Chapter 53: The Banquet Trap

After he had cleaned himself up, his burning body had calmed down, but the longing for that person in his heart grew even stronger, searing his nerves and causing his temples to throb with pain.

He even considered revealing his identity and returning to the Demon Sect, so he could be with that person openly.

However, remembering that he had come to kill Wu Sangui and use Wu Sangui’s forces to destroy Haitao Villa, he had to give up the idea. If his identity was exposed, the Demon Sect would inevitably be implicated.

When Jin Haofeng knocked on Ji Wushuang’s door, he saw him with wet hair, his clothes wide open, lost in thought.

Seeing Ji Wushuang’s heavy mood, Jin Haofeng dared not disturb him. He merely glanced at him and then sat quietly on the chair opposite, waiting.

The room was filled with a strong musky scent, faintly carrying a hint of fishiness. Jin Haofeng’s nose twitched slightly.

His gaze swept over the discarded underwear casually thrown beside Ji Wushuang’s bed, then he lowered his eyelids, hiding the calculation in his eyes.

Ji Wushuang had actually been aroused! Jin Haofeng was shocked. In the past five years, he had sent countless beauties to Ji Wushuang, but none could get close to him.

He had even risked testing him himself. Fortunately, Ji Wushuang had no desire beyond a slightly friendly attitude toward him.

He had thought Ji Wushuang had lost certain masculine abilities, since the Poison Demon Technique was so sinister and inevitably caused damage to the body. But now, he realized he had been mistaken.

Ji Wushuang wasn’t incapable of desire; he just hadn’t met the right person. This thought flashed through Jin Haofeng’s mind, and he smiled smugly.

After five years of searching, he had finally found Ji Wushuang’s weakness. That red-clad gentleman must not be let go!

His expression changed. Not afraid of angering Ji Wushuang by disturbing him, Jin Haofeng spoke directly.

“That red-clad gentleman yesterday was truly jade-like in quality and gold in form, with a noble bearing that made one forget the mundane.

I thought I was among the best of the younger generation, but compared to him, I fall short. Meeting such a talented youth would be a lifelong regret if we don’t befriend him.

I heard he has an appointment with that young lady at noon. Villa Master, why don’t we join the fun and play host?”

“How can you compare to him? You are far inferior!” Ji Wushuang said disdainfully at Jin Haofeng’s somewhat self-important words.

That person had stabilized the Demon Sect in his absence and even established a branch in remote Shu. His abilities were outstanding.

Compared to him, Jin Haofeng, who couldn’t even swallow up Haitao Villa, was not just a little behind, the gap was like heaven and earth.

Already defending him so quickly?! Jin Haofeng gritted his teeth in anger at Ji Wushuang’s contemptuous attitude but forced himself to endure, a light smile on his face. “The Villa Master is right,” he said warmly.

Jin Haofeng nodded in agreement and left the room with a smile. As soon as he turned around, his expression turned icy. He thought viciously: Fine, Ji Wushuang. Do you really think you’re the master and I’m your servant? When I achieve my great goal, I’ll tear you to pieces!

***

At noon, Shui Jingxuan went downstairs as promised to meet Ling Yue’er, but the innkeeper led him into a very luxurious private room.

Inside, a huge round table was set. The disguised Ji Wushuang sat in the host’s seat, Jin Haofeng sat in the guest’s seat, and Ling Yue’er, along with Feng Junjie of Wudang, Lv Hen of Kongtong, and Yi Fengxing of Qingcheng, sat around the table, chatting amiably. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

“You’re here!” Seeing Shui Jingxuan enter, Ji Wushuang’s eyes lit up. He quickly got up and went to the door to greet him. His gaze was too ardent, his attitude too eager. Shui Jingxuan frowned, wariness rising in his heart.

“We martial artists wander the world and make friends everywhere. There’s no need to be bound by such formalities. I am from north of the river, surnamed Jin. This is my nephew.

As the saying goes, ‘White hair like new, tipping hats like old friends.’ Let’s not ask about origins or names. When we meet again, we’ll still be friends. Please do not refuse and give me a chance.”

Ji Wushuang lightly placed a hand on Shui Jingxuan’s shoulder, feigning warm persuasion, but secretly exerted internal force to prevent Shui Jingxuan from leaving.

This man was as cunning as a fox and could escape at any time. To keep him here, Ji Wushuang’s domineering nature was fully revealed.

Shui Jingxuan tried to move but couldn’t budge, and he was inwardly shocked. He had worked hard on his martial arts in recent years and believed he could rank among the world’s top experts.

Yet this man had subdued him with a single, simple press. Who was he? Among the world’s top experts, very few could defeat him in one move.

Moreover, this man’s internal energy far surpassed his own. He had probably already exposed his martial arts foundation in front of this man. This man was deliberately approaching him with some ulterior motive. It was better to stay and investigate.

Thinking of the man’s self-proclaimed “I, the Venerable One,” Shui Jingxuan’s heart stirred. He stopped struggling and let the man pull him to the table and push him down to sit.

“Mr. Jin is absolutely right. We martial artists don’t have so many rules. If we hit it off, why not be friends? Come, come, Brother Shui, have some tea!”

Ling Yue’er had been traveling rough, seeking to avenge the White-Haired Demoness, and had endured hardship. Seeing the table full of delicacies, how could she bear to leave?

Besides, they wanted to ambush the Demon Palace and needed to hide their identities. Ji Wushuang’s suggestion of not asking about backgrounds suited them perfectly.

Taking the tea from Ling Yue’er, Shui Jingxuan smiled lightly and said warmly, “Thank you, Miss Ling. I was being too pretentious.”

Ling Yue’er slapped the table and laughed.

“Haha, not at all! You look like a newcomer to the martial world. Being cautious is not a bad thing. My surname is Ling. These are my senior brothers: Feng Junjie, Lv Hen, and Yi Fengxing.” Ling Yue’er pointed to each one and introduced them simply.

Shui Jingxuan nodded politely to the three.

The three had come to protect Ling Yue’er because they were worried she might be deceived.

Seeing that Mr. Jin was generous and straightforward, his nephew was polite, and the gentleman before them had a graceful bearing, they relaxed and returned the greeting with smiles.

After the introductions, Ling Yue’er didn’t waste words. She took out several sheets of paper covered in tiny handwriting and handed them to Shui Jingxuan. “Here, this is the formula for making cigarettes. Take good care of it.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Miss Ling!” Shui Jingxuan beamed and took the papers gracefully, lowering his head to look through them.

The two of them went back and forth, ignoring him as if he didn’t exist. Ji Wushuang’s heart ached with jealousy. He reached out and picked up some colorful and fragrant Shu dishes for Shui Jingxuan. “You can look at that later. Let’s eat first!”

“Right, right! Now is the time to drink and eat!” Ling Yue’er had been eyeing the delicious food hungrily. She chimed in and began to feast.

Shui Jingxuan folded the papers, put them in his bosom, and said warmly, “Mr. Jin and Miss Ling are right. To express my gratitude, I toast you all!” With that, he raised his glass and drained it, his posture elegant yet with a hint of unrestrained boldness.

Ji Wushuang stared at his red lips moistened by wine, remembering his dream from that morning. A fire kindled in his lower abdomen, and a look of infatuation flashed in his dark eyes.

Jin Haofeng, sitting nearby, didn’t miss his attentive attitude toward the noble gentleman or the intoxication in his eyes. He lowered his head, a secretive smile on his face.

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