"From now on, in the Southern Frontier, if you ever need anything, just come find me. I'll definitely help you out!"
Ning Wuque's eye twitched violently.
This Mu Yunlong was also a master in the Spirit Gathering Realm, and blessed with innate divine strength. The slap he had brought down on Ning Wuque's shoulder felt as though it might shatter his bones.
Seeing this, Mu Yunshang felt a pang of distress. She stepped forward, swatted Mu Yunlong's heavy arm off Ning Wuque's shoulder, and scolded playfully, "When you talk, just talk. What are you getting all physical for?" As she spoke, she looked at Ning Wuque with tender concern. "Brother Wuque, this clumsy idiot didn't hurt you, did he?"
Ning Wuque waved his hand with a smile and said, "Don't worry, I'm not that fragile!"
"That's good!"
Mu Yunshang nodded obediently.
This scene left Mu Yunlong staring in utter disbelief.
When had he ever seen Mu Yunshang act so gentle and obedient?
Mu Yunshang glared at him. "What are you looking at?"
Mu Yunlong gave a bitter laugh. "Sis, I'm your own brother. Can't you be a little gentler with me?"
"Get lost!" Mu Yunshang said expressionlessly.
Mu Yunlong: "..."
Seeing the three of them completely ignore him, Ouyang Jingcheng's face had long since turned as dark as charcoal. With a gloomy expression, he said, "Mu Yunlong, this Ning Wuque beat up Yunhu just now and even trampled him underfoot. Faced with someone who has so blatantly insulted the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, not only do you refuse to punish him severely, but you actually protect him at every turn? Where do you leave the dignity of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate?"
"Shut it!"
Mu Yunlong glanced at Mu Yunhu behind Ouyang Jingcheng and said with utter disdain, "Ouyang Jingcheng, I hope you get one thing straight: I am the primary heir to the title of Prince of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, and only I can represent the estate's dignity. What kind of thing is this Mu Yunhu? Does he even qualify to represent the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate?"
"Mu Yunlong, you push people too far!" Mu Yunhu was hopping mad.
These words had thoroughly trampled his dignity into the dust.
Mu Yunhu rolled up his sleeves. "You aren't convinced? If you're not convinced, let's fight!"
"You, you..."
Mu Yunhu was shaking with rage.
With only the cultivation of the Peak Spirit Refining Realm, how could he ever dare to cross swords with Mu Yunlong of the Spirit Gathering Realm?
"What 'you, you'? Father has been wise all his life, and I truly don't know how he managed to produce a coward like you who only knows how to play dirty tricks behind people's backs!"
Mu Yunlong sneered, then looked at Ouyang Jingcheng and Mu Yunhu, saying coldly, "Good dogs don't block the path. Do the two of you have anything else to say? If not, get out of my way..."
Chapter 25: Ulterior Motives
Outside the main gates of the Luan Estate.
Mu Yunhu and Ouyang Jingcheng wore faces as grim as water.
Faced with such an aggressive trio led by Ning Wuque, they ultimately lacked the courage to continue their obstruction.
They could only step aside.
And watch helplessly as Ning Wuque and his companions walked straight past them.
Mu Yunlong looked at Steward Lin and said, "Steward Lin, I'm bringing my sister and future brother-in-law inside. That's all right, isn't it?"
Steward Lin hastily made a gesture of invitation. "Please enter, the three of you!"
Ning Wuque's group walked side by side into the Luan Estate.
The surrounding onlookers also dispersed one after another.
With a gloomy expression, Mu Yunhu looked at Ouyang Jingcheng beside him, whose face looked equally foul, and gritted his teeth. "Cousin, they've gone too far. We absolutely cannot let this go!"
"What do you have in mind?" Ouyang Jingcheng asked, frowning.
He, too, despised Mu Yunhu from the bottom of his heart.
However, if the Ouyang Family wanted to ascend to the rank of the top noble family in the Southern Frontier, they could not do without the support of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate. This was precisely why they were so determined to see Mu Yunhu secure the position of heir.
