A Visitor

Even Chu Tian, steady as he had always been, was left speechless by those words.

It had only been a few days since his second brother had returned with this Junior Sister Wen, yet Chu Tian had already discovered... that this Junior Sister Wen was very strange.

She was quiet and reticent, but not because she had a cold disposition.

In truth, she was lively and restless, unable to stay still for a single day. If she was not wandering around here, she was strolling about there.

Every time she came back, she would inevitably be carrying something.

A broken bowl of unknown origin, a tattered face towel, a bloodstained dagger...

Chu Tian felt that even if this girl suddenly brought home a corpse one day, it would not be surprising.

Though thinking this way about his brother's junior sister seemed somewhat impolite, that was simply the impression she gave people.

But at this moment, he looked thoughtfully at the shoulder pole.

"Where did you find it?"

Junior Sister Wen answered every question. Though she was aloof, she still raised her hand and pointed in a direction.

"In the rockery over there."

Chu Tian did not ask why she had gone wandering through the middle of the rockery. He merely nodded.

"So he disguised himself as a porter to get in."

"What happened?"

Chu Fan hurriedly asked.

"Some petty villains infiltrated the residence. For some reason, they started fighting. One died, and the other should still be inside the estate.

"Come on. Let us report this to Father.

"I fear there may be some uninvited guests at today's banquet."

"Uninvited guests? Who?"

Seeing Chu Tian already heading for the door, Chu Fan hurriedly pursued the question.

Without turning back, Chu Tian spat out three words.

"Mirror of Sin."

The Chu Family's chaos that morning was unknown to outsiders.

In the blink of an eye, the sun was blazing high in the sky, and a sea of people had gradually gathered before the Chu Family gates.

After all, Chu Yunfei was hosting a banquet. Everyone around Heavenly Dance City who had a name to their reputation or some standing in the martial world came swarming over in a single flock.

The chief steward, Zhou Miao, welcomed guests from all directions with a smile, accepted their Invitation Cards and gift lists, and had the servants loudly announce every gift.

The arriving guests cupped their fists in greeting, offered congratulations, and stepped into the courtyard.

In no time at all, the entire courtyard was full.

Those without sufficient status could not cross the Chu Family's threshold. They could only send in their gifts and calling cards, then sit outside and wait for the feast.

Just as things were bustling with noise, someone shouted loudly.

"Liu Shijie of Falling Rain Hall has arrived!"

Before the echoes faded, laughter rang out.

"I had wanted to visit the outstanding disciple of our Great Easy Sect several days ago, but feared being too abrupt. Since there is a banquet today, I must take a proper look at the Chu Family's qilin son.

"Where is worthy nephew Chu Fan?"

As the voice sounded, a middle-aged man led a handsome young man into the courtyard.

His voice was sonorous, but his build was not burly. Instead, he was somewhat thin.

His features were proper, his face fair and beardless. A square kerchief sat atop his head, and he wore a broad-sleeved robe. He looked like a middle-aged scholar, yet his bold and heroic bearing was beyond that of an ordinary scholar.

At the sight of him, the surrounding guests all rose and cupped their fists.

He responded to each of them with a smile on his lips, neither hurried nor slow.

At that moment, Chu Tian's voice rang beside everyone's ears.

"So it is Young Hall Master Tang and Deputy Hall Master Liu. We truly failed to welcome you from afar; I hope you two will forgive us."

The crowd naturally parted. Smiling, Chu Tian led Chu Fan over, but Junior Sister Wen was nowhere to be seen.

The young man beside Liu Shijie gave a silent laugh.

"Brother Chu, you are too courteous. We are not strangers meeting for the first time, so why be so formal?

"As it happens, my father had originally intended to visit in person, but there are too many miscellaneous matters in the hall. So he had Uncle Liu accompany me here to trouble you."

Chu Tian smiled.

"Your presence, Young Hall Master, brings glory to our humble house. How could it be a disturbance?"

He then introduced the two to Chu Fan beside him.

"These two are Tang Xi, Young Hall Master Tang of Falling Rain Hall, and Liu Shijie, Deputy Hall Master Liu."

"Chu Fan greets you both."

Chu Fan cupped his fists toward them.

