Longzang

Chapter 666 Drawing fire from the bottom of the cauldron
Azure Sky, Night Banquet.

This was the first time Wei Yuan had ever hosted a banquet since the existence of Qingming.

Because the incident happened so suddenly, there wasn't even a suitable place available. Wei Yuan temporarily cleared out the courtyard where the various cultivators usually held meetings, only to find that there was no cook or ingredients.

So Wei Yuan urgently borrowed chefs and ingredients from restaurants and shops in various cities, and finally the banquet started at dusk.

The main hall where the banquet was held was of the standard size of an ordinary wealthy family's house, and the courtyard was not spacious.

The cultivators of Taichu Palace were all cultivation fanatics, completely indifferent to worldly pleasures like food, clothing, and travel. Of course, none of them admitted to being provoked by a certain nineteen-year-old Dharma Image.

However, the Azure Night Banquet was also unique. The entire courtyard was filled with spiritual mist, the rising energy of which was actually celestial spirits. In one corner of the courtyard, several orchids were planted, their buds about to bloom, delicate and tender. Against the wall, there was a water-blue flowering tree, its fluorescent glow exuding a refreshing coolness that drove away the heat and humidity unique to the Witch Domain.

At this moment, the entire courtyard was filled with celestial energy; even a mortal standing there or inhaling it for a while could extend their lifespan. This was something that ordinary princes and nobles could not possess.

A large table was set up in the main hall, with Consort Yuan naturally seated at the head of the table, flanked by Wei Yuan and Zhao Tongyi on either side. Almost all the cultivators from the Taichu Palace were present, except for Zhang Sheng, who was in seclusion.

The Imperial Concubine's name is widely known, and all the cultivators of the Taichu Palace naturally wanted to see her given this opportunity.

But that's not what they really care about; they care about something else entirely, just like the quiet conversation between Xu Henshui and Sun Yu before they came in.

Xu Henshui immediately declared, "We won't leave until we're drunk tonight!"

Sun Yu asked curiously, "You don't even drink, so why are you talking nonsense?"

"Isn't Consort Yuan here tonight?"

Sun Yu was even more puzzled: "You're not as pretty as her, and you can't beat her, shouldn't you hate her to the core?"

Xu Henshui retorted angrily, "Am I such a petty person?"

"Aren't you?"

"...Let's get down to business! Why don't you think about why Consort Yuan would suddenly travel all this way to Qingming? Which of us has ever had contact with her?"

Sun Yu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Could it be..."

Xu Henshui sneered: "Yun'er just spent an hour getting ready, what do you say?"

Sun Yu said with a serious expression, "With such a grand occasion, we really must drink until we drop tonight!"

As the sun set and the bell tolled nine times, the banquet officially began.

Wei Yuan felt that the smile on his face was extremely fake, but he really couldn't bring himself to smile.

Bao Yun sat on the left, Feng Tingyu sat on the right, Sun Yu and Xu Henshui sat next to each other, Chu He Laodao sat side by side with Feng Chutang, and Yu Zhizhuo sat silently at the bottom, his eyes fixed on the center of the table.

But he was being far too deliberate. Everyone knows he possesses a divine bird that can see everything around him.
Before the banquet began, Wei Yuan had already introduced everyone present, including Feng Tingyu, most of whom were his elders. Yuan Fei was Wei Yuan's superior, so their positions were roughly equal. After the introductions, Wei Yuan didn't know what to say next.

At this moment, he finally understood the vividness of the phrase "sitting on pins and needles".

Seeing that the atmosphere at the table was becoming increasingly tense, to the point that a shattered space was about to form above the table, Wei Yuan quickly raised his glass and said, "Um... eat and drink well!"

All the cultivators of Taichu Palace raised their cups and drank them down in one gulp. Then, Master Chuhe flicked his sleeve, and the jade pot flew around the table, automatically refilling everyone's cups.

This wine is a spirit wine he brewed himself. Although it is not very old, it has a fresh aroma of herbs and trees. He said that it was made from the rain on the day of Rain Water, the dew on the day of White Dew, the frost on the day of Frost's Descent, and the snow on the day of Minor Snow, and he added a lot of rare and precious materials dug from deep underground. It nourishes the spirit and is not easy to find outside.

