Going to Yan Manor Again

Yan Jingjing recalled, "I heard my brother mention that Ma Haofeng seemed to have fallen gravely ill and was bedridden."

Tang Yuan faintly realized something.

Lu Feng picked up a branch from the side and drew on the ground, carving out the names of Azure Dragon Town's Eight Manors.

Whenever Tang Yuan named someone, he carved that person's name in the corresponding spot.

Including the dead Yan He and the imprisoned Qiao Xue'er, the heirs of five out of the Eight Manors had already suffered inexplicable misfortunes.

"Someone is likely operating in the shadows against your Eight Manors," Lu Feng said in an almost certain tone.

"The Eight Manors wield such enormous influence. Who could possibly set their sights on us?" Yan Jingjing questioned skeptically.

Lu Feng sneered inwardly. Eight mundane merchant households in a remote little town—how could they be called enormous?

There were countless powers far stronger than them.

He simply had not expected such undercurrents to be surging even in this tiny Azure Dragon Town.

Tang Yuan had also sorted through all his thoughts by then, piecing together the events that had occurred so far.

"Half a year ago, Cheng Zhishu was the first to suffer an accident, followed closely by Ma Haofeng and me."

"As the three of us were injured and went into hiding, over the next half year Ruo Yun was hunted down, Xue Er was thrown into prison, and Yan He paid with his life."

"Though there has been no news from Qu Estate and Shi Manor, someone there has likely already met with misfortune as well."

The expression on Tang Yuan's face turned exceptionally solemn as he continued in a deep voice.

"This force hiding in the shadows acts with extreme caution. Their methods are orderly, and their schemes watertight. Take Xue Er's matter, for example—they not only borrowed a knife to kill, but also killed two birds with one stone."

"They not only murdered Yan He, but also had Xue Er imprisoned to await punishment. If Lu Feng and Jiang Ruoyun had not insisted on stepping in, Xue Er would likely have already been sentenced to death."

Tang Yuan pointed toward the place where the black shadow had vanished and said to Yan Jingjing, "Take what just happened as an example. If Brother Lu had not sacrificed himself to protect you, you would likely have become a puddle of dead water by now. The three of us would certainly have been unable to escape either. They could have eliminated all four of us in one stroke."

Yan Jingjing was somewhat stunned, and fear finally stirred in her heart. In her mind, Azure Dragon Town had always been a peaceful place. How could there be so many disputes?

Yan Jingjing stood there blankly, seemingly deeply shaken.

Jiang Ruoyun reminded her, "We must prepare our defenses in advance. If that hidden force is allowed to take shape, the Eight Manors may suffer grave losses because of it."

Yan Jingjing stood there in a daze, hesitating. The sudden events before her were too much for her to handle. Tonight had brought her far too many shocks and surprises, and she could not digest them all at once.

"Rescue Xue Er first!" Tang Yuan stared straight at Yan Jingjing, plainly implying that she should go to Prison Manor and clear things up.

Yan Jingjing did not answer immediately. Uneasily, she said, "I need to go back and discuss it with Grandfather first..."

Tang Yuan was somewhat helpless, but hearing her intention to help, he said no more. After all, Yan Jingjing had her own concerns and difficulties.

"We'll go back with you," Lu Feng said. The misunderstanding had only just been cleared up. If something happened to Yan Jingjing now, everything would go down the drain.

Yan Jingjing muttered inwardly, At least you have some conscience. But proud by nature, she naturally would not say it aloud. She merely replied flatly, "Suit yourselves."

The four extinguished the fire in the Abandoned Temple and headed toward Yan Manor. Along the way, Jiang Ruoyun quietly asked Lu Feng, "We abducted her, and now we're taking her back. What if Old Master Yan flies into a rage? Wouldn't we be walking right into death?"

Lu Feng gave a helpless bitter smile. "If we don't go, Yan Jingjing's words alone may not be enough to persuade Old Master Yan."

More importantly, Lu Feng wanted to see whether Old Master Yan—or rather, the upper ranks of the Eight Manors—had noticed the surging undercurrents in Azure Dragon Town and taken any corresponding precautions.

Tang Yuan was also deeply uneasy as he walked. He silently made up his mind that if anything unexpected happened at Yan Manor later, he would stay behind to cover their retreat.

Yan Manor had already erupted into chaos after Yan Jingjing was abducted. The hundred or so people in the manor, high and low alike, were destined to get no sleep that night.

Under Old Master Yan's arrangements, several teams had been formed to search Azure Dragon Town through the night for Yan Jingjing.

"Uncle Yan!"

Yan Jingjing called out to an elderly man leading a team in the distance.

Upon hearing Yan Jingjing's call, the old man hurried to her side. His face was full of joy as he said excitedly, "Young Miss, it's good that you're all right. You had us worried sick."

He even looked as though tears were streaming down his aged face.

"I'm fine, Uncle Yan. They meant no harm," Yan Jingjing explained. Yet when her gaze swept over Lu Feng, there was embarrassment mixed with resentment in her eyes, as though she were saying, Except you. You were full of malicious intent!

Uncle Yan followed Yan Jingjing's words and looked toward Lu Feng's group. When he saw Tang Yuan, his expression became guarded. He shifted to shield Yan Jingjing behind him and stared warily at Tang Yuan.

