Having Close Relationships with Both Shen Sisters The Hidden Passageway is Opened

Flying Dragon.

That was the name of an eagle.

Raised in the old estate since it was just a fledgling, it had always been cared for by Old Liang.

It possessed both the ferocity of a bird of prey and the rationality of human intelligence.

Most importantly,

it could recognize the masters of the household.

When faced with outsiders, if unchained, it would swoop down with terrifying aggression.

Old Liang’s intention was simply to keep Lin Yu from entering.

He had no plans to create a bloody scene.

His methods might be unconventional, but he wasn’t without principles.

This was something

Shen Jiuyi should have known well.

Yet,

she had somehow doubted Old Liang’s judgment.

Without directly pointing out Shen Jiuyi’s uncharacteristic panic, Old Liang calmly continued,

"Ninth Miss, I’ve raised Flying Dragon for years.

Do you think I don’t know its habits and temperament?

Before I left, I deliberately fed it twice its usual portion of meat.

Right now, it won’t act out of hunger-driven aggression—only the instinct to guard its territory.

But if an ‘intruder’ refuses to leave, Flying Dragon will pursue them relentlessly.

Heh… humans can never truly tame a beast."

……

In the mountain estate.

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! Faced with the attack of a fierce mythical beast, the Saint remained composed, instantly subduing it, earning his Dao Companion’s heartfelt admiration!]

[Reward: 50 Spirit Stones.]

"Left claw up, lift it high!

Good, very good.

Now the right claw!

Hey, I said switch claws, not lift both at the same time.

You big dumb bird, how do you even survive in the mountains with this IQ?

Fly back onto my arm, let’s try again!"

Lin Yu stood by the carved stone fountain, one arm outstretched,

engaged in a "friendly interaction" with the eagle, Flying Dragon.

Though it was called an interaction,

to Shen Buyao’s eyes, it looked more like Flying Dragon was being scolded nonstop!

"Incredible! Lin Yu, you’re absolutely incredible!

Not only can you train dogs, but you can also train eagles?

I’ve never seen Flying Dragon like this—it’s like a tame… parrot?"

Hearing Shen Buyao’s voice, Flying Dragon cast a pleading glance with its sharp eagle eyes.

Unfortunately,

while the eagle understood human nature, Shen Buyao didn’t understand animal instincts.

She completely missed the emotion in its gaze.

What Flying Dragon was really saying:

"Miss, where did you find this terrifying guy?

I’m scared out of my feathers!

Can you please get him away from me?

I’ll never act tough again—I just want to be a majestic eagle,

not some obedient parrot!"

Yet,

Shen Buyao watched the harmonious scene between man and beast with delight.

She’d heard a saying:

If a man is accepted by your pet,

he’s definitely the right one.

With a smirk, she walked toward the shadow stone screen in the courtyard.

Turning to Lin Yu, she said,

"Lin Yu, let Flying Dragon keep you company for a bit. I’ll go air out the house.

I’ll bring out something amazing later—it’ll blow your mind!"

With that,

she clasped her hands behind her back and skipped away behind the stone screen,

leaving Flying Dragon clinging helplessly to Lin Yu’s arm.

Lin Yu picked up a bowl from the ground, still filled with fresh minced meat.

He sighed,

"Pets in wealthy households really eat well, huh.

Here, have some more."

He brought the bowl to Flying Dragon’s beak.

In all honesty,

it wasn’t that Flying Dragon was being disrespectful.

Old Liang had simply fed it way too much before leaving.

Right now, it couldn’t possibly eat another bite!

But since the "boss" had spoken, the eagle hesitated, lowering its head.

That brief hesitation

was enough for Lin Yu to notice something was off…

Thunk!

A sharp flick landed squarely on Flying Dragon’s head.

The dizzying impact nearly sent the eagle tumbling off Lin Yu’s arm.

For a split second,

Flying Dragon felt like it saw its ancestors.

"Hah! Think you’re too good for food now?

If you won’t eat meat, what do you want?

Should I go to the kitchen and make you some ‘eagle stew with mushrooms’?"

Though Flying Dragon didn’t understand what "eagle stew with mushrooms" meant,

it could sense the unmistakable threat in Lin Yu’s tone.

If it didn’t obey,

another flick to the head was definitely coming.

Helpless,

the once-proud king of the skies was forced into another meal,

gulping down the meat under Lin Yu’s watchful gaze.

"You eagles—won’t eat unless you’re beaten.

Wasting food like it’s nothing.

Don’t push your luck next time. It’s pointless."

Flying Dragon was utterly confused.

No matter how much it ate, it still got scolded and flicked.

"Lin…"

A faint, almost inaudible cry came from Shen Buyao in the distance.

Lin Yu: "???"

Trouble?

What kind of danger could there be?

Hey, hey!

This is Shen Buyao’s family home!

What could possibly go wrong here?

Yet, the cry had cut off mid-word,

as if something had abruptly silenced it.

Thunk…

"Stop stuffing your face!

Your mistress is in trouble, and you’re still eating?

How heartless can you be? Come with me, now!"

Flying Dragon, mouth full of meat: "…"

What’s happening now?

Why am I getting hit again?

Weren’t you the one who told me to eat?!

……

In a private room at a Chinese restaurant,

Shen Jiuyi finished her meal and motioned for Old Liang to settle the bill.

Yet,

Old Liang remained seated, unmoving.

Shen Jiuyi met his gaze and instantly understood his thoughts.

"Old Liang, you’re such a strange man.

You’re waiting for me to ask if you have another trick up your sleeve, aren’t you?"

Old Liang, caught, chuckled.

"Heh, Ninth Miss, you know me well.

If I don’t lay out every flawless detail of my plan, I feel uneasy."

Shen Jiuyi straightened in her chair, hands gripping the edges.

"With Flying Dragon unleashed, most people wouldn’t dare enter.

Old Liang, what else in the old estate could you possibly use as an obstacle?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything."

Seeing her stumped, Old Liang’s pride swelled.

"Ninth Miss, there’s one thing you’ve overlooked.

Do you remember the original purpose of the Shen family estate?"

Shen Jiuyi’s pupils constricted. Unease crept into her voice.

"Of course I remember—it was a vault for antiques!

Old Liang, don’t tell me you activated the hidden mechanisms?

Isn’t that going too far…"

A flicker of surprise crossed Old Liang’s eyes.

This was no misunderstanding.

He was now certain—

this outsider, this young man, had an unusually close relationship with Shen Jiuyi.

What was going on?

A man brought back by Shen Buyao… yet also intimately connected to the Ninth Miss?

……

(First update today. As always, bonus chapters are coming. Your support is greatly appreciated!)