Chapter 12 The Feast at Hongmen I came here this time to avenge my deceased husband…
"ah?"
Ye Zishan was terrified, his voice trembling. He stole a glance at the sword that had been stained with blood last night, but was now as clean as new, its silvery-white blade gleaming so clearly that it reflected his face. "Young Master Jiang, are you joking?"
What do you think?
Jiang Yu smiled, having deliberately changed into a black outfit. Unlike his usual white attire, this color made him appear much sharper, like a drawn sword, its edge fully revealed.
The smile at the corner of his mouth was chilling. Ye Zishan felt a chill run down his spine and even began to suspect that his thick clothes were made of willow catkins, all show and no substance. He chuckled and said, "Young Master Jiang, isn't this...isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
"Just kidding."
Jiang Yu glanced at the sword in his hand. "I just brought it here to broaden its horizons."
The gravel path was kept very clean by the servants of the mansion. Jiang Yu's slender figure was projected onto it. Accompanied by the soft music coming from both sides, Ye Zishan felt as if he were reading a book full of ghost stories on a roadside stall.
Yun Guiping loved listening to music and even kept a group of entertainers in his mansion. He would always call them out to perform at every banquet, and this time was no exception. The music was coming from inside.
The Star Palace was strictly governed by rules, and Xi Chuang and the others had rarely seen such a scene. What they saw was a group of men and women dressed in various theatrical costumes singing on the stage. They were divided into two rows below, and the white jade table was full of dishes. Yun Gui had not yet arrived, and the seat at the top was still empty. A maid came over to lead them to their seats.
"Young Master Jiang, this is your seat."
Jiang Yu looked up and saw the first table on the left side of the audience. There were two chairs next to the table, the other one clearly for Shen Jiuxu. The west window was further back, quite close to the front, but this location was rather interesting.
"Who is that? Why did the city lord arrange such a prominent seat for him?" a middle-aged man in dark green robes whispered. "Isn't the one sitting next to him a disciple of the Star Palace? Who has the ability to bypass them?"
"I heard it was someone from Shen Wuke. The guards didn't expect that when they arrested him. But I heard he's not a disciple, just a retainer, and can't cause any trouble. Sect Master Shen passed away here a few days ago, and the city lord probably wanted to give them face."
He glanced at Liang Yuan, who had just asked the question, and said, "Lord Liang has enjoyed the city lord's trust for many years, and your sister is especially favored in the city lord's mansion. Even if that person sits in front, he can't surpass you, Lord Liang."
Liang Yuan picked up his wine cup and took a small sip. The person opposite him was outstanding in appearance and had a unique temperament. Based on his many years of experience, he was definitely not an ordinary person.
As he was deep in thought, he suddenly noticed that the man slightly raised his head, his eyes were cold and his face showed no other expression, but Liang Yuan inexplicably sensed a sense of provocation.
He whispered a few words to the maid on his right, and seeing that she understood, he sat quietly and looked at the young man surnamed Jiang.
"Young Master Jiang, Lord Liang said that the banquet has ended and he would like to invite you to his residence for a chat."
Listening to the maid's words, Jiang Yu then carefully examined the man opposite her and found that his features were remarkably similar to those of the woman who had come to offer incense that day.
"What's wrong?" Xi Chuang noticed the commotion and turned to look at Jiang Yu. "Young Master Jiang, if there's anything you need, just tell us."
"It's nothing, thank you." As soon as Jiang Yu finished speaking, the banquet quieted down, and the singers on stage bowed in greeting. Behind Yun Shui followed a beautiful woman; Jiang Yu looked closely and recognized her as the woman from that day. It seemed his guess was correct; coming to this banquet today had been the right decision.
Yun Gui paused, seemingly casually glancing at the disciples of the immortal sects on his left. His gaze moved back and forth before finally settling on Jiang Yu in front of him. However, with his face lowered and the night being rather dark, he couldn't see the man's appearance clearly and didn't pay him any attention.
But when she turned her head and saw the conspicuous empty seat next to her, she said with dissatisfaction, "Aren't there two people? Where is the other one? Yunshui City and Shen Wuke have a close relationship, so I specially arranged your favorite food."
“He’s drunk,” Jiang Yu said calmly. “The banquet hosted by City Lord Yun is fraught with danger. Perhaps he could have saved his life if he hadn’t come, wouldn’t he?”
These words were so shocking that everyone at the banquet couldn't help but frown. Before Yun Gui could speak, someone started cursing.
"What do you mean by this? The city lord kindly invited you, yet you are ungrateful and spouting nonsense. Don't think that just because you're Shen Wuke's person you can act recklessly. Let me tell you, even if Jiang Yu came, he would have to be extremely respectful."
Liang Yuan couldn't help but glance at the man a few more times. He had never met Jiang Yu before, and had only heard the city lord mention him a few times whenever Shen Jiuxu came over. Such a disillusioned young genius had undoubtedly become the topic of conversation among people.
"Yeah?"
Jiang Yu raised his voice and slowly lifted his head. The maid beside him, quite perceptively, trimmed the wick and added more oil, making the candlelight much brighter. Yun Gui and the group were able to see his face clearly, and gasps of amazement echoed through the hall.
Yun Gui's expression turned extremely bad. He didn't know about the others, but he had seen Jiang Yu before.
