Chapter 180: Crossing Hands (I)

At the banquet, Liang Song watched Yan Jun leave with a smiling face. Though his expression remained calm, a faint sense of unease rose in his heart. He had specifically told Yan Jun to call him by his alias, Mei Nan, the next time they met.

There were many people who shared the name Liang Song, but since he had recently provoked the Forest Net Temple and gone to the trouble of disguising himself, he didn't want to risk exposing his true identity. Yet, ignoring all of that, Yan Jun had called out his real name.

Was it intentional? Or was it just Yan Jun being his usual careless self?

Liang Song's thoughts turned rapidly.

He had already begun to believe what was written on the note and was planning to leave halfway through the banquet. After all, it was merely the full month's celebration for Yan Jun's great-grandson. Even if he had misunderstood Yan Jun, leaving midway through would not seem too discourteous.

"I am He Tian, a friend of Brother Yan. May I ask for your name, sir?" The man who had come with Yan Jun did not leave but instead sat down beside Liang Song.

"I wouldn't dare claim a grand title. You may simply call me Liang Song," Liang Song said with a calm tone.

Much of his unease stemmed from this very man before him. Though the man looked unfamiliar, he gave Liang Song an extremely unsettling feeling. There was no clear reason for this feeling, but he trusted his instincts. After the warning from that mysterious cultivator earlier, he was on edge over every unusual detail at the banquet.

"Brother Liang, your strength seems impressive, but your face is unfamiliar. You're not a local, are you?" He Tian asked with a cheerful smile.

"You guessed wrong, Brother He. My family has lived for generations in the mountains outside Bafang City, making a living through hunting. It's natural that you haven't seen me before," Liang Song replied with a smile, showing not the slightest hint of abnormality.

At the banquet, more and more guests arrived. Many of them were prominent figures and influential factions from Bafang City, so numerous that even Yan Jun couldn't recognize them all. Lin Zheyu blended into the crowd without drawing any attention, except from Liang Song.

"These dishes are quite good! They're even better than those at the Jufeng Pavilion restaurant, and many are made from ferocious beast meat," Lin Zheyu remarked in delight.

He savored each bite, unable to stop praising the food. He had only come to warn Liang Song and take advantage of a free meal; the full month celebration itself held no interest for him. While others went forward to socialize, Lin Zheyu quietly stayed seated, enjoying the feast in peace.

***

In the backyard of the Yan Residence.

The man named He Tian was standing beside Yan Jun. The two whispered to each other, as if plotting something in secret.

"That Liang Song seems wary and is planning to leave early," He Tian said coolly.

"I know. Don't worry. Since I've agreed to your request, I'll personally make sure he's captured," Yan Jun replied with an unreadable expression.

"If we're going to act, now's the time." He Tian glanced toward the departing Liang Song and said with a chuckle.

He reached up and peeled off a layer of makeup from his face, revealing an older, more familiar visage beneath. It was the face of Ge Wuning.

"There's no rush. He won't get away. Let him run for a bit, and we'll follow soon enough," Yan Jun said flatly. He would never make a move near his own residence. He had spent years building his reputation, and he couldn't risk ruining it over this matter.

Outside, Lin Zheyu's gaze had been following Liang Song the entire time. When he saw Liang Song rise to leave, he stood up and followed. Liang Song didn't bid Yan Jun farewell directly; he simply informed a nearby maid and left at once.

Once outside the Yan Residence, he caught a glimpse of Lin Zheyu from the corner of his eye and then activated his Golden Goose Technique, moving faster and faster. Liang Song had no idea who the mysterious person who warned him was, but being cautious by nature, his first instinct was not to seek them out, but to leave as quickly as possible.

What speed!

Noticing that Lin Zheyu was closely tailing him, Liang Song's expression grew more serious. No matter how much he accelerated, the other man kept exactly ten meters behind; not too far, and not too close.

"My friend, won't you stop for a word?" Using a calm, steady tone, Lin Zheyu said, "I mean you no harm. I was entrusted by someone to come and help you."

