Ch. 1278 - The Banquet At Shu Heavenly Clan

The Shu Heavenly Clan’s reception hall was just as grand as one might expect.

Perhaps due to the influence of Sun-Sword County, the family’s totemic symbol was the sheep.

Mounted high on the wall of the main hall was a ram’s skull.

Below it stood a long wooden table and two chairs set apart from each other. On the left sat the patriarch of the Shu Heavenly Clan, Shu Hai. On the right sat the Grand Elder of the Three Luan Holy Lands, Qi Kuangyin.

Standing in neat rows beneath them were the disciples of the Three Luan Holy Lands and the direct descendants of the Shu Heavenly Clan.

“Elder Qi, your visit to Sun-Sword County truly brings honor to our humble halls,” Shu Hai said with a warm smile.

“Patriarch Shu flatters me. If my presence causes any disturbance, I must beg your forgiveness,” Qi Kuangyin replied politely.

“It’s no bother at all,” Shu Hai answered with a laugh. Just then, Shu Long entered the hall, followed by Xu Zimo and Wu Zhaodi.

“Father. Elder Qi,” Shu Long greeted respectfully.

“You unfilial child,” Shu Hai scolded. “Always running about. The honored guests from the Three Luan Holy Lands are already here, and you’re the last to arrive.”

“Please, Patriarch Shu,” Qi Kuangyin interjected with a chuckle. “There’s no harm done. I find the Second Young Master rather free-spirited, surely, he didn’t mean any disrespect. And besides, we’re hardly strangers here. No need to stand on ceremony.”

“The banquet is nearly ready,” Shu Hai said, rising from his seat. “Elder Qi, why don’t we continue our conversation over dinner? I’ve even invited Lady Gongsun to perform a special sword dance tonight.”

“Then I’m all the more looking forward to it,” Qi Kuangyin smiled. “By the way, has Painting Sovereign attended as well?”

“I’m afraid Elder Qi will be disappointed,” Shu Hai shook his head. “Painting Sovereign dislikes such social occasions.”

That was understandable, the man was a legend, a being on another level entirely. Their own status, while respectable, was still far beneath his. It was only natural he wouldn’t come.

Shu Hai and Qi Kuangyin led the way, followed by the others.

The Three Luan Holy Lands’ delegation was small, three men and one woman, all dressed in their distinctive Flying Luan robes.

Those robes had a celestial air about them, flowing like mist, suffused with faint purple light.

Wu Zhaodi’s eyes swept across their faces, then quickly lowered. She tightened her veil around her face.

When they reached the banquet grounds, the open courtyard was so brightly lit with lanterns that it seemed almost like daytime.

Tables were piled high with delicacies from mountains and seas. Aside from Shu Long, neither Xu Zimo nor Wu Zhaodi were qualified to sit at the main table.

“The mistress of Drunken Red Dust Garden has arrived,” a servant announced.

Moments later, a woman in a pale violet gown walked in gracefully, attended by several maids.

Her presence carried the subtle fragrance of peonies, and even her dress was embroidered with their likeness.

It was clear that this woman’s fascination with peonies ran deep, they were part of her very essence.

She too wore a veil. Her eyes, like blooming peonies, combined cool elegance with a hint of warmth.

Her long hair fell loosely down her back, and the pearl-like earrings at her ears swayed gently with every step.

“Gongsun Muyu greets you both,” the woman said with a gentle smile, introducing herself. “I’ve long admired the Three Luan Holy Lands. To finally meet its members today, what an honor.”

“Lady Gongsun, you overpraise us,” Qi Kuangyin said quickly, shaking his head.

He knew perfectly well that the Three Luan Holy Lands itself was not particularly distinguished, it was only out of respect for the Celestial Luan God Realm behind them that others showed courtesy.

The Celestial Luan God Realm rarely involved itself with mortal affairs, leaving the Three Luan Holy Lands as its earthly representative. Without that connection, few would even pay them attention.

Once the three principal figures were seated, the maids Gongsun Muyu had brought began their sword dance performance.

The other guests watched with delight, though the three at the head table continued chatting among themselves.

At their level, an ordinary sword dance was mere entertainment, it offered no chance of spiritual insight.

“Elder Qi, how long will you be staying in Sun-Sword County for this recruitment trip?” Gongsun Muyu asked, smiling faintly.

“Seven days,” Qi Kuangyin answered without hesitation. There was nothing secret about it anyway.

“I recall the Three Luan Holy Lands usually recruits new disciples during the summer. Why so early this year?” Shu Hai asked, feigning casual curiosity.

“The Holy Lord’s orders. I wasn’t told the reason,” Qi Kuangyin said, deflecting politely.

Meanwhile, Xu Zimo and Wu Zhaodi had slipped away to a quiet pavilion, away from the crowd.

Wu Zhaodi’s gaze never left Qi Kuangyin.

“You know him?” Xu Zimo asked.

“He’s the so-called Grand Elder of the Three Luan Holy Lands,” Wu Zhaodi said softly. “But in truth, he’s a pawn placed by the Celestial Luan God Realm to keep watch over their Holy Lord.”

“I thought the Three Luan Holy Lands was a branch of the Celestial Luan God Realm,” Xu Zimo said curiously. “Why would they need oversight?”

“Branch or not, even the Celestial Luan God Realm itself is riddled with factional strife,” Wu Zhaodi explained. “The conflict between the younger generation and the old guard is especially severe. The Holy Lord belongs to the younger faction, Qi Kuangyin was placed there by the elders to monitor him.”

Then she shook her head slightly. “But there’s no point telling you all this.”

“I had my doubts before, but now I’m certain,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “You’re from the Celestial Luan God Realm.”

“So what if I am? You planning to report me?” Wu Zhaodi asked coolly.

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

“I knew you weren’t that type,” Wu Zhaodi said with a proud little huff. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told you half as much.”

“What are you two chatting about?” a light voice interrupted.

They turned to see a young man approaching, the same one Xu Zimo had seen earlier at Drunken Red Dust Garden. He remembered him as Shu Long’s elder brother.

“Just small talk,” Xu Zimo replied casually.

“It seems my second brother’s quite fond of you both,” the man said with an easy smile. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought you home.”

“Allow me to introduce myself, Shu Hu, eldest son of the Shu Heavenly Clan.”

“What brings you here, Young Master Shu?” Wu Zhaodi asked coolly.

“I’d like to make friends,” Shu Hu said with a polite grin.

“I don’t make friends with strangers,” Wu Zhaodi said bluntly.

“No need to refuse so quickly,” Shu Hu replied, still smiling. “My brother’s a useless fool. Being close to him is a good way to shorten your life.”

“But if you make friends with me, well, in Sun-Sword County, there’s nothing the Shu Heavenly Clan can’t make happen.”

He studied them both, his tone turning sly. “You two don’t look like locals. You’re here for fame or fortune, right?”

“I want his head,” Wu Zhaodi said, pointing toward Qi Kuangyin in the courtyard. Her voice was calm and cold. “Can you do that?”

Shu Hu froze, then narrowed his eyes, realizing she wasn’t joking.

He rose to his feet and gave a faint, mocking laugh. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that. But you know, in this world, the people who die fastest… are the bold ones.”

With that, he turned and strode off.

Not long after he left, Shu Long came hurrying over.

“My brother tried to win you over, didn’t he?” Shu Long asked directly.

“What do you think?” Xu Zimo said with a faint, amused smile.

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