“Shut up,” he said coldly, reprimanding the man who had spoken up. “If you’ve offended someone, go and accept your punishment.”
He was very familiar with this face. When Shen Jiuxu became the sect leader, he was invited to attend the ceremony, and Jiang Yu was sitting below him.
That must have been five years ago. Jiang Yu was at the age where he was the center of attention. He had always heard that this person was unruly, aloof, and didn't like to talk to people. The succession ceremony was the most boring, often lasting three or four hours. Even many older people couldn't stand it, and the younger generation liked to find an excuse to leave.
That's what he thought too. The ceremony for Shen Jiuxu to receive the sect leader's order had already passed, and many people secretly left at this time. Yun Gui was about to leave when he saw Jiang Yu still sitting upright in the same place. He had the idea of seeing when he would leave, but he didn't expect Jiang Yu to sit there until the very end.
The once pale blue sky had turned a dusky yellow, and the place that had been densely packed with people was now sparsely populated, making the man in blue clothes even more conspicuous. Jiang Yu was drowsy, propping his chin up with one hand, with the Xianchen sword beside him.
As the ceremony ended, Yun Gui watched Shen Jiuxu descend from the stage and walk to Jiang Yu's side, gently lifting him up. He couldn't hear what the two were saying, but Jiang Yu's expression had clearly softened considerably. The two walked further and further away, and from that moment on, Yun Gui remembered that face.
It wasn't until three years ago, when news of Jiang Yu's failed tribulation and severe wrist injury reached Yunshui City, that Shen Jiuxu, upon learning that he had medicine to treat the injury, took the initiative to present him with a visiting card.
But then, everything changed again.
"I wonder if Lord Yun still remembers me?" Jiang Yu asked with a smile. Xi Chuang and Ye Zishan stared wide-eyed, realizing that something seemed amiss. They exchanged a glance and fell silent.
“Young Master Jiang, what is the meaning of this? Anyone who has seen you should remember you.” Yun Gui took a deep breath. “I was unaware of your arrival, Young Master Jiang. I apologize for not welcoming you properly. If you had told me earlier, I would have sent someone to welcome you.”
“No need for that. I’m here for only one thing,” Jiang Yu said, picking up the sword that was standing on the table and examining it closely. “My husband came here a few days ago. He was invited by the city lord to attend some kind of birthday banquet. City Lord Yun must know about this, right?”
The scene fell silent for a moment.
Xi Chuang looked like a startled bird, his mouth wide open. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his arm. He turned his head and saw Ye Zishan standing there like a wooden stake, his right hand pinching his flesh hard while he was shaking him around by his belt.
Xi Chuang hissed and glared at him, but Ye Zishan didn't notice and continued to shake him. Xi Chuang lost his balance and fell to the ground. Ye Zishan was caught by him and fell on top of him, causing the fruit and drinks on the table to scatter all over the floor.
"What are you doing?" Xi Chuang's face was ashen, wine dripping down his clothes as he met the gazes of a group of people. "I told you to stop pulling me like that."
“Senior Brother Xichuang, it’s alright, come here,” Ye Zishan said, hiding his head under his clothes and beckoning to him, “This way no one can see us.”
Xi Chuang was furious and powerless; he had truly lost all face and dignity.
Who knew Jiang Yu would reveal such big news! Wasn't he supposed to be a sickly young master? Wasn't he supposed to be clueless and single? When did a husband suddenly appear? Does Young Master Shen know about this?
Wait a minute! What exactly is their relationship? Does Young Master Jiang's husband know?
Husband...husband? Shouldn't it be wife? Why is it husband? Did he hear wrong? Xi Chuang cautiously looked at Jiang Yu, but the other party didn't look at him and continued, "Lord Yun should give me an explanation for this matter."
"How did Shen Jiuxu die?" Jiang Yu simply stood there, his tone calm. "I don't ask for much. Blood for blood isn't too difficult for anyone, is it?"
The sword blade gleamed silver. Yun Gui clenched his fist. He had known this day would come, but he hadn't expected Jiang Yu to come in person. Wasn't he supposed to be weak and rarely go out? And what were Shen Wuke's elders doing, not even informing him of such big news?
“Lord Yun knows my temperament. Although this sword isn’t as good as Xian Chen’s, it’s still quite good.” Jiang Yu tilted his head and pulled out the woman standing behind Yun Gui. “And this lady, we met at Jingchuan Temple two days ago. I wonder if you remember her?”
Xi Chuang was already dizzy from this series of news. He had just said that his husband was Shen Jiuxu, then... then he was... Jiang Yu.
"I was in such a hurry the other day that I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Jiang, and my given name is Yu. I am Shen Jiuxu's Daoist partner. I have come here to avenge my deceased husband."
He stood in the very center, surrounded by a large crowd. Dressed in black with a plain white headband, his widowed appearance was unmistakable.
A note from the author:
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West Window and Ye Zishan were greatly shocked!
Ye Zishan: Senior brother, didn't he say he was just going to use his sword to see the world?
West Window: Do you believe it?
Ye Zishan: (begins to be silent) What is that Shen guard?
Shen Jiuxu: (Trying hard to regain her official status)
(Apologizing quietly) I'm half an hour late, please forgive me [bursting into tears]
Thanks again to everyone in the comments section for the free tickets, nutrient solution, and comments (could I have a little more, just whispering)! Love you all! [droopy-eared rabbit head][cat head]
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