Chapter 304 - 144: Top-Tier Game, Great Families of Qing Province (4)

Chapter 304: Chapter 144: Top-Tier Game, Great Families of Qing Province (4)

Fang Xing nodded, his face unreadable. At his side, Wei Qing wore a constant smile.

The drinks had flowed and the courses had been served.

The meal lasted a full hour before it finally drew to a close.

"Lord Fang, this is a Deep Sea Flood Dragon Pearl, a precious treasure. As a gift for our first meeting, I must insist you accept it."

Patriarch Lin rose and presented a gift box.

Looking at the gift box, Fang Xing smiled faintly. "Then I thank you for your kindness, Patriarch Lin."

Fang Xing didn’t refuse. Since he was here, he would accept it graciously.

"Lord Fang, I have something for you as well. It is a Qilin Jade. Please accept it."

Patriarch Xu then took out a gift box and cordially handed it to Fang Xing.

"Thank you, Patriarch Xu."

Fang Xing accepted it with a smile.

"Lord Fang, I have something for you as well—a Phoenix Blood Lingzhi." Patriarch Wang likewise presented a gift, which Fang Xing accepted just as readily.

As he accepted the gifts, the smiles on the three patriarchs’ faces grew even brighter, and Wei Qing, standing aside, also looked delighted.

After a brief farewell, Fang Xing and Wei Qing left the private room.

Watching the pair leave the room, the three patriarchs exchanged a look.

"This man... he appears coarse, but he’s sharp. I fear he’s not as simple as he seems," Patriarch Wang said in a low voice.

"To be so highly regarded by Hong Miaojin, he’s certainly no incompetent fool. Still, with his level of Cultivation, he can’t make any big waves," Patriarch Xu said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, Patriarch Lin looked at the other two and said, "That’s not necessarily true. His power shouldn’t be underestimated. We must be cautious. He’s the blade Hong Miaojin has unsheathed. She might be planning a major move."

"What are your thoughts, Brother Lin?" Patriarch Wang asked, looking at Lin Hongtao.

Lin Hongtao smiled. "The future is long. There will be plenty of opportunities."

At his words, a glint flashed in the other two men’s eyes. Patriarch Xu looked at him and began, "Brother Lin, you don’t mean to suggest..."

As he spoke, Patriarch Xu made a throat-slitting gesture.

Lin Hongtao’s expression changed at once. "Hold on, Brother Xu. I have no such intention."

"He accepted our gifts, at least. There may be opportunities in the future. My friends, don’t be impatient, or you risk capsizing the boat."

Hearing this, the two men exchanged a knowing smile.

"A brilliant insight, Brother Lin!"

...

「Observatory, Demon Suppression Mansion.」

Fang Xing looked at Wei Qing. "Lord Wei, thank you for today. It was quite eye-opening. These things, they should be yours."

As he spoke, Fang Xing took out the three gift boxes and offered them to Wei Qing.

Wei Qing quickly waved his hands in refusal. "Lord Fang, I can’t possibly accept these. They belong to you."

"My lord, I’ll be taking my leave." With that, Wei Qing turned and departed.

’That old fox...’

Fang Xing grumbled to himself as he watched Wei Qing’s departing figure.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he stored the three gift boxes away. He glanced toward Hong Miaojin’s residence, pondered for a moment, and then headed off.

A short while later, Fang Xing arrived at the mansion. After communicating via his Sound Transmission Bell, he was admitted inside.

...

In the main hall of the mansion, Hong Miaojin appeared, dressed in silver-threaded gauze. Her graceful figure was only faintly visible through the sheer fabric.

"You’ve had plenty to drink. It seems you were well-entertained," Hong Miaojin said, looking at Fang Xing with a radiant smile.

Fang Xing cupped his hands in a salute. "My Lady, Lord Wei invited me. It would have been rude to refuse, so I went."

"The three great families, was it?" Hong Miaojin stepped forward, sat down, and crossed her long, slender legs as she looked at him.

Fang Xing nodded. "Yes. The patriarchs of all three great families were there."

"These are the welcoming gifts from the three great families." Fang Xing took out the three gift boxes.

Hong Miaojin glanced at them, her expression calm. "Since they were given to you, you should keep them."

Hearing this, Fang Xing said no more and put the three gifts away again.

"Sit. Have some tea to refresh yourself," Hong Miaojin said. Fang Xing sat down.

Lifting his teacup, he took a sip and looked at Hong Miaojin. "My Lady, these three great families are entrenched in Qing Province City, their power tangled and complex. They must have significant ties to the Demon and Monster powers, don’t they?"

"Yes, they are indeed involved. But for the most part, those three families know their place and haven’t done anything too outrageous." Hong Miaojin nodded lightly.

Fang Xing looked at her and blinked. "My Lady, does that mean we’ll have to eliminate them later on?"