The City Lord's Mansion.
Dozens of guards, their auras surging, gripped their weapons, warily scanning their surroundings. They were ready to react to the slightest disturbance.
The entire courtyard was enveloped in a somber, tense atmosphere.
Terrifyingly quiet.
Only the whistling wind echoed in everyone's ears.
"Good thing the city guards are quick."
Pai Huo took a sip of the 'tea' from his cup. The bitter taste hit his tongue, causing him to spit it onto the ground and curse.
"What kind of garbage is this? Is this meant for people to drink?"
Before he finished speaking, Pai Huo's peripheral vision caught sight of a one-eyed youth wearing an eye patch nearby, leisurely sipping the bitter tea he had just scorned, a look of contemplation on his face.
"Young Master, I wasn't referring to you."
Pai Huo quickly changed his tune in panic. The one-eyed youth didn't take offense and smiled slightly.
"This tea really isn't to your taste."
The youth was surprisingly good-natured. Despite holding a high position, he exuded no hint of arrogance or tyranny. Seated on his chair, he inexplicably gave off the impression of a scholar, calm and serene, like a painting that soothes the soul.
Pai Huo, not having been punished, breathed a silent sigh of relief.
He covertly stole another glance at the youth. Noticing that the youth's attention wasn't on him, he then glanced at Fendi. He was shocked to see Fendi looking at him with an unusually terrifying gaze.
Pai Huo nervously lowered his head. The youth sipping the bitter tea also turned and smiled.
"Fendi."
"Young Master!" Fendi stood up straight like a long spear, his attitude towards the youth impeccable.
Seeing Fendi so tense, the youth smiled and raised his hand.
"Relax. You and Pai Huo have been with me for over a decade. Don't you know my temper and character? This isn't the mansion, so there's no need to be so formal."
"Even if we are not in the mansion, the master-servant hierarchy is something we dare not overstep," Fendi murmured.
"You..."
The youth sighed and shook his head, not pressing the matter further.
"Young Master, the people of He Town are truly audacious. We've already entered the City Lord's Mansion, and they still dare to leave us waiting here. They're truly bold." Pai Huo, with his resentment evident, snorted continuously. The youth seated on the chair remained as composed as ever. "What's so strange about that? They need some time to prepare."
"Prepare?"
Pai Huo was puzzled and scoffed.
"Thinking of preparing now? What were they thinking before? Besides, even ordinary apologies might not catch Young Master's eye. What treasures could a fallen kingdom like this possess?"
"It might not be an apology."
The youth smiled meaningfully. Sensing Pai Huo's continued bewilderment, he said softly.
"When they arrive later, you might as well ask."
*Thump, thump, thump—*
Almost the moment the youth finished speaking, several steady footsteps echoed in the courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion. Looking up slightly, they saw Liu Yue leading the way, accompanied by Nuo Yi and several well-armed generals.
"Everyone, my sincerest apologies."
As soon as Liu Yue entered the front hall of the mansion, her apologetic words could be heard.
"Hmph!" Before Liu Yue's apology even finished, Pai Huo let out a cold snort. He glared at Liu Yue and her entourage with an ill expression and spoke sarcastically, "The people of He Town are truly busy. We from the Fourth Kingdom traveled thousands of miles to your desolate land. Not a single person came to greet us even after we entered the city. We almost got into a conflict after entering the city, and now we've finally seen your city guards who brought us to this mansion, yet there's no one to even serve tea. There are only two pots of bitter tea. Is this He Town's hospitality?"
Hearing this, the hot-tempered Nuo Yi was about to retort but was stopped by Liu Yue, who subtly glanced at the youth.
Although she had never met the youth before, any discerning person could tell that the youth seated there, sipping the bitter tea, was the one in charge.
His subordinates dared to act so recklessly.
It was likely that this was with the youth's instruction, or at least his tacit approval. Otherwise, how would his subordinates dare to speak such nonsense in this situation?
"My apologies."
Liu Yue cupped her hands towards Pai Huo and the others, her face still full of apology.
"There have been constant wars around He Town recently. To deal with the disturbances from monsters and demons in our territory, I have been away from the city, and I genuinely forgot the date. I hope your kingdom will forgive us."
"I thought you were trying to give us a show of force." Pai Huo continued to snort sarcastically.
*Bang.*
Suddenly, the sound of a teacup being placed on the table was heard. Pai Huo, who had been finding fault with He Town, immediately went from puffing out his chest to shrinking his shoulders. The youth seated on the chair also smiled slightly.
"Pai Huo, Commander Liu Yue has already said she forgot. There's no need to be so unforgiving."
"The Young Master is right." Pai Huo responded respectfully, but his expression remained resentful. "We remember it so clearly, why should they forget?"
"Distinguished guests tend to be forgetful."
The master and servant's exchange made the generals on He Town's side clench their fists in anger. After a moment of observation, Liu Yue walked to a chair opposite the youth and sat down, placing her sword on the table.
"Why must your kingdom be so sarcastic?"
"You admit we're being sarcastic?" Pai Huo said with a deep, cold sneer. "Leaving people from our superior kingdom waiting for so long, and then just saying 'you forgot' is supposed to settle things? You're being too naive."
"May I ask who you are..."
Liu Yue ignored him and instead asked with a look of suspicion.
"I am my Young Master's, your future husband's, casual attendant, Pai Huo." Pai Huo straightened his neck and snorted. Upon hearing this, Liu Yue laughed. "Pai Huo, if you are merely your Young Master's attendant, what right do you have to speak to me like this? If your Young Master and I were to marry, I would be your mistress, wouldn't I?"
"That's right, that's right!"
Nuo Yi also grinned and chuckled, placing her hands on her hips and snorting.
"Sister Liu Yue will be your mistress then, and you're still so arrogant. Believe it or not, I'll make things difficult for you. Kneel down and beg for forgiveness now, and maybe you'll have a better life later."
"You..."
"What? Do you want to fight? Come on, come on... I'm not afraid of you."
Regardless, Nuo Yi was a solid-colored realm cultivator, while Pai Huo was only at the half-step colored realm, just about to step over the threshold. The difference in their strength was quite apparent.
The youth, who had not spoken up to stop them, narrowed his eyes and gestured towards Pai Huo.
Pai Huo, though unwilling, retreated.
His eyes, however, remained venomously fixed on Nuo Yi nearby. Nuo Yi, unfazed, continued to smile at him, occasionally giving him the middle finger.
"Commander Liu Yue, I'm actually quite surprised you decided to show up in person."
The youth at the seat narrowed his eyes. Liu Yue also smiled and nodded.
"I'm also very surprised that Young Master Fei Kui would come here in person. I thought we would never meet in this lifetime. It's good to see you."
"Oh?"
Fei Kui raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled.
"Commander Liu Yue's words make me curious. We have a marriage contract between us, so how could we possibly never meet in this lifetime? Could it be that Commander Liu Yue has a serious illness, or perhaps..."
"Let's be frank. We in He Town are busy with official duties, and my time is quite limited. Let's stop playing coy."
In an instant, Liu Yue's gaze turned sharp. She took a document from her bracelet.
"Let's break off the engagement."