Chapter 223: Empty Rainfall

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    You will not be going into the city, Liu Jin tells his soldiers.

    Predictably, no amount of newly-gained discipline is enough to stop the outcry that arises from the company. It has taken them a long time to reach Rainfall City, and they have fought all manner of Spirit Beasts on the way. The experiences have sharpened them. Many have gone up in cultivation. They are rested, healthy, and ready for action.

    They had all been looking forward to drinking and partying in the city.

    Enough.

    Liu Jin lightly raises his Qi, and thats enough to quiet down the entire company.

    We will not be spending much time here, so there is no need for you to enter the city.

    His words are a half-truth at best. The real reason why Liu Jin does not allow the soldiers to go in is that he is nearly certain that at least one of his men is a spy. By making the soldiers stay outside the city, hes making it harder for the spy to relay information without giving himself away.

    Besides, he does not want his men to lapse into bad habits.

    This decision is not up for debate, Liu Jin says, narrowing his eyes at the soldiers. Am I understood?

    The soldiers straighten their backs and salute.

    Yes, sir!

    There are no more protests after that, not a single unhappy grumble. While the soldiers set up a camp outside, Liu Jin enters Rainfall City in one of the Flame-Wheeled Wagons.

    The view behind the city walls is a bleak one. Rainfall City does not look nearly as destitute as Cloudburst City, but it has undoubtedly seen better days. The houses are dirty and rundown. The people look miserable and walk with hunched backs. Even the sky over their heads looks depressed.

    Only when they are around seven blocks away from City Lord Lei Jihais house does that change. Its like stepping into a more colorful world. There are lights and sounds everywhere, and the smell of alcohol and perfume is heavy in the air. Gambling dens and whorehouses are aplenty, and the soldiers go in and out of them without a care.

    Even the soldiers guarding City Lord Leis house look like they spend the night drinking and gambling.

    Commander Qing! City Lord Lei Jihai says as he welcomes them into his house with open arms. Its a pleasure to welcome you to Rainfall City.

    Just by looking at him, Liu Jin can tell hes related to Lei Kong. They have the same dark hair and eyes, and even the shape of their mouth is the same. However, Lei Jihai is noticeably older. There are a few gray streaks in his hair and lines under his eyes. Since he is in the True Realm, he could be anywhere between a decade to a century older than Lei Kong.

    It is always hard to tell.Nne?w n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

    We are grateful for your hospitality, City Lord, Liu Jin says as a serving girl wearing far too little fills his cup with wine.

    Unlike others, Lei Jihai does receive him in some menacing hall but in a room more suited for a party. There are plush couches, plenty of food, and aromatic incense. There is even a servant playing soft music in the corner.

    You say that, but I see you have not let your soldiers enter the city, City Lord Lei points out. Dont tell me you dont plan on staying for at least a few days?

    That is correct, City Lord, Liu Jin says before taking a sip from his cup. It pleases him that it is not poisoned. Not overtly, at least. There are a few chemicals meant to make one more pleasure-inclined, but none are strong enough to affect him or those with him. We are here on a mission, after all.

    Please! Surely, it wouldnt be wrong for you to enjoy what my city offers? City Lord Lei asks him. When the serving girl comes to fill his cup, the City Lord pulls her onto his lap. If this surprises her, the girl gives no sign of it. She just smiles and giggles when the City Lords hands wander over her body. I ask that you reconsider, commander. Your men must be tired after marching all the way here. Think of what you will miss if you dont sample the citys delicacies.

    Lu Meis soft laughter rings beside Liu Jin.

    I am afraid your words are wasted on him, City Lord, she says. This man is far too duty-minded to ever relax.

    Oh? There is a glimmer in the City Lords eyes that Liu Jin does not like at all. Or perhaps he feels no need to sample other flowers because he already has such a fair one at his side.

    That is indeed the case, Liu Jin says, making Lu Mei preen and the City Lord laugh.

    I knew you were a man after my own heart, commander, City Lord Lei says. However, you should know a man cannot possibly eat the same meal every day. How am I supposed to show my appreciation for you if you do not stay? Besides how am I supposed to spend time with my cousin if youre so eager to leave?

    The City Lords lips stretch into a smile as he glances at the man standing behind Liu Jin.

    Little Kong! He says. It has been a while!

    Liu Jin resists the urge to sigh. He knew this would happen. He had told Lei Kong that he could stay outside the city if he wished to, but his servant had declined. By going with him, they would be able to confirm whether word of Lei Kongs survival had already reached the Lei Clan, something they heavily suspected but did not know for sure.

