacies left by Yi Fu.
Although he had accepted Sword City, he had not accepted the relationships left by Yi Fu.
There were many matters he did not intend to involve himself in.
After speaking, without waiting for Huo Xing to speak again, Chen Fan turned and left.
*Screech.*
The River of Rules reappeared, and Chen Fan stepped into it.
"Sigh."
Behind him, Huo Xing sighed.
She also knew that her request was somewhat excessive. Traitors were unforgivable to any power.
Being alive was already a sign of Long Ling's magnanimity.
Traitors should be killed immediately.
"Forget it."
Huo Xing decided not to intervene anymore.
It was all their own choices.
If you choose the wrong path, you must bear the consequences.
She was fortunate that her choice that day had been the right one.
...
Within the River of Rules.
"Whoosh."
The river continued to churn, waves rising without wind, crashing against each other.
Its length had actually increased again.
As had its width.
Vaguely, one could see colossal figures within the river water, continuously tumbling in the river of rules.
No one emerged.
Everyone was comprehending the power of rules within the river.
"Rumble."
The waves surged, and the rules continued to grow stronger.
A dance of demons.