Luo River Pavilion

"Frost Head Crow???"

Luo Qingya was slightly stunned when he heard Luo Ningyue, seated across from him, speak. The next moment, his expression turned exceptionally ugly. "His appetite is far too big, isn't it? Does he really think he's some important figure?"

Luo Ningyue shrugged. "I don't know what he's thinking, but my little nephew said it himself. He only wants the Frost Head Crow. He won't accept any other terms."

"Heh, how did he know I had a Frost Head Crow?"

Luo Qingya stared coldly at the relaxed-looking woman, his gaze unfriendly.

Luo Ningyue looked away rather than meeting his eyes. She calmly watched the tea in her hand. "Perhaps he heard about it somewhere?"

"Where?"

Luo Qingya pressed aggressively.

Yet Luo Ningyue's expression did not change at all as she continued, "I don't know. The Luo God Clan is so vast; news like this is bound to leak out somewhere. It's perfectly normal."

"Heh. Perfectly normal."

Luo Qingya was on the verge of snapping. If he did not know what kind of person this woman was, he might actually have believed her. She was completely the type to hurt others without benefiting herself, all just to see him get embarrassed.

His gaze shifted as he struggled to suppress his turbulent emotions.

If it had been something ordinary, he could have given it away without blinking. But this Frost Head Crow was something he had spent an enormous sum to seize at auction. For the sake of this Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he had even offended quite a few people.

This Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, a divine item of the ice attribute, had cost him so much because he intended to exchange it for a favor from a certain elder. It was not that he could not give it away, but once he did, he would lose more than just a priceless medicinal treasure. He would also lose the favor of an expert.

He was reluctant. No, he was far too reluctant.

Luo Ningyue watched him struggle. Her face remained unchanged, but inwardly, she was overjoyed.

This was exactly the expression she wanted to see on Luo Qingya's face. It felt amazing—truly amazing.

"Since he wants it, give it to him."

At that moment, a voice sounded from behind the screen behind them.

A somewhat slender figure emerged from behind the screen. Though his frame was thin, that small body seemed to contain explosive strength.

His looks were slightly inferior to Luo Ningyue's and Luo Qingya's, but the steadiness and sharpness in his eyes gave him a distinct aura.

"If you're worried about owing Luo Changfeng a favor, I'll use this to trade for it."

The man raised his hand and tossed out something resembling a token.

The two people in the hall looked at the token, their breathing catching as intense longing appeared in their eyes. Yet they suppressed it in an instant, replaced by utter shock.

"The Luo Xuan Token. You're quite willing to part with it."

Luo Qingya exhaled slowly and spoke coldly.

"For Princess, there is nothing I'm unwilling to part with."

The man replied.

Luo Qingya gritted his teeth and nodded. "Well said, Luo Xiu. Very well said. That's right. For the sake of Princess, what could we possibly be unwilling to give up? Give him the Frost Head Crow. I don't need you to cover this favor for me, either."

The moment Luo Xiu produced the Luo Xuan Token, he knew he would have to hand over the Frost Head Crow no matter what.

Whether Luo Xiu's words were sincere or not, if he himself refused to speak up, then as Princess's knight, he would be the lesser man. Even if Luo Xiu truly gave the Luo Xuan Token to Elder Luo Changfeng in the end, he would still be the one at a disadvantage.

Well played. Truly well played. Luo Xiu and Luo Ningyue had somehow reached a tacit understanding when it came to setting him up. He would remember this. There would be plenty of time in the future.

"Go tell him. As long as he comes, I will gift him this Frost Head Crow."

But the instant his words fell, Luo Ningyue shook her head. "That won't do. My little nephew said he has to see the item first before he'll attend the banquet with me."

"Hehe, very good." Luo Qingya gripped the armrest of his chair tightly and laughed. "Fine. Give it to him. And while you're at it, pass along a message for me. Tell him that I, Luo Qingya, will be awaiting his honored presence tonight."

As he spoke, he flung a treasure box toward Luo Ningyue. Chilling spiritual energy rippled through the air.

Luo Ningyue caught it with a raised hand. Spiritual energy surged through her palm and collided with the energy carried by the treasure box. A moment later, all the spiritual energy dissipated, while Luo Ningyue remained seated without moving an inch.

"Then I'll go deliver the goods."

She shook the treasure box, a radiant smile appearing on her face. Yet the brighter that smile became, the more glaring it was in Luo Qingya's eyes. It was a provocation.

