Chapter 354: Bu Jingshuang

After using seven pieces of rank three talisman paper to craft two Golden Lightning Spear Talismans and staying in his position for four months, Shang Xia successfully became a rank three talisman master.

The only blemish in his achievements was that the Thorny Brush that had accompanied him since the start of his talisman crafting journey was turned to scrap after he completed his second piece of Golden Lightning Spear Talisman.

Fortunately, he had seen it coming and managed the destruction from affecting his completed talisman. If the rank three talisman he toiled hard to complete was destroyed along with his brush, Shang Xia would probably bawl his eyes out.

With the completion of his second talisman, Shang Xia finally relaxed as he basked in the afternoon sun that shone in his courtyard.

When Shang Xia was about to drift off into sleep, the entrance of the courtyard creaked open and Hai Min entered while holding Hai Yuanyuan in one hand and a tiny basket in another. Yuanyuan’s face was smeared with black sesame paste as she licked her fingers happily as she strolled in with her mother.

“Uncle, uncle, here! Have some black sesame cake!” The little brat giggled while handing over a half-eaten cake to Shang Xia.

Laughing out loud, he took a huge bite out of the cake. “Wow! It’s so fragrant!”

Grabbing Yuanyuan, he raised her high into the air amidst her laughter.

Hai Min felt a strange sensation filling her heart when she saw the interaction between Shang Xia and her daughter. However, he eventually placed her down on the ground. Stepping forward, she spoke to the little kid. “Yuanyuan, uncle is tired. Why don’t you go around and play on your own?”

After Yuanyuan made a beeline for her room, Hai Min giggled. “Do you like kids?”

Shang Xia looked at Yuanyuan who was waddling away like a cute little penguin and he smiled. He didn’t turn his head as he replied, “I like daughters…”

Hai Min’s gaze trembled violently but she quickly turned the topic away. “I heard that the Tongyou City sent a city lord over two days ago… As the temporary city lord, how are you still in the mood to sunbathe here?”

“Huh?” Snapping his head around, Shang Xia chuckled with embarrassment, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Two days ago, Shang Xia had been wholly devoted to creating his second Golden Lightning Spear Talisman and Hai Min naturally wouldn’t disturb him… Realizing his mistake, Shang Xia chuckled in amusement. It seemed like the conversation between the two of them was getting more and more casual.

Before she could say anything else, Shang Xia continued, “Looks like I have to return soon. I wonder which Martial Extermination Realm senior the institution sent. I shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

After he spoke, he turned to head out of the courtyard.

Following closely behind, Hai Min saw him out personally while asking, “When will you be back? If you don’t come back after a long time, Yuanyuan will probably start whining that her amazing snack-buying uncle is gone…”

Pressing his lips together, Shang Xia muttered, “Hmm, I don’t really know. You guys aren’t willing to head to the Tongyou City too… Oh well, at least you won’t have to move to another courtyard this time.”

Waving his hand casually, Shang Xia quickly headed for the City Lord Manor.

Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Hai Min’s smile never faded as she watched Shang Xia’s leaving figure. Only after he disappeared into the crowd did she turn to return.

When she closed the door and went back inside, she discovered that Shang Pei had appeared at an unknown time.

With her eyes widening in shock, Hai Min gasped, “Mother… When did you come?”

“Hmph! I restrained myself and came over only after you guys were done with… Hmph. Why aren’t you willing to head over to the Tongyou City with him? You should know that the Tongyou City is the safest place to be right now.” Shang Pei’s expression sank slightly as she spoke.

Hai Min sighed helplessly, “You know that I'd rather live here quietly!”

“So… You’re not planning to come with me when I head down south, right?” Shang Pei snorted lightly.

Nodding seriously, Hai Min turned to look at the courtyard before whispering, “This… This is what I want.”

Shang Pei wanted to continue messing with Hai Min, but she decided against it eventually. “What about my granddaughter? Is she going to be like you? Are you planning to teach her your half-assed martial arts?”