Seeing that Liang Song had no intention of stopping, Lin Zheyu sighed helplessly. His master was far too cautious; even now, instead of stopping, he kept heading toward crowded areas, trying to shake him off.

If Lin Zheyu truly wanted to, he could have caught up in moments. But to avoid embarrassing or alarming him, he maintained that same respectful distance.

"You know the person who sent me; his name is Lin Zheyu," he added.

"

Hm?

"

Upon hearing that name, Liang Song finally stopped.

Liang Song turned to face Lin Zheyu, brow furrowed, unable to help but ask, "Lin Zheyu sent you?"

He had considered many possibilities, but never thought that this matter could be connected to Lin Zheyu. As Lin Zheyu's master, he knew his disciple well. Though the boy's natural talent was exceptional and his comprehension remarkable, he had only trained for about a year. At best, he was at the Organ Forging Realm. Yet the power of the one pursuing him was formidable enough that even he found it troubling.

"That's right. I am Ye Liangchen, from the Central Plains. By chance, I met a martial prodigy named Lin Zheyu. I wish to bring him to the Central Plains, where his true potential can shine.

"But no matter what I said, the boy refused. He insisted on staying here to look for his master. So I made a deal with him. I would help him find his master and avenge his master's enemies, then he would follow me to the Central Plains to join the Ye Family," Lin Zheyu said calmly.

This was an excuse he had already prepared—using his own name as Lin Zheyu, to ask a powerful expert for help in avenging his master.

"Ye Liangchen... the Ye Family?"

Hearing this, Liang Song was slightly taken aback. He had heard of the Ye Family's reputation. It was an ancient and powerful family from the Central Plains, known for their terrifying strength. If Lin Zheyu could truly join such a family, it would be a great boon for his future. However, Liang Song didn't want Lin Zheyu to join the Ye Family through a debt of gratitude on his behalf.

"Thank you for your assistance," Liang Song said in a clear, steady voice.

"Go on then. Tell me who your enemy is, and I'll deal with them along the way," Lin Zheyu said, maintaining an air of aloof confidence.

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"There's no need to trouble yourself with this matter. I am grateful for your earlier aid. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to ask. But this has nothing to do with that boy, Lin Zheyu," Liang Song said calmly, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

He very much wanted to find Lin Zheyu, yet he feared that doing so might lead his enemies to the boy's residence and bring disaster upon him. At the banquet in the Yan Residence earlier, he had come into contact with Yan Jun and the man called He Tian. It was entirely possible that tracking powder had been placed on him. Until he could remove it, Liang Song would not go to see Lin Zheyu.

Lin Zheyu remained silent. Seeing that Liang Song refused his help, he could only sigh helplessly. He had even gone to the trouble of creating a fake identity, yet Liang Song still wouldn't accept his aid. If only he'd thought to claim that Senior Brother Han Mo had sent someone to help, then Liang Song might have accepted it right away.

I'll just follow him for now. With my master's level of strength, he won't be able to shake me off anyway.

Lin Zheyu shrugged, then moved his feet lightly and continued tailing him.

***

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Within Bafang City, four figures darted through the streets at incredible speed. Leading them was none other than Yan Jun, the host of the banquet at the Yan Residence earlier. Following behind him were Ge Wuning, Ge Bing, and Wu Shentao.

"Father, we've waited so long before giving chase. What if he's already gotten away?" Ge Bing muttered quietly.

"Silence!" Ge Wuning snapped under his breath. "Yan Jun's a veteran of the Martial World, a Marrow Refining Realm martial artist with decades of experience. How could he make such a rookie mistake? You're the foolish one. Don't assume everyone else is as dull as you."

Ge Wuning glared at Ge Bing and scolded him in a low voice. His son had decent martial talent, but his head wasn't exactly sharp, and he often said thoughtless things.

"I was just asking, so why so serious?" Ge Bing mumbled in protest, feeling wronged, then fell silent and followed behind his father and Uncle Wu at full speed.