Chapter 486: A Worrying Sight

Duan Rong brought Yang Zhen into Zhu Peng's residence. By the time they saw Zhu Peng, the sky was already pitch black.

Several large lanterns hung inside the cool pavilion, illuminating the space with brilliant light. Cold dishes and fruits had already been set out on the tables. Zhu Peng had originally been in the kitchen directing the cooks, but upon hearing that Duan Rong had arrived, he hurried over.

As soon as Duan Rong saw Zhu Peng, he laughed and said, "I borrowed your place to host guests without asking you first. I hope you, Magistrate Zhu, won't blame me for being a guest who usurps the host's role."

Zhu Peng said, "How could this be called usurping the host's role? This is called 'the humble dwelling is graced by your presence'!"

"Oh!" Duan Rong laughed. "You've even learned to use 'the humble dwelling is graced by your presence.' You've made great progress lately!"

Zhu Peng chuckled and said, "Isn't it because I'm hanging out with you, Big Brother? One's character is elevated by the company one keeps."

Duan Rong laughed. "That flattery was well-delivered. Spot on!"

As the two were joking, Zhu Peng suddenly glanced at Yang Zhen, who was standing behind Duan Rong, and asked, "This brother looks a bit unfamiliar. I wonder who..."

Duan Rong said, "His name is Yang Zhen. He is my childhood friend."

Zhu Peng's eyes lit up and he said, "So he is your childhood friend. Then when we take our seats in a moment, we must have a few good drinks."

Duan Rong said, "He will not be taking a seat." Zhu Peng was slightly stunned, but Duan Rong turned his head to look at Yang Zhen and said, "Yang Zhen, go wait in the pavilion over there. I will call for you when I need you."

"Yes, Magistrate!" Yang Zhen cupped his hands respectfully, replied in a deep voice, and then turned and strode toward the pavilion by the pond.

Zhu Peng glanced at Yang Zhen, seeing his figure disappear into the darkness. The lights had not yet been lit in the pavilion over there.

At this moment, the steward Zhu Yu had already brought in Lu Geng, carrying a lantern. Lu Geng walked in with a swagger, his eyes wandering everywhere, and soon he saw Duan Rong and Zhu Peng standing in front of the cool pavilion.

Duan Rong also saw Lu Geng. Just as he was about to cup his hands to greet him, Lu Geng had already flashed over, grabbed Duan Rong by the shoulder, and pushed him into the cool pavilion, laughing as he walked: "Disciple, I have long wanted to have a drink with you. But you made such a big scene catching spies that I was afraid of disturbing your work."

Duan Rong said, "Senior Brother is joking. It was just catching spies; how could that be more important than drinking with you, Senior Brother?"

Lu Geng laughed. "That sounds right. The mission is small, but drinking is big."

As the two spoke, they had already taken their seats at the table. Zhu Peng hurried to the kitchen to urge the dishes, and before long, hot dishes were served one after another.

Seeing that most of the dishes were served, Zhu Peng also sat in the cool pavilion to accompany them.

It was only then that Zhu Cheng arrived from the pitch-black night. As soon as he entered the cool pavilion, he knelt on the ground and called out, "Magistrate, please forgive me, this subordinate is late!"

Duan Rong said, "Zhu Cheng, I know you are busy, there is no need for such formalities."

Lu Geng laughed. "Being late doesn't matter, just punish yourself with three cups!"

When Zhu Yu sent someone to notify Zhu Cheng, he had been interrogating prisoners, his face covered in blood foam and his body reeking of blood. Knowing that entering the banquet like this would be a real mood-killer, he had no choice but to bathe hurriedly before coming, which naturally made him a bit late.

"This subordinate accepts the punishment!" Zhu Cheng picked up the wine pot, punished himself with three cups, and then took his seat.

Duan Rong raised his cup and said, "This is Zhu Peng's place, and these are Zhu Peng's dishes! I am borrowing flowers to offer to the Buddha, inviting you all to gather. Come, everyone, let us drink a cup together first."

Everyone raised their cups and drank them dry. Then, they began to chat casually while drinking.

In fact, the work of catching the spies was already nearing its end, and there was nothing much to hand over. Between the clinking of cups, Duan Rong and Zhu Cheng had already explained everything clearly to Lu Geng.

Listening to the whole process, Lu Geng looked at Duan Rong with surprise several times during the banquet.

