Chapter 15 City Lord Arrives

Ma Long sat beside Lin Yuqi, fuming with indignation, at the seat adjacent to Liu Heng.

Both sides harbored the same thought, intending to relish the cold and cheerless scene as a form of entertainment at Chu Hao's expense!

Ma Long and Liu Heng did not previously know each other, but after a few exchanges of eye contact, they understood each other's positions; neither was here to support Chu Hao. Suddenly, they felt a kindred spirit, nearly wishing they could join their tables.

However, this is what Liu Heng thought—if they joined tables, it would count as just one table's bill, and he could save ten taels of silver!

As time crept closer to noon, apart from Liu Heng, Ma Long, and Lin Yuqi, there was no sign of a third group of guests. This caused Ma Long and Liu Heng to become increasingly radiant with glee, feeling like they were finally able to vent their pent-up frustrations.

"Chu Hao!" Amidst a shout, four young men walked over, led by none other than Tang Xin.

"You've finally arrived!" Chu Hao said with a smile.

"Haha, I invited a few friends at the last minute, so we're a bit late!" Tang Xin laughed. Pointing to the three beside him, he added, "Let me introduce you. These three are all friends of mine—Xu Sheng, Zhang Jian, Pan He!"

"Good to meet you," Chu Hao greeted with a smile, giving a courteous bow.

Xu, Zhang, and Pan responded with restrained smiles to Chu Hao. Although they were not descendants of the nobility, their families were all quite wealthy! Moreover, they had talent in martial arts, which was why they could be friends with Tang Xin.

They held themselves in high regard, feeling that befriending a fool would be beneath their status—even though they knew Chu Hao was no fool, could long-standing perceptions be changed overnight?

If it were not for Tang Xin's invitation, none of them would have come.

Chu Hao glanced at Tang Xin, who shrugged helplessly—the perspectives of Xu, Zhang, and Pan could not compare to his! And without being able to reveal Madam Yun's considerations, merely emphasizing Chu Hao's potential could hardly convince them!

Tang Xin squinted his eyes in a gesture that meant to ask Chu Hao not to take it to heart out of respect for him.

Chu Hao nodded, understanding that Tang Xin had good intentions in bringing his friends to meet him. He smiled and said, "Since you're late, you'll have to drink a few more cups as punishment! Please go ahead, your seats on the third floor are prepared. After I welcome another guest, I will join you upstairs for drinks!"

Xu Sheng and the others showed skeptical looks. While it was bustling outside, the inside was still quiet. Who else would come to patronize? And even if someone did, could they match the importance of the four of them?

This Chu Hao really didn't know how to treat guests, leaving four distinguished patrons like them while waiting to welcome some unknown person!

Young and impetuous, Xu, Zhang, and Pan couldn't hide their dissatisfaction and immediately let it show on their faces.

But Tang Xin laughed and asked, "Apart from setting me up, who else have you fooled?"

"The City Lord!" Chu Hao replied with a smile.

Pah!

Xu, Zhang, and Pan spit out in their minds, dismissing it as a boast. The City Lord coming to such a small place? Not to mention that the Chu family was no longer nobility, even when Chu Tianyun was alive, it wasn't certain they could invite the City Lord!

The City Lord's Mansion was too powerful, so powerful it did not need to give face to any nobility!

Tang Xin, on the other hand, knew differently because he was aware that Madam Yun placed a high value on Chu Hao! And with Madam Yun's influence... it wasn't impossible to invite the Lord of the City to pay a courtesy visit.

"Is the Lord of the City really coming?" he asked softly.

"Yeah!" Chu Hao nodded.

Tang Xin patted Chu Hao's shoulder and said with a laugh, "Then you just wait to rake in the gold at sunset!"

The Fortune Full Building's publicity was spot on; all it lacked was an opportunity. If the City Lord came to endorse it, the establishment's reputation would be thoroughly cemented, and they'd just have to sit back and collect the money!

Chu Hao smiled and said, "Go upstairs and take your seats first!"

"Heh heh, since the City Lord is coming, it wouldn't be good for us to sit upstairs. We'll wait with you," Tang Xin declared.

They actually believed it?

Xu, Zhang, and Pan were speechless. It was clear Chu Hao was bragging. The City Lord was coming? They were being conned! Tang Xin was usually so shrewd; how could he suddenly become so naive today?

Could it be that befriending a fool affected one's IQ?

They all tried to signal Tang Xin with their eyes, suggesting that he should go upstairs first. Once upstairs, they could slowly persuade him that, even if they didn't immediately sever ties with Chu Hao, they should at least not get too close to this 'fool.'

However, Tang Xin pretended not to see; he knew how great Chu Hao's potential was, and since Madam Yun valued him highly, he had determined to solidify this friendship.

Seeing Tang Xin refusing to go upstairs, Xu, Zhang, and Pan naturally could not go ahead either. They reluctantly waited together, but all three instinctively kept a distance from Chu Hao, so as not to be contaminated by his 'foolishness.'

On the other hand, Ma Long was slightly surprised. He had indeed heard that Chu Hao and Tang Xin had become close recently, but he hadn't expected their relationship to be this strong! The Tang Family was an old nobility family; not to mention that the Ma Family couldn't currently compare, even if they became nobility next year, they would still have to show the utmost respect to the Tangs!

