Chapter 294 - 115: Magical Duel (2)

Chapter 294: Chapter 115: Magical Duel (2)

...

’Just as I thought. If the Zheng Family can do it, Zhen Daoji can do it even better.’

Fang Rui’s thoughts stirred as he watched the Tribulation Points on his panel climb higher.

"Master,"

Just then, the head maid, Qing Yun, came in and handed him an invitation. "The Zhen Mansion’s steward delivered this personally. It’s an invitation to a banquet tonight, and they specifically requested you bring the young master, Qing Yan."

"Oh?"

Fang Rui sighed inwardly. ’It’s finally here.’

’A trap? Not quite. They probably just want to ask about some leads.’

His eyes narrowed. ’I’ll just have to deal with whatever comes my way.’

...

「That evening.」

Fang Rui found the Qing Yan Little Child and they went to the Zhen Mansion together. "Don’t be afraid. Whatever anyone asks, just tell them. You don’t need to hide anything, nor can you."

...

That night, the moon was bright and beautiful, hanging in a sky with few stars.

Beneath the moonlight, which flowed like quicksilver, the Zhen Mansion’s rear courtyard was a picture of refined elegance, with its rugged rockeries and a babbling jade-green stream.

Upon the tables, rare delicacies made from high-grade Exotic Beast Meat and Exotic Fruits steamed gently. The interplay of light and shadow was dazzling, and a rich aroma filled the air.

There was even fine wine suffused with Spiritual Qi, served on disc-shaped leaves from a Rare Plant, set afloat on the winding stream for guests to retrieve.

One could say that in all of Huaiyin Prefecture City, the number of people who had ever enjoyed such a lavish and extravagant banquet could be counted on one hand.

Even the Qing Yan Little Child, who had often attended banquets with Ge Changgeng in the past, was a bit intimidated by such a grand scene.

"It’s alright."

Fang Rui patted the Qing Yan Little Child’s head, his expression calm.

He had even witnessed the... ahem, unique specialty of Fusang—the human body... After experiencing so much, he wasn’t about to get stage fright.

"Come, come, eat and drink."

Zhen Daoji didn’t mention anything else. Alongside Zhen Yi, he simply urged them to eat and drink.

Fang Rui didn’t press the issue either. He encouraged the Qing Yan Little Child to eat, and he himself ate and drank with ease, heartily enjoying the feast and refusing no cup of wine offered.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill.

He took a hand towel from a stunningly beautiful, gauze-clad maidservant, wiped his mouth, and looked at Zhen Daoji. "Brother Zhen, to be treated to such a magnificent banquet, there must be important matters to discuss. I’ve eaten and drunk for free, so I should do something in return. Otherwise, my conscience won’t be clear!"

"Haha, Fang Rui, you truly are sharp. In comparison, it makes me seem a bit underhanded."

Zhen Daoji gave a meaningful look.

"This must be Daoist Ge’s disciple, with the Daoist name Qing Yan, correct? This old man is also a Spirit Master. Why don’t you come over here, and I can give you some pointers," Zhen Yi said, stroking his beard.

The Qing Yan Little Child instinctively looked at Fang Rui.

"What are you waiting for? This is a great opportunity for you. Remember what I told you," Fang Rui said with a wave of his hand.

After the Qing Yan Little Child had left.

Zhen Daoji raised a cup of wine. "Today, I do indeed have something to ask you. Thinking about it now, my actions have not been very magnanimous. I apologize for that."

With that, he poured for himself and downed three cups in a row.

"You’re being too serious, Brother Zhen. There’s no need to say that."

Fang Rui knew that Zhen Daoji’s current show of magnanimity was just a case of "playing the gentleman before revealing the scoundrel."

Having spent the better part of half a year with him, he had come to understand Zhen Daoji’s character somewhat.

To say the man was grand and magnanimous was true—as long as you were a friend he truly acknowledged, he would be incredibly generous. For example, if Fang Rui were seriously injured and needed a Demigod Medicine, Zhen Daoji wouldn’t hesitate to give it.

But it was equally true that he was decisive, cold, and ruthless.

If his core interests were involved—for instance, if he discovered that the other Yang Attribute Dragon Pearl was in Fang Rui’s hands—he would turn on him without a second thought and kill him just the same.

Another round of drinks was exchanged.

「A moment later.」

Zhen Daoji sat up straight, his expression serious as he looked at Fang Rui. "Fang Rui, the questions I want to ask you are about the Dragon Pearl Origin, Ge Changgeng, everything."

’Here it comes!’

Fang Rui sighed inwardly, his expression grave. He chose his words carefully as he began, "All the secrets I know about the Dragon Pearl from outside sources, I learned from two people: one is you, and the other is Daoist Ge."

"The first time I learned that Mochou Lake was the Land of the Fallen Dragon was during a fishing trip. That time, I obtained a Jade Lotus, and Daoist Ge told me..."

"After that, on another fishing trip, Daoist Ge was in a good mood. I asked him why, and he said he’d obtained something good, though he didn’t specify what."

"Later, when the Qing Yan Little Child arrived, I saw the journal..." Fang Rui let out a heavy sigh. "That is everything I learned about the Dragon Pearl from Daoist Ge."

He wasn’t lying. It was all true, every single word of it.

"I’m sorry for bringing up a painful memory."

Zhen Daoji raised his cup again.

Fang Rui didn’t speak, just drank with him in silence.

After a short while, Zhen Yi returned with the Qing Yan Little Child and gave Zhen Daoji a slight nod.

Fang Rui made small talk with them for a few more moments before taking his leave with the Qing Yan Little Child.

「After Fang Rui left.」

"Our young friend Fang Rui was telling the truth. There’s nothing wrong with Ge Changgeng’s disciple, either."

"So, still no leads. We haven’t found the Dragon Pearl, and Fang Rui’s side is also..."

Zhen Daoji sighed. "Fang Rui is a smart man. After this incident, a crack has formed in our relationship. In the end, it was all for nothing."

"Dao Ji, don’t lose heart. I’ll go through the relevant records again. Perhaps there’s another way."

Zhen Yi felt guilty that not only had they failed to find a clue about the other Dragon Pearl, but they had also potentially cost Zhen Daoji a friend. His words were meant to help make up for it.

"Let’s hope so."

...

CREAK! SQUEAK!

The carriage swayed as it carried Fang Rui and the Qing Yan Little Child toward the Fang Mansion.

"What did that Spirit Master Zhen do after he took you away?" Fang Rui asked.

"He gave me some pointers, and then... I seem to have... fallen asleep for a bit."

The Qing Yan Little Child thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and told Fang Rui without reservation, "But, Uncle Fang, I know it wasn’t that simple. That man used the ’Heart Inquiry Technique’ on me."