At the front courtyard of Yanmen, members of various sects were engaged in endless discussions, while in the guest quarters at the back, Tang Lici strolled leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back. It was the height of spring, and the rear courtyard of Yanmen was adorned with numerous peach blossoms, intermingled with pear and apricot flowers—a delicate and beautiful scene of pink and white. Inside the room, Chi Yun had just fed Feng Feng half a bowl of rice soup, his patience long worn thin. He was furious at this lord for recklessly adopting someone else’s child only to dump all the responsibilities on him. Yet, if he didn’t feed the little one, the child might starve. Glancing out the window, he noted the clear blue sky and drifting white clouds, the gentle breeze making it a perfect day for a robbery—if only he weren’t bogged down by trivial matters.
Tang Lici stood beneath a pear tree, gazing at another in the distance, his right hand resting lightly on his abdomen, silent and still. The sky was bright, and his complexion appeared fair, yet his eyes brimmed with an indescribable mix of complex emotions—neither joy nor sorrow clearly defined.
"Spring is lovely, the flowers fragrant, yet you—seem in a foul mood," came a leisurely voice from beyond the courtyard gate. "If even someone like you can be troubled, then others in this world might as well jump off cliffs, drown in the sea, hang themselves, or slit their throats—do as they please and be done with it."
"The breeze is pleasant," Tang Lici smiled faintly. "It’s blown in a deity like you."
Chi Yun glanced at the newcomer, whom he didn’t recognize. The man was also clad in white, but unlike Chi Yun’s plain silk robe, his was embroidered with lines of poetry: "People love the freshness of dawn, I love its fading. A jade hairpin holds up the tilting chignon. Imprinted with night’s fragrance, idle under the moon’s cool sky." His hair was snow-white, tied back with a jade-adorned ribbon, his features refined and carefree, exuding an ethereal grace that made his age impossible to discern—he could pass for just over twenty. "Why the gloom?" the white-robed man asked with a smile.
"Thinking about the silver you owe me—when will it be repaid?" Tang Lici sighed softly. "Xue Xianzi, I never imagined the death of Shi Tinghe would draw you out to see me." At these words, Chi Yun was startled. This elegant, white-haired man before them was the legendary wanderer of the martial world, Xue Xianzi? Just how old was he? Xue Xianzi chuckled as he approached. "And I never thought Shi Tinghe’s death would lure a white-furred fox like you into the open. Quite unlike your usual style."
"Oh? And what do you suppose my style is?" Tang Lici smiled. Xue Xianzi circled slowly behind him, hands clasped behind his back. "Your style is simple—craftiness, in a word." Tang Lici replied, "Hmm?" Xue Xianzi continued, "That ‘hmm’ alone proves your craftiness." Tang Lici said, "You flatter me." After a brief pause, he added, "Xue Xianzi, regarding Shi Tinghe’s death—what aspect concerns you the most?"Xue Xianzi plucked a pear blossom from the tree and sniffed it with great interest. "Naturally, it's money." Tang Lici smiled faintly, looking quite approving. Xue Xianzi shook his head. "Whether Shi Tinghe lives or dies is irrelevant. What matters is that someone is trafficking poison for profit. The sheer amount of money amassed is terrifying." Tang Lici replied, "Indeed. If most of the wealth flows to unproductive ends, funds for farming, weaving, brewing, and metallurgy will dwindle. Over time, unrest is inevitable, and other industries will surely decline." Xue Xianzi said, "So... that's what drew you out." Tang Lici responded, "Me? I'm here for the sake of justice and the peace of the people." After a slight pause, he added, "Speaking of which, Xue Xianzi, when will you repay the money you owe me?"
Chi Yun chuckled from inside the room. Xue Xianzi gently adjusted the jade band on his head. "Ah, with such beautiful spring blossoms, isn't talking about money rather vulgar? Let's discuss it another time when the mood is right." Tang Lici said, "If you do something for me, I'll forgive the three thousand taels of silver you owe." Xue Xianzi let out a soft "Oh," clasped his hands behind his back and looked up. "I won't do anything too difficult, uninteresting, exhausting, or unrelated to beautiful young maidens. Otherwise, do tell." Tang Lici smiled faintly. "It's simple. Find someone for me."
"Who?" Xue Xianzi's eyes flickered. "A beautiful maiden?" Tang Lici nodded. "Exactly. I offer three thousand taels of silver for you to find Bai Yuming's daughter from the Bai residence, 'Mingyue Tianyi' Bai Suche. She's very young, with an excellent figure and stunning looks."
