"Young master, you’ll know once you go to the City Lord’s Mansion. Someone is waiting for you there. I’m not sure what it is about, but we were instructed to inform you if we saw you," the guard said respectfully.

"How did you know I would come to the Royal City? What if I never came? Were you planning to keep searching indefinitely?" Chu Linfeng asked.

"I don’t know about that, young master. If you have any questions, it’s best to ask at the City Lord’s Mansion. I can have someone accompany you there," the guard replied.

"No need, I’ll go myself. I’m curious to see who’s playing mysterious with me," Chu Linfeng said, entering the city. He was certain it was Cheng Xinmei’s doing, but he couldn’t fathom why she would go to such lengths to invite him when she despised him so. Could it be a trap?

Soon, Chu Linfeng spotted Zhang Lijuan amidst the crowd. She, too, noticed him and was surprised to see him inside the city. Had he really dealt with the guards quietly? There hadn’t been any commotion, after all. If he’d killed anyone at the gate, there would have been a scene, yet the streets were calm.

"How did you get here? What’s going on?" Zhang Lijuan asked.

"I don’t know either. I was summoned to the City Lord’s Mansion. Want to come along? We shouldn’t refuse such a warm invitation," Chu Linfeng said with a smile.

Zhang Lijuan paused, "Are you suggesting that there’s a trap waiting for us at the City Lord’s Mansion?"

"Something like that. Interested in finding out? I bet there’ll be powerful figures gathered. If we can overcome them, your position as Human King will be secure. It’s a rare opportunity," Chu Linfeng replied.

"Why wouldn’t I go? With someone as formidable as you, I’d dare enter even a dragon’s den," Zhang Lijuan laughed.

"Is that admiration I hear in your voice? Are you falling for me?" Chu Linfeng grinned, his expression mischievous.

"Get lost! Who’d fall for you!" Zhang Lijuan snapped, ignoring Chu Linfeng as she headed toward the City Lord’s Mansion.

When they reached the City Lord’s Mansion, they found nothing amiss. Xiang Shaolong’s residence wasn’t like the grand palaces of the Netherworld Lord or Ghost King, just somewhat larger than average. Two sentinels stood motionless by the gate, like towering pines. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Chu Linfeng and Zhang Lijuan approached the gate, where one of the guards stopped them. At the sight of Chu Linfeng, he appeared slightly anxious, "Young... young master, please come in, please come in!"

Their words were brief, with no hint of who awaited inside. But Chu Linfeng and Zhang Lijuan were unfazed by any potential enemies and strode in confidently.

Though unremarkable from the outside, the interior of Xiang Shaolong’s residence was grand, teeming with flowers and greenery, with surprising verdant plants, rock gardens, ponds, pavilions and gardens intertwined.

Yet, they encountered no one along the way, an evidently unusual occurrence in such a vast mansion. The place felt eerily deserted as they arrived in front of a great hall, where mourning items were hung, and sporadic sobs echoed.

"Heh, seems they’re ready for my funeral. Lijuan, do you think the Poison King will be here?" Chu Linfeng chuckled.

"We’ll know once we go in. It appears they’re prepared for us. I want to see how you’ll handle this," Zhang Lijuan said.

Chu Linfeng stepped into the hall first. Inside were more than twenty people, among them Cheng Xinmei in mourning attire. Unlike expected, she wasn’t angry upon seeing Chu Linfeng. "A man of courage indeed, walking into danger knowingly. Since you’re here, you won’t leave easily," she said.

At the center, an enormous coffin lay, various offerings on the altar, with Xiang Shaolong’s name above. His supposed senior wasn’t present.

Several in the hall were quite strong, five with Fourth Level Venerable Martial Realm powers, and two appeared to be of the Fifth Layer of Venerable Martial Realm, glaring at Chu Linfeng as if wanting to kill him on the spot.

Among them, Hong Chao stood behind an elder, watching Chu Linfeng with a self-assured smile, confident of his doom today.

"Quite the crowd wanting you dead, someone’s popular. The Royal City’s strong must have liked Xiang Shaolong a lot," Zhang Lijuan remarked, entering.

"Ignorant woman, hold your tongue! This isn’t a place for you. Leave now or face death!" an elder burst out.

Chu Linfeng chuckled, "A woman? Haha, woman! Old fool, she’s a maiden, not a woman. Seems you’re doomed today."

Zhang Lijuan shot Chu Linfeng a glance and ignored his words, addressing the elder, "If you wish to kill him, why hesitate? I want to see who will be the first to die today."

"Chu Linfeng, you killed my mentor and brother. I demand justice for them today. Spare yourself worse suffering and end your life. Maybe we’ll leave you in one piece," Cheng Xinmei declared.

"Looks like the Royal City’s quite the powerhouse. Must have been many taken to the Beast Race by Xiang Shaolong, yet so many remain. Taking the Human King seat won’t be easy," Zhang Lijuan said.

Her words drew everyone’s gaze to her, stunned that a woman could aspire to be Human King — an absurd notion.

Chu Linfeng surveyed them, "You can’t fight here. I defeated Xiang Shaolong, and none of you are my match. If a fight breaks out, this Royal City might be razed. Would you destroy it for Xiang Shaolong?"

"Boy, you’re overly confident. You’re strong, arguably unmatched here, but there are ways to subdue you. Try using your Nether Power now," an elder said.