Chapter 58: Trapped by Oneself…

The footsteps grew louder, and even outside the door, the flickering flames could be faintly seen. Everyone in the shop immediately turned their attention there!
The young city lord’s expression seemed to relax instantly upon hearing those footsteps, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Perhaps he already knew who was coming.
“The main character has arrived?”
With a hint of disdainful smile, Rod murmured to himself. Who else could it be at this moment? It had to be the protagonist—naturally, it was the young city lord’s reinforcements, or maybe even his father. Such a situation was entirely normal.
“The good show is about to begin!” He stepped back and stood calmly, adopting a leisurely posture ready to watch the drama unfold.
A commotion came from outside the door, followed by the soldiers blocking the entrance suddenly clearing a path. A slightly tanned middle-aged man hurried inside. Seeing the situation inside, he frowned and scanned the surroundings before his eyes lit up as he rushed forward. Behind him, several armored officers followed swiftly, creating a rather grand entrance.
“Father!” The young city lord rushed forward eagerly upon seeing him.
“Hurry up and go back! Do you still want to embarrass yourself here?” The middle-aged man walked up to him, glared coldly, and snapped angrily. He raised his hand as if to strike him.
A crisp sound rang out instantly, heard by everyone.
“Father, you…” Perhaps stunned by what had just happened, the young city lord stared in disbelief at the middle-aged man who had just slapped himself.
“Take him back!” Glancing at the young city lord, the man snapped at the two soldiers beside him. Then, with a faint smile, he stepped forward, bowed slightly to one of the Dark Legion officers, and said respectfully, “I am Sindri, the city lord of Shuiyue City. I apologize if I have been rude to you all for coming all this way. This brat has caused trouble here; I hope you can forgive me!”

“Wait, you want to leave just like that? Don’t you know what your son did just now? Hehe, aren’t you trying to get your son into trouble?” Seeing the young city lord about to be taken away, Rod, who had been confused moments ago, instantly understood the middle-aged city lord’s intentions. With a sly smile on his lips, he stepped forward quickly and shouted loudly at the group about to leave, speaking in a mocking tone. “You…” The sudden change made the city lord’s expression turn grim as he glared at the boy who had ruined his plans, a cold light flashing in his eyes. “Hehe, kid, I really failed to discipline him properly. I hope you can forgive me for any offenses. I’ll take full responsibility for any inconvenience caused. How about this? Once I go back, I’ll definitely discipline him properly! I hope you can give me another chance, sir?” After speaking those words to Rod, the city lord turned his gaze toward the officer of the Dark Legion above. “You can take these useless people away first, but your son can’t leave. He must pay for his rudeness and aggression toward the lady. I believe you understand that!” Looking indifferently at the smiling city lord, the officer replied calmly, his words causing the city lord’s face to freeze in horror. “Lady, is the lady here?” The city lord’s expression suddenly changed as he thought of what the officer had said, showing signs of panic. Silence, no reply—silence meant acceptance. Seeing the officer’s expression, the city lord’s face turned pale gray. He turned to look at his son, who was held back by Rod, feeling conflicted. Others might not know who the lady was, but he did, and he had even had the fortune to meet her once. He couldn’t believe she had come to Water Moon City. He knew exactly what kind of person she was. Not to mention his own son, even he wouldn’t get away unscathed if he were rude to her. He knew his son’s temperament all too well; perhaps he really would do such a thing. Instantly, he realized the seriousness of the situation, his brows tightly furrowed. “May I ask to see the lady?” After a long silence, the city lord asked in a low voice. “No need. Keep your son here, and take the others away. It’s getting late; the lady needs to rest. You should know that!” The officer cut him off decisively, speaking coldly.

