Chapter 447: Chapter 446: Aunt Helian
Immortal Yan met Duanmu Lingfeng, who had been waiting in the reception hall.
As a direct descendant of the Duanmu Family, Duanmu Lingfeng’s position in the clan was originally not as high as Duanmu Yun’s and Duanmu Hai’s, but now that Duanmu Yun and Duanmu Hai had both been slain by Yang Fei, Duanmu Lingfeng had become an important figure among the younger generation of the clan.
Accompanying Duanmu Lingfeng were several others, who waited outside the living room. Only a middle-aged man stayed closely by his side, acting as a guard.
Upon seeing Immortal Yan, Duanmu Lingfeng hurriedly set down his teacup and stood to greet her.
"It’s been months since we last met, Aunt Helian grows more beautiful by the day," Duanmu Lingfeng said, looking at Immortal Yan with undisguised adoration in his eyes.
Hearing this title, Immortal Yan felt repulsed, but she kept her composure and looked at Duanmu Lingfeng, saying, "What brings Young Master Lingfeng to my humble home?"
Duanmu Lingfeng replied with a smile, "Aunt Helian has been in Muyun City for many days, and I should have visited you at the earliest opportunity, but some matters arose in the clan these past few days. I believe Aunt Helian might have heard about them, thus the delay. I hope Aunt Helian will forgive me."
Immortal Yan slowly nodded, feigning curiosity, and asked, "Recently there has been news that the Duanmu Family lost many of their skilled members that day; is that true?"
Duanmu Lingfeng sighed, sadness crossing his features, "Yes, that young thief sneaked into our clan and killed my Uncle Duanmu Xin. After alarming the clan, that man even managed to escape using cunning means."
This was an embarrassing matter, and Duanmu Lingfeng’s face was devoid of pride, but he did not hide it. After all, the Duanmu Family had already announced it to the world. Now that all the forces of the Hidden Sect World had united to seal off their world, even if Yang Fei had incredible powers, he couldn’t hope to escape.
"I heard that even Senior Duanmu Wugou failed to capture him; is he really that powerful?" Immortal Yan asked deliberately, a look of shock on her face.
Duanmu Lingfeng nodded and said, "Yes, my great-uncle personally took action, and yet that young man still escaped. My great-uncle said that despite his young age, he must have received the true teachings of the Taoist, and his cultivation has reached Divine Travel Realm."
"Ah, that’s formidable?" Immortal Yan expressed her shock.
If Yang Fei were here, he would definitely give a thumbs-up, for this demoness’ acting could win her the Best International Actress award.
Duanmu Lingfeng continued, "Yes, though we are peers, as a Taoist Inheritor, the cultivation technique he practices is naturally extraordinary, and his strength is enough to look down upon his contemporaries."
His evaluation was very objective. After all, Yang Fei was able to escape from his great-uncle, showing that his power indeed surpassed that of his peers.
Especially since Duanmu Hai and Duanmu Yun had been slain by Yang Fei, his actions further confirmed everything.
Thus, the Duanmu Family now portrayed Yang Fei’s power as very formidable to the outside world, which could only make people understand that it wasn’t because the Duanmu Family was incompetent, but because this Taoist Inheritor was too powerful.
Immortal Yan reacted very cooperatively, giving Duanmu Lingfeng the illusion that they were enjoying a very pleasant conversation.
After chatting for a while, Immortal Yan asked, "I wonder what brings you here today, young master?"
It seemed that Duanmu Lingfeng then remembered his actual purpose and said, "A few days ago, the elite members of the clan were tracing that young man’s trail and discovered he had stopped less than 300 miles outside Muyun City before disappearing. Based on information provided by various forces, everyone speculates that he might have returned to Muyun City, intending to strike us under cover of darkness."
A chill ran down Immortal Yan’s spine; she knew that Muyun City was under a city-wide search, but she hadn’t expected the search to reach her so quickly.
Indeed, Duanmu Lingfeng went on to say, "After discussing with the elder ancestors of the clan, it has been decided to impose a complete lockdown on Muyun City to search for the felon’s whereabouts."
