Zhao Xue asked in surprise, "Do you know him?"
"I don't know him, and I don't know why he helped me!"
Lu Fan shook his head, his heart filled with more doubts. Under normal circumstances, it shouldn't have been like this.
"Since that's the case, he must not want to see you die. As the City Lord of Tianshang City, he must also know about the other secret passages outside Tianshang City!"
Ling'er said with a smile, "This way, we can take advantage of it!"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple!"
Lu Fan shook his head, his expression growing heavier, as if he saw certain things quite clearly.
"No matter what, we have to try!" Ling'er urged.
Meanwhile, in the Tianshang City Lord's mansion, Liu Ruyan had just returned and saw an old man sitting in the main hall.
"Can you give me a reason?"
Steward Zhao asked in a hoarse voice, looking at Liu Ruyan.
"Didn't we just say it?"
Liu Ruyan shrugged, "Within Tianshang City, one cannot act rashly!"
"But this concerns the Northwest Princess!"
Steward Zhao sneered, "You know the consequences of offending the Northwest Princess!"
"Are you threatening me?"
Liu Ruyan's expression was indifferent, carrying a commanding aura, "I have never been threatened by anyone in my life. You are the first!"
"I am merely warning you not to make an enemy of the Northwest County Prefecture!"
Steward Zhao said coldly, "Since ancient times, those who have made enemies of the Northwest County Prefecture have never had a good ending!"
"The Northwest County Prefecture does not govern my Tianshang City!"
Liu Ruyan said coldly, "Old man, aren't you overstepping your bounds?"
"Unappreciative!"
Steward Zhao said coldly and turned to leave. Liu Ruyan's words naturally displeased him greatly.
As soon as he returned to the tavern, the Patriarch of the Situ family looked over, "Steward Zhao, how did it go?"
"The City Lord of Tianshang City insists on managing this matter and is unlikely to compromise!"
Steward Zhao shook his head, "It seems we have to find other ways!"
"In that case, why don't we make a move and eliminate this City Lord of Tianshang City!"
The Patriarch of the Situ family narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. His family's great enemy was right before him; how could he let it go so easily?
"He is, after all, the City Lord of Tianshang City. If something were to happen, it might be difficult to explain!"
Steward Zhao shook his head, his eyes filled with gravity, as if he had already calculated this point.
"Then are we just going to wait like this?"
The Patriarch of the Situ family frowned, "If that brat doesn't leave, won't we have no chance!"
Steward Zhao frowned but remained silent. He naturally valued this matter, but he also knew that some things could be done, and some could not.
At the same time, Lu Fan arrived at the City Lord's mansion, intending to ask Liu Ruyan if there were any secret passages in Tianshang City, so they could leave safely.
Upon arriving at the City Lord's mansion, Lu Fan observed for a moment before heading towards the deepest part of the mansion. After a careful search, he stepped into a room.
A short while later, Lu Fan entered the room and saw a woman bathing, her fair back inviting all sorts of fantasies.
Lu Fan's expression changed, and he quickly stepped out of the room. The City Lord of Tianshang was bathing; if he were caught in the act, there might be no way to explain himself.
"Brat, how dare you peek at me bathing!"
Liu Ruyan's voice rang out, and a white cloth transformed into a long snake, coiling around Lu Fan.
Seeing this, Lu Fan wanted to resist but found that the white cloth possessed extremely potent spiritual energy, causing him to frown slightly, "City Lord of Tianshang, I did not intend to peek. There must be a misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding?" Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Ruyan said coldly, "I think you did it on purpose. Sneaking into the City Lord's mansion to peek at me bathing, you truly have wolfish ambitions!"
Lu Fan was instantly rendered helpless, not knowing what to do. Being spoken of like this by Liu Ruyan, he immediately felt extremely awkward.
"To be frank, I came today to inquire if there are any other passages within Tianshang City that lead to the Imperial Capital!"
"There are, but why should I tell you!"
Liu Ruyan smiled, looking at Lu Fan with a knowing expression. Now that Lu Fan was in her control, he was like a turtle in a jar.
"You can name your price!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "As long as it allows me and my companions to leave this place!"
"You said it yourself!"
Liu Ruyan instantly smiled, "I want the Haotian Tower you possess!"
As soon as she spoke, Lu Fan became instantly vigilant, looking at Liu Ruyan with surprise, "How did you know I have the Haotian Tower!"
"You don't need to worry about that. If you are willing to give me the Haotian Tower, I will naturally let you leave this place!"
Liu Ruyan's expression was calm as she looked at Lu Fan, her words showing no reservation.
"The Haotian Tower is no ordinary item; how can I easily hand it over to you!"
Lu Fan said with a light smile, "If I give this to you, and you renege on your word, won't I be in trouble!"
"You can rest assured, I can swear an oath!"
Liu Ruyan's expression was serious, "For cultivators like us, the most feared thing is swearing an oath. You should know this!"
"Then it's a deal!"
Lu Fan gritted his teeth, his gaze becoming solemn, as if he had made a momentous decision.
Liu Ruyan also showed a hint of joy. She was determined to obtain the Haotian Tower and was surprised it could be acquired so easily.
Not long after, Lu Fan summoned the Haotian Tower, which emitted faint rays of light throughout the entire City Lord's mansion.
"This is the Haotian Tower!"
Lu Fan said, "I hope that after receiving the item, you will honor your promise!"
"Don't worry, I will not go back on my word!"
Liu Ruyan nodded, her lips curling slightly, her eyes filled with joy. She knew that the Haotian Tower was no ordinary item, and if she could obtain it, it would be a great benefit to her or to Tianshang City.
Having pocketed the Haotian Tower, Liu Ruyan abruptly stood up, "Call your companions and come to my City Lord's mansion!"
"Could the passage to the outside world be within the City Lord's mansion?"
Lu Fan was slightly surprised and even more puzzled.
"That's right!"
Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and paid no further attention to Lu Fan, instead fixating on the Haotian Tower, as if cherishing the item before her.
A short while later, Lu Fan brought Zhao Xue and the others to the City Lord's mansion.
"I never expected you to be so capable, boy, bringing along two peerless beauties!" Liu Ruyan remarked meaningfully.
"You flatter me!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists, "They are all from the Heavenly Soldier Mansion. If it weren't for the Northwest Princess's indiscriminate killing, we wouldn't be in this situation!"
Liu Ruyan said nothing more and directly headed towards the deepest part of the City Lord's mansion, appearing to know the way well.
Lu Fan and the others were puzzled, unsure where the depths of the City Lord's mansion led. However, Liu Ruyan had sworn an oath, so she likely wouldn't act recklessly.