Amidst the whispers and murmurs of talented men and beautiful women, the entire hall soon erupted in doubt regarding the Gongyang clan's family traditions.
Gongyang He's face fell.
Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng, enraged, retorted, "You'd best not be so aggressive!"
But their voices were already drowned out by the chorus of accusations, unheard by Liang Xiao.
Gongyang Long, rubbing his cheek where his father had struck him, glared venomously at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao had made them lose face today!
This Jiangnan Spring Banquet had become rather disappointing for them!
In contrast, Liang Xiao, on stage, conversed heartily with Zhuo Zifang and He Jingyun, appearing as if nothing had happened, as though he were not the one who had just humiliated them.
"The Great Demon is so impressive!" Zhuo Xun finally couldn't help but clap her hands, her face beneath the veil flushed red.
"Alas, it seems our Jinling Painting Immortal has been captivated by the Marquis of Anguo..." sighs rippled through the crowd.
They were, of course, aware of the Ghost King Liang Xiao's antics, but had not expected the third daughter of the Zhuo family to change her mind so quickly!
"That beauty in purple, could she be the Tianshan Zither Immortal by the Marquis of Anguo's side?" someone exclaimed again.
Jian Qinwan, overjoyed, took the hands of Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun, and went to meet Liang Xiao, who had descended from the stage.
Gu Pingting huffed, "Not only the Zither Immortal and the Painting Immortal are infatuated with him, I think Sister Qingyi also harbors some feelings..."
Ye Qingyi's pretty face reddened, and she chided, "Pingting, don't speak such nonsense..."
The talented men and beautiful women slowly dispersed, not daring to disturb Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao approached the master of Yunxiu Pavilion, bowing gratefully, "Thank you for your righteous words."
The master of Yunxiu Pavilion responded with a smile, "It is merely a repayment for your prior guidance!"
"May I ask who invited you?" Liang Xiao inquired.
The master of Yunxiu Pavilion looked towards a young man walking over from a distance and replied, "I am an old friend of the second son of the Li family, Li Xunfeng, and came with him."
Liang Xiao was startled.
Li Xiuyun's brother?
"I am Li Xunfeng, greetings to the Marquis of Anguo. It is indeed true that seeing is believing!" Li Xunfeng exclaimed, his face alight with excitement. He had just witnessed Liang Xiao's confrontation with the Southern King and the Grand Tutor.
Liang Xiao exchanged pleasantries with Li Xunfeng, but a sense of unease settled in his heart.
However, recalling that the master of Yunxiu Pavilion dared to offend the Gongyang clan for his sake, Liang Xiao's resolve only strengthened.
Lin'er merely stared at Liang Xiao timidly, hiding behind the master of Yunxiu Pavilion, afraid to speak to him.
Liang Xiao saw this, smiled outwardly, his heart complex.
This young girl...
"I will return tomorrow," the master of Yunxiu Pavilion said, cupping his hands in farewell to Liang Xiao, while Li Xunfeng hurried off to join his friends.
After Liang Xiao saw the three off, Jian Qinwan finally approached with Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun. She exchanged a knowing glance with Liang Xiao, a silent understanding passing between them.
She had deliberately kept Zhuo Xun back, preventing her from approaching Liang Xiao.
Zhuo Xun, though unsure of Jian Qinwan's intentions, obediently accepted her restraint, remembering her agreement with Liang Xiao.
"Great Demon, who were those three people?" Zhuo Xun asked Liang Xiao, her eyes sparkling.
Liang Xiao whispered into her ear, "They are peculiar individuals, very dangerous. You must not approach them, nor let them see you, or you will be eaten!"
"Roar~ Then you must be careful! I will be good until we go to the capital." Zhuo Xun nodded obediently.
Liang Xiao smiled, "You mean, after you reach the capital, you'll decide whether to be good based on the situation."
"I didn't! I'll be good even in the capital~" Zhuo Xun earnestly defended herself.
The three, having left the venue, walked down an alley.
Lin'er's eyes remained innocent and pure, but her heart was a tempest of emotions.
