Chapter 365: Peeling Back the Layers, A Show of Force
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
The bushes swayed, making a faint rustling sound.
Several figures moved stealthily through the undergrowth, holding their breath, slowly approaching the villa.
Then, the person in the lead discreetly formed hand seals, and with a flicker of light, their figures seemed to be covered by an invisible cloth, their presence completely concealed.
Now, with officials and nobles, and members of the Hua family, at the front gate and main hall, diverting attention, Tan Zisheng and the others had no time to worry about the villa’s security, leaving it unguarded, the perfect opportunity to infiltrate.
“Remember not to alert the enemy. After capturing a few maids, find our target and administer the ‘secret medicine’.”
“Yes.”
After this brief and hushed exchange, the figures quickly emerged from the bushes, leaping and moving swiftly like phantoms.
They easily scaled the high walls of the villa, infiltrating without a hitch.
The leader gestured, and they were about to disperse.
But—
A graceful figure stood before them.
Her skirt fluttered, her hair swayed, and just a glimpse of her breathtakingly beautiful face was enough to make them freeze, stunned and mesmerized.
“Hey~”
The red-haired beauty raised her hand slightly and greeted them with a smile: “This villa is quite lively today, not only are there endless streams of distinguished guests at the front gate, but there are even people trying to sneak in through the cracks in the walls.”
“…”
“Should I say that Miss Hua is so beautiful that she attracts so much unwanted attention?”
Chi Lingyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she smiled, flicking her finger.
Whoosh—!
A sharp whistling sound echoed as the frozen figures hurriedly raised their hands to block, but the gust of wind that struck them shattered their concealment techniques, even ripping off the veils covering their faces, revealing their surprised and uncertain expressions.
“How… how is this possible—”
“Oh?”
Chi Lingyuan raised an eyebrow with interest: “It seems it’s not just Miss Hua who’s so beautiful, Master Lin is also quite charming, attracting even young ladies.”
Among the figures that had appeared before her, there were two women.
Having their disguises and true appearances exposed, the assassins’ faces changed, and after a quick exchange of glances, they scattered, displaying impressive speed and agility.
Not only were they skilled in Yin techniques, but they also possessed some martial arts training.
Chi Lingyuan casually assessed them and then raised her finger, saying softly: “Stay.”
Hum!
Several golden-red chains materialized beside her and shot out, quickly binding the fleeing assassins and pulling them back.
“You—”
But before they could speak in shock and anger, Chi Lingyuan snapped her fingers, and the chains also bound their mouths.
Then, as the assassins stared blankly, she beckoned towards the distance: “Come out.”
“Y-Yes!”
Three young women dressed as maids quickly ran over from the corner of the corridor.
Their faces were filled with a mix of apprehension, surprise, and excitement, as if eager to try something, they stood up straight: “Miss Chi, what are your orders?”
Chi Lingyuan said calmly, brushing her hand: “Same as usual, take them away and lock them up. If the storage room is full, just find another empty room.”
“Alright!”
The maids responded in unison, charming smiles on their faces.
“Mmph!”
“Don’t bother! Our Young Miss has already seen through your schemes!” A young maid, about fifteen or sixteen years old, chuckled and tugged on the chains: “There are already about twenty ‘guests’ tied up in the storage room, you won’t be lonely.”
“Mmph?!” Their eyes widened in terror.
But in the end, they could only struggle and moan as they were dragged away by the maids.
…
On the other side of the villa.
A faint mist lingered in the spacious bathhouse.
Hua Shuya, dressed in a thin undergarment, entered the bathhouse, her hair tied up, her beautiful figure faintly visible in the steam, an alluring sight.
Looking up, she saw four young maids already kneeling by the pool, also dressed in white bathrobes, smiling sweetly and bowing: “Sixth Miss, please enter the bath, we will wash you clean.”
Beside them were various flower petals, milk, honey, and other fragrant ingredients, being added to the slightly steaming water, a sweet and elegant fragrance filling the air.
“D-Do we really have to…”
As Hua Shuya murmured, two graceful figures emerged from behind her.
Mao Ruoyu took her arm, smiling as she led her towards the bath, and chuckled: “Now that you’re about to be married, you, as the bride, are the most important person, so naturally, you have to bathe and dress up carefully. So you can meet your husband tonight smelling sweet and looking beautiful~”
“Indeed.”
