"Ah, we’re all brothers here, no need to be so formal!" Gui Heshu was evidently very pleased.
"No need for words, it’s all in the wine. I’ll drink first out of respect." With that, Nangong Buliang drained his cup in one gulp, then deliberately turned it upside down to show Gui Heshu.
Gui Heshu laughed heartily and drank a cup himself.
After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table gradually became lively.
Nangong Buliang sighed, "Without realizing it, my brother and I have been imposing on you for several days. We feel a bit embarrassed, so this meal is also a farewell feast. We plan to return tomorrow."
"Ah? Why the hurry, stay a few more days." Gui Heshu immediately tried to persuade them to stay.
"No, there are still many things to take care of at home. Let’s leave it for another opportunity," Nangong Buliang said.
And so, with one word after another, before they knew it, the two jars of wine had all gone into the three men’s stomachs.
Even though Gui Heshu could hold his liquor well, at this point, he was also drunk, with blurry eyes, unable to handle any more.
Seeing this, the Nangong brothers exchanged a glance, then Nangong Buliang lightly coughed.
"Gui, are you drunk?"
"Ah... I... I’m not drunk!" Despite saying this, Gui Heshu was already slumped over the table, unable to get up.
The Nangong brothers’ faces filled with joy.
They had tried every trick to get Gui Heshu drunk, specially buying several types of aged strong liquor to mix together, just to get Gui Heshu drunk without him realizing it.
This method was the most secure.
After all, Gui Heshu was a Martial Dao expert, trying to drug him rashly would likely make him aware.
Seeing Gui Heshu completely drunk, they knew the time had come.
Thus, Nangong Buliang pretended to support Gui Heshu, but in fact, he secretly hid a sharp blade in his hand, intending to kill Gui Heshu first, then move on to the next step of the plan.
But just as he got up and reached Gui Heshu’s side, about to extend his hand, chaos erupted outside with the sound of fighting.
The two were shocked, and Nangong Buliang reacted swiftly, swinging the blade in his hand and slashing towards the back of Gui Heshu’s neck.
But at that moment, an arrow flew in from the side, piercing through his wrist instantly.
With a clang, the short knife fell to the ground.
Nangong Buliang was carried sideways a few steps by the force of the arrow. Once steadied, he saw that the previously passed-out drunk Gui Heshu had already stood up, looking at them with a cold face.
Nangong Buliang’s heart was in turmoil, but he pretended to be calm on the surface.
"Brother Gui, what are you doing? I was just going to fetch you a coat because you passed out."
"With a short knife?" Gui Heshu sneered.
Nangong Henliang remained silent, his eyes fixed on the window outside, and suddenly whistled.
But soon, a woman’s soft laugh came from the window.
"Stop signalling; your people have been captured. Even if they heard, they can’t come."
With those words, Zhang Junzhu slowly walked into the room, dragging a person along.
After throwing this person to the ground, the hearts of the Nangong brothers sank to rock bottom.
Because the one who was tied up tightly was none other than Pei Quan’an.
According to the plan, he should have been outside setting fires to create chaos.
Unexpectedly, even he was captured.
The plan, as expected, had completely failed.
The Nangong brothers’ faces turned extremely ugly.
Gui Heshu let out a long sigh.
"Why did you do this? I’ve treated your Nangong family well over the years. Why conspire with outsiders to harm the Gui Family?"
"Why? Just because your Gui Family is of average strength, yet sits on enormous wealth. That is your path to ruin," Nangong Buliang said viciously.
At this point, there’s no use saying anything else, only forcefully breaking through offers a glimmer of hope.
The brothers, trained together since childhood, were already of one mind, so they stood together, ready to attack at any moment.
Just then, a light laugh came from outside again.
"Average strength? The Gui Family is under my protection, and you dare call them of average strength?"
With these words, the man slowly walked in.
Gui Heshu and his wife respectfully stepped aside and called out softly.
"Sir!"
No need to ask, this must be the mysterious patron behind the Gui Family who had never shown his face.
