Chapter 61. Why is the Heavenly Silk Six Paths here!

Long Huacheng continued speaking.

“I don’t understand what the Great Prince is saying.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Hou Gong smiled calmly and continued.

“The Inviting Herb Sect invited me specifically. It’s unlikely they were curious about my appearance, and it’s not hard to guess that there’s a reason why I was the only one they wanted.”

“……”

“There must have been an issue that needed to be resolved through me. But it’s quite strange. You went to the trouble of coming to greet me, trying to delay my time by having me stay outside, and then you asked me to stay in this secluded annex, which is like an isolated island.”

“……”

“At this point, I feel like I’m being treated as a contingency or a spare. What do you think, Jiaozhu?”

Long Huacheng sighed inwardly.

He couldn’t find the words to respond. There was no room for rebuttal. The Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library spoke as if he had seen through the internal affairs. Any attempt to explain would only make things worse.

‘What should I do…’

The Great Prince’s words were unrelenting.

His demeanor suggested that he would leave immediately if anything went wrong. Long Huacheng’s mind became incredibly complicated, not expecting such a direct approach. He also had to consider the Heavenly Gong Sect that accompanied him.

There was no other way.

At this point, being honest was the best option.

“Great Prince…”

“I’m listening.”

“It’s like this…”

Long Huacheng explained about the document decryption and the relationship with the Nanhua Academy’s Mo Gongzi.

He had to prepare for the worst.

He trusted the Nanhua Academy’s Mo Gongzi, but one could never be sure about the world. If the Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library left and the Nanhua Academy’s Mo Gongzi failed, there would be no more difficult situation.

If he had to ask the Heavenly Flower Library for help again, it would be embarrassing, and the negotiation would likely end in a deadlock.

“…It became a dual request, so I had no choice but to be cautious. My intention was to finish the task without any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. I hope you can understand.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Heavenly Gong Sect reacted first.

“So what? It’s no big deal.”

Yin Angkai shrugged indifferently.

Jin Jiezi frowned and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, you were worried about such a small thing.”

“I’m amazed. Did you think the great leader of the Heavenly Gong Sect wouldn’t understand such a situation?”

“How did the Inviting Herb Sect treat you like a petty person!”

Even the Three Anti-Demon Heroes and the Two Heroes of Wushan showed their annoyance.

Their frustration was more about the Inviting Herb Sect making the leader of the Heavenly Gong Sect seem insignificant and petty.

Then,

Miao Bingbing, who had been ‘thinking,’ spoke up.

“Don’t scold him so much. The Inviting Herb Sect must have been very anxious. This is all because the messenger birds didn’t deliver the message properly. Hey, Inviting Herb Sect?”

Long Huacheng smiled faintly and looked at Miao Bingbing.

It was a relief to have someone on his side, and at the right moment.

He was relieved that the Heavenly Gong Sect’s reaction was less intense than expected, and Miao Bingbing was even defending him.

Although it bothered him that Miao Bingbing kept calling him ‘Inviting Herb Sect’ instead of ‘Jiaozhu,’ Long Huacheng waited for her comforting words.

“Stand up straight! You’re a man! Be confident! There’s no need to look so dejected. It’s fine. You can do it. Just do better from now on.”

Long Huacheng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He had forgotten that this girl didn’t think much.

The Heavenly Gong Sect, familiar with Miao Bingbing, had already tuned out.

They had long realized that Miao Bingbing’s comfort wouldn’t be much of a comfort.

Just as Miao Bingbing was about to continue her comfort,

Hou Gong intervened.

“Miao Xiaojie!”

“Yes, Brother!”

“Comforting is good, but please maintain your manners. Wouldn’t it be better if your beautiful appearance matched your words?”

Miao Bingbing, who was about to react violently to the reprimand, immediately calmed down upon hearing the praise for her appearance.

“…Yes.”

“Everyone else should do the same. Jiaozhu represents the Inviting Herb Sect here, so please be mindful of your words and actions.”

Hou Gong then apologized on behalf of everyone and resolved the situation.

The important thing was to solve the Inviting Herb Sect’s problem and deal with the duoyangchong.

“Jiaozhu, now that I understand the situation, I can see why it was difficult for you. You must have wanted to verify the information with the Nanhua Academy as well, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then how about this.”

“What do you suggest?”

“Since there’s no reason to wait for the Nanhua Academy’s Mo Gongzi to finish the decryption, I would like to access the documents immediately. There’s no need to waste time, is there?”

“Of course.”

Long Huacheng had no reason to refuse.

However, he had one concern. He hesitated to bring it up, fearing it might ruin the improved atmosphere.

Hou Gong read his mind.

“Don’t worry. I and the Heavenly Gong Sect will stay in this annex and won’t reveal our presence to the Nanhua Academy. This place is like an isolated island, so unless the Inviting Herb Sect discloses it, the Nanhua Academy won’t know we’re here.”

Long Huacheng’s expression brightened.

This is why he’s a genius.

The conversation was incredibly smooth.

