Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance

The four bandits led Mira around the city for around 5 minutes before they appeared in a deserted alleyway and at the end of it was a steel door.

"T-The man you seek is through that door. Well then, since we've escorted you here, we'll take our leave." One of the bandits bowed politely and then quickly ran off with his 3 friends.

Mira didn't spare them a glance and walked through the steel door. Immediately, she was greeted by threatening gazes from dozens of buff men. They stealthily reached for their weapons, ready to attack at a moment's notice.

Of course, just because they had a lot of muscle didn't mean they were strong.

Most of them were in the Qi Condensation Realm, while Mira sensed a few in the Foundation Realm.

Mira couldn't be bothered with these weaklings. Her focus was on an old man seated around 4 middle-aged men trying to conceal their auras.

These men were also eyeing her wearily, but they seemed to exude more confidence than the other few dozen people in the room.

Mira, unconcerned by all the gazes, walked toward the old man's table.

As she approached, numerous people jumped out of the seats with their weapons drawn and stood between her and the old man.

Mira's eyes narrowed slightly.

If possible, she didn't want to slaughter these people simply because she gains nothing from doing so.

However, if they wish to die, then she has no problem sending them to the underworld.

Mira snorted and was about to 'lightly' push them out of the way before the old man spoke up.

"Stand down. Our guest didn't come here looking for a fight. Isn't that right, young lady?"

The men seemed unwilling to back down, but they also couldn't deny the old man's words. So, they just nodded and moved out of the way.

Mira saw this and inwardly praised the old man and the warriors.

'Although they're weak, they are well trained and follow their leader's command without questions. Whoever trained and disciplined these men did a fine job.'

While Mira still disliked men, she wasn't a person who couldn't acknowledge someone else's efforts.

"It wouldn't be much of a fight anyways," Mira said dismissively as she approached the old man. The surrounding men grit their teeth in anger, hearing how little some random beastman with no cultivation thought of them.

However, before they could cause a ruckus, the old man raised his hand, signaling them to calm down, then chuckled.

"Hohoho! I don't doubt that." The old man chuckled.

"Well, it's true that I didn't come here looking for trouble. I just want some information about this city."

"You must be new to the city if that's all you want to know." The old man said while stroking his beard.

Mira nodded, and the old man continued, "Then what would you like to know, little lass? Just so you know, even though you're strong, stronger than me, I won't give you anything for free."

The old man stated firmly, clearly not afraid of Mira.

Mira's brows almost twitched at being called a 'little lass' as she was definitely older and stronger than this old fart, but she didn't comment on it.

"Whatever. Just give me all the information you have on Brightclipse City, the Lionel and Silvermoon families, any notable events that have happened recently, and a general description of any nearby cities or powers." Mira stated, but this time it was the old man's eyebrows that twitched.

"You're really asking for a lot, you know? What makes you think I even have everything you're looking for? You do realize that you're in the slums of the Outer City, right? Our information-gathering ability is limited here. If you went to the Inner City, you'd certainly be able to find this information without even having to go through someone like me."

Mira stared at the old man for a few seconds as if she were trying to see through him.

The old man felt extremely uncomfortable under such a heavy and malicious gaze that he couldn't help but tremble slightly.

Although Mira wasn't exerting any pressure or releasing her killing intent, her crimson eyes seemingly symbolized her thirst for blood and death.

As someone who has seen all kinds of people from different walks of life, the old man could tell that a monster in the form of a young woman was standing in front of him.

'How can a person have eyes like that? She's looking at me like I'm not even a living, breathing person! To her, I'm just an ant… No, I'm less than that. I'm probably just some pebble by the side of the road!' It was now that the old man fully understood that his life and the life of his subordinates were no longer in his hand.

Whether they lived or died was completely at the whims of the person in front of him.

"Heh. Boy, you might be able to fool others, but you can't fool me. Your strength and aura are not something someone in this shithole should have. So, why should I go to the Inner City when you are sitting right in front of me? I bet you have more information about this place than anyone I could find there." Mira sneered, snapping the old man out of his thoughts.

"Ahaha… I guess I can't fool you, huh? Sure, I can get you that information, but it'll cost ya. Information on the Lionel Family, the Inner City, and the Center City are not easy to get, after all. I can also give you a basic rundown on the cities surrounding Brightclipse, but even I don't know much about them. As for the Silvermoon Family… I've never heard of them." The old man said, and Mira couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

The whole reason she came to this place is to get her revenge on Hana, the little scammer.

Normally, she wouldn't care about this city or the Lionel Family, but since she has Hana's pendant in her possession, she is forced to care.

"Alright. Just tell me everything you know." Mira tossed over a Spatial Ring with 10,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. She didn't know if that'd be enough, but with it, she could let the old man know she wasn't poor.

Plus, Low-Grade Spirit Stones aren't of much use to her anymore. While she can still use them, her cultivation speed will be drastically reduced if she only uses Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

The old man caught the ring and inspected it, not showing any surprise at the amount of Spirit Stones.

"It's a little low, but I suppose this is enough to show your sincerity. You can pay the last half after I give you the information you seek."

Mira nodded, understanding that she'd have to pay another 10,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. While it did seem expensive, she knew that information about the Lionel Family was probably expensive, considering the Eldest child is a Soul Transformation Realm cultivator.

From this, Mira assumed the Patriarch was probably a Mortal Shedding Realm expert! It could be said that 20,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones in exchange for information about such an expert is cheap.

"Brightclipse City is divided into three layers; Outer City, Inner City, and Center City. Those who live in the Outer City are all 'commoners'. Generally speaking, the commoners don't ever surpass the Foundation Realm. On the other hand, the Inner City is basically reserved for anyone in the Core Formation Realm or above. It's here where most shops and businesses settle down as well. Lastly, the Center City, or as most people call it, Lionel City; it's where the Lionel Family resides."

"The Lionel Family runs the entire city. However, unless something major arises, they don't interfere with the interworkings of the city. That does not mean they're weak! Rumor has it that the Patriarch of the Lionel Family is a 2nd Stage Mortal Shedding Realm expert, and the Ancestor is an 8th Stage Mortal Shedding Realm expert!"

"I've also heard that the Lionel Family has many Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Soul Transformation Realm experts as well. However, even I'm unsure of the specific number."

"The latest news I've gathered about the Lionel Family is that the Patriarch's Eldest son seems to have a fiance. Unfortunately, nobody has ever seen this supposed fiance or knows her name. It could just be a rumor that's been going around the Inner City."

"Ah! I did also manage to hear that the Lionel Family has been acting a bit strange lately. Almost as if they are preparing for war… I'm not exactly sure what that's about. Anyways, that's about it for any recent news about the Lionels. These jade slips should have more information regarding the city's and the Lionel family's history and the surrounding powers."

The old man finished explaining and passed a few jade slips to Mira.

She nodded, took out another 10,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, tossed them to the old man, and walked out of the building.

Once she was gone, everyone let out a deep breath and visibly relaxed.