Chapter 1661: "Borrow to Use (4)"
"Bind him." Jun Wu Xie tossed her order out and then climbed into the carriage.
The youth was slightly surprised and before he could react, he was tightly bound up by Ye Sha and carried up to be dumped into the second carriage where the birthday gift was put in.
As the coachman had been thrown into the bushes by Jun Wu Xie, the two horse carriages had to be driven by Ye Sha and Ye Gu.
Jun Wu Xie and Zi Jin sat within the horse carriage and Zi Jin's gaze was a little flustered.
She had just witnessed something that was very much like "robbery", and was feeling that there should be something wrong with what had been done. Zi Jin had not known how Jun Wu was intending to go to the Pure Grace Palace and looking at the current situation, she finally understood it.
Jun Wu was intending to use the Shadow Moon Palace's name to go send birthday well wishes to the Pure Grace Palace Lord!
Looking throughout the lands under the Heavens, for someone who was able to so easily rob people from the Twelve Palaces, it was thought that there should only be this one here.
"We are going to impersonate people from the Shadow Moon Palace to go to the Pure Grace Palace?" Zi Jin asked while seated within the carriage, looking warily at Jun Wu, thinking that Jun Wu today gave her a highly different feeling from before. She had thought that Jun Wu was a ice glacier who did not care about anything but this mountainous glacier seemed to be capable of deeds that would have shocked many people.
"Mm." Jun Wu Xie nodded her head. She then pulled a human skin mask out from her Cosmos Sack and handed it to Zi Jin.
"Wear it." Upon saying that, Jun Wu Xie then pulled out another one for herself and then put in on.
These masks were acquired from the auction houses when she was in the Lower Realm and compared to altering one's looks with medicine, this one lasted for a longer period of time, but slightly uncomfortable to wear. Going to the Pure Grace Palace, Jun Wu Xie could not be certain that no one would be able to recognize her and in order to avoid any unexpected accidents, covering her looks completely would be the best option to take.
Zi Jin obediently put the mask on and in the next moment, that pretty countenance changed to become one of a delicate young girl, diminishing a little of her beauty which would not draw people's attention to her so much.
Jun Wu Xie's outlook was still one of a average looking youth, but her facial features all changed slightly.
After putting on the mask properly, Zi Jin just looked at Jun Wu quietly, unable to fathom what kind of intentions Jun Wu had in mind.
"Why did you..... want to keep that youth with us?" Zi Jin could not hold herself back from asking.
When Jun Wu had led Ye Sha and Ye Gu to carry out the "robbery" earlier, she had just froze in shock at the side, unable to react at all. But the words the youth from the Shadow Moon spoke, she had heard them highly clearly.
That youth had definitely said that if Jun Wu did not kill him, he would come kill Jun Wu in future. So why would Jun Wu still want to keep the person with them?
"Useful." Jun Wu Xie said indifferently. What Zi Jin did not know, was that Jun Wu Xie had seen a kind of numbed and jaded dimness in the youth's eyes that she was highly familiar with. It was not important what the youth said as what Jun Wu Xie was concerned about was the lifeless eyes on the youth, like life and death in this world had nothing to do with him at all.
Such a feeling was not foreign to Jun Wu Xie. In her past life, when she had been imprisoned inside the cage, she had experienced that before. Life or death, happiness or agony held no meaning to her. Everything her eyes saw was grey and white, without a single tinge of colour.
That was when one was oppressed to the point of utter despair.
Jun Wu Xie was certain that the youth was different from the other disciples of the Shadow Moon Palace and keeping him with them would be useful to her.
Without needing to speak about anything else, just that pair of eyes alone would be enough to make Jun Wu Xie want to spare his life.
Chapter 1662: "Opportunity of One's Own Choice (1)"
Zi Jin looked on at Jun Wu, seemingly unable to understand what the youth before her eyes was thinking in his mind even more. Zi Jin had a feeling, that even if she opened her mouth to ask more about it, she wouldn't get the answer that she wanted.
Curling both her legs close, her arms wrapped around her knees, Zi Jin looked at the side of Jun Wu's face, quietening herself down.
It was the Pure Grace Palace Lord's birthday and the Pure Grace Palace had buntings and lanterns hanging everywhere, in celebration of the Palace Lord's upcoming birthday early before it arrived.
From what Jun Wu Xie could see, the demarcation of power between the Twelve Palaces and the Nine Temples was very much like the demarcation between countries back in the Lower Realm. Every palace among the Twelve Palaces possessed their own territories under their jurisdiction. Places within a particular jurisdiction, everyone in there had to obey the respective palace where they would receive protection in return.
With the Pure Grace Palace Lord's birthday fast approaching, more and more people were coming to the Pure Grace Palace to bring well wishes.
It was not just the other eleven palaces. In the Middle Realm, besides the One Region, Four Sides, Nine Temples and Twelve Palaces, there were also many smaller powers scattered around. The might those powers possessed naturally could not be compared to on equal standing with the highly powerful Twelve Palaces and the reason they could survive till this day was because firstly, they were careful not to break the rules and secondly, it was because they were "harmonious" with the Twelve Palaces.
