Damien Gray tilted his head back and drained his cup, then turned to look at Morgan Shangguan. She seemed perfectly at ease, as if she were simply enjoying tea in a quiet courtyard, her composure unshaken. He couldn't help but curve his lips—if she ever felt constrained by a scene like this, she wouldn't be Morgan Shangguan at all.
Yet as he thought about it, a faint discomfort stirred in his heart. Was her ability to ignore such a scene born from natural indifference, or had she simply witnessed too much in her life?
Liam Duanmu had been watching Morgan Shangguan with a furrowed brow. Sensing his gaze, Damien Gray shot him a cold look. Liam glanced back indifferently before withdrawing his gaze, a hint of self-mockery flickering in his heart. How could it possibly be her? It was only a resemblance in temperament, nothing more.
Damien Gray let out a cold snort. Morgan Shangguan heard the sound and suddenly turned to look at him, puzzled as to who had provoked his ire.
Gradually, the hall grew chaotic. The strains of silk instruments mingled with laughter and teasing, swirling through the room. Liam Duanmu’s brow remained tightly knit, his distaste for such occasions plain to see.
Susie Yun couldn’t help but frown, muttering in a low voice, “Is this really what happens at Evil Path gatherings?” She’d expected something far more interesting than this.
Ryan Ouyang seized the opportunity to say, “Susie, there’s nothing worth seeing here. Let’s not stay any longer.” He’d clearly forgotten his responsibilities, intent only on whisking Susie Yun away.
Morgan Shangguan spoke softly, “There’s no hope of discussing serious matters today. Let’s rest for now.” She didn’t need Ryan Ouyang hovering around her—she was perfectly capable of protecting herself, not to mention the host of little ghosts she kept under her command.
Just then, a commotion erupted outside.
“Wretch! Fox spirit! What are you crying for? Believe me, I’ll tear that pretty fox face to shreds!” The shrill voice of a woman, mingled with sobs, echoed into the hall.
Smack!
Another crisp sound echoed—someone had been slapped.
This was Rakshasa Palace, and with the Ghostmaster present, who dared to cause trouble?
Jade Greenfield ordered the troublemakers to be brought in. The noisy ones included a fierce-looking man with a cruel glint between his brows, a slightly plump middle-aged woman, and a delicate beauty.
Seeing Damien Gray, the burly man's eyes flashed with fear. He spoke cautiously, "Ghostmaster, I didn't mean to disturb you—it’s all this wretched woman’s fault!" He glared angrily at the plump woman, his eyes burning with rage.
The woman's cheek was already swollen and red. Clearly, the slap they'd heard earlier had come from the burly man. Though she seemed to be a woman of the martial world, now, faced with Damien Gray, her face turned pale with fright. Her lips trembled, but she was unable to utter a single word—gone was the brashness she’d shown outside, threatening to tear someone’s face apart.
The delicate woman sobbed softly, looking utterly aggrieved. Between sniffles, she pleaded, "Ghostmaster, please stand up for me!" That she could still speak before Damien Gray proved she was not as weak as she appeared—at least far tougher than the plump woman.
The plump woman finally snapped out of her shock, her anger overcoming her fear. She shouted viciously, "You shameless slut! Seducing my husband—how dare you!"
"I... I didn't..." The delicate woman shrank timidly behind the burly man.
Protecting the delicate woman, the burly man yelled at the plump woman, "If you keep making a scene, I'll divorce you! I should've never brought you, you wretched woman!"
"You—" The plump woman trembled with rage, lunging at the delicate woman behind the burly man. But the man kicked her to the ground, then ruthlessly stomped on her twice, each blow heavy with force and no mercy. Afterward, still unsatisfied, he grabbed her hair and slapped her repeatedly from side to side.
The sharp sound of slaps echoed loudly in the now silent hall.
Everyone watched nervously, their eyes flickering to the Ghostmaster. Secretly, they cursed the fool—if you must discipline a woman, don’t do it in front of the Ghostmaster! If he got angry, everyone would suffer.
Yet the Ghostmaster seemed oblivious to the chaos, leisurely pouring himself a drink. Behind him, Ethan Gu wasn’t the least bit surprised; he was more curious about the Cloud Guildmaster. The Guildmaster had actually volunteered to sit with her—he couldn’t figure it out, so he was busy searching for any potential value she might offer.
Susie Yun’s frown deepened until she couldn’t hold back any longer. "How can he treat her like that?" she muttered, though she didn’t impulsively rush to help. She remembered her own identity now.
Morgan Shangguan picked up her teacup, sipped, then set it down lightly. Her gaze was indifferent as she watched the scene, seemingly unmoved. In a lowered voice, she said, "Men always think with their lower halves. If those two women switched faces, it wouldn’t be like this." Her tone was calm, as if she were stating a trivial fact.
At her words, Susie Yun clenched her fists and glared fiercely at Ryan Ouyang, who looked utterly aggrieved. Was Miss doing this to him on purpose?
Morgan Shangguan glanced at the pair, a faint smile curling her lips, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Suddenly, warmth brushed her ear as a deep voice, laced with gentle breath, whispered, "Mo’er, I promise I think with my head!"
Morgan was stunned, unable to recover her composure. Was it the never-before-heard term of endearment, or the baffling words themselves?
Maxwell Jing nudged Ethan Gu and whispered, "Is the Guildmaster really that fond of men? Why act so intimate with him? He’s never been that close to a woman! You can’t blame me for wondering."
Ethan Gu just glared at him, then frowned at Morgan Shangguan.
Everyone had been watching the Ghostmaster closely, and his act of leaning in to whisper to Morgan Shangguan naturally drew their attention, sparking a flurry of speculation.
Jade Greenfield saw it all, her expression shifting unpredictably. The Ghostmaster and Cloud Guildmaster being so close was definitely not a good thing.
Soon, the plump woman had fainted, blood trickling from her mouth. Her face was so swollen it looked like a steamed bun, completely unrecognizable.