Guests Arrive

Even Chu Tian, usually so composed, was speechless at the words.

It hadn't been many days since his second brother brought this Junior Sister Wen back, but Chu Tian had already noticed... this Junior Sister was very strange.

She was taciturn, but not because she was cold by nature.

In fact, she was lively and active, never sitting still for a day, always either wandering around here or strolling over there.

Every time she returned, she was bound to bring something back with her.

A broken bowl of unknown origin, a tattered facecloth, a blood-stained dagger...

Chu Tian felt that it wouldn't be surprising if this girl suddenly brought back a corpse one day.

Although thinking of his brother's junior sister this way seemed a bit rude, that's just the impression she gave off.

But at this moment, he looked thoughtfully at the carrying pole:

"Where did you pick it up?"

Junior Sister Wen answered every question, and although she was very indifferent, she still pointed in a direction:

"In the rock garden over there."

Chu Tian didn't ask her why she was wandering around in the middle of the rock garden for no reason; he just nodded:

"So they disguised themselves as porters to get in."

"What happened?"

Chu Fan quickly asked at this point.

"Some petty thieves broke in, and for some unknown reason, they started fighting. One is dead, and the other should be inside the mansion.

"Let's go, we need to report this to Father.

"I'm afraid there will be some uninvited guests at today's banquet."

"Uninvited guests? Who?"

Seeing that Chu Tian was already walking towards the door, Chu Fan quickly pressed for an answer.

Without turning his head, Chu Tian uttered three words:

"Mirror of Sin."

The morning's commotion in the Chu Family was unknown to outsiders.

In the blink of an eye, the sun was high in the sky, and the area in front of the Chu Family gates gradually became crowded.

After all, it was Chu Yunfei hosting the banquet, and everyone of note from around Heavenly Dance City, those with some reputation in the martial world, all flocked over.

The head steward, Zhou Miao, greeted guests from all directions with a smile, accepting invitations and gift lists, and having servants announce the gifts loudly.

Guests would cup their hands, say congratulations, and step into the courtyard.

In just a moment, the entire courtyard was full.

Those whose status wasn't high enough couldn't cross the threshold of the Chu Family, so they had to send in their gifts and name cards, and then sit outside waiting for the feast.

Just as it was lively, someone shouted loudly:

"Falling Rain Hall's Liu Shijie has arrived!"

Before the echo faded, a burst of laughter rang out:

"I wanted to visit the esteemed disciple of our Great Easy Sect several days ago, but was worried about being presumptuous. Today's banquet is a good opportunity to see the Chu Family's prodigy.

"Where is my virtuous nephew Chu Fan?"

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

His voice was loud, but his physique was not burly; instead, he was somewhat thin.

He had a proper appearance, a fair, beardless face, a square scarf on his head, and wore a wide-sleeved robe. He looked like a middle-aged scholar, but his temperament was bold and not comparable to ordinary scholars.

Seeing this person, the surrounding guests all stood up and cupped their hands.

He responded to each one, a smile on his lips, neither hurried nor slow.

At this moment, Chu Tian's voice sounded in everyone's ears:

"So it is Young Hall Master Tang and Deputy Hall Master Liu who have arrived. We have truly failed to welcome you properly, and I hope you two will forgive us."

The crowd naturally parted. Chu Tian, smiling, led Chu Fan forward, but Junior Sister Wen was not with them.

The young man beside Liu Shijie chuckled:

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

"Speaking of which, my father originally wanted to visit in person this time, but he had too many matters in the hall, so he asked Uncle Liu and me to come and bother you."

Chu Tian smiled:

"For the Young Hall Master to come is truly an honor. How could it be a bother?"

He then introduced the two people beside him to Chu Fan:

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

"Chu Fan greets you both."

Chu Fan cupped his hands towards them.

Liu Shijie looked at him and nodded repeatedly:

"As expected of the Chu Family's Qilin Child, truly a handsome and talented individual!

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

"I truly envy the Chu Family Master; the Chu Clan's twin talents are well-deserved."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present showed a change in expression.

They felt these words were a bit tactless... Today, Chu Yunfei was hosting this banquet to celebrate Chu Fan's return home after completing his training.

It was reasonable for Liu Shijie to praise Chu Fan, and not unexpected for him to praise Chu Tian.

But to say that Chu Fan was merely handsome and talented, while Chu Tian was the one who stood alone at the pinnacle...

How was Chu Fan supposed to feel about that?

Everyone exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

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

Upon hearing this, he took the opportunity of turning around to glance at Liu Shijie out of the corner of his eye.

"Falling Rain Hall's Liu Shijie... I've heard that name before."

This young man was naturally Chu Qing.

After killing the assassin, he used the sound of the tiles to draw everyone to that small courtyard, and then used that opportunity to escape.

He quickly found a set of servant's clothes to change into.

Before the banquet began, he had been meditating inside the mansion.

He was too familiar with this place; he knew exactly where people were, where they weren't, where the secret passages were, and where the gold and silver were hidden.

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

And when the banquet started, he quietly blended in among the servants.

He had been busy all day, and who could possibly notice that an inconspicuous young attendant had been added to the scene?

It was only after hearing the name of Falling Rain Hall's Liu Shijie just now that he recalled the time he had killed the Seven Iron Horse Thieves.

The bandit leader and the third-in-command had discussed their future plans, and had mentioned going to seek refuge with Falling Rain Hall's Liu Shijie.

At that time, Chu Qing hadn't thought much of it, but now it seemed that this Falling Rain Hall was not simple.

The Seven Iron Horse Thieves had caused trouble on the border of Heavenly Dance City's territory, and Wu Ganqi had ordered the Heavenly Dance Guards to eliminate them multiple times, but they had always managed to escape unscathed.

Such a premonition ability was likely inseparable from this Deputy Hall Master Liu.

As he was thinking this, he heard Chu Fan speak coldly:

"Senior Liu, please mind your words. My Chu Family has three brothers. Where does 'the Chu Clan's twin talents' place my third brother? Please, Senior, do not mention it again."

Upon hearing this, Chu Qing was momentarily speechless.

This second brother... truly leaves no room for negotiation when he speaks.

Indeed, Liu Shijie was also rendered speechless, and looked at Chu Tian, only to see Chu Tian with his eyes focused on his nose, his nose on his mouth, and his mouth on his heart, as if he hadn't heard what Chu Fan said.

Just as he felt awkward and didn't know how to respond, he heard Tang Xi quickly speak up:

"Brother Chu Fan is indeed straightforward. I heard that Brother Chu Fan comes from the Great Easy Sect and is a high disciple under Senior Cui Bunü, the Divine Fist of Non-Anger.

"It just so happens that I also have a question about martial arts that I have nowhere to seek guidance for. I wonder if Brother Chu Fan could offer some pointers?"

This was clearly an attempt to smooth things over.

However, Chu Fan seemed not to understand his meaning, and simply narrowed his eyes:

"Oh? Young Hall Master Tang wishes to spar with me? Perfect, I also want to witness the divine skills and unique techniques of Falling Rain Hall!!"

Having said this, he took a step forward.

As his internal energy surged, a powerful aura suddenly erupted.

Tang Xi's face turned dark... What the hell, where did this reckless person come from? Disagreeing with a word, and immediately wanting to fight?

Just as he was wondering how to respond, he heard a servant at the door announce loudly:

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

"Huh?"

Chu Qing, who was just about to watch Chu Fan beat up Tang Xi, was stunned. Didn't she say she wasn't coming?

Why is she going back on her word now?