Whenever the time came when there was a need to, they would spare no effort in presenting up all kinds of treasures, and because of their "obedience", the Twelve Palaces had silently consented to their existence.
Jun Wu Xie and their horse carriages slowly drove inside the Pure Grace Palace's territories. On the wide road, they were many more horse carriages carrying all sorts of banners, most of the carriages filled with birthday gifts that were to be presented to the Pure Grace Palace Lord.
The youth bound up by Jun Wu Xie was rather cooperative, never fussing or creating a ruckus along the entire journey. He ate what he was given, and drank what they gave him, so cooperative that it made people subconsciously forget that he was a hostage that Jun Wu Xie had taken from the "robbery".
Before going into the Pure Grace Palace, Jun Wu Xie temporarily stopped the horse carriages in one of the nearby cities, to find them an inn to stay in.
Although it was within the territories of the Pure Grace Palace, the banners of the Shadow Moon Palace made many of the citizens feel fear and trepidation. When the servant at the inn saw the banners on the horse carriage, his legs immediately started to shake and even the innkeeper hurried himself forward to go welcome them. After a good period of fawning, the innkeeper then respectfully led Jun Wu Xie and her delegation to the best room they had.
Zi Jin went back to her room first to rest, and Jun Wu Xie got Ye Sha to bring the youth they had bound up for quite a period into her room.
The youth suddenly raised his head but found himself faced with a youth with an unfamiliar face, but for the pair of eyes which made her feel like she had seen them before, instantly understanding the changes on Jun Wu's face.
Having brought to come before Jun Wu, the youth still did not kick up a fuss but just stood there without moving in the slightest, his eyes showing no hatred nor fear, but just complete indifference.
Jun Wu Xie propped up her chin on her palm, to look at the youth with a cold and indifferent expression on his face. She could almost see her past self in the youth before her.
"You have a grudge against the Shadow Moon Palace?" Jun Wu Xie asked suddenly.
The youth was slightly taken aback, his brows creasing up slightly as he looked at Jun Wu with a rather complicated gaze.
"How does it feel to have to risk your life serving one's own enemy?" Jun Wu Xie continued to ask.
The youth's brows furrowed up even further, but he still did not deny the point brought up.
"I do not know what kind of animosity you have against the Shadow Moon Palace, but I can offer you an opportunity right now, an opportunity to be able to exact revenge for yourself. Whether you want it, would depends on what you choose of your own accord." Jun Wu Xie said slowly as she raised her eyes to look at the youth.
Chapter 1663: "Choose Your Own Opportunities (2)"
Surprise finally appeared on the youth's face but reverted back to it had very quickly. He lowered his head slowly and said in an almost inaudible whisper: "I do not have a choice."
"Oh?" Jun Wu Xie arched up an eyebrow.
The youth raised his head and his gaze met Jun Wu Xie's.
"i do not have a choice. Whoever he wants me to kill, I have to kill."
"If you do not choose, how do you know you have no choice?" Jun Wu Xie said.
"My sister is in his hands." The youth stated.
Jun Wu Xie looked at the youth. "Tell me and see what it's about."
Without knowing why, the youth felt that Jun Wu was not intending to kill him and there seemed to be a voice in his heart telling him that this could be his very last chance right before his eyes.
"I am the godson of Elder Yue in the Shadow Moon Palace, or should it be said, I am his puppet....."
The youth's name was called Yue Yi and his parents were once disciples of the Shadow Moon Palace who unexpectedly lost their lives while out on a mission, leaving behind the merely seven year old Yue Yi and his three year old sister. After their parents died, Yue Yi and his sister were adopted by Elder Yue, to become Elder Yue's grandson and granddaughter.
Elder Yue was an Elder of great seniority in the Shadow Moon Palace and had blood ties with the Shadow Moon Palace Lord, elevating his status a notch up above that of the other Elders.
From young, Yue Yi had shown himself to be rather gifted and after he was adopted by Elder Yue, Elder Yue had increased his daily cultivation training load, sparing no effort in grooming him.
This should have made Yue Yi feel indebted and grateful for the kindness shown in bringing him up but under that beautiful facade, was dirt that people could not even look straight at.
Yue Yi was handsome looking and had been highly outstanding from young. When he was very young, he was often mistaken as a girl.
Initially, when Yue Yi was just adopted by Elder Yue, he had not felt that there was anything amiss. Although Elder Yue was advanced in age, he was highly amicable and benevolent, and he treated his sister very well too.
Till one day when Yue Yi was summoned alone into Elder Yue's room. That was when the nightmare began.....
What was shown on the surface, Yue Yi was the grandson that Elder Yue doted upon. But in truth, he became the vessel that Elder Yue vented himself upon, and as Yue Yi grew older and his powers increased, he still did not have any chances of breaking free from it.
