Gunzhou City.
Xian Ding Ji was a well-known old restaurant famous for its grilled pomfret and whole roasted lamb.
The combination of fish and lamb forms the character "Xian," which is the origin of the name Xian Ding Ji.
When Tea Jin stepped out of Xian Ding Ji, the sky was already starting to darken.
Behind her were two young servants, one carrying a stack of food boxes and the other carrying a jug of wine.
"I wonder if that guy is starving..." Tea Jin hired a carriage and quickly arrived at the street where Shu Shi Residence was located, accompanied by the two servants.
As soon as she got off the carriage, a handsome young man in a crimson robe suddenly approached her.
"Sister, I finally caught up with you," the handsome young man said with delight.
Tea Jin was momentarily stunned, feeling nervous inside. She quickly glanced around and asked, "Senior brother, how did you find me?"
The young man in front of her, named Lu Hao, was the one who had attempted to assassinate Su Yi with a talisman sword treasure back in Yunhe County.
He was also her senior brother.
"This is not the place to talk. Follow me," Lu Hao said gently.
With that, he took the lead and walked ahead.
"Wait here," Tea Jin quickly instructed the two servants carrying the food boxes and wine jug, then followed Lu Hao.
Meeting her senior brother Lu Hao in Gunzhou City should have made her happy.
But for some reason, she couldn't feel happy, only a sense of nervousness and anxiety filled her heart.
Before long, Lu Hao brought Tea Jin to a bustling teahouse and went straight to a tea table.
There was already a dignified young man dressed in white sitting there.
Lu Hao stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying, "Uncle Shi, sister is here."
"Uncle Shi, why are you here?" Tea Jin was even more surprised when she saw the young man in white.
Liu Hongqi.
A senior elder of the Outer Sect of the Great Wei Moon Sect and the youngest of the twelve senior elders of the Outer Sect, he was highly renowned.
He was only twenty-seven years old and already a triple Grandmaster!
It should be noted that the Great Wei Moon Sect was a cultivation force transcending the mundane world. Despite being only a triple Grandmaster, Liu Hongqi was far superior to his peers in the mundane world.
"I heard from nephew Lu Hao that you were in danger. The elders of the sect were concerned, so how could I remain indifferent?" Liu Hongqi smiled and said, "Or perhaps, I came specifically for that young man named Su Yi."
He was dressed in white, with a proper demeanor, and his pride emanated from within.
In fact, he had every reason to be proud. As one of the senior elders of the Outer Sect of the Great Wei Moon Sect, he could already look down on most martial arts masters in the mundane world.
"For Su Yi..." Tea Jin became even more nervous, disregarding everything else and whispered, "Uncle Shi, may I have a word with you?"
Liu Hongqi was taken aback, his smile gentle. "Between you and me, why be so polite? Don't be so distant."
Lu Hao, seeing this, felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart.
He had always liked Tea Jin, so naturally, he knew that Liu Hongqi had long harbored desires for Tea Jin as well.
Otherwise, this arrogant guy wouldn't have volunteered to come from the sect to help as soon as he received the news.
Tea Jin took a deep breath and said, "Please, Uncle Shi, leave quickly and don't stay within the borders of the Great Zhou Empire."
Liu Hongqi was taken aback and frowned after a moment. "Why?"
Tea Jin composed herself and said, "That Su Yi possesses vast supernatural powers and an unfathomable cultivation. If you become his enemy, Uncle Shi, you are highly likely to encounter unforeseen circumstances..."
Before she could finish, Liu Hongqi shook his head and smiled.
"So, that's what it is. It's all because of this Su Yi."
Lu Hao, who was beside them, also smiled and said, "Tea Jin, my senior brother is already aware of everything about Su Yi. He came prepared this time and can easily take care of that vile thief!"
"That's right. Su Yi's ability to withstand the attack of the talisman sword treasure with only the Qi Gathering Realm cultivation is indeed extraordinary. That's why I personally came here," Liu Hongqi calmly said, "You don't have to worry about this matter, Tea Jin."
Tea Jin felt a sense of despair in her heart and anxiously said, "Uncle Shi, the terrifying power of Su Yi is absolutely not as simple as you imagine. He..."
Lu Hao interrupted with a somewhat amused expression, "Junior sister, I told you before, you were scared by him. Moreover, do you really think that Senior Brother Liu is not his match?"
He couldn't wait for Liu Hongqi to take action and resolve Su Yi as soon as possible.
Tea Jin was at a loss for words, unable to provide a satisfactory answer to that question.
Liu Hongqi smiled faintly, took a sip from the teacup, and said, "Enough. I will handle this matter."
"Junior sister, you may not know yet, but Senior Brother and I have already heard about Su Yi's despicable act of abducting you to be his maidservant. Such behavior is absolutely unforgivable, and he deserves to be punished!" Lu Hao said coldly.
"How did you find out?" Tea Jin was taken aback.
"We went to Lantao Sha in Yunhe County on our way to Gunzhou City. This matter was easily investigated and couldn't be concealed," Lu Hao said, his eyes filled with a hint of pity. He spoke gently, "But don't worry, junior sister. Senior Brother and I will not let anyone else in the sect know about this matter that tarnishes your reputation."
Tea Jin's mind was in chaos, and she didn't know how to explain herself.
She was even more reluctant to speak about the matter of the Soul Bond.
But if she just let Liu Hongqi and Lu Hao go after Su Yi like this, it would be no different from sending them to their deaths.
What should she do?
