At the entrance of the City Lord’s grand residence stood two burly, bare-chested guards, their imposing presence striking awe into the hearts of onlookers.

A group of cultivators, following closely behind Li Jianqiu, turned to the right within the sprawling grounds.

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from behind them: “Jiang Wang!”

Jiang Wang turned his head to see Sun Xiaoman, petite and utterly charming in appearance. She bounced with childlike energy amidst the crowd, waving enthusiastically in his direction.

Beside her stood a somewhat portly young man, none other than Sun Xiaoyan.

“Miss Sun!” Jiang Wang greeted, a smile gracing his lips.

“Why be so stiff, just call me Xiaoman.” Sun Xiaoman strode forward and playfully punched him in the stomach.

Jiang Wang let out a faint gasp, striving to maintain a cheerful facade to avoid awkwardness. “Alright, alright, Xiaoman. And Xiaoyan, hello to you too!”

It seemed Sun Xiaoman’s group had just returned from venturing beyond the city walls, faint traces of battle still clinging to their forms. Yang Xingyong and Zhao Tiehe were not among them, suggesting they might not always undertake missions together.

Sun Xiaoman waved her hand, signaling for those behind her to proceed. She then turned back to Jiang Wang, her voice laced with playful curiosity: “Have you come this time to seek us out, or…?”

Jiang Wang chuckled and introduced Li Jianqiu, Zhao Rucheng, and the others. “We are here to accept the mission to eradicate the ferocious beasts.”

“Good! That’s the spirit!” Sun Xiaoman, in her characteristic bold manner, exclaimed, “Haven’t settled on lodging yet? Come, all of you, stay at my place!”

“Sister,” Sun Xiaoyan tugged at her sleeve, his voice a quiet whisper, “You’re a girl, it’s not proper to bring people back to stay…”

“What’s improper about it? Our house is huge, just arrange it, is that not right?”

“My bed is so small, it’s not even enough for me alone!”

“When did I say I wanted them to share your bed??”

“It’s even worse to share *your* bed, right?”

“What manner of thoughts occupy that head full of fat every day?”

Just as the two siblings seemed poised to engage in a physical altercation, Li Jianqiu intervened at the opportune moment. “Miss Sun, we have already secured lodging. Furthermore, we are about to embark on the mission to eliminate the ferocious beasts, so it would be inconvenient to reside in your esteemed mansion.”

Jiang Wang also added, “This time, we are all under the guidance of Senior Brother Li Jianqiu, and all matters are arranged by him. Xiaoman, Xiaoyan, please do not trouble yourselves. Let us share a drink together after the beast extermination is complete!”

“Ah, okay, okay.” Sun Xiaoman instantly reined in her fiery demeanor, turning back with a bright smile. “I’ll summon Tiehe and the others later.”

With that, the two groups of people parted ways.

No sooner had Jiang Wang and the others departed than Sun Xiaoman’s expression darkened. “You wish to tarnish my reputation, do you? So petty and stingy, what will our friends from Fenglin City think of us?”

However, knowing her sister well, Sun Xiaoyan had already bolted into the City Lord’s Mansion, unwilling to endure a beating.

Sun Xiaoman gave chase, pursuing her sibling relentlessly. The servants within the mansion, long accustomed to such antics, merely kept their gaze fixed straight ahead.

The two siblings burst into the study one after the other.

Seated behind a desk was a middle-aged woman of striking beauty, engrossed in reviewing documents.

This was none other than the current City Lord of Three Mountains City, Dou Yuemei, and the mother of Sun Xiaoman and her siblings.

Sun Xiaoyan burrowed into her arms, his chubby hand pointing an accusing finger. “Look, Sister!”

Dou Yuemei set aside her brush and ink, embracing the plump Sun Xiaoyan, regardless of the somewhat awkward scene. Her phoenix eyes, sharp and discerning, fixed upon the gesticulating Sun Xiaoman.

“Sun Xiaoman! What commotion are you stirring up now?”

Despite her elegant name, her presence could only be described as formidable.

Sun Xiaoman halted at the study’s threshold, quite unconvinced. “As the elder sister, I’m disciplining him, what is wrong with that?”

“He already has a mother, he doesn’t require so many mothers!”

Sun Xiaoman was momentarily speechless, and could only stomp her bare feet upon the floor tiles with a resounding thud. “Mother! You are far too biased!”

Dou Yuemei, holding Sun Xiaoyan affectionately, stated matter-of-factly, “That is correct. A daughter married out is like spilled water!”

“I am not married yet!”

