Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Chapter 69 Uneasy
Oscar's figure quickly disappeared outside the palace gates, giving Ning Rongrong no chance to stop him. Ning Rongrong stared blankly in the direction he left, then subconsciously turned to look at her father.

The father and daughter's gazes met silently in the noisy hall. In Ning Fengzhi's deep eyes, there was both the decisiveness of a sect leader and the reluctance of a father. Ning Rongrong, surprisingly, did not act willfully and noisily as usual. She seemed to suddenly understand the heavy expectation in her father's eyes—the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School could not tolerate any naivety.

A hint of melancholy, beyond her years, appeared on the girl's delicate face. She clutched her skirt, hesitating whether to tell Oscar about the cruel rule. In the end, she simply turned away in silence, leaving the bustling banquet hall alone, her small figure appearing particularly lonely in the gilded palace.

Seeing this, Chen Xin frowned, her voice carrying a hint of reluctance: "Feng Zhi, isn't this too harsh?"

Ning Fengzhi gazed in the direction his daughter had left, and sighed deeply, "Uncle Jian, the Spirit Hall's ambitions are blatantly obvious. We no longer have time to wait for Rongrong to grow up." He stroked the scepter in his hand, "If they truly have feelings for each other, let these trials be the fire that refines true gold."

On the other side of the hall, Feng Yao observed the entire scene. He gently swirled his wine glass, the amber liquid reflecting his thoughtful expression. This performance seemed to be even more captivating than anticipated.

Qian Renxue took a sip of wine, a hint of amusement flashing in her golden eyes: "Do you think that kid can hold on?" Her voice was very soft, only Feng Yao, who was standing close by, could hear it.

Feng Yao shook his head slightly, his gaze drifting in the direction Oscar had left, various plot points from the original novel flashing through his mind: "It's hard to say." He lightly tapped his wine glass with his fingertips. "The decision rests with Ning Fengzhi; it depends on how he views Oscar."

He paused for a moment, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Now he's at least a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Although leaving allows him to escape temporarily, and even puts Ning Fengzhi in an awkward position, Ning Fengzhi will have two perspectives."

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow and looked at Feng Yao, revealing a hint of interest.

Feng Yao continued in a low voice, "If Ning Fengzhi views Oscar from the perspective of his sect, Oscar's performance at this moment would undoubtedly be a negative score." He gave Qian Renxue a meaningful look, "But from the perspective of a father-in-law, his daughter's liking and Oscar's personal qualities are undoubtedly more important. For Ning Fengzhi, although Oscar is not the most satisfactory candidate, Oscar's conditions are not bad, and dignity is also a highlight for him."

Ning Fengzhi, seemingly sensing something from afar, turned to look in their direction. Feng Yao immediately adopted a respectful expression and raised his cup in greeting.

Qian Renxue paused slightly upon hearing this, a ripple appearing in her golden eyes. She lowered her head, gazing at the swirling wine in her glass, her thoughts drifting away—wasn't she and Feng Yao in the same boat?
"Yes," she murmured softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of the cup. Beneath Xue Qinghe's mask of pretense, a complex emotion flickered in the eyes that belonged to Qian Renxue.

Feng Yao noticed her unusual behavior and gently touched the back of her hand while pouring wine. This subtle touch brought Qian Renxue back to her senses, and the two smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

Watching the tacit interaction between the two "ruler and minister" from afar, Ning Fengzhi began to make his own plans.

With the court official's resounding announcement, the grand victory banquet finally came to a close. The delegations from various academies, led by their attendants, exited the magnificent Zichen Hall in turn.

Feng Yao straightened his clothes, bowed to Emperor Xue Ye and "Xue Qinghe," then turned and led the Royal Fighting Team to leave with the three instructors. The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the white marble palace path, casting long shadows of the group.

"Captain Feng is really enjoying himself today," Yu Feng said with a grin as he approached.

Feng Yao smiled, but his gaze subtly swept behind him. He saw Dugu Yan holding Ye Lingling's hand, and the two of them quickly caught up.

"Xiao Feng!" Dugu Yan stepped forward and blocked his way, her purple eyes narrowing dangerously. "Why are you hiding? Are Lingling and I scary?" Ye Lingling behind her didn't speak, but her icy blue eyes also held a hint of reproach.

Feng Yao coughed awkwardly and touched his nose. "How could that be? It's just..." His eyes darted around, "I'm not naturally good at dancing. I was just afraid of embarrassing Sister Yan and Sister Lingling."

"Ha!" Dugu Yan sneered, her slender finger jabbing directly at his chest. "A top student from Yuexuan Academy, you say you're not good at aristocratic court dances?" She turned to Ye Lingling, "Lingling, do you believe that?"

