Among this group of suitors, aside from Mu Yunye, Situ Ye’s cultivation was the highest and his strength the greatest.

Yet, he couldn’t even withstand a single blow from that youngster.

Since when did the Taixuan Sect’s foundation grow so powerful that a disciple from the lowest rank of the Taixuan Nine Classics possessed such skill and aura?

Baili An’s gaze swept over them, sending a chill through their hearts.

"Ji... Young Master Ji, your actions... getting our young lady drunk right away, isn’t that against decorum...?"

Qin Lou, the steward, glanced at the visibly furious Fang You, feeling quite troubled himself.

This was a matchmaking banquet, where immortals from all directions could display their divine skills.

But how could you, in front of her father, stride up and embrace the young lady, a noble daughter of Shifang City, and brazenly kiss her?

It was disgraceful and showed complete disregard for Shifang City!

Regarding Qin Lou’s questioning, Baili An noncommittally lifted his gaze and glanced at her lightly.

He smiled and said, "What Steward Qin says is absolutely right; I was impolite.

Since Miss Fang can’t handle her liquor, let me make amends by taking her out to get some fresh air to sober up."

Without waiting for Qin Lou, the steward’s, objection, Baili An spoke and then carried the flushed, faint Fang Geyu away from the party.

Ning Feiyan watched Baili An’s departing figure, mischievously commenting to Yin Baishuang:

"The true beloved is still here, yet he carries another girl and leaves you here alone. Why don’t you seem heartbroken at all?"

Yin Baishuang calmly replied, "Do you take me for a fool? Miss Fang is clearly acting very strangely right now, likely due to some troublesome ’thing’ at work inside her.

At such a moment, if An were to drag me into handling that troublesome entity, that would indeed be excessively inconsiderate, so I won’t foolishly intervene."

Ning Feiyan, resting her chin on her hand, enthusiastically looked at Yin Baishuang and said, "Did you really swear a Heart Demon Oath?

How is it that you seem more carefree and natural than those reclusive Immortals unconcerned with worldly matters?"

Yin Baishuang merely smiled and said nothing more.

At the banquet, Fang You’s expression had already turned almost dark and grim.

The event no longer needed to continue.

He dismissed the guests immediately and called for Steward Qin Lou, his voice low and cold:

"Investigate this Ji Xinnian thoroughly; a mere disciple new to the Taixuan Nine Classics couldn’t be so formidable." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Qin Lou’s expression grew solemn: "City Lord, do you suspect he’s colluding with Jiushijiu in secret?"

The mention of Jiushijiu made Fang You’s eyes flicker with an unspoken concern, his deeply wrinkled face serious like a marble statue.

After a long while, he spoke slowly: "I may not understand why that slaughter-happy creature wasn’t eradicated back then.

But I sense she’s stirring up such a colossal disaster in Shifang City now likely for the Ten Directions Sword; we must be vigilant."

"But Miss Fang..."

Fang You interrupted: "Though at such a crucial moment, preserving the bloodline of Shifang is essential,

as Geyu’s father, I still hope her lifelong matters can involve less intrigue under the right circumstances.

Even though I know this notion is extremely naive, there really is no perfect solution in this world.

But even so, I cannot allow those with ill intentions to approach my daughter freely."

Murderous intent gradually rose in Fang You’s cold gaze: "Investigate thoroughly! If there’s anything off about that youngster,

or if he truly met with that monster Jiushijiu after entering the city, then... he cannot be allowed to stay!"

Qin Lou felt a chill in his heart and quietly acknowledged.

Deep in the courtyard, with the Begonia at the forefront, thousands of blossoms like brocade hydrangeas adorned with frost were faintly cold under the moonlight.

The snowy plum trees, withered and stiff, were frozen in the clear, icy night dew.

Baili An moved with the wind, lightly tapping his toes on the tip of a plum tree, shaking off the snow with a rustle.

He paused silently atop the glazed eaves under the cold moon while embracing the feverish ’Fang Geyu’ in his arms.

The chilling wind and snow touched her face, easing her intoxication. ’Fang Geyu’ raised her head and saw Baili An’s defined chin.

She furrowed her brows tightly, pushing him away with an effort, struggling to stand steadily on her feet.

The wind atop the eaves was fierce, scattering her tangled black hair, and the white fox fur cloak fluttered loudly in the cold air.

The girl’s slender and light figure was faintly visible in the dark, her gaze gradually focusing as a dense fog suddenly began to rise.

The eerie golden eyes seemed like two divine fires burning within the fog, cold and mysterious.

Baili An stood calmly on the eave’s edge, feeling a piercing, deathly aura, like a blade’s rust scraping over blood, closing in on him.

A slender and pale hand emerged from the fog and moonlight, chillingly gripping Baili An’s throat and effortlessly lifting him.

Baili An frowned slightly but did not resist.

He looked down at the golden eyes beneath the swirling snow and fog, his deep black eyes like ink, unfathomable.

’Fang Geyu’s’ voice, devoid of emotion, came through the wind: "I remember your aura, master of the Bronze Gate."