Chapter 2227: Retaliation

Everyone turned their heads, wondering who would be so bold as to speak like that to Sun Xun on Yi Commandery's territory.

Sun Xun's face was frosty, his cheek twitched slightly, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

"Your Carefree Pavilion guests truly are a talented bunch," Sun Xun sneered, glancing at the stout Venerable.

The stout Venerable felt as though he had gained a size today, wondering why all sorts of troubles were piling up.

He looked at the person who had spoken; they were wearing a plain mask and were ascending from the second floor, not one of the pavilion's most distinguished Jade Token guests. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't be impulsive, both of you. This matter doesn't concern you."

He had already scanned them with his cultivation; the energy fluctuations around them indicated they were merely sixth-grade cultivators. Both Sun Xun and he could easily crush them with one hand, so he wondered where they got their confidence.

He then recalled that #333, wondering if all sixth-grade cultivators were so arrogant these days.

He had expected them to take the hint and leave after he offered them a way out and subtly displayed his own cultivation. To his surprise, the two didn't even glance at him, walking straight towards Sun Xun.

"Did you just say you *are* the law?"

Sun Xun frowned, immediately ordering his subordinates, "What are you standing around for? Do I have to spell it out for you?"

As a distinguished Grandmaster and Prime Minister of a vassal state, he felt he had already lowered himself by speaking so much to #333 earlier. He couldn't be bothered to deal with these two now.

Sensing their master's displeasure, the guards immediately pounced on the two like wolves.

Just then, however, the person produced a golden token. "Who dares!"

The guards froze, and the entire third floor fell silent, as everyone clearly saw the inscription on the golden token: "Imperial Feathered Forest."

"From the palace??" Not everyone was authorized to use the character "Imperial," and everyone quickly understood.

Those familiar with official ranks immediately realized this must be a waist token belonging to an Imperial Feathered Forest Guard, who were responsible for protecting the Forbidden Palace. They wondered why it was here.

The guards looked to Sun Xun for guidance. Sun Xun's expression also changed as he suddenly recalled intelligence he had received a few days prior: it seemed an Imperial Envoy's entourage had already arrived in Yi Commandery.

Previously, the Yi Commandery Prefect and officials from Yan State had specifically gone to welcome them. Although the Imperial Envoy met with them, he claimed to be suffering from a cold and did not disembark. Everyone immediately understood that the envoy was escorting an important person and had no intention of getting entangled with Yi Commandery's officialdom.

This eased the minds of officials throughout Yi Commandery, as every place had its hidden secrets. Although the Imperial Envoy's mission was directed towards Yunzhong Commandery, if something from Yi Commandery were accidentally uncovered, countless heads might roll.

Sun Xun never expected to encounter someone from the Imperial Envoy's delegation at the Carefree Pavilion. He immediately put on a new demeanor, his gloomy face softening into a genial smile. "Generals, you have traveled far. I, Sun, failed to meet you, a grave offense indeed."

He wouldn't need to be so courteous merely to Imperial Envoy's guards. The main reason was that Imperial Feathered Forest Guards were typically seconded from prominent families in the capital, all with powerful backing. He certainly didn't want to accidentally offend any of the capital's influential figures.

"You are too kind, sir; we are not worthy." These two were, of course, Pei You and Gao Ying. One had been losing heavily at the casino, his face flushed, while the other was sweating profusely on the second floor. The continuous commotion from the third floor had made it impossible for them to concentrate, so they had angrily come up to investigate.

Upon seeing Zuan being harassed, they thought, "Well, this won't do!" They quickly stepped forward to help.

Hearing the mockery in their tone, Sun Xun was secretly furious but showed no trace of it on his face. "Today, my son was robbed and murdered. I am here investigating the case. Grieved by the loss of my child, I spoke impulsively. I hope both generals will overlook it."

His previous words might have been acceptable in Yi Commandery, but if they were to reach the capital, they would cause considerable trouble.

Although the imperial court wouldn't likely punish him for such a minor matter, leaving a bad impression on the Emperor or the court's influential figures could affect his future prospects.

"Oh?" The two had rushed over and didn't know what had transpired. They walked directly to Zuan and asked him, and Zuan briefly explained the situation.

"So they know each other!" Sun Xun noted, his brows furrowing tightly. This complicated matters.

The stout Venerable's eyes widened, and he instinctively looked at Tang Tianer, transmitting his voice with qi: "Didn't you say he was from the Sea Race?"

Tang Tianer looked bewildered. "I don't know either. Are the Sea Race now connected to the imperial court?"

