Chapter 170
"City Lord, this man's heart has long been completely rotten, how could he possibly feel regret?" Suddenly, an unfamiliar yet youthful voice came from below.
Everyone looked over and saw the people from the four major tribes, Jian Hao and others, leading a young man who was bringing a group forward.
That young man's eyes lit up upon seeing Yuan Heng. He strode over to him in a few quick steps and greeted him cheerfully: "Brother Heng."
Yuan Heng's expression softened slightly: "Leader."
Xiao Ruo scratched his head sheepishly: "Brother Heng, please don't call me leader, just call me Xiao Ruo."
Having said that, he looked at Wang Jin and waved to him.
Xi Ning watched with curiosity and asked Wang Jin: "Yao'er, who is this person?"
Wang Jin hurried forward to introduce: "This is the newly appointed leader of the Danmu tribe, Xiao Ruo."
Xi Ning noticed that Wang Jin appeared extremely happy about Xiao Ruo's arrival and his attitude towards Xiao Ruo was also very gentle.
Seeing this, Xiao Ruo revealed a shy yet friendly smile.
Wang Jin chuckled lightly. This Xiao Ruo was still so timid even after becoming leader. He then introduced to Xi Ning: "Brother, this is Qin Xi from the Danmu tribe, and Qin Ya. They are brothers. And this one is..."
After introducing all dozen or so people from the Danmu tribe one by one, Yuan Heng spoke up to ask Xiao Ruo: "Why did you come to Ning'an City? You are the leader, what will happen to the tribe in your absence?"
Xiao Ruo was taken aback, his face turning bitter: "Brother Heng, I just arrived in Ning'an City and you're already lecturing me. The Danmu tribe has A-Yuan and A-Hua guarding it, nothing will happen. I came here on important business."
As he spoke, the Qin brothers pulled out several people from behind and said to Yuan Heng: "Brother Heng, look. These people came to the Danmu tribe not long after you and Jin ger followed Cheng Bai, saying they were sent by the incense hall master of Ning'an City to kill Jin ger. I was worried you were in danger, so I immediately brought people and rushed here..."
"..." Everyone fell into an unusual silence upon hearing this, looking at Pan Shulin.
Pan Shulin trembled even more violently when he saw those people.
He had sent these people out when Ning'an City first received news of Xi Yao, but before any message came back, Xi Yao had returned...
After Xi Yao returned, Pan Shulin thought these people had missed their chance and would return. He never expected them to be so foolish as to be captured by the Danmu tribe.
Seeing everyone silent, Xiao Ruo paused for a moment, then cautiously asked: "D-did you really encounter danger? Did I... did I arrive too late?"
Hearing this, Xi Ning let out a light laugh: "Not too late. You arrived just at the right time, having solved our biggest problem on the streets earlier."
Remembering the earlier events, Xiao Ruo gave a shy smile: "That... we actually almost didn't win. It was these people who helped."
Xiao Ruo pointed at the beastmen who had brought them to find Xi Ning. Xi Ning looked at them, they bowed to Xi Ning, then each returned to their own tribal contingent.
They were from the four tribes that had been insisting they would not participate in the fight earlier.
Xi Ning's expression softened. He nodded to the four leaders in acknowledgment, and the four returned a polite smile.
Wang Jin walked to Yuan Heng's side and asked quietly: "Brother Heng, are these the friends you mentioned who could help you build a city?"
"Yes." Yuan Heng looked at those people and said: "The first three are. The last one called Jie'er is a good friend of those three. I know him, but not very well. However, he is someone those three would entrust their tribes to, so he should be reliable."
Xi Ning overheard their conversation and gave Yuan Heng a meaningful look.
Xiao Ruo looked at Yuan Heng curiously and was about to speak when Xi Ning came before Xiao Ruo and said: "Xiao Ruo, actually in our Ning'an City there is a type of bird called a message bird. Later I will send someone to teach you how to use them. In the future, if there is urgent news again, you can send a message directly."
Even the slowest message bird would not delay for several months...
If a message bird had been used to send word earlier, his younger brother would not have been plotted against by Pan Shulin later.
Hearing this, Xiao Ruo forgot what he was going to ask Yuan Heng. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Xi Ning: "Message birds? The kind Cheng Bai uses? The City Lord is truly willing to teach our Danmu tribe? That is wonderful."
Having said that, Xiao Ruo looked at Wang Jin and said: "Jin ger, your brother is really good."
Hearing this, Xi Ning frowned slightly and looked at Wang Jin: "Jin ger? Yao'er... you..."
Wang Jin suddenly realized and hurriedly explained: "I lost my memory in the Danmu tribe and casually gave myself a name, Wang Jin."
Xi Ning did not doubt him and said with a faint smile: "That name... is really too common."
"..." Wang Jin was displeased: "What's common about it? Wang, the aura of a king. Jin, wealth and nobility!"
Xi Ning couldn't hold back a laugh. A hint of amusement appeared in Yuan Heng's eyes.
Xiao Ruo said: "Then City Lord, these people are handed over to you for disposal."
Xiao Ruo handed the bound people over to Xi Ning. Xi Ning had his men take custody of them: "Thank you."
Having said that, he looked at Pan Shulin and was just about to open his mouth to deal with him when Wang Jin hurried forward and said: "Brother, leave this person for me to deal with. He has tried to kill me multiple times. I must teach him a proper lesson."
Xi Ning frowned slightly, seeming somewhat reluctant: "Yao'er... you have always been soft-hearted since childhood. If I hand him over to you, will you spare his life?"
Wang Jin was taken aback. He looked at Xi Ning. Xi Ning looked very serious, as if he would sternly lecture him the moment Wang Jin said he would spare Pan Shulin's life. Wang Jin hurriedly said: "Of course not."
