Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 2173: 494: The Bond of Blood 2

A few miles from the city limits, Wang Yue landed the aircraft, tucked it away into his spatial ring with ease, and set off on foot towards the urban sprawl.

Kaifeng, just like Tianhai, stood as one of the ten “Super Cities” across the Huaxia territory. Its vastness and wealth held firm against Tianhai, while in the explosive growth of martial arts, it possibly claimed superiority.

Meanwhile, the super-metropolis to Kaifeng's west—constructed prior to spiritual recovery by exhausting provincial resources—had slid into obscurity.

In today's world order, economic power no longer defined supremacy; only martial legacy truly counted.

This heartland region enjoyed rare fortune. Beyond Kaifeng, Luoyang lay nearby to the west, another of the ten Super Cities.

The stronger a city grew, the more assured and welcoming it became. Thus, despite the late hour, Wang Yue, a stranger, encountered no questions and slipped into the city without issue.

“Near Kaifeng” offered a broad scope. With the city spanning hundreds of kilometers, its “vicinity” encompassed enormous expanses.

Though Wang Yue had ascended to Transcendence Realm strength, scouring millions of square kilometers alone would demand endless time.

Fortune smiled on him—he'd devised a strategy beforehand. Nightfall made action unwise, so he located a hotel and settled in for rest.

At dawn the next day, Wang Yue altered his looks into those of a towering, muscular figure over six feet, then ventured to a manor on the city's edge.

As in all great cities, Kaifeng fell under dominant group control. Beyond the official Martial Arts Union and Adventurers’ Association, five “Super Families” held sway. Wang Yue now stood before one: the Wang family estate.

He picked the Wang family not for superior might over the rest, nor due to Yang family ties, but simply because of the matching surname. It could smooth talks a bit.

His scheme relied on partnering with local martial powers. Sharing the martial realm and turf, these clans likely held Yang family details.

Rationally, aligning with the Martial Arts Union or Adventurers’ Association seemed ideal—their scale and knowledge dwarfed others.

Yet such federations bred red tape and infighting, with groups forever vying for dominance.

Offering “benefits” to one faction might invite sabotage from rivals out of envy. Dealing with a cohesive family proved simpler: grant a boon, dodge the drama.

“Please inform your Master that Wang Yue of Jinling seeks an audience,” Wang Yue declared at the gates, presenting a traditional martial world calling card while unleashing a hint of his Mortal Shedding Realm presence.

Jinling paled beside Kaifeng in prominence, and “Wang Yue” rang no bells locally. But a Mortal Shedding Realm aura changed everything.

Within the whole Wang family, merely a few reached such cultivation heights.

The guards wasted no time, ushering Wang Yue to the guest hall as one dashed inside to report.

A Mortal Shedding powerhouse's arrival demanded direct notification to the Family Head.

Wang Yue barely sipped his tea when the guard reappeared, trailing a middle-aged figure.

This man appeared in his forties, exuding poise and gravitas. A matching Mortal Shedding aura emanated from him, sensed by Wang Yue.

Wang Qing, leader of the Wang family, felt genuine delight. For regional clans, an external expert's visit often spelled opportunity.

Usually, outsiders came for aid, information, or rare goods. Helping them forged lasting goodwill.

Such unseen bonds outweighed material gains, invaluable for future favors from fellow powerhouses.

Wang Yue hailed from Jinling, unknown for Mortal Shedding masters in Wang Qing's knowledge, marking him as a “rogue cultivator.”

Though rogue cultivators carried more unpredictability than sect affiliates, the encounter remained promising.

A rule-breaking rogue would plunder outright; one requesting formal talks honored martial customs.

Entering the guest hall, Wang Qing jolted in surprise. The visitor, though robust and tall, bore an astonishingly youthful face with lingering juvenile traits.

In martial circles, among same-realm peers, youth signaled greater potential.

A century-old or ancient Mortal Shedding master would earn Wang Qing's courtesy without awe.

Yet this one seemed under twenty. Wang Qing's instincts confirmed no cultivation trick hid true age—he was genuinely that young.

No tales existed of Mortal Shedding experts below twenty. Nurturing such a prodigy demanded a colossal backing force.

Wang Qing's attitude shifted abruptly.

He'd planned equal footing, laced with local superiority—rogue cultivators, no matter how mighty, couldn't rival entrenched families.

Instantly, he humbled himself, pride evaporating. Hands clasped in salute. “Forgive the delay. I am Wang Qing, Head of the Wang Family.”

Unaware of Wang Qing's mental gymnastics—and indifferent even if aware—Wang Yue saw it as natural behavior.

Demanding deference sans power was a fool's dream. A Super Family head groveling to all would erode his clan's esteem.

“Greetings, Patriarch Wang. I am Wang Yue, a mere rogue cultivator.” Wang Yue concealed his origins.

For one, Jinling's three clans' resurgence stayed secret. For two, this quest concerned his aunt.

Yang family hearing of Jinling ties could spark trouble. Rogue status offered cleaner paths.

A rogue cultivator?

Wang Qing dismissed the claim outright. A century's toil might yield a rogue Mortal Shedding master. At twenty? Pure fiction.

To Wang Qing, Wang Yue screamed disciple from a Martial Arts Holy Land on training travels. Respecting the ruse, he boomed with laughter.

“Brother Wang Yue, same surname! Perhaps five centuries back, one clan birthed us both. This hall suits no deep talk—join me inside.”