Chapter 493

The night was cool as water, the courtyard deep and secluded, palace lanterns bright near and far, a group of sword-wielding guards patrolling back and forth.

From a corner of the small courtyard, a group of maidservants carrying small guiding lamps walked slowly over.

The last of the maidservants, slightly tall and slender, with eyebrows painted like willow leaves, glanced around with her eyes, then quickly lowered her head again.

Heng Xian swore he had never felt so awkward in his life; cross-dressing like this was truly an experience that tested one's composure.

As he passed the guards, he deliberately glanced at them and discovered they were all at the initial stage of the Qi Sea Realm.

Whether or not they broke through by collectively taking pills, the Qi Sea Realm is the Qi Sea Realm; one person at that level could easily dominate a city and the surrounding two or three hundred li, yet here they are merely guards—showing the depth of the Sun Family's foundation.

However, patrolling inside this courtyard layered with formations and deep seclusion seems rather unnecessary.

"Tonight the moonlight is especially fine; I wonder if Miss Huanji will still go to the Nine Mechanisms Pavilion to dance!"

One guard glanced at the moon and whispered.

"If we could just catch a glimpse, it would be unforgettable for ten days!"

"Such peerless beauty—how could we ordinary folk see it easily? Hahaha…"

The guards chuckled quietly.

At that moment, they casually glanced at the group of maidservants, especially Heng Xian at the rear, and the guards' eyes lit up:

"Eh? The maidservants on courtyard patrol from each residence are usually not this pretty—look at this last one, she has a unique charm!"

Damn!

Heng Xian's right hand instinctively moved toward his waist, feeling the urge to draw the Chi Mei Sword from his Storage Bag and thrust out a few strikes.

Fortunately, the guards had no intention of approaching.

Beyond the small courtyard lay a bamboo grove and stone path, an elegant and refined garden; not far off, beside a rockery, flowing water, and a small pavilion, peonies and paeonies vied in beauty.

Heng Xian scanned the area, his eyes flashing; three hundred eighty-six zhang—this seemed to be the place, and he prepared to leave.

The maidservants ahead suddenly halted; the lead one walked to the courtyard gate and called out, "Courtyard patrol maidservants, does the Qingzhi Pavilion need anything?"

After calling twice, a voice from inside replied, "Send two over; today the Ninth Miss is entertaining guests!"

The head maidservant turned and asked, "Who will go?"

One maidservant stepped forward, and Heng Xian also volunteered to go out.

The head maidservant did not expect him to do so, leading the other maidservants away.

Heng Xian and another maidservant entered the pavilion; that maidservant glanced at Heng Xian, found him unfamiliar, assumed he was new on duty, and smiled: "Don't be nervous; although the Ninth Miss's cultivation is sublime and her status exalted, she treats people very well!"

"Mm!" Heng Xian nodded.

The two walked deeper into the courtyard; not far away, the faint sound of bamboo pipes could already be heard.

"Go fetch the fruit, then attend at the Qingju Pavilion!"

Heng Xian, being utterly unfamiliar with such duties, simply followed the maidservant beside him to a room, carried out something resembling a fruit platter, and then entered an exquisitely shaped pavilion.

Upon entering the pavilion, he immediately felt his eyes brighten.

Inside the pavilion, lights blazed, warm as spring; a group of lovely maidservants sang and danced, while on either side sat more than ten young men and women, each exuding profound presence.

Seated in the place of honor was none other than Gong Sun Li'er.

Heng Xian thought to himself, "So this is the Ninth Miss!"

His gaze swept over both sides, and he couldn't help but startle.

Among the youths on both sides were not only Wu Gongzi and Ye Zimei from Beicanghai, but also two people he never imagined—

Fengtian Jian's Junior Chief Situ Le, Shénwǔ Sī's Junior Commander Li Jingfeng!

He was not unfamiliar with these two!

During those days in the Great Zhou capital, although he had attracted some attention, it is undeniable that among the peerless geniuses of the imperial city, these two were absolutely at the very top!

But they seemed to be from the Heavenly Court; who would have thought they'd end up here after the coup?

I don't know whether they were demoted by the emperor or came here for some other purpose.

