Chapter 320: City Lord and Dream Demon
“Is that all? Is there nothing else?”
Tan Han was settling into a position, her gaze fixed intently on the Ninglan New City official in front of her, who was holding a stack of documents.
“I’m truly sorry, Miss. The information entrusted to me by the City Lord for you to share is all that I have at the moment. Please do not doubt the City Lord’s sincerity. The existence of Nightmares and Dream Demons is a huge threat to us in Ninglan New City, and the City Lord hopes to expel them as soon as possible.”
“Enough with the flattery. Can I meet that City Lord? If I can’t see him, I seriously doubt your sincerity. Don’t forget, we paid a hefty price to help you expel that Dream Demon earlier!” Tan Han said firmly at this point.
“Calm down! Miss, please remain calm. I understand the sorrow of losing your companion, but the City Lord is overwhelmed with matters within the city and cannot attend to everyone. Please understand, the fact that the City Lord specifically sent me to host you demonstrates our Ninglan New City’s importance regarding this matter.”
At this moment, Tan Han was not satisfied with the information she received. Besides that one time she had firmly approached the City Lord and learned some basic information, the other party was still the City Lord and not an official responsible for gathering intelligence, so she only understood a general idea.
Trying to seek the City Lord again, she couldn’t even see him this time, as it had been during her previous visits. The information gained was frustratingly scarce.
“Sigh…”
With that, Tan Han sighed deeply and stood up.
“Are you ready to leave, Miss Tan Han? Let me escort you.” The official also stood, after all, he was professionally trained for dealing with complaints. Every day he was worn out by various bizarre visitors, and this Tan Han was one of the few he could communicate with normally. If possible, he wanted to help this young lady, but he had no choice—his job was to follow orders.
Such matters did not allow any personal motives.
They walked out of the reception room and into the corridor outside.
“No need to escort me further.”
“It’s fine, it’s no trouble, and it’s on my way.”
Tan Han said nothing more but silently followed. Just as they were walking along, a decorative artwork on one side of the corridor fell to the ground, making a loud clanging sound resound throughout the hall.
“I’m sorry, it seems this place needs some maintenance.” The official awkwardly moved to set the decoration aside.
At that moment, Tan Han’s hand slipped behind her back, and a small, diminutive mouse silently fell from her palm to the floor, quickly disappearing into the corridor.
“It’s alright, but… you really should consider some renovations here.”
Eventually, the two parted ways at the Ninglan Township Fort as if nothing had happened, each going off to attend to their own business.
But Tan Han did not go far; instead, she headed to a relatively remote yet still close area near Ninglan Township Fort.
The small mouse was a summon spell released by Tan Han, but unfortunately, it was just an ordinary mouse.
However, when combined with other spells, it could become an excellent tool.
“Visual sharing, body control.” Tan Han softly spoke as she activated the spell.
At this moment, the mouse that had already infiltrated a hidden corner of Ninglan Township Fort had its eyes glimmering red, a glint of spiritual light filling its formerly lifeless gaze, and even its originally nimble body stiffened for a moment.
Then, the mouse moved awkwardly forward, aiming straight for the location of the City Lord within Ninglan Township Fort.
“Strange… not in the office… how is that possible?” Faced with the bustling scene of numerous officials here, Tan Han did not dare to advance. Although there was likely information or documents that she wasn’t aware of, having her summoned mouse appear here would likely lead to it being killed immediately.
Moreover… she wasn’t doing this just for the information; the more important thing was to complete a transaction.
Before long, Tan Han was controlling the mouse to search within Ninglan Township Fort and eventually heard a voice in the City Lord’s chamber.
“How did this end up here?” Tan Han muttered quietly without suspicion.
Just a casual remark on whether the City Lord was that busy…
The level of guard at Ninglan Township Fort was unexpectedly strict. If she didn’t want to fall out with Ninglan New City, her little tricks had to remain undiscovered.
But that was the convenience of being a spellcaster; they had too many ways to easily acquire what they wanted. Now, though, Tan Han realized she was underestimating this City Lord of Ninglan.
They knew they could not deal with the type of outsiders who disregarded everyone, so since their soldiers could not stop them, then an outsider like her could.
