Chapter 51: Unreasonable Entanglements

The more desperately one searches for something, the harder it is to find; yet when one has no use for it, one encounters it every day. Bai Feiyu wandered through the marketplace for a long time, but never caught sight of a so-called dissolute young master.

Just as Bai Feiyu was about to give up, a sudden commotion erupted within the crowd.

“Make way! Move aside!”

In an instant, a path opened up as everyone hurriedly stepped aside, and a carriage sped past. But this was no carriage carrying a pampered heir; it was a prison cart, with a criminal inside.

“Who is that? What did he do?” Bai Feiyu asked the nearby residents.

“That man? He used to be a local tyrant, Xiao Ming, the notorious scion of the Xiao family,” one replied.

“He’s done all sorts of evil—killed many, bullied men and women alike, truly vile.” Another chimed in, “But ever since the new city lord took office and enforced strict laws, many of these great family descendants have been rooted out. The city is much safer now—our city lord is truly a good man.”

An elderly gentleman nearby sighed with heartfelt emotion.

Hearing this, Bai Feiyu instantly understood. So that was the situation. No wonder he had searched so long without finding a single wastrel; this city had an excellent lord.

Although this made it harder for him to collect attributes, Bai Feiyu wholeheartedly approved of the old city lord’s actions.

It must be said, under his rule, the happiness of the citizens had greatly improved.

With these thoughts, Bai Feiyu decided to return to the inn. With the old city lord in charge, he would have to wait until the Toba Ruins opened before he could collect any attributes.

“Stop right there! Who are you, sneaking around like that!”

Just as Bai Feiyu was about to leave, the prison cart ahead suddenly halted. A constable fixed him with a stern gaze and barked a rebuke.

Bai Feiyu frowned, but thinking the constable was simply on edge, he replied politely, “Sir, I am a disciple of the Returning Void Sect. I’m here because a nearby ruin is about to open.”

“So, we’re waiting for the ruins to open, preparing for an expedition inside.”

Despite the constable’s unfriendly tone, Bai Feiyu remained respectful, understanding that he was only trying to keep troublemakers out.

Unexpectedly, at the mention of the Toba Ruins, the constable’s expression darkened, and he snapped, “Nonsense! You’re clearly up to something.”

“The Toba Ruins won’t open for several days, and the major sects haven’t arrived yet. If you’re here so early, you must have an ulterior motive.”

“Moreover, you’ve been wandering the streets instead of cultivating—perhaps looking for an opportunity to steal.”

“Men, arrest this fellow and lock him up for a thorough interrogation!”

At his order, several constables immediately surrounded Bai Feiyu.

Bai Feiyu frowned—what was the meaning of this? He had done nothing wrong, merely come to observe the local customs, and now they wanted to arrest him?

A vague sense told Bai Feiyu that matters were not so simple.

But the townsfolk, hearing the constable’s words, quickly distanced themselves, casting righteous, indignant looks his way.

Bai Feiyu was dumbfounded.

“What is the meaning of this? I was only strolling about, hoping to find a suitable gift for my junior sister. How am I being sneaky? We completed our task ahead of time, so we came early to wait for the ruins to open!”

His face darkened as he protested. He had never encountered such people before—arresting others on mere suspicion, without so much as an inquiry.

This was nothing like what he had expected.

Yet the constable shouted, “Still making excuses? Men, seize him at once!”

At these words, Bai Feiyu understood; the constable knew perfectly well he was not a suspicious character, but was determined to make an arrest regardless.

Fury welled up in Bai Feiyu’s heart, and his cultivation surged.

“I advise you not to act rashly. I truly have no ulterior motives,” he said coldly. “Since arriving, I have conducted myself openly and honorably. On what grounds do you arrest innocent people?”

He hoped his words would make the constables reconsider.

But he saw only cold, mocking smiles on their faces; they paid his words no mind.

In that instant, Bai Feiyu understood. Perhaps, after the old city lord had come, the city’s security had indeed improved. Backed by his authority, the major families dared not resist; the lord’s original intent had been to increase the city’s happiness and ensure a good life for its citizens.

But these subordinates were abusing their power, wielding it arbitrarily. Not only could they earn money, but also rack up achievements. All they needed to do was arrest a few people at random, and their merits would soar. After all, with the city lord’s backing, no one could oppose them, and their actions were all “legal.”

Didn’t the people support them after the old city lord’s arrival?

But in truth, they were squandering the city lord’s reputation for their own gain.

Fury blazed in Bai Feiyu’s heart. If this went on, the old city lord’s good name would soon be ruined. Without the former wastrels to oppress the people, these constables would become even more fearsome.

“If you refuse to listen to reason, then today I’ll take you to see the city lord yourself,” Bai Feiyu thundered. “Everything you’ve done today will be made known to him. Rotten wood cannot be carved.”

With that, Bai Feiyu sprang into action. These constables, all mere practitioners of the Qi Refining stage, were no match for him.

Before long, they all lay defeated, while the prisoner in the cart gazed at him, eyes shining.

“Brother, did my father send you to rescue me?” he exclaimed. “Quick, untie me! These bastards tied me up far too tight. And you, hurry up and kill them all.”

“Oh, and how is my father? That damnable city lord is too much. Has my father come up with a plan to deal with him yet?”

The fellow naïvely believed Bai Feiyu had been sent by his father to save him.

Hearing this, Bai Feiyu’s lips curled into a mocking smile. He strode over and gave the man a resounding slap.

...