At first, not many people believed it.
After all, Ning Lin's glorious image from yesterday is still fresh in everyone's mind.
But a lie repeated a thousand times becomes deceptive.
With the added fuel of some ulterior motives, the winds of change in the city actually began to subtly shift.
Some people who were already jealous of Ning Lin began to talk about this with great interest.
"I knew it! How did Ning Lin manage to gain His Holiness the Pope's favor? It turns out he used such underhanded methods!"
"Poor master, his sincere heart was so betrayed."
"You can know a person's face, but not their heart..."
These rumors naturally reached the ears of the city lord's mansion.
The guards in the mansion were all filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could rush out immediately and cut out the tongues of those who spread rumors and caused trouble.
However, Ning Lin, the person involved, remained calm and composed.
He was sitting in his study, leisurely sipping fragrant tea and listening to his subordinates' reports.
"...Lord of the city, the rumors outside are getting worse and worse. Some people have begun to question your character, which is a huge blow to your reputation."
The one who came to report was the captain of the city lord's guard.
His face was filled with anxiety and anger.
Ning Lin put down his teacup, raised his eyelids, and asked calmly, "Have you found the source?"
"Found it."
The captain of the guard answered immediately.
"All the rumors point to the Blue Lightning Prince's Mansion."
"Yu Xiaogang, huh..."
Ning Lin murmured the name, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"It really was him."
"A fly that only buzzes around in dark corners is really annoying."
He stood up, walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked towards the direction of the Blue Lightning Prince's Mansion in the distance.
"Since he enjoys spreading rumors so much, I will give him a chance to confront me face to face."
"Pass on my orders."
Ning Lin's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire study.
"Set up a notice outside the City Lord's Mansion, saying that I, Ning Lin, the City Lord of Tiandou City, will challenge Prince Yu Xiaogang of the Blue Lightning to a life-or-death duel in Tiandou Square in three days!"
"A life-or-death...duel?"
Upon hearing this, the captain of the guard was startled.
"Lord, this... isn't this a bit too much..."
"Further discussion is pointless."
Ning Lin interrupted him.
"The notice states that this battle is not about power, but about right and wrong. If he wins, my life and the position of city lord will belong to him."
"If he dares not accept the challenge, then he shall break both his legs, get out of Heaven Dou City, and never set foot here again!"
"In addition, make a copy of this challenge verbatim and send it to Prince Lan Dian's residence."
Ning Lin's voice was calm yet powerful.
He was too lazy to engage in any propaganda war with Yu Xiaogang.
The simplest and most effective way to deal with this kind of person is to crush all their schemes and tricks with absolute power!
"Yes, Your Majesty! I obey!"
The captain of the guard was thrilled and responded loudly.
He could sense that the iron-blooded city lord who had judged Haotian Douluo in Tiandou Square had returned!
In less than half an hour.
A piece of news even more explosive than the Pope's wedding announcement has once again ignited the entire Tiandou City!
Lord Ning is going to have a life-or-death duel with Prince Lan Dian!
In an instant, all the negative rumors about Ning Lin were suppressed.
All eyes were focused on the impending, earth-shattering final battle.
"Wow! Lord Ning is truly domineering! He crushes rumors with his fists!"
"That's a real man! He's so much better than that gossipy Yu Xiaogang!"
"Do you think Yu Xiaogang dares to accept the challenge?"
"Respond to the challenge? What does he have to offer? With his level 29 soul power? I reckon City Lord Ning could kill him with a single glance!"
"Haha, this is going to be interesting! I bet Yu Xiaogang will definitely back down like a coward!"
Public opinion underwent a dramatic reversal in an instant.
Those who previously sympathized with Yu Xiaogang now see through his blustering facade and underlying weakness.
Didn't you say that Ning Lin was despicable and shameless?
Now they're giving you a chance to prove yourself in front of the whole world in the fairest way.
Do you dare?
The Blue Lightning Prince's Mansion.
"Smack!"
Yu Xiaogang looked at the strongly worded challenge in his hand, his face ashen, and his body trembled like a leaf.
He accidentally dropped the challenge letter to the ground.
"A madman... that Ning Lin is a madman!"
He slumped into the chair, his lips trembling, his eyes filled with endless fear.
A duel to the death?
How dare he?
How dare he solve the problem in this way?
Doesn't he know that matters between Soul Masters should be resolved with theory and wisdom?
Fighting and killing at the drop of a hat, what kind of behavior is this!
"Your Highness... the whole city is watching us now. What do you think... should we accept this challenge or not?"
"A subordinate asked in a trembling voice."
"Receive? What are we going to use to receive it!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly jumped up and roared at his subordinates.
"Are you trying to send me to my death?"
"That scoundrel Ning Lin is nothing but a brute with a powerful martial spirit! This master... this master disdains to stoop to his level!"
"That...that notice said that if you don't accept the challenge, you'll have to break both your legs and get out of Heaven Dou City..."
"This is outrageous! This is absolutely outrageous!"
Yu Xiaogang was so angry that he trembled all over and paced back and forth in the room like a wild beast trapped in a cage.
Fear overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.
He knew he was finished.
To fight is to die.
Refusing to fight would also result in disgrace and a miserable end.
Ning Lin's move was too ruthless, directly forcing him into a desperate situation.
"No...I can't stay here!"
A resolute glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
"We can't stay in Tiandou City any longer!"
"Your Highness, you mean..."
"Prepare the car! No! Don't prepare the car! It'll be too conspicuous!"
Yu Xiaogang lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with panic.
"You all pack your valuables immediately, take everything of value, we...we're leaving the city tonight!"
"A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years! Once I find San'er and we have gathered enough strength, I will definitely come back and make Ning Lin pay for his blood debt!"
He gave himself a plausible reason for his escape.
As his men listened, the last shred of respect they once held vanished.
Now, this "master" is not thinking about how to face the predicament, but how to run away with his tail between his legs.
It's truly... pathetic.
That night.
While the entire Heavenly Dou City was immersed in anticipation for the duel three days later, several disheveled figures took advantage of the night to sneak out through the back door of Prince Lan Dian's mansion.
Leading the group was none other than Yu Xiaogang, the "Blue Lightning Prince," who had only been in office for less than two days.
He abandoned the mansion bestowed upon him by the royal family and the title he had just been restored to, disappearing into the vast night like a stray dog.
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(End of chapter)