In Ninglan Township Fort, Tan Han discovered another outsider, uncertain what kind of benefits the City Lord had promised them.
Chances are, it had something to do with information.
When outsiders and residents of this world could not trade in material means, information and intelligence became the only currency between the two.
So, seeing that information was viewed as valuable might have some rationale; they hoped to take the initiative in this crisis by relying on the advantage of initial intelligence.
But even if those were outsiders, those who could be given commands were naturally unable to obstruct Tan Han’s steps.
At this moment, inside the City Lord’s chamber.
“Is that all you can handle? Our Dream Demons haven’t even shown their real skills yet. Surrendering this early is not acceptable!”
“What do you think? Our Dream Demons are far more capable than those outsiders. They’re just useless trash. Instead of waiting for those guys to help you clear out the Nightmares, why not let us do it? You just need to pay a small price—one that you won’t even have to pay yourself; those lowly commoners will suffice.”
“Think about it. Those ordinary citizens can shine and contribute to Ninglan New City in the end. Align the Nightmares’ attacks with d*ath, and you, the City Lord, become the sole savior. Isn’t that better for your rule? I can even help you get rid of those you don’t like.”
“No… let me think about it…” At this moment, the City Lord spoke in a tired tone.
“Still thinking? You’ve clearly been pondering for a long time. Your heart already knows the answer; why the indecision?”
“I wish your resolve was as strong and firm as your muscles. Ninglan New City has already spent so much energy on this issue; the low period of the external energy tide has passed. Before long, you’ll have to face the surge of the energy tide.”
“At that time, the pressure on Ninglan New City will only increase… what do you think?”
“I…”
“Oh dear—how careless! How did a peeping little mouse get into your so-called safest City Lord’s chamber?” Just before Ninglan Qiuyun could voice his thoughts, this Dream Demon suddenly stood up, twisting her alluring body as she stepped down from the bed.
“Still trying to escape? You won’t get away—looks like it’s a little mouse from the dream world.” The Dream Demon entered the Dream World, forming an illusory grip, and then struck the little mouse in one blow.
“Indeed just a mouse.” The Dream Demon looked at the mouse dissipating at the tip of her sword and smiled.
Then, she turned back, her expression bright as she gazed at the City Lord.
“Now… it seems you have no choices left.”
“No…”
“This mouse was a spell effect, so… do you guess whether this was an autonomous act of those outsiders, or… oh, it seems it doesn’t matter anymore, does it?”
“If you want to hold your position as City Lord, you know what you should do better than I do.”
At that moment outside, Tan Han suddenly opened her eyes. Realizing something was wrong, she quickly activated her spell to distance herself from Ninglan Township Fort.
Her spy mouse was killed in a single blow, but before that, she had discovered even more explosive news.
That City Lord… was actually colluding with a Dream Demon!
She didn’t even want to recall that scene a second time; it was simply too shocking.
But it also hinted that the worst situation had already occurred.
Upon realizing what kind of being a Dream Demon was, Tan Han felt a bit apprehensive.
However, whether it was the outsiders from the Extraordinary Academy or the Dream Demons, to this world’s City Lord of Ninglan it was all the same—they were outsiders, and this was not about friendship but interests.
Even though those Dream Demons caused immense destruction to Ninglan New City, they could still expel them, or rather, absorb the Nightmares; this was beyond doubt. Their efficiency was even greater than that of the outsiders from the Extraordinary Academy.
“This City Lord… actually intends to sacrifice those ordinary people to establish a high-pressure ruling situation…” Tan Han naturally understood that Nightmares couldn’t k*ll, but if the City Lord collaborated with the Dream Demons, then the deaths caused by consuming human soul matter would be transferred to the Nightmares, while the City Lord cooperating with the Dream Demons would become the only one who could address the Nightmares. Even if ordinary people wanted to resist, they likely wouldn’t have the strength unless they wished to live under the constant threat of Nightmare d*ath.
If such a scenario formed, they outsiders would be completely at a disadvantage.
Moreover, those Dream Demons, seeking to maintain such cooperation over the long term, could not entirely eliminate those Nightmares; thus, they outsiders would be unable to return.
