From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Sir, what do you think of Qingyun City now?" Wang Tianhai asked.

Zheng Yi stood on the city wall, looking down at the city below, and nodded.

“It’s much better than before,” he said. “At least we have some ability to protect ourselves. Even if the Lu family attacks, they won’t be so easy to take down.”

"It's all thanks to you, sir," Wang Tianhai said gratefully. "Without your help, I would never have been able to accomplish all this in such a short time."

"You're welcome," Zheng Yi said. "We're business partners; helping you is helping myself too."

He turned around and looked into the distance.

"How many days is left until the Lu family's deadline?" he asked.

“Five more days,” Wang Tianhai said. “In five days, it will be the agreed-upon one-and-a-half-month deadline.”

"Five days." Zheng Yi pondered for a moment. "I estimate the Lu family will send someone soon."

"What do you think the Lu family will do, sir?" Wang Tianhai asked with some concern.

“It’s hard to say,” Zheng Yi said. “If the Lu family follows the original plan, they will officially take over Qingyun City after the deadline. But they must have seen our actions during this period. They may reassess the situation and then make a new decision.”

"Will they act ahead of schedule?"

“It’s possible,” Zheng Yi said. “So we need to be prepared.”

Wang Tianhai nodded, his expression turning serious.

As expected, Zheng Yi's premonition was correct.

That very afternoon, the Lu family sent an envoy.

The envoy was a young man in his thirties, dressed in brocade robes. He was handsome and had a refined demeanor. Accompanied by several attendants, he rode a tall horse and swaggered into Qingyun City.

"Someone's here," Feng Ling said softly as she appeared beside Zheng Yi.

"Who is it?" Zheng Yi asked.

“I don’t recognize him,” Feng Ling said. “But judging from his attire and aura, he should be a direct descendant of the Lu family. His cultivation is at the peak of the Integration Realm, so he’s quite strong.”

"Another direct descendant?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow. "It seems the Lu family values ​​Qingyun City very much."

"They went directly to Lu Yunfei's residence," Feng Ling said. "They're probably here to deliver orders from the Lu family."

"Continue to monitor the situation, and let me know immediately if anything happens," Zheng Yi said.

"Yes." Feng Ling responded, her figure flickered, and she disappeared from the spot.

About an hour later, the messenger brought Lu Yunfei to the city lord's mansion to request an audience with Wang Tianhai.

Wang Tianhai received them in the council chamber.

Zheng Yi was also present, but he had changed his appearance and was disguised as one of Wang Tianhai's ordinary staff members, sitting in the corner listening in.

"Lord Wang, I am Lu Xuanfeng, the son of Lu Tianming, the fourth elder of the Lu family," the envoy introduced himself. "I have come to pay my respects to Lord Wang on my father's orders."

"Young Master Lu, you're too kind," Wang Tianhai said, bowing slightly. "May I ask what brings you here, Young Master Lu?"

“My father asked me to convey a message to Lord Wang,” Lu Xuanfeng said. “The agreed-upon one-and-a-half-month deadline is about to expire. I wonder what Lord Wang’s decision is?”

"This..." Wang Tianhai hesitated for a moment, "I'm still considering it."

"Still considering?" Lu Xuanfeng frowned. "Lord Wang, a month and a half is already a long time. My father's patience is limited."

“I know,” Wang Tianhai said, “but submitting to the Lu family is a major matter, and I cannot make a hasty decision. Moreover, Elder Lu has not yet given me a clear answer regarding the conditions I previously proposed.”

"Conditions?" Lu Xuanfeng sneered. "City Lord Wang, do you think you're qualified to negotiate with the Lu family?"

"All I want is a fair partnership," Wang Tianhai said. "If the Lu family doesn't even have this much sincerity, then I'll find it hard to accept."

Lu Xuanfeng's face darkened, and he was about to erupt when Lu Yunfei suddenly spoke up, "Brother Xuanfeng, please calm down."

He turned to Wang Tianhai, "Lord Wang, I've been in Qingyun City for some time now and have some understanding of the situation here. I've noticed that Qingyun City has changed a lot recently. The city walls have been completely renovated, and the combat effectiveness of the city guards has also improved significantly. I wonder what Lord Wang's intentions are?"

Wang Tianhai felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained impassive.

"Qingyun City is my foundation," he said. "Strengthening the city's defenses is what I should do."

"Is that so?" Lu Yunfei smiled. "But I have a feeling that City Lord Wang is preparing to confront the Lu family."

“Young Master Lu, you are overthinking it,” Wang Tianhai said. “I have been seriously considering submitting to the Lu family; how could I possibly oppose them?”

