307: That person squeaked, and no one dared to come to the door (asking for monthly tickets)

The next morning, at the Jin Family, the biting cold wind could not disperse the festive atmosphere of the grand estate.

Inside the mansion, servants moved about, decorating with ribbons, while maids gracefully carried trays, their skirt sashes fluttering.

Outside the mansion, carriages and exotic beasts arrived in an endless stream.

Loud announcements were made at the gate.

“The Sect Leader of the Liao Family has arrived, presenting a pair of century-old Dragon Beard Grass.”

“The Sect Leader of the Magpie Blade Sect presents one Dragon Spring Pill!”

“…………”

Soon after, in the backyard of the Jin Family, a figure dressed in a steward’s uniform hurried through the corridors, his Face beaming with joy. When he saw a group of servants carrying potted plants, his expression immediately turned stern, and he exuded an Aura of authority.

“Be careful! Keep your eyes wide open, and no slacking off!”

“His Highness, the Prince, is staying in the mansion. Today is also Master Taiyuan’s homecoming banquet, and many distinguished guests will be arriving. If there are any mistakes, you’ll pay for it.”

He sternly gave his instructions, then hurried to a room at the corner of the corridor. His expression immediately changed to a cheerful smile as he knocked on the door.

“Master Taiyuan, it’s me!”

Soon, a rough voice came from inside, “Come in!”

“Alright,” he immediately pushed the door open and entered.

Not far away, one of the house servants who had just been reprimanded by the steward grumbled discontentedly, “I don’t know what he’s so happy about. Our Family Head has been at the Dao Fu Division for a day and a night and hasn’t returned. I don’t know what happened, but he acts as if Master Taiyuan is the master of this Family.”

His companion’s expression changed upon hearing this, and he quickly interrupted, “Lower your voice! Master Taiyuan is now His Highness’s… forget it, forget it. You’re tired of living if you talk nonsense about such big matters. I don’t want to be implicated by you and lose my life.”

With that, he carried his things and left. The talking house servant’s Face turned pale, and he also quickly left.

At this moment, the steward who had entered the room saw Master Taiyuan, Jin Taiyuan, standing in front of a large bronze mirror, his arms outstretched, as two beautiful maids of the Jin Family carefully helped him dress.

“Master Taiyuan, many guests have arrived outside. Thanks to you, the mansion hasn’t been this lively in a long time.”

The steward bowed slightly, his Face full of wrinkles from smiling, as he spoke words of flattery.

Jin Taiyuan was almost fully dressed. He waved his hand, and the two beautiful maids knelt and bowed, then gracefully withdrew from the room, pulling the door shut.

Jin Taiyuan stood before the bronze mirror, his head held high, twisting the silk button on his neck. His stubbled Face broke into a laugh, “Heh heh, you certainly know how to handle things.”

“Who has arrived? Have the Four Sects and Eight Families come?”

Then, he chuckled mockingly, “No, it should be Three Sects and Three Families. I heard the remaining few families were recently annihilated by that Zhonglang General of the Ninth Mountain. Heh heh, colluding with human devils and resisting the Fushi, they certainly had courage, but it’s a pity.”

Listening to the implied meaning in Master Taiyuan’s words, the steward couldn’t help but shiver, the smile on his Face stiffening. He dared not answer the question.

“Replying to Master Taiyuan, those few families haven’t arrived yet. The time hasn’t come, but they should be here soon!”

Then, his Face showed some hesitation and worry, “Master Taiyuan, the Family Head went to the Fushi and hasn’t returned for a day and a night. This lowly one fears…”

However, Jin Taiyuan, who was adjusting his clothes, suddenly turned cold, his Face turning to the side, his leopard-like eyes bulging.

“What are you afraid of?”

“Are you afraid that Ninth Zhonglang ate your Family Head?”

“How dare he! Now that His Highness, the Prince, is staying in the mansion, if Ninth Zhonglang dares to treat him like that, it would be a slap in the Face of His Highness, the Prince, and the entire Northern Liang Royal Mansion. As a mere Zhonglang General, if he dares to oppose the Royal Mansion, let alone if he is a Wuzang, even a Dragon Tiger Dao Master would have to think twice.”

“Hmph, he merely wants to disgust us. His Highness, the Prince, has long seen through such petty tricks. Why are you so anxious?”

Then, this person sneered,

“There’s plenty of time. Today, His Highness, the Prince, condescended to host a banquet for various families under my name. Those people should be grateful. Ninth Zhonglang can only watch.”

Upon hearing this, the steward’s worries vanished, and his expression became invigorated, “Master Taiyuan is right. This lowly one has been enlightened. With His Highness, the Prince, in the mansion, I imagine that esteemed adult wouldn’t dare to do anything.”

“It still has to be Master Taiyuan. You are His Highness, the Prince’s, favorite.”

The steward flattered him profusely, complimenting him with a cheerful smile.

A hint of pride and arrogance flashed in Jin Taiyuan’s eyes. He waved his hand, “You go down and entertain the guests. When those from the Four Sects and Eight Families arrive, come and inform me. The people who have arrived now are not worthy of my personal attention.”

