I Truly Am The Villian

The reception hall of the Shu Family is also quite grand.

Perhaps due to Shuyang County, the totem symbols here are sheep.

On the high wall of the reception hall, a sheep skull hangs on the wall.

A wooden table below, and two chairs are separated to sit, the left one belonging to the Family Head of the Shu Family, Shu Hai.

While the right one belongs to the Great Elder of the Sanluan Sect, Qi Kuangyin.

Below stood the disciples of the Sanluan Sect and the direct lineage of the Shu Family in order.

"It's an honor for Elder Qi to visit our Shuyang County this time," Shu Hai said with a smile.

"Family Head Shu is exaggerating. My visit this time might be a disturbance, and I hope for your understanding," Qi Kuangyin replied with a smile.

"No problem," Shu Hai said while joking, and Shu Long walked in with Xu Zimei.

"Father, Elder Qi," Shu Long greeted.

"You disobedient child, running around all day. The esteemed guests of the Sanluan Sect have arrived, yet you're the only one late," Shu Hai scolded.

"Family Head Shu, it's not an issue. I see the second young master is carefree in nature, and probably didn't do it intentionally. Besides, we're not outsiders, so such formalities aren't necessary," Qi Kuangyin smiled.

"The banquet I've arranged is almost ready. Elder Qi, why don't you move over and we can chat while eating," Shu Hai stood up and smiled.

"Moreover, I specifically invited Miss Gongsun for her Drunken Beauty sword dance performance tonight."

"I'm looking forward to it," Qi Kuangyin replied with a smile.

"Is the Painting Saint coming too?"

"I regret to inform that the Painting Saint doesn't like participating in such banquets," Shu Hai shook his head.

But it's understandable, after all, the Painting Saint is of such a stature. Although they aren't weak, they're not on the same level as him.

It's understandable that he doesn't attend.

Shu Hai and Qi Kuangyin led at the front, while others followed closely behind.

There were only a few people from the Sanluan Sect, three men and one woman, all dressed in specially-crafted Flying Luan robes.

The robes were akin to those of celestial beings, flowing and ethereal, with purple aura wafting.

Wu Zhaodi scanned the faces of the group rapidly, then quickly lowered her head, adjusting her face veil.

Arriving at the banquet location, it was outdoors, but the surrounding lanterns illuminated it as brightly as day.

A large table of delicacies was ready, though Xu Zimei and company did not have the privilege of taking seats aside from Shu Long.

"The garden owner of the Drunken Beauty has arrived," announced a servant.

Then a woman in a light purple dress, accompanied by a few maidservants, gracefully walked over.

She carried a peony's fragrance, and even the purple dress was adorned with peony patterns.

It was evident that she was deeply obsessed with peonies.

She also wore a veil, her eyes like blooming peonies, cold yet with a hint of softness.

Long hair cascading behind her, pearl-like earrings shimmered as they swayed with her movement.

"Gongsun Muyu, pleased to meet you," the woman in purple smiled and introduced herself.

"I've long admired the Sanluan Sect and am honored to meet you today."

"I can't accept such praise," Qi Kuangyin quickly shook his head.

In truth, the Sanluan Sect isn't much, Qi Kuangyin understood that she was showing respect for the Tianluan Immortal Palace behind them.

After all, the Tianluan Immortal Palace cared nothing for the secular world, and the Sanluan Sect was merely its proxy.

Otherwise, no one would pay attention to the Sanluan Sect.

The three main figures took their seats, while the maidservants brought by Gongsun Muyu began a sword dance performance.

Others watched with keen interest, but these three were engrossed in their conversation.

After all, at their level, a typical sword dance is just appreciated and doesn't elevate one's state.

"Elder Qi, this time you're recruiting in Shuyang County, how many days do you plan to stay?" Gongsun Muyu asked first.

"Seven days," Qi Kuangyin did not conceal, as it's not something that can be hidden.

"I remember the Sanluan Sect recruits disciples every summer. Why is it earlier this year?" Shu Hai feigned curiosity inquired.

"It's the Sect Hierarch's command. I don't know," Qi Kuangyin evasively replied.

Meanwhile, Xu Zimei and Wu Zhaodi found a less crowded pavilion and sat inside.

Wu Zhaodi's gaze hadn't left Qi Kuangyin.

"You know him?" Xu Zimei asked.

"He's nominally the Great Elder of the Sanluan Sect, but he's actually a pawn used by the Tianluan Immortal Palace to supervise the Sect Hierarch," Wu Zhaodi said.

"Isn't the Sanluan Sect a branch of the Tianluan Immortal Palace? Why would supervision be necessary?" Xu Zimei asked curiously.

"Not even a branch, even within the Tianluan Immortal Palace itself, there's constant factional strife. The most severe conflict is between the Youth Faction and the older generation. The Sect Hierarch belongs to the Youth Faction, while Qi Kuangyin is placed by the older generation," explained Wu Zhaodi.

However, speaking of this, Wu Zhaodi shook her head and replied, "Why am I telling you this? It's meaningless."

"I had my suspicions before, now I'm more certain. You're one from the Tianluan Immortal Palace," Xu Zimei said.

"So what, you planning to expose me?" Wu Zhaodi retorted.

"It doesn't matter to me," Xu Zimei shook his head.

"I know you're not like that, otherwise I wouldn't have shared so much," Wu Zhaodi haughtily huffed.

"What are you two talking about?" Suddenly, a light laugh came from beside them, as a young man walked over.

This young man was the one they'd seen at Drunken Beauty earlier. Xu Zimei remembered him as Shu Long's elder brother.

"Just some domestic matters," Xu Zimei replied.

"Looks like my second brother has a good relationship with you two, otherwise he wouldn't have brought you to our home," the young man said with a smile.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Shu Hu, the Great Young Master of the Shu Family."

"Is there something the Great Young Master wants?" Wu Zhaodi asked indifferently.

"Looking to make friends with you two," Shu Hu said with a smile.

"I don't make friends with strangers," Wu Zhaodi refused directly.

"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. My second brother is a wastrel. Befriending him is perhaps punishment for longevity," Shu Hu said leisurely.

"Being friends with me, in Shuyang County, nothing my Shu Family can't accomplish. You two don't seem like Shuyang County natives. Being here must be for fame or fortune."

"I want his head. Can you achieve that?" Wu Zhaodi pointed to Qi Kuangyin's figure in the courtyard and said calmly.

Hearing this, Shu Hu froze for a moment. After confirming Wu Zhaodi was not joking, he stood up.

"You two are daring people, but those who die the most are often such daring individuals," Shu Hu sneered and left directly.

Not long after Shu Hu left, Shu Long also rushed over.

"Did my big brother try to recruit you?" Shu Long asked directly.

"What do you think?" Xu Zimei replied with a teasing smile.