Xia Xiao and Shu Shuang moved and lived on the second floor of a pharmacy. Although it was not in the center of Rongcheng, it was still in the central area.
That day, Xia Xiao came back from outside with breakfast.
"Oh, you're up so early? It's not even daybreak yet."
The person who was speaking was the old gentleman from the pharmacy. He was the one who told Xia Xiaoying the whereabouts of the gourd when he first came to Rongcheng. The house Xia Xiao rented now belonged to him. After living there for half a month, they became familiar with each other.
"Yes, get up and practice."
“Flowers may bloom again, but people never become young again. Come on!”
"Thank you, old sir."
Seeing Xia Xiao's cool appearance when he went upstairs, the old man smiled. It's good to be young, unlike his old bones? Going to Wudou City to seize Ying Hu or fighting bandits in Hushan, he dare not even think about it. Even if Ying Hu was placed at his doorstep, he would not dare to take it!
"Time for breakfast!"
Xia Xiao opened the door. The newly rented room was very large, with two small bedrooms and a living room. Although there was no kitchen, it didn't matter.
At this time, Shu Shuang was packing up. Seeing Xia Xiao come in, she finished the last few things and dusted off her hands.
“It’s done!”
"We will send all this money back. It will not be used here."
"Okay, I'll write a letter to let my uncle and aunt know I'm safe."
When Shu Shuang said this, Xia Xiao suddenly remembered that he had been in Rongcheng for more than half a month, and he had not written a letter yet. After the Hushan bandits were wiped out, they moved here and began to practice intensively and orderly. At the same time, they cooperated with Lin Jing and talked about the details of the bandit suppression. Yesterday, Lin Jing also sent someone to deliver 100 taels of silver and two spiritual herbs, and they accepted them all. This is what they deserve!
After finishing the buns, Xia Xiao found some paper and pen, wrote a letter by hand, put it in the box containing the silver, and prepared to send it back.
"I'm going out."
"be safe!"
Xia Xiao rarely let Shu Shuang go out alone, but he ran very fast. He came to Tianfu Kitchen, which was a restaurant opened by the Ding Qiang brothers. Xia Xiao often came with Shu Shuang to take care of the business during this period.
The honest man in the store greeted Xia Xiaolai with a smile when he saw him.
"What else do you need, little brother? Buy enough this time so you don't have to run back and forth."
"There are enough things, but I'll trouble you for a while."
"You say!"
This man's name is Ding Xiaosi. After listening to Ding Qiang's words, he would never accept Xia Xiao's meal money. But Xia Xiao was not the kind of person who liked to take advantage. He always put the money behind the counter without missing a single cent. Now that Xia Xiao was in trouble, he would definitely help.
"Didn't you say yesterday that Ding Qiang was going home? Please ask him to deliver this box to the Lord of Longgang City and tell him that it was sent by me!"
When Xiao Si heard this, he nodded immediately.
"When Big Brother wakes up, I'll have him take him directly to your house."
"Then thank you for your help!"
"You are so polite, little brother. It is our honor to help you."
"Thank you, I'm leaving now!"
Patting his shoulder, Xia Xiao trotted back. It was time to go back and practice. He hadn't made any progress in his cultivation during this period.
According to Xia Xiao's original plan, in the first month of coming to Rongcheng, he would try to condense the Yuan Qi Seed and advance to the Seed Condensation Realm.
Condensing the vitality seed is a complicated process, and it is difficult to succeed at once, so he has to try again and again to prepare for the local selection and the battle in Wanling Valley. But for half a month, Xia Xiao has been accumulating vitality for Ju Mang's small tree, and his own strength has been stagnant.
Last night, the twig grew into the small tree as Ju Mang had expected, and Xia Xiao was able to practice. He had to hurry up!
As the day gradually brightened, Xia Xiao returned to the pharmacy and saw Shu Shuang and two servants from the City Lord's Mansion walking down the stairs. Xia Xiao was stunned and became cautious and solemn.
There were some herbs drying in front of the pharmacy. When Shu Shuang walked past them, she stopped and looked at Xia Xiao who was walking towards her. The latter protected her behind him and asked in a cold voice:
"What's the matter, Lord City Lord?"
The servants were wearing the "Lin" clothing. Seeing Xia Xiao at this time, they were a little afraid and did not dare to speak. Since the news of Hushan spread, many people in Rongcheng were in awe of Xia Xiao, especially those at the bottom. They were afraid that if they were not careful, they would offend him and bring disaster upon themselves!
"Um, um... the city lord said..."
Seeing the servant stuttering, Shu Shuang said:
"The city lord has questions."
Questions? Xia Xiao frowned, looking a little fierce. What time is it now? It's been more than half a month since the incident at Hushan, the procedures have been completed, and the money has been sent. What else is there to ask? And they specially asked us to come here early in the morning. What a big deal!
"Wait me a moment."
Xia Xiao went upstairs, took his machete, and took the token of the First Church, then got into the carriage with Shu Shuang.
"Be careful later."
She handed the token to Shu Shuang, who nodded slightly as she held it, her expression gradually solidifying. If the city lord still wanted to harm Xia Xiao, she would teach them a lesson!
The City Lord's Mansion is located in the north of Rongcheng. The courtyard is spacious and the layout is exquisite. As soon as you step into it, someone will lead you in.
"Please wait a moment."
Sitting in the front hall, a pretty maid came forward with lotus steps to pour tea, and the servant who led the way went to call the city lord. There was nothing wrong with this process.
The tea was placed on the table, but Xia Xiao and Shu Shuang did not drink it for a long time. They just waited for Lin Jing to come.
The straight scabbard of the Pudao was stuck on the ground. Xia Xiao supported it with both hands and looked around the entire front hall. Although both were city lords, there was a big difference between Lin Jing and Yang Zhen. The luxury goods in the front hall alone were probably enough for ordinary people to live a worry-free life for decades.
