While Long Wei's draconic aura erupted, threatening to swallow the whole manor, her red draconic scales flickered as her skin began to transform. "I'll rage this whole city to the ground," she declared.
However, Xuan calmed them down. "Relax, nothing happened to me. Because of this encounter, I had the opportunity to learn many things about this world and the secrets hidden inside me."
Bai Hua calmed down a little, but Long Wei couldn't. Just imagining that someone had tried to take over her husband's body was already crossing the line for her. Seeing this, Xuan pulled her into his arms.
"Long Wei, the real perpetrator is dead. Our goal right now is to rescue Ru Feng," he said, holding her close.
Long Wei, who was fuming with anger, now had a face red with heat building up in her body. "You... I... they," she tried to speak but couldn't utter the words, as this was the first time Xuan had initiated a hug.
Bai Hua felt a pang of jealousy and spoke, "Should I have also done the same?"
Xuan quickly answered her, "There is still enough space for you," he teased. But Bai Hua turned with a smug look, "I am not weak like her to melt into your arms with just a few words."
"If you want to save me, then fight with me and win," she said, though her cheeks were already red from Xuan's teasing.
"Husband! Leave her," Long Wei said, attracting his attention. "Why don't you fulfill your promise now?"
Bai Hua's ears twitched. "Promise!" She looked at Xuan, then at Long Wei's smug smile.
"You will know," Long Wei chuckled, giving Bai Hua a look before turning back to Xuan, who shook his head.
"Right now? Seriously?" Xuan asked with a smile, to which Long Wei answered by leaning in closer.
"You mentioned that only the dragon statue inside your consciousness felt awakened but not the others. Can't you believe that it all happened because of our first passionate night inside that shack?" she asked. She clearly wanted to embrace him, but Xuan wanted to bring Ru Feng back first.
His grip on her waist tightened. "I didn't forget my promise. However, I wasn't conscious of what I did that day. Now I want to embrace you as much as you want, but I can't unless I'm assured that Ru Feng is with us."
Knowing she couldn't have him for herself, especially since one of their own was in danger, Long Wei sighed with a dejected look.
Seeing this, Xuan gave her a quick peck on her forehead. "I promise, when all the problems are resolved, I'll give you the night you want."
He didn't say anything further, but it was enough for Long Wei to feel his sincerity. Meanwhile, Bai Hua felt jealousy in her heart, but because of how her race chooses their partners and because of her pride, she couldn't shamelessly ask to be loved like Long Wei did.
Thus, they waited for the City Lord, who returned with a few people. "Young master!" he called to Xuan. "The preparations are done; we can depart now."
Xuan nodded as his eyes landed on a few powerful figures. The least cultivation they had was at the early stage of the Spirit Vein realm, while the maximum was a cultivator of the Foundation Establishment realm.
Except for Zhao Zen Wu, who was a peak Golden Core realm expert, he spoke, "These are the only experts I could arrange in such a short period of time."
Xuan nodded. "I guess this will be enough. We aren't going for a war, remember."
Soon they left in two carriages. One carried the experts hired by Zhao Zen Wu, while the other was prepared for Xuan and his companions.
Zhao Zen Wu wanted to board the first one, but Xuan asked him to join as he needed to talk before taking action.
"If we can avoid a big commotion and bring Ru Feng back, that would be the best plan," Xuan said, giving his thoughts on the best course of action.
However, Zhao Zen Wu denied it outright. "From the personality of City Lord Sha, this won't be that easy."
Long Wei's tone turned cold. "Then he'll pay with his life." Her aura erupted, startling the horse pulling the carriage. The experienced driver managed to subdue it as Long Wei retracted her aura.
Xuan nodded while holding her hand. "He'll indeed pay for his sins, but before everything, we need to ensure her safety."
They chatted as hours of the journey ended with the carriage stopping at the gates of the East River City.
Unlike Cloud Severing City, where you could enter or exit without any checking or paying a fee, in East River City, the guards were strict with anyone entering. Those who entered on foot had to pay 10 copper coins, while those in a carriage had to pay one silver coin.
The guards demanded, stopping the carriage. He then asked in an arrogant tone, "Who is inside the carriage? State your purpose for visiting."
Zhao Zen Wu wasn't traveling in his usual carriage, which bore his insignia, nor were the guards informed of his visit, so he personally got out of the carriage.
Seeing him and the two beauties inside the carriage with a young man, the guards asked, "State your identity and purpose," while glancing at Bai Hua and Long Wei.
Their beauty mesmerized them, but then Zhao Zen Wu's cold voice shattered his daydream.
"I'm City Lord Zhao Zen Wu from Cloud Severing City. As for my purpose, you are not worthy of knowing it." The guard was taken aback.
He apologized, "Forgive me, City Lord. I didn't know you were visiting. You must be here for the City Lord's marriage. Please enter." He cleared a path as the two carriages entered the city.
Once they left, one of the guards licked his lips. "Did you see those beauties inside? Do you think they are a gift for our City Lord?"
"It can be," another one spoke, who had earlier asked Zhao Zen Wu of his identity. He continued, "I envy the lord for having such a feast of young meat."
Meanwhile, once inside, Bai Hua sneered, "I'll pluck their eyes out when we leave this city." She had clearly felt the creepy, lustful eyes of those guards.
Xuan spoke coldly as he heard about the marriage. "I wish we are not too late."
Zhao Zen Wu had sweat dripping from his forehead, as he felt the same fear from Xuan, he did earlier when his neck was clutched by Xuan.
He volunteered, "I should go to City Lord Sha with my people to convince him to stop all of this stupidity while you visit the Ru family; she should be there."
Saying this, he boarded the other carriage, which headed toward the City Lord's manor.