Chapter 569: Reversed Scales
Translator: Yukidaruma Translations Editor: Yukidaruma Translations
Kite quickly got close with Bruce. He felt Bruce had a graceful demeanor and was knowledgeable. No matter what they talked about, he would be able to get straight to the crux of things. Moreover, Bruce did not carry himself with airs of arrogance. He simply, simply...
'...has the disposition of a sovereign?' Kite thought. 'If Bruce had been born in the royal family, his achievements might not lose out to the First Prince.'
Halfway through their conversation, an attendant suddenly walked up to Oliver and said something softly in his ear.
Oliver smiled and looked at Kite. "Your little girlfriend is really special."
"Oh? Kite's girlfriend is here as well?" Bruce asked. "Why didn't you bring her over?"
Oliver shook his head and shared with him what had happened earlier. He then said, "Guess who that guy is."
"Who?"
Oliver smiled with a hint of disdain in his eyes as he responded, "Their names are not on the name list. Both of them snuck in."
"What?!" Kite exclaimed.
Oliver then smiled again with a hint of arrogance in his eyes. "I've already told them to inform the guards. Just wait to watch a good show. Later on, just find a good chance to appear and be the hero to save the damsel in distress. As for that guy, it'll just take a single word to deal with him."
Kite instantly understood. Oliver wanted him to go over and help Lilia to resolve her predicament when she was being chased out.
Bruce looked in Fang Xingjian's direction with interest. It was rare to be able to see such a farce at the Pop Clan's banquet.
As for people like them who had snuck in, they were probably coveting for fame and wealth, wanting to find someone to curry favors to. Both Oliver and Bruce had encountered too many people like these previously, so for them, it was interesting to occasionally make a fool out of these people.
Two guards appeared before Fang Xingjian and Lilia, nodded in greeting, and said politely, "Excuse me, can I please see your invitations?"
Lilia frowned slightly and said, "We tossed them away after entering. What do you want?"
The two guards exchanged glances with slight changes to their expressions. They now looked toward Fang Xingjian and Lilia with a hint of contempt. In their opinion, a beauty like Lilia had probably snuck into the banquet to look for a man with authority and influence.
"I apologize, but this is a private banquet. We suspect that the two of you have not been invited. Please come with us."
A hint of surprise flashed on Lilia's face. She turned to look at Fang Xingjian but did not receive any instructions from him. The two guards were already starting to get a little impatient. "Please come with us."
The situation here had already drawn the attention of many people in the hall. Now, the gazes cast toward Fang Xingjian and Lilia were all different, with some of contempt, others of amusement. Some felt curious, and others were judging them.
Amongst a group of married ladies, one of them by the name of Vicky said, "To think that people can sneak in even into a banquet of the Pop Clan… The security really isn't up to standard."
Another lady next to her said, "Hehe, I've long felt that they were strange to be wearing those clothes to attend this banquet. It turns out that they snuck in."
Yet another lady added, "That lady looks quite pretty. She must be here to catch herself a man."
Hearing the teasing coming from the crowd, hints of fury flashed on Lilia's face. During this past period of time in which she had been receiving guidance from Fang Xingjian, her cultivation level had reached that of a level 25 Conferred Knight. She was now starting to condense specialty seeds and was not to be underestimated. At this moment, she really felt like striking out at the people.
However, her flushed face was interpreted by the others as her embarrassment and awkwardness. Kite frowned and was about to step out as he could not stand it anymore.
Oliver, who was next to him, grabbed him by the shoulder and grinned, saying, "Why are you being so anxious? The show is just starting.
"If you step out after they've been dragged out, telling them that she was the lady companion you brought with you, she'll definitely fall head over heels for you. By then, you might even be able to reach home base with her tonight."
Just then, Fang Xingjian finally opened his eyes slightly, throwing a glance toward the two guards. With this one simple glance, the faces of the two guards turned pale. It was as if they had fallen into the ice plains in the north pole and rendered unable to move.
"Scram."
The two guards immediately retreated a few steps back with trembling legs, seeming as if they were about to flee.
However, just as the two of them were about to flee, a lady dressed in white walked over quickly.
The lady had beautiful long hair draping down her exquisite and elegant face, as well as fair and tender skin, making her appear like a legendary spirit. The moment she appeared, the gazes of almost everyone present were drawn to her, overwhelmed by how amazingly the gods had created her.
The person who had just arrived was the Young Miss of the Pop Clan, the lady who was said to be the top beauty in the Northern Ice Region—Audrey Pop.
She walked up to stand in front of Fang Xingjian and shook her head helplessly. "The two of you can leave. These two are my friends."
The two guards threw a horrified glance toward Fang Xingjian and left immediately when they heard Audrey's words as if they had been granted amnesty.
When Audrey stepped in to help Fang Xingjian and Lilia, it shocked everyone present.
Even Kite and Oliver were also astonished. However, seeing Audrey take Fang Xingjian's hand and leave, their mouths opened wide, unable to say a word.
Bruce, who was at the side, suddenly crushed the wine glass he was holding. Killing intent seemed to be amassing in his eyes.
Oliver immediately recalled that Bruce and Audrey were seen to be the most suitably matched couple amongst the younger generation of the Northern Ice Region. It was said that Bruce had always had a crush on Audrey, and seeing how Bruce was acting now, it was clear that it was not just a crush.
Audrey pulled Fang Xingjian and Lilia away, and ran toward a small garden. She could not help but say, "Why have you come? Haven't I already given you the item? Are you really unafraid of death?"
She then shook her head. "Forget it. How about this. You're good at using stealth, right? If you're really unafraid of death, then do you dare bring me away with you?"
Lilia looked at Audrey with her guard up. With Audrey's beautiful and seemingly fragile appearance, Lilia felt Audrey was an overwhelming threat.
Furthermore, after hearing what Audrey said, Lilia's gaze reflected that she was even more wary against Audrey. Lilia looked at Audrey and asked, "Master, who is she?"
Fang Xingjian said calmly, "She's the person who gave me the stone. The Eight Directional Crimson Dragon has their eyes on her. I'm going to protect her."
Hearing this, not only did the wariness in Lilia's eyes not disappear, but it grew even stronger.
Audrey said helplessly, "What's with the talk about protecting? If you want to repay me, then just help me escape from here. I'll go pack up, and you can come to my room to look for me at 4a.m. tonight. It's decided then."
Seeing how eager Audrey was to try this out, Fang Xingjian frowned slightly.
It was just then that Bruce, Kite, and Oliver walked over. Having heard Audrey's words, the killing intent in Bruce's eyes grew even stronger as he glared at Fang Xingjian with great jealousy.
He had known Audrey since young and had felt that the two of them were a match made in heaven, the most suitable couple in the entire Northern Ice Region.
Bruce had always thought that Audrey had feelings for him as well, and as such, he already saw Audrey as his own woman, someone who was exclusively his. How could he possibly bear the thought of having others taint her? Fang Xingjian's current actions were simply just like pulling out his reversed scales 1 .