The Lord of Luan City stood there, feeling very embarrassed.
He, Luo Yuanming, was a second-generation master in the city and a talented talisman practitioner. He had always been law-abiding and had never done or seen anything too outrageous. Today, he witnessed He Zhizhou murdering his master in public, which was so unorthodox that it was beyond his imagination.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Tian Xianzi barely grabbed the handrail and staggered to his feet from the ground.
Thanks to the sword energy protecting his body, this great swordsman was not injured. However, judging from his pretending to be strong expression, his heart had already been shattered into pieces along with the words “the number one beheading maniac in the immortal sect”.
Luo Yuanming saw Elder Tianxian take a deep breath, and a strong wind suddenly blew around him, causing the lights to flicker.
"Tian, Elder Tianxian."
He called out cautiously, exchanged glances with his wife beside him, 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 Tian Xianzi did not respond immediately. Instead, he squinted his cat-like eyes and looked at him quietly with a creepy look.
"Elder Tianxian?"
Tian Xianzi frowned and shook his head. His voice suddenly became several times louder. It was so righteous that the whole corridor could hear it: "I am obviously the True Sky Sword Master. The City Lord must have recognized the wrong person!"
Luo Yuanming: ...
Luo Yuanming's first reaction was that this elder must have had a broken brain and mistook himself for someone else. But when I thought about it carefully, I felt something was not right.
——Brother! At this time, you are still using the trick of cheating others to maintain your face! What did Zhenxiao Sword Master do wrong to be treated like this!
He's really stupid, really.
He originally thought that Tianxianzi, as an elder, should be a little more decent, but the Xuanxu Sword Sect was indeed extraordinary.
There are hundreds of people in this world, but as far as the few he has come into contact with are concerned, it seems that none of them is normal, with apprentices betraying their masters and junior brothers betraying their senior brothers. Given their reputation, Luo Yuanming would not find it strange even if there was an inhumane teacher-killing conference one day.
"That...Zhenxiao Sword Master."
Seeing Tianxianzi's sudden revival and smug look when he heard this name, Luo Yuanming's eyes twitched again: "Sword Master and his disciples came to Tianxiang Tower together, so I naturally have to do my best to be a good host. Please enjoy yourself today, and I will cover all the expenses."
Tian Xianzi squatted on the ground and carefully picked up the spirit stones one by one: "How can I do this? How can I let the city lord spend money!"
Even if he increased this money fivefold, he probably still couldn't afford a meal here.
Luo Yuanming looked at Elder Tianxian's washed-white clothes with a distressed look, and continued in a gentle voice, "I asked for a favor from you before, so today's meal is just a token of my gratitude."
...Need anything from him?
Ning Ning had been paying attention to the conversation between the two, and she couldn't help but feel curious when she heard this. In a flash, she heard Tian Xianzi say, "Speaking of that matter... it's really very difficult to deal with. Junior Brother Tian Xian and I have discussed it for a long time, and we have also investigated the demonic energy in Luan City, but we found nothing."
This person 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 wasn't a demon that was causing trouble, but someone did it deliberately."
"Sword Master means that there are people in the city..."
Luo Yuanming's expression froze, 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 about me these days, and I really don't know how to thank them."
He sighed and looked at his wife beside him, his eyes showing some tenderness: "I hope this matter can be investigated as soon as possible. The people in the city have been in a panic these days, and Luan Niang has been afraid all day and can't live in peace. I will take her to the private room to eat first, and the Taoist priests will also come in."
Luan Niang pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes full of beauty and charm. She held Luo Yuanming's arm while talking and laughing: "Zhen Xiao Jian Zun, there are many kinds of fine wines and delicacies in Tianxiang Tower. Among them, the wine 'Jiuzhou Chungui' is the most famous. You may want to try it."
Tian Xianzi knew that the couple had a very close relationship, and he was almost fed up with dog food. After saying goodbye to the two, he heard Ning Ning's soft and gentle voice: "Master, is there anything wrong in Luan City?"
"Is it about the disappearance of the woman in the city?"
Zheng Weiqi followed her downstairs and said, "I heard that several girls have disappeared, and the culprit has not been found."