“I hope so,” Lu Yunfei said.

His gaze swept over everyone in the council hall, finally landing on Zheng Yi in the corner.

Zheng Yi was dressed as an ordinary middle-aged man today, his aura deeply concealed, looking like a regular staff member. But Lu Yunfei's gaze lingered on him for a moment, as if he had noticed something.

However, he didn't say anything, but simply looked away.

“Lord Wang, my father asked me to pass on a message to you,” Lu Xuanfeng said.

"Please say."

“My father said the deadline is fast approaching. If Lord Wang cannot make a decision, then don’t blame the Lu family for being impolite.” Lu Xuanfeng’s tone turned icy. “The Lu family’s patience is limited; Lord Wang had better recognize the situation.”

"Is this a threat?" Wang Tianhai asked, frowning.

“This isn’t a threat, it’s a warning,” Lu Xuanfeng said. “Lord Wang, I advise you not to do anything foolish. The Lu family is not someone you can oppose.”

Wang Tianhai fell silent.

Upon seeing this, Lu Xuanfeng sneered and stood up.

“I have said all I had to say. Lord Wang, please consider it carefully,” he said. “I will return in five days. I hope that by then, Lord Wang will give me a satisfactory answer.”

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the door.

Lu Yunfei also stood up and followed.

The two walked out of the council hall and headed towards the city lord's mansion.

Throughout the journey, Lu Xuanfeng's expression remained gloomy.

"Yunfei, you've seen the changes in Qingyun City, haven't you?" he asked in a low voice.

“I saw it.” Lu Yunfei nodded. “Wang Tianhai has indeed done a lot during this time. The city walls have been completely repaired, the combat effectiveness of the city guards has been greatly improved, and a large-scale formation has been set up in the city lord's mansion.”

"Who is helping him?" Lu Xuanfeng asked.

"According to my investigation, it's a person named 'Dark Night,'" Lu Yunfei said. "This person's origins are unknown, but he's very powerful, reportedly a late-stage Mahayana Realm expert. He's been in Qingyun City recently, helping Wang Tianhai devise strategies and strengthen the city's defenses."

“Dark Night?” Lu Xuanfeng frowned. “I think I’ve heard of that name before. A few days ago, something happened to the Han family, and it seems to be related to this Dark Night.”

“That’s right,” Lu Yunfei said. “It’s said that An Ye had a conflict with Han Feiyang, the third young master of the Han family. The Han family sent an elder to deal with him, but he was defeated. The Han family lost face completely.”

"He actually managed to defeat an elder of the Han family?" Lu Xuanfeng's expression changed slightly. "This Dark Night is indeed quite capable."

"Brother Xuanfeng, what do you think we should do about this?" Lu Yunfei asked.

“Go back and report to my father first,” Lu Xuanfeng said. “The situation in Qingyun City is more complicated than we imagined. We cannot act rashly. We must reassess the situation and then make a new decision.” “I understand,” Lu Yunfei nodded.

The two left the city lord's mansion, mounted their horses, and headed out of the city.

Throughout the journey, Lu Xuanfeng kept observing the situation in Qingyun City.

He noticed that the atmosphere in the city was indeed different from before. There were significantly more soldiers patrolling the streets, and they were all in high spirits and well-equipped. The guards on the city walls were also very vigilant, constantly watching for any movement outside the city.

"This is no small border town; it's more like a military fortress," Lu Xuanfeng thought to himself in surprise.

When his father sent him here, he told him that Qingyun City was just an ordinary border town, weakly defended and easily defeated. But now it seems that the situation is completely different.

"This Wang Tianhai is truly remarkable," he thought to himself. "In just a month and a half, he's managed to turn Qingyun City into this place. No wonder he dared to bargain with the Lu family."

The two left the city gate and came to the official road outside the city.

Lu Xuanfeng reined in his horse and glanced back at Qingyun City.

The city walls stand tall, the gate towers are majestic, and the banners flutter in the wind. Bathed in the setting sun, the entire city exudes an aura of majesty.

"Wang Tianhai, do you think that by making these preparations, you can stand up to the Lu family?" He sneered. "You're too naive."

He spurred his horse and galloped off into the distance.

Inside the city lord's mansion, Wang Tianhai let out a long sigh of relief.

“The Lu family has finally left,” he said. “Sir, what do you think they will do?”

Zheng Yi stood up from the corner and walked to Wang Tianhai's side.

“After Lu Xuanfeng returns, he will definitely report the situation in Qingyun City to Lu Tianming,” he said. “Lu Tianming will make a new decision based on the new circumstances.”

"Do you think they will launch a full-scale attack?" Wang Tianhai asked worriedly.