Staring at the receding backs of Ning Wuque's group, Mu Yunhu flashed a look of cold, ruthless malice in his eyes. "The supreme masterpiece Grandpa gave me will definitely win Master Luan's favor. Once I present it to him, he will surely agree to take me as his disciple. In a moment, I'll use this matter as an excuse to make a wager with Mu Yunlong, and I'll make sure he makes a complete fool of himself in public and loses all his dignity..."
"You mean Grandpa's treasured painting? That's..." Ouyang Jingcheng's face showed shock.
Mu Yunhu revealed a smug expression. "That's right, exactly that painting!"
Ouyang Jingcheng took a deep breath and nodded heavily. "I never expected Grandpa would actually be willing to hand that over to you! With this painting as a congratulatory gift, you're bound to win this wager!"
The two men exchanged a smile and walked straight toward the Luan Estate.
Watching their retreating backs, Steward Lin wore a worried expression. "Judging by the looks of those two, they probably won't let this rest! This master-seeking banquet cannot afford any mistakes; I must inform the master immediately..."
At this thought.
Steward Lin instructed the servants to entertain the guests and hurried off toward the back courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the back courtyard.
"Since Master hasn't arrived yet, you are to keep watch in the front courtyard," Luan Hongyi instructed, looking at Sha Wei. "Remember... once Master arrives, you must accompany him the entire time. Under no circumstances should you let some blind fool offend him!"
"This disciple understands!" Sha Wei quickly gave his assurance.
Luan Hongyi grunted in acknowledgment. Through his comprehension of the *Stellar Contemplation Technique* over the past few days, his spiritual power had increased significantly.
The lingering sequelae left by practicing that incomplete manual had also been thoroughly eliminated.
As long as he continued to comprehend the *Stellar Contemplation Technique*, he would be able to officially step into the ranks of the Rank 4 Grand Alchemist Masters within a month.
The *Stellar Contemplation Technique* bestowed upon him by Ning Wuque was practically a gift of a second life!
Therefore, in Luan Hongyi's heart, his feelings toward Ning Wuque were a mix of deep reverence and gratitude.
"Master, then I'll go wait at the entrance for Grandmaster..."
Before Sha Wei could finish speaking, Steward Lin's anxious voice came from outside the door: "Master, something's happened! Something major has happened!"
As the voice rang out, Steward Lin rushed in, flustered and frantic.
Luan Hongyi's heart skipped a beat, and he frowned. "Steward Lin, what on earth has happened?"
Steward Lin had served him for many years and had always been steady. Since even he was in such a panic, it could hardly be a trivial matter!
Steward Lin gave a bitter smile. "Replying to Master, this incident was all caused by Princess Yunshang of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate and her fiance. They didn't bring an invitation..."
Steward Lin immediately recounted everything that had happened at the gates to Luan Hongyi.
Bang!
Luan Hongyi slammed his palm down on the table, and the table shattered into two halves with a loud crash. His face instantly turned ashen. "Scoundrels, simply scoundrels..."
Steward Lin shrank his neck; it had been many years since he last saw Luan Hongyi this angry.
Hesitating for a moment, Steward Lin said, "Master, please calm your anger. Actually, this matter can't really be blamed on Ning Wuque; if Mu Yunhu hadn't spoken insulting and provocative words, Ning Wuque wouldn't have flown into a rage and taken action. Your humble servant is so bold as to implore Master not to be too hard on him..."
"All right, you go back and attend to the other guests first. I will handle this matter myself!"
Luan Hongyi waved his hand with a gloomy face.
Steward Lin opened his mouth, but it finally turned into a helpless, light sigh as he turned and left.
Sha Wei secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and probed cautiously, "M-Master, this disciple is entirely to blame for not keeping watch at the gates, which is why Grandmaster suffered this undeserved calamity..."
"It was this master who called Steward Lin to bring you inside; this has nothing to do with you!"
Luan Hongyi waved a hand, his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint. "Mu Yunhu, and Ouyang Jingcheng, is it? How dare they humiliate my master—especially that Ouyang Jingcheng, who actually dared to make a move against my master? If I don't teach them a lesson, what face will I have to see my master?"
Seeing that Luan Hongyi was not blaming him, Sha Wei felt a weight lift from his chest and asked, "Master, what do you plan to do?"