Tian Xianzi nodded and said, "This matter is very tricky. That person has great cultivation and is very good at hiding his whereabouts. We have searched all over Luan City and visited the missing woman's family, but we didn't get any useful information."
As he spoke, he noticed that there were still several outsiders looking in this direction. He frowned and turned into a human-shaped megaphone: "I will definitely catch the murderer at the risk of my reputation as the True Sky Sword Master! Even if someone like Tian Xianzi is so resourceful and handsome, he can never be more efficient than me!"
Lin Xun was still immersed in his master's spinning windmill and couldn't extricate himself. He was so embarrassed for him that he almost suffocated to death with blushing. He was startled when he heard the roar, and whispered to Meng Jue beside him: "Brother Meng, is our master okay?" Unexpectedly, Meng Jue raised his eyelids and glanced at him, his voice and expression were indifferent, without any hypocrisy or pretense: "Who is Brother Meng? Isn't my name 'Jiang Wang'?"
Jiang Wang is the name of Mayoi's eldest disciple.
Lin Xun: …
Lin Xun: "Okay, Senior Brother Jiang."
=====
Ning Ning was given the titles of "Folmore Ning" and "Ning Qingtian" by He Zhizhou. As for herself, she was also extremely curious about the case of the missing girl in Luancheng. Even when she sat at the table, she still did not forget to ask Tian Xianzi about the details.
"Those who are missing are all girls aged 16 or 17."
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... kidnapping so many girls doesn't seem to be of much use."
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 confusing.
"Junior sister, do you still remember the phoenix statue at the top of the City Lord's Mansion?"
Meng Jue 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."
Ningning nodded suddenly.
The phoenix statue was cast with magic, and could record images in the city. When He Zhizhou and Ye Zongheng were trying to extort money from each other, they suffered from this thing and were ruthlessly exposed in public.
At that time, some people did say that the phoenix statue was related to a series of disappearances.
"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 birth dates of the girls and not a single soul was summoned."
Tian Xianzi sat on a wooden chair, leaning back with his arms folded. He looked to be no more than twenty years old, and with his handsome face and unrestrained temperament, it was hard to tell that he was a great swordsman who terrified evil spirits.
He raised his hand and made a "two" gesture: "There are 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 horrifying to think about it, but they had very few clues and could not come to a conclusion in the short term.
"We finally get out to celebrate, how about talking about something else?"
Zheng Weiqi held her cheek with her hand, a smile spilled from the corner of her mouth: "Do you know that the image of 'Luan Bird', in addition to auspiciousness and peace, also represents unswerving love."
Lin Xun was stunned when he heard this. He didn't know what he was thinking about, and the dragon horns on his head were dyed a light pink.
"I seem to have heard of legends about this 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 clapped her hands and smiled, with a bit of inquiry between her curved eyebrows: "My fellow junior brothers and sisters are not young anymore, have you met anyone you like?"
Tian Xianzi immediately perked up, 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.
Ningning picked up the teacup in front of her with an expressionless face, trying to hide the strangeness of her expression at the moment.
When the teacup touched his lips, he thought angrily, this is not right, she is innocent and has nothing to fear. How could her expression be wrong? Absolutely not, absolutely not.
This thought flashed through his mind, and Zheng Weiqi's laughter came unexpectedly to his ears: "Hey, Junior Brother and Junior Sister, why are you two drinking from your teacups at the same time? Isn't the tea here yet?"
Ningning: ...
Ningning turned her head to look at Pei Ji beside her, and sure enough, the two of them were maintaining the same awkward posture, as if they were cast in the same mold. He noticed the gaze, glanced at her indifferently, and then quickly looked away.
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 okay.
"I'm a little thirsty, and I don't know when tea and food will be served."
Ningning was very good at adapting to changing circumstances. She tried hard to put on a smile and gently put down the cup.
The moment the teacup touched the table, Pei Ji heard the same soft, muffled sound as the cup was put down.
Then Zheng Weiqi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Tian Xianzi pursed his lips which were curled up wildly, looked up and heard a knock on the door, and then the door of the Accord room was opened. It turned out that the food was finally served.