    It was a solid enough argument, but as Lei Kong tenses up behind him and the air becomes full of static, Liu Jin is forced to rethink the wisdom of this choice.

    Do not presume to tell me what to do, commander, the City Lord replies, his nostrils flaring and chest puffed. I am the City Lord. I am a member of the Lei clan. You are just a Hundred-Man Commander sent here to help me.

    You are the City Lord. You are a member of the Lei Clan. I am just a Hundred-Man Commander sent here to help you, Liu Jin says calmly. That is why I am asking nicely.

    The way Lei Kong tells it, the Lei Clan have greatly benefited from Murong Bangs rise to power and are some of his biggest supporters. For those reasons, it is not wise to cross them.

    Of course, Liu Jin adds, still not looking away from the City Lords eyes. If the City Lord wishes, I could ask Lei Kong to come here so you can continue your reunion.

    No! the City Lord shouts before catching himself. He looks away and gnashes his teeth. There is no need for that, commander. I understand your point of view.

    He lifts his cup and downs it one go, bringing it down hard against the small table next to him.

    Lets talk about those damned thieves already, City Lord Lei sneers as he mentions them. They have been a plague around these parts for years, Commander Qing. You have no idea.

    Liu Jin raises an eyebrow. And youre just now doing something about them?

    The City Lord scoffs. You make it sound ill-advised, but there are always those who are greedy for more and do not want to work for it.

    There is someone who is greedy for more and did not have to work for it right in front of Liu Jin.

    While reaching the True Realm marks City Lord Lei as someone of some talent, that he was born into the Lei Clan meant his path to the position of City Lord was not as hard as it would have been for others. Considering how awful the city looks and the lack of character City Lord Lei has shown over the past several minutes, Liu Jin feels confident in saying this man would not be City Lord or even a True Realm cultivator had he not been born in the Lei Clan.

    What a pity it is to be born with good fortune and waste it so hollowly.

    Whether there is one fly or three, it matters little, Commander, the City Lord continues. Its not worth going after every annoyance.

    When a different serving girl comes in with drinks, he snatches the bottle from her tray and takes big gulps from it, cleaning his mouth with the back of his hand.

    I thought theyd fade out, he goes on. It happens often. Simple organization is beyond most savages. Theyll fight over who gets to keep most of the treasure, who should lead, and so on. Before you know it, theyre killing themselves and saving us the trouble.

    But that didnt happen with this group, Liu Jin says, making the City Lord frown.

    No, he admits. It didnt. There was no in-fighting or backstabbing. While other groups faded, the Brotherhood of Thunder grew stronger, often by absorbing the remnants of defeated bandit groups.

    In other words, simple organization is not beyond this particular group of savages.

    The City Lord grimaces.

    You could say thatI suppose. He clears his throat awkwardly. Right now, the Brotherhood of the Thunder is wreaking havoc across my lands. Rainfall City is untouched, obviously. They are too cowardly to dare face me directly, but they constantly attack my towns. Worse still, my caravans! My businesses are suffering, Commander Qing!

    And the people too, I assume.

    What? Oh yeah, those, the City Lord says distractedly. Anyway, I cannot send my men to hunt down these villains. They are busy protecting the city.

    From what Liu Jin has seen, his soldiers are busy drinking, whoring, and gambling.

    However, you are free to move as you please. You can track the Brotherhood of Thunder and eliminate it!

    That is why General Murong sent me here, City Lord, Liu Jin says. What can you tell me of their numbers? Do they have any notable fighters among them? Do you have any idea as to how their leadership is structured?

    Bah! What do those things matter?! the City Lord replies, grabbing yet another bottle to drink. Trash is trash. Once you burn it, it all turns to ashes.

    He does not know, Liu Jin realizes. This man does not know a single thing.

    I see, Liu Jin says, rising to his feet. Lu Mei follows suit. Rest easy, City Lord. I will find this Brotherhood of Thunder and deal with it.

    As he and Lu Mei walk away, City Lord Lei calls out to them.

    Oh, theres one more thing, he says, making Liu Jin stop. A message for my cousin. He might claim to no longer have any ties to us, but it would be wise for you to remind him that his old family has not forgotten about him. Our family head is looking forward to the day he lays eyes on him again.

    Liu Jin looks back and meets the City Lords eyes. There is anger there. The promise of retribution for his injured pride.

    I will be sure to tell him that, City Lord.

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