Chapter 174: A Double Loss

Hu Jiujiu left Ping City and headed forward. Soon, she arrived at Sea City under the lead of the envoy.

Hai Changping led his subordinates and prepared a very grand welcome ceremony for Hu Jiujiu. For a moment, the entire Sea City was filled with cheers.

Hu Jiujiu followed Li Yuanqing’s instructions and asked Hai Changping about the whereabouts of the Heavenly Fox Clan. It was as if she valued the information very much.

Hai Changping was also keeping her in suspense. He kept pretending to be confused and laughed at the welcoming banquet without explaining anything. He thought that since everything had been arranged, as long as he could stall Hu Jiujiu, everything would be fine.

However, this wishful thinking in his heart would be completely useless the next day when the news of his plan failing came.

They had thought that this should be foolproof, so many people had attacked a small Ping City. More than half of the demons in the entire wilderness had taken action, but who would have thought that all those demons would be useless.

Moreover, according to the news that came back, they were still defeated. They had the numbers and surrounded Ping City, but in the end, they were defeated.

No one had expected this situation. For a moment, Hai Changping did not know what to do.

“What should we do? According to the original plan, we only need to keep Hu Jiujiu here. But now that the plan has been exposed, if we force her to stay, I’m afraid we will anger Hu Jiujiu and it will be disadvantageous to us.”

Hai Changping paced back and forth anxiously in the huge palace. An old man with a hunched back stood in front of him, looking down at his feet without moving.

“Butler, give me an idea. What should we do in the current situation?”

The old man listened to the instructions before speaking slowly. “City Lord, in my opinion, even if it’s difficult to tell if this news is true or false, we still have to be more cautious.”

“In other words, we’re going to release Hu Jiujiu now?” Hai Changping said worriedly, “Back then, I promised to restrain Hu Jiujiu for five days, but now, I can’t even last for five days. In just a day, the other side has already been defeated without any ability to resist.”

“Therefore, the City Lord needs to be more decisive at this moment. Letting Hu Jiujiu go early will be very beneficial to us,” the old man said. “However, we can’t let her go immediately.”

“Tell me in detail.”

The old butler took a step forward and walked to Hai Changping’s side.

“City Lord, you went through a lot of trouble to invite Hu Jiujiu over. If you casually send her away, I’m afraid she will have a grudge. City Lord, why don’t you beat her at her own game and take this opportunity to build a good relationship with Hu Jiujiu? Hu Jiujiu doesn’t seem to have married yet. I think it’s a good idea.”

Hai Changping narrowed his eyes.

Hu Jiujiu was a beautiful person. It was just that she was too powerful and too dangerous. It would be fine if she was an ordinary demon, but her identity was special. With Hu Jiujiu’s status, it would probably not be easy to take her down.

Moreover, someone was watching Hu Jiu Jiu from behind. She probably has some unclear relationship with that person.

Hai Changping thought about it carefully and rejected this idea.

“Forget it. Although Hu Jiujiu’s strength can’t be considered very strong, it seems that there is indeed a big shot backing her up. Why don’t we take this opportunity to befriend the person behind her? It’s a good idea.”

“The City Lord is wise.”

Hu Jiujiu sat on the top of the pavilion, thick fog condensed at the top of her head. The fog enveloped her very gently and quietly circled her like a group of small living animals.

As Li Yuanqing had expected, Hai Changping must have been guarding the news carefully and refused to say anything. However, when the news of her master’s victory came, he would not be able to keep this piece of news. At that time, he would have to obediently confess.

Hu Jiujiu was not in a hurry at all. Li Yuanqing had already instructed her before she came. Now that everything was going exactly as Li Yuanqing had expected, there was no need for her to panic.

“City Lord Hu!”

Just as Hu Jiujiu was thinking, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching.

Hu Jiujiu looked in the direction of the footsteps. A figure pushed aside the thick fog and appeared in front of her.

