" युवा City Lord, if you have something to say, please speak plainly." Shi Lan disliked beating around the bush.
The young city lord smiled. "I suppose Miss Shi doesn't yet know my name. I'm Gu Deyuan, and my father is the city lord of this Ancient Phoenix City."
Shi Lan said nothing, waiting for Gu Deyuan to continue.
"Forgive my rudeness, but you should still be under twenty, shouldn't you?" Gu Deyuan asked solemnly.
Wu Lingkong frowned beside her. Who opened a conversation by asking a woman her age?
"I am."
Shi Lan shook her head. She was still a month shy of turning twenty, a full four years short of the age of blossoming youth.
"I've heard that you've challenged various renowned families and martial arts masters all along your journey. Was it to hone your martial arts, or was there another reason?"
Seeing that Shi Lan seemed to be considering how to answer, Gu Deyuan waved a hand. "I was too forward. Actually, I have a favor to ask. Since Miss Shi would rather not visit my residence, I'll come to you instead. There are too many people here, and it's hard to speak freely. Please come with me back to the inn, where we can discuss this in private."
"Please."
Seeing that Wang Ning and the others had finished dismantling all the ironwood boards and stacking them neatly, Shi Lan raised a hand to gesture.
Gu Deyuan followed Shi Lan and the others back to the inn.
Once inside the room, Shi Lan closed the door. Only she, Wu Lingkong, and Gu Deyuan were there.
"Please speak plainly, Young City Lord," Shi Lan said.
"You must have heard of the Skythunder Hall, haven't you?"
The name sounded vaguely familiar to Shi Lan. A moment later, she