Cheng Yishi frowned slightly and murmured: “Ruoyu and I went through the same thing, being bathed by Martial Aunt and that First Elder for a long time, a truly memorable experience.”
“A-Alright—”
Hua Shuya sighed with a wry smile and let them lead her into the bath.
The maids quickly helped her remove her clothes, and warm water poured over her shoulders, droplets rolling down her smooth and fair skin, falling into the pool.
The maids couldn’t help but gasp in admiration, as if they were holding a precious treasure, murmuring: “Sixth Miss’s figure and skin are truly flawless, even smoother and more delicate than jade, far surpassing the finest silk!”
One of them glanced at Mao Ruoyu, whose ample bosom was almost spilling out of her bathrobe, swaying enticingly with every step, and her eyes widened: “This… Madam Mao’s figure is truly astonishing!”
“Why are you suddenly talking about me?” Mao Ruoyu smiled helplessly, helping Hua Shuya into the bath, and bent down to massage her shoulders, chuckling: “We have to make our bride smell sweet and fragrant~”
“Yes, yes!”
The maids quickly came back to their senses and started applying soap and herbs, the fragrance in the bathhouse intensifying, mingling with the steam, creating a suggestive and alluring atmosphere.
But just then, a strange noise suddenly came from outside, like something heavy falling to the ground with a thud.
“Ah?!”
The maids were startled and almost screamed.
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi’s expressions changed drastically, and they quickly grabbed their bathrobes to cover themselves, staring warily towards the window.
And Hua Shuya stood up abruptly from the pool, putting on her bathrobe, her fingers pointing downwards, a faint sword light flickering, and she shouted coldly: “Who dares trespass on the villa?! Get out of here!”
As soon as she finished speaking, her face turned cold as she focused her energy, gathering her power and Yin energy on her fingertips, ready to strike the intruder down the moment they appeared.
If they dared to tarnish their reputations… she would take their head!
“Ah… w-wait!”
A panicked voice quickly came from outside the window.
“Calm down, Shuya, it’s me!”
“—Eh?”
Hua Shuya’s angry expression instantly vanished, and she blinked her beautiful eyes blankly: “Master?”
“Husband?!” Mao Ruoyu stood up slightly from the pool, puzzled: “Why are you outside the bathhouse…?”
“Cough! I just saw a kitten fall from the roof and tried to save it, but I slipped and fell.” Lin Tianlu’s awkward and apologetic voice came from outside: “You can continue bathing, I’ll go and release the kitten.”
“Kitten?”
The maids, clutching their wet robes, exchanged puzzled glances.
There were no cats in the villa, where did the kitten come from?
—Thump!
Another thud echoed, making the women in the room jump in surprise: “Wh-What was that?!”
The sound had come from a completely different direction than where the Young Master was!
“Ah… n-no need to worry!”
But Lin Tianlu’s apologetic voice quickly came again: “It was the mother cat! I’ll take them both away from the villa, so they don’t disturb you.”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered, and she stood up abruptly with concern: “Then we’ll have to trouble you, husband. If those wild cats leave their scent here, more might come later.”
“It’s fine.”
Lin Tianlu seemed relieved and continued: “You can continue bathing, I’ll be leaving now.”
A moment later, the outside became quiet again.
The maids finally relaxed slightly, patting their chests: “That truly scared me, I thought some thief had broken in.”
“With Mother Tan here, who would dare to cause trouble in this villa?” Cheng Yishi quickly smiled gently: “Alright, ladies, let’s continue bathing Shuya.”
“Shuya, you should sit down, you can’t just stand there naked.” Mao Ruoyu chuckled and pushed her back into the pool.
With the two madams’ reassurances, the atmosphere in the bathhouse quickly returned to its previous lightheartedness and playful banter.
But the maids, mustering their courage, couldn’t help but ask about “Master Lin.”
As they chatted and laughed, the maids’ eyes sparkled, their hearts fluttering.
…
Meanwhile, outside the bathhouse.
Lin Tianlu tightened the chains binding the two women and said with a frown: “Truly audacious, to dare sneak into Princess Anqing’s villa.”
“Mmm!”
But they could only moan, their mouths gagged.
The noises earlier had naturally been a ruse to capture these two assassins.
“It seems this wedding has attracted some unwanted attention.”
Yun Yue’s figure quietly appeared not far away, and with a wave of her sleeve, three men, tied up like rice dumplings, were dropped onto the ground, seemingly unconscious.
