Seven thousand seven.

It must be said that people in the martial world have a remarkably high tolerance for assassination attempts. When Lu Xiaofeng and Sikong Zhaixing arrived at the Mysterious Heaven Alliance’s headquarters, the wedding—an event attracting much attention in Bianjing City—was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The servants of the Mysterious Heaven Alliance greeted them with smiles as they accepted the congratulatory gifts and led them to the banquet. Had Lu Xiaofeng not known what had transpired earlier, he would have thought he had simply arrived at an ordinary wedding.

But, well...

Guan Qi was indeed a madman.

Despite the massive disruption during the bridal procession—including the involvement of the Six Doors’ captains and several deaths among the alliance’s subordinates—upon seeing Shi Qingruo return safely, he suppressed his murderous intent and “obediently” continued leading the team forward.

As for the Sacred Lord’s wife of the Mysterious Heaven Alliance, she had scarcely revealed her face formally before anyone. Now, behind a red bridal veil and a fan covering her face, no one could tell what she was thinking.

This extraordinarily unusual couple had “set the tone” from the start, leaving the rest even less to be said.

Yet among the crowd, faint whispers could still be heard, hinting at the strangeness of the occasion.

“...In my opinion, some people really suffered heavy losses this time.”

“You mean Lei—”

“Shh, lower your voice. Who knows if there are any Six and a Half Hall people here.”

“So what if there are? In earlier years, the Six and a Half Hall executed their banner with admirable discipline, sharing three and a half parts of the profits. When trouble came, they would muster six and a half parts of their strength to counter it. But now...”

“They’re not even as loyal as the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion.”

“But Lord Su was injured early on and is ill, and is nowhere near as stable as the Six and a Half Hall. Don’t forget, the chief of the Thunderclap Hall in Jiangnan backs the Six and a Half Hall.”

“...”

Lu Xiaofeng listened quietly to these voices, pondering the political landscape of the capital. Meanwhile, Sikong Zhaixing was observing a corner of the front courtyard.

The Mysterious Heaven Alliance’s Third Sacred Lord still wore a simple blue cloth robe, but unlike his earlier casual demeanor within the alliance, now in front of outsiders he wore a bamboo hat with holes cut in it, revealing only a pair of piercing, cold eyes.

If he saw correctly, there was a severe slash wound on his shoulder, wrapped in bandages.

Reports said that most of the assassins intercepted mid-route, due to the relentless chief captains, were caught on the spot and handed over to the Six Doors for justice.

The old woman known as Bean Granny, who directly attacked the relentless one, had no chance to escape due to being wounded by an arrow from a lover.

Only one managed to slip away—the young man in the long robe wielding dazzling hidden weapons.

The Third Sacred Lord Ren Guishen arrived just in time, blocking the way, but the youth was young and his swordsmanship extraordinary; he carved a bloody path through and wounded Ren Guishen, who now guarded the alliance while injured.

“What are you looking at?” Sikong Zhaixing sneered. “I’m watching some people still pretending, with thieving hearts undying. Sadly, Miss Shi saw through their tricks earlier, making them nothing but a laughingstock.”

“Well, then there’s nothing for you to worry about. It seems your Miss Shi still holds the upper hand,” Lu Xiaofeng replied, glancing at the sky. He inwardly chided himself; no matter what, he could never be the subject of such obsessive talk.

It was said that the Sacred Lord of the alliance had gone mad partly due to a heartbreak years ago.

And the bride he was now marrying was no less formidable...

Sometimes being a rogue had its advantages.

Wait.

Lu Xiaofeng’s thoughts abruptly halted, and he quickly withdrew his gaze.

His sudden reaction was not because the wedding ceremony was about to formally begin, signaled by the master of ceremonies, but because—

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

The earlier whispers about the Six and a Half Hall and the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion vanished in an instant.

Even those who had been chatting animatedly seemed frozen in place, mouths open but no sound issuing forth.

But now, their gazes no longer fell on their companions but on a few people just entering through the gate.

More precisely, two people.

Through the translucent gauze curtain and by slightly moving the fan aside, Shi Qingruo could see their appearances.

The one in front wore a wide-sleeved gray robe, seeming like an elder casually strolling through the market, hands tucked inside his sleeves.

If not for the unique aura emanating from him, one might doubt he was anything other than a plainly dressed commoner.

