Back then, right around this very time, Lei Ling'er, the daughter of Bahuang Domain's Lord Lei Longhu, met her death at the jaws of a ferocious beast.
Because of this incident, even the City Lord's Mansion was implicated, and many people died.
In his past life, after Qin Ze rose to become a powerful expert, Lei Longhu eventually became his subordinate, and the two fought side by side for several years.
In the end, Lei Longhu was even killed while saving Qin Ze.
Before dying, Lei Longhu remarked that the only regret in his life was failing to protect his daughter.
Therefore, Qin Ze was thinking at this moment that if he could save his daughter this time, it would also serve as a repayment for that debt of gratitude from the past.
He knew Lei Longhu's personality very well: clear-cut in his love and hate, ever-grateful and bound to repay a kindness.
In the eyes of others, he was a ruthless demon who killed without blinking an eye.
Yet toward his brothers and friends, he was truly without equal.
At least he was far better than those ungrateful wretches from his past life.
Thinking of this, Qin Ze did not linger, turning quickly toward the outside.
……
……
At this moment, within the Yuelong City City Lord's Mansion.
City Lord Mo Tianwen was kneeling on the ground, trembling with fear.
Seated in a position of authority above him was a towering figure.
It was none other than Lei Longhu, one of the three great domain lords of the Bahuang Domain.
Lei Longhu was exceptionally tall and broad, with a thick beard, a fierce and piercing gaze, and a terrifying scar across his right cheek.
Standing on either side of him were two guards, their postures ramrod straight and their presences formidable.
Crack...
The tea table shattered into pieces.
"Ten days. I gave you ten days to find someone, and you haven't even found a single strand of hair."
"I will give you three more days. If you still cannot find my precious daughter, you can figure out what to do with yourself."
Though spoken in a calm tone, these words filled Mo Tianwen with an overwhelming sense of oppression.
When a domain lord flies into a rage, corpses are strewn by the thousands; as a mere City Lord of Yuelong City, he had no idea how he might end up dying.
"Please calm your anger, Lord Domain Lord! Please calm your anger!"
"I will definitely search for the Eldest Miss with all my heart and bring you news immediately."
With that, he quickly backed away toward the door.
Just then, a guard came hurrying from the opposite direction and almost collided with Mo Tianwen.
Mo Tianwen barked, "Watch where you're going! What are you panicking about?"
"City Lord, someone named Qin Ze is asking for an audience."
Qin Ze?
Mo Tianwen had originally shared some acquaintance with the Qin Family, and he was well aware of their situation.
He knew that Qin Ze had just been stripped of his position as young master, and his days ought to be somewhat difficult.
However, it was not his place to meddle in the internal affairs of the city's clans.
Besides, since this Qin Ze was sixteen years old and completely devoid of cultivation, having his young master position stripped away was entirely his own fault.
Disappointed by his lack of drive, yet feeling no pity for his misfortune.
Mo Tianwen waved his hand dismissively and said, "Give him a hundred taels of silver and send him away."
The guard maintained a serious expression as he said, "City Lord, this Qin Ze claims he has news regarding the Eldest Miss."
What?
Mo Tianwen's eyes widened sharply.
"Quickly, bring him to the reception hall. I'll be right there," Mo Tianwen said hurriedly.
…………
Inside the reception hall, Qin Ze sat sipping tea.
The City Lord's Mansion was indeed extravagant; even the tea served to guests was imbued with spiritual energy.
After taking a sip, spiritual energy coursed through his body, bringing an indescribable comfort.
Before long, a plump, bloated middle-aged man hurried through the hall doors.
It was Mo Tianwen, who marched straight toward Qin Ze the moment he entered.
"Qin Ze?" Mo Tianwen asked, eyeing him.
Qin Ze stood up and offered a slight bow, "Uncle Mo."
In his memories, during his early childhood, his parents had maintained a decent relationship with the City Lord.
Whenever they visited the City Lord's Mansion, he would address him as Uncle Mo.
Thus, seeing him again today, he used the familiar form of address.
Mo Tianwen, however, frowned slightly and did not acknowledge the uncle title. Still, he said nothing more, walking straight to the seat of honor to sit down.
"Qin Ze, let's cut to the chase. You said you've seen the Eldest Miss—now tell me, where is she?"
His tone was calm and detached. There was no excitement at seeing the son of an old acquaintance; it was as if Qin Ze were a total stranger.
A faint chill washed over Qin Ze's heart.
Yet human warmth was fickle and the world was cold, so he did not dwell on it.
Unflustered, he took a sip of tea and spat out a stray tea leaf.
"To be honest with the City Lord, I have not seen the Eldest Miss."
Mo Tianwen frowned slightly, asking, "You haven't seen the Eldest Miss? Then what are you doing here at my place?"
A trace of irritation flickered in his heart, making him suspect that Qin Ze's claim of bringing news was false, and that he was merely exploiting his past relationship with his parents to beg for favors.