She frowned slightly and mused: “I just interrogated them briefly, these men were sent by the fifteenth prince, they’re not practitioners, just ordinary martial artists.
But the two women you captured do know some Yin techniques, Tianlu, although their cultivation is shallow… Many factions are trying to plant spies and lay traps here, this peaceful villa has become the center of the storm.”
“I happen to have some free time, so I’ll play with them for a while.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “Why don’t you go and keep Shuya and the others company, Yue’er? I’ll take care of the trouble here—”
“Since it’s your wedding, I won’t let anyone disturb it.”
Yun Yue’s eyes flickered, and a gentle and tranquil smile appeared on her face: “I’ll help you, Tianlu, and resolve this trouble before nightfall, so it doesn’t spoil your wedding night.”
Lin Tianlu was silent for a moment, a look of guilt appearing on his face.
He whispered: “I haven’t even given you a proper wedding yet, Yue’er, and you’re already worrying about me.”
Yun Yue’s figure flickered and appeared beside him like a phantom, smiling gently as she straightened his clothes and whispered softly: “I’ve lived for a thousand years, I’m past the age of needing a wedding, as long as you’re happy, that’s enough.
But if anyone dares to bother you, I’ll naturally teach them a lesson.”
Lin Tianlu took Yun Yue’s hand and said with emotion: “You’re becoming more and more like an older sister, Yue’er, always so considerate and caring.”
“If we’re talking about age, I am indeed your elder.”
Yun Yue chuckled softly, her eyes seemingly filled with sweet affection: “But being called ‘sister’ does feel… strangely pleasant. I’ll have to let Ruoyu and the others rely on me more in the future.”
Her eyes suddenly flickered, and she whispered mischievously: “But that Miss Chihuang seems to be getting along quite well with you, Tianlu.”
“Uh——”
Seeing Lin Tianlu’s embarrassed expression, she quickly smiled gently: “I’ll go and set up a formation around the villa to keep those mortal martial artists out.”
Saying this, Yun Yue transformed into a fragrant breeze and disappeared.
Lin Tianlu touched his chest, still feeling her warmth and concern, and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
It seemed he was truly becoming more and more of a… scoundrel.
“—Young Master, please forgive us!”
Just then, several nimble and agile maids rushed over, kneeling down and cupping their hands, their faces filled with shame: “We were negligent in our duties and allowed these villains to sneak into the villa, almost causing a disaster, we deserve to die!”
“Please rise, ladies.”
Lin Tianlu put aside his thoughts and chuckled, helping them up: “This villa is quite large, it’s difficult to guard every corner. Besides, some of those assassins are quite skilled, it’s not your fault that you didn’t notice them.”
“Y-Young Master…”
The maids looked apprehensive, but Lin Tianlu just smiled and continued:
“Just return to your posts and continue patrolling, I’ll deal with these villains with Mother Tan.”
They were slightly stunned, but after a moment of silence, they responded in unison: “Yes, Young Master!”
…
In a side hall of the villa.
This place was originally used to entertain high-ranking officials and nobles, but with more people gathered outside the villa than expected, Tan Zisheng had invited everyone except the Hua family members here to make arrangements.
The hall was now filled with officials and nobles, and outside in the courtyard were mountains of gold, silver, jewels, and lavish gifts, a display of goodwill.
However—
Mother Tan silently took a sip of tea, her cold gaze sweeping over the people in the hall. Although their expressions were carefully controlled, their true intentions…
…were clear to her.
“Princess, we’ve been waiting for a long time, please bring out Master Lin.”
“Yes! We’ve long heard of Master Lin’s great name, but we didn’t witness it firsthand at the Qingyang Grand Ceremony, we want to see what kind of extraordinary abilities this young man, praised by Prince Hua, possesses!”
“Princess, please don’t make things difficult for us.”
“…”
Such requests became increasingly frequent.
Mother Tan’s heart turned cold, her gaze icy, and she was about to give them an order to leave when a gentle and refined chuckle suddenly echoed from outside.
“I wasn’t aware of your arrival, esteemed guests, I apologize for the lack of hospitality, please forgive me.”
“Hmm?!”
Many people looked towards the voice and saw Lin Tianlu appearing at the entrance of the courtyard.
“Oh? Could this be… the rumored Master Lin?”
“It’s him!”
“Hmph!”
A middle-aged man suddenly snorted coldly: “You, Lin Tianlu, are truly audacious! Do you think that with some martial arts skills, you can disrespect your elders and ignore etiquette, making us wait here for half an hour?!”