“Yes, this lowly one will go down now!”

The steward respectfully responded and exited the door.

Jin Taiyuan stroked his long sleeves, listened to the lively commotion outside, and laughed heartily.

Just as this person was still feeling smug and happy, in the front hall of the Jin Family, the hall was filled with distinguished guests. More than a dozen Heavenly Gate experts from minor families had arrived, mostly from the Northern Liang sphere of influence, being close by and arriving quickly. Everyone knew each other, and some families, who usually had grudges, did not sit together, while others exchanged pleasantries.

Two Heavenly Gate experts sat next to each other, cupped their fists, and started a conversation.

“Brother Liao, you’ve also come.”

“Brother Huaihai, what are you saying? I heard that Brother Taiyuan of the Jin Family has returned home in glory. How could I not come to congratulate him?”

“I don’t think so, heh heh.”

Then, one of them lowered his gaze, tilted his head towards the other, and whispered, “Who doesn’t know that His Highness, the Prince of Northern Liang Royal Mansion, is staying here? This Jin Family truly got lucky to befriend such a big shot. I wonder if His Highness, the Prince, will grace us with his presence today?”

“It’s very possible. I heard that Brother Taiyuan is now a retainer under His Highness, the Prince, which is why today’s event is happening. I think His Highness, the Prince’s, arrival is also peculiar. Have you received any news? Some places have experienced strange phenomena, and rumors are spreading in the market.” These Heavenly Gate experts from minor families were also quite astute, knowing that after this snow fell, many places had changed. The Prince of Northern Liang Royal Mansion traveling thousands of miles to Jinguancheng must be related to this.

“That’s right, more and more rumors have been circulating recently, but I heard that many places have had their news blocked by the Fushi.”

At this moment, someone in the hall suddenly spoke, somewhat unhappily,

“We’ve been here for a while, why hasn’t the Jin Family Head appeared?”

Then, he asked a servant of the Jin Family in the hall.

The servant stammered, unable to give a clear answer, which made people curious.

Just then, a subordinate of the Liao Family rushed into the hall, looking for his Family Head.

“Family Head!” His tone was a bit urgent, but seeing so many people, he quickly bent down and whispered, transmitting his voice:

“The Young Master, who is training at the Ninth Mountain, sent a message. The Jin Family Head was called to the Fushi by Ninth Zhonglang yesterday morning and stood outside the Xuntian Hall for a day and a night. It seems that this adult and this mansion are…”

The subordinate’s lips moved slightly, but the Liao Family Head’s expression changed upon hearing this, and he quickly sprang up from his chair.

“Brother Liao, what’s wrong with you?” The Heavenly Gate expert who had been talking next to him looked slightly startled, and others were also drawn by his movement.

The Liao Family Head’s expression was somewhat uncertain and surprised. Then, he moved his lips a few times towards the Heavenly Gate expert he had a good relationship with, and then cupped his fists towards everyone present,

“Everyone, I apologize, but something urgent has come up in my Family, and I need to return quickly to handle it.”

With that, this person left quickly with his subordinate.

And the Heavenly Gate expert, who had just been called “Brother Huaihai” by the Liao Family Head, also “whooshed” to his feet and said hurriedly, “Everyone, something has also happened in my Family, so I’ll take my leave first.”

With that, he also wanted to leave quickly, but after a few steps, his ears twitched, and he paused. Then, his lips also moved quickly a few times, and then he also left the hall.

The next second,

“Clatter, clatter, clatter”

The sound of chairs scraping the ground echoed one by one in the hall. Then, several others stood up, as if reacting in fright, rising in unison. Then, they exchanged glances, using the same excuse, or too lazy to even pretend, and left quickly.

Just like that, one by one, then two by two, then three by three, the Heavenly Gate experts who had come to the hall seemed to have received some terrifying news and quickly left the hall.

In less than seven or eight breaths, more than a dozen Heavenly Gate experts from various families left one after another. The originally crowded hall became empty in an instant.

The servants remaining in the hall were dumbfounded. How could something have happened to all these families? Then, realizing that something serious was amiss, they quickly went to report.

The servant hurried outside and met the cheerful steward returning from the backyard halfway.

“Steward Liu, Steward Liu.” The servant was anxious and flustered, running closer, panting.

However, the steward’s Face turned cold, and he immediately reprimanded him, “What are you doing, being so flustered? What kind of behavior is this? If the guests see it, they’ll think that the people of our Jin Family have no rules.”

The servant, however, wanted to curse the steward for being stupid. There were no guests left! He said urgently,

“The guests have all run away!”

“What?”

The steward suspected he had misheard and widened his eyes.

“The Family Heads of various families seem to have received some news, and they look very scared. They’ve all left.”

Upon hearing this, the steward’s Face changed. He quickly pushed aside the servant in front of him and rushed to the front hall, only to find it empty.

