The Lord of Luancheng stood there, feeling very embarrassed.
He, Luo Yuanming, the second generation of the city and a genius talisman cultivator, had been following the rules all his life, and had never done or seen anything out of the ordinary. Today, he witnessed He Zhizhou killing his master in public, which was simply a heresy beyond imagination.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Tianxianzi barely grabbed the handrail and staggered up from the ground.
Because of the sword energy protecting his body, this sword master was not injured, but from his pretending to be strong expression, his heart had already been shattered into slag with the words "the first beheading maniac in the immortal gate".
Luo Yuanming saw Elder Tianxian take a deep breath, and a strong wind rose around him, blowing the lights and flames to flicker.
"Elder Tianxian."
He called out carefully, exchanged glances with his wife, and then said in a deep voice: "Are you okay? I will explain to the people of Luancheng, you... don't be too sad."
But Tianxianzi didn't respond immediately, squinting his cat-like sharp eyes and looking at him faintly, his eyes were very creepy.
"Elder Tianxian?"
Tianxianzi frowned and shook his head, his voice suddenly became several times louder, it was called a righteous speech, the whole corridor could hear: "I am obviously the real Xiaojianzun, the city lord has recognized the wrong person!"
Luo Yuanming: ...
Luo Yuanming's first reaction was that this elder had lost his mind and mistook himself for someone else. But after thinking about it carefully, he felt something was wrong.
——Brother! At this time, you are still using the trick of cheating others to maintain your face! What did Zhen Xiao Jian Zun do wrong to be treated like this!
He is really stupid.
He thought that as an elder, Tian Xianzi should be a little more decent, but Xuan Xu Jian Sect is really extraordinary. There
are hundreds of people from top to bottom, and as far as the few he has met are concerned, it seems that none of them is normal for apprentices to cheat their masters and junior brothers to cheat their senior brothers. With their reputation, even if there is a brutal and inhumane master-killing meeting one day, Luo Yuanming will not find it strange.
"That... Zhenxiao Sword Master."
Seeing that Tianxianzi immediately showed a look of revival and complacency when hearing the title, Luo Yuanming's eyes twitched again: "Sword Master and his little disciples came to Tianxiang Tower together, so of course I have to do my best to be a good host. Please feel free to have fun today, and I will cover all the expenses."
Tianxianzi squatted on the ground and picked up the spirit stones carefully one by one: "How can I do this? I can't let the city lord spend money!"
Even if he increased the money fivefold, he might not be able to afford a meal here.
Luo Yuanming looked at Elder Tianxian's clothes, which had turned white from washing, with a distressed look on his face. His tone remained unchanged as he continued in a gentle voice, "I had a request for you before. Today's meal is just a token of my gratitude."
...A request for him?
Ningning had been paying attention to the conversation between the two. She couldn't help but feel curious when she heard this. In a flash, she heard Tianxianzi say, "Speaking of that matter...it's really difficult. I discussed it with Junior Brother Tianxian for a long time and investigated the demonic energy in Luancheng, but found nothing."
This man was so immersed in the role that he still firmly believed that he was the True Sky Sword Master. After a pause, he added seriously, "I'm afraid it's not the work of a demon, but someone who did it deliberately."
"Sword Lord means that there are people in the city..."
Luo Yuanming's face sank, and he lowered his voice a lot: "This matter should not be publicized. Let's wait until the Dharma Assembly is over tomorrow and discuss it with other elders. The elders have been very concerned in recent days, and I really don't know how to thank you."
He sighed and looked at his wife beside him, with a bit of tenderness in his eyes: "I hope this matter can be investigated as soon as possible. The people in the city have been in a panic in recent days, and Luan Niang has been afraid all day and can't live in peace— —I will take her to the private room for dinner first, and the Taoist priests will be invited as well. "
Luan Niang pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes full of beauty and charm. While talking and laughing, she held Luo Yuanming's arm and said, "Zhen Xiao Jian Zun, there are many kinds of fine wines and delicacies in Tianxiang Tower, among which the wine 'Jiuzhou Chungui' is the most famous. You may as well try it."