Tianxianglou is worthy of being a well-known top-notch restaurant. As soon as the door is opened, you can smell the mouth-watering fragrance.
Look at the dishes served on the round table. The braised pork is shaped like agate, shiny and translucent, with the fat and juicy meat soaked in it, reflecting the orange-red color under the lights.
The fish soup was steaming, with the milky white soup vaguely visible in the white smoke, with wolfberries and chopped green onions floating on top. With just one glance, you can easily imagine the delicate, thick, and steaming sweet fragrance when you take a sip.
Tian Xianzi was an extremely cunning fellow. Ever since he fell down the stairs and got the city lord's promise to treat him to a meal, the depression he felt from falling down in public had mostly dissipated, and he even began to look at He Zhizhou with some favor again.
He was a person who didn't like to care about things. He was immediately attracted by the dazzling array of dishes and said cheerfully, "Everyone, please don't be polite. I'm going to eat!"
Ningning naturally didn't feel restrained and reached out to pick up a piece of sweet and sour lotus root slices.
Biting through the layer of golden syrup on the outside, your teeth can touch the snow-white lotus root slices wrapped inside. The syrup is sweet and sour, and stickyly soaks into the pores of the lotus root. You can hear a crisp sound when you bite it. The sweet and crispy lotus root slices, the slightly sour vinegar juice and the aroma of white sugar all overflow on the tip of the tongue, bringing a hint of coolness that reduces most of the summer boredom.
tasty.
“Ah, delicious!”
He Zhizhou swallowed a whole mouthful of braised pork trotter, his brows filled with an extremely happy silly smile: "It's much better than the roast goose and watermelon in our sect!"
Zheng Weiqi exposed him without hesitation: "Can you blame Xuanxu Sword Sect for this? If you hadn't spent money recklessly all day, would you have ended up begging in the canteen?"
Ningning lowered her head and ate in silence. Lin Xun's face suddenly turned red and he touched his empty purse.
They chattered non-stop, but Pei Ji said little from beginning to end.
If anything, it seemed like this was the first time he had eaten with so many people, and there was constant laughter throughout the meal.
He had long been accustomed to being alone. No one wanted to approach a descendant of the demon clan with impure blood, so Pei Ji gradually learned to deliberately distance himself and create a deep gap between himself and others.
Over time, I have almost forgotten how to get along with others.
As for this moment, in this elegant room, although everyone was sitting around a table, he still felt out of place and isolated from everyone else.
The young man frowned in self-loathing, his eyes filled with a dark color.
He was really terrible, aloof and poorly eloquent, and couldn't even take the initiative to say a word to Ningning.
This thought made Pei Ji slightly stunned.
Why...why would I 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? What, can't you pick up the food?" He didn't understand the meaning of this sentence. Suddenly, he saw her come forward, smiling and stretching out her right hand: "Look, you should hold chopsticks like me - your posture is all wrong."
How could Pei Ji's mother teach him how to use chopsticks?
The fragrance belonging to the girl replaced the aroma of the food. He felt a little uneasy for a moment. He slowed down his breathing, lowered his eyelashes, and slowly adjusted his movements, imitating her gestures.
"That's not the case."
The people over there were still chatting animatedly, and her voice rang very clearly in her ears. Ningning stretched out her left hand and gently pressed on his thin knuckles.
Then, using a little force, move your index finger downward.
There was a scar running across the middle of his index finger, from when his mother was so angry she took a knife with her when he was a child. Pei Ji had no way to dodge and could only raise his hand to take it.
Ningning obviously noticed the old wound. She blinked quickly and almost reflexively stretched out her thumb and gently stroked the scar.
There was a tingling sensation that felt 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 Ningning saw it for the first time, she 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 unfaithful demon cultivator, and insulted, beat and scolded him in various ways all day long, leaving him with many scars.
She didn't think too much when she touched him. She just felt angry and a little uncomfortable. When she noticed Pei Ji's body froze, 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 fact that her ears were getting hot under her long hair, there was nothing unusual. "Then it's your thumb. Push it up a little bit. It's hard to pick up anything if you hold the chopsticks like this."
