Hou Yucheng, seeing the situation, also waved his hand behind him. Hou Mansion's warriors instantly sheathed their weapons, and the five hundred Zhaoyang Iron Guards armed with crossbows likewise stowed their weapons into their sleeves, causing the glinting cold light under the night sky to disappear in a vast swath.
"The night has grown late. Mr. Hou will not keep you company any longer today. The meals and guest rooms have already been arranged, Hou Fei, you lead the esteemed seniors there!"
Upon hearing these words, anger immediately surged on Chen Yuhe's face. Just as he was about to admonish the other party, Zhao Qingxue cut in before him.
"Young Master Hou holds no grudges for past disputes and still treats us so hospitably, thank you very much!"
Zhao Qingxue's comment made everyone's faces turn somewhat unnatural.
Initially, when they had entered the city, Hou Yucheng's attitude was so favorable. Chen Yuhe, Liu Fufeng, and Tong Hu had been insistent on causing a scene and offending the host. Now, the fact that their host simply wasn't attending to them personally indeed equated to letting bygones be bygones.
At that moment, Hou Fei stepped out, ready to lead everyone to the lodgings that Hou Yucheng had arranged for them.
"May I ask if the Master of Hou Family is present? Qingxue is new here and would like to pay a visit!"
Zhao Qingxue suddenly inquired, while Monk Buzheng also looked up with an expression of curiosity. He, too, was interested in meeting Hou Yuxiao.
Behind them, the eyes of Tong Hu also emitted a burst of cold light.
"Fairy Qingxue is too kind. My elder brother is in the critical moment of his seclusion and unable to receive guests, and thus has asked me to oversee matters. I hope Fairy can understand!"
Upon hearing that Zhao Qingxue wanted to visit Hou Yuxiao, Hou Yucheng's expression immediately became a bit odd as he glanced over her shoulder.
Little did he know, this very glance was caught by Zhao Qingxue.
Zhao Qingxue's body stiffened, she suppressed the urge to turn around and a multitude of thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. It was evident she had realized something. Her facial expression became increasingly complex, and she couldn't help but let a smile play on her lips.
"It's no trouble at all. If there's a chance next time, I'll come to visit the Master of Hou Family then. We'll go rest now. Young Master Hou, please don't take today's events to heart!"
Zhao Qingxue courteously exchanged a few more words and then, along with everyone else, followed Hou Fei to a courtyard not far from the Hou Mansion.
"I'll watch over them tonight, and if anything happens, I'll send Hou Fei to notify you. We should arrange more sentries in the mansion tonight. If these people dare to act rashly again, there's no need to show mercy anymore!"
After sending the message to Hou Yucheng, Hou Yuxiao hurried to catch up with the others' pace. He couldn't afford to stray too far from these individuals; after all, apart from him, no one else in the family could handle this group.
Having reached the guest quarters prepared by the Hou Clan, no one was in the mood to eat. They simply had a few bites and then returned to their respective rooms.
Once inside her room, which was the furthest inside, Zhao Qingxue sat down in the chair to meditate for a long while, her expression becoming even stranger.
"Fang Jinghong, Ren Feng, Hou Yuxiao, are they the same person? Then that means Master's Historic Love Book wasn't wrong..."
As thoughts struck her, Zhao Qingxue's face gradually flushed, and then as if suddenly awakening, she curled her lip and said, "No, no, Master's calculations aren't reliable. That Hou Yuxiao, a leader of the Demon Path, to think he can be the calamity of my affections, is wishful thinking, hmph!"
As if to convince herself, Zhao Qingxue nodded firmly.
Meanwhile, not far in front of her in another guest room, Liu Fufeng stood at the door and gently knocked, whispering, "Brother Chen, you're not asleep, are you?"
The door opened from inside, and Liu Fufeng's face immediately showed a sharp glint as he walked in, shut the door behind him, and then no more sounds came out.
Their rooms were next to each other, both close to the courtyard entrance. Just one room away, Hou Yuxiao, dressed in black, was holding his breath and focusing intently on the roof, watching the scene below, his eyes full of mockery.
"Showing wealth really does lead to trouble. A mere third-rate small clan was equipped with five hundred ten-stone crossbows, it's obviously a big fat sheep, tempting for anyone to lay eyes on.
Especially these two somewhat capable fools!"
Hou Yuxiao sneered inwardly, a sudden cold light flashing in his pupils...