Chapter 320 - 209: Banquet (2)

Chapter 320: Chapter 209: Banquet (2)

Fang Yue landed below the pavilion. His gaze fell upon the structure, his eyes narrowing slightly as a sense of caution rose within him.

He could sense a hidden danger from within the pavilion.

"Halt!"

Just then, a squad of soldiers emerged from the pavilion. The middle-aged man leading them scanned Fang Yue and said in a low voice, "Who are you? Why have you trespassed in our Observatory? Do you have any idea what the consequences are for trespassing here?"

As the middle-aged man spoke, a terrifying murderous aura erupted from him.

The surrounding soldiers watched Fang Yue nervously.

The Observatory was unlike other places; for an ordinary person to trespass was a grave offense.

Fang Yue had his Identity Token, which he immediately took out and handed to the middle-aged man.

Upon seeing the Token, the middle-aged man’s demeanor instantly became humble. He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Inspector Fang!"

"At ease," Fang Yue said with a wave of his hand.

An Inspector was part of the Observatory’s official hierarchy, a position far higher than these soldiers.

They were all extremely respectful toward Inspectors.

Only then did the middle-aged man raise his head. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Inspector Fang?"

Fang Yue said coolly, "I am Fang Yue. I’ve come to look up some information."

"I see! What kind of information do you require?" the middle-aged man asked hurriedly.

Fang Yue immediately turned to the middle-aged officer, his gaze turning serious.

"My apologies, I misspoke. Lord Fang, please, this way." The officer immediately led Fang Yue toward the intelligence room.

A moment later, the officer led Fang Yue into a room.

The room’s furnishings were simple. Aside from a table and chairs, there were only a few portraits hanging on the walls.

"Lord Fang, this is the intelligence room. I will not disturb you any further. Please, make yourself at home." The middle-aged man clasped his hands in a salute and then withdrew.

「An hour later.」

Fang Yue put down the last report in his hands.

’So that secret location has been occupied by a band of rebels, and the Observatory has lost control over it. But for now, all they know is that the seal there is still intact and hasn’t been broken.’

Fang Yue murmured to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He didn’t know why the Innate Grandmaster from the Blood Dragon Platform hadn’t destroyed the secret location.

But for him, this was good news. It meant his mission hadn’t failed yet.

With that thought, Fang Yue left the room and returned to the inn.

「Meanwhile,」

’An Inspector from the Observatory... No wonder he was treated that way by Celestial King Wu! It seems he really is the one who killed one of Celestial King Wu’s sons!’ Li Mengyao stared out the window, murmuring softly as a peculiar light flickered in her eyes.

’I’ll remember him!’

「The next morning.」

The sky was still shrouded in a hazy mist as Fang Yue rose early to wash up before heading into the courtyard to practice his boxing.

With every move, a violent power emanated from his entire body.

Fang Yue’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the early Qi Sensing stage, and he was just a hair’s breadth from a breakthrough.

In just another two days, he would be able to cross the threshold of his next breakthrough.

After breaking through, he could consume the Moonlight Grass to gain even greater benefits. He suspected it wouldn’t be long before his cultivation would rise again.

"Hoo!" Fang Yue exhaled a breath of turbid air, a sharp light glinting in the depths of his eyes.

"KNOCK KNOCK!" Just then, a knock came from the door.

"Who is it?" Fang Yue composed himself and asked in a low voice.

"Inspector Fang, I am Li Yunyi. I have come at the behest of my mistress to invite you for a meeting!"

"Come in!" Fang Yue nodded.

"CREAK!"

The door was pushed open, and a man in green robes entered.

The man was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a handsome face and bright, spirited eyes. Dressed in brocade robes with a sword hanging at his waist, he carried himself with a distinguished air.

"I am Li Yunyi, currently serving as a Captain of the Cavalry. Greetings, Inspector." The green-robed man bowed in salute.

’Clearly, news of my visit to the Observatory yesterday has spread, and my identity is out.’

’As expected, someone has come knocking.’