"Deal!" Xue Xianzi declared. "But if she isn't beautiful enough, I'll charge six thousand taels of gold." Tang Lici waved his hand, smiling. "No problem." Xue Xianzi asked, "And the reason for finding her?"
"Because I can't." Tang Lici replied. Xue Xianzi hummed. "So there's someone even you can't find. How peculiar. I'm off." He leaped onto the wall, grinned in all directions, and was met with a chorus of exclamations—"Xue Xianzi!"—before vanishing into the distance.
"That man is as flamboyant as ever," Tang Lici muttered, shaking his head. Chi Yun darted out from the house. "Why ask that old lecher to find my woman? At his age, he still seems quite the skirt-chaser." Tang Lici replied, "Because you can't find her." Chi Yun flew into a rage but couldn't muster a retort, his face flushing crimson. Tang Lici continued, "Don't be angry. As a martial artist, temperance is key. If you can't control your temper, your skills won't advance further." This only infuriated Chi Yun more, wishing he could strangle Tang Lici on the spot. Just then, someone called softly from outside, "Master?" The door opened, revealing Zhong Chunji.
"Your master has already left," Tang Lici said with a smile.Zhong Chunji lowered her head. "I figured he wouldn't be here either. That's just how my master is." Chi Yun glanced sideways at her. Xue Xianzi must have taken her as a disciple because of her beauty, but this silly girl, despite her pretty face, was as stubborn and dull-witted as those self-righteous martial artists outside. Who knew how Xue Xianzi ended up teaching such an obstinate and foolish disciple! She continued, "Young Master Tang, Uncle Jiang and Qinghe Daoren have identified the traitor within Yanmen. But the poison has already taken effect on that person—he's lost his mind, covered in red rashes. Uncle Jiang has confined him and is trying to interrogate him."
"Oh?" Tang Lici replied. "How pitiful, how pitiful." Though his words expressed pity, his smile betrayed little sincerity. Chi Yun scoffed coldly, "Hypocrite."
As they were discussing, a flash of blue appeared outside the door. Gu Xitan called out, "Sister Zhong, Yu Qifeng is here!"
Yu Qifeng? The "Sword King" Yu Qifeng, who was defeated by Shi Tinghe at the Central Plains Sword Association? Chi Yun sneered, "Could it be that he's also concerned about Shi Tinghe's death? For Yu Qifeng, Shi Tinghe's death is nothing short of a blessing—the best possible outcome." Gu Xitan clasped his fists. "Please join us in the main hall to receive our guest."
The group proceeded to the main hall, where the room was packed with people. Guests and disciples of Yanmen eagerly lined up, hoping to catch a glimpse of the renowned Sword King. Amidst the crowd's admiring gazes, a man strode in with a sword on his back. He was exceptionally tall, his muscles bulging, making him appear broader than most. His dark skin contrasted with his reddish-brown attire, setting him apart.
Jiang Feiyu stepped forward to greet him. "The Sword King gracing our humble sect brings us immense honor. Please take the seat of honor." Yu Qifeng's gaze swept across the room, and everyone who met his eyes felt a shiver of awe. Indeed, Yu Qifeng exuded an imposing presence without even a hint of anger.
"You flatter me, Sect Leader Jiang," Yu Qifeng said coolly. His eyes lingered over the crowd before settling on Tang Lici. "I heard Yanmen has apprehended a traitor connected to Shi Tinghe's death, so I came to investigate. Little did I expect Sect Leader Jiang to have such influence as to invite the Myriad Apertures Studio Master to oversee matters here."
"Myriad Apertures Studio Master?" The moment Yu Qifeng uttered these words, the crowd erupted in shock and murmurs. Gu Xitan thought to himself, The Myriad Apertures Studio Master? Impossible! He scanned the guests but couldn't pinpoint who among them fit the description. In the present world, aside from the emperor, the wealthiest person was undoubtedly the Myriad Apertures Studio Master. The Myriad Apertures House was a merchant conglomerate dealing in jewelry, silk, liquor, and more. Within just three years, its business had spread across the land, and its master was said to possess wealth rivaling a nation's. Yet, almost no one in the martial world knew his true identity. Jiang Feiyu pondered—if the Myriad Apertures Studio Master had indeed arrived here without his knowledge, it would be a great embarrassment for Yanmen, renowned for its well-informed network. Noticing Yu Qifeng's gaze fixed on Tang Lici, he grew even more astonished. Could this Young Master Tang actually be...?