Hearing this, some people in the hall murmured in agreement.
The previously lively and harmonious atmosphere suddenly turned tense, a sharp hostility emerging.
Or rather, most of the people here had come with this intention.
“Please forgive me.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently, waving his sleeve and cupping his hands: “I was delayed by some matters, that’s why I’m late.”
Another man stood up abruptly, pointing at him and scolding: “What matter could be so important that you would disregard basic respect and etiquette?!”
Mother Tan’s eyes narrowed dangerously, her eyebrows furrowing, her right hand clenching tightly inside her sleeve, as if she was about to slam her hand on the table.
“This matter… isn’t exactly big, but it’s not small either.”
But Lin Tianlu smiled and beckoned.
Then, chains suddenly descended from the roof.
Accompanied by cries of surprise, dozens of figures fell, crashing awkwardly to the ground, unable to get up.
“Th-This is—”
Almost everyone in the hall stood up in shock, their faces filled with disbelief.
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly, spreading his hands: “Esteemed guests, your ‘missing’ servants and assassins are all here, please take them home. Remember to keep them on a tight leash in the future, so they don’t run around and bite people, causing trouble and harming the innocent.”
The captured assassins and spies, who had regained consciousness, lowered their heads shamefacedly, remaining silent.
But the officials, nobles, and imperial relatives in the hall were even more embarrassed, they wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say.
“I know there are many assassins and spies mixed together, and it might be difficult for you to distinguish them, esteemed guests.”
Lin Tianlu glanced sideways, and several young maids quickly approached, handing out a list.
“After some interrogation, we’ve recorded their masters’ names and identities. I’ll call out their names, and please come forward to claim them one by one, please don’t create a commotion.”
After a moment of silence, angry shouts erupted in the hall.
“You, you… Lin Tianlu… you’ve gone too far!!”
“Truly arrogant!”
“Someone, capture this brat!”
But just as their personal guards were about to draw their swords, they froze, their eyes wide with terror.
An invisible pressure… had suddenly enveloped the entire villa!
“I believe I’ve already told you all—”
The smile on Lin Tianlu’s face didn’t fade, but under this oppressive pressure, it seemed like the wrath of a god, a single glance seemingly piercing through their souls, making them tremble uncontrollably!
“—To… follow the rules.”
An unimaginable fear washed over them like a tsunami, as if divine might had descended upon them!
The officials and nobles’ faces turned pale, their hearts trembling, all their thoughts and schemes instantly vanishing, replaced by fear and awe.
They swallowed hard, cold sweat dripping from their faces, and turned to look at Mother Tan, who had slowly stood up.
“Take your dogs and get out of my villa!”
“…”
After a deathly silence.
The officials and nobles hurriedly left, their legs moving quickly, as if they couldn’t wait to escape from this place.
The assassins and spies, freed from their chains, also scrambled to their feet and fled in terror.
In the blink of an eye, the previously crowded hall became quiet again.
And as they “escaped” from the villa, they gasped for breath in relief, their hearts still pounding.
They were helped into their carriages by their servants and quickly fled, but some ghost practitioners and even demons and ghosts, after calming down, looked back.
Then, they saw an invisible ripple spreading from the villa.
As the ghost practitioners watched in horror, a massive barrier enveloped the entire villa, and a red light shot into the sky, transforming into the phantom of a phoenix, its wings spread wide, its clear cry echoing, a wave of power washing over them.
“H-How is this possible—”
And that wasn’t all.
An incredibly terrifying surge of Yin energy erupted from the peaks of the three mountains surrounding the villa, reaching into the sky, a powerful demonic aura descending, enveloping the area.
Just a glance was enough to make the demons and ghosts hidden among the crowd change their expressions:
“This is… the aura of someone from the ancient realm?!”
“There’s no mistake! This is the same aura that clashed with the Luo Xing a while ago. There are definitely kings of the ancient realm here!”
“An ancient auspicious omen… Just how terrifying is that scholar?!”
“Could he be… a true immortal?!”
The previously quiet and peaceful villa had now become a awe-inspiring “celestial abode,” its power and prestige emanating outwards, a terrifying and unforgettable image deeply imprinted in their minds.
“…”
Without a word, without any schemes or plots.
At this moment, only a silent stillness remained, as the fleeing carriages quickly disappeared into the distance.
Only one thought remained in their minds—
Lin Tianlu, this person was not to be trifled with!