Tian Xianzi knew that the couple had a close relationship and was almost stuffed with dog food. After saying goodbye to the two, he heard Ning Ning's soft and gentle voice: "Master, did something happen in Luancheng?"
"Is it about the missing women in the city?"
Zheng Weiqi followed her downstairs. "I heard that several girls have disappeared and the culprit has not been found."
Tian Xianzi nodded. "This matter is very tricky. The man has achieved great success and is very good at hiding his whereabouts. We have searched all over Luancheng and visited the missing women's families, but we didn't find any useful information."
He said When he spoke, he saw several outsiders still looking over here, frowned, and turned into a human-shaped megaphone: "I'm betting on my name as the Zhenxiao Sword Master, I must take down the murderer! Even if it's Tianxianzi, who is as smart as a jade tree in the wind, it's impossible for him to be more efficient than me!"
Lin Xun was still immersed in the spinning windmill of his master and couldn't extricate himself. He was embarrassed for him and almost choked to death. He was startled when he heard the roar at first, and whispered to Meng Zhu beside him: "Senior Brother Meng, is Master okay?" Unexpectedly, Meng Zhu raised his eyelids and glanced at him, his voice and expression were indifferent, and there was no hypocrisy or pretense: "Who is Senior Brother Meng? Isn't my name 'Jiang Wang'?"
Jiang Wang is the name of Zhenxiao's eldest disciple.
Lin Xun: ...
Lin Xun: "Okay, Senior Brother Jiang."
=====
Ning Ning was given the titles of "Holmorin" and "Judge Ning" by He Zhizhou. As for herself, she was also very curious about the case of the missing girl in Luancheng. Even when she sat at the table, she did not forget to ask Tian Xianzi about the specific situation.
"The missing ones are all girls in their 16s and 17s."
Tian Xianzi had experienced social death and needed something else to divert his attention. Seeing that she was so interested, he naturally told her everything he knew: "It's strange to say, they are of ordinary origin and have no spiritual power in their bodies. The most likely possibility is that the evil cultivators of the demon clan are causing trouble and sacrificing human lives. However, there is no demonic energy in Luancheng. As for other people... it doesn't seem to be of much use to kidnap so many girls."
This is a completely indiscriminate crime. The murderer can be found in the streets and alleys, and in the fields in the wilderness. The missing girls also have different identities. Because there is no pattern, it is difficult to leave any clues for reasoning, which is really a headache.
"Do you remember the phoenix statue at the top of the City Lord's Mansion?"
Meng Ju said gently, "The reason why we use it is to find clues about the murderer - but it seems that we haven't gained much so far."
Ning Ning nodded suddenly.
The phoenix statue was cast with magic, which can record the images in the city. When He Zhizhou and Ye Zongheng were arguing with each other, they suffered from this thing and were ruthlessly exposed by the public.
At that time, someone did say that the phoenix statue was related to a series of missing cases.
"The most bizarre thing is that in order to investigate the case, the city lord specially found a Taoist priest to summon the souls. As a result, he read the girls' birth dates and horoscopes, but not a single soul was summoned."
Tian Xianzi sat on a wooden chair, leaning back with his arms folded. He looked only in his twenties, and with his handsome face and unrestrained manner, it was hard to tell that he was a swordsman who frightened the evil spirits. As
he spoke, he raised his hand and made a "two" gesture: "Two possibilities, one is that they are not dead yet, and the other is that even their souls no longer exist."
No matter which possibility it was, it was creepy to think about it carefully, and they had very few clues, so they couldn't discuss the result for a while.
"We've finally come out to celebrate, how about talking about something else?"
Zheng Weiqi held her cheek with her hand, a smile escaped from the corner of her mouth: "Do you know that the image of 'phoenix', in addition to auspiciousness and tranquility, also represents unswerving love."
Lin Xun was stunned when he heard this, not knowing what he was thinking about, the dragon horns on his head were dyed a light pink.
"I seem to have heard of this legend before."
