While remaining silent, the lord's thoughts were consumed by the thoughts of the Xu Clan who he had not seen and interacted with for years. Since it was the clan of an old friend of his.

  "Have your men searched the cliff of the Tai Hua Mountain for the lady's body?"

  “I…”

  "So you didn’t?”

  “Y-yes..”

  “Explain yourself. Why did you not instruct them to search for the lady's body?"

  With a nervous gulp, Zhang Wei's head remained lowered, trying to think of words to offer an explanation, "My sincerest apologies, my Lord. That was an incompetent of me."

  "Ha… Go find her body, and if you can't find it," With that, the lord strolled slowly by him, while Zhang Wei continued to bend his head down, "You should know what you need to do!”

  "Yes.."

  "Good, then do not make any trouble for me Elder Zhang Wei," His look flared back at him with frightening tension, causing Zhang Wei to gulp once more. That sentence implies that he should avoid mentioning his name when addressing the Xu Clan. And yes, he is indeed heading to the Xu Clan.

  "U-understood."

  …

  Finally, the Lantern Festival is finally here. Now, gathering at the hall of Xu Clan, Lord Xu, along with the elders, had organized a modest banquet for a select group of business partners.

  While the atmosphere was busy with conversation among clan members and guests alike, Lord Xu appeared weary yet still keeping that facade, masking his fatigue behind a composed demeanor.

  On the sidelines, Xu Hanyu sat close to Xu Lian’s table, who wore a look of concern and was still feeling a bit upset. But as soon as the young man met his father’s gaze for an instant, his feeling had worsened, remembering the heated argument between him and his father that day.

  Hopefully, for now that feeling would go away.

  Within a few moments, a clan member approached Lord Xu, whispered to him saying about Xu Rong’s delay but then his expression shifted into confusion when the clan member told him about the uninvited guests coming. Then waved the individual away while his eyes remained straight ahead at the entrance of the door as if waiting for someone.

  Not long after, everyone in the hall was abruptly disrupted as three unfamiliar men entered the hall, catching their attention. These men wore soft blue attire adorned with a unique golden wind insignia pattern on their robes, clearly indicating they belonged to a powerful faction. Judging from their clothing, Lord Xu found it familiar. He recognized the faction it likely belonged to, but as for these three individuals, he was unsure of their identities.

  To the onlookers, they release an air of superiority, their self-absorbed and arrogant demeanor reminiscent. Yet, despite their haughty presence, one of them maintained a calm composure that almost intimidated everyone in the scene, the one looking like an elder.

  With that, whispers started to circulate, each person wondering what business these strangers had with the Xu Clan.

  "Who are they?"

  "I don't know, but they appear to be from a faction..."

  Soon, hushed conversations erupted. Some attendees were perplexed, while others were captivated by their appearance, particularly by the attire that suggested a level of expertise.

  Eventually, the individuals came to a halt in front of Lord Xu, appearing equally puzzled as well as the three elders who exchanged glances.

  "Um… May I know who you are?"

  "I apologize for coming without any invitation, Patriarch Xu. But allow me to introduce myself, I’m Zhang Wei, an Elder from Gentle Wind Sect, and these are my two companions.." he introduced, bowing in respect.

  Hearing their affiliation, countless reactions of disbelief reverberated through the hall, as none of them had expected the revered Gentle Wind Sect to show up in such a locale.

  In an instant, the respect of the sect’s reputation had spread among the other guests, making one of the representatives to form a sneer on their faces, appearing arrogant.

  The Gentle Wind Sect was regarded as the first of the Yunxi Empire's Top 3 Sects, with a large number of highly competent practitioners. Over the years, the majority of its experts were given the title of Talisman Master.

  Leaning to his seat, Elder Xu Jia gasped, "Did you mention the Gentle Wind Sect?"

  "Yes.”

  Wondering briefly, Lord Xu thought that what could the sect possibly want from them? In this case, an extra caution with his words is a need.

