54: Chapter 54: A flash of coldness and killing intent in Murong Fu's eyes!

The two men, Old Fourth Feng and the other, were startled and dared not speak further, only bowing their heads and retreating.

Murong Fu turned to look at the Demonic Cult member and slowly spoke:

"What can I gain from this? And why should I believe you?"

"We are merely the vanguard on this trip; our true target is not Snow Moon City.

We only need to stir up internal strife within Snow Moon City to pave the way for our cult's subsequent plans."

The Demonic Cult envoy's tone was calm, not speaking falsely.

"Moreover, we have already stationed a Sword Immortal within Snow Moon City."

These words undoubtedly served as a reassurance for Murong Fu.

"As for what you can gain, it depends on how high you can climb within the Holy Cult in the future.

Once the situation in Northern Li stabilizes, borrowing troops to conquer a small country as a Foundation for restoring your kingdom is not difficult.

After all, some small countries can be taken with just tens of thousands of soldiers and horses."

After speaking, he quietly gazed at Murong Fu.

"You're not truly planning to covet the Great Song, are you?"

Murong Fu's thoughts were indeed just that, but he also understood that the Great Song was not easily shaken.

While a small country was a feasible choice.

At this moment, Murong Fu had already weighed the pros and cons repeatedly.

Wandering the Jianghu alone would ultimately find it difficult to achieve great things.

If it truly was as the other party said, leveraging the situation to take a small country, steadily building strength, and then aiming for greater ambitions in the future—that might not be impossible.

Moreover, for the Demonic Cult to dare lay out such plans, they must possess some degree of strength.

Especially their cult leader, who was nearly invincible, with a Realm at the Half-Step Divine Roaming Realm, was enough to intimidate the entire Jianghu.

"What do you want me to do?"

Murong Fu finally spoke, his tone firm.

This meant he had already agreed to the other party's proposal.

"Very well.

What you need to do next will be notified separately.

You only need to participate in this assembly as usual."

Old Third Bao and Old Fourth Feng's expressions turned gloomy.

Cooperating with the Demonic Cult was no different from making a pact with a tiger.

This was a move that invited self-destruction.

The two secretly decided that once the Demonic Cult members left, they would advise the Young Master to think twice.

Just as the Demonic Cult envoy was about to leave by the window, his lips moved a few times, and Murong Fu's expression suddenly changed drastically.

The man glanced back at him, a slight curve at the corner of his mouth, before his figure flashed and vanished into the night.

Feng Biaoe hurried forward to close the window tightly.

"Young Master, this is folly! Once this matter is exposed, your reputation will be utterly ruined, beyond recovery!"

"Indeed, Young Master! The hearts of Demonic Cult members are unfathomable; they go back on their word. They must not be trusted lightly!"

Murong Fu's expression shifted, and after a moment, a faint smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Enough. It's not as if I'm unaware of what you're saying.

However, this time does present an opportunity. We can observe the situation first.

If the Demonic Cult truly is as they claim, possessing the potential to replace Northern Li, then going along with the flow might not be a bad idea.

If they can't deliver, they have no evidence anyway. What can they do to us?"

"..."

Old Fourth Feng and Old Third Bao exchanged a glance, both feeling the Young Master's words were somewhat too rash.

This was practically dancing on the edge of a blade.

The only difference was whether you'd injure a toe or have your entire foot sliced off.

"Enough. Let's observe first. I never said I agreed to anything with the Demonic Cult!"

Murong Fu suddenly laughed and said.

"Yes, but we still hope the Young Master will think twice before acting.

Actually, we could leak this matter to Snow Moon City's side. That might be more beneficial for the Young Master."

"We'll discuss that later."

Murong Fu waved his hand, cutting off their words.

Late at night, Old Fourth Feng and Old Third Bao had the innkeeper send up some wine and dishes. They sat in the room drinking gloomily.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, they saw it was actually Murong Fu.

