The car stopped outside the City Lord's Mansion. Darknight, Lin Ming, and the others stepped out one by one.

Lin Ming gazed at the solemn gates of the mansion. He couldn’t help comparing it to the academy. After a quick mental tally, he sighed in relief…

His mind was balanced. Even if the City Lord was a local tyrant, he couldn’t possibly be richer than Azure Spirit! Though Azure Spirit… was the poorest of the four Spirit Academies!

As Lin Ming pondered, Darknight instructed the two guards to park the car. "Everyone, let’s head in," he said. "We’ll wait for the City Lord in the reception hall first."

"Okay." ×3

"Right this way, then."

Darknight nodded and led Lin Ming and the others through the main gate. The guards snapped to attention. "Greetings, Lord Darknight!"

"Hmm." Darknight gave a satisfied nod and ushered them inside.

Beyond the gate, a long red carpet stretched ahead. Dim lamps lined the path, casting a European ambiance.

Lin Ming yawned as he followed. He was exhausted—he still had that clueless task hanging over him. Meeting some damn City Lord? Only Yuhan He’s insistence dragged him here.

Yuhan He sidled up to Lin Ming and whispered, "Senior, why did you do that earlier?"

Lin Ming shot her a surprised look. Wasn’t she just angry? Why ask now? Still, he replied, "Why what? I just didn’t like him. Simple as that."

Darknight, walking ahead, heard every word. His lips twitched—Lin Ming hadn’t bothered whispering.

Yuhan He eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

In the short time she’d known Lin Ming, he’d been nothing but lazy and carefree. Except when he turned serious accepting her task. After getting paid, he’d slipped back into his usual self. Calming down in the car, she’d realized something must’ve triggered his coldness earlier.

Lin Ming shrugged nonchalantly. "Who knows?"

"Hmph! Fine, keep your secrets." Yuhan He pouted.

They reached the reception hall mid-conversation. Darknight clapped his hands. A maid appeared. "What would you like to drink? The City Lord’s still working. Have something to pass the time."

"Coffee!" ×2—Rosen and Yuhan He chimed.

"Ah~, just tea. Whatever’s handy." Lin Ming mumbled wearily.

"Coffee for me too. Hurry it up." Darknight ordered the maid.

"Yes, one moment." The maid bowed and hurried off.

"Hey, delicate guy!" Lin Ming grinned at Darknight. "You said the City Lord’s A Rank. Is he a Body Cultivator or what? Spill it!"

"Uh…" Darknight froze, caught off guard. He didn’t even correct the "delicate guy" jab—Lin Ming’s bluntness stunned him.

"Well… tricky. The City Lord’s never fought publicly. Hahaha." Darknight laughed awkwardly. Only a fool would admit the truth.

"Tch."

"I don’t know his strength, but I can share his deeds. Ah, drinks are here. Let’s chat over coffee." Darknight gestured as the maid served them.

"Enjoy." She placed three cups down and withdrew.

Darknight sipped his coffee. "Wind City’s City Lord is named Song Dugu. He’s—"

"Pfft!"

Lin Ming had just taken a sip of tea. Hearing "Song Dugu," he spat it out—spraying Darknight square in the face.

"Ew… Senior, you’re gross!" Yuhan He wrinkled her nose.

"Mr. Lin?" Darknight dabbed his face with a handkerchief, jaw tight. "What’s the excitement?"

"Just… that name startled me," Lin Ming stammered. "And seriously, kudos to your City Lord’s courage."

"Oh? Explain." Darknight frowned, puzzled.

"Yeah, Senior! It’s just a name," Yuhan He added, confused.

"Ahem." Lin Ming cleared his throat. "Doesn’t he know our academy’s Headmaster is surnamed Dugu? Song Dugu—‘giving away Dugu.’ Heh… If old man Dugu Bai hears this, your City Lord’s finished." He chuckled despite himself.

"Uh…" Darknight’s forehead beaded with sweat.

He knew Azure Spirit Academy’s Headmaster Dugu Bai’s power. An A Rank City Lord was an ant before him. Few in the Alliance dared cross him.

"No way! Is the Headmaster that petty, Senior?" Yuhan He gasped, eyes wide.

Lin Ming crossed his arms, face grave. "Petty? Try legendary. Years ago, some fool in the Alliance ‘accidentally’ shattered his mirror. Dugu Bai slapped him from the Eastern Mainland to the continent’s center. Only his magical treasures saved him—and he’s still bedridden."

"No way! From the Eastern Mainland?!" Yuhan He covered her mouth, stunned by both power and pettiness.

"Oh, and that fool was S Rank." Lin Ming added casually.

Rosen’s eyes widened. He was only A Rank himself. If an S Rank nearly died from one slap, Yuhan He would be safe at the academy—whatever "that thing" was wouldn’t dare touch her.

Darknight wiped sweat from his brow. As a low-level Alliance bureaucrat, he knew the incident better than Lin Ming.

It happened at a routine meeting. A council member, annoyed by Dugu Bai, sent his personal guard to "teach him respect." The guard "tripped," shattering Dugu Bai’s mirror. Dugu Bai erupted—slapping the guard like swatting dust. The guard survived only due to his treasures… and Dugu Bai hadn’t even tried.

Darknight swallowed hard. He now desperately wanted the City Lord to change his name.

"So," Lin Ming said solemnly, "tell your City Lord to pick a new name. Or he might die. The Headmaster’s generosity is truly… ‘vast’."