The master of Yunxiu Pavilion and Yun Jiu wore expressions of deep worry.
Having witnessed Liang Xiao's capabilities firsthand, they understood Zuo Wushang's predicament more profoundly.
This person was almost impossible to deal with; they could neither kill him nor apprehend him, only capture or recruit him!
Just then, five masked assassins in white robes leaped out from a nearby alley, wielding long sabers, their eyes gleaming with ferocity as they advanced towards the trio.
"Daring to offend the Gongyang clan! Kill the men, leave the women for our amusement!" the leading assassin commanded, and the five killers charged forward swiftly.
The master of Yunxiu Pavilion and the other two frowned simultaneously. Eight figures emerged from the shadows around them, drawing daggers from their robes and nocking crossbow bolts in their left hands.
These eight individuals, six men and two women, all possessed unremarkable appearances and wore the most ordinary commoner attire.
A flurry of whistling blades followed, and eight crossbow bolts felled three of the assassins. The remaining two, filled with terror, turned to flee.
Four of the eight Cloud Heaven Guards dashed forward, quickly catching up to the two, and with swift efficiency, slit their throats!
The eight Cloud Heaven Guards escorted the trio back to a hidden chamber in a civilian residence, not forgetting to scatter white powder along the way to mask their scent and tracks.
Inside the secret room, the three resumed their true identities. Hong Jie let out a bitter laugh, "To think, we haven't even captured our target yet, and we've already taken a blow for him."
Zuo Qing's eyes were cold as she sighed, a rare occurrence, "This is unavoidable. I'm just wondering why such a person isn't a compatriot of our Da Heng Kingdom..."
Hong Jie and Shangguan Jiusi looked at Zuo Qing in surprise.
This was genuine emotion. She finally seemed human, though her face was etched with sorrow.
"There will be an opportunity. The Cloud Heaven Guard is not merely a name for show," Hong Jie said with a grave expression.
Zuo Qing regained her composure and asked, "Is it truly impossible to kill him directly?"
Hong Jie's face changed, and he explained, "The Marshal confirmed that Her Highness the Princess would surely commit suicide! If the Princess dies, how can we restore our kingdom? The Marshal and your father would have no chance to establish themselves..."
Zuo Qing nodded, "I understand. But I have always played my part as usual. To ensure my expressions were not affected by the human-skin mask, I even used my true face, just to make my performance as convincing as possible. Why then does he give me a sense of distance? Am I, as Lin'er, inferior to the Jinling Painting Immortal, or to his Yue Lian and Zither Immortal?"
Hong Jie sighed, "I can't fathom it either! Perhaps because he has encountered similar situations before, he is wary of those he has just met?"
Zuo Qing nodded silently and returned to her room.
Hong Jie and Shangguan Jiusi watched her retreating figure, their hearts growing more complex.
As the leader of the Cloud Heaven Guard, Zuo Qing had always been confident and assured. This was the first time her back had appeared so forlorn!
In an inn, Duke Nan Xiao Chang and his heir Xiao Feng sat in grim silence for a full hour, not uttering a word.
They were still reliving Liang Xiao's humiliation, their hearts burning with hatred!
"My Lord, Master Longyue has brought the items."
It was only when a death soldier reported that Xiao Chang and his son's eyes brightened, and they rose to greet him.
In another inn, Yan Jun, the sect leader of the Huichun Cult, knelt with his core disciples before a woman whose face was entirely hidden, save for her eyes.
"Sect Leader, Qingyi has infiltrated the Jiangnan beauties!" Yan Jun reported at the head of the group.
The sect leader merely nodded slightly, her cold voice carrying a hint of etherealness, "The plan has changed. First, find a way to cooperate with the Grand Tutor and execute Nie Yuan. The assassins sent have failed; it is said that the white-haired, black-bladed Shi Liuyun is personally guarding the prison."
"As for Qingyi, let her act as she sees fit. In any case, Nie Yuan must not live. He is our most crucial pawn, and no one must notice him!"
Yan Jun nodded and asked, "Sect Leader, what about Liang Xiao?"