Ye Lingling gently shook her head, her long, ice-blue hair shimmering in the moonlight.

These words froze Feng Yao instantly, while Yu Feng and the others, sensing the situation, quickened their pace, leaving him alone to face the "questioning" of the two beauties. Under the moonlight, the shadows of the three people stretched long on the ground, intertwined, just like this tangled and complicated relationship.

Feng Yao's eyes darted around, and he suddenly pointed into the distance, exclaiming, "Hey? Isn't that Senior Dugu?"

Taking advantage of the moment when Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling turned around to look, he activated Ghost Shadow Steps, and a gust of wind suddenly rose from his feet, causing his figure to float backward like a ghost.

"I suddenly remembered that the Education Commission needs to see me urgently! Let's talk another day!"

Before she could finish speaking, he was already ten feet away. Dugu Yan stomped her foot in anger: "Xiao Feng!" The venom of the Azure Phosphorus Serpent in her hand had already been condensed, but Feng Yao disappeared around the corner of the academy in a few leaps.

Ye Lingling covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Never mind, Yanyan."

"He can run today, but he can't run tomorrow!" Dugu Yan scoffed, dispelling the venom from the Jade Phosphorus Serpent in her hand.

Passing through the last majestic palace gate, the night wind, carrying the chill of early autumn, rushed towards him. Feng Yao paused and turned back, gazing at the gradually extinguishing lights of the imperial city behind him, the clear light of the waning moon reflected in his deep eyes.

He knew that he had already stepped into a more dangerous game.

"It's best not to get them involved." Feng Yao sighed softly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant at his waist. In the moonlight, his figure appeared exceptionally lonely.

Dugu Yan's bright smile and Ye Lingling's gentle gaze flashed through his mind. But now was not the time—his grand plan with Qian Renxue had only just begun, and the road ahead was fraught with danger. Involving them would only complicate matters further.

"As for fate, let's wait for another day."

Feng Yao withdrew his gaze and turned to step into the night. In the distance, the outline of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was faintly visible in the moonlight. He knew that there, someone even more important was waiting for him.

The night was as dark as ink, dotted with countless stars. Feng Yao, bathed in the cool moonlight, arrived at the long-missed simulated training ground. Pushing open the specially made metal door, a familiar aura rushed towards him. Moonlight poured down like water, bathing the entire room in a silvery glow. Within that silver light, a tall, slender figure stood silently. Qian Renxue had shed her disguise as Xue Qinghe; her long golden hair flowed like a waterfall in the moonlight, and her gilded eyes shone brighter than the stars.

"You're back?" she asked softly, a hint of tenderness in her voice, her golden eyes full of mockery. "Feng Keqing's escape skills are even more exquisite than your dancing."

Feng Yao was immediately at a loss for words, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up in a smile. He closed the door behind him with a soft thud, then strode forward and pulled the beautiful figure in the moonlight into his arms.

"Then shouldn't my Xue'er reward me?" He whispered in Qian Renxue's ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe.

Qian Renxue glanced at him sideways with her beautiful, golden eyes, and lightly poked his heart with her slender index finger: "Come on, do you think I can't see through your little schemes?" Her red lips parted slightly, "Isn't it just that you don't want to involve your female confidantes?"

Feng Yao immediately protested his innocence: "Heaven and earth bear witness, where have I ever had any confidante?" He tightened his arms, holding her even closer, "From beginning to end, it's only been you, Xue'er."

Qian Renxue chuckled softly upon hearing this, then suddenly tiptoed close to his ear. Her soft lips almost touched his earlobe, her breath sweet as orchids: "Little Feng," her voice was as soft as a devil's whisper, "you wouldn't be planning to wait until your cultivation surpasses mine before making any further plans, would you?"

These words made Feng Yao freeze. Qian Renxue seized the opportunity to break free from his embrace, her skirt tracing a graceful arc as she turned. In the moonlight, her smile as she looked back was both alluring and dangerous: "When the time comes... marry as many as you want, hmm?"

Before Feng Yao could even speak in his defense, Qian Renxue suddenly turned around, her golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight. A haughty smile curved her lips: "I agree." Her voice was clear and resolute, "As long as your cultivation surpasses mine."

A night breeze suddenly rose, ruffling her long golden hair. The phantom of a six-winged angel appeared behind her, radiating a sacred yet sharp aura. At this moment, she was both a girl in love and the proud young master of the Spirit Hall.

