The Old Glutton

Langya Xing clearly noticed it too, a cold smile curling on his lips. Looks like someone can't wait any longer.

Almost simultaneously, a sound like tinkling silver bells echoed from outside the pavilion. "Brother Xing is back, but you didn't even tell me? How heartless~"

Accompanied by a waft of fragrance, a young girl in a pink gauze dress floated in.

She appeared to be about sixteen, her beauty as radiant as a flower, with a cinnabar mark between her brows adding a touch of allure.

But Mu Bai noticed the faint glint of cold light on her fingertips—it was clearly a poisoned dart!

"Langya Mei." Langya Xing didn't even turn his head, his tone icy. "Who allowed you into my Starlight Pavilion?"

The girl's smile froze for a moment, then she pouted playfully. "Brother Xing, why are you so cold? I heard you were injured and came specifically to..."

Her gaze shifted to Mu Bai, and she suddenly froze.

Only then did Mu Bai get a clear look at the three youths following behind the girl.

The one in the lead wore a purple robe, his handsome face tinged with a hint of gloom. He was currently scrutinizing Mu Bai with a discerning gaze.

"Langya Xin." Langya Xing finally turned around, a flicker of vigilance in his eyes. "You're quite well-informed."

The purple-robed youth smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "Third Brother, that's not quite right. I merely heard you were severely injured and came specifically to visit." He then turned to Mu Bai beside him, bowing slightly. "I am Langya Xin. May I know how to address this brother?"

Mu Bai was about to return the courtesy when Langya Xing suddenly stepped in front of him. "Mu Bai is a guest I invited. Brother doesn't need to worry about him."

The atmosphere instantly turned frigid. The smile on Langya Xin's face gradually disappeared, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The girl named Langya Mei saw this and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Brother Xing, don't be so serious~ Brother Xin also means well. Oh, right..."

She suddenly leaned closer to Mu Bai, her breath like orchids. "I heard Young Master Mu is from Great Yan?"

Mu Bai's heart jolted—how could this girl know he was from Great Yan?

Langya Xing suddenly slammed the table and stood up. "Enough!" A powerful aura erupted from him. "If you don't get out now, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Langya Xin's expression changed, and he finally snorted coldly. "Third Brother has quite the airs. Let's go!"

He flicked his sleeve and left.

Before Langya Mei left, she gave Mu Bai a meaningful glance, a look that made Mu Bai feel as if thorns were pricking his back.

After they left, Langya Xing retracted his aura and said in a deep voice, "You need to be careful from now on. Langya Xin is my eldest brother and a strong contender for the next family head. He was clearly targeting you just now."

Mu Bai mused, "Is it because I'm friendly with you?"

"More than that." Langya Xing shook his head. "Your talent is astonishing, and you came back with me. They naturally don't want me to have more strength by my side, so they'll try to poach you."

This news struck Mu Bai like a thunderclap, leaving him speechless for a long time. He suddenly understood why Langya Xin had looked at him so strangely.

It seems... Mu Bai gave a bitter smile, I've gotten caught up in quite a storm.

Langya Xing looked towards the distant, majestic mountain range silhouette, where the true Langya Family resided. "The storm has only just begun. When the family members arrive in three days, that will be the real test."

The night breeze blew, carrying the sounds of laughter and chatter from the distant marketplace.

In this bustling Langya City, undercurrents had already begun to surge.

As the first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the glass windows of the Starlight Pavilion, Mu Bai had already completed two hours of morning training.

The Qinglin Sword danced in his hand, its tip leaving faint green afterimages in the air with each arc.

When he finished the final move, Tornado Rain Strike, the sword wind stirred the fallen leaves in the courtyard, forming a miniature whirlwind.

Since Mu Bai hadn't used True Qi, it hadn't caused any significant damage.

"Your sword intent has improved again."

Langya Xing's voice came from the corridor.

Mu Bai put away his sword and looked over. Today, he had changed into a moon-white brocade robe, with a piece of mutton-fat jade pendant hanging from his waist. He looked much more energetic than yesterday.

However, a trace of weariness still lingered between his brows; clearly, the injuries inflicted by the Blood Spirit Martial King had not fully healed.

"How are your injuries?" Mu Bai took a sweat towel from a maidservant and wiped his forehead.

Langya Xing waved his hand. "It's nothing. I'll take you to try some of Langya City's specialty delicacies today."

As he spoke the word "delicacies," his usually indifferent eyes suddenly lit up, like a child anticipating candy.

Mu Bai couldn't help but smile.

This Langya Young Master, who appeared so arrogant in front of others, actually had such a side to him.

Leaving the Starlight Pavilion, Langya Xing didn't take a carriage. Instead, he led Mu Bai on foot through the streets and alleys.

The Langya City of the early morning was already bustling with activity. Stalls lined both sides of the street, selling all sorts of breakfast items, their steaming heat carrying enticing aromas that wafted towards them.

"First stop, Old Chen's Family's Spirit Rice Cakes." Langya Xing skillfully turned into a small alley and pointed to an inconspicuous stall in the corner.

The stall owner was a hunched old man. Seeing Langya Xing, he wasn't as awestruck as others, merely nodding with a chuckle. "Young Master Xing, the usual?"

"Two portions, with extra Honey Spirit Nectar," Langya Xing said. He then moved a small stool and sat down himself, completely unconcerned about his luxurious robes dragging on the ground.

Mu Bai watched curiously as the old man took two crystal-clear rice cakes from the steamer and drizzled them with amber-colored nectar.

The nectar shimmered with a strange luminescence in the sunlight, clearly no ordinary substance.

"Try this. Langya Xing handed over a piece. This Honey Spirit Nectar is brewed by the unique Seven-Colored Bees of the Qingming Mountain Range, and only a dozen catties are produced per year."

The rice cake melted in his mouth. Amidst the sweet fragrance of the nectar was a hint of coolness. The moment it slid down his throat, Mu Bai actually felt his True Qi circulation speed up a bit.

"This..." Mu Bai looked at Langya Xing in surprise.

"That's right, it can temporarily boost cultivation speed." Langya Xing finished his own portion in a few bites, licking his lips with lingering satisfaction. "Old Chen was a spirit planter for the Langya Family back then. He opened this stall after retiring. Don't let his current appearance fool you; he was quite a formidable character in his youth."

Leaving the rice cake stall, Langya Xing led Mu Bai through streets and alleys, able to tell the origin of each stall owner and the intricacies of their food wherever they went.

Mu Bai gradually discovered that this seemingly aloof young master from a noble family understood common life so profoundly.

"Do you often come out like this?" Mu Bai couldn't help but ask.

Langya Xing, who was sipping a bowl of Ice Crystal Lotus Seed Soup, paused at the question. "When I was young... I often snuck out."

His gaze drifted into the distance. "Back then, I hadn't mastered the Pure Lotus Heart Sutra yet and wasn't valued within the clan. I was freer then."

Mu Bai keenly noticed that as he spoke, his fingers unconsciously rubbed the Jade Pendant at his waist—a small lotus flower was carved on it.