"You're the one who fought the master in the main hall?"

Tang Yuan's appearance was simply too "outstanding." No wonder Uncle Yan recognized him at a glance; after all, there were not many people walking around with beast-like arms.

Tang Yuan nodded without confirming or denying it.

"Why did you break into Yan Manor at night and cause a scene in the mourning hall?" Uncle Yan accused.

"Brother Tang Yuan only did it because of Sister Qiao..." Jiang Ruoyun said, trying to smooth things over for him.

Since no one from Yan Manor had seen Jiang Ruoyun or Lu Feng that night, their attitude toward the two remained fairly courteous. In addition, Jiang Ruoyun was the daughter of Jiang Manor. Though her reputation was poor, Uncle Yan could not make things difficult for her for Jiang Manor's sake.

"Oh?" Uncle Yan's somewhat dim eyes studied Tang Yuan, and he sighed. "So you're Tang Yuan. What a pity..."

"What's a pity?" Tang Yuan asked, puzzled.

"It's a pity you fell for the wrong person. Of all people, you had to fall for that murderer Qiao Xue'er," Uncle Yan said with some mockery.

The relationship between Tang Yuan and Qiao Xue'er was no secret within the Eight Manors. Because of Qiao Xue'er, the old man did not think highly of Tang Yuan.

An invisible aura spread from Tang Yuan's body. Clearly, the old man's words had angered him.

But considering that this was not the time to lose his temper, he forced down his Wrathful Intent for the greater good and corrected him, "Yan He was not killed by Xue Er. Even if Xue Er truly had killed someone, my feelings for her would not change in the slightest!"

Seeing the atmosphere grow awkward, Yan Jingjing spoke up. "Uncle Yan, let's return to the manor first. Grandfather and the others must be worried."

Yan Jingjing affectionately took Uncle Yan's arm and turned him around. Then she said to the servants and guards on both sides, "The three of them have something to discuss with Grandfather. Let them come along."

Uncle Yan looked at Yan Jingjing fondly and did not concern himself with Tang Yuan's group any further.

After arriving at Yan Manor, Yan Jingjing said to Lu Feng and the other two, "Go wait in the side hall first. I'll explain the situation to Grandfather."

At that moment, Yan Manor's core members were gathered in a room, discussing matters.

Yan Zhengchi had fought Tang Yuan. Though he did not know Tang Yuan, he had inferred from the latter's cultivation aura that he might be from Tang Manor.

Thus, everyone present had directed their suspicions toward Tang Manor, believing that everything which had happened that night was Tang Manor's doing. Just as they were about to go demand an explanation—

Uncle Yan and Yan Jingjing rushed in.

When everyone saw Yan Jingjing return safely, much of the anger on their faces dissipated.

Old Master Yan was even more excited. His hands trembling, he walked toward Uncle Yan at the side.

"Where did you find Jing'er? Good fellow, I owe you another favor."

Though Uncle Yan was a servant of Yan Manor, he and Old Master Yan had been friends bound by life and death since their youth. After decades together, though they were master and servant in name, they were closer than blood brothers.

Uncle Yan replied somewhat awkwardly, "I didn't find her. Young Miss came back on her own."

He then reported everything that had happened when they met on the street to Old Master Yan.

Seeing the changes in her grandfather's expression, Yan Jingjing knew that he had likely misunderstood Tang Yuan.

Uncle Yan's account just now had not been enough to explain the entire course of events.

Yan Jingjing hurriedly recounted everything she had seen and heard in the Abandoned Temple.

When she mentioned that the Eight Manors might be deliberately targeted, Yan Jingjing lowered her voice, because she did not think the people present would accept such reasoning.

Yet after hearing it, everyone present revealed worried expressions. Not one of them laughed.

Clearly, they believed the deduction that even Yan Jingjing herself had not fully believed.

"It seems the peaceful days of the Eight Manors may be coming to an end."

Old Master Yan sighed with emotion, while everyone else wore faces full of concern.

Lu Feng's deductions had actually long been known among the upper ranks of the Eight Manors, but they had yet to discover who was behind it all.

Old Master Yan looked directly at Yan Jingjing and asked, "You said these deductions were told to you by someone named Lu Feng? Where is he now?"

"He's in the side hall with Tang Yuan."

Yan Jingjing replied, but waves surged in her heart. Someone really was targeting the Eight Manors? Grandfather and the others all knew about it?

"Come, Zhengchi. Let us go meet these young people," Old Master Yan said sharply, with a trace of hostility in his tone.

Side hall.

Jiang Ruoyun rested with her chin propped on the tea table, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. More than two hours had passed since Yan Jingjing left. Her patience had nearly been ground away, and dawn was almost breaking outside.

"They're coming," Lu Feng reminded her, lest Jiang Ruoyun lose her composure.

Following Lu Feng's words, Jiang Ruoyun looked toward the side door and saw Old Master Yan slowly approaching, accompanied by several of Yan Manor's core figures.

Old Master Yan glanced at the three of them. A flicker of surprise passed over his face when his eyes landed on Lu Feng, but he did not reveal it. He opened his mouth and demanded, "You three, why have you come to Yan Manor?"

He did not mention a word about what had happened at Yan Manor that night, but Lu Feng and the others understood that saying nothing at this moment was more frightening than bringing it up.