The Mysterious Heaven Key

Xuanyuan yawned, seemingly utterly uninterested in the City Lord kneeling before him. He even shuffled half a step back, as if worried that the deathly air clinging to Su Wenyuan might rub off on him.

"Enough, enough. Stop kneeling. Anyone who didn't know better might think I was bullying an old man."

He waved a hand lazily. "And that's not a good position for you. At your age, can your bones even take it? Get up."

There wasn't the slightest hint of concern in his words. They were full of teasing and mockery instead.

Su Wenyuan stiffened. Humiliation welled up in him again, but he didn't dare defy Xuanyuan in the slightest. He could only brace himself against his knees and struggle shakily to his feet.

The dignity he had cultivated as City Lord for so many years crumbled to dust in that moment. He kept his head bowed, not even daring to look Xuanyuan in the eye.

"Good. That's better."

Xuanyuan nodded in satisfaction. As if inspecting a newly acquired antique, he circled Su Wenyuan, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Just look at that. The City Lord of Qingyang City is going to be one of my people from now on. I have to admit, it sounds pretty impressive."

He stopped in front of Su Wenyuan and poked him in the shoulder. "Old Su, now that we're on the same side, there's no need to be so stiff."

The moment Xuanyuan called him "Old Su," Su Wenyuan shuddered all over and nearly dropped to his knees again.

"What... would you have me do, Young Master?"

He asked in a hoarse voice.

"I wouldn't call it an order."

Xuanyuan stretched, his bones popping and cracking. He pointed at the table in the room. "I'm just a little thirsty. Go make