Because his one and only blood kin, his very own sister, was under the grasp of Elder Yue's hands.
For so many years, Yue Yi had been willing to endure everything, only because Elder Yue had never raised a hand against his sister, and that was the only one thing he cared about in life.
As long as his sister was held under the grip of Elder Yue, Yue Yi would never be free in this life.
Jun Wu Xie listened to everything that Yue Yi said, and her brows furrowed up slightly. She had been able to feel that Yue Yi's loyalty wasn't truly devoted to the Shadow Moon Palace but the truth behind that had made her utterly disgusted!
"I am unable to make any choices and you can either choose to kill me now or when I return to the Shadow Moon Palace and Elder Yue finds out about all of you ambushing the carriages, he would surely send me out in pursuit and persecution. I know that I myself am not a match for all of you but to avoid trouble, why not kill me now?" Yue Yi looked at Jun Wu Xie calmly as he spoke, like the unbearable past he spoke of was not his at all, and there was not the slightest glimmer of light within his eyes.
Jun Wu Xie's eyes narrowed up. She had struck against the Twelve Palace seeking to protect herself and for vengeance. But when she came to understand that such dirty deeds were being committed within the Shadow Moon Palace, it just steeled her initial resolve to obliterate all of them.
Suddenly, Jun Wu Xie turned to look at Yue Yi and said: "It's true you have no choice and before you now, there is only one path for you to take."
Chapter 1664: "Choose Your Own Opportunities (3)"
"Kill off Elder Yue, destroy the Shadow Moon Palace and rescuing your sister. Will you walk on that path or not?" Jun Wu Xie said with her eyes narrowed up slightly, staring straight at Yue Yi. She had not planned to strike at the Shadow Moon Palace so quickly but she didn't mind bringing the matter forward a little.
Afterall, she wasn't going to spare a single one of the palaces was she?
Yue Yi looked at Jun Wu Xie in surprise, a glint of shock in his eyes. This youth in front of him was obviously a few years younger than he was but without knowing why, every word the kid said made his heart shake and tremble a little.
"Whether you believe me or not, you do not need to choose now. After this trip to the Pure Grace Palace is done, it will still not be too late for you to choose." Jun Wu Xie was in no rush to get a reply from him, as she knew very clearly what that reply would be.
As there was no other paths for him to retreat back into.
Just like she had been in the beginning, there had only been one path open for her to tread.
"During this period at the Pure Grace Palace, you will be the representative of the Shadow Moon Palace and we are all your companions. Do you understand?" Jun Wu Xie said as she looked at Yue Yi.
"You're not afraid that I'll betray you?" Yue Yi did not know from where Jun Wu was getting his confidence from. Not only was he not killed, he was given this level of freedom. Once he appeared within the Pure Grace Palace and if he was to reveal the truth of the situation there, then Jun Wu would find himself surrounded on all sides by enemies.
[Wasn't he afraid of that happening at all?]
Jun Wu Xie lifted up an eyebrow. "Would you even give up on this one and only opportunity?"
Yue Yi was stunned and he immediately lowered his eyes.
"Ye Sha, untie him." Jun Wu Xie ordered.
Ye Sha immediately unraveled the ropes tied around Yue Yi, his demeanor seemingly not on guard at all.
"You can go get yourself some rest now." Jun Wu Xie said with a shrug of her shoulders.
Yue Yi gazed deeply at Jun Wu a moment before he turned and walked away.
Till Yue Yi had left, Ye Sha could not help but to open his mouth to ask: "Young Miss really trusts this person?"
Jun Wu Xie picked up the teapot on the table and poured herself a cup of hot tea before sipping at it slowly.
"Why not?"
People who had never experienced utter despair would never know how much the last straw of hope that could save your life really meant.
Trapped within a future devoid of all light, even when one had to bash through a path filled with blood and be branded as a murderer through the massacre, it would not dissuade that person in the slightest.
Yue Yi could choose not to think for himself, but he could not afford not to take just one gamble for the sake of his sister.
Having endured endless humiliation for his sister for so many years and daring to be so upfront with a complete stranger like her, this youth must have already been pushed into a desperate corner.
"Looking at Yue Yi, he should be around seventeen or eighteen years old and his sister should already be one who is just budding with beauty. For a devil who had not even been willing to spare a handsome youth like him, would he be able to keep his claws off a budding young lady?" Jun Wu Xie's eyes were lowered as they brimmed over with oozing hatred within.
What she could never tolerate, was filth such this this.
For Yue Yi to plead for death, would mean that he understood he had absolutely no hope to speak of at all. He must have realized what fate awaits his sister and he did not possess the power to save her from it, only seeking to disappear from this world to turn into a ferocious ghost, returning to claim lives.
Ye Sha was pensive hearing Jun Wu Xie's words but Ye Gu just remained silent without a single word at the side.
