Chapter 186: Chapter 187: The Banquet at Hongmen
Translator: 549690339
That evening, Li Xiaobai waited briefly before leisurely heading to the banquet, led by a servant.
No one tried to sneak in and assassinate him that afternoon; it seemed that the other party was also aware that such petty tricks were useless against him.
There’s no fine wine at a banquet, nor is there a good feast; by the time he arrived, the City Lord’s Mansion was already crowded.
Ouyang Yue’er had gathered all the influential masters in the city who were accompanying her, all of them cultivators from the Eldest Princess’s faction, invited here clearly aiming at him.
Ouyang Shuanger had been arranged to sit at the dining table early on, and now a group of young talents were surrounding her, chatting up a storm, resembling nothing so much as fawning dogs.
“Princess Shuanger is indeed a beauty that could overthrow cities and states, with a face that eclipses even the moon; indeed, her reputation does not do her justice!”
“The princesses of Zhenyuan Country are all as beautiful as flowers, like goddesses descended to earth!”
“Brother Guo, I’ve heard that your father has been promoted recently, now holding great power over life and death in the military—congratulations are in order!”
“You flatter me too much, Brother Wang. I’ve heard that you recently express yourself so eloquently, turning words into poetry in seven steps—an authentic talent. When you rise in rank, don’t forget me and the others!”
“I dare not presume…”
Ouyang Yue’er looked somewhat nervous and distracted, more concerned about how far the conflict between Li Xiaobai and her sister had escalated.
Watching the numerous young masters engage in high-spirited conversation, Li Xiaobai shook his head with a wry smile; these people may look like scholars, but they lacked the substance of one—a reason why Zhenyuan Country could not stand shoulder to shoulder with the major powers, as their minds were preoccupied with trivial matters.
“Young Master Li!”
Upon seeing Li Xiaobai, Ouyang Shuanger immediately stood up, appearing somewhat constrained, knowing that her sister was targeting him and fearing that he might lose his temper and do something to Ouyang Yue’er.
Even though Ouyang Yue’er was at the Nascent Soul Stage, she couldn’t make any waves in front of Li Xiaobai—after all, he was someone who even dared to kidnap masters from the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. And the old beggar behind him was among the top masters on the mainland; whether anyone in Zhenyuan Country could be a match for him was still unknown!
She needed to calm him down.
“Hmm, not bad, today I’ll settle matters, and the oath you made can finally be resolved,” Li Xiaobai said with a chuckle.
“If possible, please, Young Master Li, do not harm my elder sister,” Ouyang Shuanger couldn’t help but speak up to remind him.
“Well, you should advise your elder sister not to trap herself,”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand and said indifferently.
“Is this the famous Young Master Li, the one wanting to make a deal with Zhenyuan Country?”
A few young talents nearby, displeased and with a hint of ridicule in their eyes, came over to strike up a conversation.
“It’s not me trading with Zhenyuan Country,” Li Xiaobai said, shaking his head slightly.
“At least you have some self-awareness. Our Zhenyuan Country is a Confucian holy land, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come here. Being acquainted with the little princess is already a fortunate occurrence for you in three lifetimes; don’t be ungrateful!”
The young talent nodded, his expression arrogant.
“It is Zhenyuan Country that is trading with me,” Li Xiaobai said as he lit a Huazi, speaking nonchalantly.
The other cultivators were furiously enraged, perceiving his words as a contempt for the dignity of Zhenyuan Country.
However, they were immediately stunned because the smoke exhaled by Li Xiaobai cleared their minds, resolving all sorts of doubts and problems they had, and even their constrained cultivation levels showed signs of a potential breakthrough.
What kind of treasure was this, capable of enhancing one’s cultivation level and improving insight? Its effect seemed quite similar to that of Tangneng First-class.
“`
“The Eldest Princess has arrived!” a guard at the door called out.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please, no need for formalities. Young Master Li, please take your seat,” the Eldest Princess said.
Ouyang Yue’er slowly walked into the hall, gesturing for Li Xiaobai to sit down. Her beautiful eyes fixed intently on the Huazi dangling from his mouth.
The other cultivators all prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to stand up, with only Li Xiaobai standing and meeting her gaze.
The atmosphere was tense for a moment before Li Xiaobai chuckled, “Then I shall take my seat first.
After speaking, he casually pulled out a chair and sat down with a carefree attitude.
The prostrating crowd broke out in a cold sweat. How could anyone dare to sit before the Eldest Princess had taken her seat?
It was but a courteous offer, yet Li Xiaobai actually sat down. It was audaciously bold.
“Is Young Master Li satisfied with the accommodations we’ve arranged for you?” the Eldest Princess stepped forward, also pulled out a chair to sit down, and asked with a laugh.
“I am extremely pleased with the Eldest Princess’s room, it’s just that there seem to be quite a few mice. I don’t like to kill, so if the Eldest Princess has time, maybe you can clean it up a bit,” Li Xiaobai said with a smile.
Their simple exchange was full of sarcasm. Ouyang Yue’er’s gaze suddenly sharpened, the air became still, and the murderous intent was palpable on the table. The prostrating people didn’t even dare to breathe.
After a few breaths, Ouyang Yue’er suddenly giggled, “It seems I have been remiss in my hospitality, startling Young Master Li. I will punish myself with a drink.
The pressure in the room eased, and the crowd slowly stood up, taking their seats. They were there today to suppress Li Xiaobai. Previously, the Eldest Princess had announced that an arrogant individual had become very close to the little princess, and had even intended to conduct Spiritual Medicine trade with Zhenyuan Country.
Of course, they could not agree to this. Not to mention the little princess issue, the families behind these young talents were responsible for a large part of the resource expenditure of Zhenyuan Country.
Now, with an outsider wanting to intervene and sell Spiritual Medicine to Zhenyuan Country, it was tantamount to competing with them for business. This was absolutely intolerable, whether for personal reasons or for the sake of their families. They had to remove the outsider.
“As I walked here from within the city, I noticed that all the stores were closed due to sickness. May I know the reason?” Li Xiaobai asked.
“Young Master may not be aware, but a few days ago in this city, some troublemakers sought to rebel. I led troops here to subdue them. The criminals have been thrown into the Celestial Prison, and in a few days, the city will return to its former order,” Ouyang Yue’er answered smoothly, as if she knew Li Xiaobai would pose this question.
Li Xiaobai didn’t believe a word of what she said. The idea that Ancient Moon City, which didn’t even have a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, was plotting a rebellion was absurd.
“I have a good friend named Situ Yanyu. Does the Eldest Princess recognize that name?” Li Xiaobai continued to inquire.
Upon hearing this name, Ouyang Yue’er’s expression changed. It wasn’t just her; the rest of the crowd was also shocked, none expected Li Xiaobai to know that woman.
“I do not know her. Perhaps if the Young Master could provide a description, I might be able to offer some assistance,” Ouyang Yue’er said, shaking her head.
“Never mind if you don’t recognize her. I have many friends, and Boss Ye, Ye Liangchen from Tangneng First-class, is also a good friend of mine,” Li Xiaobai said, continuing to probe, with a guess already forming in his mind that the trouble might be related to Tangneng First-class.
Upon these words, the table suddenly quieted down. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Li Xiaobai, as if by some unspoken agreement.
A white-haired elderly man at the side flipped his wrist and took out a scroll. It had a portrait of Ye Liangchen on it.
“Is this the man?”
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