The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

"Alright, Punk. This is my first time in such a countryside place. Now tell me, where do travelers like me usually stay?"

To call Thunder City a countryside town—only an Imperial noble could say such a thing.

Seeing those violet, almost black eyes and hair, as well as the silent female guard beside him, Punk felt even more certain about the guess forming in his mind. He had practically already envisioned the identity of this lord in front of him within his head.

Not daring to show the slightest negligence, he imitated the accent of the minstrels rumored to have wandered in from the Empire's taverns and spoke reverently.

"Distinguished guests such as yourself typically stay on Queen Street near the port. That's where you'll find the most luxurious inns and restaurants in all of Thunder City. Everyone who frequents those places is the wealthiest in the city. Staying there, you definitely won't feel bored!"

Luo Yan nodded slightly and gave an order.

"Then let's go there."

"As you command!"

Punk responded enthusiastically, then, full of energy, gave the reins a spirited flick and drove the carriage toward the city district of Thunder City with vigor.

Because his attention was entirely on that gold coin and the identity of the guest in his carriage, he didn't notice that the legs of the horse pulling the carriage were trembling slightly and that its nose was letting out occasional, fearful snorts.

The pressure of Giant Dragon's Blood, while nowhere near as overpowering as that of an actual Giant Dragon, still served as a tremendous deterrent to ordinary animals.

Especially at such close range...

The carriage began to roll forward steadily. Before long, they left the bustling marketplace and transitioned from smooth cobblestone roads to country paths packed down with snow.

They were currently located in the citadel region of Thunder City, separated by a modest stretch of pastoral scenery from the city's walls and core urban area.

In the distance, low cottages emitted swirls of smoke, and the faint smell of burning wood lingered in the air. A few warm orange lights illuminated the snow-covered horizon. A winding stream accompanied the road, its waters crystal clear and leisurely flowing, reflecting the sunset's glow with shimmering ripples.

Luo Yan's gaze remained fixed out the window, carefully observing everything he saw along the way. Whether pedestrians nearby or landscapes far off, he recorded it all discreetly with a Recording Crystal.

This served two purposes: as a reference for formulating his subsequent strategies and as material to upload to the official website—something that could be teased in the next version update.

Or better yet, a promotional PV.

The carriage continued onward a bit further. As time passed, Luo Yan's vision was once again filled by the outline of the city.

The pastoral scenery was replaced by rows of low, redbrick houses, crowding the area like moss growing between Thunder City's walls and the Rushing River. This was the workers' residential district, where buildings were densely packed with little to no greenery. The streets grew noisy, and the air was thick with the smell of coal smoke and grease.

Additionally, the roads here were noticeably wider than those earlier but also much filthier. The streets were riddled with footprints and carriage tracks mixed with dirty water, making them a muddy mess. Tall chimneys exhaled plumes of black smoke, blending into the grayish haze of the distant sunset.

People hurried along in thick coats, rushing as if moving from one compartment to another without a moment's pause. Children played and laughed on the streets, building crooked snowmen out of packed snow and inserting scavenged lumps of coal for noses. Street vendors pushed carts filled with brazier fires, selling steaming hot chestnuts and meat pies. The enticing aroma permeated the street.

"Honored sir, this here is Thunder City's industrial district! While many people don't like it, and it's nowhere near as prosperous as the district near the port, I personally think this is the most lively and authentic part of Thunder City!"

"And about that factory outside your window—you might not have heard of it, but if you've ever ridden a steamship, you've surely encountered its handiwork! Half the steam boilers used across the Vortex Sea are manufactured here. It's said you can even see its products on the distant front lines!"

As they passed by a power machinery plant, Punk's face brimmed with pride and enthusiasm as he spoke.

Though the Campbell Duchy was small, its territory dwarfed by the vastness of the Empire, the Empire's prosperity undeniably relied on this vital cog in its machine!

Luo Yan smiled faintly but said nothing.

Perhaps one day when Miss Mia needed an achievement to showcase, he could always blow up this factory as a token to submit. After all, by rounding up the numbers, it might as well count as a strike against the Empire's supply lines.

Sensing the atmosphere turning a bit awkward, Punk swallowed and shifted to a different topic as he continued speaking.

"By the way, sir, I still don't know your name... Of course, if you'd prefer not to tell me, I wouldn't mind at all!"

Luo Yan decided against claiming to be Emperor Qin Shi Huang this time. After all, this alias might need to be used for a little while longer. After giving it some serious thought, he finally replied.

"Roxey Colin."

It was his father's name.

Though the Colin family was renowned in Hell, few in the far-off Campbell Duchy had heard of it. What's more, there were plenty of people with the same name.

Most wouldn't give it a second thought upon hearing it, assuming the surname belonged to some obscure family within the Empire.

Punk mulled over the name repeatedly in his head but failed to come up with any association. This only reinforced his assumption—this lord surely hailed from some illustrious family within the Empire!