Chapter 121: The Invitation

After finishing breakfast, Murong Fu and the others went to the dock to wait for Abi to fetch the boat they had previously hidden in the reed marshes.

While they basked in the sunlight, a stunningly beautiful woman approached their group.

“Third Brother, do you think this lady has come over because she admires our young master and couldn’t help herself?”

Though the remark was directed at Bao Butong, it was clearly meant to tease everyone.

“Not at all, not at all. Old Bao here is quite famous around Suzhou. Why don’t you say she’s come looking for me? I think that fits better.”

Feng Bo’e, seeing Bao Butong’s ugly smirk, was about to tease him further when the woman had already drawn near and fell silent.

The woman gave a slight bow before Murong Fu, her crimson lips parting as she inquired, “Are you Young Master Murong Fu?”

Curiously, although the question was addressed to Murong Fu, she barely glanced at him and instead fixed her gaze almost entirely on Wang Yuyan standing behind him.

“I am he. May I ask what brings you here, miss?”

Murong Fu, puzzled by the odd behavior, responded to answer her question and to curb her strange attention.

The woman was Jiang Yuyan. She looked past Murong Fu to study the enchanting woman who had captivated Zhu Yu. Seeing Wang Yuyan’s shy and evasive demeanor, Jiang Yuyan could only feel pity, or rather, in her mind, disdain—such a temptress!

Upon hearing Murong Fu’s reply, Jiang Yuyan did not forget her purpose.

“I have long heard of the great Murong from the South. My young master admires him deeply and has arranged a banquet at the boat pavilion ahead. We humbly invite Young Master Murong Fu to honor us with his presence.”

“Not at all, not at all. My young master gained fame early and is now renowned throughout the jianghu. Many admire him, but if he were to dine with every one of them, even at seventy or eighty years old, he still wouldn’t have finished all the meals.”

“I, Old Bao, have ample time. How about I go in his stead?”

Before Murong Fu could reply, Bao Butong’s sarcastic voice rang out.

Seeing someone so brazenly disrespecting Zhu Yu for the first time, Jiang Yuyan’s gaze grew cold. She asked, “Young Master Murong, does this servant of yours speak on your behalf?”

To maintain his reputation, Murong Fu was usually courteous and refined, but this situation was different.

On one side stood an unknown wealthy son; on the other, a loyal retainer who had served the Murong family for years. The choice was obvious.

“Miss, that is improper. Third Brother Bao is no servant. We grew up together; he is like a brother to me—closer than blood. What he says reflects my own thoughts.”

“Furthermore, the jianghu is perilous. You would do well to be cautious with your words. Had it been someone else, you might have suffered greatly today.”

“Haha, you’re right, young master. This little lady is as lovely as a flower and moon. It’s better she not show off so openly. I heard that the Cloud Crane, one of the Four Great Villains, recently appeared in the south. If he caught sight of you, wouldn’t your young master be wearing a very large green hat? Hahaha!”

To be honest, Bao Butong meant no real harm; he just had a sharp tongue. At first, he was a bit annoyed when Jiang Yuyan called him a servant, but after hearing Murong Fu’s words, his anger quickly dissipated.

Murong Fu’s warning was wise—such a beautiful woman traveling alone was bound to attract trouble.

Bao Butong intended to advise her to keep a low profile and avoid unnecessary problems, but his words were harsh enough to irritate anyone.

Not only did Murong Fu and Wang Yuyan slightly frown at Bao Butong’s bluntness, feeling it excessive, but Feng Bo’e was accustomed to it and even enjoyed Bao Butong’s sharp tongue. Without him, Feng Bo’e wouldn’t have had so many fights over the years.

If even their own found Bao Butong’s words harsh, how much more so Jiang Yuyan? This was the first time anyone had so openly insulted Zhu Yu before her.

At that moment, Jiang Yuyan felt her inner energy surge dangerously, as if she would burst if she didn’t kill two people.

Though Murong Fu and the others thought Bao Butong had gone too far, they showed no great reaction. After all, this admirer was merely a maid, at most a concubine. Would the famed Murong Fu apologize to her?

None of the three paid much mind, except Wang Yuyan. She thought Bao Butong’s words were too severe and wished to apologize and soothe Jiang Yuyan, but seeing the indifferent expressions around her, she found herself unable to utter a word.

Still, Wang Yuyan looked at the beautiful woman with concern, silently hoping her eyes conveyed her apology.

Whether Jiang Yuyan noticed the apology or not, Wang Yuyan did not know, but she sensed something was amiss.

The woman froze for a moment, her face briefly paling before flushing red, then quickly returning to normal.

Seeing this sudden change, the others grew curious—was this woman changing expressions? Had Bao Butong’s words made her ill?

Before anyone could speak, Jiang Yuyan suddenly raised her right arm, and flashes of cold light flickered from her sleeve.

When a martial arts master strikes unexpectedly while others are unguarded, what are the chances of success? The answer soon became clear.

Only Murong Fu reacted in time, but he barely had the chance to draw his sword. Instead, he crossed the sword and scabbard before his chest, attempting to block the attack.

With a light “ding!” the blow was partially deflected, but before Murong Fu could even smile, a powerful force transmitted through the scabbard into his arm and finally into his body.

As expected, Murong Fu was flung over Bao Butong and the others behind him, crashing heavily to the ground.

All of this happened in an instant. As Murong Fu hit the ground, realization dawned on him.

He had been sent flying by a single strike from an unknown, unrenowned woman!

Anger crept across his face as he quickly rose, drawing his sword, ready to fight back, only to be stopped.

“Wait. Look at your ‘brothers’ before you strike.”

Hearing this, Murong Fu’s fury was momentarily quelled. His mind cleared a fraction as he instinctively turned to look.

What he saw made his scalp tingle with dread.

Bao Butong and Feng Bo’e stood motionless, heads bowed, their eyes fixed intently on their chests.

The terrifying sight was a red thread piercing through each of their hearts, the other ends held firmly in Jiang Yuyan’s hand.

“Cousin! Third Brother Bao! Fourth Brother Feng!” Wang Yuyan cried helplessly, tears welling in her eyes.