Chapter 91: What Does He Mean?

The social death scenario ended; no one in the Golden Tower emerged a winner.

Those who failed the first round, though lacking firm willpower, at least preserved their dignity.

The five contestants who participated in the third round basically all had their public images shatter; even Da Mo Mo, whose Dao heart was firm, discovered something within her own heart she dared not face and hastily withdrew from the competition.

Although Xie Jinhuan became the winner, he now only regrets coming to this ghostly place!

At this moment, leaning on the railing with both hands to blow in the cold wind, every time he recalled the great pendulum of Butler Hou, the veins on the back of his hand would bulge.

Linghu Qingmo stood before him, seeing that Xie Jinhuan could not let go for a long time, and comforted him:

"They were all illusions; no need to take them seriously. You... what exactly did you see just now?"

"I saw the most terrifying thing in this world."

"Ah?"

Xie Jinhuan did not want to describe it, but simply could not describe it.

This was like an indescribable Ancient God; even attempting to recall it would awaken the deepest tremors in the soul and divine spirit!

"It is better not to ask. With that kind of thing, if you just take a single look, you will have nightmares for half a month."

"Is that so?"

Linghu Qingmo was truly curious, but since she could not see what was in Xie Jinhuan's mind, she asked with concern:

"Is your injury alright?"

"Nothing major, just a stress reaction."

"Do you want to rest for a while?"

Xie Jinhuan pondered slightly, first looking towards the Golden Tower's main hall.

With the arena match concluded, spectators and participants alike flooded into the main hall to celebrate.

As the biggest winner, 'Dan Yang Yi Dian Hong' was currently acting so smug, carrying the plaque of 'Gentleman of Integrity' and standing on a table spouting nonsense:

"All the alcohol and food today is on the bill of the Prince... on my, the Crown Prince's, bill! Everyone, drink yourselves to death!"

"Ho—"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is generous!"

Many of the onlookers had come just to mooch a meal; at this moment, they were extremely excited and rushed to grab tables.

Lin Wanyi, with Meiqiu on her shoulder, was also wandering around the main hall, looking at the spectacle everywhere.

As the winner, Xie Jinhuan would definitely have to participate in the celebration if he went down, but he had no mood now and only wanted to kill two people to calm his nerves.

Changle Street was not far from here; Han Jingchuan should be inspecting entertainment venues right now. If he ran back quickly, he could return to attend the banquet in no time.

However, being missing for a quarter or two of a ke, there must be a reasonable alibi...

While Xie Jinhuan pondered secretly, his hand rested on the Zheng Lun Sword, seeking help from the ghost wife who had almost tortured him to death just now.

Ye Hong Shang subsequently appeared from behind, casting a glance at the main hall below:

"As long as someone sees you, that's enough; you don't necessarily have to speak with people.

"You can make an excuse to rest in the room, let Wan Yi carry the Zheng Lun Sword around the main hall, and I will occasionally cast an illusion on someone so they 'see' you walking on the second floor; this way, many people will testify to your presence afterwards."

Xie Jinhuan thought this idea was perfect and immediately rubbed his chest:

"Hiss~"

Linghu Qingmo was watching the commotion downstairs; seeing this, she hurriedly supported his arm:

"Does the wound hurt again?"

Xie Jinhuan shrugged slightly: "I did get angry just now; I probably need to regulate my qi meridians. I will go down later."

Linghu Qingmo suspected nothing, supported Xie Jinhuan's arm, and sat down in the private room reserved for distinguished guests.

Xie Jinhuan made a gesture as if the weapons were in the way, unbuckled the Tian Gang Jian and the Zheng Lun Sword, and then handed the Zheng Lun Sword to Mo Mo:

"I will just rest here alone; you help me take the sword to Miss Lin."

"Ah?"

Linghu Qingmo took the sword, looking slightly confused: "What is the point of giving the sword to Physician Lin?"

Xie Jinhuan pondered slightly and said with a smile:

"She will understand the meaning. Let her wander around downstairs first; I will come down later."

?

Linghu Qingmo figured this was a little secret between lovers, but why ask her to deliver the message?

She was still a rival in Physician Lin's heart; she couldn't possibly go up and say:

"Brother Jinhuan asked me to tell you a message: just wait here obediently~"

Isn't that a green-tea concubine who monopolizes the harem and prevents the main wife from seeing her husband?

