Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 516: Serving as Deputy City Lord of Lingyuan City

Lin Feng smiled wryly and said helplessly, "I don't know. I guess I just can't bear to part with it." His eyes revealed a faint nostalgia, as if this broken knife carried indispensable memories from his life, even though he could no longer remember those past events. He gently stroked the hilt, as if conversing with a long-lost friend.

Gao Jinghao became increasingly certain that Lin Feng was trying to trick him. A flicker of displeasure flashed across his eyes, but he dared not react rashly. He pressed the issue several times, but each time, Lin Feng pleaded amnesia. "Mr. Lin, please think carefully. Where did the blade go? Perhaps you just can't remember it right now," Gao Jinghao insisted, a hint of urgency in his tone.

Lin Feng still shook his head and explained patiently: "City Lord Gao, I really don't remember. From the moment I woke up, this knife has been like this." There was a hint of fatigue in his voice. He felt a little helpless about Gao Jinghao's repeated questioning.

Finally, Gao Jinghao sighed helplessly, knowing that further questioning would yield no results. He looked at Lin Feng with an embarrassed expression and said, "If that's the case, then this request is indeed a bit unreasonable. Mr. Lin, how about this? Could you please stay and serve as the deputy city lord of Lingyuan City for a while and help me manage it?" Gao Jinghao's tone became sincere, but a subtle calculation still lingered in his eyes.

"Six years ago, your brother Xu Tian almost destroyed half of the city here," Gao Jinghao shook his head slightly, with a heartbroken expression on his face. "The fire raged, houses collapsed, the people were displaced, and the cries were deafening. This seriously affected the development of the entire Lingyuan City. Now, Lingyuan City is in ruins, with ruins everywhere, and people's livelihood is declining." Gao Jinghao's voice was low and heavy, as if he was telling a past that was too painful to look back on.

"Mr. Lin, do you think you could stay and make some contributions to Lingyuan City for the sake of the people of Lingyuan City?" Gao Jinghao's words were full of sincerity. "You are powerful and chivalrous. If we can get your help, Lingyuan City will surely regain its former prosperity." He leaned forward, staring at Lin Feng, waiting for his answer.

Gao Jinghao knew that Lin Feng was powerful. If he could stay, he would not only help him solve the many problems facing Lingyuan City, but also become a powerful force in consolidating his position as city lord. He had long been fed up with the open and covert struggles among the forces in the city. With Lin Feng, he could easily suppress those with ulterior motives.

Lin Feng sat on the carved mahogany chair in the City Lord's Mansion, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop, lost in thought. He stared out the window at the setting sun, its afterglow casting a golden hue across the courtyard. Gao Jinghao sat nearby, a seemingly gentle smile on his face, but inwardly, he nervously awaited Lin Feng's response.

"I can agree to serve as the deputy city lord, but I have to go home first." Lin Feng finally spoke, his voice low but firm.

Gao Jinghao's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible joy, and he quickly said, "Of course, of course, Mr. Lin, go ahead. Lingyuan City welcomes you back anytime."

The two drank some more wine, which swirls in the cup, emitting a mellow aroma. Gao Jinghao occasionally said some pleasantries, trying to close the distance between him and Lin Feng, but Lin Feng only responded politely, his thoughts already drifting to his distant home.

By the time Lin Feng left the City Lord's Mansion, night had already fallen, and stars twinkled in the night sky. As soon as he stepped out of the door, he saw a familiar figure - Ming Zeshu.

Ming Zeshu was dressed in a black robe, looking particularly solemn in the night. His eyes were filled with concern and anxiety. When he saw Lin Feng, he quickly came forward and said, "Mr. Lin, I'm glad to see you. Could you please come to the Ming family and have a chat?"

Lin Feng nodded slightly. He had an inexplicable trust in Ming Zeshu, perhaps because of Ming Zeshu's previous reminder. The two walked side by side on the streets of Lingyuan City. The city was still bustling at night, with brightly lit street stalls and the hawkers' cries echoing one after another, but Lin Feng had no intention of enjoying this bustling night scene.

Arriving at the Ming residence, he saw dozens of people neatly lined up at the door to greet him. Lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire courtyard. Lin Feng frowned slightly and whispered to Ming Zeshu, "Ancestor Ming, there's no need to be so high-profile. Just be more low-key."

Ming Zeshu nodded quickly, waved everyone away, and then led Lin Feng to the guest room. The room was decorated simply and elegantly, and the lingering scent of sandalwood gave people a sense of tranquility. The two sat opposite each other, and Ming Zeshu poured Lin Feng a cup of tea. The steaming aroma of tea instantly filled the air.

"Mr. Lin, have you promised Gao Jinghao anything?" Ming Zeshu broke the silence first, his eyes fixed on Lin Feng.

Lin Feng did not hide anything and said frankly: "I promised him that I would serve as the deputy city lord of Lingyuan City for a period of time, but I have to go back home first."

Ming Zeshu's heart sank as he thought to himself: Could it be that Gao Jinghao wanted Lin Feng to shoulder the responsibility for Lingyuan City? He really couldn't figure out Gao Jinghao's intentions, but he couldn't say it out loud.

Lin Feng put down his teacup and looked at Ming Zeshu sincerely: "Ancestor Ming, could you tell me what you know about my past?"

Ming Zeshu did not answer immediately, but said solemnly: "Mr. Lin, please tell me first, how did Gao Jinghao tell you what happened back then?"

Lin Feng repeated Gao Jinghao's words in detail. After listening, Ming Zeshu sighed softly and said slowly: "Mr. Lin, that's not what happened back then."

He paused, a look of reminiscence in his eyes. "Back then, Xu Tian came to Lingyuan City to search for General Li Hua, but he came into conflict with the Li family. The Li and Ding families were both ambitious and had planned to join forces to deal with the Cao and Ming families. It just so happened that Xu Tian had an old grudge against the Li family, so they targeted Xu Tian, ​​Chen Yu, and Chen Xiner. Xu Tian stayed behind to cover Chen Yu and Chen Xiner's escape."

Ming Zeshu's voice was deep and powerful, as if replaying the scene of that year before Lin Feng's eyes: "When Gao Jinghao arrived, Xu Tian unleashed the combat power of a Grandmaster to protect others. Gao Jinghao was no match for him, and Xu Tian wreaked havoc throughout the city, putting the situation in dire straits. Gao Jinghao, Ding Junhao of the Ding family, and I teamed up to try to seal Xu Tian's power, but failed. At this critical moment, Mr. Lin arrived in time and sealed Xu Tian's power with your formidable strength, thus saving the entire Lingyuan City. In my opinion, the entire Lingyuan City owes you a favor."