C46 The Mayor's Request

Ni Huibo set the kettle aside, his brow furrowed with concern. With great power comes great responsibility, after all.

Not long ago, Ni Xianjian had sought him out to share insights, including an analysis of the Lee and Xu families. Both families boasted considerable strength, and their current generation had produced a number of prodigies. Among them was Lee Tingchuan, the elder brother of Lee Yayue. Tingchuan had reached the middle period of the second level, a feat Ni Situo could not hope to match with his current abilities. And these were just the facts Ni Huibo was aware of.

He had become the Ni family's last beacon of hope.

"If it really comes down to it, for the sake of the Ni family, I might have to forsake the High Clarity Mantra," Ni Huibo mused with a heavy sigh. He was about to head back inside to resume his cultivation when a knock at the old wooden door interrupted his thoughts.

Raising an eyebrow, Ni Huibo turned towards the entrance, his gaze laced with curiosity. It was midday, and he had only just seen his aunt and uncle; they were unlikely to be seeking him out again so soon. "Could it be a family disciple?" he wondered.

With composure, Ni Huibo strode to the door and opened it.

"Excuse me, are you Ni Huibo?"

Standing before him was a man clad in a black robe, his demeanor one of gentle respect. He appeared to be a servant, holding an intricately carved plate adorned with dragons and phoenixes. At the center of the plate, two small, hollowed-out characters caught Ni Huibo's eye.

He recognized the mayor's token at a glance, having seen it once before.

"Yes, I am Ni Huibo," he confirmed with a nod.

The man in the black robe breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "I am Du Aijiao. I've been sent by the mayor to find you. He would like to extend an invitation for you to visit him," he explained, lifting the token for emphasis.

"The mayor has sent his token as a gesture of goodwill. He mentioned that it's been quite some time since he last saw you and he's eager to engage in a discussion about calligraphy with you."

The man in the black robe displayed a hint of envy on his face. It was common knowledge that the old mayor had a passion for calligraphy, and being esteemed by him in that realm was considered quite an honor.

Upon hearing this, Ni Huibo was initially taken aback, but he quickly grasped the situation. The old mayor had been a tremendous benefactor to him, having provided him with the Lifedrinker Orb and shared his insights on cultivation. By personally guiding him onto the Immortal Path, the old mayor had essentially granted him a second chance at life.

Ni Huibo glanced at the exquisite token and immediately accepted. He set down the water jug, closed the door, and followed the man in the black robe away from the Ni family home.

The journey to City Hall from the Ni family was somewhat lengthy, but thankfully, the man in the black robe had a carriage ready, which saved Ni Huibo considerable time on the road. Two muscular horses galloped ahead, their hooves clattering crisply against the cobblestones, pulling the stately carriage with a dignified air.

The carriage itself was modest in appearance, its only notable feature being a night pearl atop its roof, with little else of value in sight. Nonetheless, carriages and pedestrians along the way instinctively cleared a path for it, careful not to show any disrespect. The mayor's emblem emblazoned on the carriage's curtain commanded more authority than any ornamentation could.

"Brother Ni, I've heard that your calligraphy skills are exceptional, and that your style bears a striking resemblance to the prime minister's," Du Aijiao, the man in the black robe, said, breaking the silence within the carriage.

Ni Huibo, who had been deep in thought with his eyes closed, opened them at Du Aijiao's words and responded with a smile, "Jiang, you flatter me. I've merely studied the prime minister's calligraphy and practiced it extensively. Naturally, my writing has come to resemble his, though it falls short of his mastery."

While Ni Huibo's response reflected his genuine thoughts, Du Aijiao perceived it as a display of humility. "I'm grateful for your kind words. Having seen your work before, I found it incredibly impressive. Meeting you now, I can't help but hold you in high esteem."

"You flatter me too much," Ni Huibo said, blinking as he responded with a touch of embarrassment.

The words he had written were offhand. Now, receiving such high praise, he couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.

Du Aijiao offered a faint smile before deftly changing the subject. "I've heard you've recently embarked on the Immortal Path?"

"Indeed, I owe a great deal of gratitude to the mayor for his guidance."

"I see. As a subordinate of the mayor, I've reaped considerable rewards over the years. Ni Huibo, should you face any troubles or uncertainties in the future, feel free to seek me out."

"This..." Ni Huibo hesitated, his eyes betraying his uncertainty. Though inexperienced, he was far from foolish and could sense the implications in Du Aijiao's words.

The carriage sped along swiftly. Thanks to the smooth terrain and the carriage's meticulous construction, their ride was remarkably smooth.

"I neglected to mention that I am a supervisor under the mayor, currently at the late period of the second level," Du Aijiao said, his tone light.

The role of a supervisor was quite unique, with authority second only to the mayor. Apart from the mayor, no one could direct the supervisor. They handled numerous tasks but seldom intervened directly in matters, serving essentially as the mayor's eyes.

Ni Huibo watched Du Aijiao, whose warm smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze, and his own expression softened into a radiant grin.

"Alright, Jiang, I truly appreciate it. I'll be sure to remember this kindness," Ni Huibo said, now understanding Du Aijiao's position and noting the badge at his waist. He realized he had overthought the situation.

The assistance he received was not from Du Aijiao but from the mayor himself. Given the mayor's distinguished position, it was not appropriate for him to state his intentions outright. Otherwise, why would someone of influence and power in the city suddenly show him such favor?

Ni Huibo's eyes shimmered with gratitude for the mayor's substantial support. Du Aijiao, observing his reaction, nodded with a hint of satisfaction.

The carriage made a direct beeline for City Hall, coming to a halt in a spacious clearing after a brief journey. The coachman called out, prompting the two passengers to disembark. Guided by Du Aijiao, Ni Huibo walked a considerable distance before they reached a serene and modestly adorned house.

Amidst the towering structures of City Hall, this dwelling stood out due to its simplicity and the conspicuous absence of any guards.

Ni Huibo, already acquainted with the mayor's disposition, couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

"Mayor, Ni Huibo has arrived," Du Aijiao announced, stopping two meters from the house with a demeanor of utmost reverence. His voice was so faint that Ni Huibo, trailing behind him, struggled to catch his words, as if he feared disturbing someone within.

Silence enveloped the house.

They waited with patience. After a short pause, the sound of a creaking wooden door broke the stillness as it was pushed open from inside.

"Jiang, it must have been quite the effort to come here in person. I appreciate your hard work," an elderly, amiable voice resonated from within, exuding a warm and welcoming aura.

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