Liu Shijie looked at him and nodded repeatedly.

"Worthy indeed of being the Chu Family's qilin son—truly a talented and handsome young man!

"However, your elder brother is even more a dragon among men. The Hall Master once said that among the younger generation, Chu Tian alone leads the way.

"I truly envy the Chu Family Head. The Chu Clan's twin heroes live up to their reputation."

The moment those words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present changed.

Those words felt somewhat improper... Chu Yunfei had arranged this feast today to celebrate Chu Fan's completion of his studies and return home.

It was only natural for Liu Shijie to praise Chu Fan, and it was not unexpected for him to praise Chu Tian as well.

But to call Chu Fan merely talented and handsome, while saying Chu Tian alone led the way...

What was Chu Fan supposed to think of that?

Eyes met throughout the crowd, and every person had different thoughts.

In a corner, a young man dressed as a servant was busily delivering tea and pastries to the various tables.

Upon hearing this, he took the chance while turning around to glance at Liu Shijie from the corner of his eye.

"Liu Shijie of Falling Rain Hall... I have heard that name before."

This young man was naturally Chu Qing.

After killing the assassin, he had used the sound of roof tiles to lure everyone to that small courtyard, taking the opportunity to slip away.

He quickly found a set of servant's clothes and changed into them.

Before the banquet began, he had been meditating within the estate.

He knew this place far too well. He knew where people were and where they were not, where the hidden passages lay, and where gold and silver were concealed.

If he wanted to hide, even Chu Yunfei might not be able to find him.

When the banquet began, he quietly mixed in among the servants.

With everyone so busy that day, who could possibly notice that an inconspicuous young servant had appeared among them?

Yet when he heard the name Liu Shijie of Falling Rain Hall just now, he remembered the time he had slain the Seven Iron Horse Thieves.

The leader of those thieves and their third brother had once discussed their next plans, mentioning that they intended to seek refuge with Liu Shijie of Falling Rain Hall.

Chu Qing had not thought much of it then, but now it seemed that Falling Rain Hall was not simple.

The Seven Iron Horse Thieves had wreaked havoc along the border of Heavenly Dance City's sphere of influence. Wu Ganqi had repeatedly ordered the Heavenly Dance Guards to eliminate them, yet they had always escaped unscathed.

Such foresight surely could not be unrelated to this Deputy Hall Master Liu.

As he thought this, Chu Fan suddenly spoke coldly.

"Senior Liu, mind your words. The Chu Family has three brothers. By calling us the Chu Clan's twin heroes, where have you placed my third brother? I ask that Senior refrain from mentioning it again."

Chu Qing was momentarily speechless upon hearing that.

This Second Brother... he truly did not leave anyone any room.

Sure enough, Liu Shijie had been retorted into silence. He looked toward Chu Tian, only to see Chu Tian watching his nose, his nose watching his mouth, his mouth watching his heart, as though he had not heard a word Chu Fan said.

Just as Liu Shijie was feeling unable to save face, Tang Xi hurriedly spoke.

"Brother Chu Fan is indeed forthright. I heard that Brother Chu Fan came from the Great Easy Sect and is an outstanding disciple under Senior Cui Bunü, the Divine Fist of Non-Anger.

"As it happens, I have a question regarding martial arts and nowhere to seek instruction. Might Brother Chu Fan offer me some guidance?"

This was clearly an attempt to smooth things over.

Yet Chu Fan seemed unable to understand his meaning. He merely narrowed his eyes.

"Oh? Young Hall Master Tang wishes to exchange pointers with me? Good. I have also wished to witness Falling Rain Hall's divine arts and supreme techniques!!"

As he spoke, he took a step forward.

As his inner breath surged, an immense and majestic aura suddenly spread out.

Tang Xi's face went dark... Where had this reckless brute come from? At the slightest disagreement, he wanted to start beating people?

Just as he was wondering how to respond, a servant at the entrance shouted loudly.

"Young Miss Wu of Heavenly Dance City has arrived~~~~~"

"Huh?"

Chu Qing, who had been preparing to watch Chu Fan beat Tang Xi senseless, froze. Had she not said she would not come?

How could she go back on her word?