Immortal Yan’s brows slightly furrowed as she looked at Duanmu Lingfeng and asked, "So, Young Master, are you here to search my humble abode?"
Duanmu Lingfeng hurriedly waved his hand, "No... no, Aunt Helian has misunderstood, I..."
"Cough cough..."
Just then, the middle-aged man standing behind Duanmu Lingfeng gently coughed.
A chill ran down Duanmu Lingfeng’s spine, and he steeled himself, "The truth is, this boy is too cunning, and I was worried that he might carelessly break into Aunt Helian’s residence. If Aunt Helian were to be frightened here in Muyun City and Senior Helian blamed us, the Duanmu Family would not be able to explain ourselves."
He was genuinely infatuated with Helian Rong, but his family took this matter very seriously and even sent elite guards to follow him; if he were merely making an appearance, he’d likely be unable to explain himself once he returned.
Immortal Yan immediately darkened her face and furrowed her brows.
Duanmu Lingfeng felt his heart leap to his throat. He truly did not want Helian Rong to develop a bad impression of him because of this, and he hurriedly explained, "Aunt Helian, I am also acting on orders, and more so for your safety, I..."
"I understand."
Immortal Yan cut off Duanmu Lingfeng’s words, yet her brows remained knitted, "Young Master has duties to fulfill, which I naturally understand. However, coincidentally, I was about to leave Muyun City when I stumbled upon the city being sealed off, isn’t this going to delay my journey?"
"Ah?" Duanmu Lingfeng exclaimed, and quickly said, "Aunt Helian, haven’t you just arrived here not long ago? Why are you leaving already?"
He had hoped that the other party would stay here for a longer period. Once he was done with his busy schedule, he would have time to invite her to tour and deepen their understanding of each other.
If he could gain the affections of this esteemed lady and have the support of that impressive father-in-law, his own status within the Duanmu Family could skyrocket, and even in the entire Hidden Sect World, his standing would increase substantially.
Compared to Duanmu Lingfeng’s demeanor, a glint flashed in the eyes of the middle-aged man standing beside him, who could not help but ask, "Why does Aunt Helian need to leave in such a hurry?"
Immortal Yan’s brows furrowed as she looked up at him.
The man felt a chill in his heart, immediately aware of her status, and hurriedly explained, "Please don’t take offense, Aunt Helian. What I mean is, with your status, even with the city being sealed, as long as you state your reasons, if our Young Master reports them to the elders of our family, they will surely not hinder you and will definitely allow you to leave the city."
Duanmu Lingfeng eagerly chimed in, "Yes, exactly. The sealing of Muyun City is only to search for the thief Yang Fei; with Aunt Helian’s distinguished status, you are naturally not bound by this."
Immortal Yan’s face showed the kind of proud and spoiled expression befitting her status as a noble lady, and she nodded, "Five days from now is my father’s birthday celebration. If I leave today, heading to the Central State Sky Pillar Sect from here would be just right."
The distance from Muyun City to the Sky Pillar Sect was vast; if one rode a fast horse day and night, it would barely take three days and nights to reach. By leaving five days in advance, Immortal Yan would not need to travel day and night, and the timing would be just perfect.
"However, given the significant incidents in Muyun City, I naturally need to cooperate with the Duanmu Family’s search. I will remain for two more days; if there are still no results after two days, I would then ask Young Master Lingfeng to say a few good words for me to not miss congratulating my father on his birthday."
Duanmu Lingfeng quickly nodded, "Absolutely."
The middle-aged man beside him also smiled and said, "Aunt Helian, how about this? Our inspection is also a part of our official duties, and our Young Master also needs to give an explanation to our family. So, we will conduct the search now, and afterward, the Young Master will report your situation to our family, striving to let Aunt Helian depart earlier."
Hearing this, Immortal Yan smiled. She was very confident in her Disguise Technique, and since Yang Fei had already lost his cultivation, it was difficult for others to see through him. She then nodded, "If so, I shall trouble my cousin."