Chapter 179: Meeting (II)

Leaving the tavern, Lin Zheyu went to the front of the Yan Residence and hid in the shadows to observe. If Ge Bing and his group were indeed here for Liang Song, then it was highly likely that he was concealed among the guests.

He waited for more than twenty minutes. Soon, an ordinary-looking, somewhat unfamiliar old man strolled over from a distance. After handing over the invitation, he entered the Yan Residence.

It's him! Master Liang, you really made me work to find you!

Lin Zheyu's eyes lit up brightly. Although Master Liang had disguised his appearance, he still recognized him easily.

Liang Song practiced the Tortoise Breath Grand Method, but it had not even reached the second stage. However, it still allowed him to conceal his strength among cultivators of the same realm perfectly. Even against those stronger than him, as long as they were not far stronger, he could still hide part of his power.

Although Lin Zheyu was only at the fourth transformation of blood qi, his mastery of the Tortoise Breath Grand Method had long reached Perfection. Not only did he easily see through Liang Song's strength, but he also noticed Liang Song's well-concealed limp. It was someone with a temperament somewhat like Liang Song, at the third transformation, and a limp; there was no one else it could be.

"How am I going to blend in?" Lin Zheyu whispered.

The member of the Forest Net Temple whom Lin Zheyu had killed had said that Ge Wuning intended to use Yan Jun's hand to kill Liang Song. He did not know whether this was true, but it was never wrong to be cautious.

Lin Zheyu was not worried that Yan Jun would make a move; he feared Yan Jun's strength might exceed his expectations.

"I must find a way in and warn Master Liang," Lin Zheyu said to himself.

Given Liang Song's cautious nature, a warning would make him more guarded and prevent him from falling into danger. Yan Jun was a well-known martial artist in Bafang City, famed for his gentlemanly reputation. Even if he intended to act, he would not do so publicly against Liang Song but would choose to strike in private.

Liang Song's attendance at Yan Jun's banquet indicated that the two were acquainted. If Yan Jun were truly dangerous and Liang Song was unprepared, he could easily fall victim to him.

The guards at the gate do not recognize every guest. They are lax with guests carrying ordinary invitations; as long as one holds an invitation, one can enter.

After observing the formation for a while, Lin Zheyu thought of a way to get in. His figure flickered and vanished from sight. When he reappeared, he was holding an ordinary invitation in his hand, his appearance now that of a plain-looking middle-aged man. He bore a faint resemblance to the man whose invitation he had taken.

"Mr. Guo, this way please." The guard gestured politely, directing Lin Zheyu toward the right-hand side.

"Thank you," Lin Zheyu replied and followed the servant's guidance to his assigned seat.

The unfortunate man whose invitation he had taken had come alone, likely without knowing many others there. Lin Zheyu glanced around, searching for Liang Song's figure. Before long, he spotted Liang Song in the section reserved for distinguished guests.

Master Liang seems to have quite a good relationship with Yan Jun?

Lin Zheyu was a little surprised.

The area where Liang Song sat was filled with guests of high status or those very close to Yan Jun. At a glance, nearly all of them were at the Blood Qi Realm. Even the weakest were at the peak of the Organ Forging Realm, and they appeared to be relatives of the Yan Family.

Blending into the crowd, Lin Zheyu quietly moved near Liang Song. He then casually walked past him, turned around, and returned to his seat.

"

Hm?

"

Liang Song was sitting leisurely at his seat, waiting for the banquet to begin. Then, out of nowhere, he received a folded note. Lin Zheyu's movements had been exceptionally discreet; his ability to conceal his aura was terrifyingly refined. Liang Song hadn't even noticed until the note was slipped into his hand.

Only then did Liang Song realize that someone had silently approached him, sending a cold sweat down his back. With his level of vigilance, he could normally detect anyone who came near. Yet Lin Zheyu had drawn close without making a sound. If Lin Zheyu had meant him harm, he would not even have known how he died.

What's going on?

Liang Song's heart filled with confusion, and another chill of sweat ran down his body. He could not help but turn his head toward the man who had given him the note, only to see the man smiling at him.