"How did you know I am the Myriad Apertures Studio Master?" Tang Lici smiled faintly, offering no denial.As these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in uproar once more. Chi Yun watched Tang Lici with a cold, almost gleeful expression. Yu Qifeng spoke calmly, "You wear the 'Marrow Cleansing Silver Bracelet' on your wrist. This bracelet wards off evil, nurtures fortune, and attracts blessings. It is also an ancient artifact of immeasurable value, rumored to be a collection of the Ten Thousand Apertures House. Unless one is the master of the 'Ten Thousand Apertures House,' who would dare to wear it so casually as if it were a mere trinket?"
All eyes turned to Tang Lici’s wrist, where indeed a silver bracelet adorned with intricate patterns rested. None had imagined such a bracelet could be "of immeasurable value"! Zhong Chunji’s fair face flushed red and then paled, realizing the significance of the bracelet she had noticed earlier but failed to recognize. Gu Xitan thought to himself, No wonder that scoundrel Chi Yun obeys Tang Lici without question—he truly is the master of the Ten Thousand Apertures House. But this man is both a royal relative and a merchant—why would he meddle in the affairs of the martial world?
"So the Sword King is also deeply concerned about Shi Tinghe’s poisoning," Tang Lici said with a faint smile. "It’s only natural to be curious. I intervened out of mere curiosity, so the Sword King need not glare at me so." At these words, Jiang Feiyu was startled. Tang Lici was no martial artist, yet he dared to provoke Yu Qifeng, subtly asserting his unwillingness to be subordinate. Anger flashed in Yu Qifeng’s eyes, though his expression remained composed. "Yu Qifeng was born with large eyes. I meant no disrespect to the master of the Ten Thousand Apertures House." Tang Lici smiled slightly. "The Sword King is too courteous." Yu Qifeng ignored him and looked up at the sky. "Where is that spy now?"
"He is in the third wing," Jiang Feiyu replied. "Our sect has summoned a highly skilled physician to examine the poison he was afflicted with, but its complexity makes it nearly impossible to counteract. The toxin can unleash one’s latent potential, granting immense strength and boundless stamina." Yu Qifeng remarked, "No wonder Shi Tinghe managed to knock the sword from my hand during the Sword Association." His tone was icy, laced with venom, sending a chill down the spines of all who heard. Just then, a loud cry came from inside the house. "Sect Leader! Sect Leader!" A man rushed in from the corridor. "Gou Jia has been killed!"
"What?" Jiang Feiyu’s face darkened. "How could this happen? Where are the men guarding him?" The man replied, "Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Wang... were also slain by the assassin..." With that, he fell to his knees. "We have failed..." Yu Qifeng said coolly, "Yanmen gathers heroes from across the land to discuss the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, yet allows deaths within its walls. How absurd!" Jiang Feiyu forced a bitter smile. "Our sect is deeply ashamed." Immediately, the group quickened their pace and headed straight for the third wing.Chi Yun and Tang Lici stood where they were, watching the crowd surge toward the three side rooms. The once bustling hall instantly became empty. Chi Yun suddenly said, "Young Master..." Tang Lici responded with a hum and sighed softly, "So you still remember..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the unspoken words were clearly, "So you still remember I'm your young master." Back when Chi Yun served as a page in the Tang household, he addressed Tang Lici as "Young Master." Now, having roamed the martial world for years and often referring to himself as "this old man," he no longer truly saw himself as a servant. Yet, when serious matters arose, the old habit unconsciously slipped out. Chi Yun snorted, "Don't you think Yu Qifeng arrived too quickly, and the spy from Yanmen died too conveniently?" Tang Lici replied, "His swift arrival speaks to the Sword King's prowess. The spy's quick death proves he deserved it. What's the issue?" Chi Yun glared at him coldly. "Can you say something serious for once?" Tang Lici smiled faintly. "I'm always serious..." Suddenly, another commotion erupted from the back hall. Tang Lici remarked, "Given the Sword King's abilities, he's likely already found the killer..." Before he could finish, Zhong Chunji came running over, exclaiming, "Hero Yu has already identified the murderer who killed Gou Jia! The culprit confessed, saying a masked man paid him ten thousand taels last night to kill Gou Jia."
