Chapter 262: Position is Raised Like This

The girl, Hongxiu, finally stopped pretending ignorance.

Ji Yuan observed the woman's reaction, which suggested she didn't recognize him. He put down the book he was reading and replied, seemingly changing the subject:

"I recall once being forcibly dragged by that old dragon to his millennium birthday banquet. After the festivities, I rowed back alone in a small boat and encountered a large official vessel carrying the Xiao family father and son."

Everyone in the room, including Hongxiu, listened intently to Ji Yuan's story. Wang Li felt as if he were hearing a myth, while Zhang Rui, though not entirely familiar with "upper-tier cultivators," knew that anyone who could host or attend a millennium birthday banquet, whether human, demon, or god, possessed exceptionally profound cultivation.

Hongxiu's face remained expressionless, but her inner tension grew even stronger.

Despite the seemingly serene scene of "red sleeves adding fragrance" moments earlier, the atmosphere was far from calm.

What surprised Hongxiu was not just the claim that the Dragon Lord had invited him to a birthday banquet, but also Ji Yuan's knowledge of the Xiao family.

The former could be a bluff, but the latter was likely true.

"Back then, I overheard the young master Xiao arguing with his father at the stern of their ship, all for the sake of a courtesan. The Hongxiu from that time must have been the real person, not you, my lady."

With the conversation having reached this point, Hongxiu dropped her earlier docile, innocent facade, her demeanor becoming significantly more languid.

"How does Sir know that the Hongxiu from back then wasn't me? You haven't visited this Grand Show vessel. Or perhaps you have, seeking the company of common harlots?"

Hongxiu concluded her statement with a teasing remark.

Ji Yuan merely smiled, offering no rebuttal. Instead, he looked at her with a serious gaze and asked, "So, was that you then?"

The man's demeanor momentarily stunned Hongxiu. She had been about to playfully say 'yes,' but upon meeting his calm, discerning eyes that seemed to peer into her very soul, she merely furrowed her brow before answering, "No!"

"Hmm, then it was not."

Ji Yuan nodded. "Presumably, the true Hongxiu has been taken as a mistress by that young master Xiao."

Young master Xiao had once grandly declared his intention to become the top scholar. However, he evidently had poor luck, as did all the exceptionally talented candidates of that year, who unfortunately encountered Yin Zhaoxian, whose literary prowess and noble spirit were overwhelming.

Considering the Xiao family's circumstances at the time, it was unlikely that young master Xiao genuinely married Hongxiu. Moreover, with an impostor now present, the true Hongxiu has clearly been made to disappear.

"So, Reverend Immortal, by doing this, I've helped those lovers find their happy ending. Wouldn't that count as a good deed?"

Hongxiu, twirling a strand of hair by her temple, made a jocular remark, seemingly dismissing Ji Yuan. In truth, however, her interactions with him had already led her to perceive the grey-eyed gentleman as extremely dangerous.

"Even if you did help them, what about you? Why are you staying on this Grand Show vessel? A demon with your level of cultivation is quite rare in Dazhen."

"I simply enjoy this environment; is that not allowed? Even the God of Susui doesn't bother me, so why should you, Sir? If you were confident you could subdue me, you wouldn't be speaking to me so amiably, wasting so many words."

Their verbal sparring was riddled with mutual probing.

Through Ji Yuan's spiritual sight, faint wisps of demonic aura around Hongxiu revealed a peculiar energy manifestation: the vague form of a white fox.

From the moment Hongxiu stopped feigning ignorance, the subtle charm she exuded had already left Wang Li in a daze, staring blankly at her. Zhang Rui, however, was already on high alert, having sensed the extraordinary nature of this demon. She felt greatly suppressed and could only listen as Mr. Ji conversed with the beguiling fox spirit.

Ji Yuan indeed couldn't quite ascertain the fox's true nature, but she was, after all, only one.

Engaging one-on-one at such close range, Ji Yuan had no real fear of this demon. Not only could a single strike from the Azure Vine Sword be effective, but even his Samadhi True Fire had a good chance of hitting, making him confident.

Miss Hongxiu's words at this moment provided Ji Yuan with the perfect opening.

"The God of Susui knows you're here and does nothing about it?"

"Indeed."

Hongxiu twirled a strand of hair around her left index finger, leaned languidly against the table, and refilled her tea cup, all while looking at Ji Yuan with a tilted head.

"You can't possibly summon the God of Susui..."

As she spoke, Hongxiu noticed Ji Yuan dipping his finger into his teacup, collecting a single drop, and then flicking it out the window.

Drip.

That single drop of tea passed through the cabin window, struck the water's surface, and created a peculiar ripple.

"God of Susui, come see me at once!"

Splash...

Outside the Grand Show vessel, the small ripples expanded rapidly. Within mere moments, a vast, dark shadow vaguely materialized beneath the water.

Splish, splash...

A transparent column of water rose from the spot outside the window where the divine summoning power had landed. It twisted, flew into the elegant room, and formed a figure of swirling water, which then swiftly solidified.

