Light Fortress
Chapter 185 - 172: Crown and Justice

Chapter 185: Chapter 172: Crown and Justice

The music in the drawing room was soft.

Two figures joined hands as they stepped onto the dance floor, dancing gracefully to the music.

Many eyes widened in surprise... Virtually every guest present knew that the main character of this free dance was Mrs. Lu Nanzhi, who was about to become the third council member of Da Du. Thus, when they saw the solitary woman who closely resembled the lady, they couldn’t help but pause.

Many were somewhat familiar with the old tales from years ago.

Mr. Lu Cheng’s youngest daughter had left Da Du for many years... To them the exact duration of Lu Nanjin’s absence wasn’t important. Besides Crow Song Ci, no one counted the days on their fingers.

The important fact was that she had actually come back.

Tied to recent disturbances...Lu Nanjin’s return to Da Du, could it be a prelude to something that had been brewing?

Song Ci and Lu Nanjin danced in the center of the floor.

The two "big shots" on the second floor withdrew their gaze and slowly left.

Around the dance floor, many "onlookers" gathered, admiring the two’s less than skilled dance moves, their faces displaying perfectly fitting enraptured smiles.

"You stepped on my foot,"

Lu Nanjin said softly, "the third time."

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but regarding stepping on feet, it should be mutual..."

Song Ci coughed softly, his laugh tinged with embarrassment.

He felt his body stiff, like a lead-filled stone, uncoordinated, and his palms were sweaty. Just dancing one dance was more nerve-wracking than fighting with Chen Mei.

"Since I left Da Du, I haven’t practiced such useless social arts," Lu Nanjin glanced down at the dance floor and spoke nonchalantly, "But they still applaud...no matter how poorly we dance."

Song Ci was taken aback.

He followed Nanjin’s gaze... Each member of the audience below, familiar and unfamiliar faces alike, bore friendly smiles.

After the lady completed her speech for the council elections, Song Ci suddenly realized that he was surrounded by good people.

"I originally thought the old city district was the truest part of the world," Song Ci remarked. "But reality tells me that the upper layers of Da Du’s pyramid are much truer than the old city district... I now sort of envy the fellow hiding in the safety tunnel, that’s the most comfortable spot at this dance."

Gu Shen in the safety passage sneezed.

"You’ll get used to it... The top of Da Du’s pyramid is full of dazzling spotlights, the rules of Sincere Heart Association don’t quite apply here,"

"However, in my memory, you aren’t the type who likes to show off at events like this," Lu Nanjin asked with a smile, "Why did you ask me to dance?"

This question stumped Song Ci.

He looked at the cool face before him, close at hand, feeling like it was all a dream. The moment he invited her, he hadn’t thought about anything, a voice in his subconscious told him to reach out his hand.

So he reached out his hand.

That voice then told him to invite her to dance.

So... there was this earnest yet comical dance where both stumbled quite a bit.

"I..."

Song Ci thought for a moment, his voice uncertain: "I guess the atmosphere was right, and I just felt like asking you to dance?"

"Too bad I wasn’t prepared," Lu Nanjin expressed some regret, "If I had practiced beforehand, it wouldn’t have been so embarrassing."

She had always been such a person, striving for perfection in everything, giving her all in everything she did.

Song kept feeling regretful too.

He had never imagined dancing a tune with Lu Nanjin... If he could do it all over again, he would definitely practice in secret for a long time.

But if he really had practiced for a long time, would he still have the courage to make the invitation?

Some words are just a few letters long.

They were right on the tip of his tongue.

But she just couldn’t say it out loud.

It was a closeness that seemed far away, and a distance that was right at hand.

Song Ci’s distraction was pulled back by a voice of praise—

"But just now, that headshot, you did it beautifully, a little more force would have been even better."

Song Ci couldn’t help but laugh.

"Actually, that guy named Pierre or whatever... the things he said to me don’t really matter..."

"I just couldn’t stand his attitude towards you, or rather, I couldn’t stand seeing a noble scion like him, self-important and frivolous in his speech..."

Having said this, Song Ci glanced upstairs, he saw Zhao Qi, and said seriously, "In this regard, there seems to be no difference between Central Continent and East Continent, seeing such people just makes me want to let them taste my size 45 flip-flops."

Lu Nanjin’s gaze also turned towards Zhao Qi.

"This dance is most likely not going to finish... I need to ensure the lady’s safety at all times," Song Ci said with a hint of regret.

"Go ahead."

Lu Nanjin let go of his hand, the dance music was already nearing its end, she didn’t care whether this dance could be completed or not, just as their entry into the dance floor wasn’t timed to the beginning of the dance music.

Applause arose around them as expected.

"Although I’m not clear about what the Judgement Institute’s actions today are... I suppose you also aim to protect the safety of the guests in the hall." Song Ci fixed his gaze on Zhao Qi upstairs and said in a low voice, "Today, I only have one responsibility, to take good care of the lady... If there is anything you need my help with, just say the word."

Lu Nanjin reached out, lightly enclosing Song Ci’s shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "Take good care of my sister."

Crow was stunned.

He looked at Lu Nanjin... He had thought it would be a long time before he would hear the word ’sister’ from Nan Jin’s lips.

It was a familiar yet strange address.

"Don’t worry." Song Ci spoke gravely, "I’m here."

He quickly walked away.

Lu Nanjin, however, walked in the opposite direction... applause surged from the dance floor.

Her expression calm, she looked at the people clapping next to the dance floor and felt a sense of irony, these were the people she had to protect tonight... They crowded around her, praising her, not because of the dance, but because they knew her sister was soon to be elected the third councilor of Dadu District, and she was a student disciple of the Grand Judge of the Judgement Institute.

They didn’t know how many streets were in the old district, nor what had actually happened in Lion Alley...

Justice was lost in an alley ten years ago.

These people had forgotten.

...

...

A forgotten corner of the reception hall.

Pierre covered his forehead, sitting in the darkness, as the dance music started, everyone ignored him, all eyes were on Lu Nanjin and Song Ci.

Everyone thought, these two really made a perfect pair.

Only Pierre, silently screaming in his heart.

"No... I object!"

A figure came to his side, chuckling as they spoke, "The pair is a match of talents and looks, made for each other, what right do you have to object?"

Pierre was stunned.

He felt as though his inner thoughts had been pierced with a single comment.

"But... I object too."

The person spoke slowly, "I don’t like any of these people here, they wear their splendid crowns, profess themselves to be just, radiant, the future and hope, but in reality, they are all rotten to the core. What an annoying bunch... don’t you think?"