When he left Yunfu Peak, the message Zhu He told him to give Duan Rong was the eight words: "Pull it up by the roots, cut the weeds and eliminate the seeds." Although he had delivered the message, he never believed Duan Rong could do it.

Pull it up by the roots, and also cut the weeds and eliminate the seeds!?

Is this still called a secret stake? Is this still called a spy? Are they just standing there, waiting for you to cut them? Waiting for you to pull them?

But Duan Rong had actually done it.

The secular intelligence network that Ge Rusong had built with layers of painstaking effort had been destroyed by him in one fell swoop. This achievement alone could be called an unparalleled feat!

Based on this alone, this little Disciple would be able to walk sideways on Yunfu Peak from now on!

At this time, Lu Geng did not yet know that Ge Rusong had been toppled. If he had known, he would likely have been even more surprised.

Inside the cool pavilion here, it was bright and lively, but in the pavilion by the pond not far away, it was pitch black, and Yang Zhen sat alone on a stone chair.

The ripples of the pond reflected the moonlight in the night, shimmering with light.

At this moment, following the sound of light footsteps, a beautiful maidservant walked into the pavilion, carrying a lantern in one hand and a food box in the other.

The maidservant walked into the pavilion and performed a squatting salute to Yang Zhen, who was sitting there. Yang Zhen sat there without moving.

The maidservant placed the food box on the stone table, hung the lantern she was holding in the pavilion, and only then took out dishes and a pot of warm yellow wine from the food box.

After setting everything down, the maidservant stepped back, performed another squatting salute, and said, "Magistrate Zhu asked this servant to host you, Magistrate. Magistrate Zhu says, please forgive any neglect."

Yang Zhen said, "Many thanks for the hospitality!"

When Yang Zhen said this, his eyes were fixed on the maidservant, as if he were not thanking Zhu Peng, but the person before him.

A touch of shyness appeared on the maidservant's face, and she turned and left.

Yang Zhen watched the maidservant disappear into the darkness. He raised his hand to pour himself a cup of wine. As the warm yellow wine went down his throat, a touch of warmth rose in his stomach.

Yang Zhen ate and drank, his eyes looking into the pond illuminated by the light. Only now, by the dim light of the lantern, did he see clearly that the pond was full of withered lotus leaves.

In the cool pavilion not far away, it was as bright as day, and the sound of noise overflowed. From time to time, Lu Geng's shouts could be heard; he was trying to force Duan Rong to drink, but Duan Rong was a guy who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. After Lu Geng forced a few cups, he saw the situation and began to turn his target to force Zhu Cheng to drink.

After three rounds of wine, Lu Geng hiccuped and looked at Duan Rong, asking, "Little Disciple, are you returning to the mountain tomorrow?"

Duan Rong picked up a meatball, put it in his mouth to chew, and replied, "Yes! Senior Brother, you probably still have to stay in Shenyun Prefecture for a while!"

Lu Geng said, "Isn't that so? We can only withdraw after Li Shensi's case is closed. Right now, only that kid Yang Yi is still investigating. Liu Shushan and I are slacking off every day. Naturally, there are no clues, but we have to drag it out for at least half a month before we can report back to the Sect."

Hearing the name Liu Shushan, Duan Rong's eyes flickered.

After Jiang Zhe's incident, the Sect issued a document for Liu Shushan to replace Jiang Zhe and continue investigating Li Shensi's case.

Duan Rong was not worried about this case. He believed he had left no handle behind; no one could trace it back to him.

Just at this moment, Zhu Peng suddenly led a figure in from outside the cool pavilion.

Zhu Peng stood there and laughed, "Honorable guests, since we are fortunate enough to meet at this banquet today, this subordinate has taken the liberty of inviting Miss Qin from Yanyue Pavilion to play a tune on the zither to add to the drinking mood."

Hearing the name Miss Qin, Duan Rong frowned slightly. He didn't know how many times Zhu Peng had mentioned this Qin Xueyin in front of him, and this time he had actually invited her over directly.

At this moment, a graceful and slender figure was seen walking in from behind Zhu Peng, holding a zither.

Qin Xueyin's face was covered with a snow-white light veil, but even so, it could not hide her pure and outstanding temperament.

As soon as Qin Xueyin walked in, her eyes shot toward Duan Rong.

