Chapter 117: Chapter 74: I’ve noted this grudge! (Thanks to the generous reward from Deep and Endless, bonus chapter!)_3
 

Cheng Guang shook his head, “It’s fine, let’s go inside and have a look.”

“Princely Heir.”

As Cheng Guang walked into the residence, a servant who was there to welcome guests approached with a big smile to greet them.

“Please, this way.”

The Thousand Taste House was enormous. The reception banquet set up by the Great Wei envoy for the students of the Martial Academy occupied only one of its courtyards.

At this time, it wasn’t just the Great Wei envoys hosting a banquet here.

Court officials often came to the Thousand Taste House for important banquets.

First, the cuisine at the Thousand Taste House was genuinely to their liking.

Second, the Thousand Taste House had a great reputation and was known as the number one restaurant in the Capital city.

Cheng Guang now had his suspicions that the Thousand Taste House might also be a secret property of Emperor Zhou of Great Zhou.

After all, this back-stabber Emperor Zhou had quietly pocketed the Wanhuatower, a place that was a goldmine, so if the Thousand Taste House was overlooked, that would be truly surprising.

Cheng Guang looked at the servant and asked, “Where are the students from Great Wei’s Martial Academy?”

The servant was momentarily stunned, then promptly replied, “In the southeast direction.”

He led Cheng Guang toward that courtyard.

“Big brother, this reception banquet organized by the Great Wei envoy will be visited by many officials from Great Zhou. Despite having lost three times in a row, which surely adds some animosity, they manage to keep up appearances quite well.”

“Moreover, it’s not just the officials. I’ve heard that the head of our Great Zhou Martial Academy has also brought a group of exceptional students.”

“They say they want to mingle before the competition to make as many friends as possible, but in reality, both sides want to gauge each other’s strengths.”

Qiao Songshan and Cheng Guang walked side by side, Qiao informing him of the rumors in a hushed tone.

“Mm, it’s evident that both sides take this martial arts competition very seriously,” noted Cheng Guang, only half-listening.

Inside the Thousand Taste House, numerous estates lay beyond the main hall, adorned with rockeries and many little bridges over flowing streams. In beauty and opulence, it was hardly inferior to the Wanhuatower.

Entering the courtyard, Cheng Guang saw that the banquet had already begun.

Lanterns had just been lit in the garden, and the myriad of flowers and trees exhaled their fragrances into the night air.

Eight Immortals Tables were set in the middle of the courtyard, laden with an assortment of fine foods and wines, like an ocean of culinary delights.

The aromas of various dishes mingled with the floral scents, whetting the appetite.

Around the courtyard, troupes of dancers clad in gorgeous costumes prepared to perform, their beautiful faces and graceful figures akin to descending fairies.

When the music started, they danced gracefully, displaying their lithe forms and their unique charm.

Cheng Guang’s gaze did not linger long on the dancers; he quickly averted his eyes, surveying the many students from Great Wei’s Martial Academy in the courtyard.

The students of Great Wei’s Martial Academy all wore matching green uniforms, not made of silk but of a special fiber spun by the Exotic Beast unique to Great Wei, the Jade Spirit Spider, known for its value, toughness, and durability.

The uniforms were embroidered with intricate patterns, faintly forming a “Wei” character.

Among them was also a noticeable group of students from Great Zhou’s Martial Academy dressed in white.

On both sides, they exchanged greetings with insincere smiles, inquiring about each other’s parents’ well-being and showing exceptional concern for the safety of each other’s female relatives.

For a moment, it was as if birdsong and the fragrance of flowers filled the air.

While the competition seemed like a friendly event, similar to a sports meet in a past life that could foster friendships,

once it involved interests,

there was no ‘friendship first, competition second’.

It was all about the competition.

To hell with friendship.

Cheng Guang’s gaze skimmed over the Martial Academy students who exchanged greetings, over the court officials and Great Wei envoy not far away, and finally, as if noticing something, he looked up toward the high platform.

Behind that elevated position, under a purple canopy, sat a solitary silhouette.

Just by sitting there, without saying a word, she managed to make everyone feel an inexplicable sense of oppression.

Was that Empress Wei?

Just one glance at that person made his eyes feel a sting.

Surprised, he lowered his gaze, not daring to look any longer.

How high had Empress Wei elevated her cultivation to at her age of only twenty?

With his current level of cultivation, he couldn’t bear to look without his eyes hurting.

Cheng Guang lowered his head, rubbing his eyes.

His eyes were moist.

“Big brother, why are you crying?” Qiao Songshan had not yet noticed Empress Wei.

Cheng Guang pointed towards the distant figure.

“Look, now you’re crying too.”

Qiao Songshan cast his gaze in that direction.

He looked toward the platform, at the shadow beneath the purple canopy.

After just one glance,

he quickly covered his eyes.

Tears “whooshed” out immediately.

Cheng Guang laughed, “Songshan, why are you crying?”

That Empress Wei truly was an indiscriminate attacker.

“Moved. I didn’t expect that Empress Wei would actually come,” Qiao Songshan said after a while, rubbing his eyes, not daring to look up again at the silhouette on the high platform.

Just as Cheng Guang was about to head toward the Martial Academy students to look for the key figures, a few cheers suddenly rang in his ears.

“Princely Heir? Is that Princely Heir?”

“It really is Princely Heir, it’s been a long time.”

“Princely Heir brother, why haven’t you come to the Imperial Palace to visit your sister lately?”

Cheng Guang paused and turned to look behind him. He smiled when he saw a few familiar-looking princes and princesses.

The leading prince had a robust appearance; he was the eldest legitimate son, Wu Ming.