Falling into silence, Hai Min thought for a second before sighing, “I plan on sending her to the Tongyou Institution in a few years…”

“Hmph, at least you’re not foolish. At the very most, you’ll be able to enjoy a peaceful life for a few more years…” Shang Pei snorted.

When she was done speaking, she turned to leave.

Hai Min’s voice came from behind her, “Where are you planning to go this time?”

“I’m going down south to Taihang. I have to repay the favor after receiving so many things from that little brat.” Shang Pei replied without turning around. However, her gaze flickered slightly before she turned around to glance at Hai Min. “Like father like… You might not be willing to leave this place, but he might not be thinking of returning…”

“I know.” Hai Min replied casually.

Snorting again, Shang Pei’s figure disappeared as she was walking to the door.

Seeing that Shang Pei had left, Hai Min went over to the room Shang Xia had been using and she saw two golden talismans sitting peacefully on the table. Golden lightning arcs seemed to be dancing about their surface…

…

“Mister Bu, why are you here?” Shang Xia thought back to all the Martial Extermination Realm experts he knew in the institution while walking over to the City Lord Manor but Mister Bu never crossed his mind. He didn’t expect the institution to send someone so familiar with him over!

Mister Bu chuckled in amusement, “There are too many talents in the institution. Hehe, too bad I’ve been living in the Changfeng City for the longest time and I’m extremely familiar with this place. That’s why they sent me over to take on the position of the city lord. However, I had to take the time to recover in the institution because of the injuries I suffered during the battle. Taking on that palm from Yang Hu wasn’t good for my health!”

Shang Xia’s eyes sparkled while joking with Mister Bu. “I see… I was thinking that the institution was starting to get inefficient after waiting for so long. This disciple has been working to the bone by taking on the position as the temporary city lord of the Changfeng City for so long… There’s so much to do! I’ve been waking up early and sleeping late every night…”

“Hahahaha!” Mister Bu roared with laughter and interrupted his bullshit show. “The hidden city lord who hands his responsibility to everyone else… The amazing Sixth Young Master of the Shang Clan who has been the temporary city lord of the Changfeng City for the past four months is something else alright! Not a single person has seen his appearance and rumors of how you govern the city have already spread to the Tongyou City. Worked to the bone my ass!”

With his face flushing red with embarrassment, Shang Xia snapped, “Which asshole out there smeared my good name? I definitely showed my face several times in the City Lord Manor…”

Mister Bu dismissed him with a sneer.

An awkward laughter appeared on Shang Xia’s face when he realized that he only met those who came over to the City Lord Manor to sell him the stuff he was looking for.

Naturally, Mister Bu wouldn’t dig deeper into Shang Xia’s method of governance. He simply changed the topic. “Oh right, are you a rank three talisman master now?”

The smile on Shang Xia’s face grew wider but he didn’t say anything in response.

Extending his hand out, Mister Bu snapped, “Show me.”

“I gave it away!” Shang Xia rubbed his nose and muttered softly in response.

“Oh? You gave it to your cousin?” Mister Bu hit the jackpot immediately. “Oi kid, you need to be careful. After all, the two of you are related in a way…”

“How did you know?” A frown started to form on Shang Xia’s face.

A shit-eating grin appeared on Mister Bu’s face and he continued, “Huh? Oh, I don’t know anything. Don’t worry about me.”

Clicking his tongue, Shang Xia decided to change the topic. “Old man, can you act a little more seriously? Anyway, now that you’re the Changfeng City Lord, you shouldn’t use names like Mister Bu or Mister Si any longer…”

“Heh, you’re still too inexperienced when it comes to changing the topic.” Mister Bu sneered. However, his expression slowly turned serious. “This old man is called Bu Jingshuang. I believe you heard my name before.”

“The Triple Frost of the You Continent!” Shang Xia widened his eyes in shock. “How long has Patriarch Kou been planning this for?!”