Chapter 50: A Troubled Welcome at Canggu City’s Mansion

Gazing upon the magnificent City Lord’s Mansion before her, Ah Ling found her mind awash with a myriad of thoughts.

Her hand instinctively rose to touch the hat concealing her ears.

Ah Ling was well aware of Canggu City’s stance towards demonkind, a fact she had deliberately ascertained before disembarking, and her tail, too, remained hidden by an illusion.

It was precisely at this very entrance that she had once been tormented by other beggars.

By a stroke of fate, she had encountered Mu Xianxian, who was then on patrol.

In Canggu City, demonkind were reviled as enemies, and she, a half-demon, was no different from a rat scurrying in the sewers.

The events of that day remained vividly etched in her memory, culminating in Mu Xianxian, who, disregarding her demon bloodline, had taken her in.

Had it not been for Mu Xianxian, that winter would have claimed her life, either by freezing cold or by the cruel hands of others.

To her, this was a debt of gratitude she was bound to repay for a lifetime.

At this thought,

Ah Ling involuntarily glanced at Qin Yangjun.

Initially, she had become Qin Yangjun’s maid out of profound gratitude for Mu Xianxian, and her feelings for the young master were merely an extension of her loyalty, a love for the house because of the crow within.

Yet, through their prolonged interactions, she had come to realize that the young master had never once treated her as a mere servant.

In her estimation, serving Qin Yangjun was a blessing, and thus she was willing to do anything for him; his standing in her heart had even begun to surpass that of Mu Xianxian.

“Ah Ling?”

Qin Yangjun’s call roused Ah Ling from her reverie.

“What is it, Young Master?”

“Let’s go.”

“Mm!”

In that moment, a profound conviction seemed to solidify within her: she would follow her young master like this, always.

Even before Qin Yangjun’s arrival, his portrait had already circulated throughout the City Lord’s Mansion, so upon seeing the esteemed guest, the guards swiftly opened the gates, with one rushing inside to announce their presence.

As Qin Yangjun stepped into the City Lord’s Mansion, his gaze fell upon the opulent main hall.

The surrounding pillars were inlaid with a dazzling array of gems and agates, and a tiger’s head adorned the very center of the hall.

The grandeur of this decor was only marginally inferior to that of the Yuqian Sect.

Next, Qin Yangjun observed the assembled disciples of the Yuqian Sect, all seated upright and proper, around tables laden with a banquet in the main hall.

The commotion at the entrance drew everyone’s attention, and in unison, they all turned their heads.

Qin Yangjun raised an eyebrow.

‘Hmm? What’s going on? Has this welcoming feast been going on for so long?’

He glanced at the dining tables, noticing only drinks and cold appetizers laid out; the main courses had yet to be served, and the seat beside the City Lord remained conspicuously empty.

‘No way… are these people waiting for me?’

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Qin Yangjun took the initiative to break the silence.

“Uh… my apologies, I’m afraid I’m late.”

At that moment, Zhuang Hancheng had already stepped forward to greet them.

“Young Master Qin! Nonsense, please, quickly take the seat of honor!”

‘He’s finally here!’

Yin Kang Xuehan recognized Qin Yangjun at once, and with a casual sweep of her gaze, noted the several women accompanying him, though she did not scrutinize them, understanding they were merely his companions.

Yet, a silent jab of disdain formed in her mind.

‘Indeed, each is beautiful in her own way. They say he is a Young Master of renown, but it seems that reputation is nothing but empty hearsay; this man before me is clearly a philanderer.’

To Yin Kang Xuehan, such a man would be easily managed, but with a mission at hand, she could not act on her personal inclinations.

Thus, Qin Yangjun, amidst Zhuang Hancheng’s enthusiastic escort, took his seat, while the accompanying women settled into their respective places below the dais.

Even the four leading figures among the disciples below had forgotten that their contingent was still missing one member.

Then, Zhuang Hancheng raised the wine cup in his hand.

“On behalf of the City Lord’s Mansion, I extend a heartfelt welcome to the esteemed Yuqian Sect. I propose a toast to each and every one of you.”