“Is it not merely a matter of time?”

Sun Xiaoyan, safe in his mother’s embrace, piped up, “Exactly! She was flirting with a man named Jiang today!”

“You fat lump, you’re asking for a beating!” Sun Xiaoman was furious, raising her fist to charge forward.

Dou Yuemei raised a hand, and a gentle force held Sun Xiaoman in place, preventing her from advancing.

“Girls should not be so boorish.” She raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity in her voice. “What is this about the man named Jiang?”

“You are listening to his nonsense!” Sun Xiaoman, unable to break through the barrier, felt her anger surge. “Jiang Wang is the one who unconditionally transferred fifty Dao Xun to us last time, and this time he came to help us clear the ferocious beasts. What is wrong with me greeting him? You, this heartless son, are stingy and afraid that others would take advantage of him!”

“Oh, in that case, you should indeed treat him well.” Dou Yuemei nodded, then inquired, “Does he possess a pleasing appearance?”

Sun Xiaoman felt she could no longer converse with her mother. “Mother!”

Sun Xiaoyan made his presence known with perfect timing. “He looks alright, but not as handsome as the one surnamed Zhao.”

“You do not understand, my foolish son. Men who are too refined are useless; you need some substance.” Dou Yuemei reached out and pinched Sun Xiaoyan’s chubby cheek. “Look at you, so round and adorable.”

Sun Xiaoyan’s expression was shy, a hint of embarrassment coloring his features.

Sun Xiaoman took a deep breath, composing herself, suppressing her rising temper, and stated calmly, “Mother, are you perhaps a little biased towards boys?”

Dou Yuemei nodded, quite matter-of-factly. “Yes, and what of it?”

Sun Xiaoman roared, “You, surnamed Dou! You are also a woman!”

“Exactly! Look, am I not a prime example? I poured my heart out for your good-for-nothing father. When did I ever concern myself with my maiden family? When my father was on his deathbed, he must have regretted not caring more for his beloved son.

When your old man was alive, I served him, and when he died, I had to shoulder the burden of the Sun family and care for the two of you. From a delicate young woman, I transformed into this dilapidated City Lord with a thick waist and a booming voice! Tell me, what use is it to dote on daughters?”

Sun Xiaoman was left utterly speechless.

She kicked open the study door and stormed out in a fit of pique.

…

Turning back to Jiang Wang and the others, after parting ways with Sun Xiaoman, they proceeded to find lodging.

Huang Azhan grinned lecherously. “Jiang Wang is quite something, the daughter of the City Lord of Three Mountains City.”

Jiang Wang felt helpless. “Just ordinary friends.”

“Hehehe, I understand, I understand.”

Zhao Rucheng spoke quietly from the side. “Huang Azhan, if you are not afraid of being pulverized into a pulp by the Mountain Shaking Hammer, then continue with your lecherous laughter.”

Huang Azhan instantly recalled the sight of the Mountain Shaking Hammer sweeping across the stage during the Three Cities Forum, shivered, and fell silent.

Li Jianqiu seemed remarkably familiar with the locale and easily guided the group to an inn.

The inn was small but well-maintained.

Several sets of tables and chairs adorned the hall, all meticulously clean.

The innkeeper was an old man whose eyesight was poor. He squinted at Li Jianqiu for a while before breaking into a smile and a grin. “You’re here, Little Li?”

Li Jianqiu greeted him with familiarity. “Yes, Uncle Zhang. Please arrange four rooms.”

“Two rooms will suffice. Even with coin to spare, do not squander it thus. Four sturdy men, can you not manage to squeeze together?”

“Very well, I shall do as you suggest.”

“Have you been well lately?”

“Exceedingly well. And you, Uncle?”

“All is well.”

Jiang Wang silently observed the scene, a feeling washing over him that Li Jianqiu was remarkably at ease here, as if he had resided in this place for a significant time.

“His son and daughter-in-law were devoured by ferocious beasts on the official road on their way back to the city.” As they ascended the stairs, Li Jianqiu’s voice was somber. “By the time the patrolling city guards arrived, not even a single bone could be found.”

Jiang Wang fell silent. The number of ferocious beasts in the Fenglin City region was moderate, and it was rare for them to intrude upon the official road.

He found it difficult to fathom that if even the official road was unsafe, how much pressure did the ordinary folk of Three Mountains City have to endure just to live?

And what was it that still allowed them to harbor such stubborn hope?

“He always believes his son is not dead and that he will return one day. So he guards the inn door every day.”

Li Jianqiu sighed and spoke no further.