The Nangong brothers’ faces were filled with deep apprehension.
They really couldn’t see anything remarkable about this man; he looked like nothing more than a sloppy middle-aged man.
But the more this was the case, the more wary they became.
Because when something is abnormal, there must be a hidden danger. The more they couldn’t see anything extraordinary about this man, the more it proved his terrifying nature.
The man just glanced at them and then turned his gaze to Pei Quan’an on the ground.
"Are you the spy planted by Wanghai Tower?"
Pei Quan’an’s face was ashen, and he weakly said, "Yes, who are you?"
"Heh, it seems that your Wanghai Tower is truly like a weasel giving birth to mice; each generation is worse than the last. That Zhen Juncheng at least could be considered a character, but you are utterly useless." The man said indifferently.
Pei Quan’an shivered as if struck by lightning, and after a long pause, he screamed hysterically, "I don’t believe it. Elder Zhen was incredibly powerful; he couldn’t have died so easily."
"Don’t believe it, huh? Well, just wait a moment." With that, the man reached into his backpack and rummaged around noisily before taking out a plaque.
"Take a look; is this the plaque of your family’s Elder Zhen?"
Pei Quan’an recognized at once the character Zhen carved on the plaque, which was indeed Zhen Juncheng’s personal waist plaque.
There was no doubt about it now.
Because besides death, Pei Quan’an couldn’t think of another way to take the personal plaque from Zhen Juncheng.
Looking at the dumbfounded Pei Quan’an, the man smiled faintly, "Now do you believe it?"
Then he turned to the shivering Nangong Brothers.
"What did you two just say? That the Gui Family’s power is mediocre?"
"No... not..." The usually eloquent Nangong Henliang was at a loss for words now.
Seeing them stammering, the man suddenly lost interest.
"I haven’t come down the mountain for over ten years, and I didn’t realize that the Jianghu has become full of such mediocrities. It’s really boring."
As he spoke, the man reached into his backpack again and pulled out something folded. With a conjuror’s flourish, he unfolded it, revealing a Mechanical Crossbow in front of everyone.
Then the man bared his teeth in a grin at the Nangong Brothers.
"Anything you want to say before you die?"
The Nangong Brothers didn’t expect the man to suddenly make a move; Nangong Henliang was the first to shout, "Spare me, sir!"
"Boring!" The man pulled the trigger directly, and the crossbow arrow instantly pierced through Nangong Henliang’s head, with such force that his body was carried off and nailed to the wall behind.
Then he looked at Nangong Buliang beside him, "Now it’s your turn."
Nangong Buliang’s face was drenched in sweat, and he stared at the man, his voice hoarse, "Who are you?"
"My name is Liang Xin’an, the 32nd generation successor of the Mechanical Technology Department of the Mechanical Sect."
Mechanical Sect!
At these three words, Nangong Buliang’s pupils contracted to the size of a needle’s point.
He never could have imagined that the seemingly modest and low-profile Gui Family’s backing would be such a formidable force.
But it was too late for regrets now.
After revealing his identity, Liang Xin’an casually pulled the trigger, nailing him to the wall as well.
Looking at the neatly arranged two corpses on the wall, Liang Xin’an gave a vigorous wave of his hand.
"Perfect!"
Pei Quan’an was trembling with fear, his teeth chattering.
Liang Xin’an glanced down, "Oh, and there’s you!"
With that, he raised the Mechanical Crossbow and pulled the trigger again.
Thud!
Pei Quan’an was also nailed to the ground, the stench of blood and brain matter instantly filling the entire room.
Gui Heshu and Zhang Junzhu both sighed inwardly.
Just as expected!
After all these years, the master’s ways haven’t changed a bit.
At this moment, Liang Xin’an yawned in boredom and looked back at the couple.
"It’s boring, just killing uninteresting people!"
"But I heard you say that Azure Dragon Temple was lively before, even that Jingping Saint fellow died at the hands of someone named Zhao Ya, and even your son works under him."
"So how do I get to Azure Dragon Temple?"