Qin Ze replied, "Just because I haven't seen the Eldest Miss doesn't mean I don't know where she is."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Mo Tianwen was baffled.
If you know, you know; if you don't, you don't.
Qin Ze's words felt overly convoluted, deepening Mo Tianwen's suspicions.
Qin Ze continued, "I don't know where she is right now, but I know where she will go later."
"I am certain the Eldest Miss will go to a certain place three days from now. You only need to wait for her there, and you will find her."
Mo Tianwen's frown deepened, a hint of skepticism coloring his gaze.
Lowering his voice, he said, "Qin Ze, you must know that this is a matter of utmost importance. If you are just spouting nonsense, the consequences will be severe."
Qin Ze smiled faintly, "Rest assured, City Lord, my information is absolutely authentic."
Mo Tianwen nodded and said, "Very well. Tell me where the Eldest Miss will be in three days. I'll send men to stake out the place immediately."
Qin Ze resumed drinking his tea, remaining silent for a moment before speaking.
"This information isn't free. You'll need to give me one hundred Earth Spirit Pills before I can tell you."
One hundred Earth Spirit Pills?
Although Earth Spirit Pills were the most basic pills for cultivation, their price was by no means low.
To ask for a hundred right off the bat was clearly an act of extortion.
Mo Tianwen's gaze shifted, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.
Though he had acted like a trembling grandson earlier in front of the domain lord, here in Yuelong City, he, Mo Tianwen, was the heavens, the supreme ruler whose word was absolute.
Qin Ze's information was obviously bogus, yet he dared to try and swindle him out of a hundred Earth Spirit Pills.
Even with his past dealings with the Qin Family, his face now clearly displayed his wrath.
"Qin Ze, I was a friend of your parents, so let me leave you with these words."
"It's no crime to fall on hard times, but don't resort to deception and extortion. Having no cultivation doesn't matter, but if a person lacks backbone, they are utterly finished." Mo Tianwen's tone carried mockery and disdain.
His gaze was lofty and condescending, entirely devoid of any past affection.
Qin Ze gave a cold, faint smile and slowly stood up.
"Since the City Lord has decided I am trying to swindle you, I have nothing more to say. However, I have a piece of advice for you as well."
"Heaven-sent fortune comes only once. When you let an opportunity slip through your fingers, it will fall into someone else's lap."
With that, Qin Ze turned and walked toward the exit.
In truth, there were countless ways he could save the domain lord's daughter.
The only reason he came to see Mo Tianwen was out of regard for the past friendship he had shared with his parents.
Yet when Qin Ze had first called him "Uncle Mo" and the other man responded with a look of cold indifference, all of Qin Ze's lingering goodwill had vanished entirely.
At this moment, Mo Tianwen was nothing more than a stranger in his eyes, no longer a friend of his parents.
Before Qin Ze even reached the door, he saw an exceptionally towering figure striding inward.
The aura radiating from the newcomer was overwhelmingly fierce, an oppressive pressure that felt as though it could crush a person flat.
The person approaching was none other than Lei Longhu, whose cold, sharp gaze seemed capable of murder.
The moment he stepped into the reception hall, the atmosphere dropped to freezing point.
"I heard someone knows the whereabouts of my daughter," Lei Longhu said in a deep voice, fixing his gaze on Qin Ze.
That formidable aura and piercing stare felt capable of piercing the soul.
Had this happened in his previous life at the same age, Qin Ze would never have been able to withstand such an imposing pressure.
Yet the Qin Ze of today felt no fear whatsoever; he had faced far trickier situations than this—what was unfolding before him was mere child's play.
Moreover, Qin Ze was quite excited: with Lei Longhu right here inside the City Lord's Mansion, everything would be much easier to handle.
……
Panicking slightly, Mo Tianwen hurried forward and said, "Please calm your anger, Lord Domain Lord! This brat was simply mistaken—I never intended to disturb Your Excellency."
"Qin Ze, get out of here right now! Next time, make sure you know the facts before spouting nonsense."
With that, he frantically shot glances at Qin Ze, hoping the young man would leave quickly.
Qin Ze glanced at Lei Longhu, then returned to his previous seat, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
"Who said I was talking nonsense? It's just a matter of whether you believe it or not."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Mo Tianwen's expression changed drastically.
Lei Longhu's expression shifted slightly as well.
"Brat, do you really know where my daughter is? Speak!" Lei Longhu's tiger-like eyes bulged wide, his gaze sharp and his expression turning fierce.
Unflustered as ever, Qin Ze calmly replied, "I'll say it again: I don't know where the Eldest Miss is right now, but I know she will go to a certain place three days from now. That place is extremely dangerous, and she might even lose her life there."
Lose her life?
At these words, the atmosphere in the entire reception hall grew exceptionally chilling.
Lei Longhu's gaze sharpened as if ready to kill, glaring fixedly at Qin Ze.
"Brat, you say my daughter is in danger—is this true?" he asked through clenched teeth.