Chapter 360 178: Being a Guest (2)

At these words, Tang Huayi and Ruan Yuqing subconsciously exchanged a glance.

They had previously heard from the Great Master that Qifeng Manor was very interested in the Jiaowei qin in Jiang Ran's possession.

Now that they were within the borders of Evergreen Mansion, Ning Jiuyuan had immediately invited them to be guests at her manor.

'It was hard to say whether or not there was some hidden motive here...'

Just then, a burst of laughter rang out.

Hearing the laughter, Tang Huayi and Ruan Yuqing instinctively slapped their foreheads.

'How could they have forgotten about him?'

Everyone turned to see Xuanyuan One Slash parting the crowd as he approached.

"So you're from Qifeng Manor, girl. And to think you claimed to be Li Xiangzhu of Cuiyue Pavilion?"

Ning Jiuyuan froze, instinctively taking two steps back.

She gave a nervous laugh.

"Senior Xuanyuan, I..."

"Silence!"

Xuanyuan One Slash snorted coldly.

"You call me 'Senior,' yet you address my esteemed master as merely 'Young Hero'? What sort of logic is that?"

"Uh..."

Ning Jiuyuan had been able to trade barbs with Xuanyuan One Slash earlier because she had the Thousand Bells and Ten Thousand Cliffs Array, not to mention the backing of Jiang Ran, Dao Wuming, and the others.

But now, Xuanyuan One Slash was Jiang Ran's disciple.

The only backing she could rely on now was Qifeng Manor... and Qifeng Manor wasn't even ranked among the great powers like the One School, Two Assemblies, Five Swords, Seven Sects, and Thirteen Gangs.

It was in a completely different league from the Blood Saber Hall.

Even if the Lord of Qifeng Manor himself were present, he would have to bow as a junior and speak with the utmost respect to Xuanyuan One Slash.

Given her own status, she had no choice but to stand there and take his scolding; there was nothing else she could say.

After a moment of thought, she could only force a bitter smile.

"I have offended you greatly in the past, Senior. Please feel free to punish me as you see fit."

"Hmph."

Xuanyuan One Slash waved a dismissive hand.

"I can't be bothered to stoop to your level.

"This Qifeng Manor of yours is nothing special...

"The Blood Saber Hall's influence just hasn't reached this backwater of Evergreen Mansion. If it had, it wouldn't be out of the question for me to tear down your Qifeng Manor and build a private villa for my esteemed master.

"For now... if you're sincere about inviting my esteemed master as a guest and aren't planning any tricks, we might consider it. But you'll have to have your Master and Mistress come and ask in person.

"But if you're harboring sinister intentions, scheming to use this invitation as a pretense to act on your greed...

"...then you'd better watch out. You'll bring disaster upon Qifeng Manor. And remember this: where my Blood Saber points, only death follows!"

"I wouldn't dare," Ning Jiuyuan said hastily, cupping her fists.

"See that you don't."

Xuanyuan One Slash snorted, then turned to Jiang Ran with a fawning look and a wide grin.

"Esteemed Master, you may go wherever you please.

"If you wish to visit Qifeng Manor, then of course we'll go. This disciple will remain by your side.

"And if they show you even the slightest disrespect, we'll just tear the place down and build you a summer palace in its place."

"...That won't be necessary."

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Jiang Ran thought for a moment before saying:

"However, I have long heard of Manor Lord Feng Xianzhi of Qifeng Manor. Since we're already in Evergreen Mansion, it would be improper not to pay him a visit.

"Miss Ning, please lead the way. We will impose upon Qifeng Manor for a few days."

"Of course."

Ning Jiuyuan let out a visible sigh of relief, then turned and began to lead them forward.

Evergreen Mansion was vast, with wide roads. Due to the local terrain, its architectural style was also quite peculiar.

As Jiang Ran walked, he felt that every step revealed a new, wondrous sight.

After winding their way along the paths for the better part of half a day, they finally reached a mountain peak.

"This small peak is called Qifeng Mountain. Legend says that in ancient times, a phoenix flew by and was so drawn by the Divine Wood on the mountain that it landed here to rest.

"That is how Qifeng Mountain—'Phoenix-Roosting Mountain'—got its name.

"Qifeng Manor was founded on this legacy... My Sect Leader's family name is Feng, and they consider themselves descendants of that ancient phoenix.

"If you go to the back of the manor, you can still see the very Divine Wood where the phoenix is said to have rested."

Ning Jiuyuan explained all this with fond familiarity as she led the way.

Jiang Ran's eyes lit up with understanding.

"So that's the origin of Qifeng Manor. In that case, are the Feng family descendants of an ancient race?"

"Esteemed Master, don't listen to her tall tales," Xuanyuan One Slash interjected with a laugh.

"Qifeng Manor is certainly old, I'll give them that. But calling them descendants of an ancient race? That's giving them way too much credit.

"They're just an ordinary martial family that used Qifeng Mountain to establish Qifeng Manor. It was all just to make their name sound a little grander.

"I met Feng Xianzhi once, three years ago. His martial arts are decent, but I doubt he could withstand even ten of my slashes."

"..."

Jiang Ran sighed. Xuanyuan One Slash had just shattered the fledgling fantasy he'd been building in his mind.

'What was the upside of taking on a disciple who was older, more powerful, of higher status, and more worldly than yourself?'

Jiang Ran shot a silent glance at Xuanyuan One Slash and heaved another long sigh.

Ning Jiuyuan was fuming at Xuanyuan One Slash's words but didn't dare say a thing.

She could only meekly lead the group to the main gate of Qifeng Manor.

Disciples stood guard at the gate. Their approach up the mountain had been spotted long ago.

Before the disciples at the gate could speak, a group of people rushed out from within the manor.

At their head was a middle-aged man and woman.

Though no longer in their youth, the man carried himself with a refined, gentlemanly air, and the woman still possessed a graceful charm.

One could only imagine what a perfect, storybook couple they must have been twenty years ago.

The couple spotted Xuanyuan One Slash immediately. They exchanged a look, and their expressions shifted slightly.

Then, they cupped their fists and bowed in greeting.