"Is that so? The Sword King's wisdom and reputation are truly admirable. Tang Lici is deeply impressed," Tang Lici said. Zhong Chunji beamed with joy, clearly thrilled by the swift resolution. Chi Yun sneered, "That murderer is clearly—"
"That murderer clearly deserved to die," Tang Lici interjected. Zhong Chunji chimed in, "Exactly! After the confession, Hero Yu executed him with a single sword stroke. Everyone in Yanmen is grateful for his righteous act in eliminating the traitor." Chi Yun couldn't hold back. "What a load of horseshit! That man was clearly just a scapegoat..." Zhong Chunji frowned slightly, puzzled by Chi Yun's outrage. To her, Yu Qifeng uncovering and executing Gou Jia's killer was an unequivocal good deed. Tang Lici merely smiled. At that moment, the crowd gathered in the side rooms began to disperse, with Yu Qifeng at the center, his neck held high and sword strapped to his back, standing out like a crane among chickens. Tang Lici stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. "Word has it the Sword King has apprehended the culprit—a cause for celebration. Tonight, I’ll host a banquet at the Hua Mei Pavilion. If the Sword King honors us with his presence, we shall drink our fill. What say you?" Yu Qifeng glanced at him and laughed heartily. "An invitation from the Myriad Apertures Studio Master? Who would refuse? Tonight, we drink until we drop!" Tang Lici then extended invitations to Jiang Feiyu, Gu Xitan, and others, all of whom readily accepted. The hall buzzed with cheer and camaraderie. Only Chi Yun watched coldly from the sidelines, his displeasure simmering.
Night fell, the moon and stars shining brightly, a gentle breeze whispering through the air.
The Hua Mei Pavilion was the finest restaurant in Yan County, perched above the North Gate Stream. As guests dined and drank, the murmur of flowing water below and the occasional croak of frogs or splash of fish lent an air of refined elegance. The heroes gathered from Yanmen and Yu Qifeng occupied the main table, with Tang Lici as their host. The rest of the Yanmen contingent sat at secondary tables, toasting and conversing amiably. The topic of Shi Tinghe's misuse of poison, harming others and ultimately himself, drew sighs of regret and vehement condemnation from all present.
Leaning against the railing of the corridor outside the banquet hall, a tall figure in white robes stood apart. Chi Yun tilted his head skyward, refusing to join the feast.Outside the Thrush Pavilion, the stream was clear, dotted with small white flowers along its banks. It was spring, and the water flowed abundantly, reflecting the moonlight as it meandered gently under the sky, painting a serene and beautiful scene. Chi Yun observed it all with a cold gaze. In the past, on such a fine day, he would have long been on Red Plum Mountain, gambling and drinking with his brothers.
"Brother Chi." A voice called from behind. The footsteps were steady, the breathing controlled—clearly a skilled man. Without turning his head, Chi Yun lazily responded, "Gu Xitan?"
The man in blue robes, his hair tied back, was indeed Gu Xitan. Chi Yun remarked coolly, "Inside, there’s good wine and fine dishes, and the floor is practically crawling with so-called heroes. Aren’t you going to join the fun?" Gu Xitan held a wine cup. "I’ve already had my share inside. Drinking isn’t really my thing." Chi Yun scoffed, "Heh." Gu Xitan added, "Who would have thought Young Master Tang, such an elegant figure, could hold his liquor so well?" Chi Yun replied coldly, "If you lot could get that white-furred fox drunk, you’d have drained the ocean dry." Gu Xitan smiled faintly. "White-furred fox?" Chi Yun glanced sideways. "You haven’t heard?" Gu Xitan shook his head. Though only in his late twenties, he had been wandering the martial world for a decade, mostly concerned with grudges and vendettas, rarely paying attention to gossip.
Chi Yun then recounted the rumors often whispered among the capital’s commoners. Over three years ago, Tang Weiqian, the emperor’s father-in-law, had fished a young man from his own well, naming him Tang Lici and adopting him as a foster son. This honorary imperial uncle was of unknown origin, frequently leaving the capital with mysterious movements. The capital’s folk whispered that he was a fox spirit, or perhaps some other kind of specter or water ghost—no one dared offend him. Gu Xitan listened and chuckled. "So that’s how it is..." He fell silent for a long moment before speaking again. "Truthfully, I have doubts about today’s events. Seeing that Brother Chi refuses to join the banquet, I wonder if you, too, have thoughts on the matter?"
