Chapter 293: Ravion’s Killer Offers Condolences

Esmeralda did not remain standing at the edge of the private platform for long.

After briefly scanning the surrounding guests, she adjusted her sleeves and calmly walked toward the two patriarchs.

Damian naturally followed beside her.

The moment the two older men noticed the Verdanthe Clan emblem on Esmeralda’s robes, their attention immediately shifted toward her.

The silver-robed patriarch of the Valeria Family smiled first. "Lady Esmeralda Verdanthe."

Esmeralda cupped her hands politely. "Patriarch Cassian Valeria."

Her gaze then moved toward the white-gold-robed man beside him. "Patriarch Aldren Valehart."

Aldren Valehart returned the greeting with a dignified smile. "Lady Esmeralda. I’ve heard quite a bit about you recently."

Cassian nodded as well. "Indeed. To become one of the younger representatives trusted by the Golden Medicine Pavilion at your age is no small achievement."

Esmeralda smiled politely. "You flatter me."

Damian stood quietly beside her, watching the entire exchange.

It was obvious what was happening. Both patriarchs were trying to build a connection with Esmeralda.

Considering her Verdanthe Clan background and her position within the Golden Medicine Pavilion, that was hardly surprising.

Medicinal resources were useful to practically every cultivation family.

A talented young alchemist with access to one of the region’s largest medicinal organizations was someone worth befriending.

Cassian glanced toward Damian. "And this gentleman is?"

Esmeralda answered smoothly. "My partner."

Damian almost laughed again at how naturally she said it this time.

Aldren raised an eyebrow slightly but did not pry.

Instead, his expression became more solemn after a moment. "Speaking of the younger generation..."

His gaze drifted toward the festival grounds. A trace of genuine grief appeared in his eyes. "My son Ravion should have been here today."

Damian’s expression remained perfectly calm, but internally, his expression was not calm at all.

Aldren sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, he died inside the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb."

Several nearby Valehart elders lowered their gazes.

Aldren’s fingers tightened beneath his sleeve. "That place took one of the finest talents of my family."

His voice remained controlled, but bitterness leaked through. "If it had happened anywhere else, I would have demanded a proper investigation."

He gritted his teeth slightly. "But the Sword Tomb is an inheritance ground of the Heavenly Sword Sect. Anyone entering knows the risks."

Cassian gave him a sympathetic look. "Brother Aldren, Ravion was an excellent young man. His death was unfortunate."

Aldren’s eyes darkened. "Unfortunate indeed."

Damian had to summon every bit of self-control he possessed to keep his face straight.

"Motherfucker... Fine. He was an excellent young man. He betrayed his fiancée because of all of you, so his death is basically because of you all, although technically, I killed him."

His lips threatened to twitch, but he immediately coughed once and looked away.

Esmeralda glanced toward him. "Are you alright?"

Damian nodded quickly. "Perfectly fine."

Aldren continued bitterly, "Whoever or whatever killed Ravion inside that tomb... I hope they eventually suffer a miserable death."

Damian nearly choked.

"Well, that’s fucking awkward."

He calmly folded his hands behind his back and gave the patriarch his most respectful expression. "My condolences, Patriarch Valehart."

Aldren Valehart gave Damian a solemn nod. "Thank you."

Damian returned a polite smile. For several seconds, he had to force himself not to laugh.

"Fuck... if this bastard ever finds out I was the one who killed Ravion, this polite little conversation is going to become very different."

Fortunately, nobody seemed to notice anything unusual.

Damian quickly shifted his attention toward the massive festival grounds below.

More and more cultivators were gathering around the central arena, while several younger disciples from both families had already begun taking their positions.

The atmosphere was clearly changing.

Damian raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of the younger generation..."

He glanced toward Cassian and Aldren. "Is the festival about to start?"

Cassian Valeria smiled. "Indeed."

He gestured toward the enormous arena below. "The opening ceremony will begin shortly, followed by several martial exhibitions from the younger generation of both families."

Damian’s eyes brightened. "Oh?"

Aldren nodded. "There will also be invited geniuses from several allied factions participating later."

That immediately caught Damian’s interest.

He leaned slightly against the railing and looked down toward the arena. "Now that sounds much better."

