Chen Guo pondered quietly.
He was no fool and quickly picked up on the fact that Murong Xiaoxiao wasn't being entirely truthful.
It appeared that Murong Xiaoxiao intended to use him.
Yet, Chen Guo remained unfazed. After all, the victor was still undecided, and until the very end, no one could say for certain who would come out on top.
Chen Guo wasn't worried about being outmaneuvered by these people; he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve to make a getaway if needed.
"Since this involves slaying demons and aligns with my own mission, it's only right that I offer my assistance to the City Lord. We're all humans, after all, and it's our duty to support one another," Chen Guo declared with a noble air.
Murong Xiaoxiao was thrilled, exclaiming, "Thank you, Young Hero Lee, for your noble intervention. With your assistance, the Black Mountain King is as good as dead, and the longstanding nightmare of Acomb will finally be lifted."
The Yellow Wind Taoist also commended Chen Guo, saying, "The Young Hero's courage and righteousness are a boon to the common folk."
"But..." Chen Guo interjected, "could I possibly receive the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed first? It's of great use to me, capable of boosting my strength in the short term. With it, I'll stand a much better chance against the Black Mountain King. Wouldn't you agree?"
Chen Guo wore a look that said he wouldn't take action without a guarantee.
Regardless of the other party's plans, securing the promised benefits was his priority.
Even if Murong Xiaoxiao had ulterior motives, Chen Guo was prepared to cut and run without a loss.
Murong Xiaoxiao hesitated, to which Chen Guo responded, "Does City Lord Murong distrust me? My request for the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed isn't born out of greed, but rather a test of your sincerity. After all, facing the Black Mountain King is a life-or-death matter that warrants caution."
"Very well!" Murong Xiaoxiao said with a smile, "In that case, I'll hand over the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed to the Young Hero first. As a distinguished disciple of Mount Maoshan, your reputation is beyond reproach, isn't it?"
With that, Murong Xiaoxiao slid the box containing the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed across to Chen Guo. Clearly, the City Lord had grand schemes in mind and knew the cost of securing a victory, willing to pay a certain price to achieve his goals.
Chen Guo didn't stand on ceremony with her. With a casual flick of his wrist, he stowed the box away into his personal space. Then he inquired, "I'm fully prepared. When do we depart?"
Murong Xiaoxiao replied, "The night has fallen. How about we set off tomorrow morning? Young Hero, you're welcome to spend the night at my City Lord's Mansion."
Chen Guo nodded in agreement, "That sounds good."
The trio proceeded to toast and drink, the mood warming considerably. Yet whether they each harbored hidden agendas was another matter entirely.
Later, as darkness enveloped the sky and a strong wind howled, Chen Guo entered the room provided by the City Lord.
Murong Xiaoxiao had extended generous hospitality to Chen Guo; the room was decidedly opulent. However, it paled in comparison to Chen Guo's own room, lacking its array of special features—it was merely average.
Material comforts were of little concern to Chen Guo. He took out the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed and decided to use it immediately. The seed was renowned for its remarkable powers, but Chen Guo had no interest in nurturing it.
His priority was to bolster his strength, so he opted for the direct approach. Utilizing the seed would significantly boost his mana capacity.
After using the Seven-Colored Gourd Seed, Chen Guo's mana ceiling soared by 8,000 points, allowing him to cast numerous additional spells. His combat effectiveness might not have doubled, but it had certainly surged by at least a third.
No sooner had he augmented his mana than there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Chen Guo called out.
As the door opened, two enchanting women in simple attire entered his room.
Upon closer inspection, Chen Guo realized they were identical twins. Sensing their presence, he discerned they were merely common folk.
Maid Zhen Zhen
Maid Lian Lian
The absence of any indication of fighting capacity confirmed these women were powerless commoners, the likes of which were plentiful in Acomb. Chen Guo had encountered such individuals before and was thus unfazed.
Chen Guo was baffled when two women appeared out of nowhere in the dead of night. Could something be amiss?
"Who might you be?" Chen Guo asked, his face etched with confusion.
"Young Hero, we have been sent by the City Lord to attend to you!"
"Yes, Young Hero, allow us to assist you with your clothing!"
As the maids edged closer, poised to lay their hands on him, Chen Guo quickly realized their true interest lay in his virtue.
Chen Guo was no virgin, yet he had no desire to bed women of questionable repute. He may not claim to be a paragon of chastity, but he certainly prided himself on his self-respect. Such women did not deserve a place in his bed.
City Lord Murong Xiaoxiao, with his broad forehead and large eyes, seemed an upstanding man. Chen Guo hadn't expected him to offer such... intimate hospitality. It was quite unseemly!
"Away with you! I require no such services!" With a wave of his hand, Chen Guo sent the maids tumbling out with a gentle yet firm force. "Do not bother me further; I need my rest!"
The maids, accustomed to attending to the elite yet rebuffed by a man who showed no interest in their charms, could only depart with a sense of loss. They were no strangers to their line of work, serving dignitaries and the like, but they had yet to encounter a young hero as dashing as Chen Guo. To have such an opportunity slip through their fingers was disappointing, but they dared not cause a scene with such a distinguished guest and left with their pride bruised.
Shortly after dispatching the maids, Murong Xiaoxiao herself paid a visit. Chen Guo was perplexed; he had no interest in young maidens, much less in a woman of her mature allure. Could it be that Murong Xiaoxiao was so persistent that, failing to sway him with her maids, she intended to offer herself?
Was this truly the City Lord's Mansion, or had it become a den of iniquity?
Chen Guo's suspicions were quickly allayed, however, as he realized he had misjudged Murong Xiaoxiao's intentions. She had not come with any ulterior motives, merely to exchange a few words.
"To think that even my two most beautiful maids couldn't tempt you, Young Hero. You truly are... extraordinary," Murong Xiaoxiao said with a laugh.
Chen Guo remarked, "With a major battle looming tomorrow, why should we squander energy tonight? Moreover, at Mount Maoshan, we adhere to strict rules and discipline, and I pride myself on being a morally upright young man. So why would you, City Lord, instigate such an affair?"
Murong Xiaoxiao, wearing an expression of regret, responded, "It appears I've underestimated you, Young Hero. I assumed that, as a young man, you'd relish the finer things in life, which led me to make these arrangements. I didn't realize you were a person of such integrity—my apologies."
Chen Guo replied coolly, "Are you ridiculing me, City Lord?"
"Not at all," Murong Xiaoxiao assured him. "I have nothing but respect for you, Young Hero."
Chen Guo inquired, "Then, City Lord, what brings you to my doorstep at this late hour?"