Chapter 895: Invite
Proofreader: Papatonks
A few chairs and a stone table were placed in the front yard, one of which was taken by a casual old man, sipping tea like he was right at home.
Next to him was a fine girl, carefully peeking at him and looking conflicted.
Danqing Shen knew at a glance why, but played dumb, “Miss Gu, what has gotten you so nervous? Feel free to return to your matters if you have too. I’ll just wait here for Grandmaster Gu.”
“It’s not right. Cousin will surely blame me for leaving Sir Sword King unattended. Please overlook my uncouth and unfamiliar courtesy, ha-ha-ha…”
Shangguan Qingyan stiffened and had a weird smile while her heart was burning in anger.
Not in her whildest dreams did she think Danqing Shen would pay a house visit. Leaving him alone was out of the question as well. The old guy might wander around and stumble upon her clan.
Once exposed, everything would be laid to ruin when they were so close. They’d suffer heavy losses before the second ambush even began.
That was why even if she was wound tighter than a violin, she held it in like a champ. On top of that, she was pissed.
[Where the hell is that guard I sent to report to dad? What should I do? Why aren’t you saying something, dad?]
[And where’s that Gu Yifan? I’m close to dying here…]
With a knowing smile, Danqing Shen began, “Miss Gu is too kind. I just came on a whim, so you can treat me like any other old man. I wouldn’t feel at ease otherwise.”
“Dragon Cleaving Sword King is so modest, seeing yourself as an average old man.” Shangguan Qingyan smiled.
Danqing Shen waved casually as he teased, “Well, if Miss Gu insists, seeing how Grandmaster Gu has yet to arrive, would it be possible to take a stroll around the back of this place? “
Danqing Shen already got up.
“Er…”
Shangguan Qingyan shook then grew a notch more nervous, “This humble abode is nothing impressive compared to a Sword King’s manor. I wouldn’t want to let you down.”
“How can it be? A mountain needn’t be high/It is famous for the deity residing there./ A lake needn’t be deep/ It is magical with the dragon slumbering beneath the surface./ My home is humble/ But my presence brings it virtue. No matter how shabby Grandmaster Gu’s home is, an 11th grade alchemist’s house is leagues above anyone else’s, ha-ha-ha…”
(StarReader: An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Home by Liu Yuki)
Danqing Shen started walking away.
Sss~
Gasping, Shangguan Qingyan was scared to death. Rushing to stop him, she teared up, “Sir Sword King, there’s really nothing impressive about this place. Please relax here and enjoy your tea…”
“Miss Gu, you’re looking a bit off there. Are you ill?”
“Uh, yes yes, I am feeling somewhat unwell.”
“You have to take your medicine quickly and get some rest! You don’t need to look after me, I can walk around by myself, ha-ha-ha…” Danqing Shen snickered as he toyed with the wee lass.
Shangguan Qingyan shook all over, tears welling in her eyes.
[What do I do? How do I stop him?]
A laughter came from behind, “Sir Sword King, you honor this house with your presence. What could have made sir come here? What can I do sir for?”
“C-cousin!”
Zhuo Fan was walking over at his own casual pace. Shangguan Qingyan burst with joy, looking at him like a savior.
Zhuo Fan laughed inside at her frantic look. “Yan’er, your condition isn’t stable. Go back in and rest. Leave Dragon Cleaving Sword King in my care.”
“Alright.”
Shangguan Qingyan nodded and gave him a look. With a respectful gesture to Danqing Shen, she left free, like an inmate finishing his sentence.
Watching her skip away in glee, Danqing Shen mocked, “Ha-ha-ha, this girl is like an escaped bird. Guess she had been terrified.”
“And whose fault is that, I wonder? What are you doing messing with a little girl anyway?” Zhuo Fan chuckled.
Danqing Shen shrugged, “Can you blame me? Since when is receiving guests done in the front yard and not the parlor or even backyard? Now that’s just rude!”