"The Lord Mayor has arrived—"
Xia Xiao looked indifferent, stood up and bowed to Shu Shuang.
"Please take a seat, both of you. I'm really sorry to have you two here so early in the morning!"
Lin Jing looked apologetic, sat in the first seat, and then said:
"There is nothing else this time. I just want to ask Master Xia if you have seen any leaves of black gold growing in Hushan Village."
Xia Xiao was tough enough and didn't even move his eyelids, and the same was true for Shu Shuang.
"What's wrong?"
Xia Xiao didn't give a direct answer, and Lin Jing wasn't surprised. They were both wary of each other, so it was normal for this to happen.
"To be honest, this black gold leaf is a gift from the Lord of Linxi City to my son Lin Tian. I didn't know about it at first and didn't reply until he asked me yesterday if I had received it. Then I remembered that the herbs that were escorted some time ago were robbed by Hushan Village and the news was suppressed."
"And I ordered a search of Tiger Mountain Stronghold yesterday, and searched through all the treasure chests seized from it, but I didn't find the Black Gold Growth Leaf. Apart from us, only Master Xia and Miss Shu have been to the stronghold, so I asked!"
Lin Jing looked at Xia Xiao with sharp eyes, not expecting the latter to admit it directly.
"I saw it."
"really?"
Lin Jing was overjoyed.
"Tell me where it is."
The black gold leaf is useless to humans, and it is also useless to ordinary wild beasts. Only bird-type wild beasts can transform when they eat it. Just now, Lin Jing said that this was a gift from the Lord of Linxi City to his son, which means that Lin Tian has already found a wild beast and is waiting to advance to the young age of the Venerable Realm and strengthen his strength after signing the spiritual contract.
Xia Xiao's brain was working quickly, thinking about how to deal with this matter.
Nearly a month ago, Lin Tian's strength was in the middle stage of Condensation. If he practiced fast enough, with Lin Jing's resources and his hard work, he might have reached the late stage of Condensation. Maybe within two months, before the local competition begins, he can successfully make the vitality seed sprout and enter the young age of the noble realm.
Thinking of this, the black gold growth leaf plays an important role. However, even if the wild beast that Lin Tian is going to sign the spiritual contract with is transformed and evolved, it will not affect the local competition that Xia Xiao is currently preparing for. As for the Wanling Valley, there will be many enemies at that time, and Lin Tian will be nothing. And there are only so many black gold growth leaves, what can they do?
Seeing Xia Xiao hesitate, Lin Jing said anxiously:
"Although the Black Gold Leaf is rare, it is useless for Master Xia to have it. How about this, I will exchange it with you for the spiritual medicine?"
Xia Xiao shook his head, causing Lin Jing to frown. If he didn't accept the toast, he would have to drink the forfeit? If he didn't give it to him, he would have to rob it by force. After all, he was in the right in this matter!
"I, Xia Xiao, am not a scoundrel. Since the city lord wants it, I will give it to you. But Lord City Lord, you have to agree to one condition of mine."
"you……"
Lin Jing stared, feeling a little unhappy. If it weren't for Xia Xiao's status, how could he be so polite? However, he gave Xia Xiao a way out, but he didn't leave. He really didn't give him face!
"My Lord City Lord, my small condition cannot compare with Master Lin's future."
Lin Tian's strength and talent are extremely rare in the history of Rongcheng. Not to mention being able to stand out in the local competition, he can even make a name for himself in Wanling Valley. Therefore, the key wild beast cannot be delayed!
Lin Jing was stunned and waved his hand:
"Just ask!"
"I want City Lord Lin to promise not to cause trouble for me and Shu Shuang again!"
Lin Jing thought it was something serious and agreed immediately after hearing it.
"Then I will go back and get the black gold leaf now. I hope City Lord Lin will keep his promise. Otherwise, combined with what happened last time, you will be in big trouble!"
After Xia Xiao finished speaking, he and Shu Shuang left without looking back. Lin Jing looked at Xia Xiao's back and couldn't let it go for a long time. He was really angry that he was threatened by this little guy! But after what happened last time, why did he still let him make a promise? Was he afraid of something? Or did he notice something?
Lin Jing frowned. Could it be that he had discovered that the Zhu family's strong men were colluding with him? If that was the case, it would be the end!
He got up and went to the bedroom, where there was a secret passage. Under the candlelight, a middle-aged man was sitting. He was skinny. If Xia Xiao saw him, he would definitely feel familiar, because he had attacked Xia Xiao in the border battle. His name was Zhu Da!
Seeing Lin Jing coming in, Zhu Da spoke.
"What's wrong?"
After Lin Jing finished explaining the cause and effect of the incident, Zhu Da's expression did not change. He said:
"Don't worry. Although the Zou Shou Church is powerful, it has already reached the north, more than a thousand miles away from here. Even if the Pope is powerful, he can't interfere with the affairs here, otherwise why would I come here?"
"Sir, for the sake of safety, can the strong men of my Lin family not be dispatched?"
Zhu Da's eyes flashed, and he grabbed Lin Jing's throat, lifted him up, and slammed him against the wall.
"Lin Jing, you are just a small city lord, and the strongest person under you is only in the early stage of the young master realm. On the premise of agreeing to me, you still dare to make conditions?"
Zhu Da's strength was at the peak of the young age of the Venerable Realm, which immediately made Lin Jing breathless. Lin Jing's face gradually turned red, and the vitality in his body was easily suppressed by Zhu Da.
"Humph! You don't know what's good for you!"
Throwing Lin Jing aside, Zhu Da looked outside the secret passage.
"The plan remains the same. Xia Xiao will die at the spirit hunting site next month!"