Han Jue, accompanied by Yaoguang Ye, flew through the sky above Tianyan Prefecture City with deliberate ostentation. The spectacle drew immediate attention from the city guards.
Several Tianyan guards intervened, attempting to intercept the unauthorized flight. Yaoguang Ye simply raised his hand with practiced ease, and invisible force pinned them all to the ground like insects beneath glass.
As a ninth-level Domain Lord, Yaoguang Ye easily handled these mostly Universe-level Tianyan guards without even needing to activate his domain. The difference in power was simply too vast.
"This is the new City Lord of Tianyan Prefecture City! The City Lord has arrived, so clear the way!" Yaoguang Ye's voice boomed across the cityscape.
The commotion quickly attracted surrounding civilians. Crowds began gathering in the streets below, craning their necks to witness the spectacle unfolding above.
"City Lord? Tianyan City hasn't had a City Lord in hundreds of years."
"Why isn't it Elder Yan?"
"I heard he's from outside. I wonder if they'll raise taxes."
"A new City Lord? Then my previous crimes can be wiped clean!"
"I just hope this City Lord won't exploit us like the last one did."
Some reactions were joyful, others apprehensive. Such was the nature of political transitions.
An ancient custom existed within the city, all prisoners held by the previous City Lord would be released upon the appointment of a new City Lord. This amnesty only applied to those who had personally offended the former leader, not those imprisoned for violating the Kingdom of God's fundamental laws.
Han Jue ignored both the common people and the struggling Tianyan Guards, marching directly with Yaoguang Ye toward the City Lord's Mansion.
Upon arrival, Han Jue frowned at the dust covering every surface. The mansion had clearly been neglected during the extended vacancy.
"Sir, allow me," Yaoguang Ye said quickly, recognizing his master's displeasure.
With a casual wave of his hand, the accumulated dust scattered away, leaving the surfaces pristine.
Satisfied, Han Jue seated himself in the main chair of the reception hall, then turned his gaze toward the individuals who had been waiting anxiously on both sides of the room.
"What business do you have with this City Lord?" Han Jue demanded, his tone sharp and authoritative.
Zhuo Liu and Third Master Jiang exchanged a meaningful glance. After a moment's hesitation, Third Master Jiang stepped forward.
"City Lord, may I know your name?" Third Master Jiang asked, bending forward with an ingratiating smile plastered across his unshaven face. "I'll inform the people below so they may properly admire your distinguished countenance."
Crack!
The sound echoed through the hall like a thunderclap.
Yaoguang Ye stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap across Third Master Jiang's face, leaving a deep crimson mark on his cheek.
"Do you believe yourself worthy of knowing the master's name?" Yaoguang Ye looked down at Third Master Jiang with undisguised contempt.
Third Master Jiang seemed stunned, taking several long moments to recover his senses.
How dare someone strike me?
Third Master Jiang looked at Yaoguang Ye with genuine disbelief, covering his stinging face with both hands. "Sir, who exactly are you?"
"Hmph!"
This time, Yaoguang Ye's palm hadn't yet landed before Third Master Jiang, now on guard, blocked the incoming strike.
"Sir, aren't you going too far?" Third Master Jiang's expression gradually turned cold, his eyes filling with resentment.
Zhuo Liu took a cautious step backward, her tactical mind already reassessing the situation.
This new City Lord is clearly not someone to be trifled with.
"Enough pretense," Han Jue said, tapping the armrest with his fingers in a measured rhythm.
"You two wish to compete for the City Lord position, correct? It's quite simple. Defeat my guard, and I'll relinquish the position to you." Han Jue's smile was pleasant, almost friendly.
"Are you serious?" Both Third Master Jiang and Zhuo Liu's eyes lit up with sudden hope.
"Naturally. I swear upon the honor of the Yaoguang family," Han Jue declared smoothly.
"Agreed!"
Third Master Jiang immediately lunged forward, throwing a vicious hook punch directly at Yaoguang Ye's face, clearly intending to avenge his earlier humiliation.
Yaoguang Ye's expression remained utterly impassive. He effortlessly dodged Third Master Jiang's attack, then delivered a devastating kick that struck below Third Master Jiang's center of gravity. Within mere moments, he had completely subdued his opponent.
Observing from his seat, Han Jue shook his head slightly.
