In the front courtyard of Yanmen, people from various sects were engaged in endless discussions, while in the guest rooms of the back courtyard, Tang Lici paced with his hands clasped behind his back. It was the height of spring warmth, and Yanmen’s back courtyard was planted with numerous peach trees. The peach blossoms were in full bloom, interspersed with pear and apricot flowers—pink and snow-white, creating an elegant and beautiful scene. In the room, Chi Yun had fed Fengfeng half a bowl of rice porridge and could no longer bear it, his heart blazing with anger at this master who carelessly adopted other people’s children but refused to raise them himself, leaving everything to him instead. Yet if he didn’t feed the child, the little one would surely starve to death. Looking up at the window, he saw blue sky and white clouds with a gentle breeze—if not for all these troublesome matters, it would truly be perfect weather for going out to rob.
Tang Lici stood beneath a pear tree, gazing distantly at another pear tree deep in the courtyard. His right hand rested on his waist and abdomen, silent and motionless. The sky was clear and bright, his complexion looked excellent, but his eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions of all kinds—impossible to tell if they were joy or sorrow.
“Spring is lovely, flowers are fragrant, people—seem to be in a terrible mood,” someone said leisurely, their voice coming from outside the courtyard gate. “If someone like you can be troubled, then everyone else in the world should just jump off cliffs, leap into seas, hang themselves, slit their throats, do whatever they want to do, and die.”
“The wind is lovely,” Tang Lici smiled slightly. “It’s blown this deity my way.”
Chi Yun glanced at the newcomer, whom he didn’t recognize. The person also wore white robes, but unlike Chi Yun’s white silk, the newcomer’s white garments were embroidered with text—a poem that read: “Others love fresh morning makeup, I love makeup worn away. Jade hairpins support a tilting coiffure, marking fragrant nights with nothing to do, as moon rises in the cool sky.” The person had snow-white hair bound with bright pearl and jade bands, with handsome and elegant features that seemed otherworldly—impossible to determine their age, though their face appeared no more than twenty-something. “Why are you in a bad mood?” the white-robed person asked with a smile.
“Thinking about the silver you owe me, when will you repay it?” Tang Lici sighed lightly. “Xue Xianzi, I truly can’t understand how Shi Tinghe’s murder could actually draw you out to see me.” At these words, Chi Yun was startled—this handsome white-haired person was actually the renowned jianghu wanderer “Xue Xianzi” who had been famous for decades? Just how old was he? He heard Xue Xianzi approach with a smile, “I also can’t understand how Shi Tinghe’s death could actually draw out you, this white-furred fox, to show your face publicly. It really doesn’t match your usual style.”
“Oh? What do you think my style is?” Tang Lici smiled. Xue Xianzi walked slowly around him with hands clasped behind his back, “Your style is very simple—just two words: treacherous and cunning.” Tang Lici said, “Hmm?” Xue Xianzi said, “Just by that ‘hmm’ of yours, one can see your treachery.” Tang Lici said, “You flatter me.” After a slight pause, he asked, “Xue Xianzi, regarding Shi Tinghe’s death, what concerns you most?”
Xue Xianzi reached up to pluck a pear blossom from the tree, sniffing it with considerable interest, “That would naturally be money.” Tang Lici smiled slightly, quite appreciatively. Xue Xianzi shook his head, “Whether Shi Tinghe dies or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that someone is trafficking poison for profit, accumulating such vast sums of money—it’s quite frightening.” Tang Lici said, “Exactly. If large amounts of money all flow to one place that doesn’t engage in production, there will be less money available for daily farming, weaving, brewing, and metalworking. In the long run, there will inevitably be unrest, and all other industries will surely decline.” Xue Xianzi said, “So that’s why… it draws you out.” Tang Lici said, “Me? I’m here for jianghu justice and the peace of all people.” After a slight pause, he added, “Speaking of which, Xue Xianzi, when will you repay the money you owe me?”