Following his words, Zhuang Hancheng drained the contents of his cup in a single gulp.

‘Drink, drink it all. It’s the perfect chance for you all to sample my newly concocted medicine.’

Just as everyone else raised their cups, Qin Yangjun remained motionless, his cup held aloft, his eyes fixed quietly upon the wine within.

The others quickly noticed Qin Yangjun’s unusual stillness; although the Deacon and Peak Master were the official leaders, Qin Yangjun held the highest prestige among the disciples. Seeing his inaction, the entire contingent lowered their wine cups as well.

Hua Yaoyao, too, mimicked Qin Yangjun, beginning to examine the wine cup in her hand.

‘Is there something wrong with this wine?’

Yu Lingyue, meanwhile, activated her cultivation art.

She swiftly detected an anomaly within the drink.

Immediately, she pressed down Qian Xiaoyu’s hand, who was about to drink without a second thought.

Qian Xiaoyu cast a questioning glance, but Yu Lingyue simply made a hushing gesture.

She conveyed softly through a sound transmission:

“Wait. Follow Senior Brother’s command; do not hesitate, act immediately!”

“Qian Xiaoyu: ????? What?”

Seeing everyone still holding their cups, Zhuang Hancheng’s smile froze on his face.

‘Damn it! Drink! Why aren’t they drinking!!’

Then, noticing Qin Yangjun’s continued inaction, his heart began to pound with unease.

“Young Master Qin, is this wine not to your liking?”

Yin Kang Xuehan possessed absolute confidence in her concoction; it was impossible for the man before her to detect anything amiss. Yet, why did he not move?

“The wine is indeed fine, but alas… I have given it up.”

With those words, Qin Yangjun unceremoniously poured the wine from his cup onto the ground.

This action stunned everyone present.

Such a blatant disregard completely shamed Zhuang Hancheng. Yet, all the disciples below knew their Eldest Senior Brother was always gentle, refined, and approachable; he would even stop to respond to greetings from passersby. How could he possibly make such an arrogant gesture?

‘Could it be that there’s something wrong with this wine?!’

A collective gasp rippled through the disciples as they stared, dumbfounded, at the wine in their own cups.

However, none dared to confirm their suspicions, for this was, after all, the City Lord’s Mansion.

At this moment, Zhuang Hancheng’s expression subtly darkened.

‘What’s with this boy? So arrogant? This is far too different from the rumors. “Young Master of Azure Water” indeed, he’s nothing but a dissolute fop.’

Though simmering with displeasure, she knew she had to appease the man before her.

“Ahem, I wonder if there is anything about our banquet that displeases Young Master? Please, speak openly, and we shall certainly rectify it.”

Qin Yangjun offered a faint smile, rose from his seat, and strode to the center of the grand hall, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding decor.

Yin Kang Xuehan’s heart immediately seized with apprehension.

For in every direction Qin Yangjun’s gaze landed, one of their people was concealed.

“This is truly a beautiful place, but some things simply do not belong here.”

Numerous exquisite porcelain and jade artifacts were displayed around them, all gifts from factions entangled with Zhuang Hancheng.

Here, Qin Yangjun was already subtly hinting at Zhuang Hancheng’s true nature.

Meanwhile, the two Peak Masters, too, extended their divine senses.

Being within the City Lord’s Mansion, they had initially harbored no suspicion, but Qin Yangjun’s abnormal behavior had roused their vigilance, making them acutely aware of something amiss.

Following Qin Yangjun’s gaze, the two observed their surroundings, faintly sensing traces of an aura that did not belong.

‘No wonder our Young Master acted that way! The City Lord’s Mansion is compromised!’

The two exchanged a look, then secretly circulated their spiritual energy, simultaneously transmitting a silent message to the surrounding Yuqian Sect disciples.

“Something has gone awry. Do not touch the food before you. Adjust your mental state, do not reveal yourselves, listen for the Chief Disciple’s command, and prepare for battle!”

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