"When we get to the banquet later, you and I won't reveal Master's identity just yet..."
Luan Hongyi gave a cold snort, turning to Sha Wei and saying, "I don't care if it's the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate or the Ouyang Family; anyone who dares to humiliate my master will get it back tenfold or a hundredfold. I'm definitely going to vent this foul breath for my master!"
"This disciple understands!" Sha Wei nodded hastily, silently offering a mental eulogy for Mu Yunhu and Ouyang Jingcheng...
***
Inside the banquet hall.
The guests gathered in groups of threes and fives, whispering among themselves about the incident that had just occurred at the main gates.
Pairs of eyes drifted from time to time toward Ning Wuque and the others.
Mu Yunlong sat with the bold and unconstrained posture of a general, holding a flask of wine and already flushed red from drinking. With one arm slung around Ning Wuque's shoulder, he laughed and said, "Brother-in-law, you have no idea—not only is this sister of mine Father's absolute favorite, but even Imperial Uncle views her as his own daughter. I've been used to being bullied by her since I was a child. But it's great now that I have you to keep her in line; if she ever dares bully me again, I'm coming to find you..."
Ning Wuque glanced sideways at Mu Yunshang, whose face had gone dark, and said helplessly, "Drink a little less!"
They had only been seated for half an incense stick's time, yet Mu Yunlong had already finished his fifth flask.
"Wine is practically water! This stuff—I could easily put away another five flasks and it wouldn't be a problem!"
Mu Yunlong waved it off dismissively. Mid-sentence, he gulped down another two mouthfuls and continued, "Brother-in-law, you probably don't know this, but your marriage to my sister was actually something she proposed to Imperial Uncle herself. Back then... *Hiss*..."
Mu Yunlong's words came to an abrupt halt, replaced by a sharp intake of breath.
For Mu Yunshang's slender, delicate fingers had seized his ear, her pretty face twisting into a fierce expression as she gritted her teeth. "Mu! Yun! Long! Talk nonsense again, and I'll twist your ear right off..."
"L-Let go, Sis, let go quickly..."
Mu Yunlong no longer possessed a shred of the arrogant demeanor he'd displayed earlier. Pressing his palms together in a plea, he begged for mercy, "I won't talk anymore, okay? Let me go... Brother-in-law, save me..."
"..."
Unable to help whether he laughed or cried, Ning Wuque looked at Mu Yunshang and said in a gentle voice, "Yunshang, why don't you spare him this once?"
"Hump!"
Mu Yunshang let go of his ear and glared at Mu Yunlong. "I'll let you off this time for Brother Wuque's sake. If you dare spout nonsense again next time, I'll write a letter telling Father to send you to the front lines to raise horses!"
"No, please don't! I wouldn't dare anymore!"
Mu Yunlong begged for mercy in a rush.
This wasn't the first time Mu Yunshang had pulled this stunt.
Every time she filed a complaint in the past, the Prince of the Southern Suppression would pack him off to the front lines to tend to horses.
Facing a whole herd of warhorses all day long was far more agonizing than being killed.
Seeing her younger brother's ear turned bright red from the twisting, Mu Yunshang felt a tinge of sympathy, and her voice softened somewhat: "Drink less, and don't let it ruin proper business."
"Oh!"
Mu Yunlong drooped his head, casting a resentful gaze at Ning Wuque.
Ning Wuque gave a light cough and put on an expression of complete detachment.
The playful antics of the trio did not escape the eyes of Mu Yunhu, who was sitting not far away.
*Laugh all you want, laugh while you can. In a moment, you won't be able to laugh anymore.*
Mu Yunhu downed the wine in his cup in a single gulp, his gaze growing increasingly icy. *After today, you'll find out who truly calls the shots around these parts in the Southern Frontier!*
Chapter 26: The Wager
"Master Luan is here!"
"Everyone, get up!"
Cries of surprise echoed through the banquet hall.
The guests stood up one after another and looked toward the back hall.
Luan Hongyi, clad in a black robe, strode out with long, powerful strides, while Sha Wei followed quietly behind him.
Today, Luan Hongyi's face was glowing with health and vitality. He wore a beaming smile as he exchanged greetings with the crowd.
