Several factions had already stationed spies around the Prince Muyeno Estate’s inn to monitor their movements, so as soon as the Prince Muyeno Estate’s forces mobilized, their backers received the news immediately.
In a modest courtyard near the Song Residence, Vergil Beigong was gracefully preparing tea. Just as he finished brewing a pot of spirit tea, a subordinate rushed in: "Young Master, Young Prince Muyeno has already left the Imperial Palace, and the Prince Muyeno Estate’s forces are assembling and heading straight for the Song Residence!"
Hearing this, Vergil Beigong calmly poured himself a cup of fragrant tea, didn’t care that it was scalding hot, and downed it in one go. Then he smiled and said, “The real show is about to begin!”
Coincidentally, in another courtyard nearby, Brandon Nangong, Jasper Easton, and a group of wastrels were also gathered. Their sources were just as fast as Vergil Beigong’s.
"Brandon, should we go warn Ian Song?" Jasper Easton hesitated.
He knew that Ian Song had already gotten on Brandon Nangong’s bad side back at Starpicker Loft.
"Go ahead and send someone to notify him," Brandon Nangong replied with a smile.
Jasper Easton was briefly stunned—had Brandon Nangong changed his tune? But he quickly realized that in the current situation, it made no difference whether Ian Song was notified or not.
Thinking about it, he felt even more disappointed in Brandon Nangong. If Brandon’s father weren’t his own father’s direct superior, he wouldn’t want to associate with him at all.
Meanwhile, in a private room at a restaurant, the window offered a direct view of the Song Residence’s main gate.
There were only two people in this private room.
A man and a woman.
The woman was Haitang Shangguan, and the man was Honor Shangguan.
"Miss, why are you paying so much attention to Ian Song?" Honor Shangguan asked curiously. "Ian Song may be talented, but he’s too flashy and high-profile—he’ll never last long!"
Haitang Shangguan just smiled and said, "Let’s quietly watch and see."
She was a woman of rare insight and intuition. Although she lacked hard evidence—and the Silver Fox Princess wouldn’t admit it—she had a hunch that the Silver Fox cared a lot about Ian Song. So she was curious and wanted to see what kind of man Ian Song really was.
Meanwhile, a misty, illusory figure appeared inside an ordinary home.
"Who’s there?"
A young Dao-couple lived in the house, and when they saw the sudden figure, they became extremely alert.
The figure giggled, "You two should take a nap."
The misty figure flicked her fingers, sending out two threads of force that struck the couple, making them collapse unconscious. Then the figure gradually solidified into the form of a beautiful young woman. If Brandon Nangong and Jasper Easton were here, they’d definitely cry out in excitement: “Mooncaller!”
Mooncaller’s gaze pierced the void, looking straight toward the Song Residence. She murmured to herself, “Since my debut, you’re the first man who hasn’t been bewitched by my Heaven-Demon Dance. Today, I’ll watch closely to see what you’re really capable of!”
Inside the Song Residence.
“Grandpa, what are you doing?”
Hannah Murong puffed up her cheeks angrily as she watched her grandfather try to drag her away.
“Silly girl, that kid is about to face disaster. If we don’t leave now, we won’t be able to get out later!” the old man grumbled.
Hearing this, Hannah Murong’s face changed dramatically, and worry flashed in her eyes: “Grandpa, are you saying Young Master Song won’t survive this ordeal?”
The old man sneered, “Ha! The Prince Muyeno Estate has over fifty Fusion-stage experts, including eight late-stage and sixteen mid-stage. Tell me, how could that kid possibly resist?”
“What?”
After hearing her grandfather’s words, Hannah Murong’s face turned pale. “No way, I have to go warn Young Master Song so he can prepare!”
“Silly girl, everyone looks out for themselves—if we don’t escape now, we’ll be dragged down by that kid!” the old man said, pulling Hannah Murong along.
Hannah Murong felt deeply disappointed by her grandfather’s words. “Grandpa, I never thought you’d be like this. Young Master Song took us in when we had nowhere to go, and now you want to abandon him just because he’s in trouble? How could you do that to him?”
“That’s not fair—he’s the one who invited us to stay!” the old man protested awkwardly.
“If you want to leave, go ahead. I’m not leaving!” Hannah Murong suddenly made up her mind.
“Girl, you can’t be so reckless!”
Hearing this, the old man’s face turned mournful.
“Miss Murong, your grandfather is right. I was the one who invited you to stay, and now you’re caught up in my troubles. Before the Prince Muyeno Estate arrives, you should leave.”
Just then, a voice sounded—it was Ian Song, walking over at a leisurely pace.
“Young Master Song!”
As soon as she saw Ian Song, Hannah Murong rushed over. “The Prince Muyeno Estate’s people are way too strong. My grandpa says there are eight late-stage and sixteen mid-stage Fusion experts. Why don’t we just escape together?”
"I spent more than two hundred thousand top-grade spirit crystals to buy this residence—how could I bear to leave it behind?" Ian Song smiled, not looking the least bit worried. "But still, thank you for the warning, Miss Murong!"
"Young Master Song, money is just a worldly possession. Why hold on to it...?"
Hannah Murong wanted to persuade him further, but Ian Song waved her off. "No need to say more, Miss Murong. I’m not leaving."
The old man suddenly formed a few hand seals, then looked at Ian Song oddly. "Kid, where did you get so many experts?"
Ian Song glanced at the old man in surprise. He’d just released some experts from the temple, and hadn’t expected the old man to sense it. His mind stirred, and he asked, "Senior, who are you really?"
The old man smiled blandly. "Didn’t I tell you? I’m just a master who wanders the world."
Seeing that the old man wouldn’t give a straight answer, Ian Song didn’t press. He smiled and said, "If you don’t want to say, I won’t force you. And if you’re not afraid of getting caught up in this, feel free to stay. If you need anything, just ask!"
"With those experts around, even the Prince Muyeno Estate can’t do anything to you. I suppose I’ll stay a while longer, then!" the old man said, curling his lip.
"Miss Murong, thank you for the warning. This bottle of pills is my token of gratitude!" Ian Song suddenly produced a jade bottle and handed it to Hannah Murong.
"Young Master Song, that’s not necessary. Please, take it back!"
Hannah Murong refused, but just then, a large hand reached out and snatched the jade bottle—it was her grandfather.
He opened the bottle, and when he saw ten Frost-Soul Pills inside, he looked surprised. Then he said to Ian Song, "For the sake of these pills, I’ll save you once in the future!"
"Grandpa, how could you do that? Give the pills back to Young Master Song!" Hannah Murong stamped her foot.
"Once a gift is given, it’s like water poured out—you can’t take it back. Kid, would you really ask for it back?" the old man asked Ian Song.
"Senior is right, and besides, it’s not some rare pill. Well, I have to go arrange my people, so I’ll take my leave!" With that, Ian Song turned and walked away.
As he turned away, Ian Song couldn’t help but smile to himself. That old fox—no matter how shrewd he is, he still fell for my trick. If I wasn’t worried about his pride, I’d be laughing out loud right now.