Chi Yun chuckled softly in the room. Xue Xianzi lightly fingered the jade band in his hair, “This… with such beautiful spring flowers, wouldn’t talking about money be vulgar? Let’s wait for a more appropriate atmosphere next time.” Tang Lici said, “If you do something for me, you needn’t repay those three thousand taels of silver you owe me.” Xue Xianzi gave a light “oh,” raising his head with hands clasped behind his back, “I won’t do things that are too difficult, uninteresting, tiresome, or unrelated to beautiful young women. For anything else, let me hear it.” Tang Lici smiled slightly, “Not difficult. I want you to find someone for me.”
“What person?” Xue Xianzi’s eyes moved slightly. “A beautiful young woman?” Tang Lici said, “Exactly. I’m offering three thousand taels of silver for you to find Bai Suche, daughter of Bai Yuming of the Bai family, known as ‘Bright Moon Heavenly Garment.’ She’s very young, has a very good figure, and is very beautiful indeed.”
“Excellent!” Xue Xianzi said, “If she’s not beautiful enough, I’ll charge six thousand taels of gold.” Tang Lici waved his hand with a smile, “No problem.” Xue Xianzi said, “What’s the reason for finding her?”
“Because I can’t find her,” Tang Lici said. Xue Xianzi grunted, “So there are people even you can’t find—how strange. I’m leaving.” He leaped onto the wall and smiled at all four directions. From all around came surprised exclamations of “Xue Xianzi!” before he swept away.
This person was still so flamboyant. Tang Lici shook his head. Chi Yun burst out of the room, “My wife—why ask this old lecher to find her? At his advanced age, he still seems quite lustful!” Tang Lici said, “Because you can’t find her.” Chi Yun flew into a rage but couldn’t find words to defend himself, his face turning red with anger. He heard Tang Lici continue, “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. You have a bad temper, but for martial artists, cultivating the heart comes first. If you can’t control your temper, your martial arts can’t advance to the next level.” After hearing this, Chi Yun only became more frustrated, wanting nothing more than to strangle Tang Lici alive. Just then, someone outside called softly, “Master?” Pushing the door open, it was Zhong Chunji.
“Your master has already left,” Tang Lici smiled.
Zhong Chunji lowered her head, “I figured he wouldn’t be here. Master is just like that.” Chi Yun glanced at her sideways—Xue Xianzi must have taken her as a disciple because he fancied this girl’s beauty. Unfortunately, this little girl had such a pretty face but was on the same path as those righteous people outside—a real turtle. He truly couldn’t understand how Xue Xianzi had taught such a stubborn, dim-witted female disciple! He heard her say, “Young Master Tang, Uncle Jiang and Daoist Qinghe have discovered who the spy in Yanmen is, but that person’s poison has taken effect, his mind is deranged, his whole body covered in red spots. Uncle Jiang has locked him up and is trying to interrogate him.”
“Is that so?” Tang Lici said, “How pitiful, how pitiful.” Though he said “pitiful,” his face bore a smile, making it impossible to tell how much sincerity there was. Chi Yun snorted coldly, “Fake sentiment.”
While they were discussing this, a blue flash appeared outside the door, and Gu Xitan called out, “Sister Zhong, Yu Qifeng has come to visit!”
Yu Qifeng? The “Sword King” Yu Qifeng who was defeated by Shi Tinghe at the Central Plains Sword Assembly? Chi Yun snorted, “Could he also be concerned about Shi Tinghe’s death? For Yu Qifeng, Shi Tinghe’s death is wonderful beyond words, couldn’t be better.” Gu Xitan cupped his fists, “Please join us all in the main hall to receive the guest.”
Several people walked to the front hall, where the guest hall was packed with people. All the guests and Yanmen disciples jostled to form lines, hoping to catch a glimpse of that jianghu Sword King. In the midst of everyone’s admiring gazes, one man carrying a sword strode in with large steps. This person was extremely tall with knotted muscles, seeming to be built two or three sizes broader than others, with dark skin and wearing brown-red clothes—truly distinctive from the crowd.