"Let's go. We will find this Su Yi," Liu Hongqi stood up, his white clothes immaculate, displaying extraordinary elegance, attracting the attention of many people in the teahouse.
"No, absolutely not!" Tea Jin blurted out.
Liu Hongqi paused for a moment, sighing softly. "It seems like you were truly frightened by that despicable Su Yi. You've been forced to serve as his maidservant... It must have been a difficult time for you."
"Well..." Tea Jin was at a loss for words.
"The thing I hate the most is scoundrels who humiliate women. Lu Hao, lead the way. We'll kill that beast," Liu Hongqi said, his eyes filled with coldness as he placed his hands behind his back.
"Alright," Lu Hao nodded and took the lead, walking out of the teahouse.
"Do you know where he is?" Tea Jin was surprised and hurried to catch up.
"If we can find this place, naturally, we also know where he is now," Liu Hongqi smiled faintly, exuding an air of confidence in his strategies. "If it weren't for the concern of causing harm to you when we take action, we would have already killed that guy at a place called Shushi Residence."
Tea Jin's face slightly changed as she realized that Liu Hongqi and Lu Hao had not just arrived in Gunzhou City.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for them to even know about Shushi Residence.
Moreover, Gunzhou City was vast with a population of millions, yet they were able to find her so quickly. That was highly unusual.
"Liu Uncle, how did you manage to find us?" Tea Jin couldn't help but ask.
"When I left the sect, your master told me that with the power of the Cold Marrow Dark Jade, I could sense the aura of the 'Moon-devouring Twin Blades' you are wearing," Liu Hongqi casually revealed the secret.
"I see..." Tea Jin finally understood. The Moon-devouring Twin Blades were a pair of weapons bestowed upon her by her master. It made sense that they could use that method to find her.
Seeing Liu Hongqi and Lu Hao walking together into the alley where Shushi Residence was located, Tea Jin panicked and didn't have time to think further. She hurriedly followed them.
"Uncle..." Tea Jin was about to stop them, but Liu Hongqi gently interrupted, "Once we kill Su Yi, I will take you back to the sect."
With that, a loud bang echoed as Lu Hao kicked open the door of Shushi Residence nearby.
"Liu Uncle, please!" Lu Hao gestured to the side.
Liu Hongqi nodded and said, "You protect Tea Jin. I'll handle that guy myself."
With that, he leisurely entered Shushi Residence.
Tea Jin was infuriated to the point of madness. How many times had she tried to persuade him, but why couldn't he just listen?
She lifted her foot to rush into Shushi Residence but was blocked by Lu Hao. He said, "Junior Sister, if you go in, it will distract Liu Uncle. Let's wait here for good news from him."
His eyes were gentle, and his tone carried tenderness. "After we kill Su Yi, if you don't want to return to the sect with Liu Uncle, we can go to other places. Wherever you are, I will accompany you."
Tea Jin was frustrated to the point of going crazy.
What time is it? How does this guy still have the mind to say these things?
...
Inside Shushi Residence, near the lakeside.
"Brother Su, in ten days, the tea gathering initiated by Xiang Tianqiu will commence on the peak of the Western Mountain outside the city."
"At that time, the Governor's Office, the Red Scale Army, and the chiefs of the five major top-tier clans will all participate."
"It is called a tea gathering, but in reality, it's a competition between me and my second brother to see who can secure the position of the Governor of Gunzhou City."
Zhou Zhili Fei spoke rapidly, "Now, my uncle in the Zheng family has clearly expressed support for me, and Clan Chief Xue has promised to lend me a hand..."
Upon hearing this, Su Yi became somewhat impatient and waved his hand to interrupt, "No need to say all that. I only ask you, will there be a fight when the time comes?"
"Well..." Zhou Zhili Fei hesitated for a moment and said, "If negotiations fail, we will have to resort to combat to determine the outcome."
Su Yi sneered, "Verbal battles are often the weakest. In my opinion, it's inevitable that we'll have to fight when the time comes."
Just as he said that--
Bang!
A sound of a kicked door echoed.
Zhou Zhili Fei, Chang Guoke, and Zheng Tianhe all froze. What was happening?
Su Yi, sitting on a rattan chair, slightly furrowed his brow. He had just moved into Shushi Residence today, and someone was already causing trouble at his doorstep?
Soon, a young man dressed in white, with an imposing demeanor and a sheathed long sword hanging from his waist, walked over from a distance.
His figure was noble, extraordinary, and he exuded a unique charm with his flowing long hair.
"Liu Hongqi?"
Chang Guoke stood up abruptly, his eyes flickering with an electric light.
The Great Zhou Hidden Dragon Sword Sect and the Great Wei Moon Wheel Sect were old rivals with deep grievances. How could he not recognize the identity of this white-clad man?
Upon seeing Chang Guoke, Liu Hongqi paused his steps, furrowing his brows slightly in surprise. "Why are you here?"
Chang Guoke coldly snorted, "I want to ask who gave you the courage to infiltrate the territory of Great Zhou?"
"Senior Uncle Chang, who is this person who kicked the door?" Zhou Zhili Fei couldn't help but ask.
Chang Guoke answered without hesitation, "He is Liu Hongqi, the youngest elder of the outer sect of the Great Wei Moon Wheel Sect. He is a triple-Realm Master with the title of 'Jade Bright True Person.' His master is the Great Wei Moon Wheel Sect's Elder of the Highest Rank."
The Moon Wheel Sect!
Zhou Zhili Fei and Zheng Tianhe's faces changed simultaneously.
And Su Yi had a vague understanding.