Chapter 136: The Zhang Family’s Grand Banquet

Xu Xuan already had a vague answer in his heart. If Yang Xiaoqian had gone home or left on her own, she would not have left without saying a word to Le Feng. Furthermore, Brother Wei had gone missing at the same time.

"Junior Brother Xu, you know the answer, tell me quickly!" Le Feng urged, his heart burning with anxiety.

"My personal speculation is that the Dongfang family and the Zhang family have been in conflict for so many years; they must have infiltrated each other. It is very likely that there is a mole from the Dongfang family within the Zhang estate," Xu Xuan said with a grave expression.

"Junior Brother Xu, do you mean... that this was the work of the Dongfang family, and they abducted Xiaoqian and the others?" Le Feng’s face turned pale, filled with extreme worry.

"As one of the leading powers in Huanglong City, do you really think it would be that easy to abduct two people from the Zhang estate without anyone noticing? That would be many times harder than sneaking in to kill someone. If the Dongfang family had that kind of capability, they could have wiped us out countless times over, and the core members of the Zhang family would have been exterminated long ago. Unless..." Xu Xuan paused, his tone filled with a trace of sorrow.

"Unless what?" Le Feng’s gaze grew dull; he already had a sinking premonition.

"Unless... they went willingly!" Xu Xuan’s eyes flashed with cold light, and he spat out the last few words one by one.

"Impossible! That is absolutely impossible!" Le Feng stammered, his face twisting into a hideous expression. He and Yang Xiaoqian had been in love for nearly two years; how could she betray him?

"There are two possibilities: either they were murdered within the estate and their bodies disposed of, or they left the Zhang residence of their own volition." Xu Xuan could only think of these two scenarios. The fact that these two had vanished one after another without a word was suspicious. Given their intelligence, they should have known that with the Fengyu Sect recently destroyed, leaving the estate now would be unwise.

"I would rather believe the former..." Le Feng gritted his teeth, his body trembling slightly. Xu Xuan didn't want to demoralize him further, but as a woman, while Yang Xiaoqian might not lack other traits, she certainly lacked loyalty. Back in the Fengyu Sect, she had chosen to be with Le Feng primarily for her own survival. As for the other person, Brother Wei, Xu Xuan didn't know him well, but in the face of sufficient profit, what was impossible?

Le Feng sat in Xu Xuan’s spirit garden, the shocking scar on his face still visible. His gaze was vacant, as if he had lost his soul; even when the Fengyu Sect was destroyed, he hadn't shown such a look. Having the memories and insights of two lifetimes, Xu Xuan was more detached and calm regarding the vicissitudes of human life.

The next morning, Xu Xuan and Le Feng went to Yang Xiaoqian's quarters to look for her, but there was no trace of her. Le Feng searched the entire room, but found no clues or footprints. He collapsed to the ground, whispering, "I don't believe it, not unless I see it with my own eyes."

Xu Xuan then took him to find Zhang Feng. "Brother Xu, today is Yuhan's birthday, though the time hasn't arrived yet. If you're interested, come and help me organize things," Zhang Feng said with a smile. Xu Xuan explained the disappearance of Yang Xiaoqian and the others to him.

"That is simple. I will check the clan's entry and exit records. Ordinary disciples must report and register before leaving the estate..."

Zhang Feng quickly brought the clan's chief steward to investigate the matter. After about half an incense stick of time, the steward reported, "Reporting to the Young Master, Wei Changdong and Yang Xiaoqian left the estate three days ago and yesterday, respectively, and have not returned on time."

The facts proved that the two had indeed left on their own; the Dongfang family did not have the power to spirit two people away without anyone knowing. Upon confirming this, Le Feng looked utterly devastated.

"Is he alright?" Zhang Feng signaled with his eyes. Xu Xuan shook his head; he could only let Le Feng be for a while, hoping he would find a way to emerge from this shadow. Since Le Feng had stayed in the Fengyu Sect longer and had deeper attachments, revenge was more important to him than anything else.

A while later, the Zhang estate became bustling with people. The birthday of the most beautiful woman in Huanglong City was enough to stir half the city, and countless guests came to offer their congratulations. Xu Xuan and Yu Qin attended Zhang Yuhan's birthday; as the disciple of the Grand Elder, Yu Qin had also received an invitation.

To celebrate, the Zhang family had cleared out a massive five-story spirit tower covering an acre of land, decorated with lanterns and elaborate banners, capable of holding thousands of people. In addition to clan members, many cultivators from the various powers of Huanglong City arrived, most of whom were prominent figures.

The invitations held by Xu Xuan and Yu Qin were special, granting them high-status treatment. They were immediately escorted to the fifth floor, drawing the attention of many nearby cultivators. It was known that those who could ascend the Great Spirit Tower held a certain status in Huanglong City. Ordinary guests, such as numerous clan disciples and common retainers, were arranged in the courtyards below, where Le Feng was also drinking his sorrows away.

The fifth floor was elegantly decorated, and the cultivators seen there were mostly Spirit Refining stage masters or other extraordinary young talents. Xu Xuan quickly spotted Zhang Feng and his sister, as well as Lin Hui and other familiar clan disciples; most of the other young talents were unfamiliar to him.

