"Sword Saint Long, you got any confidence in being able to cut us a way down to the sewers from where we currently are?"
"...…"
Considering the question seriously, Long Hua frowns.
(The front entrance of the hotel has three staircases leading down to the streets… That alone is already a lot to cut through, and that's not even including the entirety of the building's foundation…)
Doing a few calculations in his mind, Long Hua shakes his head. He can't even begin to imagine how much depth the foundation of this building could have.
"Lady Nian, your amateur sword saint here will have to disappoint you."
In actuality, the feat is probably doable, but that's on the condition that Long Hua unleashes his full cultivation base—while expending his entire reserve of spirit Qi.
"Guess I was hoping for too much."
As Nian Yao Yao heaves a sigh—
"They're coming back."
Seeing the figures of Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin coming up from behind the Long Yue family's forces, Tian Cheng prompts the group to prepare themselves.
"Quick, get into formation."
Dropping their food in union, the group stands up from the ground with Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao assuming their roles as hostages, to which, Long Hua remarks—
"…I was only kidding—since you said they wouldn't buy this cringeworthy act; didn't expect you all to really go through with it."
Towards this remark, Nian Yao Yao and Jing Yao replies—
"Well, it's worth a shot, at least?"
"I just followed everyone else…"
(This idiotic daughter of mine, just where did I go wrong in raising her?)
Seeing Nian Yao Yao working together with a person—who could potentially kill her without hesitation, Nian Tao Tao inwardly shakes her head at the idiocy that her daughter is demonstrating.
(Ai, the fact that she doesn't suspect him at all… If he's really someone from the Ling Yuan family, then he's quite an actor. Maybe I should call this idiotic daughter of mine back to the family estate to divulge a few more household secrets to her? Hmm.)
Thinking for a bit, Nian Tao Tao proceeds to clear her throat, and say—
"Hope you enjoyed your meal break, Sword Saint Long."
"Was quite decent. So, have you decided to comply with my demands?"
"You're all free to go. Stand aside."
In an orderly fashion, the Long Yue family's forces move to the sidelines—leaving only Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin in the center.
(Hm? With how much distance there is separating them from their guards—they are basically leaving themselves open to an attack when we pass them by.)
Despite this situation taking what seems to be a positive turn for them, Long Hua can't help but feel skeptical, as he looks to Nian Tao Tao with suspicion, and asks—
"And the car?"
"Outside—and warmed up for you."
(For real, she's buying this?)
(What's going on here?)
(This can't be the end of it all, can it?)
(She has plans to reorganize an attack later, right?)
Directing a look of distaste at the group, Nian Tao Tao folds her arms, and goes on to say—
"Drop the hostage act already. Even if you people don't have any sense of shame left—give some thought to the people who are forced to look at your foolery."
Towards Nian Tao Tao's biting remark, a begrudging expression appears on Nian Yao Yao's face, but ultimately, the latter asks—
"Well, she does have a point… What do you think?"
"Hmm."
Recalling what Nian Yao Yao had said before—about the Long Yue family being unprepared to engage them, Long Hua had to agree with her line of thought; so this could just be the other side taking a breather to better prepare themselves. However, as an extra means of precaution, he still turns to Zhui Yun, and—
"…Zhui Yun, take up the front."
Replying with a nod, Zhui Yun positions herself at the forefront of the group.
"…Tian Cheng, by my side."
"Understood."
Simultaneously, Long Hua and Tian Cheng lowered their swords, and moved themselves to the rear of the group.
Moving in union, the group arrives in front of Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin with less than a dozen meters of distance separating their party.
"Old hag, I'm assuming you plan to redo your attack later?"
"But of course. What else would you expect?"
Directing a glance at Nian Yao Yao, Nian Tao Tao answers as such without a hint of shame.
"…"
"…?"
Realizing that Nian Tao Tao has been keeping her eyes on him for the most part, Long Hua presses his brows together with a look of wariness, and asks—
"Is there something on my face, Madame Nian?"