Linghu Qingmo was a bit reluctant, but she still took the sword. Just as she was about to stand up and leave, Xie Jinhuan spoke again:

"Mo Mo, wait a moment."

"Is there something else?"

Linghu Qingmo showed a look of confusion.

To prevent Mo Mo from running in later to check the room, Xie Jinhuan made a gesture as if he wanted to speak but stopped, and finally pulled her sleeve to sit beside him:

"Qingmo, in the third round just now, did you see me..."

Linghu Qingmo trembled all over, hurriedly stood up, and put on the appearance of an ice-cold beauty with a firm Dao heart:

"I... I didn't see anything. The Wu Sect's magical artifacts naturally disturb the mind; I sensed something was wrong and used the Spirit-Awakening Art to break free on my own!"

"Is that so?"

Xie Jinhuan sized up the restless Mo Mo: "Then why is your face red?"

"Is it?"

Linghu Qingmo himself felt his face burning, yet he forcibly steadied his spirit and put on a calm, carefree expression:

"Perhaps I ran up the stairs too fast just now—illusions aren't real, I didn't see anything. You… you rest well, I'll go down first."

Before he finished speaking, he vanished with a "swoosh~," likely even using the Ten Thousand Li Divine Step Spell.

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan knew Seeing Mo Mo wouldn't dare come upstairs for now. He considered calling out to his ghost bride, but immediately remembered she had been taken away; suddenly being alone felt strangely unfamiliar.

For an assassination outside, he couldn't use his own weapon. Xie Jinhuan placed the Heavenly罡 Mallet beside his pillow, did a quick check, found no one lurking outside the room, and without delay, barred the door before slipping out silently through the window…

……

——

"Come, drink up~…"

"Congratulations, Prince, you've won the top prize…"

……

The grand hall of the Golden Tower buzzed with noise; countless drinkers gathered in small groups, discussing the recent sparring match.

On the central circular stage, musicians and dancing courtesans performed.

Lin Wanyi, seeing that Xie Jinhuan hadn't come down, didn't venture upstairs—she wasn't familiar with the place anyway—only wandered idly through the hall, still worried about Xie Jinhuan's injuries.

But with Linghu Qingmo right there, she couldn't very well rush up and compete for attention, even if she wasn't afraid of losing…

As she mused aimlessly, a voice suddenly called from behind:

"Miss Lin?"

Lin Wanyi halted, turned her head, and saw Linghu Qingmo approaching, holding Xie Jinhuan's sword, her expression oddly altered.

"Miss Linghu, why are you down here alone? Where's Xie Jinhuan?"

"He's resting upstairs. Uh… he asked me to bring you the sword."

"Huh?"

Lin Wanyi, baffled, took the Zhenglun Sword as it was handed to her:

"Why is he giving me the sword?"

Linghu Qingmo didn't know either; she merely repeated the message as instructed:

"He says you'll understand. He wants you to wait downstairs for a while—he'll come down after resting."

Do I understand?

Lin Wanyi was utterly confused; she wanted to ask more, but Linghu Qingmo vanished with a "swoosh," as if afraid she'd pull her hair—left with no choice, Lin Wanyi examined the sword in hand, mentally speculating:

Sending a sword to repel evil…

Is this telling her to sever ties with demonic cults and become a good woman from now on?

He didn't even give me the Martial Divine Scripture—how am I supposed to cut…

Or is there another meaning…

Lin Wanyi recalled the moments she'd touched this sword—the first time, bathing at Xie Jinhuan's home; the second, tied to a tree and electrocuted…

Is he telling her to wash herself clean tonight and tie herself up?

Pfft~

He's a proper gentleman, after all—he kissed me and touched me openly; how could he possibly be so lewd…

Lin Wanyi's cheeks flushed slightly. She wanted to go ask, but Xie Jinhuan told her to wait here, so she could only pace back and forth, pondering the deeper meaning of the sword's gift…

Meanwhile, as Lin Wanyi's mind wandered, several nearby young ladies, glancing sideways, suddenly noticed the distinguished Xie Jinhuan glancing down from the second-floor balcony, then retreating back into his room…

(End of Chapter)