Ye Gu and Ye Jie were two souls in one body and although they were not regular siblings, the sibling bond between them was true as it could be. Hence, Ye Gu had naturally been able to understand the kind of despair Yue Yi was feeling.
"As long as I make Yue Yi understand that by cooperating with me could fulfil his wish, why would he want to give up on this opportunity?" Jun Wu Xie said as she stared into the clear tea within her cup. This trip to the Pure Grace Palace, she had to have Yue Yi gain enough confidence.
Chapter 1665: "Let Me Infuriate Some People (1)"
It was extraordinarily lively and the Pure Grace Palace was teeming with activity. With the coming of the Palace Lord's birthday, the Twelve Palaces sent people forth to bring well wishes. In the past few days, an endless stream of guests bearing gifts and well wishes had been highly numerous which had the Pure Grace Palace overladen with many treasures. Every single palace made a show of gestures and no matter how much they plotted against each other behind the scenes, this was however a birthday celebration and they had naturally made a grand show of it.
The Pure Grace Palace's hands almost went limp receiving the gifts and their faces fought to maintain a smile to welcome and settle the guests in, seemingly eager to play a good host.
But in truth, things were not so.
The Pure Grace Palace Lord who should have been seated within the main hall to await the mass of people coming to deliver their well wishes was holding a rather grave expression on his face at that moment.
Several Elders were gathered within the study, the shade on their faces not looking too good.
The various palaces had under the pretext of bringing well wishes, sent many of their young, talented and good looking disciples, seeking to show off the powers their younger generation held, which was a point that made the Pure Grace Palace unable to smile at at all.
The Pure Grace Palace was in the bottom position among the Twelve Palaces and they had not been able to net themselves any youths that suited their fancy in the last Battle of Deities Grand Meet. Although they did recruit quite a number of people, but seeing before their eyes these most outstanding and brilliant youths who had been won by the other palaces, it stifled the Pure Grace Palace so much that they almost wanted to vomit out blood but were unable to do a thing about it.
They had only managed to find a youth who possessed rather good gift after much hardship and they were all prepared to bring him back to the palace to properly groom him but before he even set foot into the Pure Grace Palace, that youth had because of his lust for the fairer sex, been beaten up so badly as to sustain severe injuries by a girl from the Dragon Slayers Palace. His injuries had been extremely severe and even after countless physicians had been invited in to treat him after he was brought back to the palace, the result had made them all helpless. The youth's cultivation meridians had been almost completely destroyed and wanting him to make a full recovery was almost something impossible.
Only by inviting the Medical Saint Bai Xu could it be possible for them to turn things around. But Bai Xu was enigmatic and his whereabouts unknown. Nobody knows where to find him and the letters they sent had been like rocks thrown into the seas, who knew when this unfortunate scoundrel would even get his turn?
And the main culprit that created this entire mess had just grandly come strutting in through the doors of the Pure Grace Palace following behind the Young Lord of the Dragon Slayers Palace, their faces overflowing with smiles.
The disciples standing at the front of the Pure Grace Palace receiving the guests spotted a ravishing and moving "young lady" approaching them gracefully to hand them the invitation and they were suddenly stunned by the delicate and pretty looks, staring rather dazedly.
The "young lady" beamed with a smile as "she" looked at the young Pure Grace Palace disciples and said: "The Dragon Slayers Palace's Fei Yan is here with our Young Lord to bring our well wishes for the Pure Grace Palace Lord's birthday."
The mesmerized stare on the face of the Pure Grace Palace's disciple shattered under Fei Yan's smiling words, his face contorting up with disbelief and the eyes staring at Fei Yan became highly appalled!
[Fei Yan?]
[Isn't that the girl that had beaten up that disciple from their Pure Grace Palace highly severely?]
The disciple from the Pure Grace Palace would not even in his dreams ever thought that Fei Yan would come here to the Pure Grace Palace so brusquely for the Palace Lord's birthday celebrations.
Instead of saying they came here to send their well wishes..... it might be said that these guys were here to infuriate them!
It must be known that the person Fei Yan thrashed up had been a seedling highly regarded by the Palace Lord and the Elders. But though the seedling had been good, but he had been "deflowered" and was wilting, still sickly and frail in a courtyard in the back where it took him great effort to even walk.
Fei Yan's appearance had caused the people in the Pure Grace Palace to be unable to smile at all and the gazes they threw at Fei Yan turned strange, the strong enmity within their eyes couldn't be any more obvious.
But someone was just seemingly completely oblivious to the other party's intense animosity as he beamed brightly at the bunch of the Pure Grace Palace's disciples, that brilliant smile when seen by the eyes of those disciples, becoming highly scorching and stinging.
[Aren't these scoundrels here to find trouble with them?]
Chapter 1666: "Let Me Infuriate Some People (2)"
Although the Twelve Palaces were not harmonious deep at heart, but on the surface, they still took care to put on a superficial show of cohesion. It wasn't that there was no infighting behind the scenes, but despite fighting to one up each other, they all knew better than to invite gossip. At the very least, none would so blatantly send the chief culprit right up to the victim's birthday celebration!
