Chapter 122: The Meeting

Wang Yuyan’s scream not only drove back Murong Fu’s reckless courage but also roused Jiang Yuyan from unconsciousness.

The emperor intends to invite people onto the ship, yet before anyone is even invited, half have already been killed?

Immediately, Jiang Yuyan lightly moved her wrist, dividing her internal energy into two streams, sending them along the red threads toward the hearts of Bao Butong and Feng Bo’e.

Stimulated by the internal energy, the two gradually regained their senses.

Upon awakening, they saw the red threads piercing through their chests and bristled with goosebumps. Raising their hands to draw their blades, they intended to sever the threads.

Seeing their movements, Jiang Yuyan softly spoke a single sentence, causing the two to freeze in place, as if struck by a paralysis spell, unable to move further.

“Think carefully before you cut. Your lives are currently sustained by my internal energy. If you cut now, you will die in the next moment.”

At this moment, Murong Fu followed the red thread in Jiang Yuyan’s hand to find an inconspicuous embroidered needle on the ground. His pupils contracted sharply, and a chill ran through his heart.

This person is a grandmaster!

Murong Fu pressed his dry lips together and once again donned the mask he wore as “Southern Murong.”

As he lifted his head, a look of apology spread across his previously pale face as he spoke, “This young lady’s martial skills are formidable; I admire her. Earlier, we were indeed discourteous, and I beg your forgiveness. Might the lady consider releasing my third brother Bao and fourth brother Feng? Though it may sound absurd, seeing your prowess, I am truly curious about the gentleman behind you. Might Murong Fu have the honor of meeting him?”

Hearing Murong Fu’s words, Jiang Yuyan secretly nodded. Regardless of martial skill, his demeanor and manners were worthy of the name “Southern Murong.”

Not only had his two retainers nearly died at her hands, but even he had narrowly escaped death. Yet now he spoke calmly and even subtly indicated that she was merely an agent, wishing to speak with the man behind her. This earned Jiang Yuyan’s respect.

“Then let us go.”

With that, Jiang Yuyan flicked her wrist again, and the red threads on Bao Butong and Feng Bo’e vanished.

The two exchanged a glance, realizing they had truly met a hard opponent. Worried, one said, “Young master, perhaps—”

“No need for further words. Bao, rest assured for now. Even without you, this ship’s tower is a place Murong Fu will surely visit today.”

Jiang Yuyan did not reply but smiled faintly, which said it all.

Seeing Murong Fu had no further instructions, Jiang Yuyan fell silent and turned to lead the way toward the ship’s tower.

Murong Fu naturally followed closely behind, and the remaining three exchanged glances and silently trailed after them.

---

After a short while, Zhu Yu, waiting in the ship’s tower, saw the legendary “Southern Murong” Murong Fu. Bao Butong and the others were left downstairs.

Upon ascending, Murong Fu’s first sight was a handsome young man seated by the window, and behind him stood an elder with an inscrutable aura.

Murong Fu’s immediate thought was that this man’s background was unfathomably deep and must be approached with caution.

Then another thought arose: though he did not know this man’s origins, he must be profoundly accomplished. If, as the young lady said, this gentleman was his admirer, then forging a friendship would be a great boon for future endeavors.

With this in mind, Murong Fu, who had come merely to save his life, now showed a gleam of enthusiasm.

“I am Murong Fu of Gusu, here at your invitation to attend the banquet.”

Zhu Yu had observed the earlier confrontation between Murong Fu and Jiang Yuyan and noticed that Murong Fu was unaffected by the skirmish. An unaware onlooker might have thought he had come simply as a guest.

This left Zhu Yu with a strange impression—whether he despised Murong Fu’s audacity or admired his shamelessness was unclear.

“Southern Murong, Northern Qiao Feng—I have long heard your names. Meeting you today is truly a wish fulfilled. Please, have a seat.”

Zhu Yu courteously cupped his fists in a traditional greeting.

Murong Fu accepted without hesitation and took a seat opposite Zhu Yu.

“May I ask your name, sir? And what is the purpose of your invitation?”

Though Murong Fu was already eyeing Zhu Yu and his backing forces, he revealed nothing on his face. He chose to be direct and inquire plainly.

“My surname is Zhu, given name Yu. I am little known in the jianghu. No doubt Murong Gongzi has never heard of me. As for the invitation, it is purely because I have long admired your reputation and wished to make your acquaintance.”

“Your way of inviting is quite special, Zhu Gongzi. Were it not for my own skills, my entire Murong family might already have been wiped out.”

Hearing that Zhu Yu merely wanted to meet and make friends, Murong Fu’s anger flared.

“Oh, you must forgive her. She knows no better and it’s partly my fault. With nothing else to do at home, all she can do is clean. She has been a grandmaster for some time but has had no chance to use her skills. I suppose she saw ‘Southern Murong’ and felt an itch to act. I hope Murong Gongzi will pardon her.”

That maid? A grandmaster? Just a servant? Cleaning? What a joke! Murong Fu could hardly accept the blow.

He had risen to fame young, renowned in the jianghu for over a decade, yet had only reached the highest first-class level. Now suddenly, someone claimed his maid was a grandmaster—how could that be?

“Zhu Gongzi, you jest. The dignity of a martial grandmaster is not to be mocked. Reputation is paramount in the jianghu. If you belittle your own subordinate so, are you not afraid she will one day turn against you?”

---

At this moment, Murong Fu was careful to sow discord between the two, subtly warning the young lady. He knew a martial grandmaster was keenly perceptive and that she must have heard his words.

Though Zhu Yu had been a novice in his past life, having spent so long in the imperial palace, he was certainly more wary now.

Zhu Yu caught the hidden meaning in Murong Fu’s words and looked at him with a faint, inscrutable smile, causing Murong Fu to awkwardly avert his gaze.

Seeing Murong Fu had no further retort, Zhu Yu felt a trace of regret but thought to make a strong move.

“Yuyan! Bring me some fruit!”

To Murong Fu’s puzzled gaze, Zhu Yu called out loudly.

Shortly after, the young lady who had nearly wiped out Murong Fu’s family arrived gracefully carrying a plate of fruit.

Zhu Yu glanced at the fruit and deliberately said, “I want grapes.”

Without the slightest impatience, Jiang Yuyan responded sweetly, “Young master, please wait a moment. I will fetch them for you.”

After a while, Jiang Yuyan returned with a bunch of grapes and sat beside Zhu Yu.

Having issued his command, Zhu Yu felt the performance was complete and no longer intended to continue. He instinctively opened his mouth to eat a grape.

Jiang Yuyan promptly brought the grapes to his lips.

This scene stunned Murong Fu. If anyone here asked, Zhu Yu would surely boast that eating fruit with one’s hands was unnecessary.

Seeing Zhu Yu command a grandmaster as if she were a maid left Murong Fu’s eyes nearly popping out in shock.

At the same time, Murong Fu’s resolve strengthened. Silently he vowed to uncover every detail about this mysterious Zhu Gongzi and to trick him onto the ship.

He would be a great asset in restoring the Yan dynasty!