  Realizing that he hadn't properly welcomed his guests, "Oh, I apologize for not greeting you sooner. Please, have a seat," he offered, gesturing toward an empty chair.

  "There's no need for that, Patriarch Xu. We're simply here, looking for someone."

  "Oh? Looking for someone? Who it might be?"

  "We are looking for a young lady, around eighteen years old, who has been missing for several days. She was the granddaughter of Chan Jianhong."

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  "You mean the granddaughter of the former sect head of the Gentle Wind—the one who vanished fifteen years ago?" Elder Xu Bai interjected, confirming.

  “Yes, that’s correct,” The elder said, “One of our sect members saw someone from your clan with her the night she disappeared.”

  In fact, Lord Xu knew that Chan Jianhong had a granddaughter, however, neither her name nor her features were unknown to him. Additionally, Lord Xu and Chan Jianhong used to be close friends and share mutual affiliation before. But all of that had slowly fallen over the years since the day Chan Jianhong got missing, and his disappearance remained a mystery to him. Now looking perplexed, it seems none of the elders or Lord Xu seemed to have any idea related to the lady.

  While on the side, Xu Lian and Xu Hanyu who were listening closely to the conversation. Xu Lian suddenly realized something. A ‘Sect?’, she thought, then a flashback of her memories when she fought one of the men at the mountain but eventually faded. Could it be that they’re from Gentle Wind Sect?!

  The night they were chased, she suspected that the lady they rescued that night could be the lady that the sect is looking for. She knew something was off that night. If they admit now it was them, then Lord Xu and the elders will figure out that they went to Tai Hua Mountain and they either face a great opportunity… or maybe end up in serious trouble with the sect.

  Yet this was not the only strange part. If those men chasing them that night are from Gentle Wind Sect, then what would be the reason for them to chase the lady offensively if she was the granddaughter of the former sect leader? That thought lingered in Xu Lian’s mind.

  Her worry grew further as she thought the talks regarding the Gentle Wind Sect weren't as benevolent as their name implied. Fifteen years ago, they were involved in an incident that tainted their reputation yet that issue quickly faded away. Though they wore the guise of righteousness, those who remembered that event knew the truth, especially Lord Xu. But how could she be sure if she only heard it from a confidential matter? Still, it’s better to be careful.

  Noticing her strange expression, Xu Hanyu leaned in and asked quietly, "Sis, are you alright?"

  Nodding in response.

  Xu Lian was just hoping that they wouldn’t be recognized and that no trouble would happen tonight during the meeting between the Xu Clan and the Gentle Wind Sect. Though each of their spoken words made her anxious as if something might go wrong.

  With a twinge of doubt, Lord Xu sought clarification, “Forgive me, but I fail to see what this has to do with my Xu Clan. Can you atleast provide me with her name and where was the last time she got lost?”

  “Haha… For sure, Patriarch Xu. The name of Chan Jianhong’s granddaughter is Chan Chan.”

  “!!!” Hearing the name, Xu Hanyu’s jaw dropped, “Chan Chan…” he repeated quietly.

  “The last time we saw her, she was together with one of your men at the mountain near in this city, and we hope you can help us bring her back," said Zhang Wei.

  The fact that the girl they rescued belonged to one of the most powerful sects in the Yanxi Empire was unexpected, exactly as Xu Lian had also suspected who had a bad impression towards them. Xu Hanyu, on the other hand, was contrary to hers.

  Xu Hanyu had always thought that people from a sect would always have a good impression and view them as righteous, only based on his understanding.

  He was about to step up but he remembered, neither his father nor the elders did not know that they went to Tai Hua Mountain and had an encounter with the lady. At the same time, Xu Lian also gave him a look and shook her head as if conveying not to do it. Albeit her actions were strange, he followed her anyway.

  …

  Lord Xu now paused to look at Xu Lian, who was clearly nervous. Then addressed the representative in front of him, “I must admit, we are unfamiliar with that name. Are you sure it was one of ours?”