"Thoughts? Like who offered ten thousand taels for a head?" Chi Yun said indifferently. "Or who was so well-informed that they killed Gou Jia the moment Yu Qifeng stepped into Yanmen?" Gu Xitan smiled slightly. "Both. Or perhaps one more—did Yu Qifeng want to hear Gou Jia’s words so badly that Gou Jia met his end? Or did Yu Qifeng not want to hear them at all, and that’s why Gou Jia died?" Chi Yun snorted. "Didn’t take you for a turtle who thinks so much." Gu Xitan replied humbly, "I wouldn’t dare." He stepped to the railing, gazing at the stream. "The martial world is changing. I suspect Shi Tinghe’s poisoning is just the tip of the iceberg. The figures involved may be many, and if we dig deeper, the truth might be terrifying. It won’t end just because Yu Qifeng killed an assassin."
"Scared?" Chi Yun sneered. "To be honest, I don’t know half the so-called ‘big names’ in this world, and the ones I do know, I can’t stand. If this mess blows up beyond control and exposes more hypocrites, the happier I’ll be." Gu Xitan sighed. "Nothing in the martial world is ever that simple..." He glanced back toward the banquet hall. "But I wonder—what exactly is Young Master Tang’s purpose in hosting Yu Qifeng tonight?""I don't know. That Tang fellow is all mysterious and sneaky, with a face that looks honest but guts full of schemes. Who knows what he's plotting?" "From Young Master Tang's demeanor and aura, he doesn't seem like a wicked person," Gu Xitan remarked. "As the master of Ten Thousand Apertures House, if we ever investigate the Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill, his assistance would be invaluable. I just hope he doesn't withdraw due to the gravity of the matter."
The two stood outside admiring the moon and the water, while inside, after several rounds of drinks, Yu Qifeng glanced at the pair by the window and remarked coolly, "Why hasn't Chi Yun joined us?" Tang Lici had drunk quite a bit, yet his complexion remained fair and radiant, with only the faintest blush, looking exceptionally well. "He must be displeased about something again," he sighed lightly. "Chi Yun is rather solitary. Earlier, he seemed particularly upset about Sword King killing that assassin. I truly don't understand." Yu Qifeng asked, "Oh? Does he think the assassin shouldn't have been killed?" Tang Lici narrowed his eyes slightly, already somewhat intoxicated. "That, I don't know. Every life is precious. If it can be spared, it's better not to kill." Yu Qifeng said indifferently, "Such womanly compassion. If Young Master Tang is so soft-hearted, how does he deserve such wealth?" Tang Lici gave a small, wine-induced yawn. "That... is not for outsiders to know..." Jiang Feiyu, sitting nearby, frowned. "It seems Young Master Tang is already drunk. I should take him back first. Please continue." Yu Qifeng patted Tang Lici's shoulder, and he shuddered slightly, appearing even sleepier before slumping onto the table. Jiang Feiyu helped him up and bid farewell to the others.
Outside, Chi Yun took Tang Lici from Jiang Feiyu, while Gu Xitan asked Jiang Feiyu to stay with the guests, offering to escort Chi Yun and the others back.
Upon returning to Yanmen and seeing Tang Lici to his room, Gu Xitan couldn't help but say, "Brother Chi claimed Young Master Tang could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. That might not be true." Chi Yun glared coldly at Tang Lici on the bed. "What I say is as good as gold, absolutely true." He stared at the figure on the bed. "Aren't you getting up yet?"
"If I get up now, I'll give myself away." Tang Lici smiled faintly with his eyes closed. "Young Master Gu, you also drank some wine earlier. Didn't you notice anything?" Gu Xitan was slightly taken aback and circulated his Internal Force. "This..." His expression changed. "The wine was poisoned!" Tang Lici opened his eyes. "It's nothing serious, just a small amount of arsenic. With Young Master Gu's Internal Force cultivation, it won't cause much harm." Gu Xitan inwardly sighed. Although the poison was minimal and nearly undetectable, swallowing it was still unpleasant. Yet Tang Lici spoke as calmly as if he were merely mentioning having eaten a bit too much salt or pepper. "Who poisoned it?"
"A newly hired servant at the Huamei Pavilion. This evening, someone offered him ten thousand taels of silver to poison the wine at tonight's banquet. The dosage was small—unless one drank ten jars, it wouldn't be harmful." Tang Lici's tone was gentle, his smile quite pleased. "Yu Qifeng will likely notice the poison soon, figure out who did it, and quickly extract a confession about a masked man paying ten thousand taels to bribe the servant." Gu Xitan exclaimed in shock, "Isn't this exactly like Gou Jia's death earlier? Could the mastermind behind this be striking again, trying to poison everyone at Yanmen?"
