Chapter 383: You're still young, you don't understand.

This damn thing isn't human!

Xu Xiaoshou pretended to collapse onto the ground. However, as the clouds parted and the moon emerged, Xu Xiaojiji's shadow still appeared on the surface.

"So, he's not a ghost?"

"Heavens, what on earth is this creature?"

Xu Xiaoshou was utterly terrified; this was a situation he had never encountered before.

Perhaps it's better for people to remain somewhat ignorant, isn't it? At least, knowing less can lead to a happier life.

Just moments ago, Xu Xiaoshou could still boldly and seriously tease the young man in front of him.

Now, however, he couldn't even muster the courage to flirt.

"The system's lie detector... This lousy system truly produces nothing worthwhile."

"Whatever it detects must be some world-shattering secret."

"People shouldn't know too much..."

Xu Xiaoshou shakily got back to his feet, looking at the young man he had nicknamed Xu Xiaojiji. He wondered what would happen if the guy started pressing him about it...

"Ge!"

But Xu Xiaojiji had tears streaming down his face, looking utterly miserable as he said:

"Ge, please stop toying with me. I just want to enter the City Lord Mansion once. If you don't want to take me, that's fine – just don't humiliate me like this!"

"I'm human too, and I have feelings!"

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, I don't believe you for a second!

If you're human, then how could the system be wrong?

Yet, the young man's repeated words left him feeling a bit puzzled.

According to the system's lie detection results, this guy wasn't human at all – he was an assassin. So, if he wanted to enter the City Lord Mansion, he must have a target in mind.

But that target didn't seem to be him?

Otherwise, Xu Xiaojiji wouldn't go through all this trouble, circling around him like this.

Xu Xiaoshou steadied his nerves. After all, he had uncovered this guy's secret, but the other didn't know that.

Right now, he couldn't let on that he knew too much.

So, he pretended to be casual, flicking his sleeve.

"Little brother."

"Even though I've almost forgotten what you look like, seeing you again feels like we've never been apart. I'll acknowledge you as my long-lost... uh, brother who's been separated for years."

"You want to enter the City Lord Mansion?" Xu Xiaoshou quickly corrected himself.

"Um!" Xu Xiaojiji gritted his teeth and nodded reluctantly.

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoshou hurried to reassure him: "Alright, I can take you into the City Lord Mansion. Once we're inside, you can do whatever you want or go wherever you please!"

"But it has nothing to do with me."

"How about that?"

Xu Xiaojiji was surprised. Why was this guy suddenly so generous?

This was precisely the best outcome he could have hoped for!

But would anyone be that kind? Not only accepting him as a fake brother but also bringing him in without asking for anything in return?

Impossible!

Xu Xiaojiji's eyes darted around suspiciously.

He wasn't stupid – Xu Xiaoshou's behavior was way too odd.

It was as if the guy was about to do something big and was afraid of being dragged down.

But whatever it was, could it be bigger than his own plans?

Xu Xiaojiji didn't dwell on it further. After all, this offer was as close to perfect as he could get.

"Good!"

He agreed right away. Xu Xiaoshou said no more, turned around abruptly, and tossed his head.

"Follow me."

Mu Zixi watched as these two went from tumbling on the ground to acting like real brothers in an instant, and she was completely dumbfounded.

Not just her – the thirty-six gate guards were equally shocked.

Could the bond between people really form that quickly?

Seeing those two walking arm in arm, anyone would think they were actual brothers!

The guards held their long spears in front, unsure whether to block them or let them pass.

As Xu Xiaoshou walked up, he smiled and pushed the weapons aside.

"Confirmed it – he's really my brother."

"Bringing one more person along isn't too much, right?"

The guard swallowed hard, a bead of sweat on his forehead, his gaze shifting oddly between the two.

"Had they made some... special deal?"

"Suspected, passive value: 1."

"Please, go ahead."

But with things said and done, he couldn't refuse them anymore.

"Bringing an extra person probably won't cause any issues..." Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, nodding slightly.

And so, under Mu Zixi's puzzled gaze, he led his "brother" and his "sister" into the City Lord Mansion.

In the banquet hall.

This place had been temporarily transformed from a vast open arena.

The purpose was to accommodate the many distinguished guests for the night.

It would also make it easy to settle things later with martial competitions to allocate the Bai Ku spots.

On the east side of this outdoor banquet hall were hundreds of wine tables, with numerous night pearls on the surrounding walls illuminating the area as bright as day.

Toasts were exchanged, and music and dance filled the air.

The people coming and going were mostly esteemed middle-aged men and women of high status and strength, with more arriving by the moment.

On the west side was the unaltered original arena.

Unlike the lively east side, the arena was occupied by young talents from various cities in Tian Sang Jun.

The competitions hadn't started yet, but the young people were already subtly sizing each other up.

Under the glow of the barrier's white starlight, a variety of figures were cast.

Some were warming up, some showing off their skills.

Others were pretending to be aloof, disdainfully scanning their surroundings.

And there were newcomers, fresh from the countryside, looking around anxiously and uneasily.

Under the guide's direction, Xu Xiaoshou flew for over a quarter of an hour before finally reaching the banquet hall.

By then, he was no longer surprised.

"Huge!"

"Way too huge!"

The City Lord Mansion was so enormous it was almost terrifying.

This place could probably serve as a small labyrinth without any spirit arrays – just keep the map secret, and intruders would get hopelessly lost.

"We're here."

The guide bowed and spoke before stepping away to resume his duties.

"We're here."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at Xu Xiaojiji and said the same, his tone implying they were parting ways.

Xu Xiaojiji: "..."

This guy looked more eager to ditch him than he was.

Oh well.

Separating would actually be more convenient for him!

He thought for a moment, then showed a reluctant expression in his eyes: "Ge, I'll be going then?"

"Go on, you've grown your wings – time to learn to soar in the sky." Xu Xiaoshou replied with a look of contentment.

Xu Xiaojiji: "..."

"Cursed, passive value: 1."

With that, he turned and headed straight for the west side where the young people were gathered.

Xu Xiaoshou watched his retreating figure, his contented smile turning to one of relief.

Finally, he's gone – that ghost...

"Let's go!"

Without another word, he led Mu Zixi toward the east side's wine tables.

"To the banquet?"

Mu Zixi was suddenly confused – this didn't seem like her senior brother's style at all.

Shouldn't he be jumping into the crowd, causing a ruckus, and then beating down anyone who got annoyed?

"Xu Xiaoshou, are you going the wrong way?" she asked.

Xu Xiaoshou turned back, glanced in the direction where Xu Xiaojiji had disappeared, and patted Mu Zixi's head.

"No, you're still young – you don't get it."

"Some people... uh, or some beings and non-beings, aren't something your level of thinking can figure out."

He thought to himself, without that lie detector, I probably wouldn't get it either!

"Cursed, passive value: 1, 1, 1, 1..."

The sudden flood of messages left Xu Xiaoshou stunned.

Had he said something offensive? This was coming out of nowhere!

He held up the little girl's gloomy, darkened face and felt her forehead.

"Running a fever?"

"Or is your brain fried?"

Mu Zixi lowered her head, staring at her toes, her fists clenched tight.

"Cursed, passive value: 1, 1, 1, 1..."