“City Lord Hu, I didn’t expect you to be cultivating here early in the morning. I’ve been looking for you for a long time and finally found you.”

Hai Changping pretended to pant a few times and looked at Hu Jiujiu with a smile.

“City Lord Hai, why are you in such a hurry?”

“City Lord Hu, can’t I come and catch up with you even if there’s nothing else?” Hai Changping said with a smile.

“Oh? So there’s still a past encounter between me and City Lord Hai?”

Hai Changping was thick-skinned enough and was not embarrassed at all. “City Lord Hu, you’re really forgetful. A few days ago, I was busy greeting you because of our cooperation. How could you forget my contributions so quickly?”

“So that’s what you’re talking about, sir. I was careless.”

Hu Jiujiu had also given him a way out. There would not be awkwardness during the chat.

Hai Changping went down the stairs and changed the topic. He said, “However, I really have something important to tell you today.”

“City Lord Hai, feel free to speak.”

“I’ll say first that this matter isn’t dangerous, so City Lord Hu, don’t be anxious when you hear it later.”

“What is it?”

Hai Changping sighed and looked at Hu Jiujiu with a heavy expression. “Speaking of which, it’s all my fault.”

“City Lord Hai, why do you say that?”

“If I hadn’t insisted on inviting City Lord Hu to our place, your Ping City wouldn’t have been plundered.” As Hai Changping spoke, he carefully observed Hu Jiujiu’s expression.

Hu Jiujiu took a step forward in panic and asked Hai Changping, “What? Such a thing happened?”

“City Lord Hu, don’t be anxious. I’ve already said just now that this matter has already been settled. Ping City has nothing to lose.”

Hu Jiujiu was relieved and patted her chest gently.

“I wonder how many demons went to plunder and how many clansmen of my Ping City were injured?” Looking at Hu Jiujiu’s concerned expression, she did not seem to be confident in the safety of Ping City.

Hai Changping was calculating in his heart. Did Hu Jiujiu know about the existence of that Sword Immortal?

The Sword Immortal had saved her time and time again, but Hu Jiujiu did not seem to have any concrete news about him. Otherwise, with the Sword Immortal’s strength, he would be able to wipe out all the invaders in an instant. Why would she need to worry about such terrifying strength?

“City Lord Hai? City Lord Hai, what’s wrong?”

Hai Changping was thinking to himself and was in a daze. He only regained his senses after Hu Jiujiu called him.

“Oh, City Lord Hu, I’m old and my brain isn’t working well. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

“It’s fine, but I’m afraid I can’t stay here anymore. The citizens of Ping City need me. I have to go back quickly.”

“City Lord Hu, are you sure you don’t want to stay for another two days? Originally, I invited you over because I wanted to bring you to my Sea City to take a look. In the future, you can help us advertise when you go back. Unfortunately, such a thing happened. It’s really annoying.”

Hai Changping looked at Hu Jiujiu regretfully.

Hu Jiujiu still looked anxious.

“City Lord Hai, you’re kind enough to invite me here to enjoy the scenery. However, it’s indeed not convenient for me now. If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely visit you again.”

After Hai Changping hesitated for a while, he obediently agreed to Hu Jiujiu’s request to return. He was just saying it. With the strength Ping City had displayed, he had no reason to make an enemy of the people of Ping City. He had pretended to be muddle-headed just now, but he couldn’t hide forever. It was understandable that Hu Jiujiu was eager to return. He couldn’t possibly trap her here forever.

Hai Changping’s wishful thinking today was set in stone. He pretended to be very regretful. It was better to quickly send this God of Plagues away now, lest she cause trouble for their Sea City.

“City Lord Hu, are you determined to leave? In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you stay for two more days.”

“No need, City Lord Hai. I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for your hospitality today. Our two cities will definitely be together forever.”

Hai Changping was waiting for Hu Jiujiu to say this.

