Chapter 27. Are you nervous?

Hou Gong let it slide in one ear and followed Bai Nao.

In the process, Hou Gong occasionally winced.

Bai Nao quickly noticed this change.

His mind, which earned him the title of "Hundred Brains," was not for nothing.

"Perhaps you are feeling nervous, Master?"

No matter how talented one is, the heart still beats, and fear is hard to suppress.

Hou Gong couldn't miss the hidden mockery in the solemn question, meant to comfort.

'What is this guy babbling about now?'

Hou Gong stopped and glared at Bai Nao.

Flash, flash.

Bai Nao's bald head had been reflecting the sunlight ever since, almost blinding him. If he had to go out during the day, he should at least wear a hat. This guy, oblivious to the nuisance he caused, kept talking.

"Do I have something to be nervous about?"

"Hehe, I must have been mistaken. You've been wincing since just now."

"It's because of the sunlight. Today, it feels like there are two suns in the sky."

"Haha, you have a good sense of humor."

You must be glad there's only one sun.

There was indeed one such flashy guy in the Jianghu.

Yuan Guangzi.

He originally had a lot of hair but forced himself to shave it, making his head shine whether it was day or night. He was also skilled in lightness techniques and was used as a human messenger. Whenever something flashed from a distance, it was Yuan Guangzi.

Once, when I suggested, "Yuan Guangzi, why don't you grow your hair?" his answer was amusing. He said it made him look tough and assertive, so he wouldn't be ignored.

Hou Gong, finding it ridiculous, almost opened Yuan Guangzi's head right there. How many people in the Jianghu could actually ignore Yuan Guangzi? But perhaps because he wasn't beaten, the guy stubbornly kept his bald head.

A moment later, Bai Nao bowed and opened the study door.

"Please come in."

Hou Gong entered, and Ximen Xiong stood up to greet him.

Formal greetings were exchanged, and the two sat down.

As the scent of pine tea served by the maid spread, they exchanged pleasantries about the family and the weather, with occasional fake smiles.

Gradually, Ximen Xiong's expression hardened, and his eyes turned cold.

'It's about to start.'

Hou Gong nodded inwardly.

It would certainly go like this:

- It was unpleasant.

- The family's reputation was tarnished.

- Wasn't it the Tianhua Library that spread the rumors?

- It's an unforgivable matter.

Ximen Xiong would spout these prepared words.

Whether he practiced in front of a mirror or had done it so often that it became second nature, Ximen Xiong's cold expression was quite convincing.

But because it was convincing, he couldn't keep looking at this face.

Changing his expression was simple.

Hou Gong smiled and casually said a word.

Sure enough,

Ximen Xiong's eyes widened. The coldness he had just displayed vanished instantly.

"You're sending the Chief Steward?"

"Of course. Since the Chief Steward's smooth talk tarnished the Ximen Family's reputation, he should rightfully receive the Ximen Family's punishment. Is there any difficulty?"

"No, no. I was just surprised by such an unexpected offer."

He wasn't pretending to be surprised.

Ximen Xiong's expression management was completely off, having not anticipated this. He was so focused on pressuring and interrogating that he was caught off guard.

But from Ximen Xiong's perspective, this surprise was welcome a hundred, a thousand times over.

What kind of person was the Chief Steward?

A thorn in the side of the Ximen Family.

The only witness and evidence.

It would be a lie to say he didn't care, even if he could ignore it.

If the Chief Steward could be cleanly removed, what could be better?

'How scared are the Tianhua Library guys?'

Offering the Chief Steward must mean they judged that actively currying favor was safer than just securing a witness.

On one hand, it bolstered the Ximen Family's pride, and on the other, it was a plea from the Tianhua Library to quietly bury the matter and save their lives. Indeed, the clever ones knew how to grovel on a different level.

"We said we would interrogate him, but the Chief Steward wouldn't talk. However, if the Ximen Family were to handle it, he would surely confess the true mastermind. Although this task should have been ours, we are passing it to the Ximen Family. Please don't refuse and take on this difficult task."

"Difficult task? I didn't expect the Tianhua Library to uphold our family's dignity like this. In fact, the elders of our family were already discussing summoning the Chief Steward to question his crimes."

