Chapter 683 - 664: The Isolated Rogue

Without another word, Little Yu pulled Zhan Yingluo away, and her other sisters did the same. Zhan Yingluo had been mentioning this Wang Meng a bit too often lately, and they were all getting worried. Besides, rumors were flying about a marriage alliance between the Wang Family and the Zhan Family. ’Gods, please don’t let it be with this Wang Meng.’

Zhan Yingluo’s eyes met Wang Meng’s, and she gave him a helpless look. Wang Meng just smiled. He hadn’t wanted her to approach him at a time like this anyway. It seemed he had still underestimated "Brother Rencai’s" charm.

He was a public enemy to all young women.

In fact, Wang Meng was still underestimating it; he was a public enemy to older women as well.

After Zhan Yingluo and her friends sat down, the crowd’s conversation quickly returned to Han Chuxue. The male cultivators present had all done their homework, preparing to make a good impression in hopes of getting a chance to become one of her followers.

Becoming one of Han Chuxue’s followers was said to be incredibly difficult, but it was a dream for many. To be able to accompany her, to work for Fairy Han—that was the dream of a lifetime.

Wang Meng was speechless at this. He had met Mulholland Drive before. For a talent like him to willingly abandon his family just to follow Han Chuxue... Wang Meng began to have his suspicions. ’Is this woman a master of the Enchantment Technique?’

But if that were the case, she wouldn’t have survived this long. The experts from the great families would never have stood idly by.

If it wasn’t the Enchantment Technique, then things were getting rather interesting. Even someone as imperturbable as Master Wang was starting to feel a stir of interest.

Purple Saint Meng Ningzhi and Pill Saint Ni Yong arrived. It was obvious that Meng Ningzhi was also extremely popular. Haojing had no shortage of gossips, and they had, of course, created a ranking for the city’s most beautiful women.

The Spirit Saint, Han Chuxue, was without a doubt ranked first. Not only did she possess the beauty of a fairy, but she was also the chosen successor for the position of Chairman of the Spirit Control Association. Her power was unfathomable.

Meng Ningzhi was ranked second. As the heiress of the Meng Family and a strong candidate to become its next Patriarch, she possessed a noble air and an immense reputation.

Ranked third was the Seventh Princess, Ji Ruyan. As one of the Royal Nobles, her position was beyond question.

Ranked fourth was the Tenth Princess, Ji Jin’Er. She was a living, breathing little Beauty God. Though still young, she was a budding beauty, with a tall, slender figure and an exceptionally graceful presence.

Ranked fifth was an acquaintance of Wang Meng’s: Zhan Yingluo of the Zhan Family, whose snow-white skin made her stand out from all the other beauties.

Meng Ningzhi and Ni Yong naturally took seats in the front row. Although the seating wasn’t assigned, everyone knew their place and where they belonged.

Master Wang, for example, went straight to the last row, which in the eyes of others was a sign that he at least knew his place.

Meng Ningzhi and Ni Yong also spotted Wang Meng and were momentarily taken aback, but neither showed any further reaction.

Once they were seated, Ni Yong smiled faintly. "This is going to be lively."

Meng Ningzhi nodded slightly. ’I can’t believe Wang Meng actually dares to show his face in public,’ she thought. ’He’s practically courting death. Doesn’t he realize how many people are waiting to cause trouble for him? Not to mention, the Seventh Princess will be here too.’

"Ningzi, you seem a bit different lately," Ni Yong suddenly remarked with a smile. "Did something good happen?"

Meng Ningzhi paused. "What could have happened to me?"

’Ni Yong is just too perceptive,’ Meng Ningzhi thought. His attention to detail was almost frightening. She did have something on her mind. Ever since she and Golden Wolf had fought off the White Bone Sect, the image of a certain person had been constantly appearing in her thoughts for the past few days, for reasons she couldn’t explain.

It was an unsettling feeling. Meng Ningzhi felt it would cause her to Divine Split, yet she didn’t know why. But this was a problem she felt she couldn’t discuss with anyone else.

Ni Yong didn’t press the matter. People from the Wang Family had arrived: Wang Ang, Wang Hantian, and Zhuo Meng. The prestige of the great families was unmatched in Haojing.

Unlike a certain someone, the Wang Ang brothers were truly influential figures and naturally took their seats in the front row. The moment Wang Hantian saw Wang Meng, he seethed with anger, but Wang Ang gently patted his brother. "Calm down."

