Chapter 376 - Visiting Xin Lei’s Residence

Chapter 376: Chapter 131: Visiting Xin Lei’s ResidenceLu Hong agreed to attend the Sin Lei family’s banquet, and the news was conveyed to the other party by Nuoshan the next morning.

The Duke of Sin Lei was overjoyed and immediately sent out a formal invitation. At dusk, Lu Hong sat in the carriage of the Sin Lei family and arrived in front of a luxurious mansion.

"Lord Champion Marquis, we have arrived," a servant lifted the carriage curtain and invited Lu Hong to disembark.

At that moment, Earl Xina had already been waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Lu Hong get off, he walked up with a smile and said, "You really are pampered, it took several invitations before you finally came."

Originally, on the carriage ride over, Lu Hong had decided that once he disembarked, he would keep a stern face and not give any member of the Sin Lei family a good expression to see.

But upon seeing Xina’s sincere smile, Lu Hong simply couldn’t maintain a stern look and politely replied, "Bai Ling’s day of escape is drawing ever closer, so naturally, more time must be spent thinking of a solution."

"En!" Xina nodded. No one was more aware of Bai Ling’s terror than he was; a raven had been knocked down with just one glance, and in reality, only Xina himself could exchange a few moves with Bai Ling. Lu Hong had a valid excuse, and Xina fully accepted it: "You have taken great pains. If there is anything you need me to do, just send someone to tell me."

"Many thanks, Lord Earl," Lu Hong said, giving a fist and palm salute.

Xina helped Lu Hong up with a smile and said, "What are you being polite for? If anyone should be thanking, it is I who should thank you. Had it not been for your rescue that day, I reckon I’d nearly be buried by now."

"Come, let’s not stand at the entrance, let’s go inside and talk," Xina said as he led Lu Hong through the grand doors of the mansion.

After all, what is most important to a top-tier family is face. The Sin Lei family invited Lu Hong to visit in order to resolve the feud between them, but the very basic etiquette was represented by Xina. Properly speaking, it should have been Mo Na, the one who had offended Lu Hong at the beginning, who should have been at the door to pay his respects, as that would be in line with the basic etiquette of reconciliation.

The Sin Lei family’s collective decision was not to lower their stance, which was a matter of pride that had been fought for a long time under Duke Sin Lei’s watchful eye, exchanged for dignity.

There was nothing the Duke of Sin Lei could do; although she held great power, she couldn’t just kill off all these old family patriarchs, could she?

Therefore, when Xina led Lu Hong to the living room, the Duke of Sin Lei herself rose to greet him: "Champion Marquis, it has been a long time. Your visit today truly graces our Sin Lei family with honor!"

"Lord Duke is too kind," Lu Hong did not respond to Sin Lei’s enthusiasm and merely said a few indifferent words.

The Duke of Sin Lei’s expression remained unchanged, seemingly unaffected by Lu Hong’s attitude, inviting Lu Hong to take a seat and ordering that fine tea be served.

After taking a sip of tea, Lu Hong spoke directly, "I am curious what matters have prompted the Duke of Sin Lei to invite me here on several occasions?"

"It’s nothing special," the Duke of Sin Lei said with a slight smile, "It’s just that there were some unpleasantness between my Sin Lei family and yourself previously, and I would like to ask if you, as a person of great stature, could overlook the offenses of someone lesser. What are your thoughts?"

As she spoke, Sin Lei gave a subtle signal. Before Lu Hong could speak, Mo Na was brought into the living room.

Seeing Mo Na dawdle, the Duke of Sin Lei shouted, "What are you dragging your feet for! Apologize to Champion Marquis at once!"

With a loud call from Sin Lei, Mo Na was struck to the core. He was, after all, the son of the Duke of Sin Lei, having been spoiled from birth. But this time, his experience of provoking Lu Hong had caused him much suffering and he had also experienced the ruthlessness of the Duke of Sin Lei as rumored on the outside.

"I... I...," tears nearly fell from Mo Na’s eyes as he knelt before Lu Hong, sobbing, "It is my fault, I was blind not to recognize a noble man like yourself, Champion Marquis. I hope you can forgive me."

Before, the elderly in the family had repeatedly instructed him that while apologies could be made, they could not lose the face of the Sin Lei family. He had thought the same, but with the Duke of Sin Lei’s tactics, he had no choice but to kneel and beg for mercy.

Lu Hong’s expression remained indifferent, quietly watching Mo Na kneeling down and acknowledging his mistake, before finally saying, "These are minor matters, and besides, they have long since passed. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten."