Ning Ning replied, "Legend has it that although the phoenix is the embodiment of peace and tranquility, it has lived a lonely life and has searched all over the world just to find a partner to accompany it."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Zheng Weiqi smiled and smiled, with a bit of inquiry in her curved eyebrows: "Junior brothers and sisters are not young anymore, have you met anyone you like?"
Tian Xianzi immediately became energetic, straightened his back and sat upright, his eyes quietly moving towards Ning Ning and Pei Ji, fearing that he would be discovered by others, like a guilty thief.
Ning Ning picked up the teacup in front of her expressionlessly to hide her strange expression at this moment.
When the cup touched her lips, she thought angrily, it's not right, she is innocent and upright, how could her expression be wrong, absolutely not, absolutely not.
This thought flashed through her mind, and Zheng Weiqi's laughter came to her ears unexpectedly: "Hey, junior brothers and sisters, why are you two holding up the teacups to drink at the same time? There... isn't tea served yet?"
Ningning: ...
Ningning turned her head to look at Pei Ji beside her, and they were indeed maintaining the same awkward posture, as if they were cast in the same mold. He noticed this line of sight, glanced at her indifferently, and quickly retracted his gaze.
She didn't say anything or move, she lowered her eyes and looked into the cup again, it was pitch black and empty.
Oh, it's empty, that's all right.
"I'm a little thirsty, and I don't know when the tea and food will be served."
Ning Ning knows how to respond to situations. She tried to put on a smile and gently put down the cup.
The moment the teacup touched the table, Pei Ji also heard the same muffled sound when he put the cup down.
Then Zheng Weiqi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Tian Xianzi pursed his lips, which were raised wildly. When he looked up, he heard a knock on the door, and then the door of the Yage room was opened. It turned out that the food was finally served.
Tianxianglou is worthy of being a famous top-class restaurant. As soon as the door is opened, you can smell the mouth-watering fragrance.
Looking at the dishes served on the round table, the braised pork was shaped like agate, shiny and translucent, with the fat and juicy meat soaked in it, reflecting the orange-red color under the light;
the fish soup was boiling with hot steam, and the milky white soup was faintly revealed in the misty white smoke, with wolfberries and scallions floating on it. Just one look and you can easily imagine the delicate, thick, hot and sweet fragrance when you put it in your mouth.
Tian Xianzi was a very cunning guy. Since he fell down the stairs and got the promise of the city lord to treat him, the depression of falling in public before has dissipated for the most part, and he also liked He Zhizhou again.
He was not a fussy person, and was immediately attracted by the dazzling array of dishes. He said cheerfully, "Everyone, please don't be polite. I'm going to eat!"
Ningning naturally didn't feel restrained, and reached out to grab a piece of sweet and sour lotus root slices.
Biting off the outer layer of golden syrup, the teeth can touch the snow-white lotus root slices wrapped inside. The syrup is sour and sweet, and it sticks in the gaps between the lotus roots. When you bite it down, you can hear a crisp sound. The lotus root slices are sweet and crisp, and the slightly sour vinegar juice and the aroma of white sugar overflow on the tip of the tongue, bringing a bit of coolness, which greatly reduces the summer boredom.
Delicious.
"Ah, delicious!"
He Zhizhou swallowed a whole mouthful of braised pig's trotters, with an extremely happy silly smile on his face: "It's much better than the roast goose and watermelon in our sect!"
Zheng Weiqi exposed him without hesitation: "Can you blame the Xuanxu Sword Sect for this? If you hadn't spent money lavishly all day, would you have fallen to the point of begging in the canteen?" Ningning
lowered his head and ate his meal in silence. Lin Xun blushed suddenly and touched his empty wallet.
They chattered non-stop, but Pei Ji didn't say much from beginning to end.
If anything, this seemed to be the first time he had a meal with so many people, and there was constant laughter during the meal.
He had long been accustomed to being alone, and no one was willing to approach the descendant of the demon clan with impure blood. Pei Ji also gradually learned to deliberately distance himself and put a deep gap between himself and others.
Over time, he had almost forgotten how to get along with others.
As for now, in this elegant pavilion, although everyone was sitting around a table, he was still out of place and isolated from the crowd.
The young man frowned in disgust, his eyes full of deep darkness.
