As everyone stood stunned, Ning Wangshu's gaze fell on the people who had arrived with Fang Lang earlier.
The moment they noticed Ning Wangshu looking at them, their hearts lurched.
One after another, they dropped to their knees with almost no hesitation!
"Senior, please spare us! We meant no offense. We beg you to forgive us!"
"That's right, Senior! Fang Lang tricked us into coming with him to put on a show of support. Please spare our lives!"
As they spoke, they hurriedly banged their heads against the floor, shifting all the blame onto Fang Lang, the dead man who could no longer speak.
Ning Wangshu glanced at them, then waved a hand, unwilling to waste any more time on them. "Get out."
"Yes, yes! We'll leave at once!"
"Thank you for your generosity, Senior!"
The men were overjoyed. They hastily agreed, then scrambled away in a pitiful rush.
Only after disappearing into the crowd did they finally wipe the cold sweat from their foreheads. Their hearts were full of lingering fear and relief at having survived.
Ning Wangshu paid them no further attention. He picked up his wine cup and calmly savored the fine wine, as though nothing had happened.
The others exchanged glances. Some hesitated, wondering whether to approach Ning Wangshu and pay their respects. But after recalling his merciless methods, they ultimately decided against it and stayed quietly in their seats.
For a while, the vast banquet hall felt oppressively silent.
Fortunately, a voice suddenly came from outside. "The City Lord has arrived!"
The next moment, a woman strode into the hall, clad in luxurious purple robes embroidered with a red phoenix. Her bearing was especially dignified and noble.
When she saw Wang Linhe's corpse in the banquet hall, she paused, a flash of surprise in her