Chapter 70

Chapter 70: City Lord of Tianrang City

Originally in Lou Yun’s imagination, given his identity as an insignificant person, meeting Qian Lianyun was absolutely not an easy matter. He had even prepared himself for the possibility of not seeing him this time. However, the progression of events exceeded his expectations. When he gave his name to the soldiers guarding the entrance, within a few minutes, he saw a man brimming with smiles emerge from Qian Lianyun’s residence to welcome him.

The man had not even arrived yet when his voice rang out: "No wonder I heard magpies chirping so early this morning—I figured a noble visitor must be coming. So it’s Master Lou who has arrived! Our City Lord has long wished to meet Master Lou, but he has been too busy to spare the time. I never imagined Master Lou would come of his own accord. I am Shen Cong, the steward of this residence. Master Lou, please come in quickly!"

Seeing the other’s expression full of reverence and warmth, Lou Yun truly had not expected his name to have already spread to the City Lord’s mansion. Yet this did save him a great deal of trouble.

Thus, Lou Yun also smiled and said, "I hardly deserve the title of master, Steward Shen. Just call me Lou Yun. I’ve troubled you, Steward Shen!"

Since Shen Cong had become the steward of the City Lord’s residence, he was naturally a smooth-tongued figure. After graciously exchanging a few more words, he took the lead and guided Lou Yun into the residence.

The environment inside was naturally the epitome of beauty, almost rivaling the Ancient Weapon Academy. Yet Lou Yun paid no heed to his surroundings and instead listened to Chang Xiang speak.

"This City Lord’s residence is truly extraordinary. Not a single patrolling individual was visible on the surface; they were clearly all concealed in the shadows, making it even more alarming. Moreover, just among the detectable restrictions, there were no fewer than a hundred. This steward was also a high-level magical weapons master. It seemed Qian Lianyun’s cultivation must have been even higher. You should stay cautious and avoid any conflict with him. Even with my aid, you might find it hard to leave here!"

Lou Yun replied dismissively, "What conflict could I possibly have with him? I’m simply here to discuss renting a shopfront. If we reach an agreement, fine; if not, I’ll just turn and leave."

"Hmm, let’s hope that’s for the best!"

After walking for a brief period, they came to a tranquil courtyard. Its gate stood wide open, and out strode a gaunt, lean middle-aged man.

Shen Cong promptly said, "Master Lou, this is Qian Lianyun, the City Lord of our city!"

Lou Yun naturally stepped forward to pay his respects. But Qian Lianyun flashed forward to stand before Lou Yun, reaching out both hands to support Lou Yun’s body, and let out a hearty laugh: "Master Lou, you are a young hero. How could I accept such formalities from you? Do come in at once!"

Lou Yun straightened up and said, "City Lord Qian, I was just telling your steward I can’t bear the title of master. Address me directly by my name."

Qian Lianyun declared robustly, "Why not this, then? I’m a few years older, so I’ll presume to call you Brother Lou. And you, don’t call me City Lord anymore—address me as Old Brother Qian. Consider it decided!"

After that declaration, he waved a hand and tugged Lou Yun toward the interior. From just those few words, Lou Yun sensed that this City Lord of Tianrang City would absolutely brook no questioning or defiance of anything he decreed.

Upon entering the study, Qian Lianyun had Lou Yun take a seat. Only after a servant served tea and snacks did he open with a smile: "Brother Lou, your reputation has become known to all within Tianrang City lately. It was a deep regret of mine to miss that forging weapons contest between you and Xu Baichuan. But at last, I’m honored to meet you in person today—this somewhat compensates for it, haha!"

Such flattering and complimentary words would have left anyone else feeling light-headed and proud. But here sat Lou Yun, who, over ten years prior when hailed as a genius, had heard similar praise almost daily. Thus, he was entirely immune to such adulation.

After a few more exchanges of pleasantries, Lou Yun noted that time was running short. He got straight to the point: "Old Brother Qian, truthfully, I came unannounced this time to discuss something with you!"

"Brother Lou, speak up about whatever it is. If I can assist, I will spare no effort!"

"I wish to open a common weapon shop in Tianrang City. Coincidentally, Xu Baichuan has departed, and his shop now sits vacant, so…"

Before Lou Yun could finish, Qian Lianyun cut him off: "Haha, I thought it was some grave matter! So it’s this? Who’d have guessed we both had the same plan! Brother Lou, you may not know, but these past few days I’ve pondered how wonderful it would be if a brilliant young skilled weapon maker like you would open a common weapon shop in Tianrang City. It would bring benefit to those without magical weapons!"

"So, Old Brother Qian, you mean…"

"Complete endorsement, of course! Brother Lou, the shopfront that was Xu Baichuan’s will be yours. Shortly, I’ll have Shen Cong gather some men to tidy it up. Then you can check it and voice any additional requests—they’ll unquestionably fulfill them!"

Hearing this, Lou Yun felt a surge of joy: "I offer my thanks first, Old Brother Qian. As for the rent…"

Qian Lianyun waved a hand again, forcing a stern face: "Brother Lou, money matters are for outsiders! But since we call each other brothers, if you bring up rent now, it shows you hold no regard for me as your elder brother!"

Though overjoyed, Lou Yun did not forget his principles and hastily said, "Old Brother Qian, I appreciate your kindness deeply. But since I am renting a shopfront, paying rent is only fair. If you won’t accept it, that’s when you truly disregard me as your brother!"