He was really terrible, withdrawn and poorly spoken, and he couldn't even take the initiative to talk to Ning Ning.
This thought made Pei Ji slightly stunned.
Why... did he think of her name at this time?
"Pei Ji, Pei Ji."
A crisp voice with a hint of laughter came to his ears. Pei Ji raised his eyes coldly and saw Ning Ning tilting her head and looking at him with interest: "Why are you not moving? Why, can't you pick up the food?" He didn't understand the meaning of this sentence. In an instant, he saw her approaching and extending her right hand with smiling eyes: "Look, you should hold chopsticks like me - your posture is completely wrong."
How could Pei Ji's mother teach him how to hold chopsticks.
The fragrance belonging to the girl replaced the aroma of the dishes. He was a little embarrassed for a moment. He slowed down his breathing and lowered his eyelashes, imitating her gestures and slowly adjusting his movements.
"It's not like this."
The few people over there were still chatting enthusiastically, and her voice rang in his ears very clearly. Ning Ning stretched out her left hand and gently pressed on his thin knuckles.
Then, using a little force, move your index finger downward.
There is a horizontal scar on the middle of his index finger. It was when his mother was so angry that she took a knife. Pei Ji had no way to dodge and could only raise his hand to take it.
Ning Ning obviously noticed the old wound. She blinked quickly and stretched out her thumb almost reflexively to lightly touch the scar.
There was a tingling sensation, like an electric current running through the scar.
Pei Ji's back stiffened slightly because of this tiny movement and he held his breath.
"This..."
When Ning Ning saw it for the first time, he remembered the description of Pei Ji's childhood in the original text. The half-crazy, half-insane mother used him as a scapegoat for the evil cultivation of the inner demon, and insulted and beat him in various ways all day long, leaving many scars.
She didn't think too much when she touched it. She just felt angry and a little uncomfortable. When she noticed Pei Ji's body was stunned, she realized that this action was somewhat ambiguous. She lowered her voice several degrees and asked him calmly, "Does it still hurt now?"
Pei Ji's voice was a little hoarse, "No."
She still looked down at his fingers, and quickly turned the page on this chapter. Except for the ears under her long hair slightly getting hot, there was nothing unusual: "Then it's the thumb, push it up a little - it's hard to pick up anything if you hold the chopsticks like this."
Pei Ji did as he was told, clenching his fingers without leaving any trace, hiding more acne and scars: "... um."
"Wine, wine, wine, the wine is here!"
Tian Xianzi and Zheng Weiqi were having a lot of fun watching, with smiles on their faces. Only He Zhizhou was confused and didn't understand the atmosphere. He shouted happily: "A real man can hold chopsticks properly! Pei Ji, don't listen to Ningning. Come, drink with the brothers. Don't go home until you are drunk tonight!"
Ningning raised her head hurriedly and removed her hand from Pei Ji's fingers.
Tian Xianzi smiled and recited the meditation mantra 9981 times in his heart, trying not to draw his sword and chop this man into meat scraps for rice. There are many wines in Tianxiang Tower, among which "Jiuzhou Chungui" is the most famous in the world. It is said that every drop is like fairy dew, with a mellow fragrance and endless aftertaste.
The maid in the building added a cup for everyone. Ningning had never drunk pure brewed wine in her life, so she picked up the wine glass and sniffed it lightly.
The spring in Jiuzhou is as clear as a mirror, rippling in circles. The aroma of the wine is clear and crisp, like the first melting of white snow, with a refreshing and cool taste. The aftertaste is long and lingering, and the mellow feeling slides from the nose into the throat, like a spring breeze on the face.
She took a sip with curiosity and frowned.
It's so spicy.
Pei Ji heard Ningning quickly put down the cup and raised the porcelain cup in silence.
He had never drunk alcohol before. He had no money when he was young and no time when he grew up.
"Everyone, one cup each, no cheating."
Tian Xianzi took a sip and felt like he was ascending to heaven. He laughed happily and said, "This wine is not strong, but it tastes pure. You can drink it without worry."
