Strongest Mage with the Lust system

Chapter 1034: Nie Zhulong’s Regret

Song Heiran came out of the forest, his figure still hidden beneath the dark cloak. After casting a brief glance back at the forest, he headed back to the Red City.

“Hey, isn’t that one of those Bone Tempering realm cultivators?” One of the gatekeepers commented when they saw him arrive before the city gates. Just like everyone else, he had been curious when a group of five Bone Tempering, wearing cloaks to hide their identities, left the city in a rush.

“Seems so. Let’s see who it is.” Another gatekeeper muttered. While they weren’t allowed to stop anyone from leaving the city whenever and however they liked, they could stop and inspect the identities of those who entered.

Their commander heard them and shook his head.

“Halt, sir. Show us your identity if you—” The gatekeeper called out to stop him. Song Heiran, however, didn’t stop. He just flashed a metal insignia, imprinted upon which was a golden tree surrounded by arcs of lightning bolts—this was the insignia of the noble Chu Family—City Lord’s family.

The gatekeeper’s excited expression froze when he saw it and disappointment colored his features. He then bowed and said, “Welcome, distinguished guest.”

Song Heiran didn’t even glance at him as his figure flashed into the city before disappearing into the crowded streets.

A short while later, he had returned to his family’s estate and summoned an Elder.

“Dispatch people to keep a watch over the city gates. I want to know when that boy, Gu Chen, returns… if at all.” He ordered.

“Yes, Patriarch.” The Elder bowed without asking any questions and left.

“I hope… you perish there boy.’ Song Heiran murmured, an uneasy look on his face.

Right then, the sound of hurried footsteps sounded and a servant rushed into the hall.

“Patriarch, someone from the Judicial Office is here to meet you.” He informed.

Song Heiran’s brows knitted together tightly in thought. What did the Judicial Office want from him?

A moment later, he said, “Bring them in.”

The servants bowed and left. Soon, he returned with a man in the official robes of the City Lord’s mansion.

Song Heiran couldn’t mask his surprise when he saw him. Then he shot up from his seat and walked over to him before giving him a respectful, cupped fist salute with a bow, “Mr. Wang… Forgive me for my poor reception. If I knew it was you, I would have come to receive you personally.”

He then gestured toward a nearby seat, “Please take a seat. I’ll have someone bring you tea—”

“No need for all that, Patriarch Song.” Mr. Wang interrupted him, “I’m here on Sir Judicial Officer’s orders.”

Song Heiran glanced at the servant who immediately retreated from the hall, closing the door after him.

“Please tell me what instructions the Lord Judicial Officer has for me.” He said, his expression solemn.

Mr. Wang stared at him for a moment, then asked, “Is Gu Chen dead?”

“Huh?” Song Heiran was momentarily stunned, clearly not having expected him to ask this. But he quickly regained his composure and shook his head, “I’m not sure, Mr. Wang. He had entered the Dark Valley. Patriarch Mi, Patriarch Xing and Patriarch Gong chased him into the valley but I returned.”

“Why?” Mr. Wang asked.

Song Heiran took a breath and revealed, “Because that boy turned out to be way too strong. He killed Patriarch Liu in one exchange. So I was worried that I would have the same fate if I continued chasing him.”

Mr. Wang stared at him for a moment, as if trying to see any hint of falsehood in his eyes. Then he asked, “Why did you all go after him? I want to hear the true reason.”

Song Heiran’s eyes flashed and he honestly said, “You know our relations with the Gu family haven’t been good for the past two and half years. That boy, being a Bone Tempering realm cultivator, is a threat to us. So we—Patriarch Liu and myself—were just trying to eliminate this threat. As for Patriarch Mi and others, I had invited them by promising his secrets of his rapid rise in cultivation.”

“…I see.” Mr. Wang said after a moment. He then turned around and directly left.

Song Heiran didn’t mind it and just stood there, deep in thought.

When Patriarch Mi had sought him out when they were about to leave the city to kill Gu Chen and offered to come with them, he had already felt something amiss but didn’t pay it much heed because he only wanted him to die.

‘It seems the boy really carries some secret.’ He mused, his lips curving up into a faint smile.

He didn’t feel any greed or regret that he wouldn’t be able to get his hands on this secret, instead, he only felt relief. Now that he had become the target of the Judicial Office, even if Patriarch Mi and others failed to kill him, he would still end up dead. After all, the Judicial Officer was a mighty Marrow Cleansing realm cultivator and had several Mid and Late Stage Bone Tempering realm cultivator serving him.

“Bring me my Honey Dew Wine.” He told the servant standing outside the hall and settled into his chair before closing his eyes.

…

Mr. Wang entered the Judicial Building and soon arrived at the Judicial Officer’s office.

The Judicial Officer was sitting behind his desk, his complexion pale and his eyes still sunken. On the side stood a figure, looking very nervous—it was Patriarch of the Nie family, Nie Zhulong who had come here to report the mission’s failure.

“My Lord, Song Heiran doesn’t seem to know anything about the Golden Book and from what he said, Patriarch Mi and the other two also don’t know. They are only after Gu Chen’s secret.”

“Mm.” The Judicial Officer nodded and glanced at Nie Zhulong, “You can leave. Make sure to not mention the Book to anyone.”

“Y-Yes, Milord.” Nie Zhulong hurriedly nodded. After giving him a deep bow, he left the office, his heart still beating in fear.

Only after he had left the Judicial Building and had arrived at the safety of his family’s estate without being followed did he relax a little.

“That little bastard. Why did he have to reveal that he had that Golden Book?” He cursed Nie Haolong through gritted teeth. Though deep down he knew the reason. If the family hadn’t treated his family so coldly all these years, he would have offered the Golden Book to the family instead of going out and attempting to sell it.

His face dark with anger, he had the urge to go and kill the third and fourth Elders, who were the reason the Nie family had withdrawn its support from Nie Haolong’s family.

“Those petty bastards. Because of them, not only have we lost face, we also lost such a big opportunity.” He raged, smashing the furniture in his room. How could he not realize the Golden Book was some incredible treasure after seeing how much the Judicial Officer, a Marrow Cleansing cultivator, valued it.

If they had got it, the Nie family would have gotten a lot stronger.

“Arggh! Damn it.”

…