Zhang Chen was no fool. If the Great Virtuous Master’s will had focused on this place, the main hall would certainly have already drawn his particular attention. Wandering into the main hall inexplicably would undoubtedly be noticed by the Great Virtuous Master. That master’s level was unknown, and he wasn’t someone to be trifled with. To face such an existence, Zhang had to be on high alert.
After contemplating for a moment, Zhang Chen turned around and headed back. For him, the best approach was to wait and see. If the Great Virtuous Master was truly so formidable, he would naturally be able to detect Zhang Xiaohua’s tricks. If the master was merely a pretender who couldn’t even see through the tricks, then he was of no real consequence.
Zhang Chen returned to his small courtyard to lie low and dared not continue stealing points. Compared to the mantra after Qi Refining, points could be stolen at a slightly delayed pace.
In the afternoon, Li Donglai, feeling bored, walked out of his room and insisted on dragging Zhang Chen to tour Huangli Temple. The two strolled along the way, taking in the sights of Huangli Temple. At this moment, Li Donglai’s eyes landed on the snow-white hair on top of Zhang Chen’s head: "I say, Brother Zhang, your hair looks quite unique. It’s very distinctive and quite handsome."
Zhang Chen turned his head to glance at Li Donglai. This kid didn’t know how to speak at all. If given a choice, Zhang Chen would rather have a head full of black hair; this white hair was a price paid at the cost of his life.
While they were talking, trouble befell Chengyu at the distant mountaintop pavilion.
In the mountaintop pavilion, over a dozen figures sat together, drinking and making merry, continuously passing around and admiring the Nightlight Cup. Chu Mingyue spoke of its wonders: "This Moonlight Cup is a supreme divine object, containing a mysterious power. Be it plain water or another liquid, anything poured into this cup immediately transforms into fine wine and exquisite dishes. The most crucial aspect is that this alcohol seems to nourish the soul and enhance beauty; it’s very miraculous."
"Oh? There is such a miraculous object in the world? Doesn’t it involve mysterious power?" Zhang Xiaohua was immediately intrigued upon hearing this. Since encountering mysterious power, he had been greatly interested in all things mysterious.
Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s interest, Chu Mingyue quickly called out, "Bring a cup of water so the Crown Prince can experience the wonder of this cup."
Upon hearing this, Xiaodouding, like a little servant, hurriedly fetched the prepared water. Zhang Xiaohua poured it into the Moonlight Cup as a test — seeing it miraculously turn into wine, he couldn’t help but praise it highly.
"If you like it, Crown Prince, I’ll gift this to you." Chu Mingyue quickly offered.
Zhang Xiaohua, understanding Chu Mingyue’s intentions to curry favor, nodded, "If this small prince declines the good intentions of you, the nephew, it would appear unfriendly."
Zhang Xiaohua toyed with the cup for a while. Since it involved mysterious power, it truly tempted him. He decided to hold onto the cup, planning to find a jade box to store it. But as he turned, he inadvertently bumped into the nearby Xiaodouding who was peering in. The cup fell to the ground, shattering into eight pieces. The atmosphere in the pavilion instantly became tense.
In Chu Mingyue’s heart, a myriad of curses flew by — this cup was his key to winning favor with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, and now it’s shattered? He had to find someone to blame.
Zhang Xiaohua was out of the question; although the cup slipped from Zhang Xiaohua’s hand, could he dare trouble Zhang Xiaohua? Or blame him?
His gaze shifted to Chengyu. He recognized this little girl as his fangirl, but so what? Someone had to take the blame to demonstrate just how valuable this cup was to Zhang Xiaohua, so he erupted in anger, "Where did this lowly maid come from? This is a gathering of peers; nobody invited you. Who let you in?"
Saying this, he swung his palm over.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chen and Li Donglai were strolling in the mountains when suddenly, the mountaintop echoed with chaotic noise and cries, resonating through the woods.
Hearing the commotion, Li Donglai, curious, looked towards the source of the noise. Listening carefully to the cries, his heart tightened: "Isn’t that Chengyu’s voice? But wasn’t Chengyu off star-chasing Chu Mingyue? What’s she crying about in this wilderness?"
"It sounds like that little rascal?" Li Donglai turned his head to glance at Zhang Chen, uncertain.
Without a word, Zhang Chen swiftly dashed into the mountains, Li Donglai immediately following after. The two hurriedly made their way up the steps to the mountain peak, with Li Donglai trailing Zhang Chen. Watching Zhang Chen ascend the steps as quick as the wind, he, despite being a Dark Force master, struggled to keep up, making him secretly astonished:
"This Junior Brother Zhang doesn’t seem simple at all."
The two finally reached the mountain peak, glimpsing from afar the pavilion where over a dozen figures were seated, various wines, dishes, and delicacies laid out. Under Wu Changming’s command, core disciples, including Little Prince Zhang Xiaohua and Chu Mingyue, were gathered.
But at this moment, the pavilion was tense. Xiaodouding stood there crying helplessly, face swollen, hair disheveled, repeatedly apologizing. Yet Chu Mingyue stood, expression cold, glaring at Xiaodouding, eyes filled with evil qi.
Beside him, Zhang Xiaohua watched coldly, leisurely sipping his wine.
"Brother, I didn’t! I really didn’t." Xiaodouding stood outside the pavilion, tearfully pleading and apologizing.