Tang Xin was the most valued among the Tang family's younger generation. If he was looking after Chu Hao, Ma Long dared not act rashly.

Was Tang Xin blind, or had Chu Hao fed him some sort of mind-bending drug for them to become friends? It was unbelievable! A sheer fantasy!

But so what?

Tang Xin was just Tang Xin. How much business could he bring to the tavern?

Time passed slowly, and Xu Sheng and the two others were like ants on a hot pot, always feeling like they would be infected by Chu Hao's silliness and end up like Tang Xin. Chu Hao and Tang Xin, however, were laughing and chatting, finding they had many topics in common.

"Haha, Chu Hao, it's almost noon, why are there still so few guests?" Ma Long couldn't help but come over and sneered at Chu Hao, feeling a burst of irritation that he just had to vent.

"None of your damn business!" Chu Hao replied without even turning his head.

"You—" Ma Long moved in front of Chu Hao, pointing at his nose, really wanting to smash Chu Hao's annoying face with a punch. No matter how he looked at him, he just didn't like what he saw!

"Hey, you're blocking the way for the guests!" Chu Hao slightly turned his head and saw two people walking towards them. Although he didn't recognize the two men, just by seeing Uncle Yu's suddenly ecstatic and disconcerted expression, he could guess their identities.

City Lord Li Li and his Steward Wu Cheng!

"Hahahahaha, stop your wishful thinking; what guests could there possibly be!" Ma Long laughed boisterously, still pointing at Chu Hao.

"Excuse me, you're in the way of my master!" A man's voice came from behind him, somewhat aged yet very steady and powerful.

Ma Long pretended not to hear. Aside from Tang Xin, who had been bewitched by Chu Hao, what other important figure could possibly grace this place with their presence? And even if there were, could they compare to the Ma Family? He had been very annoyed by Chu Hao's earlier taunts, and now he was using Chu Hao as entertainment; he certainly wouldn't move aside.

"Get lost, don't get in my way!" he said without turning his head.

"What audacity!" the man behind him huffed, his tone already showing dissatisfaction.

Ma Long grew impatient. Who was this blind man, daring to disturb him at this time? He abruptly turned around and barked, "Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am?"

Slap!

An ear-piercing slap landed squarely on his cheek.

What!

Ma Long was struck dumb by the slap and it took him a moment to explode into fury! Someone dared to hit him—hit him, the young master of the Ma Family! Who was it! Who was it!

He looked towards the man.

The man was a sexagenarian, with white hair completely covering his head, his face lined with wrinkles, and a bent body, appearing entirely like a frail old man. From the words he had just spoken, he seemed to be some kind of servant or steward.

Next to the old man stood a man in his forties, exuding the aura of someone of high standing.

A mere servant dared to hit him?

Overcome with rage and his emotions running high, Ma Long hardly gave the middle-aged man a second glance, nor did he notice the shocked look on Xu Sheng and the others' faces. He touched his cheek and said, "Old man, are you tired of living?" That slap actually hurt!

"Oh, are you thinking of retaliating against me?" The elder spoke carelessly.

"You think I wouldn't dare?" Ma Long sneered.

"Lord of the City! Steward Wu!" It was only then that Xu Sheng and the others reacted, calling out with trembling voices.

So it really was the Lord of the City! Chu Hao wasn't lying! Holy moly! Oh my heavens!

The City Lord! The most powerful man in Eastern Cloud City!

Wham, Ma Long was struck as if by a bolt out of the blue!

City City City City City Lord!

This couldn't be real! But who would dare to impersonate the City Lord? Who in Eastern Cloud City had the guts? After his shock, he looked more carefully at the old man and felt a flicker of recognition.

The Lord of the City was high and mighty, a person ordinary people had no chance to meet! Even for the entire Ma Family, the only one fortunate enough to have met the Lord of the City was Ma Jicheng! But the City Lord's Mansion had a steward who often acted on behalf of the City Lord, conveying messages and dealing with minor matters, and many had seen him.

Steward Wu Cheng!

He had seen him once four years ago when Steward Wu represented the City Lord at the Nine Great Nobles' competition. However, at that time, he was only 13 and plus four years had passed, so it took him a moment to realize.

Hisss!

He gasped in shock, realizing he had just threatened the steward of the City Lord's Mansion, and in front of the City Lord himself, no less! What reckless courage! What to do! What to do!

"Slap!"

Another crisp sound, and Ma Long was once again slapped hard across the face. But this time, it wasn't Steward Wu who did it; it was Chu Hao.

"My junior brother here is a bit rash; I hope you, Steward Wu, in your generosity, will overlook it," Chu Hao said apologetically to Steward Wu.

"Haha, the young one from the Chu Family has quite a presence. I've heard your family and the Ma Family don't get along too well, and yet you still speak up for him!" City Lord Li Li spoke up, his first words addressed to Steward Wu, and the second to Chu Hao.

Pfft, those around who heard this couldn't help but burst out laughing!

Everyone knew that the Lord of the City seldom showed himself and usually stayed within his mansion, but his authority was undeniably immense, controlling the life and death of everyone in the city! Yet he spoke so casually with Chu Hao, almost as if he regarded him as a nephew!

The bastard, what kind of luck does this guy have to gain the favor of the Lord of the City?