“It’s not like you don’t know. It won’t help anyone’s case when everything comes to light.”
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes, pointing at a stone stool, “Let’s just talk here, lest you want everyone to soil themselves in fright.”
“Why, am I that scary?”
“What do you think?”
Sighing, Zhuo Fan said, “You just haven’t seen for yourself how close to losing it that Shangguan clan guard who came to tell me was. Anyone would be scared to death when one of the central area’s Nine Sword Kings pays them a visit. Even before coming here, I saw the Shangguan clan huddled together in fright as they watched me come here, with even Shangguan Feixiong spilling his tea.”
Danqing Shen sneered as he returned to his chair, “Shangguan Feixiong? Ha-ha-ha, the last time I saw him he didn’t look scared.”
“The last time he was eastern lands’ strongest clan’s Clan Head while now he’s a spy in the central area. How is that the same? Would you have attacked him in eastern lands? Would he attack you now, in the Flying Cloud City? “
Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and mocked, sitting next to Danqing Sheng.
Danqing Shen nodded, “Harsh, but true, it’s not the same, ha-ha-ha…”
“So, why are you…”
“Baili Jingwei sent me. Like you predicted, they want to sow dissension…” With a smirk, Danqing Shen began to retell everything they spoke, ending with a sigh. “Boy, you’re really something, I’ll give you that, to hold your own against that old weasel Baili Jingwei. To the point you’re having complete control over everything from the shadows.”
Zhuo Fan showed a wide smile, “Great, since they want to sow dissension, he’ll make things easy on this little old spy. Exactly how I like it, ha-ha-ha…”
“Little weasel!” Danqing Shen snickered.
Zhuo Fan gave him a long look and they both cracked up. They were both happy in their own way. Zhuo Fan, for seeing his plan coming along, and Danqing Shen, for helping a good friend.
Regardless, the two were in high spirits and nothing could curb their good mood…
“Clan Head, young master Gu is quite good. He’s handling Dragon Cleaving Sword King like a pro. There’s not a trace of fear in him, amazing! Now I get why Baili Jingwei didn’t spot him.”
The Shangguan clan’s experts were watching from the shadows as they hid in the elders room.
While words did not reach them, the mood was enough to tell them how friendly they were. Shangguan Feixiong nodded in pride, “I’ve made the right decision taking in this step nephew.”
“Clan Head is brilliant!” The others sucked up to him and praised, with only Shangguan Yulin feeling sour inside.
Zhuo Fan and Danqing Shen finished their short talk, called Shangguan Qingyan to tell her about something, then stunned the Shangguan clan as they just went out.
Once they were gone, Shangguan Feixiong rushed straight for Shangguan Qingyan, “Yan’er, what happened? Why is Danqing Shen taking Yifan?”
“Oh, dad, it’s you!”
Having a mob of experts assaulting her scared her for a second. But seeing it was Shangguan Qingyan and the rest, she spoke heavily, “Father, Danqing Shen invited Sir Gu to the manor. He looks to value him. This time it’ll be a good chance to finish the map!”
Pa!
Clenching his fists, Shangguan Feixiong was overly excited, turning to the rest, “Did Danqing Shen notice us while he was here?”
“Clan Head, we have a barrier in the back to cover our auras. He shouldn’t have noticed us.”
“Great, this is providence!”
Shangguan Feixiong’s eyes flashed, his tone firm, “Men, we’ve quarreled enough on this mission. Flying Cloud Manor wants Yifan so bad while ignoring this house. This shows they don’t know about us, not to mention we saw Yifan’s attitude just now. He and Dragon Cleaving Sword King are friendly and I bet so are the other two. Then we must relax and make use of this rare opportunity! All we need now is for Yifan to finish the map and the attack will commence!”
They all cupped their fists and shouted, “Yes, sir!”
Shangguan Yulin grinned.
Shangguan Yulin was by the side smiling in pride, with something sinister hidden within…