Chapter 381: The Brother at the City Lord's Mansion Door

The round moon was exceptionally bright.

Even the surrounding clouds seemed a bit shy under her gaze!

Compared to the previous two days, tonight's Tian Sang Cheng was unusually quiet.

This normally bustling, never-sleeping city didn't have curfews unless a major event threatened its safety.

And tonight was just such a night.

The City Lord's Mansion was hosting a grand banquet, welcoming guests from all directions, drawing crowds from every corner of Tian Sang Cheng!

On this night, almost every influential figure in the city would gather at the City Lord's Mansion, making any incident outside a significant matter.

Therefore, the Hu Cheng Da Zhen was fully activated!

As the vast blue light curtain rose from all sides, enveloping the entire city and sealing off the void, everyone who looked up at the sky was utterly shocked.

"The Hu Cheng Da Zhen is activated, and the City Lord's Mansion is holding a night banquet..."

"Is it starting?"

"It's here!"

When Xu Xiaoshou arrived at the designated location on the map he had mentally scanned from the invitation letter, he was stunned.

Behind him, Mu Zixi was equally dazed, her wide eyes fixated on the scene ahead, as she unconsciously swallowed.

"This... this is the City Lord's Mansion?"

What lay before them was a magnificent palace gleaming with gold.

The dazzling golden walls stretched endlessly; even from several zhang away, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't see their limits on either side.

"How incredibly vast must this be?"

Not to mention the walls—the main gate alone was several zhang high.

Flanking the gate were two rows of guards, a total of thirty-six!

These guards wore silver armor and stood at solemn attention, their spears and swords at the ready, presenting an imposing presence.

"Is this supposed to be the City Lord's Mansion? You might as well just rename it and call it the Forbidden City!"

Xu Xiaoshou halted his steps, and compared to this "palace," his newly purchased small estate felt utterly insignificant!

It was completely outclassed!

"No wonder..."

Xu Xiaoshou mumbled to himself, no wonder Fu Hang had given him such a strange look when he asked how big his house was and if it could accommodate a few hundred people.

A few hundred people? For their place, that would barely be enough space for a restroom!

"Let's go."

Xu Xiaoshou said calmly, taking Mu Zixi's hand and stepping forward.

I can't let anyone see that I'm a country bumpkin!

I, Xu Xiaoshou, have seen the world!

I hadn't before, but I have now!

Mu Zixi was suddenly pulled from her stupor, her face showing surprise as she instinctively tried to pull her hand away.

But after a moment's pause, her cheeks flushed red, and she stopped herself.

"He... he's holding my hand?"

Thump! Thump!

Just then.

"Received scrutiny, passive value, 1."

The sudden pop-up message startled Xu Xiaoshou, momentarily freezing his thoughts.

He paused mid-step, reflexively gripping her hand tighter.

"Ah!"

Mu Zixi let out a strange cry, her face turning pale green.

"Xu Xiaoshou! What are you doing!"

Xu Xiaoshou quickly released his junior sister's hand and forced himself to regain composure.

Someone is watching me again?

He thought of Zhang Taiying's wanted order...

"It couldn't be that guy, could it? He's still keeping an eye on me at a time like this?"

"Shouldn't he be too busy dealing with his own problems?"

"Xin Gugu should be lurking around his doorstep right now!"

Without much thought, Xu Xiaoshou turned back and gently blew on his junior sister's hand while scanning their surroundings with his "Perception," but he only saw some wealthy families heading into the City Lord's Mansion—nothing else.

Who could it be?

"Xu Xiaoshou!" Mu Zixi glared at her senior brother as he fussed over her bleeding hand, seething with anger.

"Ahem, don't be afraid—I've got this!" Xu Xiaoshou said, his expression a bit flustered.

Mu Zixi was utterly fuming. Don't be afraid?

What I'm most afraid of right now is your sudden tenderness!

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

"Let's keep going!"

After blowing on it for a bit and scanning the area thirteen times over, Xu Xiaoshou realized that lingering might give him away, so he exhaled a breath of life energy and pulled the girl along as they walked off.

"Uh..."

"Received curse, passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

"Halt!"

A silver-armored guard thrust his spear forward, blocking Xu Xiaoshou and his companion, and extended his hand. "Invitation letter!"

"Here."

Xu Xiaoshou handed over the prepared gilded envelope, not wanting any trouble at this critical moment.

The guard flipped through it and closed it.

"You may enter."

Xu Xiaoshou pointed at the girl behind him. "She's with me. Can she come in?"

"Yes." The guard nodded. "Your invitation letter allows for three people."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded and was about to step inside.

At that critical moment, the message popped up again.

"Received scrutiny, passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped abruptly.

Mu Zixi, unable to stop in time, bumped right into him.

"Ow."

Fortunately, having learned from past mishaps, she had kept her Ling Yuan shield up, so she wasn't sent flying.

Still, the girl clutched her forehead, looking resentful.

"Why stop again?!"

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou turned around, suddenly realizing something as he gazed toward the back. Sure enough, a figure burst out from the woods.

It was a disheveled teenager, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a dirty face.

He had a long braid, and his hair was as oily as rapeseed flowers, a complete mess.

The moment the boy saw Xu Xiaoshou, he shouted and rushed over.

"Bro!"

"I've finally waited for you! Why did you take so long? They were pushing me around earlier!"

The boy's voice was tearful, his eyes brimming with tears.

Combined with his muddy appearance, he looked just like a weak youth being bullied by thugs.

The guard clearly recognized him and, as the boy lunged forward, blocked him with a spear.

"Stop!"

"I've told you before—no invitation letter, no entry!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou basically figured it out.

This guy wanted to get into the City Lord's Mansion but didn't have an invitation, so he was waiting for some kind-hearted person to bring him in?

In that case, the earlier "received scrutiny" was probably from him?

But why didn't I notice him during my scan just now?

Is it really that straightforward?

Xu Xiaoshou felt a twinge of caution and wanted to turn and leave, but seeing the boy's aggrieved eyes, he hesitated and stopped.

Trying to trick me?

Do I, Xu Xiaoshou, look like such a pushover that I'd bring a stranger in for no reason?

After hesitating and seeming to recall something, Xu Xiaoshou decided to speak up.

"Little brother?"

The boy, hearing this, brightened up through his tears. "Bro, it's me! Do you remember me..."

"I don't remember."

The boy was choked up.

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

His tears were about to spill over as he clenched his fists and shook his head stubbornly. "That's impossible! How could you forget me? We were..."

"We were what..."

The boy saw that Xu Xiaoshou wasn't continuing and looked at him in disbelief. "You really forgot me? Even my name?"

Xu Xiaoshou lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, then showed a sudden realization. "Oh, it's you!"

The boy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Bro, you remember! I'm called..."

"You're called..." Xu Xiaoshou tilted his head, squinting as he tried to recall.

"Um, I'm called...?" The boy looked at him encouragingly, as if eagerly waiting for his brother to remember.

As Xu Xiaoshou thought, his eyes widened, and he pointed at the boy in sudden enlightenment.

"I remember now—it's you! Xu Xiaojiji?"

"Received suspicion, passive value, 1."