During the banquet, Consort Yuan's stunning beauty was undeniable, and Bao Yun, though seemingly without makeup, was meticulously dressed in every way, from her hair ornaments to her clothing.

Her sky-blue, soft, smoky-silk long dress was adorned with subtle patterns resembling swirling snowflakes in the wind, while moon-white silk ribbons wrapped around her arms like falling moonlight. Her black hair was half-tied back with a spirit wood hairpin, with two strands cascading down her temples and swaying in the breeze. Her porcelain-white cheeks shone with a crystal-clear radiance, and a hint of peach blossom hue lingered between her brows and eyes, exuding a youthful vitality from within, like a gardenia in bloom—elegant, pure, and naturally beautiful.

Feng Tingyu was busy cooking. Although she wore no makeup, her small gestures and expressions were quite distinctive, making her more and more attractive the longer you looked at her. And if you looked at her for a while, you would feel that she was like a volcano that could erupt at any moment, with terrifying energy within her petite and full body.

Besides the three women, there was also Xu Henshui, whose every frown and smile was like a painting, with a radiant and handsome appearance that was not much less striking than others.

Wei Yuan felt relieved; thankfully, his teacher had gone into seclusion.

The unscrupulous senior uncles at the table were drinking and eating, in high spirits.

Feng Chutang picked up a piece of crispy fish and praised, "This fish is cooked extremely well, showing great craftsmanship! I didn't expect there to be such a famous chef in Qingming. It's a pity your teacher isn't here, otherwise, she would definitely have to try such a delicious dish."

It was like rubbing salt in the wound; upon hearing the teacher's name, Wei Yuan trembled slightly. At that moment, Consort Yuan's gaze drifted over, seemingly intentionally, yet unintentionally.

Consort Yuan remained composed, trying each dish. In contrast, Bao Yun only touched her chopsticks once before putting them down, constantly toying with the glass wine cup in her hand.

The shattered light from the glass goblet fell onto the table, much like a restless heart.

Consort Yuan looked around, then raised her wine cup first, saying to Bao Yun, "Sister Bao, I've heard of you since I was far away in the Jin Palace, and now I've finally met you in person. It's wonderful that the Bao family is at its zenith, and you are also a phoenix among women, with a bright future ahead of you. As your elder sister, I toast you!"

Bao Yun raised her wine cup with both hands and smiled faintly, replying, "I am not worthy of being called 'sister.' You are my senior, and I should be the one toasting you. I was just a little dazed just now. I never expected that such a stunning beauty, who should be hidden deep in the palace, could actually be seen in Qingming. I am truly fortunate to have such a sight to behold."

Wei Yuan let out a wail in his heart, remaining silent and motionless, feigning death. His unscrupulous senior uncles, on the other hand, had their eyes gleaming, completely focused, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Consort Yuan smiled slightly, her beauty illuminating the room. She took a sip, letting the wine make her lips even more vibrant, and then said, "Indeed, it was rather presumptuous of me to call myself 'elder sister.' As for the palace, what kind of good place is it? Which aristocratic family or major immortal sect doesn't know that?"
Deep within the palace, one might find a comfortable life with enough to eat and wear, but one dares not sleep soundly at night. If something were to happen, how could the royal family bear the burden or protect them? There is no one in the court to rely on.

If I had any other options, I wouldn't have traveled all the way to Qingming to escape this disaster. This time, I've even abandoned all pretense of decency."

Hearing these words, Bao Yun felt a little guilty and didn't know what to say for a moment.

She was still young after all, and Yuanfei's tactic of retreating to advance, combining offense and defense, left her with nowhere to retaliate.

Feng Chutang coughed lightly and said, "The Zhao and Li families are even stronger than the Bao family. Your Highness's background is no less than anyone else's."

Seeing that Bao Yun was at a disadvantage, Feng Chutang directly stepped in, subtly pointing out the powerful family background of Consort Yuan and exposing her true colors of playing the victim.

Consort Yuan sighed, “Small families have their advantages, and large families have their difficulties. This is especially true when one is associated with the emperor. I have been strong-willed and hardworking since I was a child. My knowledge and cultivation are no less than those of my older brothers and sisters, and Father has seen it all.”

