Chapter 106: Chapter 0106: Bribery (Three More Requests for Recommendations and Collections)
Yan Family Castle.
In a lavish and expansive hall, several Fanghua Female performers danced gracefully, their snow-white shoulders and slender legs enticingly visible as they moved, captivating onlookers with their charm.
A few musicians and singers accompanied them with soft music, creating a scene of birdsong and dance.
Chen Yu and Fang Haofei sat at the head table, in front of them a long table covered with fine wines and dishes, delicacies from the mountains and the sea.
“Not bad.”
Chen Yu and Fang Haofei drank and enjoyed the music and dancing, smiling as they did so.
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Fang Haofei’s gaze lingered more on the alluring figures of the singers and dancers.
“Oh um…”
Chen Yu gripped a huge, golden roasted bear paw in one hand and an unfamiliar fine wine in the other, tilting his head back to take a sip.
His gaze occasionally swept over the singers and dancers, nodding in approval.
Since entering the sect, Chen Yu had never relaxed and enjoyed himself like this, especially with the invasion of the Bone Demon Palace hanging over the disciples’ heads like a sharp sword.
“Hmph!”
Sitting to the side, Mu Xueqing kept a stern face, somewhat displeased with the behavior of the two men.
On the other side.
A few uncles from Yan Family Castle with “Yan Hong” at the helm occasionally toasted Chen Yu and company, offering a stream of flattery and compliments.
Beside Yan Hong, two middle-aged men whispered with a knowing smile, “Upper Envoys from the sect? Just a couple of naive youngsters, probably can’t handle the pleasures of worldly glory and beauty, heh, let alone get past the trial of seduction…”
Their faces bore ingratiating smiles, but inwardly, they were somewhat dismissive.
“Be careful, watch what you say in private. These sect disciples have unusual cultivation and better hearing than normal people.”
Yan Hong glared fiercely at the two of them.
However.
The way Chen Yu and Fang Haofei were enjoying themselves slightly eased Yan Hong’s worries.
At least.
The Upper Envoys from the sect who had come this time were not those strict and difficult characters, making them easier to deal with.
“Is this what they call Upper Envoys from the sect? What’s the difference between them and any lustful fools? Relying on them, my brother can hardly make a comeback…”
Yan Yuexi masked the disappointment and disgust in her heart.
Sitting beside her was an elegant and noble woman, the same beauty who had been in the carriage before.
This beauty, who at first glance seemed not even thirty, had her hair up in a fine style, her eyes and eyebrows lightly made up and spring-like, her skin as smooth and tender as warm jade, and amidst her seductive charm, there was also a sense of dignity and virtue.
“Yuexi, it’s too early to say.”
The beauty shook her head slightly.
She had been observing Chen Yu and his companion, noticing that while their eyes often lingered on the singers and dancers, it was more out of appreciation, without evident lascivious thoughts.
“This beauty is Lady Yan, the widow of the castle master.”
As Chen Yu drank, his look swept over the beauty and moved on.
The information he had accumulated indicated that Lady Yan was an important figure, the wife of the suddenly deceased castle master.
It is said.
Before marrying into the Yan Family, both the previous castle master Yan Cong and his elder brother Yan Hong had pursued Lady Yan.
Clap clap!
Suddenly, Yan Hong clapped his hands, and several comely singers and dancers approached, bringing with them a seductive fragrance as they gracefully approached.
“Which of you ladies can keep these two Envoys company will be handsomely rewarded.”
Yan Hong said with a smile.
At once.
Several beauties smiled sweetly, their eyes warm with spring, and positioned themselves close to Chen Yu and Fang Haofei, their gazes offering tender and gentle charm.
Fang Haofei laughed heartily, embracing the women on both sides, drinking a cup of wine personally offered by one of the beauties.
Two other girls, wearing elegant dresses and looking bright and respectable, nestled against Chen Yu’s shoulder, their soft hands gently caressing, eyes brimming with seductive glances.
Chen Yu was somewhat surprised, as the two beauties Yan Hong had arranged for him indeed had unexceptional beauty and demeanor.
Yet before he could reach out to embrace their waists.
