CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 30: CITY LORD MANSION

After Gu Qingqing finished speaking, the room suddenly quieted down. Everyone, including Si Lin, had a frown on their face, and their expressions were grim.

"It seems the situation here is more troublesome than we anticipated. I suspect those missing people might have encountered the same situation as us before they disappeared. Right now, what’s most important is to figure out exactly what’s going on here." Yue Zhao tapped the table with his fingertips, pondering as he spoke.

"That’s right. Let’s do as we planned earlier. Today, we’ll first go out and gather information. I’ll team up with Geng Geng, while the others group up separately." Si Lin spoke after Yue Zhao.

Here, Si Lin’s cultivation level was the highest. Together with Gu Qingqing, he could protect her well. Although Yue Zhao and the others also wanted to accompany Gu Qingqing, they eventually agreed with Si Lin’s decision, even Jun Wu reluctantly agreed.

Jun Wu naturally wanted to be with Gu Qingqing, but his current cultivation was indeed not as high as Si Lin’s. Having Si Lin protect Gu Qingqing was evidently safer, so he could only endure it.

The others quickly formed groups, with Yue Zhao taking Yun Ran and Zhuo Tingqiu, Nan Hua and Jun Wu together, and Mu Chen and Rong Ye as a pair, forming four groups. After having a simple meal in the room, the four groups set off separately.

"Elder brother, where are we going?" Standing on the street after exiting the inn, Gu Qingqing glanced around before turning to ask Si Lin.

Si Lin thought for a moment, his gaze landing in the middle of Wuyun City, "Let’s go to the City Lord Mansion. The people in the City Lord Mansion should have the best understanding of the situation here."

Unlike the Xuantian Continent, where most of the City Lord Mansions had limited influence, the City Lord Mansion in the Sub-immortal Realm had absolute power in the city. Besides the top sects, no other forces could rival the City Lord Mansion.

To quickly understand the situation in Wuyun City, visiting the City Lord Mansion was the best option. Similarly, if someone wanted to control the city, they’d have to start with the City Lord Mansion!

Gu Qingqing nodded and followed Si Lin, both heading towards the City Lord Mansion.

The City Lord Mansion was at the center of Wuyun City, grand and imposing. Two guards stood at its entrance, and as Gu Qingqing and Si Lin approached, their eyes fixed directly on them. Gu Qingqing exchanged a glance with Si Lin and paused.

"Elder brother, don’t you think these two look just as expressionless as the townspeople we saw yesterday? They appear very numb." To avoid being overheard by the guards, Gu Qingqing spoke to Si Lin through telepathy.

"Yes, there’s something off about their aura. It doesn’t feel like a living person’s aura." Si Lin frowned, similarly using telepathy to communicate with Gu Qingqing.

Hearing this, Gu Qingqing was startled. She looked at the guards again, felt carefully, and realized it was as Si Lin said—their aura was deathly still, almost as if they weren’t alive!

She frowned and looked at Si Lin.

Si Lin glanced at Gu Qingqing and then turned towards the entrance of the City Lord Mansion.

"Who goes there?"

As Si Lin prepared to enter, the two guards crossed their spears in front of him and asked harshly.

"Si Lin of the Si Family, here to see the City Lord of Wuyun City." Si Lin raised his voice while taking out a Jade Token to show them.

The guards exchanged a glance, looked at the Jade Token in Si Lin’s hand, and immediately withdrew their spears. One of them bowed slightly to Si Lin, "Please wait, I’ll report your presence now."

With that, he turned and ran into the City Lord Mansion, while the other guard respectfully watched Gu Qingqing and Si Lin.

Si Lin waited at the door for a moment until the guard returned, followed by an elder wearing a deep purple garment.

"Mr. Si, your esteemed presence graces our humble abode!" The elder, upon arrival, fixed his gaze on Si Lin and spoke with a smiling face.

"City Lord Lou, you’re too kind. I’m just passing through and encountered some issues. I hope City Lord Lou can assist me, and I apologize for the disturbance." Si Lin remained polite towards City Lord Lou, though his face was expressionless.

"I’m not worthy, not worthy. Please, both of you, come inside to talk." City Lord Lou waved his hand repeatedly, then made a welcoming gesture to Gu Qingqing and Si Lin, inviting them into the City Lord Mansion.

"City Lord Lou, after you." Si Lin also raised his hand.

The three of them entered the City Lord Mansion and proceeded towards the front hall.

Gu Qingqing observed the City Lord Mansion’s surroundings as they walked.

The courtyard of the City Lord Mansion was quite large, neatly arranged, and tasteful. It showed that City Lord Lou was a person of good taste, with high standards for the quality of life. The servants were very polite, stopping and stepping aside when they encountered them. However, Gu Qingqing noticed that the expressions on these servants’ faces were just as numb as those outside, yet they themselves seemed unaware.

Suppressing her doubts, Gu Qingqing followed Si Lin into the front hall of the City Lord Mansion.

After the three of them were seated, a maid immediately served them tea. Gu Qingqing and Si Lin, having been wary of the people in the City Lord Mansion from the outset, only pretended to raise the tea cups to their lips, using their sleeves to cover—the cups never actually touched their mouths.

"May I ask what brings Mr. Si to seek out the City Lord?" City Lord Lou, seeing them ’drink’ tea, deepened his smile slightly and asked directly.

"Last night, my junior sister heard strange knocking sounds on her door multiple times. Believing the person was not well-intentioned, she didn’t open it. But upon checking this morning, there was no trace outside the door, yet I, staying next door, heard nothing at all. I want to ask City Lord Lou, what could be going on here?" Si Lin briefly explained the events of last night, probing with his question.

City Lord Lou’s expression momentarily stiffened. If Gu Qingqing and Si Lin hadn’t been watching him closely, they wouldn’t have noticed this instant of stiffness before his expression returned to its previously cheerful demeanor.

"Mr. Si, to tell the truth, the city hasn’t been peaceful recently. Many people have disappeared. Your junior sister is not the first to encounter these knocking sounds. The first person who heard them is already missing, and since then, it’s been a frequent occurrence. Those who hear it and open the door vanish. Because of this, there’s been considerable panic in the city." City Lord Lou’s expression turned somewhat somber, as if genuinely troubled by the situation.

Si Lin and Gu Qingqing exchanged a glance, surprised that City Lord Lou would mention this matter.

"When did this start, exactly? After these disappearances, did the City Lord send anyone to investigate? Are there any other clues?" Si Lin asked City Lord Lou.