Su Cheng Lord was stunned, seeming not to comprehend what she was saying: "Black? Is Black Crow City for sale?"
"You want to buy this city!?" He had just sat down but sprang up again.
Bai Ran nodded with a smile: "Name your price."
Jing Feng and the others were also shocked. Miss Bai! You didn't mention wanting to buy a city earlier!
Su Cheng Lord found it unbelievable: "You've seen the state of Black Crow City, I presume. Can you handle it?"
Bai Ran didn't answer his question. Instead, she looked at Jing Feng: "Bring out the money."
Jing Feng was dumbfounded, his mind filled with questions. Who? Him? Buying a city?
After a fierce internal struggle, he resigned himself to taking out all his wealth.
Jiang Ye leaned closer to Zhuque, lowering his voice: "Do we have to pay to buy cities when we follow the young master?"
Zhuque gave him a speechless look: "Is your head filled with mush?"
Jiang Ye tilted his head, not understanding her meaning.
"Is this enough?" Bai Ran looked directly at Su Cheng Lord.
Several large chests of gold coins were placed before Su Cheng Lord, but he nervously waved his hands: "My lady, it's not about the money! As the lord of this city, I cannot cheat you!"
Bai Ran was somewhat surprised by Su Cheng Lord's response. She had expected that, with Black Crow City in decline, he would eagerly sell it.
Su Cheng Lord lowered his head and sighed: "Black Crow City... has already been drained dry by other cities."
"Lord! Bad news!" The guard from earlier reported in a hurry: "People from Tong Yue City are intruding again!"
Su Cheng Lord shot up: "What did you say!"
Bai Ran sat aside calmly, observing his reaction.
"Everyone, please forgive my poor hospitality. It's too dangerous here, you should leave through the back door."
Su Cheng Lord looked at Bai Ran in a hurry, but she remained seated.
"Old man, long time no see." Arrogant voices rang out as three extremely burly men entered.
Su Cheng Lord leaned on his wooden staff, his expression grim: "Black Crow City does not welcome you."
"This lame leg still hasn't healed, hahahaha!"
A man stepped forward and violently kicked away the wooden staff in Su Cheng Lord's hand.
*Bang—* Su Cheng Lord, losing his balance, fell to the ground, utterly humiliated.
"Old fellow, hand over the city, and you won't have to suffer so much," he said mockingly, looking at Su Cheng Lord on the ground.
Su Cheng Lord glared at him and struggled to get up: "I will never hand over Black Crow City to you!"
The man was about to kick him again when his gaze swept over Bai Ran and the others.
"Oh, when did Black Crow City get such distinguished guests?" He sized up Bai Ran: "And a young lady?"
"You!" Su Cheng Lord immediately understood his intention: "Lady, run quickly!"
The three men walked towards Bai Ran, unconcealed lewdness on their faces: "She's not beautiful, but her figure is truly captivating."
One man reached out towards Bai Ran's face.
*Slap* Before he could touch Bai Ran, a hand from the side grabbed him, rendering him immobile.
Jing Feng stared coldly at the man: "She's not someone you can touch."
"Oh? I'd like to see..."
*Bang—!*
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Ye kicked him flying: "You're trying to reason with this kind of person?"
The other two men were startled and drew their swords, hacking at Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye raised two fingers in a playful pose and blew on them.
*Bang—Bang—* Two exceptionally loud flicks to the forehead sent the two men flying.
I can't bear to watch... Bai Ran covered her face.
Jing Feng on the side also twitched at the corner of his mouth... "Flicking foreheads" indeed.
Su Cheng Lord was frozen in place, seemingly surprised by the strength of these individuals.
The three men got up from the ground, their heads spinning. Zhuque disdainfully glanced at Jing Feng and Jiang Ye.
"Haven't you eaten? Your attacks are too light," she said, stepping on one of the men's backs and grabbing his arm.
With a forceful twist, Zhuque’s hand bent the man’s arm.
"Ahhh—!" The man's arm was twisted into a pretzel.
Jing Feng couldn't help but applaud: "Lady Zhuque is mighty."
"No! Don't kill us!" The other two men were terrified, stammering as they fled out the door.
"Take this garbage back!" Zhuque delivered a powerful kick, sending the man at her feet flying.
*Bang—* The man slammed into the two fleeing men.
They looked up and saw Zhuque staring fiercely at them. With a shiver, the two quickly dragged the broken-armed man away.
Zhuque spat at their retreating backs.
Bai Ran slowly picked up the wooden staff and handed it to Su Cheng Lord: "You dropped your item."
Unexpectedly, Su Cheng Lord grabbed Bai Ran's clothes, his eyes teary, looking at her: "Benefactor."
Bai Ran's face was a mess: "Lord Su, you don't have to do this."
He took the wooden staff and stood up: "Benefactor, Su will never forget your kindness."
Jiang Ye nudged Zhuque: "Hey, this old man can change faces."
Zhuque took a deep breath, feeling a pang in her chest.
After the chaos subsided, they all sat back down.
"Benefactor, I have decided to give Black Crow City to you," Su Cheng Lord's hope rekindled: "Black Crow City will surely grow stronger in your hands."
This should have been a good thing, but why did Bai Ran find it somewhat disheartening?
She rubbed her temples: "Jing Feng, take this money to the people in the city."
Jing Feng's expression was that of a grimace. That was his money...
"Benefactor, if you need me to do anything, just ask," Su Cheng Lord said, looking at Bai Ran expectantly.
Bai Ran just wanted to turn and leave: "Just shut up."
...
"The new city lord is giving out money—the new city lord is giving out money—" Jing Feng cried out in heartache.
His money... all his hard-earned money...
Little did he know, Long Jin Han later rewarded him with triple the gold coins upon hearing of this, and Jing Feng was overjoyed.
"Um... is this money really a gift?" The woman they had met earlier asked cautiously.
"Can there be a lie?" Jing Feng said with his head held high: "I... the new city lord is extremely generous."
The woman gently held the thirty gold coins, tears welling up in her eyes: "That's wonderful..."
"Little son can finally eat braised chicken..."
Seeing that the woman had indeed received money, the commoners dared to come out of their homes one after another.
"Thank you so much, this money is just enough to pay for my mother's treatment."
"Heaven bless us, this old woman can still hold on."
...
The commoners held the meager sums of money in their hands as if they were precious treasures.
Jing Feng looked at the woman in confusion: "Why aren't you asking about the new city lord?"
The woman sighed: "We are very grateful for the new city lord's generosity, but what we desire most is a peaceful life."