But as he stepped into the courtyard, not only did the earlier clamor cease, but even the previously shining sunlight seemed to be replaced by oppressive clouds, turning the atmosphere gloomy and somber.

The person behind him was almost at the opposite extreme.

This young man, dressed in similarly plain clothes, walked with his head bowed, but from the slight glimpse of his face, one could see his exceptionally delicate features and the aura of transcendence in his gait.

If he dared to lift his head, the contrast with the man before him would be all the more striking.

“Lei—”

“Chief Lord Lei!”

Finally, someone in the crowd broke the silence, voice erupting from a choked throat.

Like a stone thrown into a pond, waves surged.

They had not called out the wrong name.

Lei Sun.

This was Lei Sun, the Chief Lord of the Six and a Half Hall, arriving in person!

With the revelation of his identity, those frozen in place moved again swiftly.

In an instant, those previously standing dumbfounded stepped back, making way for the two men.

At one end of the path was Lei Sun walking forward, flanked by his capable lieutenant Di Feijing.

At the other end stood side by side Guan Qi and Shi Qingruo.

Yet on looking again, the crowd fell silent once more.

Almost simultaneously with the calling out of Lei Sun’s name, Shi Qingruo lifted the veil from her face, revealing herself in an open display and appraising the unexpected guests.

So when the crowd turned their gaze, the first thing they saw was that face—fresh and radiant as peach blossoms.

Even Sikong Zhaixing, who had seen her several times, found it difficult to maintain composure before her. The newcomers had no chance at all.

More so, despite the earlier upheaval, this woman was still one of the most prominent figures in Bianjing City. Her face showed no sign of faltering; rather, with her in the lead and Guan Qi by her side, she exuded an air of calm authority.

Guan Qi’s instinctive vigilance toward powerful figures dissolved when she raised her hand to grasp his wrist.

With a raised brow and a smile, she asked, “I wonder what brings Chief Lord Lei here in person?”

Shi Qingruo’s words flowed smoothly, but inwardly she felt a chill.

Lei Sun might not know that she had exchanged a brief but crucial conversation with Su Mengzhen during the earlier commotion, bridging a unique connection between the Mysterious Heaven Alliance and the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion.

His presence here was likely solely because of the failed assassination.

He could not be unaware that some of the blatant actions during the attempt would spark widespread discussion and judgment upon his arrival.

Yet he still chose to come himself, bringing along his trusted aide. The meaning was clear.

He was a cunning and adaptable tyrant.

As long as he commanded a sufficiently large force, he was a fearsome opponent, not one to be defeated easily by one or two setbacks.

His arrival introduced significant uncertainty.

...

Lei Sun met Shi Qingruo’s gaze and stepped forward two paces.

Perhaps due to his incongruous attire, Shi Qingruo immediately noticed the strikingly vivid green jade ring on his finger.

Because the jewelry was conspicuous, she also saw that this hand, adorned with the jade ring, had only two withered fingers; the other three were severed cleanly as if cut off by a sharp blade.

According to rumors in the martial world, when Lei Sun revealed this incomplete hand, it was never a friendly gesture.

It was Lei Sun’s “deadly order.”

Yet when he spoke, his voice was that of a gentle elder.

“Not a whim. Brother Guan is both my benefactor and my brother-in-law. Now, after many years a widower, remarrying, I ought to present my congratulations.”

No sooner had he finished than his attendants placed several boxes in the courtyard.

Shi Qingruo glanced over and saw they contained bolts of cloth, brocade, gold, silver, and jade—on the surface, a generous gift for the newlyweds.

But Lei Sun’s words were anything but sincere.

Who in Bianjing did not know—even Shi Qingruo had been told by Ren Guishen—that one result of Guan Qi’s injury in a duel was that Lei Zhenyu had died, removing a rival from Lei Sun’s competition for Chief Lord of the Six and a Half Hall? Calling this Guan Qi’s “favor” to Lei Sun was no exaggeration, but to say so sounded mocking.

Referring to Guan Qi as “brother-in-law” was more like a joke.

Guan’s elder sister had been missing for years, never officially becoming the Chief Lord’s wife, and likely had fallen victim to Lei Sun’s poison. The marital tie was effectively null.

As for “remarrying after many years a widower,” it sounded like a taunt meant to drive someone mad.

Perhaps Guan Qi did not fully comprehend this, but Shi Qingruo clearly felt the tightening of his wrist beneath her grasp—a reflexive response to Lei Sun’s words.

He was angry.

