The second young master, Taishu Shen, had a gaunt face and slightly sunken eyes that gave him a gloomy air. Yet those eyes were piercingly sharp. Beside him stood a man built like an iron tower, whom Chen Mu guessed must be Baluojia. Baluojia was broad and powerfully built, his eyes seemingly always half closed. Barefoot and dressed in plain cloth, he certainly looked the part of someone from the Bitter Solitude Temple.
The Card Adepts of the Bitter Solitude Temple had always been renowned for their ascetic training. They cared neither for fine food nor splendid clothes, silently devoting themselves to arduous cultivation. Among the Six Great Academies, they were the most low-key and mysterious group.
Baluojia suddenly opened his eyes and fixed his gaze on Chen Mu.
The white mask on Chen Mu's face stood out starkly among the crowd. Taishu Shen snorted. "This Chief Steward White of yours certainly puts on airs, little brother. This isn't a masquerade ball. Is there any need to hide his head and cover his face like that?"
Taishu Cheng feigned surprise. "Huh? Are you hosting tonight's banquet, second brother? I thought our eldest brother was the host!"
A flicker of displeasure crossed Taishu Zheng's eyes, but he smiled. "Haha, surely you aren't unhappy with me, little brother? Come, come, why are we standing around here? Let's have a drink!"
Taishu Shen's expression stiffened, and the malice in his eyes deepened. He gave a smile that never reached his eyes. "You really have come a long way, little brother. Heh heh."
Taishu Cheng remained unruffled. "Jiajia, this is Chief Steward White's first time here. Show him around!"
"Of course!" Xu Jia answered sweetly. She bowed to Taishu Zheng and Taishu Shen before taking Chen Mu's arm and leaving. Until the two had