Though neither combatant dared unleash their full strength within the city, avoiding the use of domains and law perception, the tremendous gap in their abilities remained glaringly obvious. Yaoguang Ye's combat experience and mastery of battle techniques completely overwhelmed Third Master Jiang.
Even if both fighters had used their maximum power, the outcome would likely have been identical.
"Let's settle this outside the city!" Third Master Jiang yelled in complaint, refusing to accept his swift defeat.
"As you wish," Yaoguang Ye agreed readily, carrying the struggling Third Master Jiang toward an open area beyond Tianyan City's walls.
"Sit," Han Jue gestured casually to Zhuo Liu. "This won't take long."
Zhuo Liu hesitated, her mind racing through calculations. Should she attempt to challenge the guard herself?
Third Master Jiang was at the peak Domain Lord level, the strongest combatant in Tianyan City. If even he couldn't defeat this new City Lord's guard, her own chances were nonexistent.
But before she could formulate a response,
"Listen," Han Jue called softly.
Zhuo Liu's body trembled involuntarily, her eyes locking with Han Jue's against her conscious will.
The Mirage Sea descended!
Vast oceanic consciousness crashed over Zhuo Liu's mental sea, instantly overwhelming her mind and spirit. The illusion felt absolutely real, she was drowning in endless waters, her consciousness fragmenting beneath impossible pressure.
"City... City Lord! I was wrong!"
Moments later, Zhuo Liu emerged from the horrifying illusion. Looking at Han Jue, who continued fiddling with tea utensils as though nothing had happened, her legs gave way and she collapsed to her knees.
"Sir, it's finished."
Elsewhere, Yaoguang Ye returned, casually dropping the half-dead Third Master Jiang onto the floor. The fight had clearly been resolved with brutal efficiency.
"Well done," Han Jue praised simply.
The swift action deserved acknowledgment.
Yaoguang Ye scratched his head with embarrassment, clearly pleased by the compliment.
"Now then, who else remains to be dealt with?" Han Jue asked conversationally.
"According to intelligence from the family, three major noble houses control Tianyan Prefecture City, the Yan family, the Zhuo family, and the Jiang family. Only Elder Yan remains unaccounted for," Yaoguang Ye reported.
"The Yan family? Bring him here," Han Jue ordered.
"No need, Lord City Lord. I came of my own accord," an elderly voice called out.
An old man leaning heavily on a walking stick entered the City Lord's Mansion from the main entrance.
"Oh?"
Han Jue's eyebrows rose in surprise. Yaoguang Ye immediately understood the unspoken command.
Thud!
"Who permitted you to enter the City Lord's Mansion uninvited? Are you attempting rebellion?" Yaoguang Ye kicked Elder Yan away forcefully, his tone severe.
Caught completely off guard, Elder Yan flew a considerable distance before managing to control his body mid-air, preventing a more catastrophic impact.
"Lord City Lord, cough, what is the meaning of this?" Elder Yan said with difficulty, struggling to maintain his composure. "I've never harbored rebellious intentions."
"Is that so? Then come here and consume this." Han Jue produced a Moshu Poison Fruit, holding it out casually.
Seizing control of Tianyan City as quickly as possible was essential. With the city secured, he could properly challenge the City Lord of Dulan and continue advancing his plans.
"What is that..." Elder Yan asked warily.
"Just eat it when you're told. Why all the questions?" Yaoguang Ye moved forward threateningly.
Having already tasted the Moshu Poison Fruit himself, Yaoguang Ye now seemed eager to inflict similar suffering on others.
"Don't be so aggressive. Show kindness to the elderly. He doesn't have much time remaining anyway," Han Jue said with apparent benevolence, restraining Yaoguang Ye.
"Lord, you needn't be so... considerate," Elder Yan said, understanding the veiled threat perfectly. His smile was bitter with resignation.
"Tell me, will you eat it, or won't you?" Han Jue didn't acknowledge the comment, simply repeating his question.
"I'll eat it!" Elder Yan gritted his teeth in acceptance.
"Excellent," Han Jue said with satisfaction.
He had crippled one of Tianyan City's three great family heads, subdued another with his illusion techniques, and now secured the third with poison. Zhuo Liu, driven to the brink of mental collapse by the Mirage Sea, had completely surrendered her will.
With the city's power structure now firmly under his control, only one task remained, waiting for the Star-Eating Grass to recover.
Fortunately, that wouldn't require much time at all.