The gratitude in his eyes remained unspoken, but Quentin Hua perceived it nonetheless. With a shrug, he replied, "Alright then!" He too had pressing matters to attend to; in truth, he could do little to help Maxwell Jing. Shaking his head with a wry, self-mocking smile, he thought, I am but someone who can't even save himself.
Though their voices were low, Ethan Gu—seated beside Maxwell Jing—caught every word. Remembering Maxwell Jing’s earlier strangeness, he furrowed his brow. Clearly, Quentin Hua was privy to far more than he was.
Morgan Shangguan and Damien Gray were wholly undisturbed by Quentin Hua’s arrival. They ate and drank leisurely, stealing moments to converse—not with words, but by tracing silent messages in each other’s palms. There were simpler ways to communicate, yet both chose this intimate, roundabout method.
Morgan Shangguan’s gaze drifted—barely perceptible—toward Quentin Hua, her fingers sketching gentle patterns in Damien Gray’s palm. "Quentin Hua seems to have come with a purpose this time," she wrote.
Damien Gray cast Quentin Hua a fleeting glance and nodded, letting the matter drop. Quentin Hua was ever wrapped in mystery; he seemed to know Crown Prince Adrian’s intentions, yet something held him back from speaking. His presence here was certainly not for the wedding feast alone.
Morgan Shangguan suddenly frowned, lowering her gaze in silence. Damien Gray gently squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with concern. "What’s wrong?"
This time, Morgan Shangguan chose not to write, but whispered softly into his ear, "There’s something I never told you. The first time I met Quentin Hua, I sensed a peculiar aura clinging to him—one that felt borrowed, as if he’d brushed against someone with extraordinary powers, rather than possessing such abilities himself. And the force that sent me tumbling from the cliff..."
She didn’t need to finish; Damien Gray already understood her meaning. His eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade. "You’re saying—the aura of that force matches the one on Quentin Hua?"
Morgan Shangguan nodded, a glint of keen intelligence flashing in her eyes. If Quentin Hua was truly linked to the one who tried to kill her, then the web of intrigue had grown even more tangled.
From her careful observation these days, Morgan Shangguan could tell Quentin Hua regarded Damien Gray as a true friend—hence his subtle warnings. Yet, some shadow of fear held him back, so every time, he stopped just short of revealing the truth.
Though her acquaintance with Quentin Hua was brief, Morgan Shangguan could sense the pride etched deep in his bones. He was the kind who’d rather shatter like jade than survive as mere pottery. Who, then, could make him so guarded and hesitant?
Back then, Quentin Hua’s aversion to Prince Ethan was plain, yet he still aided him—not out of true willingness. What means did the mastermind employ to bind him, to make him act against his heart? And how many others, like Quentin Hua, were caught in that unseen net?
If even Quentin Hua could be ensnared, then surely most of the martial world lay within that person’s grasp. To rule the realm would not be difficult—yet he had not done so. Instead, he once sought to help Prince Ethan ascend the throne. What, then, was his true purpose?
All that Morgan Shangguan could deduce, Damien Gray understood as well. Their fingers entwined, they exchanged a silent glance, then returned to their meal. For now, the mysteries would have to rest—awaiting the day when new clues surfaced.
Felix Yu was already ushering Arnold Iron to other seats, inwardly vexed that Quentin Hua had spoiled his perfect moment. Suddenly, Quentin Hua’s voice, warm with laughter, drifted over: "No need to stand on ceremony, Master Yu. We’re all comrades of the martial world—why not share what you’ve acquired? Isn’t that what brought us all here?"
Felix Yu’s expression flickered. He’d been certain his actions were shrouded in secrecy. Ever since the wedding invitations were sent, Jade Dragon Manor had been watched by prying eyes, but he was sure no whisper had leaked out. His true purpose in inviting both the righteous and demonic factions was to test their reactions, hoping to glean the whereabouts of the other Three Relics of Legend.
He was no fool—he’d never intended to reveal the truth. Even if he spoke, it would be a carefully spun tale; otherwise, chaos would sweep through the martial world, and he might end up as a pawn in someone else’s game. Yet he hadn’t expected Quentin Hua to know about the treasure he’d obtained!
Just as he clung to a sliver of hope that Quentin Hua might be fishing for information, Quentin Hua’s teasing voice sounded again, "Ah... I misspoke. Master Yu, what you truly obtained was one Relic Shard—a quarter of the whole!"
The hall erupted in an uproar, every pair of eyes burning with desire. Felix Yu’s face darkened, but he forced a smile. "Brother Quentin, you jest. How could I, Felix Yu, possess such a treasure?"
Quentin Hua gave a lazy smile, neither confirming nor denying, and simply raised his wine cup in salute.
This time, Rakshasa Palace was represented by Blue Feather, one of the Three Envoys. Originally, it was said the Ghostmaster would attend, and Violet Snow volunteered to come to the wedding banquet, but other matters kept her away in the end.
There’d been no news of Rakshasa Palace appointing a new master, but it seemed someone was already in charge. Everyone was curious, but didn’t dwell on it; after all, the Ghostmaster and Cloud Guildmaster were just as mysterious.
Now, seeing Felix Yu’s grim expression and silence, everyone grew even more curious about the item he’d obtained. Blue Feather smiled and asked, "Master Yu, what treasure did you get that you can’t share with us? Are you afraid we’ll snatch it away?"
Felix Yu was so angry he could hardly speak. If he could have said it, he would have long ago! Why else go to such lengths, inviting both the righteous and demonic factions, just to gather a few clues?
He stubbornly kept silent, afraid the item would slip away, and worried he wouldn’t obtain the other three. Yet Quentin Hua seemed completely unconcerned with secrecy, showing no intention to keep the item for himself. Smiling, he said, "Not long ago, Master Yu sent people to the Thunder Manor and happened to acquire something."