Luo Ningyue did not care whether it was provocative or not. She simply rose to her feet and walked out with graceful steps, swiftly disappearing from the two men's sight.

Then Luo Qingya turned his gaze toward Luo Xiu, the meaning in his eyes becoming increasingly obvious.

Luo Xiu shrugged. "I just got back. I don't feel like fighting you."

"That's not up to you."

Luo Qingya stood and slowly walked toward him.

Luo Xiu shook his head helplessly, then said only one thing.

"The backyard."

As the lanterns first lit up, they illuminated the entirety of the dark Luo God City.

Bai Ye set down the book in his hands and closed his eyes to rest. Then he heard the thumping sound of boots approaching. Among everyone he knew, only one person made such a sound while walking.

"Little nephew, your aunt has fulfilled her mission and brought you the item."

Her voice arrived before she did.

Before Luo Ningyue even appeared before Bai Ye, her voice had already clearly reached his ears. Then, amid the creak of a door being pushed open, Bai Ye opened his eyes to see Luo Ningyue standing prettily outside the room.

Just as she was about to step inside, she felt a cold gaze fall upon her.

"Get out."

The gaze and the voice together carried such an icy presence that Luo Ningyue wisely chose to remain where she was.

She held a treasure box in her hand and waved it before Bai Ye's eyes.

"Well? Your Frost Head Crow is here. Your aunt got it for you."

Bai Ye sat up and held out his hand to her.

But Luo Ningyue's eyes curved into crescents at that moment as she said...

"Call me Aunt."

"Goodbye."

A storm of spiritual energy surged around Bai Ye and swept toward the open door. Luo Ningyue hurriedly braced herself with both hands, looking awkward. "Just kidding. Aunt knows you're shy. I understand."

She did not continue teasing Bai Ye and obediently handed over the treasure box containing the Frost Head Crow. Bai Ye received it and sensed the icy spiritual aura within.

"How is it?"

Bai Ye asked inwardly.

"Acceptable."

Bing Yu answered coolly.

Acceptable was enough. Bai Ye nodded to Luo Ningyue. "All right. I can attend this feast at Hongmen with you now."

"Pah, pah, pah. What feast at Hongmen? This is just a welcome banquet."

Luo Ningyue folded her arms and spoke seriously.

"Relax. You're not even the main character, so don't worry."

Heh. Could she even believe that herself?

There had been coaxing and cajoling, and now they had even given him a Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. If this was not aimed at him, then was Luo Qingya some great philanthropist?

"Let's go."

Not wanting to bicker with this woman, Bai Ye placed the treasure box into his Mustard Seed Bracelet and rose from his chair.

"Aren't you going to prepare first?"

Luo Ningyue asked curiously.

"Prepare what?"

Bai Ye caught the implication in her words and asked.

Luo Ningyue chuckled. "Aren't you going to dress up a little? What a waste of that peerless face of yours."

Bai Ye narrowed his eyes.

Should he open the Ice Plains and erase her from existence right now, so she would not keep coming back to torment him?

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding."

A woman's sixth sense warned Luo Ningyue not to continue courting death. She should lower her head for now.

Bai Ye said nothing more. His long white hair was tied behind his back, secured by an exquisite jade hairpin. He wore his usual white robes, and an indifferent, gentle aura surrounded him.

Even Luo Ningyue, who was accustomed to the handsome men and beautiful women of the Luo God Clan, was stunned for several seconds before recovering.

Tsk. Seriously, what a face.

"Let's go."

Bai Ye glanced at her and spoke.

Without hesitation, Luo Ningyue turned and walked ahead.

Bai Ye followed her out of the room. Yet the instant he stepped outside, he abruptly turned his head and looked toward a dark corner.

"What is it?"

Seeing that he had not caught up, Luo Ningyue turned back and asked.

Bai Ye did not answer. He merely shook his head.

He had clearly... sensed someone there.

Forget it. Better leave first.

Then he followed Luo Ningyue away without hesitation.

A few minutes after Bai Ye and Luo Ningyue had left, someone in that dark corner let out a sharp breath.

"I almost got discovered. Good thing the Clan Leader came."

Xi Yu sighed in relief and spoke to Luo Tianshen beside her.

"He already discovered you."

Luo Tianshen shook his head. "But it's fine. He doesn't know it was you."

"Are you really just going to watch Young Master Ying leave with Miss Ningyue?"

Xi Yu asked.

As the Young Clan Leader's personal maid, she naturally knew some of the details behind tonight's banquet. However, given her position, she could not explain them to Bai Ye.