"It's hard to say," Zheng Yi said. "If they launch a full-scale attack, the Lu family could definitely take Qingyun City. But they would also have to pay a considerable price. The Lu family is one of the nine great families, with a deep foundation, and they won't take this risk easily."

"So what will they do?"

"They might continue negotiations, they might exert more pressure, or they might look for other solutions," Zheng Yi said. "In short, we need to be prepared for all eventualities."

“I understand,” Wang Tianhai nodded.

"By the way, Lu Yunfei's gaze was a bit strange when he looked at me just now," Zheng Yi said. "He probably sensed something."

"Sir, do you mean he recognized you?"

“I’m not sure,” Zheng Yi said, “but he definitely sensed that I’m not an ordinary person. Lu Yunfei is very shrewd; we can’t underestimate him.”

"What should we do then?"

“It’s nothing,” Zheng Yi said. “So what if he recognizes me? I helped you openly and honestly; I didn’t do anything shady.”

Wang Tianhai thought about it and agreed, so he didn't say anything more.

For the next few days, Qingyun City remained on high alert.

Zheng Yi instructed Feng Ling to strengthen surveillance of Lu Yunfei and keep a close eye on the Lu family's movements. At the same time, he also ordered Qing Song to continue improving the city lord's mansion's defensive array, just in case.

Five days later, the deadline arrived.

The weather was gloomy and overcast that day.

There was a sense of oppression in the air, like the calm before the storm.

Zheng Yi stood on the city wall, gazing at the official road in the distance, his brows slightly furrowed.

"The Lu family hasn't arrived yet," Wang Tianhai said, walking over with some doubt. "Logically speaking, the deadline has passed; they should be here to force me to submit."

“Perhaps they are waiting for something,” Zheng Yi said.

"Waiting for what?"

"I don't know," Zheng Yi shook his head, "but I have a bad feeling. The Lu family not coming might not be a good thing."

Wang Tianhai's expression changed. "Sir, do you mean..."

"The Lu family might be planning something big," Zheng Yi said. "We need to be on high alert."

As they were talking, a wind chime suddenly appeared beside them.

“Mr. Dark Night, there’s news,” she said.

"what news?"

"After Lu Xuanfeng returned, Lu Tianming summoned all the Lu family's forces in the eastern part of Tianyuan Domain and assembled them fifty miles outside Qingyun City," Feng Ling said. "According to my inquiries, the Lu family has gathered approximately two thousand people this time, including several experts at the Great Ascension Realm."

"Two thousand men?" Wang Tianhai's expression changed drastically. "Is the Lu family planning a full-scale attack?"

"Not necessarily," Zheng Yi said. "Gathering troops could also be just a way to exert pressure."

"What should we do then?" Wang Tianhai asked, somewhat panicked.

"Hold on," Zheng Yi said. "The Lu family's mobilization of troops doesn't necessarily mean they'll attack the city. They might be trying to intimidate us with force and force us to submit."

"But what if they really attack the city?"

“Then let’s fight.” A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yi’s eyes. “Qingyun City’s defenses have been greatly strengthened. Even if the Lu family attacks, they will pay a heavy price. Besides, I’m here.”

Looking into Zheng Yi's determined eyes, Wang Tianhai felt a little more at ease.

“Very well, I will listen to you, sir,” he said.

"Send the order: the entire city is on high alert," Zheng Yi said. "All city guards are on the city walls, ready to meet the enemy. At the same time, close the city gates and prohibit anyone from entering or leaving."

"Yes!" Wang Tianhai immediately gave the order.

Soon, Qingyun City entered a state of war preparedness.

The city gates were tightly shut, and the drawbridge hung high. The city walls were lined with city guards, each holding a bow and arrow, ready for battle. Inside the city lord's mansion, the protective array set up by Qingsong had also been activated, forming an invisible barrier to protect the entire residence.

Zheng Yi stood on the city wall, gazing at the official road in the distance.

A short while later, a group of people appeared on the official road.

The group numbered about a hundred people, led by a middle-aged man dressed in a gray robe. The middle-aged man had a calm demeanor and sharp eyes; he was none other than Lu Tianming, the fourth elder of the Lu family.

Behind him followed Lu Xuanfeng, Lu Yunfei, and dozens of Lu family guards.

They arrived at the gate of Qingyun City and stopped.

"Wang Tianhai, come out and speak!" Lu Tianming shouted.

Wang Tianhai took a deep breath and walked to the crenellations of the city wall.

“Elder Lu, I am here,” he said.

"The deadline has passed. What's your decision?" Lu Tianming asked. (End of Chapter)