Wouldn't that just be spurning others?
From what the Pure Grace Palace knew, Fei Yan's actions in the incident was almost certainly the Dragon Slayers Palace's idea.
With Fei Yan's arrival at this moment, it just made the people from the Pure Grace Palace feel that the Dragon Slayers Palace had gone overboard in their bullying.
But as their were too many other guests around, they did not think it right to openly go against them, so they could only stiffly smile and stand there to stare at Fei Yan.
"Little Yan, is everything alright?" At that moment, a handsome faced young man walked slowly over, dressed in a full brocade robe, looking magnificent as his eyes looked straight at Fei Yan.
Fei Yan mirthful eyes flashed briefly with a glint of ridicule before immediately turning his head to beam brightly at the man to say: "Young Lord, I do not know the reason why, but the Pure Grace Palace does not seem to really welcome us." As he spoke, Fei Yan lowered his head looking a little aggrieved, his eyes slowly looking forlorn.
The man creased up his brows and his eyes glinted with displeasure. But it was not directed at Fei Yan but towards the disciples of the Pure Grace Palace.
"I am Zhuge Yin from the Dragon Slayers Palace, and I am here unders my father's orders to bring well wishes for the Palace Lord's birthday. May I know if there is anything about this that displeases any of you?" Zhu Ge Yin said in a seemingly gentle voice, but there was a tinge of hardness in his tone.
When the Pure Grace Palace's disciples heard Zhuge Yin announcing his family name, they immediately felt a chill down their backs.
Zhuge Yin was the Dragon Slayers Palace Lord's only son!
Although they were a little flippant towards Fei Yan, but faced with the Young Lord of the Dragon Slayers Palace, they did not dare show the slightest lack of manners.
"Of course not, of course not! Please come in." A disciple of the Pure Grace Palace's discreetly wiped off the beads of cold sweat upon his brow, hurrying in a fluster to welcome the guest inside.
Zhuge Yin nodded his head slightly, his eyes exhibiting a slight haughtiness as he turned his head to Fei Yan and said: "Little Yan, we can go in now."
"Yes, Young Lord." Fei Yan nodded obediently.
The Dragon Slayers Palace had sent a total of about seven or eight people and Zhuge Yin was the leader of the delegation. Zhuge Yin had shown extra care and concern towards Fei Yan from the beginning and the other disciples of the Dragon Slayers Palace had seen it with their eyes, but had naturally not dared to say anything about it.
"Little Yan, there is no need for you to feel any guilt. The Pure Grace Palace are not strict in their discipline which had then produced such scoundrels. Do not be aggrieved and you can rest assured that I will definitely seek justice for you." Zhuge Yin said in a highly concerned voice as he looked at Fei Yan walking beside him. From what he saw, Fei Yan had been too soft with the people from the Pure Grace Palace and that shouldn't be the way.
But thinking back about it, a pretty little thing like that should be protected by people, so Zhuge Yin was highly pleased with Fei Yan's "demure" demeanor.
"Young Lord, I don't think you need to..... We are here this time to bring well wishes and if any trouble starts because of me, the people from the Pure Grace Palace might not let the matter rest easily. If they come to harm the Young Lord, I really wouldn't know what to do." Fei Yan said with his head lowered, biting down nervously on his lip, the perfect portrayal of one who suffered a grave injustice.
The look, made Zhuge Yin's heart thump wildly. If not for the fact that the location wasn't right, he would wish for nothing more than to wrap Fei Yan into his arms to protect and soothe "her" properly.
"Harm me? The Pure Grace Palace? Would they even possess the guts to do that? Anything that happens, I am here. You do not have to worry at all. Just don't let yourself suffer any aggrievement. I will redress the injustice for you." Upon saying that, Zhuge Yin's hand subconsciously moved, thinking to go around Fei Yan's shoulder, to "properly comfort" the young lady.
In the end, right at that very moment.....
"PFFT! !"
Chapter 1667: "Let Me Infuriate Some People (3)"
In the end, right at that very moment.....
"PFFT! !"
A spray of water sprayed right onto Zhuge Yin's body, leaving countless droplets of water stains upon his lavish clothes.
Zhuge Yin's face immediately changed in an instant, as he immediately turned his head to see who dared to show him such disrespect.
His eyes turned to see a handsome specimen of a youth, who was patting himself hard on the chest as he coughed, the corners of his mouth suspiciously wet with the gleam of water as he held a empty cup in his hand.
"Sorry sorry! I choked on the water! Don't mind it!" Seeing Zhuge Yin's gaze sweeping upon him, the youth immediately raised his hands up clasped together in apology, and the other few youths standing next to the youth were standing there looking slightly awkward, with similarly apologetic expressions on their faces as they looked at Zhuge Yin.
Zhuge Yin felt like he was going to lose his cool but he then saw the uniforms the several youths were wearing, and they were coincidentally that of the Flame Demons Palace's.