Thump!
Mu Xueqing could no longer bear it and kicked the wine table in front of her over.
“The two of you! Still having the leisure to enjoy yourselves here…”
Mu Xueqing’s pretty face was icy, and her voice trembled slightly, especially when it came to Chen Yu, who pained her heart.
Once upon a time.
Chen Yu had pursued her with all his heart, never sparing a glance at any other woman, no matter how beautiful.
“Sister Qing…we are just relaxing. It’s appropriate to relax!”
Fang Haofei gave an awkward smile, shrugging his shoulders.
Chen Yu, on the other hand, wore a look of innocence; it seemed he hadn’t done anything, not even holding hands with the beauties.
“Haha! Miss, please don’t misunderstand. Our guests have traveled far and are weary. I merely wished the two Lords to enjoy their drinks and relax, with no other intention.”
Yan Hong hurried over to smooth things over.
“Mm, enough of this…it’s time to discuss serious matters.”
Chen Yu’s expression turned serious, gesturing with his hand.
Yan Hong was startled, and his face showed a mixture of reactions, but he quickly waved his hand, ordering all singers and dancers to leave.
In the hall, all the non-essential personnel departed.
Only a few important senior members of Yan Family Castle remained, including Yan Hong, the two uncles, and mother and daughter Lady Yan and Yan Yuexi.
“This youngest lad is indeed the one leading the group.”
Lady Yan’s beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.
During the song and dance feast, she had been observing the three Envoys from the sect.
The only one she couldn’t see through was Chen Yu.
“Uh…Esteemed Envoys, having just arrived after a tiring journey, perhaps we could discuss matters tomorrow.”
Yan Hong said with an ingratiating smile.
His glance passed over Lady Yan and her daughter with a touch of wariness.
Mu Xueqing, displeased, said, “Let’s talk about the overall situation.”
She was very concerned about this mission.
For some reason, she always felt that this Yan Hong was no good.
“At present, the Yan Family Castle is troubled by two main issues. The first is the sudden death of my brother Yan Cong, the previous fortress master. No successor to the fortress master has yet been established, which has left everyone uneasy.”
Yan Hong’s face showed a look of concern.
“Oh?”
Chen Yu’s eyes flashed lightly, “Then let the Young Castle Master succeed to the position, problem solved.”
Today, he had met that Young Master, Yan Fei.
Upon hearing this,
Lady Yan and Yan Yuexi couldn’t help but show looks of anticipation and joy.
“Perhaps. This Upper Envoy might truly be a fair and just person.”
The two women couldn’t help but think.
“Lord, although that’s what you said, the current Young Castle Master is just over eleven, still young and ignorant of the ways of the world, and not convincing enough to lead. That’s one point.”
Yan Hong’s expression turned stern as he hurriedly spoke.
Chen Yu nodded in agreement; indeed, relying on a little kid to be the castle master was not reliable.
“Secondly, the position of the castle master itself is under dispute. According to the ancestral rules, the eldest son has always assumed the position of castle master. In the past, my younger brother, with the help of demonic means, bewitched the Old Castle Master and forcefully took away the position of the castle master that was rightfully mine. Now that he is dead, I have the highest prestige in Yan Family Castle and should rightfully have the inheritance rights to the castle master.”
Yan Hong stated with conviction.
“That’s right! The position of the castle master should have been my brother’s from the beginning.”
The two uncles standing beside him quickly echoed.
“Oh?”
Chen Yu pondered for a moment.
In many family powers, even the inheritance of the throne, the eldest son is established as the heir.
“Lords, don’t just listen to their one-sided words.”
Yan Yuexi, with a delicate and lovely countenance full of anger and disdain, stood out.
“Let’s hear what you have to say.”
Mu Xueqing gestured with her hand, stopping Yan Hong and the others, allowing Yan Yuexi to speak.
Being a woman herself, she was more sympathetic to the weaker stance of Lady Yan and Yan Yuexi.
“The position of castle master of my father was determined by the Old Castle Master, that is, my grandfather, and there’s no dispute about it!”
Yan Yuexi’s delicate face flushed, her voice quivering slightly.