Hearing Lu Hong’s reply, the Duke of Sin Lei’s lips revealed a slight smile, thinking that there was still a chance for reconciliation.

"Now that the Champion Marquis has spoken, why are you still kneeling? Get up and go!" Another rebuke from Sin Lei, and Mo Na fled the living room as if absolved of a great burden.

At this moment, a servant entered the living room and announced, "Lord Duke, the banquet is ready."

Xin Lei nodded and said to Lu Hong, "Shall we head to the dining hall first and chat while we eat?"

"Fine," Lu Hong sneered inwardly. The other party seemed to have misunderstood something; the feud between him and Xin Lei’s family couldn’t be resolved without considering Piao Miao.

Of course, as soon as he stepped into the dining hall, Lu Hong realized they were not aware of this critical point.

Piao Miao was dressed beautifully today, her figure elegantly outlined by a fitting satin gown. As a once-celebrated socialite who had significant influence within the Gold Family, it looked like Earl Xin Lei planned to use the ploy of beauty to seek Lu Hong’s forgiveness.

Piao Miao, too, wanted to take this opportunity to see if she could amend her mistake. In the face of the looming crisis of the alliance, Lu Hong was a pivotal force; it was already a given, and continuing to oppose him would not be wise.

As Lu Hong arrived, Piao Miao rose to meet him, bowed, and said, "My name is Piao Miao, and I pay my respects to the esteemed champion."

Xin Lei said with a smile, "This is my daughter." She then turned to Piao Miao, "Hurry and lead the champion to his seat."

"Yes," Piao Miao replied respectfully, approached Lu Hong, and said, "Please!"

Lu Hong watched Piao Miao with amusement, now quite curious to see what tricks this beautiful woman would play.

"Very well," Lu Hong took his seat, and Piao Miao sat right beside him. The large dining table could seat at least twenty people, yet aside from Xin Lei, Lu Hong, and Piao Miao, no one else joined the feast. Even a fool could see through such an obvious beauty ploy.

Xin Lei was all smiles, thinking to herself that even an open strategy would work, wondering if he would fall for it.

Indeed, Xin Lei had full confidence in her daughter’s charm, unaware of how many noble sons of the alliance had fallen for her.

As course after course of exquisite food was served, Piao Miao poured a cup of wine for Lu Hong and then raised her own glass, saying, "I have offended you out of ignorance, champion. I beg for your forgiveness, and if there must be a punishment, Piao Miao is willing to accept it and leave myself at your mercy." As she spoke, her eyes danced, and a subtle divine power slowly crept towards Lu Hong.

"Holy shit, sorceress!" the Holy King cursed silently within the bronze greatsword, casting a purifying protection over Lu Hong’s mind.

Lu Hong smiled without taking the cup and said slowly, "We’re old acquaintances, don’t you think? Do you really believe a few words, a cup of wine, is enough to bury our grudge?"

Piao Miao was prepared for his response, which came as no surprise, and she promptly said, "I am willing to accept any punishment to atone for the foolish mistake I’ve made before."

Xin Lei, who thought she had a winning strategy, felt increasingly uneasy hearing their exchange. It seemed Lu Hong and Piao Miao had a grudge from long ago, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"What if I demanded your life?" Lu Hong asked coldly. "Could you comply with that?"

Piao Miao took a deep breath and replied, "If by doing so, I could resolve your resentment toward the Xin Lei family, I would willingly sacrifice my life."

"Then go ahead," Lu Hong said, paying no attention to Piao Miao, his eyes focused on the wine cup he casually fiddled with in his hands.

Piao Miao cursed inwardly. How could she possibly agree to die? She had casually responded, not expecting him to be so ruthlessly indifferent, completely lacking the chivalry of cherishing beauty.

At this point, Xin Lei intervened between them, "Piao Miao! Exactly how have you offended the champion before?"

The matter could not be dodged, and Piao Miao confessed to Earl Xin Lei, "I once nearly killed the champion by mistake."

"What?!" Xin Lei’s face paled slightly, but she quickly regained composure and said to Lu Hong, "My daughter was wrong. But you are still alive, are you not? Name your conditions, and the Xin Lei family will fulfill them wholly. We are prepared to show our sincerity in making amends."

Lu Hong looked at Xin Lei and chuckled, "What an ’accident.’ Miss Piao Miao didn’t tell the whole story. Do you know the lion heart bloodline of the Lionheart clan I destroyed, where it came from?"

Xin Lei’s expression froze, understanding what he implied even though he hadn’t finished his sentence.

"It was extracted from my body, alive," Lu Hong said with a smile. "This blood-deep vengeance, Earl, how much do you think it’s worth? How much would you pay for me to forget it?"