Chapter 114 - Hints of Ambition

Drifting Flowers Edifice’s guest hall was packed with delicacies and food for a feast. Huangpu Qingyun arrived with a crowd of retainers and sat in the seat of honor. It was the seat reserved for the leader. 

His action implied crass and open disrespect for Drifting Flowers Edifice. It could be even deemed as provocation.

However, people found Huangpu Qingyun’s act normal, treating him like an emperor. Chu Qingcheng didn’t mind at all. Now that he sat there, it wouldn’t be long before he would help them.

“Elders, please take a seat. Don’t be shy!”

Huangpu Qingyun acted as the host and gestured to the four Profound Heaven experts carrying his sedan.

As they sat along with the guests, there seemed to be one table empty.

Huangpu Qingyun asked the obvious, “Why is there an empty table? Was the table count wrong and the servers left it as so?”

Clear of his intention, Vicious Pill King snickered evilly, “Second young master, it belongs to Sword Marquise Abode. He must be running late with important matters. If it is irksome, second young master, we might as well remove it.”

Everyone watched him coldly. Vicious Pill King was simply adding insult to injury.

Everyone in the hall saw Huangpu Qingyun attack Xie Tianyang from getting on his bad side. It was obvious that Xie Tianyang was now taking care of his wound and did not come.

They all guessed that this second young master was still irritated and brought up this topic.

[It is fine if you don’t want to irk the second young master, but as a man from the seven houses, must you go so far to pour oil over the fire and present the chance to shame Sword Marquise Abode?]

And Huangpu Qingyun wasn’t one to miss it, “Elder Yan is right. The empty table is bothersome. Remove it from sight.”

“Second young master, Sword Marquise Abode is one of the seven houses. Even absent, their table should remain. Sir’s conduct of disgracing them might earn Sword Marquise Abode’s displeasure!” Long Jiu stood up, no longer having the patience to sit by and watch.

Vicious Pill King squinted, “And? You think the Sword Marquise Abode would start a war over a table?”

“This is not a matter of boldness, but the seven houses’ sanctity. The Seven Noble Houses shouldn’t hold each other in such contempt.”

“Humph, nice speech. Then let me ask you, Elder Jiu, in whose domain again did my elders get killed?” This time, it was Hell Valley’s 5th elder who laughed coldly.

“He-he-he, I have no problems with anyone if no one gives me problems. Hell Valley dug its own grave. You got yourself to blame for that.”

“What did you say you blind old dog?” 5th elder snapped and slapped the table. Long Jiu squinted, staring back without fear.

The feast had become a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

They would’ve long had trade blows if not for this place being Drifting Flowers Edifice.

“People, please calm down. This is neither Veiled Dragon Pavilion nor Hell Valley. It is not a stage for you to settle your grudges.” Lin Zitian wiped his sweat, as he urged, “If not for Drifting Flowers Edifice, then for the second younger master. Restrain yourselves.”

The two turned their attention to Huangpu Qingyun.

He was smiling slightly, but his eyes were anything but pleased! As if to remind them this was his welcoming feast. [You dare cause trouble at my feast?]

The two muttered and cupped their hands towards him before sitting back down.

Huangpu Qingyun laughed, “That’s better. The seven houses are one big happy family. There’s no need to argue over a table. Moreover, this is Drifting Flowers Edifice, and it is their decision if the table stays or not.”

Huangpu Qingyun turned his stare to Chu Qingcheng, who nodded, “Sword Marquise Abode is Drifting Flowers Edifice’s guest and should have a table!”

Frowning slightly, Huangpu Qingyun’s eyes flashed with disappointment, but laughed nonetheless, “All will be done as Qingcheng said. This is your domain after all!”

“Thank you Qingyun!” Chu Qingcheng nodded curtly, not detecting Huangpu Qingyun’s change in expression.

Meanwhile, the Vicious Pill King had an evil smile at her expense.

[Humph, dumb broad! You have no clue of the second young master’s intention. Drifting Flowers Edifice deserves what’s coming to it!]

“Then the table will stay!” He declared.

But when Huangpu Qingyun saw two figures passing by, he smirked, “However, it’s only an empty table. The two outside, how about you come join me for a drink?”

Zhuo Fan and Xiao Dandan were about to go to their rooms when they heard his shout.

