https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-786-Visiting-Relatives-and-Friends-Attending-the-Prince-s-Feast/12852877/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-788-Grandfather-and-Grandson-Meet-Unlike-Before/12852879/
Chapter 787: Luring the Enemy into a Trap, the Prince of Yi's Estate
Chapter 787: Luring the Enemy into a Trap, the Prince of Yi's Estate
At night, Qin Muye and 'Gong Kang' smoothly infiltrated the Prince of Yi's estate. Thanks to Qin Muye's financial prowess, they were not assigned to any arduous tasks. Instead, they were placed in the kitchen, where their duties were more about pretending to work rather than actually doing anything.
Qin Muye had paid a significant sum of silver, and the steward who arranged their entry was quite honest, only requiring them to put on a show.
When the time came, they would each carry a platter of cold dishes to the banquet. As long as they didn't make any mistakes, they would have the opportunity to observe.
This was quite a favorable arrangement, meeting all their requirements.
However, 'Gong Kang' was somewhat disgruntled. In his eyes, the Prince of Yi's estate was heavily guarded, and it would be impossible for ordinary people to enter. Yet, after seeing Qin Muye slip a small bag of silver to a steward, the so-called strict security vanished, and they easily gained entry.
Fortunately, this turned out to be a good thing for him, not a bad one.
'Still, it's a bit strange. Without me as a lead, why is everything so calm? Shouldn't they be searching the entire city?'
'Gong Kang' was puzzled by the calm atmosphere in the Prince of Yi's estate. How could they not be worried about a missing person?
Currently, he was in a state of being overlooked, so he wasn't concerned about being discovered.
"When do you think the banquet will start?" 'Gong Kang' probed, having abandoned his intention to kill Qin Muye.
In his view, there were no lingering threats now that he had infiltrated the Prince of Yi's estate. Once the blood sacrifice ritual began, the other party would have no chance of escape, so there was no need for him to take action.
Moreover, he recognized Qin Muye as a rare talent. If he were still the grandson of the Prince of Yi, he would have eagerly recruited Qin Muye, even though he was just an ordinary person, not a Spirit Master. The network of connections alone made him valuable.
"Just now, I asked the steward. It should be starting soon, probably within this time frame. Don't worry, we're here to gain some insight. We will definitely get our chance to go up, just make sure not to make any mistakes," Qin Muye replied, not taking 'Gong Kang's' probing seriously. He was clearly planning to use this time to do something.
How could he not know? This was his own home, and part of the blood sacrifice ritual was his own creation.
Even if he didn't know, the timing of the Prince of Yi's estate's banquets and receptions was fixed, and as the grandson of the Prince of Yi, how could he not be aware of it?
"Oh, there's still some time. I'll go for a walk," 'Gong Kang' provided Qin Muye with a reason to leave. Otherwise, leaving without a reason would raise suspicion.
Qin Muye was shocked. This kid still thought he was the grandson of the Prince of Yi and wanted to go for a walk?
"I don't mind if you want to find your own death, but don't drag me into it. The idea of wandering around the Prince of Yi's estate is something you came up with?" Qin Muye scoffed.
At this point, 'Gong Kang' also realized that things were different now. He truly couldn't wander around the Prince of Yi's estate anymore.
While there was nothing to do in the kitchen, venturing into other areas would likely result in immediate capture by the guards. The kitchen steward might take money, but the other guards might not.
So, if he were to go out, the likelihood of exposing himself was very high.
This made his expression turn sour. As a result, his various plans for reconnaissance and investigation would be affected.
"What, still not giving up? Let me tell you, there are Spirit Masters of the Immortal Realm in the Prince of Yi's estate. They can crush us with a single move," Qin Muye's words were like a knife in 'Gong Kang's' chest.
"I understand, I was just thinking," 'Gong Kang' said, having composed himself.
He was no longer in a position to act as he pleased. He had to endure until the blood sacrifice ritual began and then take action.
He believed that his grandfather, the Prince of Yi, had found a replacement, such as his father, who only cared about eating, drinking, and playing. Otherwise, it wouldn't be so calm.