She had come specifically to see Duan Rong!

Since that one meeting more than half a year ago, she had already fallen deeply in love, unable to extricate herself; later, she often inquired about all sorts of matters regarding Duan Rong.

She had long known that Duan Rong was within Shenyun Prefecture, but she had never had the opportunity to see him. She had entrusted Zhu Peng with this matter several times, and Zhu Peng had mentioned it to Duan Rong more than once, but Duan Rong had refused every single time.

Today, with such a fine gathering, Zhu Peng had someone notify Qin Xueyin. Qin Xueyin had always stayed within Yanyue Pavilion; when had she ever visited a home to perform?

A famous courtesan of Yanyue Pavilion must maintain her dignity to be worth anything! If she visited every day, wouldn't she just become a common whore?

Qin Xueyin received the message and hesitated for a long time, but she still came clutching her zither; she suspected that if she did not come this time, she would likely never see Duan Rong again.

After learning of Duan Rong's status, she no longer harbored unrealistic fantasies; she simply wanted to see him one more time, to express her feelings through a song, and to soothe the ache of her longing.

Qin Xueyin stood there, bowed slightly, and then sat before a desk not far away with her zither in her arms. She placed the zither on the desk, pressed her slender, fair fingers onto the strings, steadied herself, took a light breath, and glanced at Duan Rong. With her heart surging in secret, she lightly brushed the strings.

At first, it was just a delicate, fragmented sound, but gradually it began to ring out with a metallic clang. Qin Xueyin's eyes were like blades as she looked at Duan Rong, the sound of the zither filled with the ache of longing.

Lu Geng had originally been drinking, but upon hearing this, he suddenly turned his head to look at the murderous Qin Xueyin.

When Qin Xueyin finished her song, everyone in the cool room was silent; the zither music had wailed through their hearts like the glint of swords and shadows.

Lu Geng looked at Qin Xueyin and asked, "May I ask, young lady, what is the name of this piece?"

After glancing at Lu Geng, Qin Xueyin turned her head to stare blankly at Duan Rong, saying with a mix of infatuation and hatred, "This piece is called: 'Heart-Breaking Sorrow'!"

Lu Geng slammed his wine cup onto the table and said, "A fine name!"

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong smiled lightly and said, "Senior Brother Lu, aren't you afraid that Miss Qin will break your heart with sorrow? You just keep shouting 'fine'!"

Lu Geng laughed heartily and said, "To die under the peony flower is to be a romantic ghost. Even if I were to be broken by Miss Qin's sorrow, I, Lu, would be happy!"

Duan Rong laughed even more joyfully and said, "Oh! I didn't realize it, but it turns out you are quite the romantic, Senior Brother!"

Hahaha...

Qin Xueyin had finished her song, filled with grief and indignation, yet she had not expected Duan Rong to be joking around with Lu Geng, and every sentence was about her.

Qin Xueyin's expression, a mix of infatuation and hatred, became increasingly ugly.

But because she was wearing a veil, Lu Geng did not notice at all. Carried away by the wine and the excitement, he suddenly poured a cup of wine, placed it on the table beside him, gestured, and looking steadily at Qin Xueyin, smiled, "I wonder, Miss Qin, would you do me the honor of joining the table for a drink?"

At this moment, Qin Xueyin felt as though her true feelings had been fed to a dog. She had come eagerly, lowering her status, yet Duan Rong treated her as if she were nothing, joking about her with others at the table, and offering not a single shred of response to her genuine affection—not a glance, not a word. Since entering, Qin Xueyin had been staring blankly at Duan Rong, yet Duan Rong had not even glanced at her once.

Qin Xueyin's heart was cold to the extreme; how could she have the mood to join the table and drink?

When Lu Geng invited her, Qin Xueyin acted as if she hadn't heard. She just stared fixedly at Duan Rong, then suddenly rose with her zither in her arms and coldly snapped, "Our fate ends here; this woman takes her leave!"

After saying this, Qin Xueyin stood up to leave.

Seeing this, Lu Geng's face turned livid, and he shouted, "Stop!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xueyin's body trembled, and she stood there, but she did not turn around, for her face was already covered in tears.

Seeing that Qin Xueyin was just standing there with her back to him, Lu Geng's anger grew even more intense, and he cursed, "Just a whore, and you really think you're someone important?"

