When Nan Chaoyu returned to Muyu Garden, it was already dusk. Hearing the sound of the butler opening the door, Uncle Yu rushed out to greet her.
"Master, the people from Tinglan, the Night Division, and the Wind Division have arrived. They are waiting for your instructions in Lanfeng Studio."
"Okay!" Nan Chaoyu replied lazily, raising her eyes slightly. "Since they're here, make the arrangements!"
But in her heart, she was still thinking about what had happened in the teahouse just now.
She thought Mu Qihan had done it on purpose. After all, when she was reborn, she had caused Mu Qihan to lose most of his vital blood.
Not only did his inner energy scatter, but he was also struck by a palm during the sacrifice.
It was only natural for him to hate her. However, she never expected that he had lost his memory.
She remembered what his attendant had said, "My young master suffered a severe injury three years ago and can't remember the past. Please don't take it amiss, miss. If you and my young master are old acquaintances, please don't force him."
"Old acquaintance! Hmph!" Nan Chaoyu reached out and touched her chest where his blood still remained.
"Master, what did you say?"
Nan Chaoyu came back to her senses instantly, shook her head, and said, "It's nothing. Let's go!"
The people waiting in Lanfeng Studio were the forces Nan Chaoyu had secretly established over the years. Tinglan was half of Nan Chaoyu's personal butler. The Night Division was responsible for intelligence collection, and the Wind Division excelled at assassination with extraordinary movement skills!
There were also the Thunder Division and the Frost Division. But when coming to Menghai City this time, Nan Chaoyu only summoned the people from the Night and Wind Divisions.
"Greetings to the master."
Nan Chaoyu stepped into Lanfeng Studio. All the hesitant and weak aura from before vanished in an instant. She raised her eyes and looked at the people in the room, a faint smile appearing on her face. "It's been hard on you all to come here in such a hurry."
As her voice fell, a man with a baby face jumped out and made a face at Nan Chaoyu. "It's not hard to serve the master."
"Ye Yun, don't be disrespectful in front of the master." The man who spoke had a serious face. He looked about twenty years old and was dressed in black.
He bowed respectfully to Nan Chaoyu, took out a piece of paper from his bosom, and handed it over. "Master, this is the intelligence about the Xie Family that I've collected."
Nan Chaoyu took it but didn't look at it immediately. She said gently, "Ye Ling, you've worked hard. You can take them to rest first and then try your best to find out about the forces that have come to Menghai City this time."
"Yes!"
"Is my mother okay, Tinglan?"
Tinglan was a pretty and gentle girl. Hearing Nan Chaoyu's question, she stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to the master, the queen is fine. It's just that the seal flares up from time to time, and she has to suffer a bit."
This answer was within Nan Chaoyu's expectation. She nodded, scanned the people in the room, and said in a deep voice, "The most important thing for our trip to the Soul - Devouring Sea is to obtain the Soul - Devouring Flower. This time, two people from the Wind Division and Ye Yun will go with me into the Soul - Devouring Sea. The rest of you will stay in Menghai City."
"Yes!"
These people were absolutely obedient to Nan Chaoyu and immediately agreed without hesitation.
At this moment, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door.
"Master, someone from the city lord's mansion has come to deliver an invitation card for you!"
Nan Chaoyu rubbed her temples, thought for a moment, and looked at the man beside her. "Uncle Yu, go and decline it for me."
Li Yuejin was just trying to win over the experts in Menghai City by sending this invitation. She wasn't within his scope of solicitation, so there was no need for her to attend this banquet.
However, Uncle Yu returned within a short while and said respectfully, "Master, the person who came is Li Ting, the head guard of the city lord's mansion. He asked me to convey a message to you that the old master of the Xie Family will attend tonight's banquet. I took the liberty of accepting the invitation."
Saying that, he handed over a red invitation card.
Nan Chaoyu took it, flipped through it, a playful smile appeared on her face, and she shook her head. "Li the Second is really good at playing tricks these days. Fine! Tinglan, come with me to the banquet tonight. The rest of you take your positions."
*
The city lord's mansion in Menghai City was located in the center of the city. As night fell, the banquet hall in the city lord's mansion was brightly lit. There were night pearls as big as fists all around the hall that could accommodate hundreds of people.
The wine vessels and dishes on the tables were all transparent glassware. Under the illumination of the night pearls, they sparkled and looked extremely beautiful.
Li Yuejin stood at the entrance of the banquet hall to greet the guests. From the entrance of the banquet hall to the main gate, there was a high - ranking official from Menghai City standing beside each door.
Such a hospitality standard could be regarded as the highest etiquette in Menghai City.
Nan Chaoyu arrived at the right time and strolled into the main gate of the city lord's mansion.
Perhaps having received instructions, the official in charge of reception didn't show the slightest bit of neglect and invited Nan Chaoyu into the courtyard without looking sideways.
When she saw Li Yuejin, Nan Chaoyu hooked the corner of her mouth and said playfully, "Li the Second, you're really good at managing your subordinates!"
Seeing her look as if she was eager to stir up trouble, Lord Li twitched the corner of his mouth. "My lady, please take your seat."
Nan Chaoyu walked past Li Yuejin, glanced at the seating arrangement in the room, and seeing that her seat was the main one, her expression turned unpleasant. "Lord Li, I can't take this seat. Have it moved. Otherwise, don't blame me for ruining your banquet."
Li Yuejin clearly knew Nan Chaoyu's personality. Hearing her call him Lord Li, he knew that she was really angry.
He quickly called someone over and moved Nan Chaoyu's seat to the one below his. He said flatteringly, "My lady, how about this seat?"
Nan Chaoyu glanced at him but didn't say a word. She led Tinglan into the room.
Half of the seats in the hall were occupied. Nan Chaoyu took a look and led Tinglan to their seats and sat down.
"Master, Lord Li is really capable. He actually managed to invite all these people."
The cultivators who dared to venture into the Soul - Devouring Sea all had some unknown tricks up their sleeves. They were not only eccentric but also not known to give others such face.
Nan Chaoyu wasn't surprised. She whispered, "There's the Holy Light Empire standing behind Li the Second. This isn't much of a secret."
Although the five cities were independent of the Holy Light Empire and not under its control, it was still difficult for people from the five cities to enter the Holy Light Empire.
Since Li the Second had the backing of the Holy Light Empire, no one could be sure that they wouldn't need his help one day. It was better to form a good relationship than to offend him.
The seats in the hall were gradually filled, and the banquet was about to start.
At this moment, a young girl in the court dress of a Holy Light princess walked gracefully into the banquet hall from outside.
Two maids led the way in front, and two maids held up her skirt behind. The girl in the middle held her head high, looking like a proud peacock spreading its colorful tail feathers.
Such a grand entrance instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Nan Chaoyu just took a glance and then shifted her gaze.
Just a gaudy pheasant. There's nothing to look at.
Just as she lowered her head to drink, the pheasant - like girl stopped in front of her seat, and a maid spoke up.
"This seat is for our princess. Hurry up and get out of the way!"