At this time, the City Lord should be inside the main hall reviewing documents.
Passing by layer upon layer of beastman guards, before Cheng Li even reached the main hall, he heard a familiar voice from inside.
"The City Lord flatters me."
It was Cheng Bai. Hearing his voice, Cheng Li's tense expression eased a little. A look of pure delight spread across Pan Shulin's face, and he spoke without thinking, "Brother Bai!"
Having said that, he couldn't restrain himself from stepping forward, but was stopped by the beastman guards at the council hall: "Young Master Pan, please wait. The City Lord is meeting with Young Master Cheng."
"Can't we go in while they are meeting?" Pan Shulin asked with a frown.
The beastman said: "The City Lord said he wants to speak with Young Master Cheng alone for a few words. He is not seeing anyone."
"But we have important matters," Pan Yue said.
"Yes, hasn't Brother Bai been back for two days already? Hasn't the City Lord finished speaking with Brother Bai yet?" Pan Shulin muttered discontentedly.
The beastman replied: "Young Master Pan, you may not know this. When Young Master Cheng returned, he was covered in blood and was unconscious for a full day. He only improved enough to get out of bed today and came to see the City Lord... So, although he returned two days ago, this is actually his first time meeting the City Lord."
"Covered in blood... He was injured..." Pan Shulin's expression became extremely worried. Cheng Li's eyes also darkened.
He stopped Pan Shulin, who wanted to speak again, and said to the beastman: "Please go and announce us. We truly have urgent business. The young master... is missing."
"!" The beastman's eyes widened in shock. Not daring to delay, he rushed inside on trembling legs.
Inside the room, the City Lord was smiling at Cheng Bai, his eyes full of approval.
"You returned earlier than Yuan Heng this time, that means you are even more capable than Yuan Heng. For one of our Celestial Fox tribe to be more capable than an ancient beastman, when this spreads, it will greatly enhance the prestige of our Celestial Fox tribe. Cheng Bai, you have truly brought honor to Ning'an City."
"City Lord." Before Cheng Bai could reply, the door outside suddenly opened. The guard beastman hurried in, followed by four people.
Cheng Li, Pan Yue, Pan Shulin, and his servant.
Xi Ning was startled. Cheng Bai was also surprised.
When he woke up, he heard that the little delicate one had gone out with these people and wouldn't be back for several days. He had even told people to freeze the Haiqiong meat to prevent it from spoiling.
Why these people returned so quickly?
Where is the little delicate one?
"Elder Brother." Cheng Bai bowed to Cheng Li. Cheng Li did not look at him, his face dark and gloomy, as if something major had happened.
Xi Ning's heart grew slightly cold. He looked at Cheng Li and said: "What is it? Why have you returned so soon?"
Xi Ning looked outside again. Apart from the four of them, there was no one else.
Where is Yao'er?
Cheng Li bent his knee and knelt before Xi Ning: "I beg the City Lord to punish me. The young master... fell into the water and is missing."
Seeing this, Pan Yue hurriedly knelt down as well. Pan Shulin dawdled and then knelt with his servant.
"!" Both Xi Ning and Cheng Bai were shocked.
Xi Ning said: "When did this happen?"
"Five days ago," Pan Yue answered.
"!" Cheng Bai's eyes widened: "Elder Brother, five days, and he hasn't been found yet?"
"Yes," Cheng Li replied with difficulty.
Cheng Bai's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. The little delicate one couldn't swim... he had been in the sea for five days...
Cheng Bai's face turned deathly pale, even his lips lost color.
Xi Ning was furious. He kicked Cheng Li in the shoulder. Cheng Li took the kick squarely, his face somewhat pale.
Xi Ning said: "Do you remember what you promised me when you insisted on going to sea?"
Cheng Li pressed his lips together and said: "To guarantee the young master's safety, to stay by his side without leaving a step, to keep him in the ship's cabin and not let him come out."
"And now?!"
Cheng Li said: "This subordinate failed in his duty."
"City Lord, you can't blame Brother Cheng entirely. That day, Brother Cheng went into the sea to search for someone and entrusted me to watch the young master. It was I... I who left the ship that led to this."
"Shut up," Xi Ning said hatefully.
Pan Yue lowered his head.
Pan Shulin trembled as he kept his head down, his whole body shaking with guilt.
The City Lord was truly terrifying when angry.
That originally quite gentle face now seemed sharp as if covered in thorns; one look could feel piercing. Those originally lazy eyes, often half-squinted, were now fully open, with more white than pupil, making his whole person carry a fierce aura. His entire presence was fully unleashed, pressing down on people and making them tremble involuntarily.
Pan Shulin somewhat regretted coming. He was afraid that even if no one suspected anything, his own reaction would expose him.
"I beg the City Lord to punish me. I will accept any punishment!" Cheng Li said stiffly, raising his voice.
Xi Ning clenched his knuckles, gritting his teeth: "What use is punishing you now? I trusted you and let Yao'er go with you."
"..." A pained expression flashed across Cheng Li's face: "Cheng Li has disappointed the City Lord."
"...Send people to search. Send people to search immediately!" Xi Ning said through clenched teeth.
Hearing this, Cheng Bai immediately knelt down: "City Lord, I will go too."
Xi Ning shook his head: "No. You are seriously injured and need to rest and recover properly."
"I can do it," Cheng Bai said.
Cheng Li said: "You go back and rest. I will go."
"Elder Brother!" Cheng Bai looked at Cheng Li. Cheng Li was also resolute.
Pan Shulin tugged at Cheng Bai's sleeve beside him and whispered: "Brother Bai, you should go and rest."
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