Although the might of the Dragon Slayers Palace was positioned towards the front among the Twelve Palaces, but they were not able to overtake the Flame Demons Palace and the Blood Fiend Palace. Even Zhuge Yin would be unwilling to get into a dispute with people from the Flame Demons Palace in such an open location. Moreover, with his powers, he was actually unable to ascertain the power level of the youth who had spurted the water, making it obvious that that person's power was above his. Zhuge Yin secretly pushed down his rage and put on a feigned gentle voice to say: "It's alright, it's only some water."
"Err....." The youth who spurted the water laughed rather awkwardly. "Apologies, when I drank the water, I was also eating something..... so....."
Zhuge Yin's face changed a shade and he immediately looked down at his clothes. Alas, there were some chewed up bits of fruit stuck to his clothes and they looked horrendously disgusting.
"Young Lord, maybe you should go change first. The Pure Grace Palace has already arranged living quarters for us." A disciple from the Dragon Slayers Palace saw that Zhuge Yin's expression did not look right and he quickly stepped forward to switch the topic.
A corner of Zhuge Yin's mouth twitched as he fought to suppress the urge to strangle the offending party, before he nodded his head silently.
"Little Yan, I'll leave the rest to you to deal with." Upon saying that, Zhuge Yin then stepped away quickly in departure.
Expecting him to wear those clothes for another moment, was completely he would not be able to bear.
The Dragon Slayers Palace disciple immediately followed behind.
The youth who had earlier been impetuous then scratched at his head as he gazed sheepishly with a foolish grin on his face at Fei Yan who had remained behind by herself.
"Apologies, about that..... I had better follow you to go apologize to your Young Lord." The youth said slightly embarrassed.
Fei Yan looked at him a moment and then nodded his head.
"You guys just wait here for a while, I'll come back here after offering an apology." Upon saying that, the youth then walked off with Fei Yan, leaving the sight of the others.
Within the bustling main hall, no one noticed where they had really gone to.
Away from the noisy crowds, Fei Yan led the youth to walk to a remote corner, and after making sure that there was no one around them, Fei Yan turned his face around with his arms crossed over his chest, the gentleness and his smile disappearing from his face completely, his expression replace by one of disdain.
"Dumb Qiao, you had better dig out whatever you saw earlier out from your mind or I will not mind pulling out two of your teeth."
The one who had spurted water all over Zhuge Yin had not been anyone else but Qiao Chu who was representing the Flame Demons Palace to bring well wishes to this birthday celebration.
Fei Yan had just finished speaking those words when Qiao Chu could not hold back the urge within him to suddenly break out in a loud guffaw as he clutched at his stomach.
"HAHAHA! Little Yan..... Oww..... It's so funny..... I had not known..... You can actually pretend to such an extent..... I swear..... Even putting our Little Xie and Little Ruo together, they wouldn't be as feminine as you at all."
Chapter 1668: "Let Me Infuriate Some People (4)"
Qiao Chu almost couldn't breathe from all that laughing. He wouldn't have even dreamed that immediately upon reaching the Pure Grace Palace, he would be able to see such a brilliant scene beyond compare.
Only the Heavens knew, the first moment his eyes saw Fei Yan, his jaws almost dropped to the ground in shock.
Who could have told him that the uncouth brute who always hung him up to give him a thrashing would be able to so accurately portray himself as a bumbling and bashful little lass? If Qiao Chu did not know Fei Yan so well, even if you were to beat him to death, he would never be able to believe that this could be true.
Qiao Chu was bellowing with guffaws without being able to restrain himself and Fei Yan's face turned darker and darker, his eyes narrowing dangerously, resisting the strong urge rising within to strangle this dumb rascal to death.
"Oh my, I can't anymore. My tears are just absolutely flowing. Little Yan, oh Little Yan..... I think that Young Lord from the Dragon Slayers Palace has been completely mesmerized topsy turvy by you. You had better be careful to not frighten people too badly..... Hahaha....." The moment he recalled the scene he saw earlier, at the moment Zhuge Yin was going to take advantage of Fei Yan, he just found it so absolutely hilarious he could not stop laughing.
If that had happened into a normal situation, Fei Yan would have treated him to a big knuckle sandwich. However, he still had to continue with his act now, to put up a bashful and shy front, which almost made Qiao Chu's eyes pop out when he saw it.
Fortunately, Qiao Chu had still had a little bit of conscience, as when he saw the hidden displeasure boiling within Fei Yan, he had spurted out that mouthful at a highly timely moment. Otherwise, he did not dare imagine whether Fei Yan would blow, and pummel that Zhuge Yin into carrying a pig's head around.
"Are you done laughing yet?" Fei Yan asked a little impatiently with his brows creased together. He did not think that he was doing anything inappropriate with all that he had done, but letting Qiao Chu catch him in the act and laughing so hysterically, really made his fists itch.
