Chapter 16: Impossible to Be Deceived

Inner Courtyard.

The large black dog sat outside the main hall, wagging its tail.

Inside the hall, Yang Mu’s table was laid with dinner. There was both meat and vegetables, a balanced mix of dishes, but the most important thing was the sheer abundance. In the past, Lu Dashan would have dug in without a care, but tonight he seemed distracted several times. Across from him, the young master was actually picking dishes for the young lady!

Usually, it was the young lady who first picked dishes for her own young master.

At Drunken Immortal Tavern, after being seated, fruit and tea were served. After a few pleasantries, Zheng Shijie said, “I have long heard of your refined manners and extraordinary talents. Today, having met you, I see your reputation is well deserved!” Wu Liao and the others were delighted, as if tasting honey, for it had been a long time since anyone had praised them so.

From the VIP room on the second floor, Ning Yan could clearly see that some guests below in the main hall seemed intrigued.

Had Murong Zhao known the late emperor’s intentions in advance and called his parents over, he would never have sided with Murong Yan now.

Thereafter, he would always stay by her side, through wind and rain, sun and storm, day after day, year after year.

Fang Cong, the top prodigy of the outer courtyard, was twenty years old. Since he began training in martial arts at six, he had made rapid progress, constantly breaking records in the outer courtyard.

The palace guards were all drunk and unconscious; no one watched the gates. The room door was wide open, and silvery moonlight spilled across the floor, illuminating Xiang Lin’s confused, world-weary face—though he was only twenty-one.

The Supreme Elder is a sage of the primordial era; what treasures does he not possess? Why would he need her to bestow anything upon him?

Lu Fei made things clear, saying that connections were good. Having a diligent guide by his side kept him from appearing uncouth.

When I said this, the advisor smiled, turned, and left with the red-haired man. I sighed in relief—if a fight had broken out today, we would have lost badly, with no hope of recovery. Luckily, we bluffed our way through, otherwise there would have been no solution.

Chen Xiu heard that his father had sentenced Xu Zhao to severe punishment and could not suppress his own shock. After all, he was close as brothers with Xiang Lin and could not bear to ignore his plight. After carefully planning his words, Chen Xiu gathered his courage to face his father.

So last night, Shen Siyuan used meditation instead of sleep. It seemed he would need to do the same at noon.

Lu Ruan continued, “If the killer can be found, that's best. If not, then a scapegoat is needed—but not just anyone. The process must be reasonable and credible.”

Lin Weize was surprised to find he had a knack for being an emotional counselor, and began eagerly anticipating his next listener.

Although Li Muhe and her cousin Li Qingzhu resembled each other by seventy percent, perhaps because Li Muhe had cultivated for years on Sanqing Peak, her temperament was colder and more aloof, making the two seem nothing like biological sisters.

“The sect does not intend to investigate further, so they’ve given you two choices,” Duanmu Qing said, looking at Gu An.

Fang Yun Jing knew what she wanted to do, but couldn’t drive her away, so she could only simmer in silence.

Of course, some were puzzled—if even Lu Yu’s father, Martial Sage Lu Changsheng, couldn’t do it, how could he?

Lin Weize wore a look that said, “Are you joking? I have enough trouble of my own, and you want me to help you?”

Zhou Youhe crouched under the tree, hugging the legs of the offering table. Beside him, an open umbrella swayed slightly in the wind and rain, splashing muddy droplets.

The battle was fierce, with both sides fighting for several hours. By dawn, seeing the defense line could not be breached, Gong Jianxia gave the signal, and the three sects including Dragon Gate finally withdrew.

Ling Mansha glanced at Huang Qiye, who happened to be looking at her; her cheeks flushed, and she looked away.

Between the man’s fingers, the cigarette still glowed faintly, slowly devouring the last bit of food.