Jiang Feiyu stepped forward to greet him, “Sword King graces our humble sect—such an honor! Please take the seat of honor.” Yu Qifeng’s gaze swept over everyone in the hall, and each person he looked at felt their heart skip a beat, filled with respectful fear. Indeed, Yu Qifeng commanded respect without anger, with extraordinary bearing.
“Sect Leader Jiang is too kind,” Yu Qifeng said flatly. His gaze swept over everyone’s faces, stopping on Tang Lici’s face. “I heard that Yanmen has captured a spy related to Shi Tinghe’s death, so I came specially to investigate. I didn’t know Sect Leader Jiang had such great ability as to invite the master of ‘Myriad Apertures Studio’ to sit in residence here.”
“Master of Myriad Apertures Studio?” At Yu Qifeng’s words, everyone erupted in astonishment, exclamations arose, and discussions buzzed. Gu Xitan thought silently—master of “Myriad Apertures Studio”? How could that be possible? His eyes surveyed the guests, but he couldn’t see which person looked like the master of “Myriad Apertures Studio.” In today’s world, speaking of who was richest, apart from the current emperor, it would naturally be “Myriad Apertures Studio.” “Myriad Apertures Studio” was a commercial house with businesses in jewelry, silk, liquor and other trades. In just three years, their business had spread throughout the realm. Their master was wealthy beyond measure, rich enough to rival a country, yet almost no one in jianghu knew who this person was. Jiang Feiyu thought that if the master of “Myriad Apertures Studio” had come here without his knowledge, when Yanmen was always renowned throughout the world for its well-informed intelligence network, this would be a tremendous loss of face. He saw Yu Qifeng’s gaze fixed on Tang Lici’s face and wondered in amazement—could this Young Master Tang actually be…
“How do you know I’m the master of ‘Myriad Apertures Studio’?” Tang Lici smiled slightly, not denying it.
At these words, everyone erupted again in astonishment. Chi Yun looked coolly at Tang Lici with a somewhat gleeful expression. Yu Qifeng said flatly, “You wear a ‘Bone-Cleansing Silver Bracelet’ on your wrist. This bracelet wards off evil, nurtures fortune and brings good luck. It’s also an ancient artifact of immeasurable value, rumored to be in the collection of Myriad Apertures Studio. If you weren’t the master of Myriad Apertures Studio, who would dare wear it on their wrist as if it were child’s play?”
Everyone’s gaze swept in unison to Tang Lici’s wrist, where they indeed saw him wearing a silver bracelet with intricate patterns—who would have known that such a silver bracelet was “of immeasurable value”! Zhong Chunji’s pretty face alternated between red and white as she thought that she had seen this silver bracelet early on but hadn’t recognized its significance. Gu Xitan thought no wonder that fellow Chi Yun was so obedient to Tang Lici—he really was the master of “Myriad Apertures Studio.” But this person was clearly both an imperial uncle and a merchant, so why would he interfere in jianghu affairs?
“So Sword King Yu is also so concerned about Shi Tinghe’s poisoning case,” Tang Lici smiled. “People share the same heart. I interfere in this matter merely out of curiosity. There’s no need for Sword King to glare at me.” At these words, Jiang Feiyu was startled—Tang Lici wasn’t a jianghu person, yet he dared to speak provocatively to Yu Qifeng, with a faintly superior attitude. Yu Qifeng’s eyes immediately flashed with anger, though his expression remained calm, “Yu Qifeng was born with large eyes and means no disrespect to the master of Myriad Apertures Studio.” Tang Lici smiled slightly, “Sword King is too kind.” Yu Qifeng ignored him and looked up at the sky, “Where is this spy?”
“In the third wing room,” Jiang Feiyu said. “Our sect has already asked skilled physicians to examine the poison this person was given, but the toxin is extremely complex and difficult to cure. This poison can unleash potential, making one incredibly strong and tireless.” Yu Qifeng said, “No wonder Shi Tinghe was able to knock the long sword from my hand at the sword assembly that day.” His expression was very calm, but his tone was quite venomous, making all listeners feel a chill crawl up their spines. Just then, someone in the room shouted, “Sect Leader! Sect Leader!” A person rushed in from the corridor, “Gou Jia has been killed!”
