On the outside, Li Guanqi wore a cheerful smile, but inside, he was cursing under his breath. *These old foxes... No matter. We have plenty of time to play this game.*
With that in mind, Li Guanqi casually shifted his gaze to Yuan Hongyi and let it linger there for two full breaths.
This bizarre sight sparked wild speculation among many in the hall.
*Why is Li Guanqi staring at Yuan Hongyi for so long... Does he have a problem with him?*
*He's lingered on him quite a while! Could it be because Yuan Hongyi was so noncommittal from the very beginning, earning Li Guanqi's displeasure?*
*Or is the Yellow Tower Master actually the one backing Li Guanqi the most?*
*The dynamic between the two seems rather ambiguous...*
Standing behind Li Guanqi, Jiang Yi furrowed his brows, unable to fathom what he was planning.
Suddenly, Li Guanqi gave Yuan Hongyi a wink, an enigmatic, eerie smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
*Something is wrong! Staring at me was bad enough, but what in the world was that wink?!*
*Why the hell is everyone looking at me! I don't know what's going on either!*
Yuan Hongyi maintained a smile on his face, but inwardly he was already jumping in fury and cursing up a storm.
From the moment Li Guanqi first glanced his way, Yuan Hongyi's heart had been pounding, his thoughts racing at frantic speed.
As a merchant who oversaw boundless wealth across the Six Domains, what kind of person had he not encountered? When it came to scheming and calculating depth, even Jiang Yi could hardly hold a candle to him.
Yet Li Guanqi had held his gaze for two breaths—not too long, but not brief either.
Because it wasn't overly long, it didn't feel overly aggressive, suggesting at least that Li Guanqi wasn't hostile toward him. But two breaths were still long enough to show that Li Guanqi had some designs regarding him.
And that final wink threw him into utter bewilderment...
Before he could even puzzle out what the look had meant, the young man had gone and winked at him.
Yet that single gesture was something perhaps only Ji Yuchuan—who had shared wine with Li Guanqi—could truly understand.
Still, Ji Yuchuan couldn't be bothered to explain it to the others. He merely reveled in secret amusement, finding the entire spectacle utterly hilarious.
Perhaps everyone else thought Li Guanqi was simply a powerful brute who acted without rhyme or reason. It had been called an assembly, yet from the moment everyone stepped into the Deliberation Hall, they had been treated to one absurd show after another.
Only Ji Yuchuan had noticed that from the instant Li Guanqi sat down beside him...
Everything—every single detail—had been entirely within Li Guanqi's grasp!
Every person had been led along by his thoughts, his words, his every move...
*His depth is truly bottomless!*
Li Guanqi withdrew his gaze and said with a chuckle, "Haha, well, consider us introduced.
"That will be all for today. Once the four of you Tower Masters return, send me a briefing on your current affairs.
"All right, go on and do whatever you need to do."
With that, Li Guanqi took the lead, rising to his feet and walking toward the hall's doors.
*Screeech! Scraaaape! Clatter!*
The benches grated against the floor in a chorus of chaotic sounds as everyone rose in unison.
Facing the figure departing through the gates, they bowed low and called out, "We respectfully see off the Pavilion Master!"
The Masters of the Four Towers were among them. Out of deference to that identity jade pendant, it was an absolute necessity.
Song Yunshu eagerly hurried after Li Guanqi, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
Noticing her expression, Li Guanqi said, "Why are you looking at me like that? Where is Elder Gu's residence?"
Song Yunshu drew in several deep breaths and said with utmost earnestness, "You were amazing! To handle all those important figures so effortlessly, without showing the slightest bit of fear!"
Hearing this, Li Guanqi curled his lip. "Do you know why?"
The young woman shook her head in utter confusion.
"Why? Wasn't it because of that string of actions and words of yours?"
Li Guanqi smiled softly. It seemed this girl had experienced far too little of the world.
