Forbidden City!
After the old man uttered these three words, the scene fell silent, so quiet that you could hear the breathing of the person next to you.
Ye Qiu’s expression shifted slightly.
Nearby, Master Longmei dropped his playful grin, and Master Du’e’s face grew solemn.
Elder Wan and Elder Tang exchanged a glance, both seeing deep concern in each other’s eyes.
As for the guests present, the older ones knew of the Forbidden City. Upon learning the old man was from there, they instantly tensed, muttering to themselves:
“Never would’ve thought it. Young Master Bai is actually the disciple of the Ninth Lord of the Forbidden City. Good thing I never offended him before, or I’d be dead!”
“It’s been decades since anyone from the Forbidden City last appeared. This time, it looks like a storm of blood is coming!”
“It seems Ye Qiu is doomed today!”
Some of the younger guests, however, were full of confusion and whispered:
“Isn’t the Forbidden City just the Palace Museum?”
“There are martial arts masters in the Palace Museum?”
“How did I not know this!”
“The Forbidden City doesn’t refer to the Palace Museum. It’s a faction,” an informed person explained.
A faction?
They grew even more puzzled.
Logically, a faction, big or small, would have some reputation, especially right under the Emperor’s nose. They should’ve heard of it. So why had they never come across this faction before?
The informant said, “The Forbidden City is very mysterious and has few members. They haven’t been active for decades.”
“But don’t underestimate them.”
“Every single one of them is a peerless martial arts master, capable of swaying the fate of the world.”
“They act with impunity, fearing no one. Sometimes, they don’t even pay heed to someone as powerful as the highest leader.”
Hiss,
The crowd sucked in a collective breath.
Only then did they understand why the old man dared to kill three people in a row without batting an eye, treating human lives like grass.
It all boiled down to the fact that he came from the Forbidden City.
Pei Jie whispered to Old Master Pei, “Grandfather, aren’t the people from the Forbidden City just too lawless? Killing without even blinking…”
“Shut up!”
Old Master Pei shot Pei Jie a fierce glare, then lowered his voice, “If you don’t want to die, keep your mouth shut.”
“And from now on, don’t discuss the Forbidden City in private either.”
“If the Ninth Lord overhears, he could kill you, and even I wouldn’t be able to save your life.”
Pei Jie shrank back in fear.
Old Master Pei’s gaze landed on Bai Yujing, and he thought to himself, “Bai Yujing hid it well. Who’d have thought he’s the disciple of the Ninth Lord of the Forbidden City?”
“If Ye Qiu hadn’t pushed him to the edge today, he wouldn’t have called on the Ninth Lord, and no one would’ve known he was his disciple.”
“This Bai family kid is really cunning.”
Then, Old Master Pei’s eyes shifted to Ye Qiu.
“This Ye kid is young, daring to cause trouble at the Bai family’s place. His courage is commendable.”
“And the strength he’s shown far surpasses his peers. He’s someone to watch.”
“But I wonder if he can survive the Ninth Lord’s hands?”
Old Master Pei felt Ye Qiu’s chances of survival were slim. After all, with the Ninth Lord personally taking action, even if Master Longmei and the others teamed up, they likely couldn’t stop him.
“Little Jie,” Old Master Pei beckoned.
Pei Jie understood and immediately bent down, bringing his ear close to his grandfather’s mouth, asking, “Grandfather, what do you want to say?”
“If Ye Qiu dies, everything proceeds as planned. You marry Bai Bing, we strengthen ties with the Bai family, and through that, we connect with the Forbidden City.”
“If Ye Qiu survives, you cut ties with Bai Yujing immediately and befriend Ye Qiu.”
“Do you understand what I mean?”
Pei Jie nodded, “I understand.”
“Good that you do.” Old Master Pei finished speaking, resumed his calm demeanor, and sat back to watch the tigers fight.
Pei Jie glanced at Ye Qiu, his eyes tinged with pity. Was it worth losing his most precious life over a woman?
At that moment, Ye Qiu spoke up.
“I was wondering who had such grand authority. Turns out it’s someone from the Forbidden City. My apologies, my apologies.” Though Ye Qiu said this, there wasn’t the slightest trace of respect on his face.
Long Jiu looked at Ye Qiu and said coldly, “I’ll ask you one last time, how do you want to die?”
“Killing me won’t be that easy.”
Ye Qiu raised his hand, pointing his sword at Long Jiu, his stance clear.
“You want to fight me? Fine, I’ll indulge you.”
As Long Jiu’s words fell, he was already in front of Ye Qiu, his five fingers reaching for Ye Qiu’s throat.
Such speed!
Ye Qiu’s heart jolted. He swung his sword at Long Jiu’s hand.
“Overestimating yourself.” Long Jiu twisted his wrist, dodging the blade, his hand brushing lightly over the sword’s surface.
In an instant, Ye Qiu felt an immense force surge through the Emperor’s Sword. Before he could retreat, he was sent flying.
Long Jiu pressed forward, and just as Ye Qiu’s body was about to hit the ground, he stomped down fiercely.
His target was Ye Qiu’s face.
Clearly, Long Jiu was venting his anger.
“You want to step on my disciple’s face? Then I’ll crush yours…” Before Long Jiu could finish, his brows suddenly furrowed, and he looked up at the sky.
“Boom!”
A bolt of lightning struck out of nowhere, without any warning.
“Hmph, petty tricks.” Long Jiu slapped at the lightning, and in the next second, it vanished without a trace.
Seizing the chance, Ye Qiu pushed off with his back, sliding ten metres along the ground before springing up with a carp’s leap.
At the same time, he drew three Five Thunder Talismans in succession.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Three bolts of lightning descended together.
Long Jiu’s expression didn’t change. He swiftly struck out three palms, and soon all three bolts disappeared.
This…
Ye Qiu’s face was full of shock.
Last night, when he fought Cao Tianding, he’d seen Cao Tianding shatter lightning with his fist. But compared to that, Long Jiu was far more composed, as if dispersing lightning was a trivial matter to him.
“The capital truly is a den of hidden tigers and dragons. Last night’s Cao Tianding was already terrifying, but this old man from the Forbidden City is even more so.”
Ye Qiu’s mood grew heavy.
He’d managed to kill Cao Tianding last night thanks to Master Longmei’s help, but now, with Master Longmei suffering from backlash and unable to use his inner strength, Ye Qiu had to face Long Jiu alone.
The situation was grim.
In this battle, he might very well die here.
Just as Ye Qiu prepared to fight to the death, Long Jiu suddenly stopped.
“Kid, managing to last two moves against me already makes you a rare genius. How about this: you take me as your master, and I’ll spare you. What do you say?”
Hearing this, Bai Yujing panicked, “Master…”
“Calm down. I know what I’m doing,” Long Jiu said, smiling at Ye Qiu. “So, what’s your decision?”
Before Ye Qiu could respond, Master Longmei interjected, “Little brat, agree to it quick. Save your life first.”
