Now, having gotten rid of Madam Kaori, Zhou Huai was not in a hurry to leave.

He quietly retreated to an inconspicuous corner, like a ghost merging into the shadows, silently observing the luxurious scene of clinking glasses and lively chatter before him.

Waiters, carrying silver trays, weaved through the guests like butterflies flitting among flowers.

Every guest was impeccably dressed, elegant in their demeanor, with perfectly poised smiles.

Yet, from beneath this veneer of peace, Zhou Huai detected an unusual scent.

The security here was simply too tight.

Almost every ten meters, there was a guard with a steady aura.

Even among the seemingly ordinary guests and waiters, many Professionals of no low Rank were hidden.

This evening's banquet for the Kujo Family's high-ranking members seemed far from simple.

Zhou Huai even had a bold idea.

Since so many high-ranking members of the Kujo Family were gathered here, should he unleash his Zerg army for a suicidal attack?

He could wipe out this entire group of Kujo Family high-ranking members in one fell swoop, solving everything once and for all.

Once this thought emerged, it grew like rampant weeds, impossible to suppress.

The benefits of doing so were obvious.

It could cripple the Kujo Family directly, plunging the entire Sakura Country into civil strife.

By then, it would be much easier for him to fish in troubled waters and seize the pendulum of life.

But the risks were equally immense.

Once exposed, he would become the number one public enemy of the entire Sakura Country.

At that point, let alone seizing the Divine Artifact, even escaping alive would become a luxury.

Just as Zhou Huai was weighing the pros and cons, considering the feasibility of this crazy plan, a cold, dangerous aura, like being targeted by a venomous snake, struck from behind without warning.

He subconsciously turned his head to look.

He saw that the hotel entrance had become eerily silent at some point.

The guests who had been conversing in low voices had all stopped their movements.

They unanimously turned and respectfully bowed towards the entrance.

The crowd parted like a tide, creating a wide aisle.

An old man in a black kimono was walking slowly and gracefully.

His steps were steady; each one seemed to land on a special rhythm.

Zhou Huai's eyes instantly narrowed into dangerous slits.

He recognized this old man.

It was Watada Heizan, the SS-Class Expert who had led the Sakura Country team to explore the Caslantis Ruins.

The ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) old man's gaze calmly swept around, ignoring the bows and greetings of those present.

He merely nodded expressionlessly, his demeanor like a monarch inspecting his territory.

Behind him were several guards with equally powerful auras.

They surrounded the old man like stars embracing the moon, passing through the crowd and heading directly into the depths of the banquet hall.

It wasn't until the old man's figure completely disappeared from sight that the oppressive atmosphere quietly dissipated.

The guests straightened up again and resumed their conversations, as if nothing had happened.

But Zhou Huai's heart could no longer be calm.

He stared deeply in the direction where the old man had disappeared, a fierce, undisguised killing intent in the depths of his eyes.

Indeed, when enemies meet, their eyes burn with fury.

As early as in the Great Xia Imperial Capital, Marshal Zhao had conducted a simple analysis with him.

Principal Lin Zhu's death was very likely related to this Watada Heizan.

At that time, among the two SS-Class Experts who went to pursue Principal Lin, he was one of them.

Combined with the fact that the pendulum of life ultimately appeared in the Sakura Country, Zhou Huai had ample reason to suspect that Principal Lin and the other members of the exploration team were likely murdered by him and the SS-Class Expert from the Kimchi Country working together.

However, now was not the time to alert the enemy.

There would be plenty of time to settle accounts with him later.

Zhou Huai suppressed his surging killing intent, his fingertips moving slightly.

Several imperceptible Information Bugs quietly flew out from his wide sleeve.

They blended into the shadows of the ground and corners, avoiding the sight of all patrolling guards, and stealthily made their way towards the core area of the banquet hall.

With so many high-ranking members of the Kujo Family here, it was a perfect opportunity.

Perhaps he could uncover the true location of the pendulum of life.

Zhou Huai closed his eyes, his consciousness instantly connecting with the swarm of bugs.

One of the Information Bugs silently attached itself to the bracket of a crystal chandelier, taking in the entire scene of the banquet hall.

Soon, he locked onto his target.

Watada Heizan was conversing with a middle-aged man.

The man was around fifty years old, tall and upright, dressed in a well-tailored black suit.

He wore a gentle smile, with gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, appearing refined and scholarly, like a university professor.

But Zhou Huai had seen this man's profile.

He was Kujō Kōji, the current Family Head of the Kujo Family.

A ruthless character who hid a knife in his smile.

Soon, their conversation was clearly transmitted.

"Mr. Watada, I truly didn't expect you to come in person," Kujō Kōji said, holding his wine glass, with a touch of appropriate surprise in his tone.

Watada Heizan twitched the corner of his mouth, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Family Head, you've done such a big thing, how could an old man like me stay at home?"

Kujō Kōji chuckled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.

"It seems Mr. Watada is indeed well-informed."

Watada Heizan picked up a glass of wine from a waiter's tray, his voice cold.

"It's not that I'm well-informed; this matter simply couldn't be kept secret.

Not just me, I'm afraid the Omiya Family should also have received the news."

He raised his eyes, his gaze like a knife, looking directly at Kujō Kōji.

"Aren't you afraid of completely falling out with them?"

Upon hearing this, Kujō Kōji burst into laughter.

His hearty laughter drew curious glances from many guests around.

"Falling out?"

He leaned closer, lowering his voice, his face filled with undisguised confidence and fanaticism.

"I've been looking forward to that day for a long time."

With that, he stepped back half a pace, resuming his gentle and elegant demeanor. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

He glanced at the entrance of the banquet hall and raised his glass to Watada Heizan.

"Since Mr. Watada has arrived, why don't we welcome the next distinguished guest together?"

Zhou Huai's brows furrowed slightly.

His mind was full of questions at this moment.

What was this 'big thing' they were talking about?

From Watada Heizan's words, even the Omiya Family knew about it, so how come he hadn't heard anything?

And who was this 'distinguished guest'?

Just then, Zhou Huai suddenly noticed the White Butterfly imprint on his sleeve, emitting a flickering glow.

This was the ace agent, codenamed White Butterfly, trying to contact him.

It was probably something urgent.

But Zhou Huai didn't want to deal with it at the moment.

He still wanted to glean more information about the pendulum of life from these two men.

However, the very next second after he made his decision, another Information Bug, hidden in the shadows of a serving cart, synchronized another piece of information.

A waiter in the banquet hall was standing in a shadowy corner.

He had his back to the crowd, his finger pressed to a miniature earpiece hidden under his collar, his lips moving slightly.

His voice was very low, like a snake hissing.

"Target Kujō Kōji confirmed to be in the venue."

A faint crackle of static came through the earpiece, followed by an equally cold voice.

"Understood. Everyone, pay attention. Await my command! Be ready for a decapitation strike at any moment!"