“What?” Jiang Feiyu’s expression changed, “How could this happen? What about the people watching him?” The person said, “Brothers Zhang and Wang also… died under the assassin’s blade…” After speaking, he fell to his knees with a thud, “The disciples are incompetent…” Yu Qifeng said coldly, “Yanmen summoned heroes from all over the world to discuss the Nine Ghost Hearts Pill, yet someone dies within Yanmen—how ridiculous!” Jiang Feiyu smiled bitterly, “Our sect is ashamed.” Immediately, several people quickened their pace and headed straight for the third wing room.
Chi Yun and Tang Lici stood in place, watching everyone march in a mighty procession toward the third wing room. The originally crowded hall suddenly became spacious. Chi Yun suddenly said, “Young Master…” Tang Lici grunted and sighed lightly, “So you still remember…” He didn’t finish—the rest naturally being “So you still remember I’m your young master.” When Chi Yun served as a page boy in the Tang household, he addressed Tang Lici as “Young Master.” Now, having been in jianghu for several years, he constantly called himself “this old man” and wouldn’t truly consider himself a servant, but when encountering serious matters, he still unconsciously called out the old address. Chi Yun snorted, “Don’t you think Yu Qifeng came too quickly, and the Yanmen spy died too conveniently?” Tang Lici said, “Coming too quickly shows the Sword King’s ability; dying too quickly shows he deserved to die more than once over. What’s wrong with that?” Chi Yun looked at him coldly, “Can you say two serious sentences?” Tang Lici smiled slightly, “I’m always very serious…” Suddenly there was another commotion from the back hall. Tang Lici said, “With the Sword King’s ability, he’s probably already found the killer…” Before finishing his sentence, Zhong Chunji had already run over, calling, “Hero Yu has already found the killer who murdered Gou Jia. That person has also confessed, saying a masked person bought him off last night to kill Gou Jia, for the price of ten thousand taels.”
“Is that so? The Sword King’s wisdom and intelligence—Tang Lici greatly admires it,” Tang Lici said. Zhong Chunji smiled like a flower—catching the killer so quickly clearly excited her greatly. Chi Yun said coldly, “This killer is obviously—”
“This killer obviously deserved to die,” Tang Lici said. Zhong Chunji called out, “Exactly! After that person confessed, Hero Yu killed him with one sword strike. Everyone in Yanmen is quite grateful for Hero Yu’s act of eliminating the traitor.” Chi Yun couldn’t help saying, “What fucking nonsense! This person is obviously some unimportant…” Zhong Chunji frowned slightly. Yu Qifeng finding the killer of Gou Jia and killing him with one sword was clearly a good deed—she couldn’t understand why Chi Yun would be so indignant about it. Tang Lici smiled slightly. Just then, the people gathered in the wing room all came out, with Yu Qifeng in their center, his neck raised high and sword on his back, standing out like a crane among chickens. Tang Lici stepped forward and cupped his fists toward Yu Qifeng, “I heard Sword King caught the killer—congratulations! Tonight I’m hosting a banquet at Painted Eyebrow Hall. If Sword King would honor us, shall we all get drunk tonight?” Yu Qifeng glanced at him and laughed heartily, “When the master of Myriad Apertures Studio extends an invitation, who wouldn’t go? Tonight we’ll drink until thoroughly drunk!” Tang Lici also invited Jiang Feiyu, Gu Xitan and several others, and naturally everyone accepted. The hall was filled with joy and harmony. Only Chi Yun watched coldly from the sidelines, full of displeasure.
That night, stars and moon shone bright, and a clear breeze blew gently.
