Secret Matters in the Cloud Room, Demonic Intent Spreads (Part 1)

Night deepened, and misty smoke drifted through the room like a dream. Lu Erniang sat before the dressing table while Flower Lady adorned her hair with all manner of ornaments. She herself remained utterly still, not speaking a single word. News continued to arrive from the courtyard ahead. For tonight's banquet, the Tianhe Sect had specifically invited the Yinan Troupe to perform dances for the guests' enjoyment. Naturally, Lu Erniang's group could not secure such an invitation, but the other dancers were enough. The dancers and musicians who went thus became Flower Lady's eyes and ears. Ever since the banquet began, reports had flowed in like water: "Gao Yunbo and the others have been asking why Jiu Yan went out. Jiu Yan has kept his mouth tightly shut." "Gao Yunbo proposed that the cultivators aboard form a temporary alliance and cooperate with the Sword Discussion Pavilion to find their target... Jiu Yan neither agreed nor disagreed." "A list of suspects has already been produced at the banquet. Ghost Weariness is first, followed by the Ten Fiends of the East Sea and others." Flower Lady carefully considered the reports as she continued persuading her. "Why go to such lengths? Jiu Yan may suffer from the ailment of a solitary man, but judging by how he keeps his vital essence gathered without the slightest leakage, he must be cultivating some unique art. That also proves he is no lecherous man. In the end, everyone merely spoke in the heat of the moment, and things turned this stiff." After a brief pause, Flower Lady reached out and caressed Lu Erniang's smooth, delicate cheek, as if hoping the warmth of her palm would melt the chill there. "I know you do not want to hear this, but there is one thing I must tell