The commotion in Crescent Moon City's bustling vegetable market had drawn a crowd, a curious blend of rchants, shoppers, and bystanders. Among them was a bald youth with a freckled face, his wide eyes glued to the scene. His jaw slackened in shock as he spotted two young masters from the city's most prestigious clans standing amidst crates of cabbages and carrots.
"What's going on here?" he muttered, nudging a nearby bystander—a tall, broad-shouldered man with a deep tan that gave him the appearance of a sun-weathered ape.
The tanned man turned, a sardonic smirk tugging at his lips. "Looks like so poor fool managed to offend both the Shen and Zhou clans at once. Bad luck doesn't even begin to cover it."
The bald youth rubbed his gleaming temple nervously. His voice dropped to a worried whisper. "Do you know who it is? I hope it's not soone I know... or worse, soone connected to ."
The tanned man waved dismissively, his smirk widening. "Relax. The unlucky bastard isn't from Crescent Moon City."
Ning Xue clenched her hands tightly around her shopping basket as tension crackled in the air. Her earlier encounter with Shen Mu and Zhen Tian left her on edge. Despite her best efforts to maintain composure, their imposing presence lood over her like storm clouds.
The pair followed the group like vibrant peacocks in a coop of hens, their ornate robes and commanding auras turning heads wherever they went. Common folk scattered, abandoning their errands for fear of inadvertently offending such powerful figures.
"Sister Xue, don't worry," Jian Yu murmured, slipping her hand over Ning Xue's in a gesture of quiet reassurance. "Our master may be... eccentric, but he's no fool."
The softness in Jian Yu's voice was like a balm to Ning Xue's fraying nerves. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to nod. He's not a fool, but that doesn't an he won't make things worse, she thought grimly.
Zhou Wen, walking slightly ahead, glanced over his shoulder with a asured smile. "We'll reach the Liu residence soon, young lords. I'm sure the one you seek will be more than willing to clear up any misunderstandings."
His tone was polished and deferential, but Ning Xue didn't miss the calculating glint in his eyes. He's enjoying this far too much, she thought bitterly, suppressing the urge to glare at him.
As the group neared the gates of the Liu residence, a pair of inexperienced guards watched their approach nervously. The sight of Shen Mu and Zhen Tian at the forefront struck them like a thunderbolt.
"Wait a minute... are those—?" one guard stamred, his voice trailing off as recognition dawned. The figures in the distance beca more familiar as they drew closer, particularly their clothing that boasted so of the typical symbols relating to the Liu Clan.
The other guard's face paled. "The Shen and Zhou young masters... here?" Without another word, he abandoned his post, sprinting toward the main hall to deliver the news.
In the Liu clan's main hall, Patriarch Liu sat at the head of the room, his expression dark as storm clouds. Over an hour had passed since his wife escorted their guest, Li Wei, to his quarters. Yet there was no sign of her return.
The weight of silence pressed down on the elders gathered around him, each one stealing uneasy glances at the Patriarch. Finally, one elder mustered the courage to speak, his voice quivering. "P-Patriarch Liu, surely Hero Li Wei would not... go too far. Lady Chen Xi is a dignified woman."
The Patriarch's gaze snapped to the elder, his eyes sharp enough to cut stone. "Do you take for so jealous fool?" he snapped, his voice a low growl. "As Patriarch, I trust my wife's judgnt implicitly."
Yet even as he spoke, unease twisted like a serpent in his gut. The mory of his wife disappearing with Li Wei replayed in his mind, gnawing at his composure. He slamd his fist against the armrest of his chair, the sound reverberating through the hall. I cannot show weakness here. Not now.
The tension was broken by the arrival of a trusted aide, who burst into the hall and bowed deeply. "Patriarch Liu, a guard at the main gate brings urgent news."
Liu Feng's brows furrowed, and he straightened in his seat. "Bring him in," he ordered, his tone calm but laced with an undertone of dread.
Monts later, the young guard entered, visibly trembling. Dropping to his knees, he kept his head low as he spoke in a shaky voice. "Patriarch, the young masters of the Shen and Zhou clans are approaching the gates. They will be here shortly."
The words sent a ripple of shock through the room. Several elders shot to their feet, their faces pale and drenched in sweat.
"Both the Shen and Zhou clans?" one elder stamred, his voice cracking. "This... this could be the end of us."
Another elder groaned, wiping at the perspiration streaming down his temples. "The Zhou clan alone is troubleso enough. Adding the Shen clan... we're finished!"
Liu Feng's face remained stony, but his mind raced. Why would both clans co here together? Could they already know that Li Wei is in my residence?
Taking a deep breath, he rose to his feet, his posture straight and commanding. "Enough!" he barked, silencing the panicked murmurs. "We cannot afford to show weakness. Prepare a reception for our esteed guests. They must know that the Liu clan does not cower in the face of adversity."
His authoritative tone brought a semblance of order to the room. The elders, though visibly shaken, began issuing instructions for the reception, their movents brisk and efficient.
Outside the gates, Ning Xue and Jian Yu exchanged wary glances as the Liu residence lood closer. They could feel the mounting tension, an unspoken acknowledgnt of the storm brewing within those walls.
Ning Xue's grip tightened around her basket, her pulse quickening as she replayed Zhen Tian's asured words in her mind.
We're heading into the lion's den. I just hope Master Li Wei is ready to face what's coming
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