Damn it!

Liang Song cursed inwardly.

He did not know that man; the face was completely unfamiliar. He could not gauge the man's strength, but anyone who could approach so silently possessed a terrifying mastery of concealing their aura.

Who on earth is he? Has my identity been exposed? Why give me a note?

Clutching the note tightly, Liang Song furrowed his brow, confusion filling his mind. He could not help but glance again at Lin Zheyu, who was still smiling at him in a way that felt unsettling.

Liang Song took a long breath. Feigning nonchalance, he rose from his seat and headed toward the latrine. After entering the latrine and confirming that no one was secretly watching, he finally relaxed. Someone had silently approached him without him noticing, and it left him feeling utterly unsafe.

Yan Jun intends to kill you. Leave immediately.

Opening the note, he saw a line that left him completely baffled. The handwriting was unfamiliar as Lin Zheyu had deliberately used a different script. Liang Song examined it carefully and confirmed it wasn't from anyone he knew.

Yan Jun wants to kill me? Who is that man? Does he know who I really am?

Liang Song's confusion only deepened. Yan Jun and he had been friends for more than twenty years, so close they were practically brothers. Yet now, a powerful stranger had appeared beside him out of nowhere and slipped him a note, saying that Yan Jun wanted to kill him? What kind of sick joke was that?

Yan Jun wants to kill me?

Liang Song took a deep breath, his brows furrowing once more. Eliminating every other explanation, even the least likely possibility might still be true. If that stranger truly knew his identity and bore him a grudge, there was no need for such theatrics.

With that terrifying ability to conceal his aura, the man could have assassinated him silently with a high chance of success. There was no reason to go through all this trouble.

Could it be someone trying to sow discord between Yan Jun and me? But what would they gain from that?

Liang Song couldn't figure it out. After thinking it through repeatedly, he realized that Yan Jun wanting to kill him was, among all the possibilities, the most plausible one.

Liang Song fell silent.

Yan Jun wants to kill me? Why?

He couldn't make sense of it. They had known each other for over two decades, and Yan Jun was a man of integrity; how could he do such a thing?

Is it because of the Forest Net Temple? Could the Forest Net Temple have pressured the Yan Family?

Liang Song wondered to himself. That seemed the only explanation that made sense. He crumpled the note into a ball and threw it into the latrine.

Liang Song returned to his seat, his expression calm and composed as if nothing had happened. He then turned his head toward Lin Zheyu. Lin Zheyu smiled and nodded at him.

Will Master believe it?

Lin Zheyu couldn't tell, but he had already given the warning; even if Master Liang Song didn't believe it, he would at least become more cautious. If Yan Jun truly intended harm, Liang Song would be able to notice in advance and earn himself a chance of survival.

Before long, the banquet began.

"

Haha

, Liang Song! I knew you'd come to the banquet!" Yan Jun approached Liang Song's side, chuckling as he spoke in a low voice.

Beside him stood a stranger whose gaze rested on Liang Song with an unreadable look. Ordinarily, that would not have meant anything. But after reading the note's warning, Liang Song grew wary, feeling that the man beside Yan Jun looked somewhat familiar. There was a trace of malice in the way he looked at him.

"How could I refuse Old Yan's invitation?" Liang Song said with a smile.

Though he was in disguise, Yan Jun had seen this look a few times before and recognized him at a glance.

"Don't rush off after the banquet. Stay for a few drinks with me. We haven't seen each other for years. Last time I wanted to keep you for a drink, you turned me down. There's no excuse this time!"

Yan Jun laughed heartily, his face full of warmth, showing no sign of hostility or ill intent.

"What an unfortunate coincidence. I truly have matters to attend to later, so I can't stay. Next time, I'll make sure to host a meal myself as an apology," Liang Song said with a look of helplessness on his face.

If not for Lin Zheyu's note, he probably would have agreed without hesitation. But now, with caution in his heart and the sense that Yan Jun harbored ill intent, he refused without a second thought.