Fairy, help me practice

　Jiang Bailin curled his lips: "Have you watched too many operas? Even if I do it now,

　"Servants of the City Lord's Mansion, time is short and your relationship is not good. You can't even enter the third-level ceremonial gate, what key building are you talking about?"

　"What should I do?"

　Jiang Bailin thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa Jinlong is already here. Why don't you go find him..."

　After she gave a brief explanation, she floated down from the clouds and disappeared into the Jinchang City below.

　Chen Yao pondered for a moment, then landed, put away his sword and stepped on the ground in front of a manor ten miles away from Jinchang City.

　The Foundation Establishment Stage guards in front of the manor came forward and asked, "Who has trespassed into the Lei Mansion?"

　Chen Yao was stunned, wondering if what Jiang Bailin said was reliable?

　Didn’t Patriarch Jinlong just come here today? Why does this mansion look like it has always been the residence of the dignitaries of Jinchang City?

　"My name is Lei Tian, ​​and I am the nephew of Lord Lei Nu who lives in a foreign land."

　He said it according to what Professor Jiang Bailin said.

　The foundation-building guards exchanged glances and said, "Wait."

　After a while, a tall and burly man, who looked nothing like the Golden Dragon Ancestor, walked out from the gate.

　"Tian'er! Why did you come just now? I've been waiting for my uncle to die!"

　The man put his arm around Chen Yao's shoulders as soon as he came up, appearing extremely intimate.

　Chen Yao wanted to say a few polite words, but was blocked by the man's words: "Alas, you have suffered a lot. How did your family offend the Demon Sect? But it doesn't matter. When you come to your uncle's place, you are at home. In Jinchang City, we can still make a career!"

　As he spoke, the man carried the confused Chen Yao into the magnificent lobby.

　The author says:

Chapter 261

　After exchanging greetings in the hall, the man who called himself Lei Nu took Chen Yao to a private study to chat.

　"Ancestor?"

　Chen Yao asked tentatively, because even for Lei Nu who called himself "uncle", there was nothing wrong with calling him ancestor.

　Lei Nu nodded, his face becoming serious. "It's me. But I'm disguised like this now, so it's inconvenient for me to reveal my true identity."

　He thought about it, and his joints creaked. The evil spirit belonging to the Golden Dragon Ancestor suddenly boiled over in this small study.

　Now, even if he was to verify his identity, Chen Yao knew that the evil spirit that belonged only to the Golden Dragon Ancestor could not be faked.

　He nodded: "Ancestor, nice to meet you."

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch restrained his evil spirit. It was not known whether it was because he was pretending to be Lei Nu or because he looked upon Chen Yao differently, but his expression was very kind.

　"Since Bai Lin asked you to come to me, I think he wants me to arrange a way for you to enter the City Lord's Mansion. This is also easy, but I want to remind you that we may not be able to achieve success in Jinchang in the short term. You must be patient."

　Chen Yao nodded: "I understand. Everything will be arranged by the ancestor."

　"Well, it would be great if you could understand the difficulties we face in operating under the enemy's nose. Let me give you a brief overview of the situation in Jinchang City."

　Jinchang City was a relatively important vassal within the Pang family's sphere of influence. Although it was called a vassal, the position of city lord was still firmly in the hands of the Pang family. Therefore, Jiang Shi chose this city lord in order to investigate the Pang family's background.

　The current lord of Jinchang City is named Pang Xi, an old Yuanying who has fallen in realm. Because of this fall, his current strength is only at the late Jindan stage.

　"But don't underestimate him just because he's in the late Jindan stage. Not to mention his vision as a Nascent Soul, even his abilities are somewhat uncanny."

　Ancestor Jinlong reminded Chen Yao.

　After Pang Xi's fall from grace, he was squeezed out of the core circle of the family. After arriving in Jinchang, he began to abandon himself and indulge in sensual pleasures. In the towering tower of the Jinchang City Lord's Mansion, grand balls and licentious singing and dancing were held every night.

　The people living in the city were bullied and exploited in every way, but the strange thing was that no one dared to escape or rebel.

　"Because in people's minds, Pang Xi is almost an omnipotent and omniscient being."

