Chapter 258

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Ma Rulong thought to himself, The real must be made false, and the false must be made real. His actions were meant to temporarily deceive the Heavenly Dragon Divine Cult, but where had he gone wrong? How had they seen through the flaw?

However, after a moment’s thought, he considered that this might just be Ying Fei’s way of probing him. If he showed any guilt, he would naturally reveal a weakness.

So, Ma Rulong chuckled and said: “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes. This old man is already aged and has no control over such things. I only hope to walk the last stretch of my path in peace—how could I have any extravagant hopes?”

Ying Fei continued: “We came in a hurry and truly didn’t know today was your grand birthday. That was discourteous of us. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have become so turbulent.”

Ma Rulong quickly waved his hand and said: “Lord Ying is too polite. You and Lord Qin are honored guests to this old man—having you here is a privilege I could only wish for. What need is there to talk about gifts? Please, come inside quickly, have some tea to wash away the dust of travel, and later, share a cup of this old man’s humble wine.”

With that, he personally invited the two into the manor. Ying Fei didn’t make any decisions on his own, while Qin Shiyue smiled and said: “Then we shall trouble Old Master Ma.”

He then handed his reins to Zhang Xiaohua and walked in first. Seeing this, Ying Fei also handed his reins to Zhang Xiaohua and followed suit. Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the reins in his hands, curled his lips, and muttered to himself: “How did I end up as their servant? I must be the most pathetic prisoner ever.”

His eyes darted around as he took in his surroundings, but just as the thought of escape surfaced in his mind, he immediately sensed Qin Shiyue’s attention locking onto him once more. Helpless, he shrugged and abandoned the idea.

Fortunately, the Ma family ran their household well. Before Zhang Xiaohua could say anything, a servant stepped forward and took the horses, seemingly assigned to their care. As for how they would be treated—whether properly tended to or simply left aside—what did that have to do with Zhang Xiaohua? Even if they poisoned the horses to death, he wouldn’t mind in the slightest.

Taking his time, Zhang Xiaohua followed the servant’s directions and arrived at the guest hall. By then, many Jianghu heroes and local gentry had already gathered inside, chatting in their respective groups. Zhang Xiaohua glanced around but did not see Qin Shiyue’s distinctive white hair, which delighted him. However, before he could even crack a grin, a servant approached with a courteous smile and asked: “Might this young brother be surnamed Ren?”

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback and was about to deny it, but he quickly remembered his new identity. His smile froze on his face, and he replied grudgingly: “Yes, that’s me, little Ren!”

The servant respectfully said: “Master Ma has instructed me to escort you to the inner hall. Please, follow me.”

Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself: “What kind of nonsense is that? As if I have a choice.” Then, he simply nodded in acknowledgment, too lazy to say anything more.

Following the servant, he arrived at a quiet, secluded hall where Ma Rulong was accompanying the two guests for tea. Qin Shiyue lifted his head to glance at Zhang Xiaohua but said nothing, while Ying Fei grinned and called out: “Little Ren, come have some tea.”

Seeing Ying Fei’s irritating smirk, Zhang Xiaohua felt a sudden urge to rush forward, pin him to the ground, stomp on him a few times, and make sure he never got back up again. But Ma Rulong also smiled and said: “Young Brother Ren, come and try this Pu’er tea—it has quite the fine taste.”

Zhang Xiaohua suddenly brightened and grinned. “Oh? Old Master Ma, I’ve read about Pu’er tea in books but never had the chance to taste it. Today, I must give it a try.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s expression shift from bitter reluctance to boundless delight, Ying Fei almost thought the brat had gone mad. For a moment, he himself was left dumbfounded. Only when Zhang Xiaohua leisurely sipped the reddish tea, savoring it with exaggerated pleasure, did Ying Fei finally snap out of it—this little bastard was messing with him! Just wait till tonight. You’ll suffer for this.

After chatting for a while, Ma Rulong apologized: “Qin Daren, Envoy Ying, please excuse me for a moment. I still have guests to entertain in the front hall. I’ll return shortly.”

Qin Shiyue nodded. “Go on. Today is your grand birthday, and you have many guests coming. It would be difficult to attend to everyone, so just do what you can.”

Ma Rulong’s heart skipped a beat, and he let out a dry chuckle before hastily making his exit.

As soon as he was gone, Ying Fei muttered: “Qin Daren, this Ma Rulong is clearly suspicious. His dealings with the Heaven’s Way Alliance are murky at best. What do you think we should do?”

Qin Shiyue chuckled. “The emperor isn’t in a rush, but the eunuch is. The real decision-maker hasn’t even spoken, yet you’re already worrying for them. No need to be anxious—just watch and see. Now that we’ve run into that Qiu Xidao, I’m sure Old Ma will have to make a choice sooner or later.”

Ying Fei opened his mouth as if to say something but hesitated, not daring to speak further. He had no choice but to sit back and wait, occasionally glancing anxiously toward the entrance. Meanwhile, Qin Shiyue remained completely at ease, closing his eyes to rest.

Zhang Xiaohua casually took out a Yuan Stone from his sleeve, sipping tea while absorbing Yuan Qi, eagerly anticipating the unfolding drama. Isn’t this delightful!

A full incense stick’s time passed before Ma Rulong finally reentered the hall, wiping sweat from his forehead and offering an apologetic smile. “Lord Qin, Envoy Ying, I have truly been neglectful. The number of guests today exceeded expectations, and I didn’t prepare enough tables. Please wait a little longer, and I’ll have the banquet set here for you to dine.”

