Wu Long watched as a handsome middle-aged man with brown hair and regular brown eyes, wearing luxurious robes that were accentuated by imperial insignia entered the hall.
There were seven people around him, with one notable old man with white hair and relatively plain clothes for such an occasion following closely behind him on the right side while the others were quite visibly just guards.
In the eyes of the people, there was nothing out of the ordinary, apart from his status about the middle-aged man in the front but in Wu Long's eyes, he saw him differently, as profound patterns circulated, appearing and disappearing in Wu Long's eyes.
The Crown Prince was quite a bit younger and far more handsome, with azure hair and silver eyes.
'Heh, no wonder Bahshi do not dare to mess with that Song girl, they wouldn't risk poking the bear that nearly destroyed them along with half of this world during "the great calamity"...'
He chuckled as he thought to himself.
'It seems that the concerns of people of the empire's foundation being in jeopardy may be a trap for those whose ambitions do not withstand the temptation...'
When he met Bahshi Assassination Group he wondered why the attack on Song Lingfei, who seemed like a high-status target was not done by such professionals but by disguised warriors, now it all made sense.
He was now almost certain that the three empires were a front for three powers that survived the 'great calamity'. Two of them were known to him now, at least in assumption.
One of them was the aggressor of the war that caused the 'great calamity' here and in many other minor worlds, the Zu Clan of the Azure Eagle Spiritual Beast Race who the Bahshi Assassination Group provoked and who nearly wiped them out if Wu Long did not interfere.
They most likely were both left in shambles after the main battle as the main forces from both sides either perished or retreated, leaving only foot soldiers. As the world became fractured and isolated, chances are they decided to forge a truce, since they very well could both perish if they continued.
He was not certain if Bahshi backed another empire, since that usually was not their style, but from the description of the giant tree earlier he was pretty sure about the identity of the other group.
The man he was seeing now was not a pure Spiritual Beast but a descendant between a Spiritual Beast and a human.
Spiritual Beasts were considered a separate race, and not strictly part of beasts. They could take human form in higher realms and had high intelligence. Their bodies were naturally predisposed to cultivation, and they have cultivated long before humans did.
He could not see through Song Lingfei's identity fully since he only had his perception, and could not yet use Chaos Origin Eyes that he was using now.
The banquet continued as the Crown Prince first made his greetings to the Ye family, and then to the other people around him.
Sometime later, in the garden, Crown Prince was standing on a platform with a pagoda roof in the middle of the pond, connected by a wooden bridge to the land, looking at the scenery and taking a break from talking with the other guests.
There were guests in the surrounding garden, as the official part of the banquet was over, and it was now time for socializing, as the guests have spread throughout the manor.
Only the old man stood at the same distance and angle behind him on the platform, while the guards were on and before the wooden bridge.
Sui Luxiao approached with Wu Long, greeting the guards who recognized her, and after seeing the half-turned head of the Crown Prince nod, they let them through.
"Sui Luxiao of the Soaring Feather Trading Company greets your highness, the Crown Prince"
Sui Luxiao made a formal greeting, as the man turned around and nodded.
"It has been a few days, Matriarch Sui. You really are making it difficult on us, my father has been having a headache about your decision recently"
He said with a slight smile.
"I would not dare..."
She humbly smiled, starting to make polite small talk with him before moving on to slightly turn to Wu Long.
"Pardon me for introducing him late, this is Wu Long. He has recently helped me with some matters, so I have offered him to attend this evening with me"
She casually introduced him as he cupped his hands, not exactly lowering himself, but an acceptable gesture from a martial artist as they generally were not under the authority of countries and were part of a separate world like the sects.
"I would like to speak to your friend here if you do not mind Matriarch Sui, I promise I will not keep him from you for long"
The Crown Prince nodded and said to Sui Luxiao who immediately excused herself naturally.
They looked at each other in silence for some time.
"It has been some time since we met"
The old man beside the Crown Prince opened his mouth, looking at Wu Long with mixed feelings, but an overall smug look as he was now not hiding his status.
He was also anticipating the reaction from Wu Long, as he never showed his face to him and was looking forward to the conversation he already constructed in his head the moment he noticed Wu Long in the banquet hall.
However, Wu Long did not look at him but stared into the eyes of Song Minfu, who was also absorbed in introspection and seemed to even not notice or pay much attention as he was organizing his thoughts.
As the old man felt some light irritation he only opened his mouth before the Crown Prince opened up the conversation.
"I must admit, I am intrigued by the reason a person from 'The Great Seductress's sect has approached me. But I will first express my gratitude for your help when my daughter was attacked"
"The great Seductress?" Wu Long raised his eyebrow as the old man lost his chance to participate in the conversation and started perfecting his art of being one with the world, while a look of being betrayed appeared on him when he looked at the Crown Prince while fading into the surroundings.
"You do not know your own sect leader? I heard you were affiliated with the Yin Yang Unity Palace...", this time it was Song Minfu's turn to raise his eyebrow.
"Ahem, I do have to admit that I never met her, and I never heard of that title" Wu Long cleared his throat as he felt somewhat mystified at the fact that such a powerful figure knew, and was even somewhat apprehensive of the Palace Master. It seems the sect master of the Yin Yang Unity Palace was not as simple as he thought based on what he saw of the sect.
"Hmm, interesting", Song Minfu said looking even more intrigued. He thought that someone with Wu Long's talents was in the inner circle, and thus more knowledgeable about the sect master of the Yin Yang Unity Palace than what is known by the general public.