It would be a vicious cycle.
Once such a situation formed, they outsiders wouldn’t even have bargaining chips to negotiate with the other side. They themselves were threats, even potential food for the Dream Demons. How could they easily let them go?
After reaching a safe place, Tan Han deliberated and, according to her memory, arrived at a street-side café.
“What can I get for you?” The shopkeeper asked enthusiastically.
“A cup of Star Moon Coffee.” Tan Han said, but her gaze instinctively shifted towards the menu behind the counter, which did not list such a coffee.
“Is that you, Miss Tan Han? What an honor.” The store manager greeted in a low voice, “Is there anything else you need?”
“Please help me contact Ninglan Qiuyue and let her know my name. Thank you.” Tan Han requested.
This was how Tan Han contacted Ninglan Qiuyue. After all, she could not use the communication devices within Ninglan New City to find her; reaching out required some special places to communicate with her.
Her actions weren’t just personal; they were also part of the cooperation with that girl, Ninglan Qiuyue.
Earlier, Tan Han had already met with this girl named Ninglan Qiuyue, and later the other party came looking for her, which led to their current collaboration.
Since there had been no breakthrough from the information gathered from that City Lord, obtaining intelligence from this young girl was also a route worth taking, as she was the City Lord’s daughter.
In fact, compared to the daughter who did not hold much favor with the City Lord, Tan Han was more eager to interact with Ninglan Qiuyu. She had been to the Ninglan New City History Museum, and none of the past City Lords had been female, indicating that Ninglan Qiuyu was likely being trained by Ninglan Qiuyun to become the next City Lord of Ninglan, even if the other party seemed somewhat rough around the edges now.
But flaws did not overshadow merits; the other party likely knew much more than this girl named Ninglan Qiuyue, yet the other party seemed to harbor some hostility towards outsiders, a sentiment likely stemming from the disasters that had befallen Ninglan New City and their arrival.
Before long, a figure entered the café, greeted warmly by the store manager and shown to a private room.
“Hello, Miss Tan Han, it’s good to see you again. It seems you bring me good news?” Ninglan Qiuyue asked as she entered and closed the door, looking at the young girl in front of her.
“You might be disappointed; the news I’ve brought may not be good for you.” Tan Han shook her head.
“Father… could he really…”
“It might be worse than you think.”
“What happened? Please be clearer.” Ninglan Qiuyue pulled out a chair and sat in front of Tan Han.
“I know, but this is an intelligence exchange trade. I have validated your suspicions, but for the specifics, I need you to provide equivalent intelligence in return.” Tan Han paused at that point and said nothing more.
“So you still don’t fully trust me.” Ninglan Qiuyue, startled by Tan Han’s pause, calmed down and corrected her earlier hasty attitude. After all, she had now received the intelligence she most wanted to confirm.
“Naturally, we don’t have much trust built. Your Ninglan New City has been overly wary of us outsiders. I simply want to obtain more information that we should have known.” Tan Han stated calmly.
“True, there’s no need for our relationship to be so stiff. Earlier, we barely exchanged a few sentences. I wonder how much trust you have in that girl named Xiao Han you mentioned?”
“Xiao Han? Why do you bring her up suddenly?”
“Your reaction is a bit excessive; it seems she holds an important place in your heart. While we might not have much basis for contact, that Xiao Han recommended you to me, and she has a very high opinion of you.”
“Xiao Han mentioned me to you? Where is she now? That Extraordinary Research Association—she’s not there anymore.”
“Curious to know? It seems we have a bit of common ground; why don’t we have a chat? Let’s try to view our meeting not as an information exchange but as a conversation between friends. That teacher Xiao Han… or no, she should be Scholar Xiao Han now. She’s caused quite a stir, even… to the point where I can’t intervene.”
“Alright.” Tan Han nodded; she also wanted to know what Xiao Han had done.
“That’s the spirit! Friends should let down their guard; let’s start with Xiao Han. I’m very curious about her; I can’t see through her, and it seems every action she takes carries a layer of mystery. Would you share some insights about her?”
“I think… she should also be a legendary character in your world, right?”