The latter half of Hongxiu's sentence was already caught in her throat as she watched, wide-eyed, a middle-aged man in a black robe appear in the cabin, his expression filled with shock.

'No way... Is that truly the God of Susui? So, that was a divine summons just now?'

From Zhang Rui's perspective, it was evident that sweat was beading on the neck of the charming fox spirit.

The God of Susui, having taken in the scene inside the cabin and, more importantly, recognized who was seated, gasped inwardly. He hastily clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, bowing so deeply that his back became parallel to the ground.

"Du Guangtong, God of Susui, greets Mr. Ji!"

While Susui was not an exceptionally vast river, it was still a recognized waterway in Youzhou, not too far from the Tongtian River. Thus, just as Ji Yuan expected, the water god recognized him.

However, Ji Yuan's correct prediction was one thing; his response was another. He feigned surprise and asked, "Oh? The Water God knows me?"

The Water God lowered his hands and replied respectfully and solemnly, "Sir is a close confidant of the Dragon Lord. This humble god had the honor of seeing your esteemed face at the Dragon Lord's birthday banquet previously."

Ji Yuan glanced at the Water God, then at Hongxiu. The moment his gaze swept over her, her aura momentarily wavered; she was clearly forcing herself to remain composed.

Ji Yuan nodded to the Water God with a faint, enigmatic smile. But the very next moment, Ji Yuan, who had maintained a pleasant demeanor all evening, suddenly erupted, his eyes narrowing as he spoke in an angry tone.

"Du Guangtong, what colossal nerve you have! How dare you harbor an otherworldly demon, allowing it to hide on Susui River? What is her purpose, and what is yours? I, Ji, refuse to believe that old dragon would order you to do such a thing!"

To pointedly refer to the 'old dragon' by name, especially when less than a thousand li from the Tongtian River, was an audacity likely possessed by Ji Yuan alone in the entire world.

Upon hearing this, Water God Du Guangtong's immediate reaction was panic, followed by a sense of injustice. He had barely straightened up before bowing repeatedly, even more frightened than before.

"Mr. Ji, you wrong me, Mr. Ji! This humble god has absolutely not harbored any otherworldly demons, nor has the Dragon Lord ever issued such a command. Only peaceful aquatic spirits cultivate in my Susui waters. If Sir doesn't believe me, I can summon them at once..."

Water God Du Guangtong's profound terror was evident even to Wang Li, let alone the others. It was as if a single word from Ji Yuan could spell his demise; he was utterly petrified.

Ji Yuan turned a page in the book on the table, giving the impression that he had never ceased reading, merely shifting the book from his hand to the table. Simultaneously, he spoke softly, in a tone as indifferent as before.

"Miss Hongxiu, it appears the God of Susui doesn't recognize you. He wouldn't dare lie in my presence."

Upon hearing this, the Water God finally realized the demon was indeed in the cabin. With eyes wide and burning with indignation, he spun around, glaring intensely at the woman.

Though Zhang Rui was also in the private room, her ghost form combined with a faint divine aura meant she certainly wasn't the demon Mr. Ji referred to. Wang Li, being clearly mortal, was even less likely. Therefore, it could only be the woman whose aura remained inscrutable.

'This accursed demon must be slandering me!'

The God of Susui's body was already imbued with faint demonic and divine auras, and his face took on a dark, furious hue. The intense surge of anger was almost palpable. Unable to direct his fury at Ji Yuan, he directed his resentment toward the woman, yet he merely stood there glaring, awaiting Mr. Ji's word.

Hongxiu could no longer maintain her composure; even her pretense faltered. She slowly straightened her posture, wary of making any sudden movements, and her previously languid demeanor vanished.

"Mr. Ji... this humble one... was merely making a small joke... Lord Water God, please, please do not take offense..."

Du Guangtong was clearly a Water God, yet his eyes seemed to spit fire. Even if Hongxiu wasn't afraid of him, his presence was certainly putting considerable pressure on her.

"Hmm, as one of the sentient beings in heaven and earth, it is normal to have emotions and make a joke..."

Ji Yuan turned another page of the book, then glanced at Hongxiu from the corner of his eye before continuing.

"Miss Hongxiu, if you find it amusing, feel free to continue playing games with me, so long as you have the patience."

These words, rather than demonstrating patience, were an embodiment of profound self-confidence, implying that no matter how she struggled, she could not escape his grasp.

At this point, Ji Yuan seemed to suddenly realize something. He clasped his hands towards Water God Du Guangtong, then gestured towards the cushion by the table.

"Water God Du, please do not be offended. I can see that you have no connection with this young lady. Please, have a seat."

Du Guangtong let out a profound sigh of relief upon hearing this, then quickly returned the gesture and sat down.

"Many thanks to Mr. Ji for your clear discernment!"

Noting Hongxiu's silence, Ji Yuan turned his gaze back to her and asked a simple question.

"How long have you been in Dazhen?"

"Two years."

"Hiding on the Grand Show vessel to harm people?"

Hongxiu nervously glanced at Ji Yuan.

"I say no... would you believe..."