Xiao Dandan was distraught over what to do and looked at Zhuo Fan since the guest hall was filled with elders. This was something the cherished disciple of Peony Overseer had never participated in.

Then, she secretly laughed at her as she took a look at Zhuo Fan

If she, a Drifting Flowers Edifice disciple panicked, what about him? Who was a third rate clan’s young master?

Meanwhile, Zhuo Fan was completely opposite. He was cool as a cucumber, taking her hand as he walked with a steady gait.

[Does this man fear no one?]

Not her master, not her senior aunt, not even Regent Estate’s second young master, Huangpu Qingyun. In a blink, Xiao Dandan was charmed as she looked at Zhuo Fan.

She didn’t seem to wake up from her charmed state even when they were standing in the middle of the guest hall. Her lovestruck gaze was there, open for all to see!

Two sudden killing glares landed on the two. Xiao Dandan shuddered and found one to be from Merry Woods’s Lin Tianyu seated next to Lin Zitian.

The other from Yan Fu sitting next to Vicious Pill King.

Their lips moved yet, no words came out. But the word they mimicked was the same, slut.

They would’ve long shouted curses if it were not for Huangpu Qingyun’s presence.

Sizing the couple up, Huangpu Qingyun laughed, “What a perfect match. Could you introduce yourselves?”

“Uh, I am Xiao Dandan from Peony Edifice. Greetings second young master!” Xiao Dandan was tense in her greeting.

Zhuo Fan raised an eyelid and stated, “Son Yu from the Song clan, a third rate clan of Nightrain City!”

“Eh, third rate?”

Huangpu Qingyun raised an eyebrow, “Such a rare occurrence for a third rate clan young master to become Drifting Flowers Edifice’s son in law. People, please sit there!”

[The hell, son in law? When have I become… Drifting Flowers Edifice’s son in law?]

Zhuo Fan was in deep thought to only be jerked awake by Xiao Dandan, who had reddened cheeks.

Chu Qingcheng stood at once, “Qingyun, you can’t! That is Sword Marquise Abode’s table. It is not for juniors!”

“Yes, second young master, they do not qualify to sit there!”

Peony Overseer stood as well, paid her respect to Huangpu Qingyun, then berated the two, “What are you two standing around for? Leave!”

Huangpu Qingyun waved his hand, his face became gloomy, “Qingcheng, I agreed to not take Sword Marquise Abode’s table, but now, I can’t even have two guests? You are slighting me.”

Chu Qingcheng stammered. She watched Huangpu Qingyun’s cold face and realized she no longer knew him.

Zhuo Fan understood at once. If a third rate clan young master and Drifting Flowers Edifice’s disciple took that table, it would bring utter humiliation to Sword Marquise Abode!

Huangpu Qingyun was doing it on purpose, differentiating between those who fawned over him and those who disregarded him.

The problem revolved around a mere table, but it was an allusion to a question of obedience.

[Looks like Regent Estate’s people are a cut above the six houses, and so is their appetite. They want to unify the seven houses!]

[I need to move fast and secure some elders for the Luo clan.]

[When the seven houses unite, the Tianyu Empire will be plunged into chaos.]

Zhuo Fan didn’t wait for their argument to finish as he already sat at the table.

The people were stunned. [What gall the brat has. This will be a shame for Sword Marquise Abode.]

“Kid, you better be careful where you sit, lest you invite death!” Long Jiu warned him with a cold eye.

Zhuo Fan watched him calmly, “Grandpa Jiu, be careful to not have your clan ruined with what you say!”

The people were twitching. [He doesn’t have just gall, he’s mad. He even threatened Veiled Dragon Pavilion’s Long Jiu.]

Only Huangpu Qingyun watched Zhuo Fan with admiration besides shock.

He could now see how a third rate clan young master became Drifting Flowers Edifice’s son in law.

Long Jiu’s eye shivered from emotion and shock. After a long time, he cupped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you young master for reminding me!”

Then sat quietly.

This caused an even bigger shock. Not only was Huangpu Qingyun and his experts startled, even Long Jie and Long Kui next to Long Jiu were perplexed.

The grand Elder Jiu of Veiled Dragon Pavilion was cowed by a nameless brat. [How is this possible?]

But no one noticed Long Jiu was moved to tears. His Soul Devouring Crow was also flapping its wings in excitement…