He held two wine jugs in his hands, a smile on his face.

Only, that smile seemed somewhat forced, no matter how you looked at it.

"Young Master, why have you come?"

Feng Biaoe quickly set down his wine cup and rose to greet him.

"Sit. How many years have you two served in my Murong family?"

Murong Fu set down the wine jugs and asked after taking a seat.

"Young Master, thirty-seven years for me!" Old Third Bao immediately replied.

"Young Master, twenty-nine for me!" Old Fourth Feng also promptly answered.

"You are both veterans of my Murong family, the Foundation of our household.

These years, following me around in constantBusy, you have suffered hardships."

Murong Fu sighed softly as he spoke.

"Young Master, please don't say such things. That we live to this day is entirely due to the master family's grace.

Over these years, we have received too much kindness from the Young Master. Even if it meant laying down our lives for you, we would not hesitate."

Old Third Bao even omitted his usual catchphrase.

"Third Brother Bao, you exaggerate."

Murong Fu smiled slightly.

"This is an eight-year aged peach blossom brew I specially had the innkeeper find. It's not cheap. They say there aren't many jugs of it in all of Snow Moon City."

Upon hearing this, Old Fourth Feng couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

The taste of peach blossom brew—he had tried it once and found it unforgettable.

And that was just the ordinary kind.

They said ten years of aging was the limit; any longer and it easily spoiled.

Old Fourth Feng himself had never seen one with his own eyes.

Now, this eight-year aged brew was truly a rarity.

After all, Snow Moon City was filled with numerous Schools and wealthy merchants. Such fine goods—how could they be easily left behind?

Seeing Murong Fu personally pour wine for them, the two men were so moved they immediately stood up.

"Thank you, Young Master!"

"No need for formalities. I will still rely on you greatly in the future."

"We are willing to go through fire and water for the Young Master, even if it means death ten thousand times!"

Murong Fu also raised his wine cup, and the three drank in one gulp.

"Excellent wine!"

Feng Biaoe closed his eyes, savoring the aftertaste for a moment, and couldn't help but praise.

"Indeed, not bad.

I've heard the best wine in Snow Moon City is personally brewed by Baili Dongjun. Some have offered ten thousand in gold for a single jug but failed to obtain it. There are even rumors that drinking it can help increase one'sskill."

Old Third Bao also sighed in admiration.

The three clinked cups and exchanged toasts. Old Third Bao began recounting some Jianghu rumors, some of which even Murong Fu had never heard before.

After one jug was finished, Old Third Bao and Old Fourth Feng were already somewhat tipsy, their faces flushed.

Murong Fu opened the second jug, preparing to pour for them again.

"Young Master, let me!"

Old Fourth Feng hurriedly reached for the wine jug but was gently pushed aside by Murong Fu.

"I have to participate in the grand competition tomorrow. I shouldn't drink too much tonight."

"Ah, right, right! My oversight!"

Old Fourth Feng patted his head, somewhat embarrassed.

"Then we won't either..."

"Finish it. With your capacity, this one jug shouldn't be a problem."

Murong Fu said with a smile, though that smile seemed somewhat forced.

The two, already intoxicated, didn't notice anything amiss.

Hearing his words and smelling the wine's aroma, their cups were filled once more.

At this time, Wang Yuyan knocked on her cousin's door, wanting to persuade him to return to Gusu early.

But after several knocks, there was no response.

A waiter passing by saw this woman who seemed to have stepped out of a painting and hurriedly spoke up:

"Young Miss, this Young Master just requested two jugs of fine wine and went to Room Jia-7."

Wang Yuyan was taken aback.

"He went to drink with Third Brother Bao and the others?"

After thanking him, she headed towards Room Jia-7.

As she approached, she heard faint movements from inside the room.

She had just raised her hand to knock when the door opened.

With just one glance, she saw the fleeting chill and killing intent in Murong Fu's eyes.