However, Fang Yue was not from Guangfeng Prefecture and was unfamiliar with the local officialdom, so he had no idea who this "mistress" Li Yunyi spoke of was.

"And who is your mistress?" Fang Yue asked.

"In response to Lord Fang, my mistress’s name is Li Mengyao." As he spoke, Li Yunyi presented a calling card.

Fang Yue took the card and glanced at it.

Li Mengyao... she was a woman from the Li Family of Guangfeng Prefecture!

The Li Family of Guangfeng was the wealthiest family in the prefecture. Rumor had it they had connections to many powerful figures in the Great Wei Dynasty. So, even though few in their family held official posts, no one dared to look down on them.

Fang Yue looked up and asked, "Why is your mistress looking for me?"

"My mistress heard that you, Lord Inspector, had come to Guangfeng Prefecture and wishes to make your acquaintance," Li Yunyi said.

Fang Yue pondered for a moment before saying, "Since your mistress is so gracious, it would be disrespectful of me to refuse!"

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Lord Fang! My mistress is hosting a banquet for you tonight at the Biyun Pavilion. We sincerely hope you will honor us with your attendance!" Li Yunyi said with a smile.

Fang Yue said, "Of course, that won’t be a problem."

"Then I shall take my leave!" Li Yunyi said, bowing once more before turning to depart.

Watching the man’s retreating figure, an inscrutable light flickered in Fang Yue’s eyes.

’I’ll have to see what this so-called Li Family of Guangfeng is really up to.’

~~~~~~~

「Night fell.」

「Biyun Pavilion.」

Biyun Pavilion, located on a bustling street in the city, was the most upscale restaurant in Guangfeng’s Prefecture City. It offered all manner of top-tier cuisine and delicious delicacies for its patrons to enjoy.

At this moment, Biyun Pavilion was brightly lit and bustling with activity, a picture of prosperity.

In a private booth within Biyun Pavilion, a young man and woman were already seated.

The woman had a sweet face and was dressed in a pink gown. Her skin was fair and supple, so delicate it seemed it would bruise at the slightest touch. Her figure was petite and graceful, and her slender, snow-white arms looked so fragile they might snap under the slightest pressure.

She was none other than Li Mengyao of the Guangfeng Li Family.

As for the man beside her, he was a wastrel from a wealthy family in Guangfeng Prefecture, and also a Martial Artist.

His name was Yang Hao. He was a known figure in the circle of wastrels throughout Guangfeng Prefecture. His father held some power in the prefecture, and Yang Hao often relied on his father’s authority to run amok and bully the common people.

In Guangfeng Prefecture, he was truly infamous.

Li Mengyao hadn’t invited him this time. But when Yang Hao heard about the banquet, he had insisted on tagging along.

He was also a playboy and wanted to pursue Li Mengyao, which was why he had shamelessly latched onto her.

Li Mengyao had absolutely no interest in wastrels like Yang Hao and naturally paid him no mind, but he shamelessly clung to her.

Forcing him to leave wouldn’t have been a problem. But then she thought of the person she was meeting tonight.

’Isn’t this Yang Hao the perfect pawn? It’ll save me some time.’

At this thought, Li Mengyao didn’t refuse him and simply let him be.

"Miss Li." Just then, a gentle voice sounded.

Li Mengyao looked up to see a figure walking in slowly.

The newcomer was dressed in form-fitting black clothes with a long saber at his waist. He had an otherworldly air, like an immortal banished to the mortal realm. His handsome face wore a faint smile, giving people a strong sense of security.

When Li Mengyao saw him, her eyes instantly lit up. A joyful smile appeared on her lips, and she quickly stood. "Chen, it’s been a while."

The newcomer’s surname was Chen. He was Chen Kang, the son of Mansion Master Chen of Guangfeng Prefecture. Exceptionally talented, he was young but already on the verge of breaking through to the Innate realm.

"Haha, Sister Mengyao, what a coincidence!" Chen Kang laughed as he walked straight to the seat opposite Li Mengyao and sat down.

He, too, harbored feelings for Li Mengyao, which was why he had also come uninvited after learning she was here.