His gaze met Ning Wuque's in a trace of unspoken acknowledgement before he withdrew it, walking straight to the main seat. Pressing his palms down toward the crowd, he said, "Luan is deeply grateful that you all honored me by gracing my master-seeking banquet with your presence. Please don't stand on ceremony; treat this just like your own homes, and everyone please be seated!"
"Thank you, Master Luan!"
The guests responded in unison and returned to their seats.
Luan Hongyi was, after all, the number one alchemist in the Southern Frontier; even the Prince of the Southern Suppression had to treat him as an honored guest.
Naturally, none of them dared to overstep bounds in his presence.
Mu Yunshang had naturally caught the exchange of glances between Luan Hongyi and Ning Wuque. Lowering her voice intentionally, she said to Ning Wuque beside her, "Brother Wuque, this Master Luan is planning to stir up some trouble!"
"Mmm!"
Ning Wuque nodded, a playful smile surfacing on his lips. "We'll just wait and see, and watch the show from the sidelines!"
"Mmhmm!"
Mu Yunshang nodded obediently, though the excitement and anticipation flickering within her clear eyes completely betrayed her mischievous eagerness to watch the drama unfold.
Ning Wuque's gaze swept without leaving a trace toward Mu Yunhu not far away. Seeing the latter's expression of absolute certainty, he couldn't help inwardly sighing: *Mu Yunhu, oh Mu Yunhu, I truly hope you don't keep digging your own grave. Otherwise, you're going to suffer quite a bit...*
"Master Luan, why haven't we seen your mysterious master?" someone among the guests asked.
It was a middle-aged man with a round, fat face and a thick gold necklace as wide as a thumb hanging around his neck.
Others chimed in as well: "That's right, Master Luan, let us meet your esteemed master!"
"To be able to make Master Luan take him as his teacher, this person must at least be a Rank 4 Grand Alchemist Master, or perhaps even Rank 5..."
Mu Yunshang whispered, "Brother Wuque, this man's name is Jia Fugui, and he specializes in the herb business. Master Luan's Hundred Herbs Hall gets its supply of goods entirely through him!"
Ning Wuque nodded.
Luan Hongyi smiled and said, "Do not be impatient, everyone. My master was delayed by some matters, but he will appear shortly."
Hearing this, the guests didn't dare say much more.
After all, Luan Hongyi alone was enough to make them quite wary.
Not to mention...
His master was very likely a Rank 4 or even a Rank 5 alchemist.
They dared not harbor any grievances whatsoever.
Jia Fugui said nothing more either. Instead, he stood up, produced a jade box, and smiled as he said, "Master Luan, today is your master-seeking banquet, and since Jia has the good fortune to be invited, I have specially prepared this meager gift to express my congratulations!" Pausing, he opened the jade box, and a rich medicinal fragrance rushed out, permeating the entire banquet hall.
Just catching a whiff of the scent made one feel refreshed and relaxed.
"This is a three-thousand-year-old wild ginseng!"
"Hah, Boss Jia truly lives up to his reputation as a medicinal merchant—he can even get his hands on a treasure like this!"
Looking at the ginseng lying in the jade box—thick as an infant's arm—the crowd burst into gasps of exclamation and praise.
A brilliant smile spread across Jia Fugui's face. "Master Luan, please graciously accept it!"
"Boss Jia is far too polite!"
Luan Hongyi accepted the jade box with a smile and spoke a word of thanks.
Following that...
The others also stepped up one by one to present their gifts: "This is a thousand-year-old Polygonum multiflorum I specially prepared to congratulate Master Luan on entering a high master's school!"
"Mine is an ancient porcelain vase fired by the Porcelain King Xiao Jing, to help Master Luan reach even greater heights!"
"This is..."
Everyone presented gifts of extraordinary value.
Luan Hongyi accepted them all with a steady smile, having Sha Wei set the gifts aside.
They had already piled up into a small mountain.
During this time, Luan Hongyi glanced several times toward Mu Yunhu and Ouyang Jingcheng.
This made Mu Yunshang, who had been waiting to watch a good show, even more excited and expectant.