When she saw Bai Ye firmly reject the invitation earlier, she had finally been relieved. Now, it seemed unavoidable after all.

"Consider it a trial."

Luo Tianshen sighed and spoke helplessly.

"That child is stubborn by nature. I can't persuade him, so let him go. Nothing will happen."

Luo Tianshen turned and left. He had been watching this matter for some time, but he had never interfered with Bai Ye's decisions, nor did he dare to. The child knew what he was doing. In any case, as long as he was around, nothing would go wrong.

After Luo Tianshen left, Xi Yu hesitated for a moment before turning and leaving as well.

The entire area around the room became utterly silent at once, without a single soul in sight.

Luo River Pavilion, the so-called number one establishment in Luo God City, gathered all the finest delicacies under one roof.

Normally, they would choose a place in the wilderness to hold a banquet like this, but this time, there was no helping it—the main character of the banquet was Luo Xiu.

He was a Luo God Clan genius who had entered the military from a young age and fought his way to this day. For someone who spent so much time in the wild, the atmosphere of a restaurant was more suitable for this welcome banquet. And as one of the leading figures among the younger generation, only this number one establishment could match Luo Xiu's status.

Of course, none of this had anything to do with Bai Ye. Today, he was just a poor little thing who had willingly walked into the line of fire, waiting for the other side to draw their blades.

"We're here to eat for free. Cheer up a little."

Luo Ningyue said to him.

Bai Ye raised a brow. "Where did you see that I wasn't happy?"

"You're wearing such a stiff expression. Doesn't that mean you're unhappy?"

Luo Ningyue said seriously.

Bai Ye shook his head noncommittally. If his expressions were truly that easy to read, then over all these years, the only person who truly understood him would not have been Ling Xi.

He was indeed somewhat vigilant now, but only somewhat. As he had said before, everyone present belonged to the younger generation. As long as the older generation did not step in, he was confident he could leave unscathed.

Though these people were probably all stronger than him...

What did that matter?

"We're here."

Only when one stood before this pavilion could one understand why it was called the number one establishment.

With the Luo River at its back and stars seemingly within reach, the building gave off a faint glow beneath the starlight. Everywhere one looked, it was as though a river of stars flowed across the structure, glittering brilliantly.

This building needed no candlelight to become the most beautiful sight in all of Luo God City.

"Star Reflecting Soil."

"Good eye."

Upon hearing Bai Ye's words, Luo Ningyue immediately replied.

"You're right. This entire building was constructed from Star Reflecting Soil. What do you think? Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Very beautiful."

Bai Ye nodded. No matter how unreliable Luo Ningyue was, he would not say anything against his heart. This building was indeed beautiful, perhaps the most visually stunning restaurant he had ever seen.

Though Ying Longcheng was considerably stronger than the current Luo God Clan, in terms of historical foundations, Ying Longcheng, which had only existed for a few decades, truly could not compare with an ancient race like this.

It was still too young.

Then again, that made sense. The three City Lords of the City Lord's Mansion were busy buying wine, collecting books, and listening to music. None of them had any interest in putting effort into such things. As for the Council of Elders, who spent all day thinking about how to be disobedient, they certainly would not devote their attention to this either.

It was understandable.

"Let's go in."

Luo Ningyue's eyes curved as she spoke to Bai Ye.

Bai Ye nodded, then followed Luo Ningyue inside.

The interior decorations were excellent as well, but compared to the luxurious furnishings, he still preferred the Star Reflecting Soil outside.

"Lingxi."

Luo Ningyue spotted the figure waiting for them in the main hall at a glance and hurriedly waved in that direction.

Upon hearing her voice, Luo Lingxi turned and slowly approached them.

Once the three of them came together, Luo Lingxi nodded to Bai Ye before speaking. "Let's go. Almost everyone has arrived."

"Where's Luo Xiu? Has he arrived yet?"

Luo Ningyue spoke up and asked.

Luo Lingxi shook her head. "Neither he nor Luo Qingya has arrived yet."

"Alright, got it."

Luo Ningyue nodded, then looked at the silent Bai Ye beside her. "See? They're the real protagonists of this banquet. It has nothing to do with you."

"Mhm."

Bai Ye shrugged, ignored her, and followed Luo Lingxi toward their destination.

Only then did Luo Ningyue realize she had been ignored, hadn't she? Ignored?

By a little brat?

But never mind.

"Don't disappoint me again, little nephew..."