The Great Prince maintained his manners, recognized the concerns, and provided a solution. It was admirable how he orchestrated the situation.

“I appreciate your deep consideration, Great Prince.”

Although it was different from his initial intention, Long Huacheng was satisfied.

Now it was time to talk about the Heavenly Silk Six Paths.

Feeling much lighter, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

“Great Prince, I have one more thing to say.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Have you heard of the Heavenly Silk Six Paths?”

“Huh?”

Hou Gong furrowed his brows in confusion.

Heavenly Silk?

It was completely unexpected.

The conversation had taken a sudden and bizarre turn. Why were the children of Heavenly Silk suddenly mentioned here?

“It seems you haven’t heard of them.”

“No, I have. I heard through the Open Sect. I was just surprised by the sudden mention of Heavenly Silk.”

Long Huacheng smiled.

“Hahaha, it was sudden, but there’s a reason. The Heavenly Silk Six Paths are staying at our sect. Hahaha…”

“What’s going on!”

“Hahaha… Ah…?”

Long Huacheng’s smile froze, and his mouth dropped open.

What’s going on?

It wasn’t just a scolding. The Great Prince of the Heavenly Flower Library was glaring fiercely, his eyes blazing with anger.

Almost in a state of extreme rage.

The anger continued.

“Explain! Why are they here!”

“……”

Overwhelmed by the intense anger, Long Huacheng froze.

He needed to respond, but he couldn’t find the words.

It wasn’t because of the rude tone.

He couldn’t understand why this young man was suddenly so angry. In fact, the thought was vague and unclear.

The Great Prince’s eyes.

They glowed with a purplish light, piercing and terrifying.

Facing those eyes, all he could feel was fear. His mind went blank, and his body shrank back. He couldn’t even turn his head to avoid the gaze.

This was due to Hou Gong’s Ziling Eye, which he had activated in his agitated state.

“That… That’s…”

Long Huacheng trembled and managed to speak.

He stammered but couldn’t continue.

Only then did Hou Gong realize his mistake.

‘Oh no…’

He was no longer the leader of the martial arts alliance or the first in the world, but the mention of Heavenly Silk had agitated him.

He quickly reined in his Ziling Eye and calmed himself.

The Ziling Eye binds the opponent’s spirit.

Even at his current level, it was enough to affect someone like Long Huacheng.

“Brother, are you okay?”

“Brother…”

“Boss, calm down.”

Several people, including Xiao Tiankai, looked at him with concern. It was half worry, half surprise.

It was surprising.

Although the Inviting Herb Sect didn’t pursue martial prowess, for a leader of a sect to be overwhelmed by a mere gaze was unexpected. Moreover, Long Huacheng wasn’t just any leader.

They had already seen his formidable martial skills when he dealt with the top assassins, but the demeanor he just displayed was another level of surprise and curiosity.

The art of the eye was in the realm of the sublime.

Swordsmanship, quick wit, and now the art of the eye. How much hidden strength did he have?

But there was something more pressing.

What was the reason for this intense reaction?

“Boss, apologize quickly. You’re going to kill Jiaozhu.”

Jin Jiezi spoke sternly.

Long Huacheng bit his lip, looking at Jin Jiezi.

“…Kill? It’s not that bad.”

How was the comfort from the Heavenly Gong Sect not comforting at all?

“Jiaozhu, my reaction was too strong.”

The Great Prince’s voice, now soft, made Long Huacheng, who was still in shock, feel apologetic and bow his head. He felt a lump in his throat, almost about to say it was fine.

The reason was the shadow of a massive mountain, but Long Huacheng couldn’t guess it.

“Our boss, he’s experiencing the taste of the martial world. Hahaha…”

Yin Angkai chuckled.

Jin Jiezi was puzzled.

“The taste of the martial world? What do you mean?”

The boss just ‘ahem’ and showed discomfort.

“When I first told the boss about Heavenly Silk, his reaction was intense. For someone who focuses on books and etiquette, it must have been shocking. A three-year mourning period is one thing, but traveling to pay respects? Who would have imagined that?”

“Shocking indeed.”

Although agreeing, Jin Jiezi didn’t laugh.

He continued, “Boss, even so, you shouldn’t view Heavenly Silk’s actions so negatively. They have pure intentions, and the target is Hou Gong.”

“Brother, I agree. It’s commendable that they care so much.”

“Commendable? Who observes a three-year mourning period these days? I’m sure even Hou Gong, watching from the afterlife, would be moved to tears.”

Hou Gong was genuinely moved.

He glared at Jin Jiezi and the others. What were they talking about?

He was the one observing the three-year mourning period.

Anger welled up inside him, but he forced himself to calm down.

He turned his gaze to Long Huacheng.

“Jiaozhu, are the Heavenly Silk Six Paths outside?”

“Huh?”

As Long Huacheng blinked in confusion, a voice came from outside.

“Jiaozhu, are you having trouble with the Heavenly Gong Sect?”

“Clang, clang, clang!”

It was the Heavenly Silk Six Paths.