“In that case, why don’t we take this opportunity to improve our relationship? This way, we can exchange things more closely and benefit both of us.”

Hu Jiujiu’s eyes flashed with a smile. Hai Changping’s words today were exactly as Li Yuanqing had imagined. There were a few sentences that were exactly the same. Her master was indeed powerful and could predict things like a god.

Finally, when Hai Changping raised this suggestion, Hu Jiujiu agreed.

Hai Changping was not vague at all. He said it directly and the butler behind him jogged over. The butler had already placed the draft document between the two of them. Hu Jiujiu only read it briefly before signing it.

“City Lord Hu, aren’t you going to take a closer look? This is an important document to strengthen our cooperation in the future. I think it’s better to be more cautious.” Hai Changping asked Hu Jiujiu carefully.

Hu Jiujiu said indifferently, “I’ve always admired City Lord Hai’s style of doing things. I don’t think you would harm me with such a thing. I’ve also read through it and admire this document.”

“How generous!” Hai Changping served the wine. “It’s said that City Lord Hu is upright and capable, more gentlemanly than many men. Today, my admiration for City Lord Hu has increased!”

“Thank you for your praise, City Lord.”

“I’ll send City Lord Hu out of the city now!”

As Hai Changping spoke, the butler beside him glanced at him carefully. He understood and turned to leave.

However, before the two of them could take two steps, Hu Jiujiu suddenly stopped them.

“City Lord Hai, please wait.”

“What is it? City Lord Hu, what other instructions do you have?”

“City Lord Hai specially mentioned the news of the Heavenly Fox Clan before. Why aren’t you saying anything now?”

Hai Changping pretended to be confused. He turned his head and patted his head. He looked at Hu Jiujiu and said apologetically, “Look at my memory. I asked the butler to remind me to remember, but I forgot when I got here.”

Hai Changping glanced at the butler. The butler obediently took out a very ancient map from his sleeve.

This map was ancient and emitted a strong aura of age. It was unknown when it was unearthed.

The butler held the map with both hands and carefully approached Hu Jiujiu.

“I found out about this by chance. At first, I didn’t understand the profundity of it, but I’ve obtained something recently and guessed that it’s the whereabouts of the Heavenly Fox Clan,” Hai Changping said seriously. “After I found out about this, I didn’t dare to be negligent at all and directly informed you.”

Hu Jiujiu took the map. The map was in an area in the catacombs. There were a few mountains drawn here, and in the middle of these mountains was a very flat plain.

There were very complicated symbols drawn on this plain. Most of the things recorded in these symbols were buildings. This was probably the place where the Heavenly Fox Clan was hiding.

Hu Jiujiu was not that concerned about this news, but now that she had it in her hand, she could not hide the excitement in her heart. It was as if she could feel a very unique energy from the map alone. This energy lingered on the map, as if it wanted to say something.

Hu Jiujiu only took a glance and it seemed like her entire body was about to be sucked in. This feeling made her hurriedly wake up.

“City Lord Hu, what do you think? I wonder if it will help you?”

“Thank you so much, City Lord Hai. I didn’t expect to see this thing again. If I find the whereabouts of my clansmen in the future, I will definitely visit you again!”

“I’m already very satisfied that this thing can be of use. I can’t accept any more gratitude.”

Hai Changping was also very proud. It could be said that both sides had gained something. When he brought Hu Jiujiu out of the city, his face was filled with reluctance, as if he really could not bear to part with this old friend.

After saying goodbye three more times, Hu Jiujiu finally left Sea City.

Hai Changping knew how to give face. He said words flawlessly, and his words were very pleasant to the ears. However, at the end of the day, if he hadn’t had such thoughts, their relationship wouldn’t have ended up like this. He wouldn’t have had to take out so many treasures to please Hu Jiujiu.

Hu Jiujiu looked at the two carriages behind her and could not help but laugh. Even with her composure, she still felt that it was worth it to collect so many benefits.

This deal was worth it.

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