Pei Ji obeyed and closed his fingers without leaving any trace, hiding more calluses and scars: "... Yeah."
"Wine, wine, wine, here comes the wine!"
Tian Xianzi and Zheng Weiqi were enjoying the secret watch, with smiles all over their faces. Only He Zhizhou was too stupid to understand the atmosphere and shouted happily, "A real man would use chopsticks properly! Pei Ji, don't listen to Ning Ning. Come, drink with the brothers. Don't go home until you're drunk tonight!"
Ningning quickly raised her head when she heard that and moved her hand away from Pei Ji's fingers.
Tian Xianzi smiled and recited the meditation mantra 9981 times in his heart, trying hard not to draw his sword and chop the man into meat scraps to eat with his meal. There are many wines in Tianxiang Tower, among which "Jiuzhou Chungui" is the most famous. It is said that every drop of it is like fairy dew, with a subtle fragrance and endless aftertaste.
The maid in the building filled everyone's cup. Ningning had never tasted pure brewed wine in her past life or this life, so she picked up the glass and took a sniff.
The spring water of Jiuzhou is as clear as a mirror, rippling in swirling circles. The aroma of the wine is clear and crisp, just like the melting snow, with a refreshing and cool sweetness. The aftertaste is long and lingering, and the mellow feeling slides from the tip of the nose into the throat, like a spring breeze blowing on your face.
She took a bite out of curiosity and couldn't help frowning.
Very spicy.
Pei Ji heard Ning Ning quickly put down the cup and raised the porcelain cup in silence.
He has never drunk alcohol. He had no money when he was a child, and no time when he grew up.
"Everyone, have a cup each, and don't cheat."
Tian Xianzi took a sip and felt as if he were ascending to heaven. He laughed cheerfully and said, "This wine is not strong, but the taste is pure. You can drink it without worry."
Zheng Weiqi also smiled and said, "Brother Pei Ji, come quickly! Don't think that we won't let you drink just because you sit aside and don't talk."
When Ningning heard that she had to drink, she looked a little embarrassed.
"Pei Xiaoji! It's time for you to take action!"
Chengying was so excited that he kicked him in his heart: "Ningning obviously doesn't want to drink, so of course you have to block the wine for her! Quick, quick, quick, say with all your might, '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, she saw him tilt his head back and pour the entire glass of wine into his mouth.
There was silence at the scene, and everyone had different expressions.
Tian Xianzi tried hard to suppress his smile, his shoulders shaking constantly.
Wonderful, wonderful, Pei Ji has grown up.
Ningning's ears turned slightly red and she was unable to speak.
Wait, wait a minute! If Pei Ji took her wine glass like this, wouldn't they be indirectly... kissing?
Meng Jue frowned, looking worried.
This wine is notoriously intoxicating, and it would probably be inappropriate to gulp it down so recklessly.
Lin Xun was filled with envy, his mouth opened into a round O shape.
Junior Brother Pei Ji is so responsible and gentle! Isn’t it so cool to block the wine like this?
Pei Ji had no expression on his face.
Pei Ji's eyes were red.
...very spicy.
Pei Ji suddenly put the wine glass on the round table, 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 scary and might scare the people around him.
Ning Ning 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 was helping Ning Ning to drink, but ended up pouring the wine himself! This is too lame! ! !
Chengying was so frightened that he was shaking all over. He wanted to kneel down and chew the dirt. He screamed in horror: "No! Pei Xiaoji!"
He Zhizhou was terrified and imagined an eight-million-word mystery novel in his mind: "Is the wine poisonous?!"
"Poisonous bastard!"
Zheng Weiqi slapped him on the back of the head: "He is drunk!"
"Drunk?"
He Zhizhou couldn't believe it, his eyes widened and he stared straight at Junior Brother Pei who was hurriedly helped up by Ning Ning.
Are you kidding me? This is the domineering, cool and handsome leading man in "Sword Breaks the Sky"! According to Ning Ning's spoilers, this person is extremely ruthless and cruel. He chops villains like chopping vegetables. He is simply a walking hanged man.
Such a person actually only had one cup... No, a few drops poured out? !
