The bright moon rises above the clouded cliffs, its pure light flowing like silk.
...
White Dew arrives, and the summer winds turn cool.
The Tang family chose this day for Second Master Tang's funeral procession for a reason. In his youth, when he first entered the martial world, Second Master Tang had created a unique hidden weapon named "White Dew." This weapon moved like morning dew, and after killing, it left a frost-like mark on the wound. Back then, Second Master Tang was handsome, and with this original hidden weapon, he had earned quite a reputation for charm in the martial world. Unfortunately, after so many years of seclusion within the Tang Sect, few in the martial world still remembered him. His death was mourned by only a handful of people and sects.
After all, many of those who had associated with him were already aged and frail.
"Second Master Tang was once as renowned as Old Master Tang. In my childhood, I once accompanied the two of them to a Hero's Feast—truly an unparalleled spectacle. But look at today's grand funeral—only sects from the southwestern region have come. Do you know why?" Tang Lingzun stood on the corridor outside the pavilion, gazing at the mourners below as he spoke slowly.
Tang Lingluo frowned slightly, pondering for a moment. "Because Second Master Tang hasn't been active in the martial world these years, so the bonds naturally weakened."
"Wrong. Because he was the Second Master," Tang Lingzun said solemnly, "not Old Master Tang! If it were Old Master Tang's passing, which sect in the entire martial world would dare not come? Yet back then, the difference between them was minimal. Now, the gap is like heaven and earth. This proves that in this world, there is only first place—never second."
Tang Lingluo nodded. "The Hallmaster speaks wisely."
"Go now and attend to them properly," Tang Lingzun said with a smile. "I'll head to the Golden Tower first."
Tang Lingluo said gravely, "Hallmaster, be careful. I've heard Su Changhe of Dark River is no easy opponent."
"Hahaha, I've heard he's cunning and profit-driven. I don't fear such people—I only fear those who want to reason with me." Tang Lingzun shrugged. "After all, I'm the same kind of person as Su Changhe." With that, Tang Lingluo leaped down from the building.
Inside the Golden Tower.
Su Changhe had already ordered a table full of dishes. Su Muyu sat beside him, his expression indifferent. "You ordered so much—will you actually eat it all later?"
"Unlike last time, when the Tang Sect folks ordered the dishes first—who would dare eat anything they chose?" Su Changhe licked his lips. "But the ones I ordered are different. What's this? Rabbit head, right? You say rabbits are so cute, yet they braise their heads!"
"Can you stop drooling while complaining?" Su Muyu said coldly.
Su Changhe licked his lips again. "No more waiting." He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a rabbit head, and placed it in his bowl, then began eating with relish while drinking wine.
"Is it good?" Su Muyu asked coldly.
Su Changhe took another sip of wine. "Delicious, just a bit spicy. You definitely couldn't handle it."
Su Muyu glanced at the rabbit head, then at the dishes on the table. "Look at this whole table—which one could I possibly eat?"
"My mistake, my mistake. Let's go eat bean porridge instead," Su Changhe said with a half-smile.
"People in Jin City—even their tofu is covered in chili," Su Muyu said helplessly."Hahahaha." Su Changhe finished an entire rabbit head and took a satisfied sip of wine.
"How come the host starts eating before the guests arrive?" Tang Lingzun walked in with a smile, followed by several young Tang Sect disciples.
"So it's you." Su Changhe grinned at Tang Lingzun, recognizing him as the young man who had served wine that day. "You're of the same generation as Tang Lingkui, yet you look much younger than them."
"Oh? Have we met before?" Tang Lingzun studied Su Changhe carefully. "The Head?"
"Oh, no, no, we haven’t. I heard about you from Moyu." Su Changhe patted Su Muyu’s shoulder beside him. "Right?"
Su Muyu gave Tang Lingzun a slight nod.
"Master Su, it’s been a few days, yet you remain as beautiful as ever," Tang Lingzun remarked with a faint smile.
Su Changhe bared his teeth. "Elder Tang, are you married?"
"No," Tang Lingzun replied, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ah, I see, I see." Su Changhe nodded.
"See what?" Tang Lingzun sat down across from Su Changhe.
"Nothing, nothing." Su Changhe waved his hand. "Moyu, go hurry them with the dishes."
"Alright." Su Muyu nodded and walked out.
Tang Lingzun chuckled. "The esteemed head of Dark River, reduced to chasing after dishes."
Su Changhe shrugged. "Well, there are only a few of us who entered Jin City. We came here to form an alliance with Jin City, not to fight the Tang Sect, right?"
"Why didn’t the Spider Girl come?" Tang Lingzun asked softly.
"Yumo isn’t a family head. She’s here for another mission. We don’t need to worry about her," Su Changhe replied.
"Another mission?" Tang Lingzun lifted his wine cup.
At that moment, Su Muyu returned, frowning. "The owner said your dishes were already served long ago."
"Oh, right, right." Su Changhe stroked his small beard. "I forgot."
Tang Lingzun swirled his cup. "The Head is truly passionate about eating, isn’t he?"
"There are many things I’m passionate about. For example—" Su Changhe slammed his cup onto the table. "Where is my family?!"
Tang Lingzun’s cup shattered in his hand, spilling wine. He extended a finger, and the liquid swirled around it before he flicked it sharply. The wine transformed into a watery blade that shot toward Su Changhe, who tilted his head slightly to dodge. The blade pierced through the wall behind him, revealing a woman in white robes standing there, her eyes closed.
"Xuewei." Su Changhe frowned slightly, calling her name.
Mu Xuewei showed no reaction.
Su Muyu glanced at her but said nothing.
Tang Lingzun narrowed his eyes. "Is this the family you speak of?"
"I mean her, unharmed and whole." Su Changhe flicked his wrist, and a dagger appeared in his palm.
Tang Lingzun slowly walked to Mu Xuewei’s side, gently stroking her cheek with one hand. "What do you mean by unharmed and whole?"
"Aren’t you afraid of death?" Su Changhe’s voice darkened.
"Dark River’s Poison Flower—touch her, and you die." Tang Lingzun smiled. "But now, the Poison Flower has withered. She’s just an ordinary woman. Does someone like her still deserve to be the Head’s family?"Su Changhe was stunned. "You removed the poison from Xuewei?"
Tang Lingzun smiled. "So, does this count as unharmed?"
OpenNovel