　The tone of the Golden Dragon Patriarch was solemn. It was obvious that even he was deeply afraid of Pang Xi because of this rumor.

　“There is no one in this world who knows everything and can do everything.”

　Chen Yao didn't believe it.

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch nodded. "But to this day, no one has been able to figure out how Pang Xi has sown such fear in the hearts of the citizens. According to my preliminary investigation, although he bullied and oppressed the people, he did not engage in a reign of terror."

　"Illusion?"

　"There's no sign of a spell being cast."

　Ancestor Jinlong paused and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about this for now. Pang Xi has already begun to practice the Pang family's unorthodox martial arts. Perhaps his strength will increase significantly. But after all, he has fallen in realm, and his meridians are no longer what they used to be. I don't think his true realm will change much. Our mission is to take advantage of the ball at the City Lord's Mansion to find out the inside story of Pang Xi and his martial arts, and then find an opportunity to detect Jiu Luo's aura."

　He pondered for a while. "I was wondering if Pang Xi's rule over the city was due to Jiu Luo's help... But that shouldn't be the case. After all, Pang Xi has been the city lord for over two hundred years, while Jiu Luo's presence only recently appeared in Jinchang City, from the city gate to the central square, and finally disappeared into the city lord's mansion."

　Chen Yao was only concerned about Jiu Luo's whereabouts: "According to this, Jiu Luo is very likely in the City Lord's Mansion. So, Old Ancestor, are we going to the dance tonight?"

　Ancestor Jinlong shook his head: "I have to spread the news of your arrival to the nobles in the city first, and then..."

　He looked at Chen Yaoji

　He looked closely and asked, "Can you dance?"

　Chen Yao was startled and shook his head: "No."

　"Then you'll have to study for a while. As for Jiu Luo, you don't have to rush. She's been in the City Lord's Mansion the whole time, so we'll know once she comes out. Then you can go after her directly without having to find a way to get into the City Lord's Mansion."

　Chen Yao agreed with him.

　So, in the next ten days, Chen Yao actually took dance and etiquette classes from a dance teacher hired for him by Lord Lei Nu, a noble from Jinchang City.

　This Jinchang City is truly bizarre, its culture and customs are completely different from those outside...

　Chen Yao always felt something was wrong after each class.

　After the class, he was thinking while changing his clothes.

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch came to the spacious glazed balcony and said, "I heard from the teacher that you have almost mastered the dance and etiquette. Get ready and change into the clothes I prepared for you. Let's go to the banquet!"

　Chen Yao put on clothes that were a little too gorgeous, got on the carriage inlaid with gold and jade, and sat on the velvet cushion.

　The sleek blue horses spread their long hooves and galloped towards the main city.

　"Is it necessary to be so extravagant?"

　Chen Yao had never worn such luxurious clothes before, and felt uncomfortable. He twisted his sleeves and said to the Golden Dragon Ancestor.

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch didn't seem to be at all uncomfortable: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

　The carriage quickly entered the city. Chen Yao lifted the curtain and looked outside. He felt that the people's lives in the city were completely out of tune with the splendor of the tall city outside.

　Not to mention the dirty streets, the corners were filled with beggars in tattered clothes and dull expressions. Even the occasional citizens walking through the streets had solemn expressions, giving people an extremely depressing feeling.

　"This Jinchang City always gives me the feeling of a pile of maggots wrapped in a golden shell."

　Ancestor Jinlong spoke softly.

　Chen Yao nodded: "All that glitters is rotten inside."

　“That’s a very good description.”

　Jin Long nodded to Chen Yao with a sympathetic look.

　The two chatted as the carriage arrived at the city lord's mansion with a towering golden arrow tower.

　"Lord Lei Nu and his nephew Lord Lei Tian are attending the meeting—"

　Ancestor Jinlong took Chen Yao out of the car and handed the note to the eunuch who was singing fortunes at the gate, and the eunuch shouted.

　"More like a secular emperor."

　Chen Yao said in a low voice.

　"Tyrant, incompetent ruler."

　The voice of the Golden Dragon Ancestor.

　The eunuch who was in charge of receiving them came quickly and took them across the long corridor of the city gate, through a wide and neat magnificent road, and stopped in front of a giant building made of white jade spirit stone and composed of many tall spires.