*Whoosh!*
A sigh of exhaled breath sounded by Ning Wuque's ear as Mu Yunlong rose to his feet, straightened his clothes, and walked forward holding a wooden box with both hands. "Master Luan, the Prince is at the front lines and unable to attend the banquet, so the younger generation has come in his stead."
"The Prince is too kind!" Luan Hongyi said with a smile.
He was well aware that the person standing before him was his master's future brother-in-law.
His attitude was far more courteous than when dealing with anyone else.
Mu Yunlong said, "My mother heard that Master Luan is fond of antiques and calligraphy, so she specially sought this item out, hoping Master Luan might like it!"
As he spoke, Mu Yunlong took out the scroll from inside the wooden box.
*Swish!*
The scroll unrolled on the spot.
A magnificent landscape painting of rivers and mountains leaped onto the paper.
*Hiss!*
Luan Hongyi drew in a sharp breath and abruptly stood up. "C-Could this be the *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains* by the Painting Sage Wu Yuan?"
"What? It's actually the *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains*?!"
"The composition of this painting is flawless, and the brushwork is so delicate it's beyond reproach. It must be authentic!"
"As expected of the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate—to actually be able to unearth such a treasure!"
The crowd exclaimed in wonderment.
Luan Hongyi fondled the *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains* in his hands, unable to put it down, and laughed repeatedly. "This painting is a priceless treasure; ordinarily, one should not deprive another of what they love so dearly, but Luan simply loves it far too much, so I shall shamelessly accept it. I must ask Young Master Yunlong to thank the Prince and Princess on my behalf. When the Prince returns in triumph, Luan will certainly call upon them in person to express my gratitude..."
"Master Luan is too polite!" Mu Yunlong said with a smile.
His purpose for this trip had been to win over Luan Hongyi for the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate, and since that purpose was achieved, he prepared to step back down.
However, right at that moment, Mu Yunhu's voice rang out, jarringly out of place: "Mu Yunlong, I thought what kind of gift you had prepared—turn out it's just a vulgar painting. I advise you to put this painting away, lest others think that my dignified Southern Suppression Prince's Estate can't even afford to bring out something decent, and thereby disgrace our estate's mighty reputation!"
*Buzz!*
As soon as these words fell, the entire assembly erupted in an uproar.
The *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains* was one of the Painting Sage Wu Yuan's proudest works throughout his life!
And Mu Yunhu actually called it a mere vulgar painting?
More importantly...
Everyone present recognized the two men, knowing full well this was a power struggle between contenders for the title of heir to the Southern Suppression Prince's Estate!
One by one, they wore looks of eager curiosity, quietly watching the two.
Mu Yunlong's face turned slightly cold as he stared icily at Mu Yunhu. "Judging by the sound of that, you must have prepared an unrivaled masterpiece far surpassing this painting, then?"
"Naturally!" Mu Yunhu said with supreme smugness.
Mu Yunlong sneered. "Heh, then why don't you bring it out and let us all have a look at what kind of miraculous masterpiece it is that makes you look down on the dignified Painting Sage!"
"Rest assured, the congratulatory gift I've prepared for Master Luan will naturally be presented to everyone. But before that, do you dare to make a wager with me?" Mu Yunhu challenged, looking at Mu Yunlong.
"Why wouldn't I dare? What are you wagering?" Mu Yunlong said.
In the crowd, Mu Yunshang's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she cast a worried look at Ning Wuque beside her. "Brother Wuque, Yunhu is full of trickery. Proposing a wager so suddenly—there has to be a scheme behind it. Should we stop Yunlong?"
"No rush. Let's see what happens first!" Ning Wuque said.
Under the gazes of everyone present, the corners of Mu Yunhu's mouth hooked upward in a smug, shallow smile as he spoke with arrogant pride: "Let's wager that my gift is far superior in value to this *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains* of yours..."
"That's not fair!"
Mu Yunlong was merely straightforward, not stupid; naturally, he would not agree to such an uneven wager.
After all, while the *Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains* was precious, there were still a few masterworks in this world that surpassed it in value.
He had already exposed his trump card. If they were simply comparing the value of the gifts, he would undoubtedly find himself on the passive, defensive end.
"Don't rush—just hear me out first!"