Chapter 126: Murong Zhuo

Nangong Mengli's plan was a gamble. She was betting her luck was good enough and her body could withstand an escape.

Su Mu rejected it, proposing a much better plan.

The man and woman plotting to murder an Empire noble conversed with perfect composure, red wine glasses in hand. They occasionally chatted about amusing events in Star City. No one could tell that beneath their calm, elegant exteriors hid such a mad idea.

"Susu, did you know? While you were gone, Yang Dongqing went looking for you quite a bit," she said. "He might have said it would be better if you died and that you'd get yourself killed sooner or later, but he paid close attention to any news about you. He must have come looking for you these past few days since you got back, right?"

Nangong Mengli seemed to picture Yang Dongqing's awkward expression, a faint smile on her lips.

Su Mu nodded. "He did. He muttered something about how good people do not live long, scourges last a thousand years, saying he knew I definitely wouldn't die, and then took an advance on his next month's salary before leaving."

"Pfft..."

Nangong Mengli couldn't hold back her laughter. "He asked me for an advance on his salary too. Said he needed to buy clothes for his girlfriend. I really don't know just how many clothes he plans to buy."

Su Mu shrugged. "The guy claims he's buying clothes to apologize, but I'm guessing he has ulterior motives."

"Oh? What kind of ulterior motives?" Nangong Mengli leaned in a little closer, her eyes smiling.

Su Mu didn't bother answering such an obvious question. Knowing how Yang Dongqing's brain worked, what else could his motives be? He had clearly taken a fancy to the gorgeous, sexy clothes from the Upper District, planned to put them on Jasmine, and then blitz the Upper District tonight.

While the two of them chatted and laughed, on the other side of the banquet, Qian Zihao's eyes were practically spewing fire. He stared fixedly at Su Mu and Nangong Mengli, unable to suppress the jealousy and anger in his heart.

Damned pair of dogs! Just wait. After tonight, you'll belong to me completely! Damn it, why isn't that old bastard Murong Zhuo here yet? The banquet starts in half an hour. Fucking hurry up and announce the marriage!

Perhaps Qian Zihao's curses had worked. The man of the hour, the Murong Family Head Murong Zhuo, finally made his appearance.

The moment he arrived, it was as if someone had hit the pause button on the lively banquet hall. The conversations ceased instantly as everyone turned to look at the elderly man at the entrance.

He wore a dark, luxurious outfit of exquisite fabric, with delicate embroidery outlining ancient patterns. His silver hair was combed neatly back, revealing a deeply lined forehead. His deep-set eyes resembled a bottomless lake, and his tightly pursed lips projected an imposing authority.

Beside him were two men and a woman with an equally extraordinary bearing. They were Murong Zhuo's three children, clustering around him as he slowly entered the hall.

"Greetings, Murong Family Head."

"It has been too long. The Murong Family Head looks as vigorous as ever!"

A throng of guests eagerly hurried forward, greeting him with a lifetime's worth of enthusiasm. They asked for nothing else, only hoping to show their faces.

As the greatest noble in Star City and a Silver 3 transcendent, Murong Zhuo possessed extremely distinguished status. It was no exaggeration to say that his word was absolute law in Star City.

Today, however, Murong Zhuo seemed to be in foul spirits. Faced with the crowd's fawning enthusiasm, his brow remained deeply furrowed, and he offered only a perfunctory nod in response.

The guests knew when to back off. No one dared to court disaster.

The reason behind Murong Zhuo's bad mood was hardly a secret in the circles of the Upper District. It was simply because of the Eye of Gold. Without the Eye of Gold, he had long been unable to break through to the Gold Realm. To make matters worse, his reckless greed for progress in his youth and his abuse of Transcendent Potions had left his body severely depleted. His end was approaching. Under those circumstances, no one would be in a good mood.

Soon, Murong Zhuo's three children were enthusiastically swarmed by the crowd. Their reasoning was simple: since Murong Zhuo was doomed sooner or later, it was only natural to step up efforts to court the children who might become heirs. Among them, the eldest son, Murong Yun, drew the largest circle of people.

Murong Zhuo's arrival pushed the banquet's atmosphere to its peak. The guests grew even more enthusiastic, and the pianist changed the music to a lively, upbeat melody.

Gradually, men and women began dancing in the center of the dance floor, and a celebrity even took the stage to perform. Glasses clinked as the guests traded toasts, taking turns offering their birthday blessings to Murong Zhuo.

In stark contrast, Nangong Mengli's corner was extremely deserted, as if she had been abandoned by the world. Everyone knew Murong Zhuo disliked this illegitimate daughter. Aside from a few bottom-rung attendees hoping to try their luck, hardly anyone approached her.

At this time, Qian Zihao could sit still no longer. Seeing the banquet was halfway over, yet the old bastard still showed no intention of speaking—merely sitting there with a scowl—he stood up in frustration, dragging his fat body over to Murong Zhuo with a wine glass in hand.

"Uncle! Your nephew Qian Zihao wishes you the longevity of the pine and crane, and an eternity of familial joy!" Qian Zihao boomed with a face full of smiles, immediately drawing Murong Zhuo's attention.

Murong Zhuo raised his eyes to look at the fat man standing before him and frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.

Noticing this, Qian Zihao hurried on. "To celebrate your esteemed birthday, your nephew wishes to offer up the West City Mithril Mine. Please accept it, Uncle."

Unstoppable gasps of shock immediately rippled through the surrounding crowd. Gifting a Mithril Mine?! What a massive gesture! To win Murong Zhuo's favor, the birthday gifts they had prepared were naturally very valuable, but compared to a Mithril Mine, even the most precious items paled into insignificance.

The few who were privy to inside information were secretly astounded. Although the West City Mithril Mine's yield was low, it was still a Mithril Mine, making it virtually priceless. Qian Zihao was truly bleeding himself dry to marry Murong Mengli.

Hearing the words "Mithril Mine," Murong Zhuo's brow finally smoothed out. The veteran noble did not show any shock on his face, remaining entirely placid: "You are too thoughtful, good nephew."

Qian Zihao's smile only grew wider, but in his heart, he was already hurling curses. Who the fuck are you putting on an act for, you old bastard! Fuck! If it weren't for the noble status and Mengli, would I have bled myself dry like this? Agreeing in private wasn't enough; you just had to make me announce it in public.

At that moment, Murong Zhuo slowly rose to his feet. His eldest son, Murong Yun, quickly stepped forward to hand him a glass of wine.

Murong Zhuo raised the wine glass, and the guests present sensibly quieted down, waiting quietly for him to speak.

"I thank you all for attending my birthday banquet. To see so many distinguished guests and cherished friends gathered here today is truly one of life's great joys. Though I have reached my twilight years, witnessing this lively scene warms my heart immensely..."

Murong Zhuo launched into a lengthy string of pleasantries. The veteran noble was extremely adept at handling such occasions. The guests present all wore smiles and listened earnestly, each pretending to be more polite than the last.

Qian Zihao's hand holding the wine glass was almost stiffening, and his fake smile grew increasingly forced. Motherfucking old bastard, you sure can spout absolute bullshit. You had a long face earlier, but now that you heard the words Mithril Mine, you're suddenly energized?