　The eunuch who was guiding them disappeared.

　As the nobles attending the banquet gradually gathered here, the huge and exquisitely carved door suddenly opened.

　Colorful lights gradually spread out from the crack in the door, and elegant and melodious music filled the air.

　The reserved and proud nobles stretched their necks and raised their heads as they slowly walked into the dazzling light.

　"Let's go!"

　Ancestor Jinlong and Chen Yao also followed him in.

　As soon as Chen Yao entered the gate, before he had time to adapt to the dazzling light, he felt that he was being stared at by a pair of eyes from nowhere.

Chapter 262: Gorgeously Dressed Woman

　The feeling of being stared at was fleeting, but it left a deep impression on Chen Yao. He was sure that this was not an illusion, so he turned to look at the Golden Dragon Ancestor and found that he had the same wary look in his eyes.

　"Be careful in everything you do; success doesn't have to come in one fell swoop."

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch whispered to Chen Yao, "The purpose of our trip is to leave an impression on the nobles of Jinchang City so that they can gather information. It's best not to be impatient or do anything unnecessary."

　Chen Yao thought about the look just now and knew that it was not appropriate to be too ostentatious before figuring out the situation, so he nodded in agreement.

　The Golden Dragon Patriarch patted Chen Yao's shoulder and said, "Okay, I'm going to talk to those nobles. You can be at ease."

　After saying that, he walked towards the glamorous people who had gathered together and quickly blended in harmoniously.

　Chen Yao stood near the gate for a while and then walked towards the lobby.

　In the center of the lobby was a crystal-paved dance floor. At first glance, it looked like it could accommodate hundreds of people dancing together without being crowded. Indeed, quite a few couples were standing there.

　Chen Yao was not interested in spinning around, so he headed towards the second-floor observation deck in the lobby.

　The observation deck was furnished with tables of various sizes, and now almost all of them were occupied. People here were either whispering or exchanging glances, which was different from the lobby below.

　"Can't find your place?"

　A woman in a fancy dress who was leaning on the railing of the observation deck turned around and raised her eyebrows at Chen Yao.

　This action made Chen Yao feel somewhat familiar. She couldn't help but look back and around, wondering why she was nowhere to be seen since Jiang Bailin had already infiltrated the nobles.

　Thinking that he didn't want to reveal anything, he walked over to the woman, leaned over the railing and looked down.

　The bright dresses on the stage looked like pairs of floating flowers on the water, giving people an extremely unreal feeling.

　“It’s inevitable that you don’t know where to go when you come here for the first time.”

　"Ah."

　The beautiful woman glanced at Chen Yao with a smile on her face: "Me too. Which family are you from?"

　Jiujiang is governed by families, so Jinchang City is naturally governed by families as well.

　Chen Yao looked at her and thought her expression was a little strange, but he still said, "Lei."

　beautiful woman

　He sneered, with a strong sense of disdain: "No wonder you can't find a place here. The Lei family lives outside the city. Where is your place in the city?"

　She spoke with sarcasm, but there was a smile in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows, a testing smile.

　Chen Yao was a little surprised, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he continued, "The seats are squeezed out by people. If you squeeze a little, there will always be some."

　"Well."

　The beautiful woman thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense, but if you squeeze me, it will be impolite and I will become a laughing stock."

　"I just want to have a place to stand, and not overdo it. There are always talented people in every generation, and there will always be a place for them. Let's see."

　There was an empty table not far away, so Chen Yao walked over and sat down.

　The beautiful woman also sat down next to him and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad. Do you know who I am?"

　"Do you mean before you came to Jinchang, or now?"

　This time it was Chen Yao who glanced at the beautiful woman with a smile in his eyes.

　The beautiful woman was stunned for a moment, glared at him, and whispered, "How boring! How did you see through me?"

　Chen Yao said seriously, "You're too naive, aren't you? Just with this one sentence, you've revealed your true identity."

　The beautiful woman narrowed her eyes. "What are you revealing? I told you I didn't actually grow up in Jinchang. I only came back a year to inherit the Fang family. People in Jinchang are very conservative, so I can't reveal my connections outside. You have other implications in your words. Who are you?"

　The last sentence is very threatening.