Chapter 1126: Chapter 1126 The Villa Changes Owner
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Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Riding in Yi Tianheng’s carriage, they approached Black Gold City.
Rising from the wilderness, the city appeared foreboding.
Black walls, heavy and imposing, encircled it.
Lu Yu peered out the window at the stark contrast between this and Skyplume City. “Quite a difference,” he remarked. “From vibrant white to somber black.”
“Indeed,” Yi Tianheng chuckled. “Black and white, two sides of the same coin. We’re almost there. Once inside, I’ll show you my personal villa—a true gem, guaranteed to impress.”
Pride colored his voice as he continued, “My father built it specifically for me. You’ll be speechless once you see it!”
Yi Tianheng practically vibrated with excitement, his fists clenched.
Zhao Qingya, unimpressed, scoffed. “We’re not exactly wide-eyed tourists. Unless your villa levitates, how impressive can it be?”
“We’ll see,” Lu Yu replied simply.
Soon, the carriage entered the bustling city, teeming with pedestrians, much like Black Dragon City. Most were dragon hunters, forming powerful organizations that collectively made up the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce.
Their surroundings were a mix of two- and three-story buildings constructed with black, gray, and silver bricks. Unlike Skyplume City’s cheery atmosphere, a sense of solemnity hung heavy here. Dragon hunters, constantly flirting with death, naturally developed a more stoic demeanor.
The carriage eventually arrived before a sizeable villa that initially struck Lu Yu as a park. As they reached the main entrance, Yi Tianheng, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation, pointed outside.
“Here we are! Servants await our arrival with a warm welcome.”
He eagerly disembarked and approached the door, expecting the usual greeting. Instead, an elderly butler with salt-and-pepper hair approached, his face etched with regret.
“Young Master Yi,” the butler began apologetically, “I’m terribly sorry, but you won’t be able to stay in this villa for the time being.”
Yi Tianheng froze, rooted to the spot. “What? Old Liu, what’s going on? Why can’t I enter? Is the place haunted?”
“No, sir. The situation is… your father recently engaged in a gambling match with a wealthy man and unfortunately lost this villa.”
Disbelief contorted Yi Tianheng’s face. “Lost? This is worse than haunted! How could he lose something so important?”
“There’s little I can do, young master. Your father wagered on slaying the Raging Lightning Dragon within three days, a feat that proved impossible. Even our elite team wouldn’t stand a chance against that beast.”
Yi Tianheng felt his legs buckle beneath him, his dreams crumbling. “Why? Why now? This villa… it was my favorite!”
“And now,” the butler concluded helplessly, “it has become Boss Han’s new pig farm, housing over ten pigs.”
Yi Tianheng’s veins bulged with suppressed rage. “My precious villa, reduced to a pigsty, and I can’t even enter it anymore! Who is this Boss Han?”
“A man of considerable influence. His team ranks among the city’s top five, and his wealth places him in the top three.”
Yi Tianheng felt the world spinning. “What do we do now?” Zhao Qingya finally spoke, a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt dancing in her eyes.
Defeated, Yi Tianheng turned to her, his voice barely a whisper. “I… I don’t know. I feel utterly lost.”
“Let’s first visit your father and understand what transpired recently,” Lu Yu suggested.
A flicker of determination ignited in Yi Tianheng’s eyes. “Yes! I want answers! And I want the villa back!”
Zhao Qingya rolled her eyes. “The villa can wait. Our focus is investigating the Raging Lightning Dragon.”
“Fine,” Yi Tianheng conceded. “We’ll deal with the villa tomorrow.”
Returning to the carriage, they instructed the butler, “You can go about your duties. We’ll be leaving.”
The old man watched them depart, a melancholic sigh escaping his lips. “Take care, Young Master Yi. Every time I feed those pigs, I think back to the days I cared for you.”
With a bittersweet farewell, they proceeded towards another mansion.
“Now, this villa,” Yi Tianheng declared, regaining a sliver of confidence, “I’m guaranteed entry. This belongs to my father.”
He proudly swaggered towards the entrance, greeted by a respectful bow from the guard.
Glancing smugly at Lu Yu and Zhao Qingya, he announced, “Let’s go in.”
Lu Yu, ever curious, inquired, “Don’t you reside with your father?”
“We have numerous villas in the family. Why cram ourselves together? Besides, my relationship with my father is strained. Separate residences suit us better.”
“Just wondering,” Lu Yu interjected, “how many empty rooms do you think this villa has?”
Ignoring Lu Yu’s question, Yi Tianheng led them inside.
In the garden, they found the butler giving instructions to a gardener.
“Young Master Yi! Back already?” The butler greeted Yi Tianheng with a surprised yet welcoming demeanor. “Feels like a longer absence, though it’s only been three days.”
He then turned to Lu Yu and Zhao Qingya. “Friends, I presume? And a beautiful lady at that! Welcome, welcome.”
The butler leaned closer to Yi Tianheng and muttered, “Young Master Yi, the quality of the girl you brought back this time is subpar.”
Zhao Qingya’s eyes narrowed in irritation, her fists clenching. Yi Tianheng, fl.u.s.tered, tried to appease her.
“Goodness, what are you talking about? This is Miss Zhao Qingya! If you don’t keep up with current events, you wouldn’t recognize such an important figure!”
Realization dawned on the butler’s face, replaced by a wave of terror. He saw Zhao Qingya’s anger and immediately dropped to his knees.
“Forgive me, Miss Zhao! I take back what I said! Please accept my sincerest apologies. It was entirely my fault!”
Zhao Qingya sighed, clearly not wanting to waste her energy. “Never mind. Let’s just see your father.”
Yi Tianheng, sheepish, ushered Zhao Qingya inside. They found a middle-aged man engrossed in a newspaper on the couch.
Zhao Qingya announced their arrival with a formal tone. “We are here for a meeting! District Head Zhao of the Southwest District Patrol Department and Deputy District Head Lu Yu are here to see you!”