Then he heard the neighing of horses, the cries of beasts, and the sound of wheels rolling over the snow, creaking as they left. He quickly chased after them.

Outside the main gate of the Jin Family, he saw the carriages of various families leaving rapidly, like a heartless prodigal son in that winter, not looking back.

“Oh no!”

The steward was distraught. He then rushed to the backyard, ran to Master Taiyuan’s room he had visited before, but the person was not there. Then, he gritted his teeth and rushed deeper into the mansion.

When he arrived at the entrance of a courtyard, two long blades suddenly flashed with cold light in the snow, resting against his neck.

“One more step, and you die!”

Two tall armored guards in purple armor looked at him as if he were a dead man, their voices silent and emotionless.

In that small pavilion courtyard, Jin Taiyuan, dressed in new clothes, was joyfully reporting to His Highness, the Prince, at yesterday’s location.

“Your Highness, the time hasn’t even arrived, and many people have already come. It seems these people can’t wait to see Your Highness’s heroic presence, and this subordinate has gained some favor.”

The straw curtain still blocked the view. The Crown Prince of Northern Liang’s back was still seated there, only he had changed into a black robe embroidered with silver pythons.

“Very good. When the time comes, I will naturally appear. You may go down.”

“Yes!”

“This subordinate will arrange everything.” A hint of joy flashed in Jin Taiyuan’s tone. With His Highness, the Prince, personally appearing, his status in Jinguancheng would naturally rise.

With that, he prepared to withdraw.

But at this moment, yesterday’s old voice sounded in this two-story pavilion, with a cold snort, “I don’t think there’s any need for arrangements.”

The Crown Prince of Northern Liang, sitting behind the straw curtain, shifted slightly, “What does the Elder mean?”

The old voice did not reply, but the sound of armor clashing came from downstairs.

Then, a metallic scraping sound came from someone, “Reporting to Your Highness, the Jin Family servant reports that the dozen or so Family Heads who entered the mansion have left in a hurry for some unknown reason, without even saying goodbye.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Jin Taiyuan, who had been full of anticipation and joy, instantly turned pale, his dark Face turning red as if he had been slapped hard. “What?!”

Then he roared in anger,

“How outrageous!”

“How dare they!”

With that, a chilling light flashed in his eyes, and he exuded a fierce Aura, about to go out.

“What are you going to do?” The Prince behind the straw curtain spoke without inflection, only his voice was deeper.

“This subordinate will go settle accounts with these fellows. How dare they disrespect Your Highness?” Jin Taiyuan’s eyes widened, full of killing intent.

However, the Crown Prince of Northern Liang’s tone was elusive, “This is under your name. Whether they give Face or not, this Prince cannot easily interfere.”

Jin Taiyuan’s Face turned even redder.

He had become a clown.

“Moreover, it’s not that they don’t give Face; it’s that someone else doesn’t give Face. If you investigate, you’ll know. If I’m not mistaken, it should be that Zhonglang General who spoke.”

Speaking of this, the Prince behind the straw curtain narrowed his eyes, a chilling light flashing within them.

“How is that possible? Could it be that so many families are afraid of just him? I don’t believe it. This subordinate will go investigate.” Jin Taiyuan was unwilling, his eyes full of anger.

The reason he said this was because he found it somewhat incredible. In such a large Jinguancheng, would they not dare to visit his Jin Family just because of a single word from that Zhonglang General? Moreover, the Jin Family now housed the Prince of Northern Liang Royal Mansion, who was far more prominent than a mere Zhonglang General.

He couldn’t understand it. After he arrived in Jinguancheng, he had naturally heard of Ninth Zhonglang’s deeds: killing Wuzangs, annihilating six families, and even slaying Wuzang demons. He was indeed formidable and possessed great Divine Ability, but in his eyes, even if the other party was a Wuzang, he was still incomparable to the Northern Liang Royal Mansion.

But an hour later, this gentleman returned to report, no longer angry, but only annoyed and frustrated.

“Reporting to Your Highness, the news indeed came from the Fushi. It wasn’t explicitly stated, but various families no longer dared to visit the Jin Family.”

An hour had passed, and after those people left, no one else came to the Jin Family.

He was annoyed and couldn’t understand why, because he hadn’t personally experienced the pressure and fear felt by various families during the Battle of Five Treasures Mountain and before it. Moreover, his position influenced his perspective; the families who received the news simply didn’t want to get involved in the grievances between important figures, which was completely different from what he thought.

Then, this person almost gritted his teeth and said:

“Moreover, just now, the Fushi sent people openly to our door, saying that my cousin has already departed for Chuanzhong Pass to support the front line, and that he went voluntarily. This is simply outrageous.”

“Your Highness, this is simply an insult to us.”

However, from behind the straw curtain, a meaningful chuckle came.

“Interesting!”

“This Zhonglang General is truly surprising.”

“Since he wants to challenge me, this Prince will naturally oblige. Send the order down; there’s no need to hide anymore. Act on your own, collect information, and if you encounter any tailing, don’t hold back anymore!”

“Kill them!”