Meanwhile, after seeing off the Lin Family members, Xiao Zhen sat in his study with a gloomy expression.
"The Lin Family is certainly playing a clever game."
Standing nearby, a distracted Xiao Yichen heard this and hurriedly asked, "Father, what should we do next? Should we simply reject the Lin Family?"
Deep down, he hoped this marriage arrangement would fall through so he wouldn't have to worry every day about his younger sister's future being controlled by some unknown nobody.
A mocking sneer appeared on Xiao Zhen's face as he gave a cold hum. "Since the Lin Family wants to play, I'll play along with them."
Then, looking at Xiao Yichen, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes: "Use the excuse that your sister is going to marry Lin Ping'an to get close to him directly and worm his secrets out of him. If that doesn't work, find an opportunity to secretly bring him back to the Xiao Family, and I'll deal with him personally. By then, whatever secrets he carries will belong entirely to the Xiao Family."
Xiao Yichen felt a chill in his heart and nodded in compliance. "Yes, Father, I understand."
***
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
The news that an unknown nobody from the Lin Family was to marry the daughter of the Xiao Family upon reaching adulthood spread like wildfire throughout the city of Jinling.
Every street and alley buzzed with discussion, and all sorts of speculations and rumors ran rampant.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard at the back of the Lin Family estate, Lin Ping'an furrowed his brows, his mind a tangle of restless agitation.
For the past two days, he had continued to make all-out efforts to break through to the Lesser Accomplishment stage of the Bronze Skin Tribulation in the "Nine Tribulations Body Refining Art", yet he was still lingering at the threshold, unable to make the slightest inch of progress.
"Where on earth is the problem?"
Sweat continuously seeped from his forehead, sliding down his cheeks.
Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, and a servant walked hastily into the room. However, devoid of his usual arrogance, he spoke respectfully, "Young Master, Xiao Yichen, the young master of the Xiao Family, is hosting a banquet for you at the Drunken Immortal Tower."
Lin Ping'an opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Is the Xiao Family getting impatient?"
He slowly stood up and stretched his limbs, causing a series of faint, crackling pops to emit from his body, as if his bones were protesting the high-intensity cultivation of recent times.
He straightened his robes, strode out the door, and headed toward the Drunken Immortal Tower.
Along the way, he silently pondered the true purpose behind Xiao Yichen's gesture, well aware that this banquet at a Feast of Hongmen undoubtedly concealed hidden dangers. Yet, he felt no fear.
On the contrary, he held a trace of anticipation; perhaps he could fish for some information regarding the Three-Leaf Green Lotus from Xiao Yichen.
Before long, Lin Ping'an arrived in front of the Drunken Immortal Tower.
This restaurant featured carved beams and painted pillars, decorated quite magnificently, with a bustling stream of people coming and going, extraordinarily lively.
As soon as he stepped inside, a waiter rushed over, beaming with smiles as he asked, "Young Master, are you here for the appointment with the Xiao Family's young master?"
Lin Ping'an nodded slightly and followed the waiter up to the second floor.
Inside the private room, Xiao Yichen had been waiting for quite some time. Seeing Lin Ping'an enter, he quickly stood up, his face covered in smiles. "Brother Lin, you've arrived. Please, take a seat."
Lin Ping'an swept a glance over Xiao Yichen, only to see the other's eyes flickering; though he wore a smile, it failed to reach his eyes.
A cold smirk crossed Lin Ping'an's inner thoughts, but outwardly he remained unperturbed as he asked, "Why the invitation today, Young Master Xiao? What brings you here?"
Xiao Yichen let out a hearty laugh and said, "Brother Lin, what kind of talk is that? You'll be marrying my sister in the future, so we're going to be family. Today is simply about getting closer to Brother Lin and deepening our bond."
Lin Ping'an sat down beside the table, his gaze lingering briefly on the food and wine laid out before him.
He knew that this seemingly ordinary banquet was actually a war without the smoke of battle.
Every subsequent word and action might conceal a deeper meaning, and the slightest carelessness could land him right in Xiao Yichen's trap.
In truth, Xiao Yichen wanted Lin Ping'an to refuse the match, but since Lin Ping'an had agreed, he was merely executing his father's orders now.
With a hint of probing in his tone, he said, "I've heard Brother Lin is remarkably brave and formidable, but since you've never even met my younger sister, how is it that you agreed to the marriage?"
Lin Ping'an muttered inwardly, *If not for the Three-Leaf Green Lotus, would I have agreed?*
Yet, a modest smile quickly bloomed on his face. He lowered his head slightly, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke with earnest sincerity:
"To be honest, I am nothing morel than a dispensable nobody in the Lin Family, subjected to endless bullying and cold stares. If I can be with your esteemed sister, life in the future will surely be much easier, at least offering a stable shelter so I no longer have to struggle for survival as bitterly as I do now."
A flash of barely perceptible disgust crossed Xiao Yichen's eyes. In his view, this Lin Ping'an was simply a scoundrel using any means necessary to climb social ladders.
Nonetheless, he smiled and said, "You're a straightforward man, Brother Lin. I like that about you—none of those twists and turns."
With that, he picked up the flagon of wine from the table, poured a full cup for Lin Ping'an, raised his own cup, and gestured toward him.
"Come, Brother Lin, let's drink. Today you and I must drink our fill."
Meanwhile, standing behind Xiao Yichen disguised as a servant, Xiao Wanqing clenched her hands tightly as monstrous waves churned in her heart.
*How could the aura of that thing possibly be on him... Impossible! This is absolutely impossible.*
She hadn't taken in a single word of the conversation between Lin Ping'an and Xiao Yichen; her entire mind was consumed by that faint, elusive trace of familiarity emanating from Lin Ping'an.
It was an aura she knew all too well, so how could this Lin Ping'an possibly be connected to it?
Xiao Wanqing forcefully suppressed her inner shock and doubt, standing quietly in place while her eyes couldn't help but repeatedly dart toward Lin Ping'an, trying to find more clues to explain this unreasonable phenomenon.
Although Lin Ping'an acutely sensed the abnormality in Xiao Yichen's servant, he remained outwardly calm, merely casting a glance out of the corner of his eye as he accepted the cup.
He grew secretly vigilant, unable to fathom why this seemingly ordinary servant should harbor such intense emotional fluctuations.
*Could it be that I carelessly exposed something?*
Yet, upon careful reflection, he recalled no omissions on his part.
Seeing that Lin Ping'an was holding the cup without drinking immediately, Xiao Yichen felt a flicker of displeasure, but forced a smile as he urged:
"Brother Lin, why aren't you drinking? Could it be that you look down on my wine?"
Coming back to his senses, Lin Ping'an quickly raised his cup and laughed, "What are you saying, Young Master Xiao? Such fine wine, how could I look down on it? It's just that, being a newcomer, I was startled by the grandeur of the Drunken Immortal Tower and lost my composure for a moment. I hope Young Master Xiao won't fault me."
With that, he tilted his head back and drained the wine in a single gulp. As the liquid slid down his throat, he quietly circulated his Bronze Skin Tribulation, carefully monitoring the changes within his body, terrified that something might have been tampered with in the drink.
Seeing Lin Ping'an toss back the wine with such gusto, Xiao Yichen assumed the other had let down his guard.
He began subtly steering the conversation toward Lin Ping'an's past experiences, attempting to unearth some clues related to the Abyss of Buried Gods.
Understanding Xiao Yichen's intent, Lin Ping'an skillfully steered clear of those sensitive topics.