Hearing this, Qin Xueyin's shoulders heaved, but she remained standing there, not moving an inch.

Lu Geng suddenly leaped up and stood not far from Qin Xueyin. He flicked his hand, and Qin Xueyin's veil was already in his grasp.

Qin Xueyin stood there with tear-filled eyes. Feeling a dark shadow flash nearby, she thought it was Duan Rong who had come, and her grief and indignation deepened; her tears rolled down like beads from a broken string.

After Lu Geng removed Qin Xueyin's veil, he could not help but catch his breath. Under the lamplight, a stunningly beautiful face, tear-streaked like pear blossoms in the rain, appeared before him, and her elegant temperament was even more soul-stirring.

Driven by the wine, desire danced in Lu Geng's eyes. He suddenly grabbed Qin Xueyin by her snow-white neck and said viciously, "You want to be a whore but also want to set up a memorial arch for your chastity? I'll give you two choices now. Either I snap your neck right now, or you crawl into my bed tonight. Choose for yourself!"

By now, Qin Xueyin had seen clearly that the person before her was not Duan Rong at all. She glanced over and discovered that Duan Rong was still sitting at the table, and her heart was instantly pierced by a sense of desolation. Looking at Lu Geng, whose face was livid and whose eyes were dancing with desire, she said in a soft but firm tone, "This woman sells her art, not her body! My lord is welcome to snap this woman's neck!"

"Good!"

Lu Geng had not expected Qin Xueyin to be so unyielding. The desire in his eyes was drowned by anger; he even saw a trace of contempt in the eyes with which Qin Xueyin looked at him.

Lu Geng was now embarrassed and furious. Just as he was about to actually snap Qin Xueyin's neck, a figure suddenly flashed over.

With a flick of his hand, Duan Rong struck several acupoints on Lu Geng's arm and elbow, then grabbed Lu Geng's hand with his own large hand, directly pulling Lu Geng's hand away from Qin Xueyin's neck.

Lu Geng looked at the smiling Duan Rong beside him in shock.

Lu Geng had also achieved the Origin Qi Realm Fourth Layer. But Duan Rong had already reached the Qi Realm Great Perfection; he was higher in cultivation than him, and Duan Rong was proficient in hundreds of Capture techniques and knew the human body's acupoints like the back of his hand.

Duan Rong had arrived in a flash, striking suddenly; after hitting several acupoints, Lu Geng's hand instantly went limp.

Duan Rong looked at Lu Geng and smiled, "Senior Brother, why bother letting a whore disturb our drinking pleasure?"

Duan Rong pulled Lu Geng's hand back to the seat, looked at Zhu Peng opposite them, his gaze hardening, and said, "Take her away already! What a nuisance!"

He naturally knew that Qin Xueyin's arrival was something Zhu Peng had done on purpose.

Zhu Peng realized what was happening, stood up immediately, and led Qin Xueyin away.

Before leaving, Qin Xueyin glanced at Duan Rong, then left, clutching her zither and weeping.

Lu Geng sat down at the table, feeling his limp arm return to normal.

Duan Rong picked up the pot to pour Lu Geng a cup of wine and smiled, "Senior Brother, although that woman is rude, she is, after all, a famous courtesan of Yanyue Pavilion. If you really killed her, I fear you would invite a lot of trouble upon yourself."

"Is that so?" Lu Geng looked at Duan Rong with suspicious eyes.

Duan Rong said, "Senior Brother, do you know that the person playing the zither was the famous Qin Xueyin of Shenyun Prefecture?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Geng was startled and said, "She is Qin Xueyin?"

Duan Rong said, "Exactly!"

Just now, Zhu Peng had only introduced her as Miss Qin from Yanyue Pavilion and had not mentioned her full name. He had always heard that it was extremely difficult to even get a glimpse of Qin Xueyin, so why would she be willing to come to a private residence to perform? Seeing this woman arrive with her zither, Lu Geng had assumed she was just an ordinary entertainer from Yanyue Pavilion.

Lu Geng suddenly realized, so he raised his wine cup to Duan Rong and said, "Many thanks, Disciple. If you hadn't intervened, I would have nearly caused a disaster."

This Qin Xueyin was the 'white moonlight' of all the pretentious noble youths in the city; if he had killed her here, wouldn't it have caused a city-wide uproar?

(End of chapter)