Hearing that invitation, Wei Qing's internal alarm bells rang.
Old friends? A private gathering?
He didn't even need to think—he knew exactly who Jing Yuan's "old friends" were.
This wasn't a reunion.
This was a banquet with daggers under the table.
So Jing Yuan had finally run out of patience and decided to have the original "Cloud Quintet" collectively take a look at this "Pure Beauty Knight"?
And Bai Heng would be there too…
Of course.
Either she hadn't fully kept her mouth shut… or Jing Yuan had deduced everything from her recent abnormal behavior and was using tonight to confirm it face-to-face.
"General Jing Yuan's invitation is an honor," Wei Qing said at last, accepting.
"To meet the heroes of the Luofu will surely deepen my understanding of the Path of Pure Beauty. I will attend on time tonight."
Jing Yuan's smile deepened. "Excellent. The venue will be… yes, the old place in Changletian. Bai Heng will go pick you up. We'll be waiting."
"Of course."
Wei Qing left the General's Residence, the smile on his face gradually fading away.
Changletian's old place…
A secluded tavern they used to frequent.
The owner was mute, only recognized familiar patrons, and privacy was absolute.
…
When the sun sank and lanterns began to glow, Bai Heng appeared right on schedule at the small courtyard gate.
Today she wore a slightly more formal Luofu-style outfit. Her purple hair was neatly arranged, and her face carried bright excitement—along with a thin, hard-to-hide thread of nervousness.
"Yo, Dot-Dao," she chirped, still sounding cheerful, though her eyes flicked away the instant she met his gaze. "Ready? Not bringing your little sister?"
Wei Qing took in her careful grooming and barely contained tension. He understood.
He shook his head, sounding relaxed. "Ah Xing's tired. Let her rest. Besides, this is an old-timers' gathering—she's a kid. She'd just feel awkward."
"R-right, yeah…" Bai Heng nodded quickly. "Then let's go. Jing Yuan and the others are probably already there."
Wei Qing didn't answer immediately. He simply stared at her.
Bai Heng felt her scalp prickle. She touched the base of her fox ear reflexively, eyes drifting. "W-what? Something on my face?"
"Bai Heng," Wei Qing said calmly, "did you secretly tell Jing Yuan about me?"
Her breathing caught.
The smile on her face froze. Then she reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"How could you even say that?!" she snapped, practically jumping. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who sells out friends?! Sure, you're a bastard—but if I promised to keep it secret, I keep it secret!"
Her reaction was fierce—hurt, angry, indignant. It didn't feel like acting.
Wei Qing watched her for a few seconds, measuring the truth in her words.
His skill should still be in effect… but Jing Yuan's behavior had been way too off.
If tonight went wrong, it could turn into his full-scale war with the Luofu.
Bai Heng's bravado weakened under his gaze. Her voice dropped.
"I really didn't say anything… Jing Yuan guessed it himself."
"…The first time you met him in the General's Residence, he'd already figured it out."
Wei Qing fell silent.
So Jing Yuan had become that sharp—he'd been exposed on first contact?
Then why didn't Jing Yuan arrest him immediately? Why did he let him interrogate the Annihilation Gang?
Was this revenge for all the times Wei Qing used to dump work on him?
"…So what's tonight?" Wei Qing asked. "An ambush?"
"So what?" Bai Heng bristled instantly. "After all the crap you pulled, aren't you supposed to be arrested?!"
She really was only talking to him this long because she was soft-hearted. If it were anyone else, they would've blown him up on day one.
Wei Qing didn't respond—he just kept looking at her.
Bai Heng finally mumbled, softer, "...I don't know!"
"Jing Yuan didn't tell me. He just said it was a get-together."
"He really said it was just a get-together?" Wei Qing repeated.
"Absolutely!" Bai Heng swore. "He told me it's been a long time since everyone met, and since you're here, he wants to introduce you to some friends."
Wei Qing went quiet.
From Bai Heng's reactions, she didn't seem to be lying.
So what was Jing Yuan planning?
Was he really that patient—just wanting to ask why Wei Qing defected?
Don't tell me Jing Yuan secretly had a crush on him too.
"Let's go," Wei Qing said at last, breaking the silence.
His face returned to that elegant, perfectly "Dot-Dao" smile. "Making the host wait would be unbecoming of a Pure Beauty Knight."
Bai Heng exhaled in relief and nodded fast.
"Um… just in case. I mean, just in case things feel off—don't be stubborn, okay?"
"Everyone's a lot stronger now. You'd better be sensible and surrender nicely."
"If you dare start a fight again, I'm seriously never talking to you again!"
Hearing her bluster, Wei Qing's lips curved.
"Since it's an old friends' gathering, peace is preferable. As long as nobody throws the first punch, I promise tonight will be a pleasant little tea party."
(Of course, if someone did throw the first punch… that would be a different matter.)
…
Changletian's little tavern was still as hidden as ever.
A dim lantern hung at the entrance, exactly like he remembered.
Pushing open the wooden door, familiar wine aroma and faint food fragrance spilled out.
Soft lighting. Old-fashioned decor. Only a few patrons—quiet.
At the largest table in the back, three people were already seated.
Jing Yuan held a wine cup, leaning back with a lazy posture. But his half-lidded eyes locked onto Wei Qing the instant he entered.
The other two were Dan Feng and Ying Xing.
For some reason, Wei Qing felt those two were looking at him… strangely.
Not "your identity is exposed" strange.
More like… a complicated, indescribable kind of strange.
Honestly—almost like they were secretly in love with him.
"Sir Dot-Dao, you're here?" Jing Yuan spoke first, breaking the brief silence. Smiling, he gestured at the empty seat. "Sit. We were waiting for you. Bai Heng, you too."
Bai Heng tugged Wei Qing into a seat, then swept her gaze around the table—and immediately noticed something off.
Her fox ears twitched. She leaned toward Jing Yuan and whispered.
"Eh? Jing Yuan—where's your master? Mirrorliu isn't coming tonight?"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 139)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter171)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter100)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter184)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 168
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 156
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 105
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 185
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 160
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 150
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 76
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 97
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 116
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 75
Uma Musume: I Want All 93
I Can Copy Unique Skills 79
Summoning an Evil God, but the 55
Supernatural Multiverse 75
My Harem Is Indescribable 68
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 70
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 69
Still playing traditional Honk 49
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 53
What Should I Do After Switchi 42
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 50
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 38
Transmigrated as Sukuna 35
Checking In in Demon Slayer 40
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 55
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