Seeing that no one was around, Li Guanqi explained via a gentle voice transmission.
"I can appear to be mad, but I cannot truly be mad.
"The reason I can do these things without them daring to overstep...
"Is because they know that if I lose my temper, I truly dare to strike and kill them—and I possess the power to do it!
"If that man in black hadn't been so skilled at concealing his aura, taking his life would have been as easy as turning over my palm."
Song Yunshu grasped the crux of the matter in an instant!
The Yanluo Sword... that was a title the young man before her had carved out with his own hands through slaughter!
Li Guanqi suddenly turned to look at Song Yunshu and murmured, "If it had been you sitting in that seat today, I'm afraid the Deliberation Hall would have been completely empty."
Song Yunshu pressed her lips together, forced to admit this undeniable truth.
Before long, the two arrived at a detached courtyard suspended halfway up the mountainside.
Sensing the fluctuations of the jade pendant, the courtyard's barrier parted on its own.
The two stepped inside. The courtyard was exquisitely appointed, and the heavy furniture paired with wall-to-wall bookshelves made Li Guanqi feel thoroughly at ease.
A foreign fragrance drifted through the air; merely inhaling it made Li Guanqi's mind feel noticeably clearer.
The residence had no reception area for guests; right past the entrance lay an immense study.
At a single glance, Li Guanqi spotted a jade slip resting on the desk.
He walked over and picked it up. Gu Yong's voice slowly echoed by his ears.
"Young friend, by the time you hear my voice, this old man should already be in seclusion.
"Thank you for lending a hand. Yunshu is still young and lacks experience... Left to face that den of old foxes, I fear she would be eaten alive, bones and all.
"Sigh... Entering seclusion this time leaves my life and death uncertain. If I fail to survive this tribulation, I entrust Tianji Pavilion to you!
"All you need to do is ensure my granddaughter wants for nothing in life...
"Within the Pavilion Master's jade pendant lies a force you may deploy with complete confidence. They are called the Dark Pavilion Guards, numbering seven in all.
"Everything in Tianji Pavilion is at your absolute disposal. Act freely, and do not hesitate to kill if needed.
"I entrust this to you!"
Li Guanqi lowered the jade slip, and a streak of spiritual light suddenly shot out from it, entering his mind!
*The Great Wilderness Roaming Dragon Scripture.*
"This is... an ancient movement technique?"
A wry smile appeared on Li Guanqi's face. The old man was truly terrified that he wouldn't put in the work; a movement technique like this was far from simple...
It seemed that even if it meant swallowing red-hot iron, he was bound to take on this job.
The contents of this jade slip spoke volumes about how deeply Gu Yong trusted Li Guanqi—or perhaps, Gu Yong's words carried the distinct tone of settling his final affairs.
It seemed this breakthrough was perilous beyond measure. Furthermore, Gu Yong had told no one where he was going, for he naturally did not want to become a target for those with ulterior motives.
Li Guanqi took the seat that had once belonged to the elder. Looking out at the lush, green scenery beyond the doorway, he held his fingers as if poising a go stone.
His fingers descended gently, placing a white piece in an opposite corner!
With a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Li Guanqi murmured softly, "Well then... gentlemen, make your moves!"
*Buzz!*
Li Guanqi's eyes narrowed slightly. The shadow beneath his feet rippled, and a dark silhouette draped entirely in shadow slowly emerged.
The figure was slender and frail, their voice muffled and indistinct, making it impossible to tell whether they were male or female.
"Dark Pavilion Guard Ge San pays respects to the Pavilion Master."
Li Guanqi said softly, "Go keep watch on the Masters of the Three Towers for me!"
Hearing the order, the shadowy figure responded, "Ge San obeys the command. Reports will be relayed every two hours. If that time is exceeded, consider me a discarded piece."
Li Guanqi felt a sudden chill in his heart. He had not expected all seven of these Dark Pavilion Guards to be death-sworn operatives.
Chapter 680