Shi Qingruo promptly spoke first.

“Chief Lord Lei knows gratitude and repays kindness. Since the Mysterious Heaven Alliance’s wedding lacks liveliness, you have sent gifts in succession. When the Six and a Half Hall holds a celebration, I shall visit with Seventh Brother to offer congratulations. I hope we will not be turned away then.”

“Only—today’s wedding is rushed, so there is no time for a longer chat with Chief Lord Lei.”

Lei Sun’s cold expression flickered.

Lu Xiaofeng, not a party to this exchange and unconcerned with appearances, nearly burst out laughing.

Miss Shi’s phrase “knowing gratitude and repaying kindness” in response to Lei Sun’s thanks confirmed the old grudges.

This was not only a shameful matter for the Mysterious Heaven Alliance but a great misfortune for those who had once followed Lei Zhenyu.

Who could say what thoughts would arise if this conversation spread?

Moreover, describing the earlier assassination attempt as “sending liveliness” was a sharp jab at Lei Sun’s wounds.

As for the future celebrations of the Six and a Half Hall...

Was this a subtle nod to Guan Qi’s marriage and a wish that Chief Lord Lei might also find a confidante again, or a sly reference to the doomed alliance between the Six and a Half Hall and the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion?

At least from Shi Qingruo’s composed expression, nothing betrayed her thoughts.

She beckoned, and a waiting attendant stepped forward.

“Bring seats for Chief Lord Lei and Grand Hall Lord Di. Don’t let it be said we neglected our honored guests. See them off properly later as well.”

The attendant responded swiftly, setting down two large chairs.

Lei Sun raised an eyebrow.

The obedience of these people was surprising. It showed just how much authority this suddenly risen Sacred Lord’s wife had gained within the Mysterious Heaven Alliance.

Yet, if counted carefully...

Shi Qingruo lowered her veil again, concealing a cold smile at the corner of her lips.

These obedient attendants had only recognized her as their superior for about fifteen minutes, thanks to Su Mengzhen’s promise to hand over those affiliated with the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion to her.

But she knew well that if she failed to provide a satisfactory answer, these people could quickly become her enemies.

Still, their presence was far more significant to Shi Qingruo than Su Mengzhen realized.

She quickly composed herself and then heard the officiant’s loud chant—

“Bow to the ancestral spirits and heaven and earth—”

She took a deep breath and, together with Guan Qi, bowed deeply in respect.

...

“What kind of person do you think she is?” Lei Sun asked the man beside him in a low voice.

He had not seen Guan Qi for many years and now felt an indescribable unfamiliarity upon seeing him.

Perhaps because of this unfamiliarity, when he saw Guan Qi not brandishing swords or hostility but being restrained in his emotions, he was not overly surprised.

Yet after a moment of realization, an unprecedented sense of danger arose within him.

He knew very well what kind of man Guan Qi was.

If this suddenly appeared woman could tame Guan Qi, who knew how far she might go next!

Therefore, he could not afford to be careless and instructed his most observant subordinate to thoroughly assess her.

Though his expression showed none of the shadow left by previous confrontations, Di Feijing could hear the solemnity in Lei Sun’s next words, as weighty as any command given during battle with the Golden Wind and Gentle Rain Pavilion.

“You don’t need to answer me today, but I want you to use your eyes to see her true nature. No matter what, I don’t want us to fail a second time because of her.”

Di Feijing kept his head lowered but slowly raised his clear eyes, shining with blood-red joy.

“Yes.”

He would see clearly.

For example, even now, amidst all this crimson, this dazzling flower stirred not only Guan Qi’s heart.

He also saw that the Six and a Half Hall’s earlier arrangements within the Mysterious Heaven Alliance would have to be redone because of this variable.

Yet strangely, though the world had given him the nickname “The Only One to Truly Know Di Feijing,” he could not discern what purpose Shi Qingruo had in joining this messy affair.

Nor could he see—

As the guests gradually dispersed, Shi Qingruo, still wearing her wedding gown, stood beneath the corridor in the Mysterious Heaven Alliance’s rear courtyard, gazing absently at the stars in the night sky.

When she heard the sound of the night watch’s drum outside, she suddenly raised her hand and waved toward a nearby lantern.

A gentle breath of palm force instantly extinguished the candle in the lantern.

Shi Qingruo looked toward Guan Qi at the corridor’s end with a childlike smile curling her lips.

“Seventh Brother, look, the wind is rising.”