Painted Eyebrow Hall was the finest restaurant in Yan County, built over North Gate Creek. While drinking and dining, the sound of flowing water could be heard below, with occasional frog calls and fish jumping—very elegant indeed. The heroes gathered at Yanmen and Yu Qifeng sat at the main table with Tang Lici accompanying them, while the other Yanmen members sat at secondary tables. Host and guests responded to each other, toasting frequently, chatting very happily. Speaking of Shi Tinghe’s abuse of poison, harming others and himself, everyone sighed deeply, hating this harmful poison to the bone, gnashing their teeth.
A tall, slender white figure leaned against the long corridor outside the banquet, Chi Yun looking up at the sky with slanted eyes, not joining the feast.
Outside Painted Eyebrow Hall, the creek water was clear, with small white flowers blooming along the banks. It was spring, the creek was quite full, reflecting the sky and moonlight as it flowed gently—the scenery was beautiful and clear. Chi Yun watched with cold eyes, thinking that in the past, with such weather, he would have long since gone gambling and drinking with his brothers on Red Plum Mountain.
“Brother Chi,” someone called from behind. The footsteps were steady and the breathing slow and controlled—a skilled fighter. Chi Yun didn’t turn his head, saying lazily, “Gu Xitan?”
The newcomer wore blue robes with bound hair—it was indeed Gu Xitan. Chi Yun said coolly, “Fine wine and food inside, heroes everywhere—why don’t you go join the excitement?” Gu Xitan held a wine cup, “I already drank a round inside. Drinking isn’t something I particularly enjoy.” Chi Yun said, “Heh heh.” Gu Xitan said, “I wouldn’t have expected Young Master Tang to be such an elegant person, yet have such capacity for alcohol.” Chi Yun said coldly, “If you people could get that white-furred fox drunk, you’d have to drain the ocean dry.” Gu Xitan smiled slightly, “White-furred fox?” Chi Yun glanced sideways, “Haven’t you heard?” Gu Xitan shook his head. Though only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, he had been traveling jianghu for ten years, mostly concerned with jianghu grudges and rarely paying attention to strange tales and gossip. Chi Yun then told him some rumors frequently discussed by the people of the capital: three years ago, the current Imperial Uncle Tang Weiqian fished a young man out of a well in his own home, named him Tang Lici, and adopted him as his son. This adopted imperial uncle had mysterious origins, often left the capital, and moved about secretively. The capital’s people said he was transformed from a fox, or else some kind of spirit or water ghost, and no one dared offend him. After hearing this, Gu Xitan just laughed it off, “So that’s how it is…” He was quiet for a while, then after a long pause said, “Actually, regarding today’s events, I have quite a few questions. Seeing Brother Chi unwilling to join the feast, I wonder if you have the same thoughts?”
“Think about what? Think about who offered ten thousand taels of silver to buy someone’s head?” Chi Yun said flatly. “Or think about who has such well-informed intelligence to kill Gou Jia just as Yu Qifeng stepped into Yanmen?” Gu Xitan smiled slightly, “All of those, and perhaps one more… whether Hero Yu wanted so much to hear Gou Jia’s words that Gou Jia met with fatal disaster, or whether Hero Yu so much didn’t want to hear Gou Jia’s words that Gou Jia met with fatal disaster?” Chi Yun snorted, “Can’t tell you look like such a turtle, but you think quite a lot.” Gu Xitan said, “I wouldn’t dare.” He stood by the railing looking at the creek water, “Jianghu is changing. I feel that Shi Tinghe’s poisoning is just the tip of the iceberg. The various parties involved may be many, and if we continue investigating, the results might be quite frightening—not something that can end just because Hero Yu killed one assassin.”
“Are you afraid?” Chi Yun laughed mockingly. “To tell the truth, regarding many big and small ‘figures’ in jianghu, firstly I don’t know their faces, secondly I find them distasteful. If this matter causes earth-shaking chaos that can’t be contained, the more people’s masks are torn off, the happier this old man will be.” Gu Xitan sighed, “Jianghu affairs—how can they be so simple…” He glanced back at the room, “But I wonder what Young Master Tang’s purpose is in hosting this banquet for Hero Yu?”