"This, this, this," Tian Xianzi was stunned, "What should I do? Why would Pei Ji be like this..."
Ning Ning saw that he had his eyes open and seemed to still have some consciousness. She asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"
Pei Ji still didn't say anything, his dark eyes were empty. After a while, he realized what she was saying and nodded belatedly.
"Wouldn't this be his first time drinking?"
Tian Xianzi never expected that the plot would take such a sudden turn, and he hesitated and said: "Pei Ji... is really a chicken?"
Meng Jue sighed and stood up from his seat: "Junior Brother Pei is not in such a good state. It is not appropriate for him to stay in Tianxiang Tower. I will take him back to the inn to rest, and you guys continue drinking."
"No, no! I can do it!"
Ningning didn't want to drink the "Jiuzhou Chungui" in the first place, and when she saw Pei Ji fall, she became even more resistant. In order to avoid getting drunk, the only way was to leave Tianxiang Tower as soon as possible under the pretext of sending him back to the inn.
Her reasons were very serious, but when Tian Xianzi heard it, he revealed an unspeakable smile, and while smiling he pulled Meng Jue to sit down: "Let Ningning come. The two of them have always had a good relationship."
"Thank you, Master!"
Ning Ning 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?"
Tian Xianzi 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 haven't drunk alcohol before? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
Ningning held Pei Ji's arms with both hands and led him walking on the streets of Luancheng.
At night, Luancheng is brightly lit, with a bustling traffic. The flying pavilions and flowing red buildings reach up to the sky, connecting into a piece. There are stars dotted in the sky above, and bright lights everywhere below. The cries of vendors weave into a dense net, covering the entire city with the wind.
Pei Ji looked dazed and seemed to make a low "hmm" sound.
Chengying was still struggling desperately in his sea of consciousness, jumping up and down: "Pei Ji, wake up a little, Pei Ji! Ningning is right next to you, don't do anything embarrassing!"
Ningning.
The fiery taste of the wine still lingered on the tip of his tongue, spreading out suffocating heat that made him feel involuntarily upset and his mind in a mess.
However, when this name sounded on his eardrum, Pei Ji frowned gloomily, his lifeless heart beat heavily, and it was during this moment of distraction that he tripped.
Ningning had been supporting him, but seeing this, she quickly 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.
Come on, come closer.
Her palm was pressed very close to his chest, and she could feel the boy's violent heartbeat, thump thump.
Ningning's heartbeat also began to beat rapidly.
The night was dark, Pei Ji's body was filled with 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.
Ningning almost forgot to breathe, and felt as if her heart was hit hard.
Help, help, this is...what on earth is going on.
"Pei Ji?"
She resisted the urge to blush and whispered his name: "Can you still stand up?"
Ningning said this while using 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’s just “some”.
This gesture left her more confused than before.
Pei Ji was still leaning over, his fresh 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.
Their faces were extremely close, and the young man in black clothes and black hair stared at her in silence for a long time.
His pupils were dark and translucent, reflecting the lights on both sides of the street, casting a layer of ambiguous glow. Those eyes were usually calm, but now they were incredibly 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 when she was looked at, and called out again: "Pei Ji?"
Pei Ji ignored her.
Instead, he took a step forward and moved closer to her.
All of this was controlled by him. Ningning wanted to look away, but his pupils like deep pools gradually tightened, and her body could not escape the shackles of his palms.
The light and shadow flickered in her cloudy eyes. He looked at her silently with a gloomy expression, as if he was seeing her for the first time. In the chaotic consciousness, a voice said to Pei Ji:
He knew this girl.
No, not Little Senior 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 breeze and caressed Ningning's cheek.
His voice was like that of a drunk, light and a little hoarse, but with a slight curve at the corner of his mouth, and the voice and heat surged up together.
"Ning-Ning."
He had never spoken this name before.
And in the corner of the dimly lit street in Luancheng, Pei Ji read out those two words over and over again in an unskillful and cautious manner, as if he was whispering awkwardly.
Ningning's heart felt like fireworks suddenly exploded.
She heard Pei Ji chuckle in her ear, and then called out word by word: "Ningning."
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