"Not..... Ahem, I'm done." Qiao Chu had intended to carry on ridiculing his companion for a while more but when he saw Fei Yan with his fists tightly clenched, he immediately swallowed all his laughter back down into his abdomen, fighting his hardest to put on a stoic front.
"I'll say Little Yan, since we've already come here to the Pure Grace Palace, that scene would surely be often seen in the days ahead. You've got to at least let me get used to it right?" Qiao Chu said with a smile.
There was one point that Qiao Chu really admired Fei Yan for.
And that was no matter what kind of request was made of him, Fei Yan would be able to perfectly play out the character.
Regardless whether it was to be a distinguished Young Master, or a pretty and adorable young lass, Fei Yan would be able to imitate those perfectly.
That was also one of the main reasons that Fei Yan was able to gather the most critical of information in anyplace.
At least on that point, Qiao Chu was unable to do it. Even having come to the Flame Demons Palace, he was just playing a role as himself.
Just not as dumb that's all.
Fei Yan couldn't be bothered to pay Qiao Chu any attention.
But Qiao Chu's appearance had reminded Fei Yan, that though he didn't really mind being seen acting like this, and he couldn't really be bothered with others seeing his do it. But if Rong Ruo came to see that.....
Fei Yan suddenly felt his head start to ache.
To have Zhuge Ying come get close to her, had been something that Fei Yan had seeked to happen intentionally. Afterall, in order to incite the flames of battle to burn between the Dragon Slayers Palace and the Pure Grace Palace, would not be something that he who had just joined the palace not too long ago would be able to achieve.
Borrowing the help of Zhuge Yin as the Young Lord, would make things a whole lot easier.
But Fei Yan had merely smiled at Zhuge Yin a few times and flattered him with a few words which had already gained Zhuge Yin's attention to be fixed upon her. Against those thought Zhuge Yin harboured, Fei Yan had naturally had a certain level of confidence. Even if Qiao Chu had not made a move earlier, he would not have allowed Zhuge Yin to have his way.
"And Little Yan, there is something..... I think I should tell you about." Qiao Chu said looking at Fei Yan.
"Speak!"
"When I was drinking water earlier, I had seemingly spotted Little Xie....."
Chapter 1669: "Seemingly Met Before (1)"
"Little Xie? You're sure you saw it correctly?" Fei Yan asked in surprise.
Qiao Chu rubbed at his nose and said: "I would think so. Although her looks have changed, but with that pair of eyes, beat me to death and I will not mistake them for anyone else's. Moreover..... I do not think Ye Sha's and Ye Gu's mannerisms and demeanor could be emulated by anyone that easily."
If he had only seen one person who looked like it could have Jun Wu Xie, Qiao Chu might not be that confident. But he had obviously seen among the other three people with the one suspected to be Jun Wu Xie, two of them possessing mannerisms and demeanor highly similar to Ye Sha and Ye Gu, then he knew he could not be wrong.
Fei Yan narrowed his eyes and the corners of his mouth curled up into a evil smile. If Jun Wu Xie had come here in person, the birthday banquet this time would definitely turn to become absolutely fabulous!
The two of them spoke for a while more and then dispersed, acting like they did not know each other at all.
Inside the Pure Grace Palace, it was just bustling with activity. All the groups from the Twelve Palaces coming to attend the birthday banquet had seemingly all arrived. A scattering of the other smaller powers were also present who did not even dare to utter a word before the powerful Twelve Palaces.
Gu XIn Yan came walking into the main hall under the warm reception of the Pure Grace Palace's disciples, with just a faint smile on her pretty and and clear features, polite and distant. The noisy surroundings made her feel a little impatient but she could only suppress it while she stood among them, to smile and chat with them a little.
Among the crowd of a myriad mix, Gu Xin Yan's gaze swept over the mass of people, but when her gaze met a pair of cold clear eyes, she could not help but be momentarily taken aback.
That pair of eyes had turned away quickly, but that had been enough to drive a chill into Gu Xin Yan's heart, a chill that instead ignited a suppressed fire inside, causing her breathing to become more rapid.
[Jun Wu?]
Gu Xin Yan could not believe her own eyes. She seemed to have seen a familiar figure within the crowd. Her gaze involuntarily seeked to follow that person and she did not even hear a single word said by the Pure Grace Palace's disciple beside her.
"What are you looking for?" A voice tinged with mirth suddenly rang out beside Gu Xin Yan's ears.
Gu Xin Yan was startled slightly and she quickly retracted the emotions in her eyes, to turn her head around calmly, as she looked at Gu Ying beside her.
On this trip to the Pure Grace Palace, Gu Yi had sent Gu Ying to come together, but the siblings had not conversed much throughout the journey.
"Nothing." Gu Xin Yan subconsciously hid what she was thinking. Without knowing exactly why, the danger she felt from Gu Ying always made her want to wipe away any trace of Jun Wu from Gu Ying's line of sight, not wishing for Gu Ying to even notice that such a person existed.
