Since Zhang Wenjie did not know Liu Changxu, Third Grandfather Zhang Yinghao had to step forward and introduce everyone.
When Liu Changxu learned that the old man before him was Chen Liyuan, the city lord of Jinhu City, he was quite startled. He had not expected City Lord Chen to arrive at such a moment. Though puzzled, Liu Changxu still stepped forward warmly to offer his greetings:
"Greetings, City Lord Chen. I'm Changxu. I've long admired your reputation!"
"I heard that an honored guest had arrived in the city, so I came to pay a visit out of admiration. Please forgive the intrusion, junior brother!"
Then the two foxes, one old and one young, began trading verbal thrusts beneath a veneer of harmony.
"May I ask why you left the city just now, junior brother?"
"Oh! I heard that my father-in-law had died at the hands of lake bandits. As his son-in-law, I naturally couldn't allow such villains to remain in this world. I went out just now to bring that scum to justice and avenge my father-in-law. I've already caught the entire gang in one net."
"Oh! To think such a thing happened. I was so devoted to cultivation that I failed to give the matter proper attention. I did send cultivators from the Jinhu Guards to wipe them out several times before, but they failed to root them out completely, allowing those vicious bandits to roam free until now.
"You personally rid Jinhu City of this great scourge immediately upon your arrival. Your righteousness is admirable, junior brother. On behalf of the Jinhu City Lord's Manor, I offer my thanks! Of course, I'll also send you a generous gift. I hope you won't refuse it when the time comes!"
Chen Liyuan had long noticed that his son had