Ximen Xiong burst into laughter, feeling pleased.

Who would believe the Tianhua Library couldn't make the Chief Steward talk?

They both knew it was a pretense.

So Ximen Xiong felt a thrill of pleasure.

'Idiot.'

What good is a brilliant mind if it's only used to kowtow and beg for mercy?

"Once the banquet is over, I will prepare to summon the Chief Steward and have him arrive in a day or two."

"Is it that soon? Isn't it too hasty?"

"One must pull the bull by the horns while the iron is hot."

"Hahaha, is that how the saying goes?"

Ximen Xiong smiled warmly and spoke.

It was a truly surprising proposal.

"Through this incident, the Ximen Family and the Tianhua Library will form a closer bond. As a starting point, I would like to form a brotherhood with Brother Fan. What do you think? Will you accept my offer?"

Hou Gong was stunned.

'Is this guy human?'

Knowing full well that the Tianhua Library was about to be drenched in blood, he proposes a brotherhood!

And how long have they known each other?

"Haha, a brotherhood? I'm so honored I can hardly believe it. Is a lowly person like me from the Tianhua Library worthy of such an honor?"

"Tsk, Brother Fan, why do you speak so discouragingly? What do you mean by 'worthy'? That's a strange thing to say."

Ximen Xiong smiled like a woman.

'Should I kill him?'

Hou Gong's murderous intent surged, but he quickly composed himself.

No, no.

Huh, huh……

This can't be done so easily.

Most importantly, the aftermath here is unmanageable.

"Brother Fan, your eyes are red."

"Haha, my eyes turn red when I'm suddenly happy."

"Hahaha, I'm glad you don't dislike my proposal. To be honest, I did rush a bit. Let's settle the matter with the Chief Steward first, and then we can discuss the brotherhood. But please understand this: in my heart, you are already my brother."

"H. H. H. H.!"

***

"Such a joyous day should be celebrated with a toast, shouldn't it!"

"Absolutely!"

"Would the two young ladies also like a glass?"

"Of course."

"Two glasses would be fine too."

The atmosphere at the banquet was at its peak.

While everyone pretended to be calm, they were actually worried. Especially because Ougumen's Mugu had been cursing, saying, "The Tianhua Library's genius will come out with a dead face," "You'll soon see what a dead face looks like, so be prepared," "The banquet will end before it even starts," which made everyone tense.

But what a surprise.

Ximen Xiong appeared at the banquet with a radiant face, treating the Tianhua Library's eldest son with familiarity, while Mugu's face turned as sour as a rotten fish. Everyone was overjoyed.

Especially when the news spread that the Chief Steward would be transferred to the Ximen Family, any remaining doubts or anxieties vanished, and laughter bloomed with every toast.

"Everyone, stop!"

A thunderous voice dominated the lively atmosphere.

Turning around, it was Wang Xiaohan from the Continental Battlefield.

With a puzzled look, Wang Xiaohan clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk, how can people of the Jianghu be so dull? At a toast, will you just cheer blandly?"

"Then, Brother Wang, how should we make it less dull?"

At Zhang Yi's question, Wang Xiaohan exaggeratedly puffed up.

"Hmm, I have no choice. This is how it's done. To enhance the taste of the wine, each person should present something that will elicit a gasp. It could be martial arts, music, dance, or a treasure they want to show off. This is usually done without explanation, but since no one seems to know, I'll tell you today. Ahem~."

Laughter erupted at Wang Xiaohan's jest.

Zhang Yi from Yanhua Pavilion stepped forward first.

He held a cup for Miaoling and stood about 3 zhang (about 9 meters) away.

Zhang Yi held the wine bottle in his right hand, spun it a few times, and flicked his wrist. A splash of wine shot out, slicing through the air and was sucked into Miaoling's cup, far away.

Cheers erupted from all around.

"Wow, this is truly amazing."

"I heard Yanhua Pavilion's flying knife technique is excellent, and so is his skill in pouring wine."

"Not only the distance, but how does he manage to pour just the right amount into the cup without spilling?"

The skill was impressive, and even Hou Gong