Guests

Even Chu Tian, who had always been steady, was speechless when he heard that.

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

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

In truth, she was lively and restless, never able to sit still for a single day. She was either wandering around here or strolling over there.

Every time she came back, she was sure to have something with her.

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

Chu Tian felt that it wouldn't be surprising if one day the girl suddenly came back with a corpse.

It might have seemed a little rude to think that about his younger brother's junior sister, but that was simply the impression she gave.

But at that very moment, he looked at the Carrying Pole, deep in thought.

"Where did you find it?"

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

"In the rockery over there."

Chu Tian didn't ask why she had gone wandering around inside the rockery for no reason. He only nodded.

"So they disguised themselves as porters and slipped in."

"What happened?"

Chu Fan hurriedly asked.

"Some lowlifes broke in. For some reason, they got into a fight. One is dead, and the other should still be somewhere in the manor."

"Come on. Let's report this to Father."

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

"Uninvited guests? Who?"

Seeing Chu Tian already heading for the door, Chu Fan hurried after him and asked.

Without looking back, Chu Tian uttered three words:

"The Sin Mirror Platform."

No one outside the Chu Family knew of the morning's chaos.

In the blink of an eye, the sun was high in the sky, and the area outside the Chu Family's gates gradually filled with people.

After all, Chu Yunfei was hosting a banquet. Everyone of any renown in the martial world from around Heavenly Dance City came flocking over.

The chief steward, Zhou Miao, greeted guests from all directions with a smile, took their invitations and gift lists, and had the servants loudly announce their gifts.

The guests clasped their hands in congratulations, then stepped into the courtyard.

Before long, the entire courtyard was full.

Those without enough status to cross the Chu Family's threshold could only present their gifts and calling cards, then sit outside and wait for the feast.

Just as the gathering was buzzing with activity, someone shouted:

"Liu Shijie of Luoyu Hall has arrived!"

Before the shout had even faded, laughter rang out.

"I've wanted to visit the outstanding disciple of our Taiyi Sect for several days now, but worried I might be imposing. Since there's a banquet today, I'll have a good look at the Chu Family Kirin Son."

"Where is my worthy nephew Chu Fan?"

As the voice rang out, a middle-aged man and a handsome young man stepped into the courtyard.

The man's voice was loud and clear, but his build was not imposing; in fact, he was rather thin.

He had regular features, a fair, clean-shaven face, and a square headscarf. Wearing a wide-sleeved robe, he looked like a middle-aged scholar, though his bold bearing put him far beyond the reach of ordinary scholars.

At the sight of him, the guests nearby rose and clasped their hands in greeting.

He returned each greeting with a smile, unhurried.

Then Chu Tian's voice sounded among the crowd.

"So it's Young Hall Master Tang and Deputy Hall Master Liu. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."

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

The young man beside Liu Shijie gave a wry smile.

"Big Brother Chu, you're too kind. We've known each other for ages; there's no need to be so formal."

"As it happens, my father wanted to come himself this time, but the hall was swamped with chores, so he sent Uncle Liu to accompany me and impose on you."

Chu Tian smiled.

"It's an honor to have the Young Hall Master here. How could you possibly be imposing?"

Then he introduced the two men to Chu Fan, who stood beside him.

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

"Chu Fan greets you both."

Chu Fan clasped his hands toward them.

Liu Shijie looked him over and nodded repeatedly.

"As expected of the Chu Family Kirin Son—truly a fine young man!"

"But your elder brother is an even greater dragon among men. The Hall Master once said that Chu Tian stands head and shoulders above the younger generation."

"Hall Master Chu is truly blessed. The Chu Family Twin Talents live up to their name."

At those words, the expressions of everyone in the courtyard shifted.

That remark seemed rather unkind... Chu Yunfei was hosting this banquet to celebrate Chu Fan's return after completing his training.

It was only natural for Liu Shijie to praise Chu Fan, and praising Chu Tian wasn't unexpected either.

But to call Chu Fan merely a fine young man, while saying Chu Tian stood head and shoulders above the rest...

How was Chu Fan supposed to take that?

The guests exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

In a corner, a young man dressed as a servant bustled about, bringing tea and refreshments to the tables.

At those words, he used the excuse of turning around to steal a glance at Liu Shijie from the corner of his eye.

"Liu Shijie of Luoyu Hall... I've heard that name before."

The young man was, of course, Chu Qing.

After killing the assassin, he'd used the sound of roof tiles to lure everyone to that courtyard, then seized the chance to slip away.

He quickly found a servant's outfit and changed into it.

Before the banquet began, he'd spent the whole time meditating inside the manor.

He knew this place too well. He knew where people were and where they weren't, where the Secret Passages were, where gold and silver were hidden—he knew it all.

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

When the banquet began, he quietly blended in with the servants.

The whole day had been a blur of activity. Who would notice one inconspicuous servant among the crowd?

But when he heard the name Liu Shijie of Luoyu Hall just now, he remembered the earlier time he'd slain the Iron Horse Seven Bandits.

The Thief Leader and Third Brother had discussed what they would do next, and mentioned that they planned to seek refuge with Liu Shijie of Luoyu Hall.

Chu Qing hadn't thought much of it then, but now it seemed Luoyu Hall was no simple place.

The Iron Horse Seven Bandits had run wild along the edge of Heavenly Dance City's territory. Wu Ganqi had ordered the Heavenly Dance Guard to hunt them down several times, yet they'd escaped unscathed every time.

This ability to predict the future must have had something to do with Deputy Hall Master Liu.

As he pondered this, Chu Fan spoke coldly:

"Senior Liu, please choose your words carefully. There are three brothers in the Chu Family. Where does that leave my third brother, if you call us the Chu Family Twin Talents? Please don't say that again."

Chu Qing was momentarily speechless.

Second Brother... really didn't hold back when he spoke.

Sure enough, Liu Shijie was left speechless too. He looked to Chu Tian, only to find Chu Tian gazing serenely ahead as if he hadn't heard what Chu Fan had said.

Just as Liu Shijie was wondering how to save face, Tang Xi hurriedly spoke up:

"Big Brother Chu Fan certainly is straightforward. I've heard that you came from the Taiyi Sect and are a prized disciple of Senior Cui Buno, the Wrathful God Fist."

"Coincidentally, I have a question about martial arts that I've been unable to find anyone to advise me on. I wonder if Big Brother Chu Fan could enlighten me?"

He was clearly trying to smooth things over.

But Chu Fan seemed not to understand what he meant. He only narrowed his eyes.

"Oh? Young Hall Master Tang wants to spar with me? Excellent. I'd like to witness Luoyu Hall's Divine Skill Ultimate myself!"

As he spoke, he stepped forward.

His Internal Energy surged, and a vast, overwhelming presence suddenly unfurled.

Tang Xi's face darkened... What the hell? Where had this reckless hothead come from? Was he really going to start a fight over one disagreement?

He was trying to figure out how best to respond when a servant at the gate shouted:

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

"Huh?"

Chu Qing, who had been preparing to watch Chu Fan beat Tang Xi senseless, froze. Wasn't she supposed to stay away?

How could she go back on her word?