Soon he set those thoughts aside and turned his gaze to the person seated beside Gong Sun Li'er.

He saw that the person was tall and straight, ruggedly handsome, with thick brows and a sharply defined face, slightly transcending the mundane; especially now, as he drank alone, his solitary, forlorn appearance clashed with the lively atmosphere of the pavilion.

This person was none other than Shen Kai of the Divine Blade Sect among the Twelve Sects of Dongyu!

So it was him!

Heng Xian lowered his head slightly; he and Shen Kai had met once in the Jianhai Guji, this person's cultivation and talent were among the highest, and he was even the top-ranked chief disciple of the Divine Blade Sect's Earth Ranking!

Even though, under Heng Xian's extraordinary performance at the time, this person could not withstand him, it cannot be denied that he truly is a genius!

Gong Sun Li'er, while appreciating the song and dance, raised her cup to signal everyone to drink, but her gaze kept drifting to Shen Kai.

Heng Xian secretly speculated that the disciples of the Twelve Sects had all vanished without trace, only Ye Kai remained in Gong Sun Li'er's pavilion—could it be…

Had they exchanged glances amidst the Heavenly Thunder Hooking Earthly Fire, the Pagoda Suppressing River Demons?

Just then, Gong Sun Li'er waved her sleeves and said to Li Jingfeng and the other: "The Jiugong Mountain City has not paid tribute to Qijing for dozens of years, showing disrespect; this time we invited the imperial capital to inspect the relics to show sincerity, never expecting that the two esteemed officials would come—Jiugong Mountain City is truly filled with awe and trepidation!"

Li Jingfeng laughed: "Miss Gong Sun, you jest; we act on the emperor's orders, bearing the imperial command—how could there be any distinction of senior or junior?"

Situ Le also said: "We must also thank the Sun Family for their warm hospitality!"

Gong Sun Li'er raised her cup and laughed: "Though the two esteemed officials hold high positions, they still treat the worthy with humility—truly admirable; please!"

"Please!"

Everyone raised their cups and drank them dry.

Afterward, Li Jingfeng and his companion exchanged greetings with Wu Gongzi and Ye Zimei, clearly old acquaintances.

At this moment, Situ Le suddenly looked toward Shen Kai and said: "I don't know this person…"

Shen Kai had no intention of exchanging pleasantries; he didn't even feel like glancing at him, and simply drank another cup of wine by himself.

Gong Sun Li'er gave him a slightly concerned glance, then lightly laughed and answered for him: "Shen Kai, he is my… fiancé!"

"Ah, I see! Brother Shen, please!"

Situ Le raised his cup to signal.

Shen Kai acted as if he hadn't seen it, still indifferent, an aloof, otherworldly demeanor.

Gongsun Li'er softly reminded: "A Kai?"

Shen Kai simply closed his eyes to rest his spirit.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Gongsun Li'er was about to change the subject when Wu scoffed: "The Divine Blade Sect's True Transmission Disciple is even more aloof than the legends say!"

Nangong Li'er's face looked a bit grim.

Ye Zimei smoothed things over: "A Great Sect Disciple, with extraordinary talent and supreme cultivation, has the right to be aloof!"

Li Jingfeng and Situ Le exchanged a glance, then suddenly asked: "Divine Blade Sect? I wonder if Brother Shen knows someone named Heng Xian?"

The real Shen Kai opened his eyes, a glint suddenly appearing in his gaze, and he glanced coolly at the two.

Seeing Shen Kai finally react, Gongsun Li'er couldn't help but smile and ask: "I don't know who this Heng Xian is, but how do the two of you know him?"

Situ Le introduced: "This person is my Great Zhou Prince Consort, Prince of the Three Mountains Commandery, and also a true transmission disciple of the transcendent great sect, the Tianyuan Sect!"

Wu gave a faint smile: "As fellow disciples of the transcendent great sect, I suppose Daoist Friend Shen knows him?"

Shen Kai finally reacted, flicked his sleeve, and said coldly: "Among the sects of Dongyu, talents abound in the younger generation; Heng Xian stands out above all!"

(End of chapter)