When the glazed wall of the Qingtan Abode shattered, a blood-red liquid seeped into the underground palace through the geothermal tube.

The Iron-Scaled Buddha made a noise not to send a message outwards, but to notify the two leaders of the Nine Gates at the Summit of Bliss.

The smile that seemed welded to the face of the God of Wealth vanished, replaced by a grim expression on his large face, for this was the highest level of warning.

An opponent who can prevent Iron Scale Buddha and Dice Heart Maiden from transmitting specific information must be incredibly formidable.

"Well? Did you find it?"

When the members of the Four Seas Gang came to report the news, Tongtianma had already ordered people to gather intelligence.

The unfamiliar face that appeared out of nowhere possessed the strength of a fourth-rank expert, and it wasn't difficult to find out.

Martial artists entering the capital must register their household registration; otherwise, being discovered will result in a serious crime.

Starting with the registration records at the city gate, the group consisted of three women and one man, a very obvious characteristic.

Tongtianmamian remained silent, saying, "Due to time constraints, we have only been able to find one relatively suitable record."

Seven days ago, a group of four people arrived in Beijing. They came from Canglong East Circuit, specifically Panggu County, Yunlu Prefecture.

Yunlu Prefecture is a place without any powerful martial arts sects.

The person who could put so much pressure on the two leaders was definitely not an unknown figure.

"Boss, Master Deng is currently at Chengyuan."

The God of Wealth snapped back to reality, "Let's go and ask Master Deng to intervene."

"yes."

Fengjing is not a rural area. If one thinks that strength alone can shake the position of the Nine Gates, then one is being far too delusional.

Deep within the secluded bamboo grove, clouds obstruct the courtyard.

The bamboo curtain of Xiangfei hangs with golden tassels, and a gentle breeze stirs it, revealing a different world inside.

The golden beast-shaped incense burner crouched in the corner, its rich, mellow smoke from agarwood swirling around it.

Glass palace lanterns hang down, their shades intricately painted with images of fairies dancing gracefully.

As the candlelight shone through, the flickering light and shadows made the fairy in the painting appear to have flowing robes.

Deng Ye leaned back on a large rosewood cloud-patterned couch.

Beneath him were layers upon layers of snow-white fox fur, so soft that he sank deep into them.

At this moment, she was only loosely dressed in a black silk nightgown, the hem of which was wide open, and her bare feet were casually placed on the back of the maid who was kneeling on the couch.

The maidservant lowered her head and looked docile, as gentle as a deer.

Another maid knelt before the couch, her slender hands picking up a thawed lychee.

Carefully peeling back the crimson shell to reveal the creamy flesh, I gently held it to Deng Ye's lips.

Master Deng opened his mouth and took it in, but his gaze went past the maid's head and landed on the spot of clear light in the room.

He was a boy of fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a plain white robe, standing in the dim light, like a newly sprouted bamboo shoot.

With her eyes lowered and a pipa in her arms, her slender, well-defined fingers gently plucked the strings.

A soft, mournful sound rang out, like a drop of cold dew falling into a deep pool.

Deng Ye's slightly closed eyelids twitched.

The boy opened his lips, his voice clear and pure, piercing through the heavy, lingering scent of sandalwood.

Like snowmelt flowing over bluestone under the moonlight, or like the first song of a phoenix in the early spring forest, untouched by the dust of the world.

"A beautiful pavilion stands amidst fragrant woods, her newly adorned beauty is truly captivating..."

The fingers tapped lightly to the melody, then suddenly snapped shut.

The teeth pierced straight through the creamy flesh, crushed the pit, and a bitter aftertaste rose from the sweet and cool taste.

Mr. Deng didn't care at all, and roughly chewed the whole lychee, the juice dripping down the corner of his mouth and soaking into his robe.

His gaze was fixed on the boy's Adam's apple, which trembled slightly as he chanted, and a bead of sweat slid down his cheek.

His ears were filled with that pure yet slightly seductive voice, and his nose was surrounded by the fragrance of sandalwood and the woman's hair...

Finally, Grandpa Deng stretched out his arm and waved to the boy.

The music stopped abruptly, and the boy immediately stood up, as if someone was holding a whip and supervising him from behind.

He put down his pipa, stood there with his head down, and his shoulders twitched incessantly.

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the juice, pulp, and crushed pit all at once, speaking in the softest of tones amidst his heavy breathing:

"Don't be afraid, come here..."

The boy stood with his head bowed, his shoulders and back trembling from the tension.

His gaze was fixed intently on his own bare, white feet, not daring to look away even slightly.

His ten fingers fidgeted anxiously in front of him, like a tangled mess that he couldn't untangle.

"Come here..."

When urged a second time, the boy considered the consequences of disobeying orders.

Despite her body trembling uncontrollably, she still took the first step.

Grandpa Deng narrowed his eyes, his face full of smiles.

Finally, that dark color appeared in the boy's lowered gaze.

A stubby palm touched the fair knuckles and gently stroked them.

"well……"

Just then, a clear voice rang out from outside the curtain, "Master Deng, Tongtianma requests an audience."

The Heavenly Horse used the underground palace passage to quickly reach the Cloud Courtyard.

His enthusiasm was abruptly interrupted, and one can imagine how he felt. Deng Ye gripped the boy's hand tightly.

The blow was delivered with great force, causing the boy to wince in pain.

He swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth and dared not move an inch.

"What is it!"

As he coldly replied, Tongtianma barged straight in and hastily clasped his hands in greeting:

“Outsiders are bullying the Nine Gates; we beg Lord Deng to uphold justice.”

"In this urgent situation, we must act expediently. Please wait a moment, Mr. Deng. We will make amends later."

The words were polite enough, but the Pegasus stood ramrod straight, meeting the gaze without hesitation, its eyes as deep and still as a still pool.

Chengyuan was a den of iniquity, with eavesdroppers everywhere, who knows how many secrets of powerful and influential people in Fengjing were hidden.

Deng's chest heaved, but he ultimately avoided eye contact, saying, "Just this once."

"Graceful horse, lend Master Deng a hand."

The servant in blue immediately stepped forward, pretending to help, but in reality, he grabbed the other person's arm and pulled him up.

"you!"

Before Master Deng could even begin to scold him, the steed carried him away at breakneck speed.

The bamboo curtains of the Xiangfei River danced wildly like startled snakes, twisting and lashing at each other...