Given my father's ambition, he would never want to see a wise ruler ascend the throne in Jin, nor would he want to see a young ruler. Therefore, if I were to receive any favors, I would only become a thorn in my father's side. As for those blood ties, what do they amount to in the face of the throne?

I've heard that Master Feng is skilled in divination. Why don't we calculate how many of the assassins who entered the palace were sent by my father?

Feng Chutang found it difficult to refute these words. As for calculations, there was no need for that; the Consort Yuan must have been confident in her words. To calculate on the spot would truly lead to a complete breakdown in relations.

If it were a serious debate, Feng Chutang would certainly not lose. But this wasn't a life-or-death battle; it was merely a matter of supporting his disciple. If he didn't gain the upper hand in the first sentence, he couldn't say a second.

Feng Chutang remained calm and secretly kicked Chuhe Zhenren.

The Farmer suddenly realized and exclaimed, "Well said! Come, let's drink a big cup!"

Then the old man who hoes the fields drank it all in one gulp, and that was the end of it.

Feng Chutang looked at Xu Henshui, who nodded slightly. Then he looked at Yuanfei and suddenly seemed lost in thought. He said, "Your earrings are quite rare. They must be the work of a master craftsman! I wonder which master could have captured the spirit of this bird so perfectly."

Consort Yuan said, "Master Xu has a good eye! This was bestowed upon us by our ancestors when we were young. It is said to have been made by Master Baoshi 3,700 years ago."

Xu Henshui's eyes lit up: "Genuine works by Baoshi are rare, and most of them are calligraphy and paintings, while carvings are rarely seen. I never expected to see one today."

Consort Yuan said, "Master Baoshi excels at freehand painting. In fact, judging purely by his carving skills, he is quite ordinary, but the spirit he conveys is something that others lack..."

The two then began to discuss pearls and jade with great enthusiasm.

Feng Chutang had no choice but to leave Sun Yuyu Zhizhuo behind.

Yu Zhizhu shook his head slightly, not intending to participate. He knew that even if he did participate, he would be no match for Consort Yuan, and the same was true for Sun Yu.

These two are people who prefer action to words. They might not be afraid to fight Yuanfei in a magical contest, but when it comes to verbal sparring and sarcastic remarks, even if the two of them were tied together, they would not be a match for Yuanfei.

Feng Chutang could only sigh, realizing that this was all the help she could offer.

Bao Yun composed herself and sighed, "Senior has come from afar and must be very tired. Now that we have had our drinks and tasted the food, we will not disturb your rest any longer."

A strong sense of unease rose within Wei Yuan; was he being asked to make a statement?
At this moment, the vast, bustling world was utterly silent. Wei Yuan had long known that none of the Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chicks could be relied upon at crucial moments, so his mind raced, but he was at a loss for what to do.

Consort Yuan calmly said, "Sister, you were still a bit too hasty..."

But before she could finish speaking, Feng Tingyu finally finished her meal and looked up, asking, "Sister, are you from the palace?"

Consort Yuan thought to herself, "Didn't you hear a single word I said?" But since Wei Yuan had just introduced Feng Tingyu, Consort Yuan only knew that he was a body cultivator. The higher the level of a body cultivator, the less you could expect them to use their brains.

Consort Yuan immediately replied, "Yes." Her demeanor was perfect, and the curve of her lips was perfectly rounded, showing no sign of impatience.

"You were assassinated in the palace, couldn't resist, and escaped here?"

Consort Yuan nodded, thinking to herself that there were advantages to this girl's naivety; she could say many things without her having to say them herself.

Feng Tingyu asked again, "Will they chase us here?"

"This place isn't an impregnable fortress; I'm afraid it's impossible to keep them outside the boundary," Consort Yuan said tactfully.

Feng Tingyu immediately slammed his hand on the table: "Fine, I'll sleep with you! With me here, as long as it's not Yu Jing who comes, no assassin can touch you. Even if Yu Jing comes, I can still help you escape. Besides, I'm even better at fighting when I'm asleep, so I'm not afraid of being ambushed."

For the first time, Consort Yuan's smile froze.

Feng Chutang almost slammed his fist on the table in approval, and then the banquet ended.

As they walked out of the courtyard, Feng Chutang couldn't help but say to Feng Tingyu, "A brilliant move, cutting off the enemy's supply lines!"

Feng Tingyu looked completely bewildered.

(End of this chapter)