This person tried to harm him multiple times. If Wang Jin still spared his life, he was not that magnanimous.
Xi Ning seemed somewhat unconvinced. Wang Jin tugged at Yuan Heng's sleeve and said: "Brother Heng can vouch for me. I am not soft-hearted towards those who want to harm me."
Hearing this, Yuan Heng spoke up: "City Lord, there is also me. Please hand Pan Shulin over to the two of us for disposal. I also wish to avenge the little ger."
As Yuan Heng said this, his gaze was extremely dark. Although he repeatedly restrained his aura, some still leaked out. That aura of death, as if brought from the underworld, made people shiver.
Xi Ning's heart settled: "Since you give your word, then Pan Shulin is handed over to you for disposal."
"City Lord." Cheng Li behind him suddenly spoke. Xi Ning looked over and saw him supporting the weak Cheng Bai as they came forward: "I will take Cheng Bai back first."
"Yes, you've worked hard." Xi Ning responded, then looked at Wang Jin and Yuan Heng: "You two go handle your own matters as well. Take all your friends with you and arrange lodgings for them. Any place they fancy is fine."
Wang Jin was delighted: "Thank you, brother."
After everyone left, Xi Ning walked to the doorway and peered inside for a while, but there was no movement from within the room.
It was as if the earlier battle had completely unaffected the person inside. Xi Ning heaved a deep sigh of relief and said softly towards the interior: "I will wait for you to emerge from seclusion. You must be well."
Inside the room, Qian Sheng, who was meditating, trembled his eyelashes slightly.
After Wang Jin and Yuan Heng left the area of the elders' courtyard, they split up to act.
Wang Jin took the people from the Danmu tribe, escorted Pan Shulin, and returned to the pavilion. His pavilion was large, accommodating over a dozen beastmen was no problem at all.
But housing people from four tribes would be far too small. Therefore, he couldn't take the tribes of Yuan Heng's four friends back with him. Yuan Heng had also considered this issue, so he took those four back to Keyuan Residence.
"We may have to trouble you to stay at Keyuan Residence a while longer. After I explain to the City Lord, we will set out." Yuan Heng looked apologetically at his four friends.
The four waved their hands. Zhou Shen said gently: "No rush. After you help handle matters in this city, we can set out. It's not too late."
Jian Hao said: "Yes, building a city doesn't lack these few days anyway."
You Lin playfully added: "Don't look so apologetic either. This Keyuan Residence, even if people in the city look down on it, is actually much better than what we used to live in the jungle."
Jie'er watched as his three friends acted so considerate and accommodating toward Yuan Heng, and he couldn't help but shudder slightly.
This felt completely wrong. In his memory, these three were each more cunning and less willing to take a loss than the last. Yet here they were, acting like this around Yuan Heng. He almost didn't recognize them anymore.
Jie'er was just thinking this when he saw the three of them all look at him. He jolted all over, suddenly understanding, and spoke up: "Ah, I... I also think staying at Keyuan Residence is quite good. We'll wait for you here."
Hearing him say this, the three turned their gazes away. The corner of Jie'er's eye twitched uncontrollably.
A flicker of amusement passed through Yuan Heng's light amber eyes. He waved to the four and said: "Then I'll head back first. You all come over for dinner tonight. Get to know my little ger."
"Okay." The three responded obediently. Jie'er, a beat slower, also responded.
Although he felt there was no need for him to respond... for some reason, he responded along with them.
After Yuan Heng left, Jie'er moved closer and quietly asked the three: "Why are you all so respectful towards Yuan Heng?"
Hearing this, the three looked at Jie'er as if he were an idiot, completely unwilling to answer his question.
Jian Hao and Zhou Shen simply walked away directly. You Lin sighed and patted his shoulder as a reminder: "Jie'er, don't you understand what admiration and reverence mean?"
"Admiration? Reverence? The three of you? For Yuan Heng?" Jie'er absolutely refused to believe these three would admire and revere someone...
After all, they were all tribal chieftains, and strong ones who led their tribes to survive the beast horde.
But... Jie'er recalled Yuan Heng's commanding presence earlier, his speed and strength when dealing with Zhao Yu... plus his gentle attitude towards them afterwards...
Jie'er felt it wasn't entirely impossible.
When Yuan Heng returned to the pavilion, Wang Jin had already arranged everything. He had assigned lodging for everyone from the Danmu tribe.
Now they were looking around in amazement. The Danmu tribe never had such beautiful houses. Even the floors in this pavilion were paved with marble. The entire building seemed extremely luxurious to the people of the Danmu tribe.
Added to what they had seen on their way here—the streets, the buildings on both sides... and some things they had never seen before...
While their horizons were vastly broadened, they truly began to realize what the identity of Wang Jin's younger brother, the City Lord of Ning'an, meant.
"Such country bumpkins." Pan Shulin, who was being held under guard, let out a disdainful snort. A beastman with sharp hearing overheard him. Their expressions immediately turned sour. Xiao Ruo's face flushed slightly. He looked at Wang Jin, who was completely at ease in the pavilion, his manner extremely natural and elegant... as if he and they were from two different worlds.
Xiao Ruo felt inexplicably restrained. He walked over and sat somewhat awkwardly beside Wang Jin: "Um... A-Jin, do we... do we look very unsophisticated like this?"
Wang Jin was taken aback. He looked at them. They were wearing the hemp clothes of the Danmu tribe. Having walked through the jungle, their clothes now looked somewhat tattered and dirty. Some people still had smudges on their faces...
Wang Jin smiled apologetically: "It was my oversight. Uncle Shan."
Uncle Shan stepped forward. Wang Jin said: "Quickly arrange for people to prepare baths for everyone. Also, go to the clothing shop and find some suitable clothes."
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