Zheng Weiqi also smiled and said, "Brother Pei Ji, come on! Don't think that we won't let you drink just because you deliberately sit aside and don't talk."
Hearing that she had to drink, Ningning showed a somewhat embarrassed expression.
"Pei Xiaoji! It's time for you to take action!"
Chengying was so excited that he kicked him hard in his heart: "Ningning obviously doesn't want to drink. Now of course you have to block the wine for her! Come on, come on, say with a heroic heart, 'I'll help you drink' hehehe!"
Pei Ji also saw that she didn't like the taste of wine.
He rarely obeyed Chengying's orders, but when he saw Ningning frowning, he reached out his hand without thinking and took her wine glass: "I'll help you drink it."
Before Ningning could react, he tilted his head back and poured the whole glass of wine into his mouth.
There was silence on the scene, and everyone had different expressions.
Tian Xianzi suppressed his smile and his shoulders kept shaking.
Wonderful, wonderful, Pei Ji has grown up.
Ningning's ears turned slightly red and she was speechless.
Wait, wait a minute! If Pei Ji took her wine glass like this, wouldn't they be indirectly... kissing?
Meng Ju frowned, his eyes showing worry.
This wine is notoriously intoxicating, and it might not be appropriate to drink it so boldly.
Lin Xun was full of envy, and his mouth opened into a round O shape.
Junior Brother Pei Ji is so responsible and gentle! Isn't it so cool to drink like this?
Pei Ji had a blank expression on his face.
Pei Ji's eyes were red.
... So spicy.
Pei Ji put the wine glass on the round table abruptly, trying his best not to spit it out, and swallowed Jiuzhou Chungui while enduring the burning pain in his throat. Later, he felt so uncomfortable that he subconsciously raised his right hand to cover his face.
Otherwise, his expression would be too terrifying and might scare the people around him.
Ningning asked tentatively: "Pei Ji?"
Pei Ji did not respond.
Then with a clang, the whole person fell backwards and fell to the ground with a thud.
——Help! Pei Ji helped Ningning to get the wine, but he poured it himself! This is too shameful!!!
Chengying was so frightened that he wanted to kneel down and chew the soil, and let out a scream of extreme fear: "No! Pei Xiaoji!"
He Zhizhou was terrified, and his mind filled in an 8 million-word mystery novel: "Wine, is there poison in the wine?!"
"Poisonous!"
Zheng Weiqi slapped him on the back of the head: "He is drunk!"
"Drunk?"
He Zhizhou couldn't believe it, his eyes were round, and he looked straight at Junior Brother Pei who was hurriedly helped up by Ning Ning.
Is there anything wrong? This is the domineering, cool and handsome male lead in "Sword Breaks the Sky"! According to Ning Ning's spoilers, this person is cruel and ruthless, and he cuts villains like cutting vegetables. He is simply a walking hangman.
Such a person actually drank a glass of... No, a few drops? !
"Hey, this, this," Tian Xianzi was stunned, "What should I do? Why is Pei Ji like this..."
Ning Ning saw that he was blinking and seemed to have a little consciousness left, so she asked worriedly: "Are you okay?"
Pei Ji still didn't say anything, his dark eyes were empty, and after a while he realized what she was talking about, and nodded belatedly.
"This can't be his first time drinking?"
Tian Xianzi didn't expect the plot to take such a sharp turn, and he said hesitantly: "Pei Ji... is really a little chicken?"
Meng Ju sighed and stood up from his seat: "Junior Brother Pei is in such a state that he should not stay in Tianxianglou. I will send him back to the inn to rest, you guys continue drinking."
"No, no! I can do it!"
Ningning was originally reluctant to drink the "Jiuzhou Chungui", and now seeing Pei Ji fall down, she was even more resistant in her heart. If she wanted to avoid the fate of being drunk, she had to leave Tianxianglou as soon as possible under the pretext of sending him back to the inn.
Her reasons were very serious, but Tianxianzi smiled inexplicably when he heard it, and pulled Meng Ju to sit down while smiling: "Let Ningning come. They have always had a good relationship."
"Thank you, Master!"