Next, the two descended into a squabble over the rent—one insisted on paying, the other outright refused. At length, Lou Yun stated flatly: "Old Brother Qian, if you refuse to take the rent, I won’t rent this shopfront at all!"

Qian Lianyun gave a reluctant chuckle: "Sigh, Brother Lou. So young, yet such an upright soul. Very well, as you wish! I’ll take the rent! How about, say… ten gold a month!"

Ten gold essentially amounted to no payment at all. Lou Yun naturally resisted. Earlier inquiries had revealed that rents on that street ranged around eighty gold for ordinary shops, while Xu Baichuan’s best-located one deserved a hundred gold monthly—a rate Lou Yun had firmly settled on.

After yet more persistent persuasion, they finally concurred on that price. Lou Yun exhaled a long sigh, inwardly relieved. Now he owed Qian Lianyun no debts of gratitude and no tangled connections could arise.

With the main business concluded, Qian Lianyun naturally insisted Lou Yun dine with him. But Lou Yun excused himself on the pretext of needing to inspect the shop.

In short, when Lou Yun left the City Lord’s mansion, he could barely believe he had rented such an excellent shop so smoothly. Although the monthly rent of a hundred gold coins wasn’t cheap, it was only the price of an ordinary intermediate common weapon, entirely within what he could afford!

Qian Lianyun and Shen Cong stood outside the main gate, beaming as they watched Lou Yun go. Once his figure vanished completely, their smiles faded simultaneously.

Shen Cong said softly, "City Lord, he is the Lou Yun mentioned by Young Master Qin. Instead of dealing with him, you treated him like an honored guest? If Young Master Qin finds out and speaks ill of you to the general, it could…"

Qian Lianyun chuckled coldly, "They say a great father doesn’t raise a worthless son, but Qin Wufeng is a disgrace to the Qin family! Why would I listen to such trash? Besides, Lou Yun is a skilled weapon maker. Have you forgotten? Xu Baichuan said even Beichen Ming holds him in high regard. Tell me, not winning over someone like that would be foolish! If Qin Wufeng questions this, say I will definitely deal with Lou Yun—but only after he’s no longer useful!"

Shen Cong nodded and said, "City Lord, your insight is far-reaching and thorough. I admire you greatly!"

Accompanied by servants from the City Lord’s mansion, Lou Yun arrived at the shop originally owned by Xu Baichuan. Luo Ping, who had keen eyes, and the owners of nearby shops noticed him immediately. Exchanging glances, they clearly understood that Lou Yun had Qian Lianyun’s approval as the new owner.

So they hurried over to congratulate him. Lou Yun could only respond with a few perfunctory words, then focused all his attention on the shop.

Although Xu Baichuan had left hastily, the shop was relatively tidy. The interior decorations needed little change; after a quick cleanup, it could open for business!

With limited time, Lou Yun didn’t stand on ceremony. He ordered several servants to clean up right away, while he seized the chance to return to the Ancient Weapon Academy. Still lacking freedom to act as he wished, he had to find someone to run the shop, and he already had in mind: the academy’s teacher, Lei Nu, a third-grade skilled weapon maker!

Lei Nu was deeply obsessed with forging weapons, but unfortunately, like Xu Yangteng, his weakness was that his five senses weren’t especially strong. Fate decreed he could never become a very high-grade skilled weapon maker. Though Lou Yun learned this from Chang Xiang, he dared not tell Lei Nu. Once Lei Nu learned Lou Yun had beaten the fourth-grade skilled weapon maker Xu Baichuan, he visited Lou Yun nearly daily. When Lou Yun went on missions, it was as if Lei Nu had lost his soul!

Lei Nu had even declared that, although he was an academy teacher and much older than Lou Yun, in forging weapons, Lou Yun could teach him! Impressed with Lei Nu’s humble willingness to learn and utter dedication, Lou Yun shared all the forging knowledge and experience from Chang Xiang with him. Chang Xiang didn’t mind; as he put it, even if Lei Nu mastered it all, he’d never become a top tier skilled weapon maker! Yet years later, Lei Nu’s achievements in forging weapons shocked Chang Xiang!

Back at the academy, Lou Yun rushed to Lei Nu’s residence. Before arriving, an explosion sounded. Lou Yun patted his head; clearly, Lei Nu was recklessly experimenting with weapon forging again—a common occurrence the whole academy took for granted.

Sure enough, pushing open Lei Nu’s door, a puff of smoke shot out. The room was hazy and unseeable. Then a soot-blackened figure darted from the thick smoke, coughing continuously. Spotting Lou Yun at the entrance, he lit up with joy and charged over, yelling while running, "Oh, Lou Yun, you’re here at last! Quick, help me figure out why that cauldron I made exploded after I added the forging material!"

Lou Yun was too pressed for time to help analyze it. Grabbing Lei Nu, he said, "Set your thing aside, will you help me here?" At the Ancient Weapon Academy, aside from Nie Jiu, Lei Nu held the title of second-best muscleman. Ignoring his sooty face, he blinked his large eyes and asked, "What do you need?"

Lou Yun glanced around. Though Lei Nu had caused a ruckus, everyone ignored it as usual; no one was nearby.

So Lou Yun stated his plan: "Teacher Lei, I know you’re usually free. I’d like you to help me manage this common weapon shop. Rest assured, I won’t ask for nothing—later, in forging weapons, I’ll teach you…"

"Hold on!" Lei Nu cut it off instantly. "If you want my help with the shop, that’s fine, but agree to one condition!"

"What condition? Tell me!"

Lei Nu blinked slowly. "Take me as your disciple!"