As the protagonist of the banquet, Zhang Yuhan was naturally the focus of everyone’s attention. Her graceful and beautiful figure was draped in an exquisite pale red spirit-silk dress, making her look like a noble princess. With light makeup on her delicate, jade-like face and a hint of blush on her cheeks, her arched brows and poetic, autumn-like eyes gave her an ethereal, fairy-like beauty. One had to admit that today, Zhang Yuhan was truly stunning, living up to her name as the greatest beauty in Huanglong.

Surrounded by a group of extraordinary young talents, she laughed and chatted, all of them vying for a glance of favor. Xu Xuan didn't want to join in the crowd and took Yu Qin to a corner.

"She is so beautiful, don't you think so, Senior Brother?" Yu Qin’s clear eyes gazed at the girl at the center of attention, then she secretly glanced at Xu Xuan.

Xu Xuan chuckled and reached out to tap her delicate nose. "It's not just me; every man in Huanglong City knows this fact. But you are also very beautiful, Junior Sister Yu. You are two years younger than her, and in the future, you will certainly be no less than she is."

"Really?" Yu Qin said with a hint of pleasant surprise, her crystal-clear eyes flickering with shyness as she didn't know where to put her hands.

"When have I ever lied to you?" Xu Xuan smiled slightly. He wasn't just trying to comfort her. As the saying went, a girl changes every eighteen years; Yu Qin was a quintessential beauty, and in the last half-year, she had grown more and more beautiful. That flawless, pure beauty was enough to make one lose their composure. She was only fourteen now; it was hard to imagine what she would be like in two years...

"Retainer Xu."

A soft, melodic voice came from the center of the spirit pavilion. The speaker was none other than the center of attention, Zhang Yuhan. She had just noticed Xu Xuan, a brilliant light shining in her clear eyes as she walked gracefully toward him.

In an instant, Xu Xuan felt the sharp, sword-like gazes of many young talents directed at him, making him feel uncomfortable. Among them were Lin Hui and others, whose eyes flashed with jealousy and coldness.

"Who is this man? To think he could make the eldest daughter of the Zhang family take the initiative to talk to him!"

"I heard he is a retainer surnamed Xu who recently joined the Zhang family..."

The surrounding young talents whispered. Xu Xuan smiled bitterly; he hadn't done anything, yet he had already offended quite a few young masters.

"Happy birthday, Miss Zhang." Xu Xuan greeted her with a smile, Yu Qin by his side.

"Isn't Retainer Xu being a bit insincere? I had to come over myself for you to offer your congratulations," Zhang Yuhan said with a playful smile. Her gaze shifted to Yu Qin’s face, and her eyes lit up. "What a beautiful little sister. You must be Retainer Xu's junior sister, right?"

Xu Xuan was speechless. He didn't take the initiative to offer congratulations partly to keep a low profile, and partly because he didn't want to be one of the many young talents swarming around her like flies. Zhang Yuhan chatted with Yu Qin for a while and found they got along well. Yu Qin’s presence also drew the gaze of many men at the event. While Zhang Yuhan’s beauty and temperament outshone all other women present, Yu Qin’s pure, snow-like beauty could withstand any comparison.

Yet, both of these girls were lingering around Xu Xuan, within reach. How could the others not be envious and jealous? Fortunately, Xu Xuan possessed enough composure and remained unmoved under those lethal glares.

"By the way, Yuhan, I have prepared a gift for you for this birthday." Lin Hui suddenly stepped forward, presenting a shimmering bracelet; it was clearly no ordinary item.

"The rare Flowing Light Bracelet, you've spent too much, cousin." Zhang Yuhan clearly recognized the item and put the bracelet away with a calm expression. Seeing this, the other young masters were stunned; those who were outsiders had already handed in their gifts at the door. However, some had prepared extra gifts and offered them to Zhang Yuhan one by one, while a servant behind her was busy putting them into a storage bag.

"Right, Retainer Xu, since you entered the clan, the eldest daughter has taken good care of you. I heard you also prepared a gift; why don't you let us see it?" Lin Hui’s gaze shifted and locked onto Xu Xuan.

The group of people present were all of unusual status, and the gifts they gave were naturally very precious. As a disciple from a small, insignificant sect, a poor kid of only sixteen, whatever gift Xu Xuan offered would surely make him look like a fool in front of everyone.

"Retainer Xu, did you also prepare a gift for me?" Zhang Yuhan asked with a hint of pleasant surprise. Her reaction made the other young masters indignant; they felt that it was only natural for them to give gifts, but for this guy to give one, it was a "pleasant surprise."

"Haha, Brother Xu, what gift do you have? Take it out and let us see. You were so mysterious about it last time." Zhang Feng's eyes were full of anticipation; he didn't think Xu Xuan was unqualified, especially since the man had traded a third-grade spirit pill worth nearly a million spirit coins last time.

Xu Xuan sighed and took out a piece of clear, wondrous jade the size of a thumb. However, this piece of jade was completely unpolished and looked unremarkable at first glance. Everyone cast looks of disdain and scorn. But when Zhang Yuhan took the raw jade, she immediately let out a cry of surprise, her eyes shining with brilliance; she was completely captivated by the small stone.