“That year, my husband and Yan Hong, the elder brother, had a public battle to decide the position of the castle master. I still remember, within ten moves, my husband defeated… elder brother Yan Hong…”
Lady Yan added.
Her beautiful eyes swept across the audience: “This was a matter known to all back then. Furthermore, the recent death of my husband was very strange. He was talented, in the Mid-stage of Refining, and robust. Only in his forties, how could he die suddenly? I suspect foul play.”
“Impudent woman! You dare to slander! Tian Cong’s death was purely an accident.”
Yan Hong shouted angrily.
In his speech, a surge of power belonging to the Organ Refining Stage emanated from him, clearly at the Early Stage of Refining Internal Organs.
“Silence!”
Fang Haofei let out a cold huff, and an immense and vast internal energy suddenly suppressed Yan Hong and the others.
His cultivation was not only higher, he also practiced top-tier martial arts which made him much stronger than ordinary martial artists.
“Let’s all talk properly. We’ll set this matter aside for now and move on to the next one.”
Chen Yu spoke indifferently.
As the team leader of this worldly mission, he had considerable decision-making power.
“The second matter. The Wu Family and Lin Family around Yan Family Castle, initially just small clans, have suddenly risen in power over the last six months and have joined forces with bandits. According to rumors, disciples and minions of the Bone Demon Palace have been seen in that area…”
Yan Hong reported.
“Have the Wu Family and Lin Family attacked Yan Family Castle?”
Chen Yu asked.
He had some information on the rise of the Wu and Lin Families at hand.
In the past, the Wu and Lin Families were at most at the level of the Chen Family in Xiangyang City and not on the same level as Yan Family Castle.
“Lately, they have encroached on several of our worldly industries, and although they have not directly attacked Yan Family Castle, they are already eying us like tigers their prey.”
Yan Hong said with a bitter smile.
The two uncles at his side quickly supported him: “If it weren’t for elder brother Yan Hong holding down the fort, the Wu and Lin Families would have already launched an attack. If the Young Castle Master were to take charge, the people’s hearts would scatter, and the consequences would be unimaginable.”
A moment later.
Chen Yu and the other two had more or less understood the situation in Yan Family Castle, which could not be better described than as “internal strife and external threats.”
“For today, let’s leave it at that. After observing for a while longer, we will draw our conclusions.”
Chen Yu said.
After finishing his talk,
He left the great hall with Fang Haofei and Mu Xueqing.
Soon after,
Yan Family Castle arranged excellent rooms for Chen Yu and the others.
Upon request, Chen Yu obtained a room with a separate courtyard, not far from Mu Xueqing.
At nightfall,
Chen Yu sat cross-legged and circulated the Cloud Evil Heart Method several times, feeling his cultivation stabilize and progress. In a few months’ time, he hoped to reach the Peak of Meridian Passage.
“Is the Lord present? Yan Hong requests an audience.”
A familiar, deep voice came from outside.
Inside the chamber.
Chen Yu saw Yan Hong once again, the elderly man now the most powerful in Yan Family Castle.
“To disturb you at night, I feel guilty. Please accept this small gift…”
Yan Hong offered an apologetic smile and presented a small, pocket-sized wooden box.
“What is the meaning of this? What kind of person do you think I am?”
Chen Yu’s face was expressionless.
Despite these words, he still opened the wooden box and his eyelids twitched slightly.
Inside the pocket-sized wooden box, there were over a hundred genuine yuan stones and a delicately made red soft armor.
“Half-precious Soft Armor?”
Chen Yu picked up the armor, showing a hint of surprise.
“This half-precious soft armor is infused with the fur of a Fire Lizard, which can ignore ordinary flames. It is said to possess a certain resistance to solar flame-based attacks.”
Yan Hong continued apologetically.
“Hmm.”
Chen Yu maintained a poker face as he closed the wooden box.
“I take my leave now. I only hope that Lord Chen will consider the bigger picture for the sake of Yan Family Castle.”
Yan Hong bowed and withdrew.
Seeing Chen Yu accepting the gifts, his smile widened, and he sighed a great sigh of relief in his heart.