Esmeralda glanced at him. "You seem rather excited."

Damian grinned. "Of course."

He spread his hands. "I came all the way here. I might as well enjoy the show."

Cassian chuckled. "Young people usually enjoy watching talented cultivators compete."

Damian nodded seriously. "Exactly."

Internally, however, his thoughts were completely different.

"Hehehe... talented cultivators means talented women."

His gaze swept across the participants below.

"And talented women mean treasure chests."

A shameless smile almost appeared on his face before he quickly suppressed it.

Esmeralda noticed the slight change in his expression. "What are you thinking about?"

Damian answered immediately. "Martial arts."

Esmeralda stared at him.

Damian maintained a completely innocent expression.

She clearly didn’t believe him. Before she could question him further, a deep bell suddenly echoed throughout the festival grounds.

DOOOONG!

The enormous crowd gradually fell silent.

Another bell followed.

DOOOONG!

Several elders began moving toward the central stage.

Damian straightened slightly.

The festival was finally beginning.

His lips slowly curved upward.

"Good."

His gaze moved across the arena, the two patriarchs, and finally toward the distant entrance.

"Today really is going to be a fucking good day for watching a show."

And perhaps... If everything happened the way he expected... He would really watch a really good show.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the festival grounds, four masked figures moved quietly through one of the less crowded service districts.

Cynthia walked in the middle, while Evelyn led the way.

Linsey followed closely behind, and Helena remained at the rear, occasionally glancing back to make sure no one was following them.

Evelyn suddenly raised one hand, and the group stopped immediately.

Ahead of them, two festival guards crossed a narrow corridor.

Cynthia whispered, "How long?"

Evelyn replied calmly, "Twenty breaths."

Linsey leaned slightly closer to the wall. "This is actually kind of fun."

Helena gave her a flat look. "Don’t make it fun."

Linsey whispered back, "That makes it more fun."

Cynthia sighed quietly.

"Why did I agree to infiltrate with these people?"

Several breaths later, Evelyn moved again. "Now."

The four slipped through the corridor.

Instead of heading toward the ordinary spectator grounds, Evelyn led them deeper through the service passages, using storage halls, delivery routes, and temporary worker entrances that connected several sections of the festival.

Eventually, they reached a narrow staircase hidden behind a decorative pavilion.

Evelyn looked upward. "This leads near the VIP section."

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "You really found a good route."

Evelyn nodded once. "I watched the servants."

Linsey blinked. "That’s it?"

Evelyn nodded. "They repeat patterns."

Helena gave a small approving nod. "Smart."

Linsey looked offended again. "Why is everyone praising Evelyn today?"

Cynthia ignored her and looked toward the staircase. "Remember, we’re not here to cause trouble."

Helena nodded. "Observe."

Evelyn added, "Stay unnoticed and no gambling."

Linsey sighed.

Cynthia stared at her.

Linsey raised both hands. "I know, I know."

They began climbing.

At the top, Evelyn carefully pushed open a narrow side door, and beyond it was one of the private viewing areas.

Cynthia’s eyes sharpened.

"We actually made it."

The four slipped into the crowd naturally, moving like ordinary masked guests who belonged there.

Within moments, they had successfully infiltrated the VIP area.

Linsey quietly looked around. "Damn."

Helena whispered, "Don’t stare."

Linsey frowned. "I’m not staring."

Helena narrowed her eyes. "You are."

Evelyn suddenly looked toward the opposite platform. "Master Damian."

The others followed her gaze.

Far across the VIP section, Damian stood beside Esmeralda near Patriarch Cassian Valeria and Patriarch Aldren Valehart.

Cynthia sighed softly. "At least he’s behaving."

Linsey grinned beneath her mask. "For now."

Helena crossed her arms. "That’s the concerning part."

Cynthia looked around the luxurious VIP area once more before speaking quietly. "Alright."

Her eyes became focused. "We’re inside, so from here on, split our attention."

She pointed at Damian and the people around him. "Watch Master Damian, watch Esmeralda, and watch the two families."

Evelyn nodded.

Linsey looked toward the arena below. "And enjoy the show?"

Cynthia sighed. "Yes."

A faint smile appeared beneath her mask. "Enjoy the fucking show."