“This old man doesn’t know. That Tang fellow is mysterious and secretive, has a good person’s face but a ghostly heart. Who knows what he’s scheming?” “I see Young Master Tang has quite upright bearing in his brows and eyes, he shouldn’t be a treacherous person.” Gu Xitan said, “He is the master of Myriad Apertures Studio. If we truly investigate the Nine Ghost Hearts Pill matter in the future, gaining Young Master Tang’s assistance would surely be of great help. I just hope he won’t develop thoughts of retreat because the matter is too great.”
The two men stood outside gazing at moon and water, while inside after several rounds of wine, Yu Qifeng looked at the two men outside the window and said flatly, “Why doesn’t Chi Yun join the feast?” Tang Lici had drunk quite a bit, his complexion still fair and lustrous, with just the faintest trace of red flush, looking excellent. “He must be dissatisfied with something again.” His words carried a light sigh, “Chi Yun has a solitary temperament. Earlier he seemed quite displeased with the Sword King killing that assassin. I really can’t understand it.” Yu Qifeng said, “Oh? Does he think the assassin shouldn’t have been killed?” Tang Lici’s eyes were slightly glazed, showing some drunkenness, “That I don’t understand, but everyone has one life—if one can avoid killing, it’s naturally better not to kill.” Yu Qifeng said flatly, “Womanly compassion. If Young Master Tang is so soft-hearted, how are you worthy of possessing such wealth?” Tang Lici gave a small, wine-induced yawn, “That… is not for outsiders to know…” Jiang Feiyu sat alongside, frowning, “This… Young Master Tang seems already drunk. Let me send him back first, everyone please continue.” Yu Qifeng patted Tang Lici on the shoulder. Tang Lici shuddered slightly and seemed even more drowsy, collapsing on the table to sleep. Jiang Feiyu helped him up and bid farewell to everyone.
Walking outside, Chi Yun took Tang Lici in his arms. Gu Xitan asked Jiang Feiyu to continue accompanying the guests while he escorted Chi Yun and Tang Lici back.
Returning to Yanmen and sending Tang Lici to his room, Gu Xitan couldn’t help saying, “Brother Chi said Young Master Tang never gets drunk after a thousand cups—I’m afraid that’s not necessarily true.” Chi Yun looked coldly at Tang Lici on the bed, “The words this old man speaks are like the farts this old man releases—genuine goods, absolutely authentic.” He glared at the person on the bed, “Why don’t you get up?”
“If I got up, I’d expose myself,” Tang Lici smiled slightly with his eyes closed. “Young Master Gu also drank earlier—don’t you feel anything?” Gu Xitan froze slightly and tried circulating his qi, “This…” His expression changed, “There’s poison in the wine!” Tang Lici opened his eyes, “No matter, just a little arsenic. With Young Master Gu’s internal cultivation, it won’t cause great harm.” Gu Xitan smiled bitterly to himself. Though the poison was very minute and extremely hard to detect, swallowing it was still improper. Yet Tang Lici looked completely at ease, as if speaking only of eating a couple extra spoonfuls of salt or a few peppercorns, “Who poisoned it?”
“A new servant hired by Painted Eyebrow Hall this evening. Someone offered ten thousand taels of silver for him to poison tonight’s wine feast. The poison amount wasn’t much—unless one drank ten jars of fine wine, there wouldn’t be trouble.” Tang Lici’s tone was gentle, his smile very pleasant, “Yu Qifeng will surely soon detect the poison in the wine, surely soon discover who poisoned it, and surely soon force a confession that a masked person offered ten thousand taels to buy off that person.” Gu Xitan said in alarm, “Isn’t this exactly the same as Gou Jia’s death earlier? Could that mastermind strike again, trying to poison everyone in Yanmen to death?”
“Cunning tactics are used at most once by clever people. Since Gou Jia is already dead, he absolutely wouldn’t risk such great danger to repeat the same trick.” Chi Yun looked coldly at Tang Lici, “What ghost scheme are you up to?”