"It's not entirely impossible." However, the stout Venerable had no time to ponder this. The thought that even an Imperial Envoy and palace guards were now involved deeply worried him about potential negative consequences for the Carefree Pavilion. He would likely be reprimanded for his incompetence later.

After listening to Zuan's account, Pei You and Gao Ying looked at Sun Xun disapprovingly. "Lord Sun, since all the evidence proves he is innocent, why are you still trying to apprehend him?"

Although Sun Xun's cultivation was high, he was still a subject of the Great Zhou. Pei You and Gao Ying were acting under imperial decree, and having grown accustomed to influential figures in the capital—even having masters of Sun Xun's caliber within their own families—they naturally wouldn't hold him in high regard.

"This..." Sun Xun hesitated slightly, then changed his tone. "I was inconsiderate."

Since the other party was connected to the Imperial Envoy's delegation, he couldn't just throw his weight around.

At this point, Zuan spoke up, "To know one's mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Lord Sun, in the future, you must sincerely work for the common people and never abuse the power granted to you by the imperial court."

Sun Xun: "..."

Give you an inch, and you'll take a mile?

Being reprimanded in front of so many people, he found it hard to save face. "May I ask your official position, sir?"

Fury value from Sun Xun: 444,444,444...

Zuan said calmly, "I hold no official post or rank. What I just said is a principle every common person understands. Does Lord Sun find anything wrong with it?"

Sun Xun's breath hitched, and after a moment, he exhaled. "You are quite right."

Fury value from Sun Xun: 745,745,745...

With a livid face, he left a single remark and swept away.

Only then did the other occupants of the Carefree Pavilion finally breathe a sigh of relief, though they still watched Zuan and his companions warily. After all, this was a gray area, and the group's background from the capital made everyone uncomfortable.

The stout Venerable hurried over, bowing apologetically. "Please, distinguished guests, come inside. We were blind and neglected you earlier; please don't take offense."

He wanted to seize the opportunity to build good relations. Imperial Envoys were human, after all, and naturally had their weaknesses. The Carefree Pavilion had entertained imperial envoys before over the years.

Zuan smiled. "No need. We have other matters to attend to, so we won't trouble you."

"Are you leaving already, Young Master An?" Tang Tianer looked at him reluctantly. Had Zuan not witnessed her use of hypnotic smoke before, he might have truly believed she was sincere in her affection.

"I'll visit you another day, my lady." Zuan lightly patted her rear, then laughed heartily and departed.

Watching their retreating figures, Tang Tianer's face flushed. "That guy actually took advantage of me!"

She suddenly realized that after all that time, she didn't even know his real name or identity. For years, she had charmed men with her singing and dancing, toying with them at her whim. Today, for the first time ever, she felt as though she had been played.

"Was he really mesmerized by me earlier?" Tang Tianer's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but then she quickly broke into a smile. "An interesting man. I like him."

Meanwhile, the stout Venerable personally escorted Zuan and his group. He had initially worried about how to make them adhere to the Carefree Pavilion's entry and exit rules later, but to his surprise, Zuan voluntarily entered the enclosed carriage, filling him with gratitude.

Due to Sun Ji's incident, he personally accompanied them until they were near the dock before departing.

"Why are we leaving so early? I haven't had enough fun yet," Pei You finally grumbled, now that they were alone.

Zuan chuckled, "They didn't even make you pay. Aren't you satisfied?"

Pei You grinned, "How could I compare to Brother Zuan? In such a short time, you managed to charm the most beautiful woman in Carefree Pavilion. I heard on the second floor that Tang Tianer is widely considered the pavilion's top beauty."

Gao Ying nodded. "I also heard many people talking about her on the first floor. She's the Carefree Pavilion's most famous courtesan, effortlessly navigating between various men. Brother Zuan, you should be careful. Indulge the body, but don't lose your heart."

"Thanks for the warning." Zuan knew Gao Ying meant well, but having witnessed Tang Tianer's methods, he suspected those men were likely being manipulated by her, with no one truly gaining any advantage.

Seeing that he didn't seem to heed the warning, Gao Ying sighed, thinking that as a young man full of vigor, he would indeed find it hard to resist the allure of such a stunning beauty.

He stopped trying to persuade him and changed the subject. "Brother Zuan, was there a deeper meaning to calling us back so urgently?"

Zuan nodded. "Of course. Sun Xun won't just let this go."

Pei You raised an eyebrow. "What? Does he dare to attack us?"

"Why wouldn't he dare? Here they come," Zuan sighed, gazing in a certain direction in the distance.

I forgot to mention in yesterday's chapter that many readers have recently reported QQ accounts impersonating me, with identical avatars and IDs. Please be vigilant to avoid being scammed.

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