Chapter 3622: Escalation

Young Master Ronghua was not satisfied with Ning Shu’s explanation. The underlying reason for all of this was something they both understood perfectly well.

“Logically speaking, the aptitude of anyone chosen by an ordinance should not be poor. Why can you not even handle a single barrier?”

This was a blatant slap in the face. Specifically, he was insulting Ning Shu’s capabilities, implying the city lord of the City of Water was incompetent.

Ning Shu narrowed her eyes slightly. She didn’t exactly know who this Young Master Ronghua was, though she had heard he was quite powerful. However, where her own interests were concerned, it was impossible for her to back down.

Ning Shu maintained her smiling mask. “I could solve it, but while I was reinforcing the city’s defensive array, the two barriers became tangled together. I am afraid that if I forcibly remove the one around the auction house, the entire City of Water will end up in ruins.”

I’m just incompetent. I have no solution.

Young Master Ronghua’s expression grew even more sinister. His voice was feminine and low as he spoke. “So, does the city lord intend to keep the auction house closed permanently?”

“How could it be permanent? As soon as I am proficient enough to manage it, I will resolve the auction house’s situation immediately. Besides, what benefit is there for me to keep it closed? I am losing out on tax revenue,” Ning Shu explained.

In essence, she was saying this situation offered her no personal gain.

Young Master Ronghua stared intently at Ning Shu. She simply maintained her dignified smile.

It’s no use looking at me. I’m just not familiar with the operation yet.

Ning Shu picked up her teacup for a sip. Since he hadn’t mentioned compensation for her losses, she wasn’t letting them out.

This whole mess started because the auction house had been unfair.

She hadn’t even asked for much. She only wanted them to follow the regulations. After all, they were within her territory. She protected this city. Even if she didn’t get credit for it, she at least deserved recognition for her hard work.

Why did they have to try and bully her?

Furthermore, the taxes were a mere pittance compared to the auction house’s total income. There was no reason for them to be so stingy with her.

It was dishonest of them.

Young Master Ronghua picked up his cup and took a slow sip of tea, with his eyebrows furrowed. He had assumed his appearance would compel the other party to give him some ‘face’ and unlock the barrier.

This was the City of Water, after all, and it would be unwise to resort to brute force here.

Was she a ‘newborn calf who didn’t fear the tiger,’ or was she simply not intimidated by him at all?

Was she so powerful that she had nothing to fear, or had she simply never heard of his reputation?

The standoff continued. Ning Shu set down her cup and said with a smile, “Rest assured, once I have mastered the technique, I will resolve the auction house’s issue at the very first opportunity. There is no need for Young Master Ronghua to be anxious.”

Young Master Ronghua understood her perfectly. She wasn’t letting them go. A city lord who couldn’t even manage the water barrier of her own city was a complete joke.

His expression turned dark. His snake-like eyes fixed on Ning Shu. “If it is truly that difficult, you could surrender the water ordinance imprint and let someone more capable inherit it. You should not use such excuses to dodge your duties. I know what you are thinking, but acting like this only makes you look incompetent.”

Using a provocation tactic, Ning Shu replied with a smile, “I cannot fathom why the water ordinance chose someone as clumsy as me, but I will work hard to master it. I will try to solve the auction house’s problem, but not right now. I must be responsible for the entire City of Water. If anything happens, I cannot bear the consequences, so the auction house will simply have to endure a bit of unfairness for the time being.”

Young Master Ronghua narrowed his eyes. It felt as though a poisonous snake were flicking its tongue at her.

“City Lord Ning, it is best for both sides to take a step back. Your current behavior is unwise. In the eyes of others, it looks like the city lord of the City of Water acts at her own whim. If that is the case, who would ever dare to do business here again?” Hong Yu arrived in a flurry of red, looking incredibly beautiful.

Ning Shu glanced at her. Had she not banished Hong Yu from the city last time? Why was she popping up again now?

This was getting interesting.

Hong Yu was clearly thinking about her prior banishment as well. Her expression was somewhat strained as she said calmly, “Why not let me act as a mediator? Let us call this matter even. If the city lord removes the barrier, Young Master Ronghua will not pursue the issue further.”

Ning Shu gave a mocking laugh. The way she phrased it made it sound like the fault lay entirely with Ning Shu. It was as if the auction house’s initial transgressions had been wiped away.

These people knew the truth, yet they were trying to blur the details. Hong Yu hadn’t appeared to be a mediator. She was likely here for the ordinance imprint on Ning Shu’s forehead.

If Ning Shu happened to be dealt with by Young Master Ronghua, that ordinance imprint would likely go to Hong Yu.

What made Hong Yu so certain she would get it? Did she think Young Master Ronghua disdained ordinance imprints so much that he would just give it to her?

Ning Shu sighed, looking helpless. “I truly have no way to do it.”

“How can you have no way? Within your own city, you have absolute control. Here, you can do whatever you wish and decide who lives or dies. Opening a barrier is a simple flick of the wrist. Why must you continue to make things so difficult for the auction house?”

Hong Yu’s voice was pleasant, but her words were aggressive. If Ning Shu admitted she had sealed the place because of unpaid taxes, it would make her look petty and small-minded.

Ning Shu smiled faintly. “Then, young lady, why must you make things so difficult for me? I said I cannot do it. Perhaps the ordinances you have mastered are very simple, but mine is the water ordinance—the ever-changing water. It is only natural that I cannot master it in a short time. If you can resolve the barrier with a simple flick of your wrist, then please, be my guest.

“I am sure everyone at the auction house would be deeply grateful, and Young Master Ronghua would surely thank you as well.”

Ning Shu didn’t know if Hong yu had a real connection to this man, but since she was so eager to jump into the fray, there had to be some relationship there.

More likely, she was looking to fish in troubled waters.

Attempting to take advantage of her on her own turf? Ning Shu’s mouth twitched. Did she really look like such an easy target?

Ning Shu turned back to Young Master Ronghua. “I heard the auction house intended to move out of the City of Water. That is what the auction house staff told me personally.”

“Of course, that was my mistake. Once the barrier issue is resolved, the auction house can move out then.” Ning Shu maintained her smiling face, constantly ‘playing Tai Chi’ with her words.

Young Master Ronghua stared at her. “So, the city lord is unwilling to have the auction house remain in the city?”

“Of course not. I naturally hope the auction house prospers here so my tax revenue increases. It should be a mutually beneficial arrangement. It was the auction house that said they didn’t want to stay. Once this matter is settled, I am sure your business will be thriving once again.”

Ning Shu sparred with Young Master Ronghua while observing the expressions of the people in the hall. She was trying to gauge the crowd’s perception of this man, as there were surely people here who knew him.

Shu Bai and Si Tian both shook their heads slightly. Their expressions looked quite grave.

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