But it vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Cousin, what is it?"

"Cousin, I heard you were drinking with Third Brother Bao and the others, so I came to take a look!"

After speaking, she secretly observed Murong Fu's expression, thinking she must have seen wrong earlier.

"Cousin, where are Third Brother Bao and the others?"

Wang Yuyan was somewhat curious.

Murong Fu shifted his body slightly, his movements somewhat stiff, then quickly returned to normal.

"They're drunk!"

Wang Yuyan nodded gently.

"Cousin, let's return to the Great Song. Gusu is quite nice too, with beautiful mountains and waters!"

"Don't bring this up again. You insisted on following when I set out. For these next few days, stay quietly in the inn and don't go anywhere!"

Upon hearing Wang Yuyan's words, Murong Fu's tone suddenly became irritable.

"Go back to your room first. After I settle Third Brother Bao and the others, I still have to prepare for tomorrow's important matters!"

Murong Fu directly issued a dismissal, slamming the door shut with a bang.

Wang Yuyan stood dumbfounded outside the door. Only after a long while did she turn and leave, her expression dejected.

Inside the room, Murong Fu looked at the two men slumped unconscious on the table, a flicker of struggle in his eyes.

When they had realized there was poison in the wine earlier, the look in their eyes as they gazed at him had unsettled his heart.

"Didn't you say you were willing to do anything for me!"

Murong Fu seemed to be finding reasons for himself.

Suddenly, the window was pushed open. Several figures flashed in, clasped their fists towards Murong Fu, then picked up the already lifeless bodies of Old Third Bao and Old Fourth Feng and swiftly left.

A moment later, only Murong Fu remained in the room.

Wang Yuyan returned to her room. The more she thought about it, the more something felt off.

"When Cousin turned around earlier, Third Brother Bao seemed a bit strange!"

She frowned in thought.

Suddenly, her expression changed, a trace of fear appearing in her eyes.

She remembered.

"Third Brother Bao's hand?"

With her memory, she could naturally reconstruct every detail.

Old Third Bao was slumped over the table, his arm hanging down. The nail of his left index finger had an eerie blue tint.

"That's Cousin's 'Gentle Heartbreak'!"

Wang Yuyan's eyes were panicked.

In an instant, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity towards Murong Fu.

She was somewhat at a loss.

'Gentle Heartbreak' was a potent poison secretly concocted by the Murong family. Very few outsiders knew of it, and she was one of them.

Such a clear sign could not be mistaken.

Cousin had poisoned Third Brother Bao and the others.

Just as her mind was unsettled, a sudden knock came at the door.

Wang Yuyan was startled, her voice trembling slightly as she asked:

"Who is it?"

"Miss, it's me!"

AZhu's voice came from outside the door.

Wang Yuyan breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the door open, but then froze.

Murong Fu was actually standing behind AZhu.

"Cou... Cousin!"

"Mm. I've made other arrangements for Third Brother Bao and Fourth Brother Feng. Sent them off on an errand."

"Oh... oh!"

Wang Yuyan seemed somewhat dazed.

"Miss, the Young Master sent me to attend to you for your rest."

"No need, I can manage myself."

She quickly waved her hands and hurriedly closed the door.

AZhu looked puzzled.

Murong Fu's expression shifted slightly, his gaze evasive.

Wang Yuyan waited behind the door for a long time. Only when there was no more movement outside did she truly panic.

Did Cousin kill Fourth Brother Feng and the others?

Why?

The moment she thought of Murong Fu, a wave of fear surged in Wang Yuyan's heart.

If he knew I had noticed, would he come after me?

In the end, she was just a young woman with little worldly experience. For a moment, her thoughts ran wild, her heart in turmoil.

"If he dares to act against even Third Brother Bao and the others, how could I possibly be spared?"

Thinking of this, Wang Yuyan felt there was nowhere to escape, desperately wanting to find a place that could offer her shelter.