  Lord Xu needed to know if what they were saying was true. If they didn't, they could get in trouble without knowing why.

  Despite Zhang Wei’s appearance of being composed and dignified, he was the kind of person who couldn't conceal his impatient and impetuous nature since waiting for too long made him feel inferior.

  However, it is an urgent one right now, and he must remain calm to get what they want. They must have hid her somewhere. Then recalling the moment he had peered over the cliff. He had searched for the young lady and the unknown young man, and when they checked, no trace of their bodies had been found below that cliff but there were signs of footprints.

  “Haha… Of course, we were never wrong about it.. So Lord Xu, I must say this respectfully, if you don't hand over the girl, you and your clan could face serious trouble," Zhang Wei politely said, yet his words carried subtle pressure on Lord Xu without overtly stating it.

  "Ha! Now, are you threatening our clan, Elder Zhang…?" said Elder Xu Bai.

  "Oh no, I would never do that. I'm just asking for something simple.”

  "Then why do you sound threatening?" With a shot back, Elder Xu Bai furrowed his brow.

  Elder Xu Jia, sitting near his table, reached out to calm him down, “Elder Xu Bai, please relax. We are in a public place… and this is a serious conversation."

  “Tchh!” Xu Bai hissed up and eventually calmed down.

  Meanwhile, Lord Xu was still pondering silently with his arms on his knees, unsure of how to respond.

  Eventually, Zhang Wei concluded that it would be wise to refrain from asking for additional details to avoid escalating any issues. This decision was particularly important since the lord had instructed him to maintain peace. Considering that the Xu Clan might feel too embarrassed to admit they had the lady, which could lead the guests to suspect they had kidnapped her. But obviously, that is not the case on Lord Xu’s side. Moreover, as an Elder of the Gentle Wind Sect, he had to protect the Sect's reputation, especially given the controversy that had arisen fifteen years ago relating to their sect.

  "I understand, Patriarch Xu. We will leave, but first," he took a rectangular box from one of his companions, "Here is a gift from the Gentle Wind Sect to the Xu Clan, and a token of apology," Lord Xu then signaled a member of the Xu Clan to take the box and handed it to him.

  "What is this?" he inquired, receiving it.

  By opening slowly, Zhang Wei began to explain, "This is from our Gentle Wind Sect, it’s a very precious item we had kept all over these years. Other than that, the person who made these talismans is none other than Mo Heng, one of the young geniuses in our Sect.”

  An abundance of high-quality paper talismans inside intricate with unique patterns shining before his eyes. Each of them pulsing with potential, hinting at the power they contained.

  “We heard that you have a son who was born cursed and this is a talisman that may disperse the curse on him, it might help the Xu Clan a lot.”

  Hearing his words, a gasp through the crowd resonated in the hall, “That is—!”

  Lord Xu, particularly, whose expression darkened in anger.

  This moment had also left Xu Hanyu feeling a deep sense of humiliation on the side. It was a humiliation that he will never forget in his entire life. Now his view of the sect's cautiousness and moral integrity was also shattered before his eyes.

  Then whispers started to circulate once more.

  “Being gifted by a Talisman Master, Xu Hanyu should be honored!”

  “Mo Heng? I’ve heard his name before, he was the first young master of the Mo Clan who reached Da Zhong at the age of sixteen!”

  “Oh really?! Isn’t he also the Talisman Master who was recognized by the Six Venerable Elders of our Yunxi Empire?”

  A Da Zhong at the age of sixteen, it was considered unusual yet impressive. If your faction has this kind of talent, you’ll be regarded as a prodigy, one whose future could shape the sect. Thinking about it, Xu Hanyu couldn’t even grasp that kind of level as being a Da Zhong master is rare and difficult to reach at such a young age unless you’re naturally born strong.

  Author's Note:

  Dear readers, due to busy schedule, I haven't had the time to complete many chapters. However, I am currently working on it and will post new upcoming chapters as soon as they're ready. Thank you for your patience and understanding!