“In my life, I hate one thing most,” Tang Lici smiled slightly. Gu Xitan asked, “What?” Tang Lici said, “I hate most when someone competes with me in scheming.” Gu Xitan said, “That… I’m afraid most people in the world hate that very much.” Tang Lici said, “Exactly, I’m just a very ordinary person.” Chi Yun said coolly, “Whether you’re human or demon I still can’t figure out, but this old man just wants to know—did you poison the wine?” Gu Xitan was startled to hear this. He heard Tang Lici smile and say, “Yes.”
“What ghost scheme are you really up to? Want to poison dozens of so-called jianghu heroes to gain fame?” Chi Yun sneered. Tang Lici closed his eyes contentedly, the luxurious silk and brocade on the bed reflecting his handsome face, continuing to smile, “You two both think today’s affair of Yu Qifeng killing someone wasn’t simple, right?”
“Exactly,” Gu Xitan said. “Though there are quite suspicious points, there’s no evidence.” Tang Lici said, “Since someone could hire an assassin to kill one day before Yu Qifeng entered, it proves Yanmen still has spies, and we don’t know who they are. Gou Jia’s death was so convenient—perhaps it was Yu Qifeng’s behind-the-scenes direction, perhaps not, right?” Gu Xitan nodded, “Precisely.” Tang Lici said, “Whether that assassin lives or dies doesn’t matter. What’s important is that Gou Jia is dead, the leads are cut off, yet Yanmen’s people think the Sword King is brilliant and are rejoicing, while you and Chi Yun are very displeased but helpless about it, right?” Gu Xitan nodded again. Tang Lici smiled again, “Without evidence, we can’t identify the killer, so we can’t fall out with the Sword King. Hosting dinner to win favor is still necessary, but playing the same game in return is also acceptable.”
Gu Xitan’s mind turned twice before he suddenly understood—this person had no solid evidence to accuse Yu Qifeng of eliminating traitors in name but actually silencing witnesses, so he directed the restaurant servant to poison everyone. Regardless of whether Yu Qifeng was the real mastermind, he was certainly present at the feast, and if present, he had to drink this poisoned cup. This poisoning method was exactly the same as today’s hired assassination of Gou Jia. Others would only think the mastermind had struck again, realizing this matter wasn’t over and becoming alert. The real mastermind would naturally understand this was someone framing and shifting blame, but with poison in his belly and a servant in hand, he’d only get the same sentence: “A masked person offered ten thousand taels”—still not knowing who poisoned him to frame him, maybe Tang Lici, maybe not. This silent loss was exactly the same as what everyone suffered today. He laughed bitterly, “Young Master Tang, even if this scheme is quite satisfying, arsenic is still a lethal substance. If one drinks too much, it could be fatal.” Tang Lici smiled, “Hmm… to poison someone, naturally one must use lethal poison… By the way, the Sword King was quite concerned about you, Chi Yun. I already told him you’re very displeased with him. In the future, you needn’t pretend politeness in front of him—even if you exchange blows or curse loudly, he won’t take offense.” Gu Xitan choked on these words, “Cough cough…” Chi Yun said coldly, “How thoughtful of you.” Tang Lici smiled slightly, “You’re welcome, you’re welcome.” All three understood that if Yu Qifeng truly was the mastermind behind assassinating Gou Jia, discovering Chi Yun suspected him, he would certainly take action. Tang Lici spoke honestly, using Chi Yun as bait to verify everyone’s doubts. If Chi Yun was attacked, then Yu Qifeng was probably problematic. This logic Yu Qifeng naturally understood—it just depended on who dared to make a move in this critical moment, gambling everything on the outcome.
“Right now Painted Eyebrow Hall must be in chaos,” Gu Xitan was quiet for a moment, pondering briefly. “Brother Chi and I both drank and were both poisoned, while Brother Chi didn’t drink… How about this: Brother Chi and I will go back to save people, and Young Master Tang please rest here. We’ll say we discovered poison in the wine and came back to catch the culprit.” Tang Lici lay with eyes closed and smiling, waving his hand, “I’ll rest here.”