“This…” Suddenly, the city lord was at a loss, his face turning ashen as he stood there in deep thought. On one side was his own son, on the other, that man—how should he decide? It was a difficult choice.
“Hehe… Simple. Sir, look—just now he used this finger to point at that noble lady and spoke rudely. How about, out of respect for the city lord, we just cut off his hand? After all, since the city lord has spoken, and the young lord is his son, why not give way a little?”
At the most critical moment, Rod reappeared before everyone’s eyes, looking at the pale-faced young lord with a meaningful gaze and saying with a smile, “You…” The city lord’s face changed drastically as he roared in anger.
“Bastard! I have no grudges against you, yet you still dare—I won’t spare you!” As for the young lord, he jumped up and cursed loudly.
“You little brat! I’ll kill you today for being so arrogant! Hmph, thinking you can touch me! A gentleman waits ten years to take revenge, but I’m a scoundrel—I take revenge right away!” Smiling, he stepped back and went in front of the officer, waiting for his decision.
“Hehe, I’m sure the lady is satisfied with this outcome! What do you say, Cindri? You know what to do, right?”
Staring at Rod with a meaningful gaze for a long time, the officer slowly spoke, a hint of a puzzling smile on his lips. That look made Rod feel as if someone had seen the deepest parts of his heart, as if he were completely exposed, causing him discomfort.
With an awkward smile, he quickly turned away, looking at the two people glaring at him indifferently and saying, “I’m leaving tomorrow. You can look at me however you want. Can you even eat me?”
Now he understood—everything was fleeting. Power and strength were what truly mattered. At least for now, as long as he stayed with the members of the Dark Legion, they couldn’t hurt him. As for the future, when they were separated by distance, what could they do to him?
“Alright, do it this way. You handle it. Anyone who gets in our way is opposing the Dark Legion!”
After a long while, the officer’s words almost made the pale-faced young lord collapse to the ground. It was like announcing the end of the world; cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
The city lord’s face turned gray, as he stood there stunned, his lips trembling slightly, unable to speak a word. The Dark Legion! That title was too formidable. He didn’t have the courage to oppose them.

“Damn it!” As for Rod, he was secretly complaining aside, never expecting to get drawn into this mess in the end. He had originally planned to use others to kill someone, only to end up being used himself to commit murder.
“Hmph… Who’s afraid of whom? What can possibly happen to me?”
Glancing at the officer with a smirk, he took a deep breath, revealed a sly grin, drew out his sheathed long sword, Dark Dragon, and slowly stepped toward the young city lord.
“No, Father! Save me! Please save me! You only have me as a son—will you really just watch me have my arm cut off?”
Panicked, the young city lord pushed away the two soldiers holding him and rushed in front of his father, shouting loudly with a cry in his voice.
“If you do something wrong, you must bear the consequences. I told you from the start. Well, I hope this lesson will stop you from being so reckless in the future!”
Looking up at the roof, taking a deep breath, and closing his eyes, the city lord resolutely pushed away his son. At that moment, he seemed much older, appearing so desolate and helpless.
“Father… Father…” The young city lord, pushed away, became frantic, trying to rush at him again and again, but was mercilessly thrown to the ground.
“What do you want? Get away from me! Don’t you know who I am? How dare you!” Facing Rod approaching him, he stood up abruptly out of desperation and shouted loudly.
“Why aren’t you protecting me? What are you standing around for?” Seeing Rod still slowly approaching, the young city lord frantically shouted at the soldiers around him.
Yet, everyone stood there helplessly, unable to act. The words spoken by the Dark Legion were too shocking; no one dared to resist.
“Slap…” A slap was delivered, followed by a cold laugh as he blew on his hand. “Heh heh, this is from the lady for being arrogant! For your rudeness!”
“Slap” Another slap. “This one’s from the boy you abused, for being so arrogant!”
“The third slap is from me, for being such an idiot!”
“The fourth slap is an extra gift because I can’t stand you!”
“The fifth slap… heh, it was an accident!”
Several slaps were dealt one after another before the young city lord could react, leaving him stunned, covering his face in confusion. The people around him also stared in disbelief at the smiling Rod. Devil—unconsciously, that word flashed through their minds.

Ah… A scream was heard in the next moment. Just a few slaps later, Rod decisively drew his sword and swung at the young city lord before anyone could even see clearly.