These words made it sound as if there was something ambiguous between Quentin Hua and Damien Gray, but while Quentin Hua’s behavior had indeed been a bit suggestive at the time, it was only to see Damien Gray’s reaction. Now, he felt as if he’d shot himself in the foot.
Thankfully, Roxy didn’t come along—if she’d heard this, who knows what would have happened!
Thinking about how Damien Gray had now become his father-in-law, Quentin Hua couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Why did Roxy have to be Damien Gray’s daughter? He truly felt as if fate was playing tricks on him!
Seeing Quentin Hua’s darkened expression, Raymond Lei grew even more flustered. He carefully spoke, “Lotus Sect Master, let’s go inside and talk. Please!”
Quentin Hua snapped back to reality, nodded calmly, and walked in first, showing no intention of respecting his elders.
As soon as the two entered, Raymond Lei’s men closed the door, shutting out all outside eyes, and stood straight as guards outside.
Downstairs, the crowd erupted.
“My god, is that really a man?”
“Hmph! Shows how little you know! Didn’t you hear how Hall Master Lei addressed him?” Thanks to that martial arts tournament, there wasn’t a soul in Dongkui Town who didn’t know Raymond Lei.
“Hall Master Lei called him Lotus Sect Master! What’s strange about that? But I have to say, Hall Master Lei’s attitude toward him is odd. That man is beautiful, sure, but does he really deserve such respect?” He simply assumed this master was just a minor sect leader.
“I said you’re dumb, and you really are! Do you think anyone can be that beautiful? Do you think just being pretty would make the mighty Hall Master of Iron Sand Hall show such respect?”
“What do you mean? Is that man’s identity really so impressive? Tell us!” Curiosity piqued, they didn’t mind being called dumb.
The person glanced upstairs and said, “If I’m not mistaken, that should be the Lotus Sect Master!”
“Lotus Sect Master? The legendary one whose beauty could topple kingdoms, the one people risked their lives just to see?”
“It must be him!”
“No wonder! No wonder Hall Master Lei is so respectful toward him.”
Inside the private room, Quentin Hua sipped his tea with a calm, unreadable expression. Poor Raymond Lei stole nervous glances at him, unable to guess his thoughts, and didn’t dare speak freely for fear of displeasing him. He wondered if Quentin Hua had quarreled with the Ghostmaster—otherwise, why did his face change so drastically at the mention of the Ghostmaster?
If Quentin Hua knew what he was thinking right now, he’d probably smack him dead on the spot.
After a long while, Raymond Lei wiped the sweat from his brow and tentatively spoke, “Lotus Sect Master…”
“Hmm?” Quentin Hua glanced at him, speaking kindly, “If Hall Master Lei has something to say, just say it.”
Raymond Lei paused, as if weighing how best to begin. After a moment, he finally spoke, “A few days ago, there was a martial arts tournament at the Hua Family. I trust Lotus Sect Master is already aware.” As he spoke, he carefully watched Quentin Hua’s expression.
Quentin Hua had already guessed his intentions before coming, so his face remained impassive, betraying no emotion. He simply replied, “I have indeed heard about it.”
Raymond Lei couldn’t read his thoughts and felt uneasy, but this matter had to be clarified. If Quentin Hua wanted to settle accounts, he wouldn’t be able to escape even if he kept quiet—perhaps the consequences would be worse. So, bracing himself, he said, “I didn’t know the Hua Family and Lotus Sect Master were connected. If I’d known, even if the Hua Family wanted to go back on their word, I wouldn’t have said anything. This was my mistake, and I hope Lotus Sect Master will forgive me!”
These words were also meant to tell Quentin Hua that it was the Hua Family who broke their promise first, not him. He was giving Quentin Hua face, and Quentin Hua shouldn’t trouble him further.
Seeing Quentin Hua unmoved, Raymond Lei continued, “Recently, I acquired a treasure. If Lotus Sect Master doesn’t mind, would you do me the honor of accepting it? Only in your hands can it realize its true value.”
When Quentin Hua didn’t object, Raymond Lei clapped his hands, and someone immediately entered, carrying a sandalwood box. The person respectfully set it on the table, then withdrew.
Raymond Lei opened the box and said, “I happened to obtain a pair of jade bracelets—one is cold jade, the other warm jade. If you wear just one, there’s nothing special about it.” For someone of Quentin Hua’s status, cold and warm jade probably wouldn’t mean much, even if the bracelets were beautiful and lustrous, like rippling water. He likely wouldn’t be interested.
Raymond Lei glanced at Quentin Hua, hesitated, then continued, “But it’s said that if you wear both together, the bracelets become quite spiritual and can automatically adjust their temperature to suit the wearer’s needs.” To be attuned to the owner’s wishes—this was no ordinary jade.
This was a treasured possession he’d always kept for himself, only taking it out for a look now and then. He couldn’t bear to let anyone else touch it, so no one had ever tried wearing both at once. Most importantly, it was said the bracelets were spiritual artifacts—if the right person wore them, they’d recognize their master. He didn’t want his treasure to bond with anyone else, but he couldn’t wear them himself.
Just by touching them, one was cool and the other warm—top-grade cold and warm jade. He trusted that reclusive master wouldn’t deceive him; after all, he’d seen him save someone on the verge of death. Such a master wouldn’t bother tricking a mere ordinary man like him.
Even if they didn’t have such powers, he wouldn’t lose much; jade of this quality was already extraordinary and naturally valuable.
That’s why he’d spent a fortune to buy them. The master had even said that if you wore the bracelets, you could sleep buried in snow for seven days and nights without freezing. He hadn’t quite believed that, but figured one day and night should be safe enough!
He never considered that for someone with deep inner strength, spending a day and night in snow was no big deal. And if that master was truly so transcendent, would he really have charged so much money?