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Too reckless! He had been fooled by that old man! He didn’t even know the city’s true name now—what was he supposed to do now?

“That’s not how it is. I came to discuss a special trade with your city lord. I could only come here to find him. Think about it—if I had some hidden scheme, would I dare to come here alone?”

That question gave the gate guards pause. They exchanged glances before one finally asked: “Then speak honestly. What are you here for?”

“I really am here to negotiate a trade with your city lord!”

“Then you’d best leave. The city lord isn’t here!”

“What? He’s not? Where is he now?” Lin Xiao froze, mind racing. Where could he go to find him?

“Do you think the city lord’s affairs are for you to pry into? Leave now—why so much nonsense?” The guards were already impatient.

“I truly have urgent business with your lord! If you let me in, once the deal is made, perhaps he’ll reward you for it!”

Inside, Lin Xiao groaned. He and Zhang Nu had clearly descended the mountain together, but Zhang Nu had vanished into the city ahead of him. And yet here he was, stuck at the gate, unable to get through.

“Enough of that! Be smart and get lost!”

These guards were immovable. Lin Xiao was about to feign retreat and think of another way inside when suddenly, ten men strode out from within the gate.

“What’s going on here?”

The man in front was tall and broad-shouldered, clearly the leader. Without waiting for the guards to answer, he stepped straight to the gate and lowered his gaze upon Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao had never thought of himself as bad-looking, but under that man’s towering frame and downward gaze, he felt distinctly uncomfortable; that sense of superiority made him feel belittled.

“This fellow looks familiar. Have we met before?” The man stepped closer, his muscular frame exuding pressure.

But Lin Xiao wasn’t one to be cowed. “Is that so? I don’t recall seeing you before.”

A thought sparked. This man’s sudden approach might not be a bad thing. He needed a connection to get inside—wasn’t this the chance?

“I’ve met countless people… I can’t remember where I’ve seen you. But since you’ve come here today, you must have a purpose. Why not speak it plainly?”

“This… even if I did, you might not be able to decide anything.”

Lin Xiao judged silently. This man’s boldness suggested close ties to Leng Hantian, surely a trusted confidant.

“Whether I can or not, that’s not for you to worry about. Why are you here?”

“I have business with the city lord. If I’m not mistaken, you’re someone who could get me an audience, aren’t you?”

If he didn’t have such influence, he wouldn’t dare to talk like that.

“You want to meet the city lord? About what?”

“That I’ll only say to him directly.” He almost laughed, if he revealed it now, and they discovered he only sought information about the Fragrant Snowbloom, they’d never let him through.

“I can arrange for you to see him. But first, you’ll need to explain this…” The man suddenly extended his hand. In his palm lay a faintly glowing wooden box.

Lin Xiao’s eyes widened in shock. He frantically patted himself down—sure enough, the wooden box he always carried was gone!

“You… when did you take that?”

That box had been entrusted to him by the YaoGuais before he left, meant to hold the precious herb. The plant was too fragile to preserve otherwise—outside the box, it would wither into dust before the journey home. Only the spiritual power sealed inside the box could preserve its potency. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He had guarded it carefully all along. But just now, distracted by conversation, he hadn’t noticed the man pluck it from him!

“So you admit it’s yours?” The man smiled, passing the box to one of the gate guards. His grin carried a dangerous edge.

Lin Xiao’s heart sank. Could carrying this box mark him as something special… or suspicious?

“Yes, it’s mine—but it was entrusted to me by a friend, I—”

“No need to explain. Your purpose here… I already know.”