Chapter 368 - Tax Collection (1/2)
”They claimed to be members of the Sacred Cliff City Guards?” Lu Tianzi asked in surprise.
”That's right, Master,” Housekeeper Changyu replied nervously. ”When I told them that you are not receiving visitors at the moment, they got angry and threatened to wreck the place unless you show up...”
Not to mention the fact that Housekeeper Changyu was only at the Peak Essence Condensation realm, even if he was already at the Origin Core realm, he would not dare to offend anyone from the Sacred Cliff City Guards.
After all, the Sacred Cliff City Guards reported directly to the Burning Titan Overlord, and was widely recognised as the most powerful influence in the city.
As long as possible, not a single person in the city would want to get on their bad side.
Over time, this inevitably resulted in the Sacred Cliff City Guards' arrogance, though only a minority would dare to berate them for it.
From what he had learnt over the past few days, Housekeeper Changyu came to understand that either his master was an incredible inscription master, or that there was an incredible inscription master staying in the prohibited room within Sky Snow Manor.
No matter which case it was, it still meant that Housekeeper Changyu was actually serving a rather competent master.
This made him feel much better about serving his young master.
He was finally able to lift his head up high when running errands for Lu Tianzi, and his tone when talking to others had subconsciously become much more confident than before.
But facing these visitors and their unbridled arrogance, Housekeeper Changyu still dared not take matters into his own hands.
That was why he had rushed to inform Lu Tianzi instead.
Lu Tianzi could not help but frown upon hearing this. ”Bring me to them.”
***
In the front hall of the Sky Snow Manor, three men were scanning their surroundings with sharp gazes.
They looked to be in their thirties, and were well dressed with sturdy builds. All of them were at the Origin Core realm – their leader was at the Fifth Origin Cycle while the other two were at the Third and First Origin Cycle respectively.
”This place looks so shabby,” the First Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist said in disinterest. ”Are we really at the right place?”
”Are you doubting me?” the leader shot a glare at him, and the First Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist instinctively avoided his gaze.
”From the information we have received so far, the owners of this Sky Snow Manor are two youngsters on the surface,” the third guy explained. ”That being the case, they probably intentionally tried not to let the place look too extravagant. Otherwise, it would be far too suspicious.”
”That would make sense only if there really is someone acting behind the scenes,” the First Cycle Origin Core martial artist was not convinced.
”What? You think someone that young would be able to come up with a high level inscription?” the third guy scoffed.
”I don't, but unlike you, I would not simply believe in someone who has never been seen by anyone,” the First Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist argued.
”Enough chattering!” the leader warned, and the two of them immediately shut their mouth.
Right at that moment, Housekeeper Changyu pushed open the door. Lu Tianzi stepped right in, and Housekeeper Changyu followed closely behind.
”Greetings,” Lu Tianzi clasped his fists respectfully. ”I am Lu Tianzi, the owner of Sky Snow Manor. I heard from Housekeeper Changyu that our guests here are looking for me?”
In the short span of time needed for Lu Tianzi to complete his question, he took a good look at the trio in front of him.
Of course, he could tell that the other party was scanning him from head to toe as well.
”Are you really the owner?” the First Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist asked without reservation.
”Ganyuan, don't be rude,” the leader of the three said in a reprimanding tone, but did not do more.
In fact, his expression did not even change, maintaining a polite smile as he continued to observe Lu Tianzi.
It was apparent the leader did not truly mean to caution his subordinate, and was simply doing it for show.
Lu Tianzi even had a feeling that the leader might have arranged for his subordinate to do this, just to see how he would react.
”Are you here as visitors, or are you here to doubt my identity?” Lu Tianzi said with a frown. ”If it's the latter, then you are not welcome here. Please leave.”
”Tch! Insolent brat!” the First Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist, Ganyuan, sneered. ”Do you even know who you are talking to right now?”
”Does it matter? Will your identity change the meaning behind your words?” Lu Tianzi said with his hands behind his back. ”Housekeeper Changyu, the guests are leaving. See them out.”
”This...” Housekeeper Changyu felt the corner of his lips twitch.
”What are you waiting for?” Lu Tianzi turned his head slightly to look at the hesitating Housekeeper Changyu. ”Or do you need me to repeat myself before you will finally listen?”
Housekeeper Changyu swallowed his saliva nervously before taking slow steps towards the guests. ”Sirs, please...”
”You dare turn away members of the Sacred Cliff City Guards?” Ganyuan stepped forward in rage. ”And you, lowly servant! Do you think I was joking earlier when I said that I would wreck this place?”
Housekeeper Changyu was startled by the outburst, and hurriedly took a few steps back to stand behind Lu Tianzi.
”From what you just said, I guess I can safely assume that you are intending to wreck my Sky Snow Manor?” Lu Tianzi's gaze turned cold as he stared at Ganyuan.
”And what are you going to do about it?” Ganyuan scoffed.