“However,” she said proudly, suddenly moving closer and lightly touching Feng Yao’s chest with her jade-like finger, “before that…” The soul power gathered at her fingertip made Feng Yao’s chest tingle, “you’d better behave yourself.”

Feng Yao gazed at the stunningly beautiful face so close to his, a hint of pity flashing in his deep eyes. He saw through Qian Renxue's proud exterior to her vulnerability—that seemingly domineering desire for control was merely a protective shield to mask her inner unease. The pride of a six-winged angel, the loneliness of twenty years undercover, had made her accustomed to protecting her soft heart in this way, so she wanted to keep him by her side forever.

He gently pulled her into his arms, his warm hands softly stroking her back. He didn't respond to Qian Renxue's challenge, but instead whispered, "Xue'er, there's no need to say these things." His voice was as soft as a night breeze. "I've always been here."

Qian Renxue's delicate body visibly trembled, her golden eyes rippling in the moonlight. She instinctively tried to break free, but was held even tighter. Finally, she relaxed, her forehead gently resting on Feng Yao's shoulder.

The moonlight, like water, gently intertwined their shadows. Qian Renxue gave a soft snort, seemingly displeased, and withdrew her hand. As she turned, her snow-white skirt drew a graceful arc in the air. But from an angle unseen by Feng Yao, a genuine smile quietly appeared on her lips.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Feng Yao aptly changed the subject: "Xue'er, have you figured out how to deal with Oscar? Have you found someone to take advantage of the situation?"

Qian Renxue's lips curled slightly, a shrewd glint in her eyes: "What about a marquis's daughter? She's of noble birth too, but compared to Ning Rongrong's spoiled nature, wouldn't a well-bred noblewoman be far superior?"

Before he could finish speaking, Feng Yao gently shook his head, a knowing glint in his deep eyes, and smiled. "Xue'er, you still don't understand men's hearts." He slowly walked into the moonlight. "If Oscar were to separate from Ning Rongrong because of their different social statuses, even if a gentle and considerate noblewoman came along, he would still harbor resentment because of their different social standing."

Feng Yao paused, but what he didn't say was—just like Yu Xiaogang back then.

Qian Renxue's eyes flickered slightly. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on her delicate profile, reflecting the calculation that gradually became clear in her eyes.

“So,” she suddenly turned, her golden eyes staring directly at Feng Yao, “you mean?”

Feng Yao smiled slightly: "What we're looking for is an 'ordinary person' who can make Oscar lower his guard."

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue glanced sideways at Feng Yao with her beautiful, golden eyes and snorted, "I see those noble ladies are quite fond of you." Her tone carried a hint of danger.

Feng Yao smiled calmly, "Equal status makes it easier to get close. Oscar, as a support-type Soul Master, yearns to be guided. If we arrange for a strong, assertive, and exceptionally talented commoner Soul Master to approach him—" A glint of light flashed in his eyes, "that's a food-type genius with innate full Soul Power. If war breaks out in the future, that would be a tremendous asset to the Spirit Hall."

If Liu Erlong didn't have that identity, she probably would have already won over Yu Xiaogang many years ago.

Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly stopped. She narrowed her eyes and slowly approached Feng Yao. "Wait," she said, lightly poking his cheek with her jade-like finger. "Isn't your understanding of these things a little too thorough?"

Feng Yao touched the tip of his nose, revealing an innocent expression: "How could that be? I'm only fourteen years old." He blinked, deliberately emphasizing the number.

Upon hearing "fourteen years old," Qian Renxue's golden eyes flickered slightly, and a faint blush rose on her jade-like cheeks. She suddenly realized that she was already twenty-five years old, while the thoughtful young man in front of her was indeed only fourteen.

"Hmph!" She suddenly turned her face away, a thin blush spreading across her snow-white neck. "I've seen you flirting with plenty of women outside." Although her tone was forceful, she couldn't hide her embarrassment.

A sly glint flashed in Feng Yao's eyes as he deliberately leaned closer: "What? Is our young master...shy?" His warm breath brushed against her reddened earlobe. "Don't worry, I just like older men."

"Feng Yao!" Qian Renxue turned around in embarrassment and annoyance, the phantom of the six-winged angel appearing and disappearing behind her. But when she saw the sincere smile in the boy's eyes, that embarrassment and annoyance inexplicably turned into a soft feeling in her heart.

Feng Yao remained unfazed, gently embracing her. "Besides," he whispered in her ear, "this is all to help our young master." He added playfully, "Furthermore, if you don't understand these things, how will you win over our young master?"

Qian Renxue's ears turned slightly red, and she gave a soft snort, pulling her hand back: "Smooth talker, who did you win over?"

(End of this chapter)