Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1560 - 961: Honored Guest of the Inner Chamber (Part 3)

Her small figure was enveloped by the Snow Mink Robe, and within that, a magnificent brocade gown woven with threads of gold.

Golden rings and pearl hairpins adorned her soft, voluminous jet-black hair; a necklace of agate beads and emeralds graced her slender, pale neck, exuding an indescribable nobility and grandeur, its beauty utterly dazzling.

She occupied her seat at the banquet with an effortless grace, her naturally aloof eyes half-closed as she observed the attendees, akin to a snow-white, aristocratic Persian cat.

Baili An directed his gaze and proceeded to the seating area on the upper level.

As if sensing his presence, Fang Geyu also cast a casual glance in his direction; her face was the color of snow, her expression one of haughty disdain, her eyes placid and distant.

When their gazes intersected, it felt as if they were transported back to their initial meeting on Kongcang Mountain, with no time having passed since.

Only the small, cinnabar mark at the apex of the girl’s ear pulsed with a fiery red, much like when they had last parted.

Baili An's eyes slightly darkened; though he currently inhabited the identity and form of Ji Xinnian, it would be a formidable task for Fang Geyu to recognize him.

Nevertheless, that strangely indifferent look seemed to taunt Baili An once more with cruel precision.

Her seven core emotions were entirely suppressed, ensnared by a cage of spiderwebs, sealed within a dark box.

And the source of all this suffering was him.

Even if he were to reveal his true visage, she would likely remain utterly unmoved.

"So, you are Ji Xinnian?" Fang Geyu inquired, her clear, bright eyes resembling a tranquil lake, the emotions concealed within unreadable, offering no hint of mockery or kindness.

Her soft question was immediately met with hushed, derisive chuckles from those around the banquet.

"A disciple from the Taixuan Nine Classics, what an esteemed lineage indeed; no matter how high you boast, you are ultimately just a mere, insignificant mortal.

Having relied on a shred of good fortune, you were fortunate enough to receive a Red Fish Jade Pendant directly from City Lord Fang’s hand, thereby becoming Third Miss Fang’s guest behind the scenes—this itself is the greatest boon and stroke of destiny you will ever encounter.

I genuinely cannot fathom where you procured such audacity, daring to violate your appointed time and arrive late, even compelling Third Miss Fang to personally dispatch a clan member to fetch you."

The speaker was a young man clad in a blue brocade robe, an aura of Immortal Energy shimmering around him that clearly transcended the Mortal World’s Spiritual Power; he was undoubtedly no ordinary mortal.

A band of blue brocade, embellished with a pearl, encircled his forehead; that tiny bead was of no small origin—it was the eye of the Ancient Ferocious Beast, Qiongqi.

Baili An, having delved into numerous Immortal Records and chronicles, recalled that the Ancient Ferocious Beast Qiongqi had met its end at the hands of the Sea Lord of the Nanyin Immortal Sea.

Considering the youth’s apparent age, it was impossible for him to be that Golden Immortal Sea Lord; however, the fact that he possessed the Qiongqi’s eye as a trophy and displayed it as an adornment upon his brow—

He could only be a direct descendant of that Golden Immortal Sea Lord, belonging to the younger generation.

Yet, what occupied Baili An’s thoughts even more, as he listened to the youth's words, was the mention of a Disciple of the Taixuan Nine Classics securing this ninth Red Fish Jade Pendant...

This implied that even before Baili An's arrival in the city, Jiushijiu had already commenced her machinations, arranging for someone to assume his identity, to claim the Jade Pendant in his stead, and to win the privilege of entering the inner sanctum.

She had begun orchestrating the entire affair so far in advance.

A shiver traced its way up Baili An’s spine; the acuity of this woman’s intellect and the sheer depth of her planning were truly formidable.

"Master Situ, why such a vehement temper? Third Miss Fang, as the esteemed hostess of this banquet, has taken no offense, and has even graciously lowered herself to dispatch someone to escort him.

This clearly signifies that Third Miss, in her capacity as host, harbors no desire to dwell on the matter. Therefore, why must Master Situ press the issue so relentlessly from the moment you speak?"

The second individual to voice their opinion possessed a clear, resonant voice, yet its intonation held a peculiar familiarity.

Baili An turned upon hearing the sound, and his eyes fell upon a stranger garbed in a jujube-colored archer's jacket, a lazy smile playing on his lips, revealing teeth as white as jade.

This face was one Baili An had never before encountered, but those playful, shrewd, and sparkling apricot eyes—Baili An was intimately familiar with them.

Baili An's eyes widened considerably; beneath the weight of that playful, gleaming gaze, he distinctly felt the chill along his spine intensify even further.