"Hmph!"
Shangguan Yulin let out a cold snort. The Vermilion Bird Feather Fan in his hand instantly enlarged, and he swept it out without any hesitation.
Several robbers who had rushed forward were caught off guard and were knocked to the ground by the phantom of the Vermilion Bird. Their clothes were ignited by the Vermilion Bird's Flame.
"Ahhhhhh..."
A wail of agony rang out, and several fireballs immediately began rolling on the ground.
The remaining robbers froze for a moment, fumbling to help those rolling on the ground extinguish the flames on their bodies.
But the Vermilion Bird's Flame was a divine fire, not something that could be easily extinguished.
The scene descended into chaos, directly stunning the one-eyed, bearded man.
Shangguan Yulin burst into proud laughter. Xuan Yuanxun, Rong Guang, and Shen Liuxing, who had not moved, watched the spectacle with smiles, like watching a monkey show.
Zi Linling's pretty face, hidden beneath her veil, curved into a faint smile.
The one-eyed, bearded man stared blankly for a long time before finally reacting. He glared fiercely at Shangguan Yulin and cursed, "A bunch of useless fools!"
Then, he formed a water-gathering hand seal with one hand and applied it to the rolling fireballs.
However, the water-gathering technique gathered water spiritual energy, and it was not easy to extinguish the Vermilion Bird's Flame.
The one-eyed, bearded man stomped his foot in anger. He had to cast hundreds of water-gathering techniques in one go before the rolling fireballs finally returned to their miserable, scorched forms.
Their mission had gone poorly, leaving them in a sorry state, a true case of losing both soldiers and supplies.
The one-eyed, bearded man finally understood that the seemingly not-so-powerful group of five in front of him were all hidden masters.
The one-eyed, bearded man gritted his teeth in hatred and finally said with reluctance, "Retreat!"
With that, he, who had arrived with such a fierce momentum, led his dozen or so subordinates away in disgrace.
Shangguan Yulin's single move had defeated the Iron Feather Gang, immediately making the surrounding hostile gazes somewhat more restrained.
But in Crimson Blood City, where killing required no reason, restraint of malice did not mean the absence of danger.
On the contrary, a barking dog doesn't bite; it's the venomous snake lurking in the dark that is deadly.
The Iron Feather Gang's retreat made those hidden in the shadows wary of Zi Linling and her companions.
Therefore, for the next half-day, no one bothered them again.
Zi Linling and the others welcomed the temporary peace, but their guard remained up.
Soon, the group arrived at the Hundred Fragrance Inn in the center of Crimson Blood City.
Zi Linling walked in first and sat down at an empty table.
Xuan Yuanxun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing naturally had no objections.
"What would you like to eat, esteemed guests?"
A waiter with a full smile approached and asked.
"Bring us a few of your restaurant's signature dishes," Zi Linling said calmly.
Hearing Zi Linling's pleasant voice, the waiter clearly paused for a moment, then smiled again and said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guests. I'll go arrange it right away!"
After speaking, the waiter withdrew.
In a place like Crimson Blood City, where one could be killed at any moment, it was best to avoid looking too much or asking too much; that was the way to survive.
After the waiter left, Shangguan Yulin said with a smile, "We've been living like savages all this time, only consuming medicinal pills. I haven't had a decent meal in ages. My mouth is practically devoid of taste!"
Shen Liuxing scolded him back, "Eat, eat, all you think about is eating. You're like a cat with candied hawthorns – only digging with its mouth!"
Shangguan Yulin rolled his eyes. "I don't know if cats eat candied hawthorns, but I certainly need to eat. Besides, now that we're sitting here, what else are we supposed to do if not eat?"
"Glutton!"
Shen Liuxing cursed him with disdain, then turned to Zi Linling and asked, "Sister Zi, what are your plans?"
"What plans?" Zi Linling asked, puzzled.
Shen Liuxing smiled. "Sister Zi, you brought us here, presumably not just for a meal, right?"
Zi Linling smiled without answering, taking a sip of tea nonchalantly.
Xuan Yuanxun smiled and said, "The Hundred Fragrance Inn is indeed a good place!"
Shangguan Yulin quickly added, "It's a good place, but I wonder how the food tastes!"
Shen Liuxing gave him a sideways glance and was too lazy to bother with him further.
Just as Rong Guang was about to speak, seven or eight people entered from outside.
They were all young, and each was dressed in opulent attire.
One of the men wore an expression of arrogance, looking like a spoiled young master.
However, if one truly took him for a mere spoiled young master, they would be gravely mistaken.
For he carried a strong scent of blood, and a fierce aura occasionally emanated from him.
Behind him followed a triangular-eyed man with a fawning smile, and two women with seductive charms and heavy makeup.
Beside them was a cold, aloof woman surrounded by four or five guards.
The guards did not seem to be hers; rather, they appeared to be guarding against her.
"Young Master Cao, this way, please!"
The triangular-eyed man, with a subservient bow, gestured for the arrogant man.
The arrogant Young Master Cao seemed to relish being shown such deference.
He gave a faint "Hmm" and then sat down at an empty table not far from Zi Linling and her companions.
Immediately, the fawning man gave a meaningful look to the two seductive women beside him.
The two seductive women understood and sat down on either side of Young Master Cao.
"Scoundrel!"
Young Master Cao's face darkened, and he cursed, "Gou Fugui, what do you take me for? Can anyone just come and stick to me?"
The triangular-eyed Gou Fugui paused, then hastily waved the two seductive women away with a fawning smile and sat down next to Young Master Cao.
"Young Master Cao, these two women are good girls with clear backgrounds. I specifically found them to show you my respect!"
Young Master Cao said with disdain, "You call this kind of merchandise with a clear background? Gou Fugui, even if you're trying to fool me, do you have to find two women of the streets who've been with a thousand men?"
Gou Fugui quickly said with a smile, "Young Master Cao, you misunderstand. They are just an appetizer. I invited them to teach my slow-witted sister!"
As he spoke, he addressed the cold woman surrounded by guards, "Gou Jieran, come here!"
The woman, Gou Jieran, glared at Gou Fugui for a moment, but finally gritted her teeth and reluctantly sat down opposite Young Master Cao.
Gou Fugui said displeasedly, "Your seat is over there!"
He said, pointing to the seat beside Young Master Cao.
Gou Jieran snorted and said nothing.
Gou Fugui's anger flared, and he threatened, "Gou Jieran, don't forget, the lives of your mother and sister are in my hands!"
Gou Jieran shot Gou Fugui a fierce glare, her cold eyes blazing with fire.