In the Execution Hall of Tang Manor, Tang Lingkui gazed at Tang Cheng before him while fingering the vermillion arrow in his hand. “So Su Muyu appeared and helped Tang Lian escape?”
Tang Cheng nodded. “Yes. I mentioned the alliance to him, but he seemed indifferent to the matter.”
Tang Lingkui’s right hand twitched slightly as he snapped the vermillion arrow in half. “Are they abandoning these negotiations?”
“Unlikely,” Tang Linglu entered through the door. “We await the Golden Tower, and the Su family patriarch will attend personally. This time, they’re inviting us to the banquet.”
“When?” Tang Lingkui asked.
Tang Linglu raised an eyebrow slightly. “The day of Second Master’s funeral.”
“They certainly know how to pick their dates,” Tang Lingkui narrowed his eyes. “So who from our side will attend the banquet?”
“Since they’re sending their patriarch, naturally I should go.” A young man appeared at the doorway—the same one who had served wine that day. He was Tang Lingzun, second only to Tang Linghuang among the Five Masters of the Tang Manor.
Tang Lingkui and Tang Linglu immediately stood and bowed.
Tang Lingzun strolled to their side and reclined on the chaise lounge, picking up a grape from the table and popping it into his mouth.
“But that day is rather special,” Tang Linglu said hesitantly.
“I’ll bring a few inner disciples with me and say I’m unwell, unsuited to attend the funeral rites,” Tang Lingzun smiled. “After all, it’s a chance to meet the Su family patriarch—how could I miss it?”
Tang Linglu spoke gravely: “But that day’s matter…”
“Could they possibly drag it until evening? I’ll certainly attend the bean feast at night,” Tang Lingzun smiled. “This is, after all, the most interesting thing to happen in our Tang Manor in nearly a century.”
“Good,” Tang Lingkui nodded. “Whether the negotiations succeed or fail, once we get past that day, even if the Dark River turns upside down, it won’t pose any threat to us.”
Tang Linglu bowed his head. “Then, we shall attend the banquet.”
“Indeed we shall,” Tang Lingzun smiled.
At Tianqi City, before the Junzheng Pavilion, an elderly man slowly entered the courtyard accompanied by a young attendant. They gazed at the pavilion.
Before the Junzheng Pavilion stood an imposing man in golden armor—Flying Tiger General, Dian Ye.
The elderly man took out a pipe from his robes. The young attendant immediately lit a match, and the elder flicked the pipe, lighting the tobacco. He took a deep drag and said in a deep voice, “So this must be General Dian.”
“I never expected to meet you here, elder,” Dian Ye smiled.
“Indeed, anyone would find it strange when someone who shouldn’t be in Tianqi City suddenly appears here,” the elder said with an ambiguous smile.
“Hahahaha!” Dian Ye laughed heartily, then stepped aside to clear the path into Junzheng Pavilion. “Please enter, Elder Tang. The Crown Prince has been waiting.”
“Very well.” The elder strode forward into the pavilion.
The Junzheng Pavilion was brilliantly lit with over a hundred candles. Though this place was originally Tianqi’s library and later moved to the Imperial Observatory, it still housed many precious volumes. Normally, candles would be strictly forbidden here, but this was exactly like Xiao Yong. He always wanted his surroundings filled with light, allowing people to see him clearly and directly.
After all, as Crown Prince, he was never the first to be noticed in court.
“Elder Tang.” Xiao Yong set down an ancient book and raised his eyebrows slightly.
Elder Tang sat directly before Xiao Yong. Though the other was the Crown Prince and he merely a commoner, he showed little deference, speaking rather casually: “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Hahaha, I’d heard Elder Tang was an interesting character, and indeed you prove amusing,” Xiao Yong played with a night pearl in his hand.
“Your Highness specially invited me from Tang Manor to come here, surely not just for amusement,” Elder Tang said leisurely.
“I wish to ally with Tang Manor,” Xiao Yong smiled.
Elder Tang nodded. “Many wish to ally with Tang Manor, but we already have a Xuanwu Envoy who is friends with the King of Langya, and the King of Langya never involves himself in factional struggles.”
“The King of Langya—that’s the previous generation’s affair,” Xiao Yong smiled. “In the previous generation, Tang Manor and Thunder Fort both made the right choice, betting on the King of Langya and my father, who ultimately emerged victorious. But now is a new era, and you must make new choices.”
“New choices.” Elder Tang glanced at the young attendant beside him.
Xiao Yong nodded. “How to thoroughly defeat Thunder Fort, or rather, make Thunder Fort disappear from this world.”
“Using the destruction of Thunder Fort to tempt Tang Manor—indeed a fine choice,” Elder Tang smiled. “But why should I choose Your Highness?”
Xiao Yong’s brows furrowed slightly. “What do you mean?”
“We are allied with Snow Moon City. Allying with the Crown Prince would certainly conflict with Snow Moon City’s plans. You know, offending Baili Dongjun is no simple matter.” Elder Tang set down his pipe.
Xiao Yong smiled. “You’re simply talking about conditions.”
Elder Tang stood. “You misunderstand my meaning, Your Highness. I mean no.”
“Why not?” Xiao Yong glared at Elder Tang.
Elder Tang turned to leave. “Meeting the Crown Prince today has left me disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” Xiao Yong clenched his fists.
“Many years ago, when the King of Langya came to Tang Manor to take Tang Lianyue, I was overjoyed. Though I disliked Xiao Ruofeng—he was excellent but wouldn’t take what he deserved, always yielding and yielding, even willing to yield the throne!” Elder Tang raised his head, seeming lost in memories. “But when Lianyue left with him, I truly believed they would become renowned throughout the world, and indeed they did. But in Your Highness, I see no such potential.”
“Excellent!” Xiao Yong laughed instead of growing angry. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t choose me, Elder Tang, because I haven’t chosen you either! You’re too old—when one grows too old, their vision blurs and blurred vision leads to wrong decisions!”
Elder Tang halted his steps. “What do you mean?”
“Tang Manor is about to see great changes,” Xiao Yong raised his hand. “And Elder Tang, you shall die here.” As Xiao Yong lowered his hand, the pavilion doors slammed shut, and all hundred candles were extinguished instantly.
“Elder!” the young attendant called out sharply, drawing the short sword at his waist.
“No matter,” Elder Tang smiled. “Extinguishing all the candles before me—I wonder if this is foolish, or merely foolish!”