Ying Fei was about to speak, but Qin Shiyue spoke first. “Ma Rulong, do you think I came today just to celebrate your birthday? You must have received the message I sent earlier. Let’s settle our business before we start the feast. Only after handling matters can I drink in peace.”

Ma Rulong chuckled. “Lord Qin, why such urgency? Why not enjoy the banquet first, then discuss this after some rest?”

Qin Shiyue also smiled. “Nothing is more important than handling matters for the Cult Master. Only after securing the item can I truly relax.”

Ma Rulong pondered for a moment before saying: “That’s reasonable. Then, please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Before long, he returned with a tray covered by a silk cloth. Handing it to Qin Shiyue, he said somewhat apologetically: “Ever since I received the order from the cult, I have done my utmost to search for it, but I could only gather these few items. I had hoped to use my birthday celebration to ask my friends and relatives for more, but since you arrived early, I have no choice but to disappoint you.”

Qin Shiyue waved it off with a smile. “No matter, no matter. It’s already commendable that you did your best. These will do.”

As he spoke, he casually lifted the silk cloth.

Seeing the contents of the tray, Qin Shiyue was taken aback. Pointing at the items inside, he exclaimed: “Old Ma, this… this is what you call your best effort?”

Zhang Xiaohua, who had been leisurely sipping tea, was also curious. When he glanced at the tray, he found that it contained nothing but three to five pieces of worn-out jade artifacts. Compared to what Situ Liang had offered, the difference was like heaven and earth. There was no need to use his divine sense—these were clearly just random items meant to brush them off. Zhang Xiaohua furrowed his brows, unsure what game Ma Rulong was playing.

Faced with Qin Shiyue’s accusation, Ma Rulong replied solemnly: “Lord Qin, these are indeed the ancient relics I managed to find based on the information provided. As I just told you, this was all I could obtain for now. If you had come later, I might have been able to gather more through my friends and relatives. But since you arrived so soon, this is all there is.”

Ying Fei snapped angrily: “Old Ma! Are you trying to fool us?”

Ma Rulong cupped his hands. “Envoy Ying, you are mistaken. How could I dare? Didn’t Lord Qin just say that as long as I did my utmost, it would suffice? I truly have done my best.”

“You… you!” Ying Fei was infuriated, pointing at Ma Rulong but unable to find the words to rebuke him.

Qin Shiyue, however, remained calm. He had long expected this and simply watched Ma Rulong with a knowing smile.

Just then, a voice echoed through the hall: “I have long heard that the Heavenly Dragon Divine Cult preys on the weak and forcibly seize what they desire. Now that I see it with my own eyes, its reputation is indeed well-earned. Even a nearly seventy-year-old elder is not spared from being bullied and exploited. Truly, the so-called ‘Demonic Cult’ that the martial world speaks of! Even the disciples of Garuda act so lawlessly—how lamentable, how lamentable!”

Everyone turned to look, only to see Qiu Xidao grinning as he waved a folded fan in his hand. Zhang Xiaohua mused inwardly: “Did this guy not suffer enough humiliation earlier? And now he dares to come out again!”

Qin Shiyue showed no surprise at Qiu Xidao’s appearance. He chuckled and said: “I wonder, is this Qiu Xidao before me the grandson-in-law of Ma Rulong, or the disciple of Nan Fengyun, the Vice Leader of the Heaven’s Will Alliance?”

Qiu Xidao laughed and said: “What difference does it make? Either way, I am still Qiu Xidao—your young master here.”

Qin Shiyue’s smile deepened, yet he ignored Qiu Xidao and instead turned to Ma Rulong. “Old Ma, it seems you’ve already made your choice?”

Ma Rulong’s expression shifted slightly as he took a step back without saying a word.

Seeing this, Qiu Xidao stepped forward and sneered: “So, you only know how to bully the elderly? The methods of your Demonic Cult are truly extraordinary.”

Ying Fei snapped, “When Daren is speaking, what place is there for a brat like you to interject? Tell me, can you even represent your so-called Heaven’s Way Alliance?”

Qiu Xidao cupped his hands toward the east and said: “I came to Ma Manor under my master’s orders. Naturally, I can represent it.”

Ying Fei sneered: “Since you know we are from the Divine Cult, and that our cult and the Heaven’s Way Alliance are mortal enemies, yet you still dare stand so boldly before us, you must have quite the nerve.”

Qiu Xidao laughed heartily. “I’ve always heard that people of the Demonic Cult are bloodthirsty and ruthless, but why is it that in front of me, all you do is talk? Truly amusing.”

Ying Fei’s face darkened. “Good, very good. Then let me see just how capable you are!”

With that, he lunged forward like an arrow, his hand reaching straight for Qiu Xidao’s throat, bringing with it a gust of wind. There was no doubt—if he grabbed hold, Qiu Xidao’s throat would be crushed instantly.

Qiu Xidao had been deliberately provoking him and was already prepared. He raised his fist and struck directly at Ying Fei’s fingers. But Ying Fei did not withdraw. Instead, he transformed his grasp into a palm strike. Boom! A dull impact rang out as their fist and palm collided. Ying Fei staggered back a step, while Qiu Xidao was forced to retreat several steps, nearly being pushed to the doorway.

Yet, Qiu Xidao made no attempt to advance again. Instead, he simply shouted, “Go!”

With that, he turned and rushed out of the inner hall, with Ma Rulong following closely behind.

Ying Fei roared: “Where do you think you’re going?”

Just as he was about to give chase, a sudden and unexpected change occurred.