Bowing Down

Tie Tou solicitously brought over a chair and placed it directly on Young Master Fox's plump body, saying, "Fifth Young Master, you must be tired too. Rest a bit."

Qi Bei unceremoniously plopped down onto it. Young Master Fox's eyes rolled back, and he promptly fainted.

Meanwhile, the luxurious hall had also gathered many onlookers. Most of the guests who came here for entertainment were powerful and influential. Seeing the usually arrogant Young Master Fox being treated like this, they excitedly began to discuss amongst themselves.

"Who is this? They must have seriously offended the Fox Family."

"Look at how arrogant he is. Does he seem afraid of the Fox Family?"

"The two people by his side look like soldiers who've fought through blood and fire. Could they be young masters from the Heron Family?"

In the distance, a pair of veiled young women were also observing the scene.

"Sister, who do you think this person is? They're quite audacious," the younger girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, asked. Her body hadn't fully developed yet, but her exposed lake-green eyes were exceptionally captivating.

"A direct descendant of the Nord Family. It seems the Fox Family is definitely going to take a loss this time," the older sister replied. Her figure was much more developed than the little girl beside her, with curves in all the right places. Even without seeing her face, one could guess she was a peerless beauty.

"How did you know, Sister?" the little girl asked.

"Because the two people beside him are soldiers of the Black Armored Army. Who commands the Black Armored Army, I don't need to tell you," the older sister's eyes were brown, shining with wisdom.

The little girl pouted. How could she not tell?

At this moment, the guard captain of the Drunken Moon Tower stepped forward and said stiffly, "Young Master, could you please release Young Master Fox? We are all reputable people. We can discuss anything properly. Why make things unpleasant for everyone?"

"Scram. Have your master come here," Qi Bei coldly yelled, his fierce gaze sweeping over the guard captain.

The guard captain felt a chill run through his entire body. Such a gaze could only be possessed by someone who had experienced prolonged slaughter. What made him even more terrified was the deathly stillness contained within the ferocity of the gaze. One look felt like being dragged into the depths of hell.

"This Young Master might not know, but the Drunken Moon Tower is the property of the current Seventh Prince," the guard captain stated his master's identity, enduring the pressure. He figured this young master from who-knows-where wouldn't pursue the matter further.

"The Seventh Prince? That Mafite fellow. He's the worst. I booked the Clear Water Tower first, but you gave it to this idiot pig. If I don't get an explanation for this, I'll smash your Drunken Moon Tower," Qi Bei said calmly. He had an impression of Mafite, who had bullied him back then and was then beaten by his older brother until he cried. After that, he would detour whenever he saw the two brothers.

The guard captain was stunned. This brat actually didn't even give the Seventh Prince face. It seemed trouble had found them.

"Hahaha, Qi Bei is here. Why didn't you say anything?" a young man in a luxurious robe walked over, smiling. His tone was very familiar, and anyone who didn't know better would think he and Qi Bei were close friends.

"Mafite, how are you going to handle this?" Qi Bei asked calmly. Judging by his words, he wasn't surprised at all that Qi Bei had survived coming out of the Undead Mountain Range. It seemed he had received the news long ago.

"You, get out of the Drunken Moon Tower. Don't come back," the young man pointed at Linda and said coldly. The speed at which his expression changed was truly masterful.

Linda's face turned pale. She bowed and retreated.

Qi Bei didn't pay attention to this woman. Although from her perspective, her decision was understandable, she had misjudged the situation and deserved punishment.

"Qi Bei, I apologize to you today. The banquet at the Clear Water Tower is already prepared." Mafite had publicly apologized to Qi Bei. As a member of the royal family, this was a significant loss of face.

Qi Bei raised an eyebrow, still seemingly unsatisfied.

Mafite walked closer and whispered, "Qi Bei, your elder brother also has a stake in the Drunken Moon Tower. If you smash the Drunken Moon Tower, you're smashing your own property. Don't disbelieve me. Otherwise, why do you think my industries could establish themselves in Star City?"

Qi Bei was surprised, but he believed him. Star City was Nord Family territory. For royal industries to take root here, it was impossible without the Nord Family's permission.

Qi Bei stood up and kicked the unconscious Young Master Fox towards the group of nobles and ladies he had brought with him.

The onlookers knew that the show was over.

However, Mafite's subservience to Qi Bei was destined to become a topic of gossip for everyone. Some people had already guessed Qi Bei's background, but most were still confused about his identity.

Inside the Clear Water Tower, a large banquet table was occupied only by Mafite, Qi Bei, Vajra, and Phantom.

Huo Lie and Tie Tou claimed they were still on guard duty and refused to sit down.

Vajra couldn't be bothered with such niceties and focused on eating. His appetite was truly astonishing. Before Qi Bei and Mafite had even taken a few bites, more than half the dishes were already empty.

"Qi Bei, try this Hundred Flower Brew made by the Elves. The hundred flowers blend into one to create such a fine wine," Mafite raised his cup. The wine in the cup was fragrant, rich but not greasy, condensed but not dispersed.

"Although the hundred flowers blend into one, there are still main and secondary components. If the main and secondary components are not distinguished, what's brewed won't be wine, perhaps poison," Qi Bei drank it down in one gulp, mused for a moment, and then smiled.

Mafite's eyes flickered. He truly hadn't expected this Fifth Young Master of the Nord Family to survive coming out of the Undead Mountain Range, and to have undergone such a transformation. His previous words were subtle barbs, and he hadn't expected Qi Bei to understand and counter so sharply.

As a member of the royal family, Mafite was acutely aware of the conflict between imperial power and aristocratic families.

Any excessive concentration of power would lead to conflict. His words represented the royal family, hoping that aristocratic families would no longer hold a monopoly, but rather share power.

Qi Bei's reply, however, indicated that power sharing was impossible. His mention of "main and secondary components" actually alluded to imperial power. If power were equally distributed under imperial authority, who would then check imperial power?

"Perhaps in a little while, we'll truly become family," Mafite changed the subject.

"That's not certain. It's not up to you to decide, nor is it up to Mingyue," Qi Bei shrugged. His infatuation with Princess Mingyue had long since vanished with the change of his soul.

"That, isn't something you get to decide, nor is it something Mingyue gets to decide," Mafite said.

Qi Bei didn't pick up that topic. "There are countless beauties in the Drunken Moon Tower. Won't you let me experience them?"

Qi Bei's heart was stirred. He wondered if there were any women with supreme Yin essence in the Drunken Moon Tower. If there were, he would simply take them away.

Mafite burst into laughter. Just as he was about to order someone to bring a few stunning women over, a tiger's roar sounded from afar, instantly reaching the front of the Clear Water Tower.