"Regardless, that makes me even more interested in why you are approaching me if you are not sent by her", he said.
"To be honest, it is not that intriguing, I just have a favor to ask of you" Wu Long switched his mind back to his goal.
"A favor? Heh, not many people would approach me to ask me for favors, and even fewer are capable of receiving one from me. But showing consideration to my daughter I will at least hear you out"
"It is quite simple, I want to kill a man"
"You want me to kill someone for you?"Song Minfu asked in bewilderment.
"No, I want to personally kill him, I just want your permission so that I don't face repercussions," Wu Long said without batting an eye.
"Hmm, who is it?" Song Minfu was completely taken off guard by this conversation, so he pondered a bit and asked tentatively.
"..."
Wu Long opened his mouth and then a look of confusion appeared on his face, causing a look of confusion to appear on Song Minfu's face.
They looked at each other in confusion for a moment, before Wu Long made a somewhat awkward smile.
"I don't remember his name..."
As he said those words the look of bewilderment on the Crown Prince's face intensified, while Wu Long continued the sentence.
"... but he recently became a trading company owner, the Exquisite Peacock Trading Company"
Song Minfu's jaw almost dropped.
"You want to kill..."
And then a look of confusion appeared on his face, making a look saying 'See? you can't remember either' appear on Wu Long's face.
"...ahem, you want to kill Sui Luxiao's former husband?"
Song Minfu cleared his throat refusing to acknowledge that look.
"Yes"
After Wu Long's nod, Song Minfu went silent, seemingly reflecting on the conversation so far.
"... I cannot allow it"
He finally said. He did not even bother to ask for the reasons because he would not allow it whatever the reasoning was.
"Really? What if I said that he committed treason by contracting Bahshi Assassination Group?"
Wu Long said, prompting Song Minfu's eyes open wide with astonishment.
"You!... How do you know that name?"
He asked, now even more on alert.
"It does not really matter, I was nearly killed by their assassins not long ago in this capital, and the employer was... the man I want to kill"
He replied, causing Song Minfu to look at him with an intense gaze but also pondering on his words.
"While we do have our hostilities with the Bahshi as you seem to somehow know, we do not prohibit their operation as long as they do not touch our bottom line"
He finally said, denying Wu Long's reasoning that was just a guess.
"Hmm, okay then, if you allow me this favor I will cure your daughter"
Wu Long said after his first approach failed, as he knew that it might, after all, a deduction was just a deduction, he did not actually know if it was treason to hire them, but it seems it was not.
This caused Song Minfu to show a strong reaction as well. He heard from his daughter that a mysterious young man offered his help with her condition, but it was just too hard to believe. But now that he was offering it to him, it seemed as if he really had a solution. Besides, the imperial family had a very sensitive information network, and he knew Wu Long was somehow helping Sui Luxiao cure a condition no doctor could identify, so the credibility of his offer was by no means low. And at this point where they exhausted almost any other options, even if it was not he was willing to grasp even a straw.
"...Do you really have a method?"
He asked tentatively. Not immediately rejecting the offer to exchange the life of a man for his daughter's.
"I do. I will have to find some medicines and some time, but it is definitely curable. If you want some assurance I will tell you the cause of the condition.
Your daughter's condition is the incompatibility of cultivation, I didn't know previously, only sensing the symptoms, but it seems it is caused by the fact she was born with a mutation that reverted her bloodline to its ancestral origin, making it closer to the blood of a Spiritual Beast than most, if not all of your family. She used human cultivation methods with that bloodline, which causes her severe pain and damage the higher her cultivation base"
He said as a look of astonishment, alarm, and at the same enlightenment appeared on Song Minfu's face.
Astonishment and alertness at the fact that Wu Long accurately guessed their bloodline origin, and enlightenment as to the cause of his daughter's condition.
He also now had assurance that this young man will be able to cure his daughter, as no one previously was even able to tell the causes of her problem.
He looked at Wu Long silently for some time, and then slowly but firmly nodded.
"Alright, but I will need to come up with a plausible reason, when do you want to kill him?"
"Tonight on this banquet"
"...???!!?!?!"
Song Minfu looked at Wu Long who was still as calm and tranquil with befuddlement.
"You want to kill him in the Ye Family Manor on the night of their celebration?"
"It is the only option for you to naturally be able to sweep it under the rug before the matter starts to be investigated and brought to the attention of the Imperial Family beside you. If you nip the commotion in the bud by declaring the matter over, it will just end here. I will be leaving the capital shortly after the banquet so I do not have much time. I will visit you for the treatment of your daughter later, you know where I am anyway"
Wu Long casually explained, causing Song Minfu to nod in recognition that it did sound logical.
"Haa... okay, I will come up with a reason and give you the signal during the second part of the banquet"
Eventually, Song Minfu said with a sigh.
Wu Long nodded and disappeared in the direction Sui Luxiao left earlier.
Song Minfu stood there for a bit in contemplation.
"Do you think he is trustworthy?"
He finally said. An old man started to appear beside him.
"Well if you are interested in my opinion, I cannot say I trust him"
The old man said somewhat begrudgingly.
"Haa, we don't really have much choice, it has already been years since we found any decent thread to pursue..."
Song Minfu sighed and said, still in a contemplative mood.
"If Your Highness says so..."
The old man grumbled in a low voice.
"Hmm? Ren, why are you sulking?"
"I am not sulking, your highness"
The Crown Prince looked at the clearly sulking old man for some time with puzzlement but knew that he would be like that for a while and there is nothing he could do as always, so he looked at the scenery again, returning to his contemplation.