Although Wang Hantian was hot-tempered, he always listened to Wang Ang. Having suffered defeat at Wang Meng’s hands twice in a row, he had learned his lesson. The Patriarch had also given him a solemn warning to behave himself for the next few days.

The arrival of the Wang brothers inevitably stirred another round of discussion. It was clear that even though Wang Meng was back, he was an outcast in his own family. Even Wang Shifeng, who used to be his partner in crime, was keeping a wide berth. No one wanted anything to do with him.

Yuan Juhuo arrived next, dressed in bright red robes that made him instantly stand out from the crowd. His hair was meticulously combed and gleamed under the light. He had clearly come fully prepared.

Thanks to the return of their old ancestor, the Yuan Family’s prestige in Haojing was currently unrivaled. As the family’s heir and the only disciple to receive direct guidance from the Fire Emperor, Yuan Juhuo naturally garnered a great deal of attention. Rumor had it that in less than a year, he would become the number one expert of Great Zhou’s younger generation.

Yuan Juhuo naturally went to sit near Meng Ningzhi’s group, drawing a clear line between himself and the Wang Family. He was a proud and aloof person who only befriended those he deemed worthy, and the only ones who had earned that approval were Meng Ningzhi and a select few others.

The Wang Family were his rivals, and frankly, Yuan Juhuo looked down on Wang Ang and Wang Hantian.

"What is everyone looking at?"

"Heh, Wang Meng is here."

"Oh? That kid actually dared to show his face. Heh." Yuan Juhuo glanced at Wang Meng in the corner, then at the Wang brothers, and gave a cold smirk. "Ignoring their own brother like that... the Wang Family sure is something else."

Arrogant as he was, Yuan Juhuo was a man of strong principles. Internal matters should be handled internally; outside, a family ought to present a united front. For Wang Ang and Wang Hantian to cast Wang Meng aside like that was enough to make others lose respect for them.

"Yan Luoqi is here." A young man in embroidered white robes appeared at the entrance, holding a Gilded Folding Fan with a smile on his face.

This was Yan Luoqi, the most mysterious of the Eight Saints. Whenever he appeared in Haojing, he would throw money around lavishly. Dashing and debonair, he was said to be as wealthy as a nation and maintained good relations with all the major families. Rumor was that he moved with ease in both legitimate and underworld circles. His most famous exploit was single-handedly dismantling a White Bone Sect stronghold, after which the sect didn’t even dare to seek revenge. Legend claimed he was a disciple of the Golden Emperor.

The fact that even Yan Luoqi had come was a testament to Fairy Han’s charm. Some people are universally disliked, but others are universally popular. The moment Yan Luoqi arrived, countless people waved at him, hoping to curry favor. Many of them were young women, including Little Yu and her friends.

Mo Chengkong was also lurking in a corner. After suffering a great humiliation in Wang City, he had scurried back in disgrace and hadn’t left his home in a long time. However, he couldn’t possibly miss Han Chuxue’s Dao Field. Seeing Wang Meng being scorned from all sides, his mood improved considerably. ’Looks like life is even harder for Wang Meng now that he’s back,’ he thought with satisfaction.

Ji Shuangtian arrived with Ji Ruyan and Ji Jin’Er in tow. Everyone immediately rose to their feet to show the Royal Family the proper respect.

Even these princes and princesses were unable to resist Han Chuxue’s allure. Ji Ruyan, however, spotted Wang Meng in the crowd with a single glance. He was as conspicuous as a lamp in the dark. Her expression instantly soured; the humiliation she had suffered at the Pill Immortal Alliance was something she would never forget.

Ji Shuangtian shot an indifferent glance at Wang Meng. "That kid has a lot of nerve, daring to show up at an event like this."

Ji Ruyan bit her lip and said nothing.

Beside them, Ji Jin’Er’s jaw dropped in disbelief. ’Isn’t that the interesting man I met?’ she thought. ’He’s... Wang Meng???’

’The pervert who peeked at me while I was bathing?’

Ji Jin’Er couldn’t believe it. How could something like this be possible? It just didn’t add up. ’How could the person Old Fire chose be a bad guy?’

"Seventh Sister, is that really Wang Meng?"

Ji Ruyan nodded, her face filled with disgust. Ji Jin’Er opened her mouth to speak, then stopped. The Little Princess was thoroughly confused.

Soon, the Dao Field was full, yet the area around Wang Meng remained spacious. No one was willing to sit near him. Master Wang, however, was perfectly content. ’This is nice,’ he thought. ’Very nice.’ (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it. Your support is my greatest motivation.)