Sorry to Disturb You Late at Night

The smile on Lord Anyang's face was perfectly amiable—neither fawning nor aloof.

It was as if he wasn’t inviting a group of cultivators who had just been preparing to break down his gates by force, but rather old friends he had known for years.

An opportunity lay before them, ripe for the taking.

Yet the gatekeeper of this opportunity had willingly swung open the doors, greeting them with a welcoming grin.

The feeling was akin to a starving wolf lunging at a sheep pen, only to find the gate not only unlocked but also set with bowls and chopsticks, cheerfully asking whether it preferred its meal steamed or braised.

Most cultivators harbored a near-blind obsession with the word "opportunity."

This was natural.

After all, the vast majority of those present had tasted the sweetness of so-called "opportunities" more than once—and emerged unscathed.

Just as it was often the skilled swimmers who drowned.

Without sufficient confidence, one would naturally steer clear of such peril.

After a brief standoff, the man from the Kui Tian Holy Land was the first to lose patience.

With a cold snort, he forcibly suppressed his unease, transforming it into even fiercer greed.

"Lord Anyang, since you’ve extended such a generous invitation, we’ll gladly accept!"

No one voiced opposition.

After all, none were willing to admit they’d been intimidated by a mere mortal.

The man from Kui Tian Holy Land cupped his hands in a perfunctory salute to the lord, his smile not reaching his eyes, then strode boldly across the threshold of the manor, his pristine white jade puppet close behind.

Where one led, others followed—second, third…

Nearly a hundred cultivators surged into the manor like a school of fish, each fearing they’d fall behind and miss out on the treasures within.

Lord Anyang’s smile remained unchanged as he stepped aside, nodding cordially to every cultivator who passed him, like an innkeeper greeting his guests.

……

Su Ji and Su Jiu crouched in the shadows of a corner, steady as old hounds.

He hesitated.

If they followed the crowd inside, it could very well be a trap.

But if they didn’t, they might miss crucial information.

Su Jiu watched the cultivators swarming in like moths to a flame.

"Senior Brother, your cultivation is intact. Why don’t you follow them secretly and scout the situation? I’ll wait outside."

Su Ji shook his head. "It’s not safe for you to stay out here alone."

"My cultivation is still intact—let’s just go in openly."

Su Jiu blinked, momentarily lost.

Su Ji grinned and leaned in, his voice barely a whisper.

"Think about it. With so many people going in, if there’s real danger, we just need to outrun them, right?"

"My cultivation’s intact. Even if I have to carry you, we’ll be running real fast."

Su Jiu: "……"

In the end, she chose to trust him, stepping out of the shadows together.

The two strolled leisurely to the manor gates, where Lord Anyang still stood, his smile as warm as ever, as if he’d been waiting just for them.

He cupped his hands again.

"Esteemed immortals, please, come in."

Su Ji mirrored the gesture, his face the picture of innocence.

"You’re too kind, Lord Anyang."

"Our visit at this late hour is quite the disturbance."

For the first time, the lord’s unchanging smile faltered slightly.

Even the weakest rogue cultivators had marched past him with their noses in the air.

The superiority of cultivators over mortals was on full display.

This was the first one to return his courtesy.

Lord Anyang could only clasp his hands again. "Guests from afar are always welcome. You flatter me, immortal."

Su Ji, refusing to be outdone, clasped his hands once more. "You flatter me more, my lord."

The lord stiffly returned the gesture. "I’m merely fulfilling my duties as host. There’s no need for such courtesy—"

Su Jiu watched as the two of them bowed deeper with each exchange.

Finally, Su Ji ended the match.

Straightening, he declared, "True. I was just being polite for the sake of it."

Lord Anyang: "……"

Su Jiu: "……"

She studied the lord’s expression, which now resembled that of a man severely constipated.

She couldn’t pinpoint where this inexplicable sense of vindication came from.

With that, Su Ji tugged Su Jiu past the threshold.

Inside, a spacious courtyard unfolded, adorned with rock gardens, flowing streams, and elegant pavilions.

Dozens of tables had been arranged, each laden with fine wine, delicacies, and fragrant fruits.

The cultivators who’d entered earlier had already taken their seats, clustering in small groups, murmuring among themselves while their eyes repeatedly flicked toward the manor’s depths.

Lord Anyang beamed.

"Esteemed immortals, you’ve traveled far. Please, enjoy this humble wine to ease your weariness."

The man from Kui Tian Holy Land sat imposingly at the head table, lifting his cup to inspect the clear liquid within. His brow furrowed slightly.

He brought it to his nose—no spiritual energy, no trace of poison.

Turning to Lord Anyang, his gaze sharpened with scrutiny.

"Lord, your manor seems unusually quiet."

"Not a single servant in sight."

Lord Anyang sighed, his face twisting into a practiced look of sorrow.

"Ah, immortal, you wouldn’t know. Since the strange occurrences began in the city, all my servants fled in fear. Now, this grand manor stands empty but for me."

"I prepared this meager feast myself. I apologize for its inadequacy."

The explanation was flimsy.

The Kui Tian Holy Land disciple raised his cup and announced to the crowd, "Friends, I’ll drink first to show there’s no ill intent!"

With that, he downed the wine in one gulp.

The others followed suit, draining their cups.

The wine was crisp and sweet—utterly ordinary.

Tensions eased slightly.

Su Ji and Su Jiu settled at an inconspicuous corner table.

"Senior Brother, the wine isn’t poisoned."

"Still not drinking it."

"Medicine isn’t poisoned either, but would you drink it if I told you to? Who knows what this really is."

Su Ji lifted his cup, pretended to sip, then discreetly poured the wine onto the ground before setting the cup down.

Only Li Xi’s sharp eyes remained fixed on Lord Anyang, her brow slightly furrowed as if puzzling over something.

The moment the last of the wine was consumed, the ever-smiling lord’s expression shifted—subtly, but unmistakably.

The corners of his lips curled higher. His once-gentle eyes gleamed with a chilling light.

Slowly, he raised his hands and clapped.

The crisp sound echoed through the courtyard.

"Esteemed immortals, now that you’ve had your drink…"

"Allow me to present the evening’s… entertainment."

The instant the words left his mouth—

BOOM!

The wide-open vermilion gates slammed shut with terrifying force.

The Kui Tian Holy Land disciple shot to his feet, bellowing, "Lord Anyang! What is the meaning of this?!"

The lord didn’t answer. His smile only grew more grotesque.

He slowly walked to the center of the courtyard, scanning the crowd with their bewildered expressions. His voice, no longer carrying its previous gentleness, now dripped with an icy chill.

"I know you've all come for that immortal's corpse..."

"And I also know—this is something I cannot keep."