Ningning had no idea what he was thinking. When she thought about not having to drink, she raised the corner of her mouth and poked Pei Ji's sleeve: "Can you still walk?"
Tianxianzi smiled and took a sip of wine, feeling very happy. It's good to be young. Just sending him back to the inn alone can make the girl so happy. Look at her, she is smiling so happily.
=====
"You really have never drunk before? Do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?"
Ningning held Pei Ji's arm with both hands and led him to walk on the streets of Luancheng.
At night, the city of Luan was brightly lit, with a bustling traffic. The flying pavilions and flowing reds reached the sky and connected into a piece. There were stars dotted in the sky, and the eternal lights were shining everywhere below. The hawking of merchants formed a dense network, covering the entire city with the wind.
Pei Ji looked dazed, and seemed to make a low "hmm".
Cheng Ying was still struggling desperately in his sea of consciousness, jumping up and down: "Pei Ji, wake up a little, Pei Ji! Ning Ning is right next to you, don't do anything embarrassing!"
Ning Ning.
The hot taste of the wine still remained on the tip of his tongue, spreading a stream of irritating heat, making him feel upset and confused, and his mind was in a mess.
However, when this name fell on his eardrum, Pei Ji frowned gloomily, his dead heart skipped a beat, and it was during this moment of distraction that his feet stumbled.
Ning Ning, who had been supporting him, stepped forward and supported Pei Ji's chest with her other hand.
So he finally did not fall to the ground, but fell on her shoulder.
Leaning, leaning closer.
Her palm was pressed very close to his chest, and she could feel the young man's violent heartbeat, beating.
Ning Ning's heartbeat also followed suit.
The night was dark, Pei Ji's body was full of the cold aroma of wine, and his breath carried an aggressive heat that all wandered around her neck, like a soft, boneless hand caressing the most sensitive skin.
Ning Ning almost forgot to breathe, she only felt her heart being hit hard.
Help, help, this is... what the hell is going on.
"Pei Ji?"
She resisted the urge to blush and called his name softly: "Can you still stand up?"
Ning Ning said as she used both hands to push him up, but Pei Ji suddenly moved, raised his hands to support her shoulders, and stood up a little straighter.
But it was only "a little".
This posture made her more at a loss than before.
Pei Ji was still leaning over, his clear breath pressing down heavily, a few strands of black hair fell on Ning Ning's neck, causing a slight itch. From an outsider's perspective, it seemed as if he was deliberately hugging her and leaning forward.
The two faces were very close, and the black-clothed and black-haired boy stared at her in silence for a long time.
His pupils were dark and bright, and now reflected the lights on both sides of the street, spreading a layer of ambiguous light. Those eyes were always calm, but now they were unspeakably dark and deep, mixed with many emotions that Ning Ning could not understand, or in other words, obsession and desire.
Like two crazy whirlpools.
When Pei Ji looked over without blinking, she could see her own shadow in the firelight, right in the center of the vortex, and could be swallowed up at any time.
Ning Ning felt a little flustered by being looked at, and called out again: "Pei Ji?"
But Pei Ji ignored her.
Instead, he took a step forward and got closer to her.
Everything was controlled by him. Ning Ning wanted to look away, but his deep pupils gradually tightened, and her body could not escape the shackles of his palm.
The light and shadow in his cloudy eyes flickered, and he looked like he saw her for the first time, with a gloomy expression and silent observation. In the chaotic consciousness, a voice said to Pei Ji:
He knows this girl.
No, not Junior Sister. He didn't like that title. It should be -
Pei Ji looked at her steadily, and somehow he suddenly smiled. His warm breath followed the night wind and caressed Ning Ning's cheek.
His voice was like being drunk, light and a little hoarse, but there was a slight arc at the corner of his mouth, and the voice and heat surged up together.
"Ning-Ning."
He had never said this name in person before.
But in the corner of the brightly lit street in Luancheng, Pei Ji read out those two words over and over again in an unskilled and cautious manner, as if he was whispering clumsily.
Ning Ning's heart seemed to have fireworks suddenly exploded.
She heard Pei Ji chuckle in her ear, and then called out word by word: "Ning Ning."