Chapter 33: Exposed on the Spot

Although he had some doubts in his heart, Zuo Jincheng shamelessly accepted the credit anyway.

In his view, the people from Red Maple Mountain had most likely sent over a shipment of grain out of consideration for Swordwind Mountain’s reputation. Otherwise, there was no other explanation.

“As long as the problem is solved, that’s all that matters. The old master is being far too polite. We’ll be family sooner or later. Wasn’t it only right for me to do this?”

Feng Yuzhi blushed, but did not refute him.

Compared with Zuo Jincheng, Xu Feng could not stir even the slightest interest in her. Only an extraordinary man like Zuo Jincheng was worthy of becoming her husband.

The two of them returned to the Feng residence together. Old Master Feng specifically arranged a banquet to entertain Zuo Jincheng.

“Virtuous nephew, you have done the Feng family a tremendous favor this time. I truly do not know how to thank you.”

Faced with Old Master Feng’s enthusiasm, Zuo Jincheng remained utterly composed.

“It was only what I should have done. Please don’t take it to heart. We’ll be family sooner or later, so there’s no need to stand on ceremony.”

Old Master Feng understood his implication. He gave a hearty laugh and said nothing more.

Feng Yumian, who was sitting nearby, sneered.

“Stop flattering yourself. This grain was clearly borrowed by my brother-in-law. And who said we were family? I wish you would stay as far away from me as possible.”

Xu Feng had also come to watch the spectacle. He truly had not expected Zuo Jincheng to dare claim credit for something so serious.

If the truth came to light, would he not be taking a chamber pot full of filth and dumping it over his own head?

“Shut up. The truth is right before your eyes. Only a fool like you would believe Xu Feng’s nonsense.”

Old Master Feng firmly believed that Zuo Jincheng had been the one to borrow the grain.

Feng Yuzhi needed no convincing either.

How could she allow the man she admired to suffer humiliation in front of her?

“You shameless braggart. Fooling children might be acceptable, but do you actually think we’ll all believe your nonsense?”

Seeing that no one was willing to believe either her or her brother-in-law, Feng Yumian anxiously stamped her feet. At that moment, another servant hurried in to report that more guests had arrived outside.

The grain owed to the imperial court had already been repaid. Surely anyone coming to visit at this time could not be an enemy.

Old Master Feng ordered the servants to invite the guests in. A familiar woman in red was escorted into the hall. The moment Xu Feng saw her, he hurriedly retreated several steps.

He was afraid she would recognize him. Then he thought it over and relaxed. He had been wearing a mask when he went up the mountain, so there was no reason for her to recognize his true appearance.

“Old Master Feng, I have long admired your reputation. My name is Red Lotus. I was in charge of escorting this shipment of grain. A minor matter delayed me earlier, which is why I arrived so late.”

Apart from Xu Feng, Zuo Jincheng was even more uneasy. His legs trembled, and he nearly fled on the spot.

How could he fail to recognize her? She was none other than the leader of Red Maple Mountain, the renowned Red Lotus Sword.

Zuo Jincheng had never imagined that Red Lotus would personally make the journey. To someone like her, this should have been nothing more than a trivial matter.

After all, when he had led his men up the mountain to borrow grain, he had not even managed to see Red Lotus before her subordinates drove him back down.

“So she is an expert from Red Maple Mountain! Please, take the seat of honor. Not a single pound of grain is missing. You have truly relieved this old man’s immediate crisis.”

Seeing the table laden with delicacies, Red Lotus did not stand on ceremony. She took the seat of honor, then casually turned her head and fixed her gaze on Xu Feng.

It was obvious that she had already recognized him as the masked man who had gone up the mountain the previous night. His figure was exactly the same. He might have deceived others, but he could never deceive her.

Their eyes met. Xu Feng quickly lowered his head, his heart rising into his throat. He knew that she had recognized him.

Fortunately, Red Lotus did not expose him. Xu Feng breathed a sigh of relief. He was not yet prepared for his identity to be revealed.

“Old Master, since these distinguished guests are from Red Maple Mountain, you should entertain them. I just remembered that I have to return to the sect today. It’s getting late, so I should set out early.”

Zuo Jincheng did not dare remain. He was about to find an excuse to leave when, before he could even stand, a slender hand rested on his shoulder.

“Why are you in such a hurry, Young Master Zuo? Surely you aren’t refusing me this small courtesy?”

Red Lotus’s sudden words left Zuo Jincheng in an impossible position. He did not dare defy her wishes. Her strength was far beyond his own; with a single slap, she could send him to meet the King of Hell.

After thinking it over, he still did not dare resist and obediently sat back down.

“Since Miss Red Lotus has invited me, it would be rude to refuse. Come, allow me to offer you a toast.”

Zuo Jincheng raised his wine cup, intending to toast her. Unexpectedly, Red Lotus paid him no further attention. She simply picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of meat into her mouth.

Zuo Jincheng was left in an excruciatingly awkward position. He could neither put down the cup nor continue holding it up, and could only force out an embarrassed smile.

Everyone faintly sensed that something was wrong. Zuo Jincheng and the people of Red Maple Mountain did not seem nearly as familiar with one another as they had assumed.

“Miss Red Lotus, has this old man—or perhaps my virtuous nephew Zuo—done something to offend you?”

Once again, it was Old Master Feng who stepped in to smooth things over.

Red Lotus gave a soft laugh and explained.

“I simply cannot stand certain petty villains trying to pass off another’s achievement as their own. Red Maple Mountain has nothing to do with this man. The person who came to borrow grain last night was a man wearing a ghost mask. Red Maple Mountain granted the request out of consideration for him. What does any of this have to do with Zuo Jincheng?”

“But was he wearing a pitch-black mask that resembled the face of the King of Hell?”

The moment she heard that the person who had borrowed the grain was wearing a ghost mask, Feng Yumian’s eyes lit up.

“Exactly.”

“It was the Ghost-Faced Man? Why would the Ghost-Faced Man help us?”

As she asked the question, Feng Yumian instinctively turned to look at Xu Feng.

How could Xu Feng dare answer? Afraid that his identity would be exposed, he could only lower his head and pretend to know nothing.

“Virtuous nephew Zuo, this…”

Old Master Feng was somewhat unable to believe it. After returning to Gusu, he had heard a few things about the Ghost-Faced Man, but he had never imagined that the man would become involved with his own family.

Feng Yuzhi also grew suspicious. She stared at Zuo Jincheng in disbelief. She knew very well what sort of relationship existed between Zuo Jincheng and the Ghost-Faced Man. Under no circumstances should the two have had anything to do with each other.

How could Zuo Jincheng have so casually taken him as a subordinate?

It was a plausible excuse, but Zuo Jincheng had overlooked one thing: Red Lotus would never stand on his side and help him explain himself.

Red Lotus gave another soft laugh and mocked him on the spot.

“Heh. So, according to you, Young Master Zuo’s reputation is greater than the heavens themselves—even I am obliged to show you consideration?”