As for the possibility of his own exposure? That was even more unlikely. If he were truly exposed, he would have been captured long ago, not still chatting with Qin Muye here.
However, Qin Muye sneered at 'Gong Kang's' thoughts. Even at this point, he still hadn't given up his delusions?
From the very beginning, he had never managed to escape the Prince of Yi's control. The reason he wasn't captured was simply to avoid causing a backlash, much like how he managed to slip away from heavy surveillance even while under house arrest.
Qin Muye didn't think it was necessary to point this out. After all, the one who would suffer wasn't him. Moreover, this person had once intended to kill him, and Qin Muye certainly didn't have the magnanimity to let it go just like that.
Not taking action was not due to a change of heart, but because Qin Muye found him useful. If it were truly out of conscience, Qin Muye might not have let him off so easily.
"This kind of thing is best left unthought. You really have a knack for courting death," Qin Muye said.
"Gong Kang" was momentarily speechless at Qin Muye's blunt remark, feeling that this person really didn't know how to speak tactfully. However, given his current precarious situation, he didn't show it.
Time ticked by, and the kitchen soon became increasingly busy.
"Cold dishes are ready to be served, you two better hurry over," the kitchen steward called out to Qin Muye and "Gong Kang."
A cold glint flashed in "Gong Kang's" eyes as he mentally cursed the lackey. He didn't recognize this kitchen steward, and there were many stewards in the Prince of Yi's estate, with nearly a thousand managing various affairs, let alone the numerous servants.
In his usual life, he dealt with the higher-ranking stewards who managed various departments and wielded considerable power.
The entire Prince of Yi's estate was vast, and there were places he had never been to, such as the kitchen, which he had never visited. He simply gave orders whenever needed.
"Coming, hurry up, what are you standing there for?" Qin Muye tugged at "Gong Kang's" sleeve, snapping him back to reality.
Soon, they were each assigned a dish to carry. Just for the cold dishes, three hundred servants were needed, and it would take at least four trips to serve all the dishes, amounting to at least 1,200 tables, though the actual number would likely be even higher as some servants carried two dishes.
Of course, Qin Muye and "Gong Kang" only went once, as they had paid to gain insight, not to be real servants. A couple of times were fine, but too many trips could lead to mistakes.
Earning money also required a sense of proportion.
The two followed the group inside, where a large number of Spirit Masters were seated. Most were from the Spirit Cultivation Stream, with a smaller number from the Spirit Mastery Stream, each accompanied by their spirit beasts, making it look like a zoo.
"Kang" forced himself to ignore his discomfort, placed the cold dish, and followed the group back. Halfway through, he suddenly slipped away, unnoticed.
Now that his purpose was achieved, he naturally wouldn't return to the kitchen with the other servants, as doing so would mean being sent away from the Prince of Yi's estate, which he couldn't accept. So, when a good opportunity to leave presented itself, he seized it.
Qin Muye, noticing "Gong Kang's" departure, also quietly slipped away from the group.
"Tsk, this kid is really willing to take risks. Following him now should yield some results," Qin Muye slowly trailed behind "Gong Kang," who seemed to be heading towards the core area of the blood sacrifice.
The blood sacrifice had already begun during the banquet, but it was not yet obvious. It would take several hours for the ritual to reach the intense blood-red state, as such a grand ceremony required time to build up. Otherwise, the Prince of Yi wouldn't be able to withstand the immediate impact.
Moreover, a ritual was a ritual, and it couldn't be completed in an instant. It needed a complete process.
Today's preparations at the Prince of Yi's estate were mainly setting up the stage.
Following "Gong Kang" through twists and turns for nearly half an hour, they finally reached the destination.
"To be honest, 'Gong Kang' must have been driven mad by anger, otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to notice that there wasn't a single guard along the way."
"And I must say, the Prince of Yi's estate is a whole level bigger than the Lu Wang's estate. They really know how to play the game."
After comparing the two estates, Qin Muye concluded that the Prince of Yi not only excelled at feigning madness but also had a knack for accumulating wealth.
(End of Chapter)
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