"Lowly tricks like this, a smart person would only use once. Since Gou Jia is already dead, there's no way they'd take such a risk to repeat it." Chi Yun glared coldly at Tang Lici. "What game are you playing?"
"There's one thing I despise most in my life." Tang Lici smiled faintly. Gu Xitan asked, "What?" Tang Lici replied, "I hate it when someone tries to outsmart me." Gu Xitan said, "Well... I imagine most people in the world dislike that." Tang Lici nodded. "Indeed. I'm just an ordinary person." Chi Yun remarked dryly, "I still can't tell if you're human or demon, but all I want to know is—did you poison the wine?" Gu Xitan was startled by the question, only to hear Tang Lici answer with a smile, "Yes."
"What the hell are you scheming? Trying to poison a few dozen so-called martial heroes to make a name for yourself?" Chi Yun sneered. Tang Lici closed his eyes contentedly, the luxurious silk bedding accentuating his delicate features, and continued smiling. "Both of you suspect that Yu Qifeng's killing today wasn't straightforward, correct?"
"True," Gu Xitan admitted. "There are suspicious aspects, but no evidence." Tang Lici said, "Since someone could hire an assassin the day before Yu Qifeng arrived, it proves there's still a traitor in Yanmen—and we don't know who it is. Gou Jia's death was too convenient. Maybe Yu Qifeng orchestrated it, maybe not. Right?" Gu Xitan nodded. "Exactly." Tang Lici went on, "Whether the assassin lives or dies doesn't matter. What matters is that Gou Jia is dead, the trail is cut off, and the Yanmen crowd is cheering for the Sword King's brilliance. You and Chi Yun are dissatisfied but powerless, yes?" Gu Xitan nodded again. Tang Lici smiled once more. "Without evidence, we can't accuse anyone, so we can't afford to antagonize the Sword King. Hosting a banquet to smooth things over is still necessary. But there's no harm in playing along and mimicking their tactics."Gu Xitan's mind whirled twice before it dawned on him—this person had no concrete evidence to accuse Yu Qifeng of ostensibly eliminating traitors while actually silencing witnesses by murder. Thus, he had instructed the tavern servant to poison everyone. Whether Yu Qifeng was the mastermind or not, he would certainly be present at the banquet, and if present, he would have to drink the poisoned wine. This method of poisoning was identical to the hired assassination of Gou Jia today. The others would only assume the hidden mastermind had struck again, realizing the matter was far from over, and remain vigilant. Meanwhile, the true mastermind would naturally understand this was a frame-up, but with poison in his belly and the servant in his grasp, all he would get was a statement about "a masked man offering ten thousand taels." Yet, he still wouldn’t know who had set him up—perhaps Tang Lici, perhaps not. This bitter pill was exactly the same as the one everyone had swallowed today—
He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Young Master Tang, even if this scheme is deeply satisfying, arsenic is still a lethal substance. If consumed in excess, it can be fatal."
Tang Lici smiled faintly. "Hmm... if one is to poison, naturally it must be with a lethal dose... By the way, the Sword King seemed quite concerned about you earlier, Chi Yun. I’ve already informed him that you hold great resentment toward him. From now on, there’s no need to force politeness in his presence. Even if you resort to fists and curses, he won’t take offense."
Gu Xitan choked on his words. " Cough ... cough ..."
Chi Yun said coldly, "How considerate of you."
Tang Lici smiled lightly. "You flatter me."
The three of them understood perfectly—if Yu Qifeng truly was the mastermind behind Gou Jia’s assassination, upon discovering Chi Yun’s suspicions, he would inevitably take action. By revealing the truth, Tang Lici was using Chi Yun as bait to confirm their suspicions. If Chi Yun were attacked, Yu Qifeng would most likely be implicated. Yu Qifeng, of course, would grasp this logic. The question now was who would dare to make a move in this delicate balance, gambling on victory or defeat.
"Right now, the situation at Huamei Pavilion must be chaotic," Gu Xitan paused, pondering briefly. "Both Young Master Tang and I drank the wine and were poisoned, but Brother Chi didn’t drink... Here’s what we’ll do: Brother Chi and I will return to save the others, while Young Master Tang should rest here. We’ll claim we discovered the poison in the wine and returned to apprehend the culprit."
Tang Lici closed his eyes, smiling faintly, and waved a hand. "I’ll rest here."
OpenNovel