Gu Ying looked at Gu Xin Yan's expression who was pretending to be calm and the corners of his mouth toying with the hint of mirth but he did not probe any further. How could he have possibly missed that brief flash of emotions in Gu Xin Yan's eyes earlier?
Gu Xin Yan's eyes narrowed up slightly and he swept them across the squeezy crowd of people, attempting to find something from among them.
But inside the Pure Grace Palace's main hall, with the sheer number of people who had come to attend the banquet, people who had been standing in that area had already been washed away by the moving tide of people, making it impossible for him to find any clue at all.
Gu Xin Yan noticed Gu Ying's eyes searching through the crowd and anxiety immediately rose within her heart making her quickly say: "I'm tired and will like to go rest. I'll just leave the matters here to Big Brother to handle."
"Alright." Gu Ying said as he lifted an eyebrow, but the smile on his face did not reduce in the least.
Gu Xin Yan's smile on the other hand, was a little forced as she left the main hall being led by a disciple of the Pure Grace Palace, to walk towards the guest quarters.
The Pure Grace Palace Lord's birthday banquet would last for ten days and within these ten days, the people here to attend the banquet would be staying in the Pure Grace Palace.
Chapter 1670: "Seemingly Met Before (2)"
Gu Xin Yan followed the Pure Grace Palace's disciple through the squeezy crowd in the main hall, walking themselves into a quiet corridor. Occasionally, disciples from other palaces passed them but Gu Xin Yan's gaze merely looked straight ahead without diverting, her heart filled with an indelible figure.
[Was it him?]
[Will he appear here?]
Gu Xin Yan shook her head discreetly, feeling that her guess could just be a mistake.
[That person is from the Spirit Jade Palace, so how could he possibly appear here?]
Her heart longing for it to be true, but thinking it impossible.
"Young Miss Gu, this will be your living quarters. If there is anything unsuited to your needs, please feel free to let us know." The Pure Grace Palace disciple said eagerly. Without having to mention the Blood Fiend Palace behind Gu Xin Yan, just with Gu Xin Yan's looks was enough to make them eager to please.
Gu Xin Yan nodded her head slightly, and at the moment that she opened her door, there was coincidentally another girl standing at the door right opposite hers.
That young girl had a delicate countenance and was dressed in the Shadow Moon Palace's uniform. Gu Xin Yan did not pay her much attention and was intending to go inside through her door when she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Zi Jin."
The slightly cold voice sounded from behind Gu Xin Yan's back and Gu Xin Yan jumped slightly, but she did not dare to turn her head back.
"Come to my room." That voice sounded once again but was from a little further inside. Gu Xin Yan could not help herself but silently turned her head around, to see a ordinary looking youth conversing with the young girl opposite her.
[It's not him.....]
That youth was dressed in the Shadow Moon Palace's uniform, and his features were different from what she remembered of that person's. But that pair of eyes and that voice were so highly familiar to Gu Xin Yan.
The youth and Zi Jin spoke for awhile and Zi Jin then followed behind the youth with a slight blush on her face. Gu Xin Yan stood at the mouth of her door, to look at the backs of the pair leaving together. For some reason, Gu Xin Yan could feel her tinge of regret in her heart.
Despite knowing that it was impossible for that person to appear here in this place, and knowing that even if they met again they would be enemies, her heart however could not help anticipating, that if there would come a day..... that they could meet again, how great that would then be.
"Young Miss Gu?" The disciple from the Pure Grace Palace called out softly in puzzlement as he looked at Gu Xin Yan standing frozen in front of the door.
Gu Xin Yan's mind snapped back to her senses and she gave a apologetic smile before opening the door and going inside.
Zi Jin was led by Jun Wu Xie's to come into Jun Wu Xie's room and she sat herself down quietly upon a chair, not daring to move.
During this period as the birthday celebrations were being carried out, all the guests would stay in the Pure Grace Palace. But for the sake of convenience, the male and female guests stayed in separate quarters.
"Young Master Jun, why did you ask me to come here?" Zi Jin asked as her clear eyes looked at Jun Wu. Throughout the journey, after having been with Jun Wu for a longer period of time, though he did not speak much, Zi Jin had been able to detect that the youth who was a person of few words had a mind deeper and more intelligent than she had imagined.
Robbing the Shadow Moon Palace's convoy and winning Yue Yi over to finally enter the Pure Grace Palace as guests from the Shadow Moon Palace. An act of such audacity was something that Zi Jin would never be able to even imagine. But Jun Wu had executed it so smoothly and when they were handing over their invitation, the calm and steady manner Jun Wu had carried himself made the highly nervous Zi Jin secretly admire the youth.
"In here, do not address me as Young Master Jun." Jun Wu Xie said as she rubbed at her temple. She had noticed among the arriving guests from the Blood Fiend Palace, that Gu Xin Yan and Gu Ying had been among them. She didn't really care about others, but these two people had interacted with her directly before.