"No."
Towards Nian Tao Tao's business smile, Long Hua's frown deepens.
(A person who will exploit another to their fullest—should she manage to grab onto your weakness… Dealing with people of her kind is really unpleasant.)
Is the impression that Long Hua has of Nian Tao Tao, which isn't very different from Nian Yao Yao.
"Sword Saint Long, how old are you this year?"
"Hm? 18, why?"
"Only 18 years of age?"
Reducing the distance between her and the other party, Nian Tao Tao walks over to Long Hua, and looks at him—in a way that is akin to a researcher examining an interesting piece of specimen.
With the flavor of her smile turning playful, Nian Tao Tao asks—
"Do you have any interest in finding a life companion?"
Towards the randomness of this question—
"…?"
Long Hua's immediate reaction was to take two steps back. A question of this nature is something that he is rather familiar with.
(Between shizun and I, I can't recall which of us had this question directed at us more often…)
"Lady Nian, is this what they call a honey trap?"
"Uh?"
Ignoring Zhui Yun and Nian Yao Yao, Long Hua asks—
"What kind of question is that?"
Towards the other party reacting with an expression of bewilderment, a light chuckle comes from Nian Tao Tao.
"A question asked out of curiosity, I suppose? If you like, I can introduce you to someone. My network is quite wide, so if you gave me your preferences, I'm certain—I'd be able to find someone to your liking."
Despite the playful nature of her smile, Nian Tao Tao doesn't seem to be joking around, to which, Long Hua replies—
"No need."
"Does that mean you already have someone in mind? Perhaps…?"
"Whether or not, two individuals—who have walked separate paths are able to come together is dependent on fate."
Seeing the subtle expression of bitterness on Long Hua's face, Tian Cheng tilted her head, and thought—
(That bitter look… Is it intentional, or…?)
"Hmm, a shame then. Well, the offer is always open if you ever change your mind."
Shaking her head in disappointment, Nian Tao Tao also takes a step back.
"Old hag, have you finally gone senile due to old age? Or are you just that bored?"
"My soon-to-be 200-year-old idiotic daughter, I'm perfectly stable in the head, so no need to be concerned."
"Quit bringing my age up…"
Towards Nian Yao Yao's rebellious attitude, Nian Tao Tao looks to the former with a motherly smile, and says—
"Should you feel like coming back to the estate to celebrate that occasion, I'm more than happy to call for a ceasefire."
"…?"
Meeting her mother's eyes, Nian Yao Yao freezes for a brief instance. Eventually, she replies—
"…I'll think about it. But I'd still be bringing a few guards with me."
"The more, the merrier—as they say. But do include a few actual friends among the people you're bringing with you. Otherwise, this old mother of yours is going to be concerned about you not having a social life outside of your business ambitions."
Hearing this, Nian Yao Yao's right eye twitches. What her mother has just said isn't very far from the truth.
"…Right, we're leaving."
Accompanying the group, Nian Tao Tao and Jing Yin walk with them out of the hotel.
Three staircases down—is a black SUV, and lining the sides of these staircases are linear bushes.
Dividing these staircases into three separate portions are two spacious landings.
"Even went as far as to clear the road for us. How nice."
Towards Nian Yao Yao's remark, Nian Tao Tao says—
"Feel free to ditch the car somewhere—if you think I put a tracker on it."
"Aren't you basically admitting that you did, by bringing it up? Well, whatever, goodnight."
Without looking back at Nian Tao Tao, Nian Yao Yao heads for the car—with her mind set on attempting to find New Moon Village as soon as they get far enough away from the former.
"Xiao Yao."
"Hm?"
Towards Jing Yin's call, Jing Yao turns her head around.
"…Take care of yourself."
"…You as well."
As the group descends the staircase, Nian Tao Tao keeps her eyes on her daughter's back, while Jing Yin raises a sigh.